May 31, 2024 … No Doubt! …

May 31, 2024 …  No Doubt!   …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    

…  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from the group, We The Kingdom singing … NO Doubt About It … Poignantly, yet powerfully singing of how we Christians are finding our way home to glory with our faith in Christ leading us homeward.  

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Highlight Passage: … Jude 1:22-23  [NLT] … 

22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.           

…  Jude exhorts fellow Christians to show mercy but share truth with those who doubt Christ as Messiah and Lord.                                                                        

Highlight Passage (in context): … Jude 1:17-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jude, one of Jesus’ half-brothers, exhorts fellow Christians to show mercy and love to those who scoff and doubt Jesus’ message to sinners.                                                                            

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

…  Solomon advances truth that we must trust in God <b>with ALL our heart</b> to be able to follow His way in life.

Reference Passage: … Mark 11:23 [NLT] … 

23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 

… Jesus teaches of the power of having faith and dispelling doubts in His saving grace.  

Reference Passage: … Luke 24:38 [NLT] …  

38 “Why are you frightened?” He asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?  

… Jesus appears - post resurrection - to His disciples and lovingly confronts their doubts.       

Reference Passage: … 1Timothy 2:1-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul mentors and teaches Timothy to pray for and witness to any/all who need the truth of Christ to dispel their doubts with our faith in the truth of God’s saving grace.        

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 11:1, 6  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s word, thru the Author of Hebrews, shows that one must have genuine faith, dispelling all doubt, to receive and have a relationship with The Lord. 

Reference Passage: … James 1:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus’ brother James teaches truth that we can pray to God for His wisdom … BUT we must do so with undivided faith in God’s ability to give us His mind and heart.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author, Karen Huang -  AT THIS LINK  - tells of an incident when she was in school … when a well-respected couple in her church invited her to come for pizza, but, the ODB author thought the couple may rebuke her for being in a so-called “bible study” where the group leaders were doubters and known scoffers of Jesus as Christ.  However, the couple lovingly showed the ODB author of our need to come to our faith with undivided faith and to beware of scoffers who would try to tear away from our faith with their doubts.   

And I’m praying today that all my readers take in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, bolstered in faith by God’s truth that we can only find God’s will and His way in life when - AND IF - we trust the Lord thru His word and follow His truth with an undivided and faith-filled heart.  Is that our mindset today?                                                                           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me to Your glory thru the truth of Your word.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, …to believe in and follow Your truth, Lord, all the way to Your glory.       … 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.

May 30, 2024 … Words Reflecting the Heart …

May 30, 2024 …  Words Reflecting the Heart  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   

…  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics with the group Casting Crowns singing … Love You With the Truth … Powerfully singing of how we Christians reflect God’s light when we speak the truth to others.  

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Highlight Passage: … Luke 6:45  [NLT] … 

45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.           

…  Jesus teaches that fruitful speech comes from a fruitful heart.                                                                       

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Luke 6:3-45 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches that we, as followers of Christ, must speak words which reflect the Fruit of the Spirit from our hearts.                                                                            

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Reference Passage: … John 15:1-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Jesus teaching that we must abide in Him to produce good fruit in our lives.   

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

…  The Apostle Paul reveals the fruit of God’s Spirit revealed in those who, in faith, follow and live for Christ.      

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Ephesians 4:29 [NLT] … </b> 

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to only use speech which edifies and gives grace to others, avoiding any words which are abusive or hurtful to others.          

Reference Passage: … Colossians 4:6 [NLT] …  

6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.  

… Paul also calls on fellow Christians to make the words we speak to others be filled with God’s grace.  

Reference Passage: … James 2:14-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ brother James teaches truth that our faith is dead without the words and deeds which reflect the truth of God.         

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Marvin Williams -  AT THIS LINK  -  tells of a high school which tried to eliminate foul language by having all students sign a pledge which stated … "I do solemnly promise not to use profanities of any kind within the walls and properties of [our school],”  which reminded the ODB author of Jesus’ teaching (see Highlights passage) as well as teaching from the Apostle Paul and Jesus’ brother, James (see Scriptures above).  

When you, my readers, and I, reflect on our own lives, are we using our words and conversations to share the truth of God’s love and grace; or are we, too often, speaking words which reflect our sin nature.  Oh, how I pray here today that we Christians speak the truth and share the light of Christ,  … being spoken from hearts which reflect the fruit of God’s Spirit which comes from a heart of faith in Christ.                                                                         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me to reflect Your fruitfulness in the words I share with others.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, …to speak only those words which comes from a heart seeking to reflect Your truth, 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.

May 29, 2024 … Sharing Godly Advice …

May 29, 2024 …  Sharing Godly Advice  …       

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics with Tim McGraw singing … Humble And Kind … Poignantly singing of how we ALWAYS should be humble and kind to each other.   

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Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 4:31-32 [NLT] … 

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,  just as God through Christ has forgiven you.          

…  Godly counsel from Paul to fellow Christians about treating others as Christ has treated all who would believe and follow Him.                                                                      

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Ephesians 4:29-32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to rid themselves of unGodly behaviors and to ALWAYS share Christlike humility and kindness with others                                                           

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 1:1-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God’s Psalmist, likely King David, sings seeking and following Godly wisdom and His word.   

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 11:14, 12:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Solomon gives wise advice to seek advice from wise counsel.     

Reference Passage:  … 1Corinthians 15:33 [NLT] …  

33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 

… Paul advises fellow Christians to seek and follow the advice of wise, Godly, leaders.          

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:13 [NLT] …  

13  For I can do everything through Christ, Who gives me strength..   

… The Apostle Paul shows fellow Christians that he always followed Christ’s way in the way he treated others.

Reference Passage: … James 1:5, 3:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ brother James gives Godly advice to fellow Christians about ALWAYS giving wise and Christlike advise to one another.       

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, John Blase -  AT THIS LINK  -  writes of best-selling  Author, George Saunders, delivering the 2013 Commencement address to the graduates of Syracuse University on “What Do I Regret,” which mainly focused on not helping others when he had the opportunity to do so in life.     

When you, my readers, and I, reflect on our past, do you, as do I, remember times when we could’ve followed a more Christlike pattern of living than we did?  All of the passages from God’s word above … (see Scriptures cited), … as well as the linked song by Tim McGraw, lead us to follow and share GODLY words and choices which reflect Christlike humility and kindness.  So, perhaps you, like I do today, are seeking to become more like our Lord as we encounter and share life with others … today and forward into the tomorrows of our lives.                                                                          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me, thru Your word, Lord, to seek to do more to live for others as You lived and died for us.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, …to seek to humbly share Your love and grace, Lord, with others today.      … 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.

May 28, 2024 … Praising God ALWAYS …

May 28, 2024 …  Praising God ALWAYS  …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics with Matt Redmon singing … Praise God … Powerfully singing of how God is worthy to be praised … ALWAYS … no matter what we face.  

Praise to God ... ALWAYS !!! 

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Highlight Passage: … Acts 16:25 [NLT] … 

25 Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!          

…  God uses an earthquake to open the doors of the Philippian jail were Paul and Silas were praising God in spite of being unjustly flogged and imprisoned.                                                                    

Highlight Passage (in context): … Acts 16:16-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul and Silas were flogged and jailed for casting a demon from a slave girl; … and, even while in jail, praised God, Who released them from the prison with an earthquake.       

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 95:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God’s Psalmist, likely King David, sings of praising God ALWAYS.   

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 25:1 [NLT] … 

1  O Lord, I will honor and praise your name,  for You are my God.  You do such wonderful things!  You planned them long ago, and now You have accomplished them.. 

… God, thru Isiah, calls on all believers to praise God always for all the wondrous things His has done for us.   

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Mark 10:27 [NLT] …  

 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”  

… Jesus teaches His followers and Disciples that … with God … everything is possible.          

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … 

28 And we know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.   

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians that we can ALWAYS praise God because He works ALL THINGS together for the good of ALL who believe in Him as Messiah and Lord.   

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

 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts all believers in Jesus as The Christ to sing songs praising our Lord.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:15 [NLT] … 

15 Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to His name..  

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, charges God’s people to praise Him with our allegiance ALWAYS.. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author, Nancy Gavilanes -  AT THIS LINK  -  writes of being on a short-term mission to Ethiopia and encountering a lovely evening, under a full moon, where one of the locals picked up a guitar and all who were there sang praises to God under the moon-light, reminding the author of what God’s word says (see Scriptures referenced above) about Christians being willing to praise God … ALWAYS!      

And I’m stopping here to praise our Lord, no matter what we face right now, just like Paul and Silas did in that jail in Philippi (see Highlight passage) when God honored their praises by sending an earthquake to open the doors of their jail cells.   And today’s ODB entry asks if we are willing to praise the Lord in that way … no matter what we face in life.   I pray so!!!                                                                         

My THANKFULNESS: .. Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … praising You,Lord, for being our God every day and in every way.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … remembering to praise You, Lord, … ALWAYS … no matter what we face in life.      … 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.