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.

April 26, 2024 … Together For God’s Glory …

April 26, 2024 …  Together For God’s Glory …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Matthew West singing … Strong Enough …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians must surrender our will to let God’s strength to work thru His Church for His glory.

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Highlight Passage: … Philippians 4:16 [NLT] … 

16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.           

… Paul thanks fellow Christians for helping him spread the Gospel in desperate times.                                               

Highlight Passage (in context): … Philippians 4:14-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul lauds and thanks the Church in Philippi for their sacrificial giving when Paul was imprisoned in Rome allowing Paul to continue to share the Gospel with those who need to find Christ.                                                       

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 27:17 [NLT] …  

17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  

… God, thru Solomon’s teaching, shows that we work stronger for the LORD when we work TOGETHER.   

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… Solomon also teaches that two, working together, are always stronger than just one; and three are even stronger.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:10 [NLT] … 

10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians (and us) to come TOGETHER in unity and work  TOGETHER for God’s kingdom.  

Reference Passage:  … 1Thessalonians 5:14-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul again teaches fellow Christians how they (we) must come TOGETHER and work TOGETHER for God’s glory.    

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, calls on Christians to encourage and help one another as they (we) come TOGETHER for God’s glory.                      

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt -  AT THIS LINK  -   relates the true story of several rescue teams from the USA and Australia, during the COVID pandemic which came together to rescue a floundering vessel, … illustrating what God’s word (in the Scriptures above) teaches about working TOGETHER to more effectively do what God calls us to do.    

I think most, if not all, of those reading what I’m writing here would agree that we Christians can do so … SO … much more when we work TOGETHER. than when we try to go it alone.  And so, I, for one, am constantly looking for support and prayer for what God has called me to do in His kingdom.  Even as I write this, I’m praying for that kind of unity and support. … How about you?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for being my provider in troubled times.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to work with my brothers and sisters, IN CHRIST,  to be Your three-braided cord, in working TOGETHER for Your glory, 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.

April 25, 2024 … Following THE Leader …

April 25, 2024 …  Following THE Leader …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing … I Will Follow Christ …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians must choose to follow our Lord in life. 

His way is really the only way to go ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Joshua 14:9 [NLT] … 

9 So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because You wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’         

… Joshua promises Caleb that God will lead his faithful follower to Caleb’s inheritance in the promised land.                                             

Highlight Passage (in context): … Joshua 14:6-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Joshua remembers the trust and faithfulness of Caleb, even as Caleb humbly followed God in the wilderness for 45 years.                                                      

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Reference Passage: … Leviticus 26:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… God’s blessing on those who obediently follow the ways of the Lord.   

Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 28:9-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… God repeats His promise to God’s chosen - and faithful - followers to bless them in their willingness to follow The Lord.

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

… God, thru Solomon’s wisdom, imparts truth about those who trust in God to lead us to HIs glory.    

Reference Passage: … Luke 10:25-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches truth about following the Lord with ALL of their (our) hearts.  

Reference Passage: … John 14:15, 26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… Jesus promises to His disciples (and to us) that God will provide His Spirit to lead us as we choose to show our love for Him by obeying and following His ways rather then our own.                     

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Arthur Jackson -  AT THIS LINK  -  relates today’s ODB author and his  admiration for an 85 year old friend, Raleigh, who, as an octogenarian reported that he had just finished writing a book and was starting up a new ministry, … all the result of faithfully following God as Raleigh’s helper.   

Raleigh’s humble following of His Lord in life reminded the ODB author of Caleb (in the highlight Bible passage), who had faithfully followed Moses and Joshua as they followed God thru the wilderness for over 4 decades.  And taking in the linked song and the Scriptures above, I’m praying that all reading with me here are committed to trusting God to lead us to His eternal glory.  My friend, … it’s really the only way to go for those who have faith in God, … isn’t it?         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for showing me the way to go as I follow You thru Your word every day..   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to choose to follow Your way, … really way every day, … as my 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.