April 30, 2024 … God’s Way More Love …

April 30, 2024 …  God’s Way More Love  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Katy Nichole singing … God Is Love … Poignantly and yet powerfully singing of how God’s love is so great, we, who love the Lord, are called to extend it to others. … And then take in Anne Wilson singing of how God’s love was extended to all who would believe in God’s perfect love, expressed in the Song ”3:16” … AT THIS LINK … 

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Highlight Passage: … 1John 4:19 [NLT] … 

19 We love each other because He loved us first.          

…  John expresses to fellow Christians WHY and HOW we can share God’s love with others.                                                  

Highlight Passage (in context): … 1John 4:15-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John exhorts fellow Christians (and us) that we can, as He commands us, to love one another because He, .. GOD,  … first loved us.                                                           

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 136:26  [NLT] …  

26 Give thanks to the God in Heaven.  His faithful love endures forever.    

… The Psalm’s human author, likely King David, assures believers that God’s faithful love for His chosen people endures FOREVER.       

Reference Passage: … Zephaniah 3:17  [NLT] …   

17 For the Lord your God is living among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will take delight in you with gladness.  With His love, He will calm all your fears.  He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.   

… Zephaniah, prophesying to the kingdom of Judah and to God’s people, showing them (and us) the extent of God love for His chosen people.    

Reference Passage: … John 3:16 [NLT] … 

16  “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 

… Jesus reveals the extent of God’s love by giving His only Son, the God-Man, Jesus, to save all who would believe in Him as Lord and give them eternal life.     

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:8 [NLT] …  

8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  

…The Apostle Paul teaching truth to fellow Christian about how God extended His perfect love to sinners by dying to save them (us). 

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38 [NLT] … 

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, … neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.  

…The Apostle Paul also assures fellow Christian of his confidence that NOTHING can separate born-again Christians from the love of God.. 

Reference Passage: … 1John 3:1, 4:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle John teaches fellow Christians that it is God’s love, living in them (us),  that allows them (us) to love others.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Xochitl Dixon -  AT THIS LINK  -  wrote about her son, Xavier, in kindergarten, with arms out-stretched as widely as he could, expressed to his mom, … “This is how much I love you!”  And then the author reflected on that memory when Xavier, and his now adult wife, were about to present the ODB author with her first grandchild, … realizing just how much God’s love had given her the ability to love that child with God’s perfect love. 

And the ODB entry, the linked songs, and all of the Scriptures shared above today, helped me realize that I could never be able to offer or extend the love i have for others, … my wife, my children, my grandkids, or - for that matter - my fellow Christians and prayerfully even my enemies, … if I didn’t have God’s love residing in my heart.  So, here, as I write today, I’m praying that I’ll be able - and fully willing - to offer up that love of God, welling up in my heart, to anyone I encounter today.   How about you?  Are you with me today and ready to reach out to love others, showing God’s love to any/all we encounter today?                                                     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for Your love, prayerfully bubbling over in my heart, to offer to others today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to reach out and share Your love, Lord, with others today and then all our tomorrows forward.  … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

April 29, 2024 … Watch and Pray …

April 29, 2024 …  Watch and Pray  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Matthew West singing … Don’t Stop Praying … Powerfully singing of how we Christians must NEVER STOP PRAYING for what we’re desperate for in our battles for God’s Kingdom. 

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Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 6:18 [NLT] …

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.           

…  Paul charges us Christians to be vigilant and disciplined to pray                                                  

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Ephesians 6:10-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to prepare for Spiritual warfare in life by putting on the full armor of God offered by God to help us be successful in the battles of life.                        

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 26:41  [NLT] …  

41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”   

… Jesus warns His disciples (and all Christians) to avoid temptations or trials by keeping watch and pray.      

Reference Passage: … Luke 21:36  [NLT] …  

36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”   

… Jesus warns His followers to keep alert and to pray that they (we) stay strong to battle the coming warfare in God’s kingdom.  

Reference Passage:… 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians to stand firm and never stop praying for God to help us in the battles of life.     

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:8 [NLT] … 

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 

…Peter charges fellow Christians to ALWAYS stay alert because Satan, our constant enemy, prowls around like a lion to devour those who don’t stay alert.     

<b><u>Reference Passage:</u> … Revelation 16:15 [NLT] … </b> 

<i> 15  “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for Me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.” </i> 

…God reveals that myriads of angels will surround the Lord in heaven.                

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Marvin Williams -  AT THIS LINK  -  relates a story about a Florida woman who was praying while driving one day and had her eyes closed, trying to pray diligently; but the woman didn’t heed the second part of God’s warning from His word (see Scriptures cited above) and that is to “STAY ALERT.”  The woman was cited for reckless driving going thru a stotlight with her eyes closed praying and driving into someone’s yard.       

Though true, the story probably is a bit extreme to illustrate God’s call for His followers to stay alert and pray diligently for God to watch over all who do battle daily in His name and for His glory.  And I’m praying - RIGHT NOW - for all of us, who claim to be Christ’s disciples in the battles of this life, to ALWAYS stay alert and, as Mathew West sings in the linked long, to NEVER stop praying!                                                            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for Your enabling grace to stay alert in prayer for Your protection.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to stay alert and to pray for You, Lord, to watch over those of us doing battle in Your name   … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

April 28, 2024 … His Guardian Angels …

April 28, 2024 …  His Guardian Angels  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing … Whom Shall I Fear … Powerfully singing of how we Christians need not fear anything because we have even God’s angels surrounding to protect His children. 

His guardian angels ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Exodus 23:20 [NLT] … 

20  “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. …”             

…  God’s promise and charge to follow the Angel He will send to watch over His people all the way to His promised land.                                                 

Highlight Passage (in context): … Exodus 23:20-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s promise of sending His angel to watch over His people and He leads them toward the promised land, charging them (us) to follow HIs instructions and commands.                                

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 91:11, 102:20  [NLT] …USE THIS LINK …   

… God’s Spirit, thru His psalmists, sing of His guardian angels.    

Reference Passage: … Daniel 12:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… At the time of God’s judgement, Michael, the archangel will be there to watch over His people.   

Reference Passage: … 2 Corinthians 11:12-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians and warns of false “apostles,” disguising themselves, as does even Satan, as angels of light.     

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:2 [NLT] …  

2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 

…Peter, thru the Author of Hebrews, charges fellow Christians to show hospitality to unknown strangers who might even be angels of the Lord.    

Reference Passage: … Revelation 5:11 [NLT] … </b> 

11 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. 

…God reveals that myriads of angels will surround the Lord in heaven.                

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Anne Cetas -  AT THIS LINK  -  relates how a friend named, Bev, was going thru a time of uncertainty as various doctors carried out many tests, searching for what they thought were signs of cancer.  But in this time of trial, Bev came across a scripture in Exodus 23:20 (see Highlight passage),, which stated that God would send His angels to watch over all of His children, … truth which gave Bev strength and encouragement.     

Perhaps some of my readers here today have doubts or fears which come from circumstances in your (our) lives.  Well, we need to take heart, as did Bev in the ODB entry story; because all of who know Christ as our Savior have His guardian angels with us … ALWAyS!!                              

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for Your guardian angels watching over me … ALWAYS!!       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to take heart that You send Your angels to watch over us, Lord, … today, tomorrow, and always.     … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

April 27, 2024 … Pulling the Worry Weeds …

April 27, 2024 …  Pulling the Worry Weeds  …     

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Roland Zimmerman singing … Weeds … Singing of calling Christians to rid His garden of the weeds of worry to allow the fruit in His garden to grow and flourish. 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 13:22 [NLT] … 

22  22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.        

…  Jesus explains His parable of the fruit of HIs Spirits being choked by the weeds of worry in the life of His chosen people.                                                

Highlight Passage (in context): … Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ parable of casting out weeds in his garden of life.                                                         

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 55:22  [NLT] … 

22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.  

… God’s promise, thru King David, of God protecting those who bring their (our) burdens to the Lord.   

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6, 12:25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  …  

… Solomon also teaches that believers trusts in God and not let personal worries weigh them (us) down.  

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul teaches of the fruit in the lives of Christians who don’t allow the worries of this life to choke out these fruit (see also Jesus’s words in Matt 13:22)

Reference Passage:  … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to take our worries to God in thankful prayer to receive His enabling grace and peace..    

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:7 [NLT] …  

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.  

…Peter, to fellow oppressed Christians, exhorting them (us) to take ALL their (our) cares and worries to their (our) caring God.                    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Katara Patton -  AT THIS LINK  -    relates how the author planted seeds in a planter in the backyard but had to pull the weeds that grew up first to allow the seeds to grow and flourish and become fruitful.    

And the question for all of us taking in today’s ODB entry is whether we Christians are doing all we can to pull the weeds of worry from the garden God has called us to tend.  I’m praying today that we pull all those weeds and to let God’s Spiritual garden grow and become become fruitful for His glory.                                                          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for Your empowering grace to clear the weeds of worry from Your garden today, Lord.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to do all we can to clear the worry weeds from Your garden, Lord.    … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.