Aug 31, 2024 … A Wise Helper

Aug 31, 2024  … A Wise Helper

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   to hear Big Daddy Weave, with music and lyrics, singing Audience of One,  how we, God’s people,  are to bring our praises to God, seeking His grace and to glorify The Lord with our servant’s heart.  

Beached pod of whales ...  

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Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 22:3 [NLT] … 

3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions;  The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 

…  God compares how a wise person handles danger as opposed to a fool.                                         

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Proverbs 22:1-5  NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Solomon’s wisdom compares a wise, helping person with a fool.                                               

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 62:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… King David sings of waiting on God to be his (our) salvation and protection.               

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… God, thru Isaiah, showing God’s willingness to give His family strength and protection to His people.   

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11  [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… God’s plan to protect and guide His chosen followers          

Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:14-16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus teaches His followers to be willing to reflect His light into a dark world.   

Reference Passage: … Galatians  6:1-2  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul calls on Christians to take care in reaching out to help others who fall into son to avoid falling themselves.  

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…Peter encourages oppressed Christians to bring all their cares and circumstances to our caring God.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Sheridan Voysey -  AT THIS LINK  -  who shared a tragic scene of a large pod of whales which had beached themselves to inexplicably die in a mass suicide (see photo).   

      

The ODB author speculates that a leader of the whale pod may have gotten disoriented and beached himself and the following whales, in concern for the leader, followed the leader to the beach.  We Christians are called by God’s word to reach out and help others in danger or in need; but, … if my readers have taken in the Scriptures above, … we see that we are to exercise wisdom and avoid getting in danger ourselves as we reach out to help others.    

My friends, … may we be “wise helpers” today when, as we see others in danger.  Yes, … helping all we can, but doing so in a way to be able to let God protect ourselves.                          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for protecting me as I reach out to care for others in need or in danger today.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me today to reach out and help others with Godly wisdom.  …  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.

Aug 30, 2024 … Gifted for God’s glory

Aug 30, 2024  … Gifted for God’s glory

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  to hear Chris Tomlin, with music and lyrics, singing Gifts From God,  showing how God’s people are called to reach out with our Spirit-given gifts to help others. 

Moses uses his shepherd's stsaff for God's glory 

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Highlight Passage: … Exodus 4:2 [NLT] … 

2 Then the Lord asked Moses, “What is in our hand?  “A Shepherd’s staff,”  Moses replied.

…  God calls Moses to use his shepherd’s staff for God’s glory.                                        

    

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Exodus 4:1-5  NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God calls Moses to use his shepherd’s staff to show Pharaoh God’s power and glory.             

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 14:15-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… God, once again, calls on Moses to use his shepherd’s staff to show Egypt God’s power and His glory.              

Reference Passage: … Matthew 25:14-30  [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus teaches His followers and disciples with a parable about using whatever we have been given to honor God with the talents we’ve been given by God.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:6-8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul reminds and calls on fellow Christians that they (we) are called to use the gifts/talents God has given them (us) for His glory.  .          

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 12:4-6  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul calls on fellow Christians to use the talents/gifts that we have been given as disciples of Christ for God’s glory.   

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:10  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul also calls teaches fellow Christians that they (we) hav been made anew for God’s purpose and His glory. . 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:10-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…Peter encourages oppressed Christians to use what God has gifted them with  … for His glory.           

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Nancy Gavalanes -  AT THIS LINK  -  -related a personal witness that God called on the ODB author to set aside her career as a journalist … at least for a time…  to serve God with other talents; but later, in God’s service she took back her pen to write again for God’s glory.   

      

The OBD author likened her personal calling and use of her own talents to that of Moses who was called, after 40 years in the wilderness as a shepherd, to use his shepherd’s staff to show God’s power and authority to free God’s people.   

My friends, … we all have been given talents/gifts which we can use for God’s glory (see Scriptures above).   I know mine; and I get to use them to minister to other fellow Christians who can use what God has given me to help them.   What gifts/talents are you using today for God’s glory?                        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your gifting of teaching and encouragement to help others.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to reach out an help others with Your gifts/talents.  …  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.

Aug 29, 2024 … Helping Others

Aug 29, 2024  … Helping Others 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   to hear Steven Curtis Chapman, with music and lyrics, singing Kindness,  showing how God’s people are called to reach out and show God’s love to others with kindness. 

Reaching out to help others ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Amos 5:4 [NLT] … 

 4 Now this is what the Lord says to the family of Israel: “Come back to me and live!

…  God calls His people to repent and return to Him.                                        

    

Highlight Passage (in context): … Amos 5:4-7  NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God thru the Prophet Amos calls Israel to repent of their idolatry and return to worship the Lord, helping others and living for The Lord.                                                                                    

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 19:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The wisdom of Solomon on how God love and repays those who reach out <b>(see photo)</b> to help others.            

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus teaches His followers that our God will reward - BIGTIME - those who give to help others.                         

Reference Passage: … Acts 20:35  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul reminds fellow Christian leaders of using his life work to help others in need as he calls them to do the same, quoting Jesus on how it is better to give then to receive.          

Reference Passage: … Galatians 6:9-10  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul also calls on fellow Christians to never stop doing what is goof for others in need.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:3-5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul calls on fellow Christians to have the attitude of Jesus in reaching out to help others over self.   

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:16  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…The Author of Hebrews shows that we please God when we reach out to help other in need.         

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Karen Pimpo -  AT THIS LINK  -    told of a your man, named Ryan, who, having lost his mother to cancer at a young age, worked hard and became the benefactor of many homeless people later in his life,…  helping other children to avoid going thru what he had missed out in life.      

if my readers have taken in the linked song and God’s truth in His word shared above … about God’s call for His people to reach out (see photo) and help those in need, … I’m praying we all do all we can to help those who obviously have needs which we can help with today.  Good goal, don’tcha think?                        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving us the opportunity to help someone in need … maybe even today.              

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to look for those whom You, Lord, show us to help 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.

Aug 28, 2024 … Waiting On God

Aug 28, 2024 … Waiting On God 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   to hear Lincoln Brewster, with music and lyrics, singing While I Wait,  declaring faith in God even when we have to wait for God’s promises.  

Waiting patiently and faithfully for God ...    

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Highlight Passage: … Genesis 12:2 [NLT] … 

16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.  

…  God calls Abram so GO in faith.                                         

    

Highlight Passage (in context): … Genesis 12:1-5  NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God promises Abram to go to a far lend where He, The Lord, will make him in to a great  nation which ;will bless mankind.                                                                                                     

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 27:13-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… King David sings of his commitment in faith to wait on God.           

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 30:18, 40:31 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, promises help those who wait on The Lord for His goodness and strength.  .                         

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

… Solomon’s wisdom on trusting God and waiting for His promises to unfold.         

Reference Passage: … James 5:7-8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… James calls on fellow Christians to be willing to wait on God like the farmer waits - in faith - for the harvest.   

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 3:9  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Peter teaches fellow Christians to have faith and patience, waiting on God as our Messiah in repentance and faith to come again.         

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Tom Felton -  AT THIS LINK  -   told of a flight passenger who waited patiently for over 18 hours to board a flight which was delayed; and when the patent passenger boarded, he was the ONLY passenger who had waited on the flight; and when he was on board, he was treated like royalty by the crew, … given first-class treatment.  So the long wait was well wroth it.    

The ODB story was used to call for Christian’s to be willing to patiently wait on God’s promises to be fulfilled and to expect royal treatment by God’s “crew” when Christ returns to carry His Bride to her (our) eternal home.  Worth the wait, wouldn’t you say?                    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for the promise and reality of Your coming for Your Bride one day, … I believe, … soon.               

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will wait with me for Your return, Lord,  … maybe 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.

Aug 27, 2024 … More Like Jesus

Aug 27, 2024 … More Like Jesus 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   to hear Zach Williams, with music and lyrics, singing Less Like Me, praying in song to become more like Jesus day-by-day and less like himself. 

Are we jusst blending in? ... 

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Highlight Passage: … John 17:16 [NLT] … 

<i>   16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do.  </i>

…  Jesus declares - and prays - that His disciples become more Christlike and less like the world.                                         

    

Highlight Passage (in context): … John 17:6-17 NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus prays that God take His disciples out of the world to become holy like God is holy.        

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 139:23-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… King David song/prayer for God to purge him from anything that does not look like God.         

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:1-2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul begs for Christians to become less like the world and more like Christ.                         

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 11:1-2  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Paull expresses his joy that fellow Christians are doing al they can to imitate Christ just as he (Paul) strives to imitate Jesus.        

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul shows fellow Christians that he had been transformed into Christlikeness by His faith in Jesus as The Christ.  

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

… Paul also confidently shows fellow Christians that we, as born again Christians, are being made over - by God’s Spirit - into the image of Christ.   

Reference Passage: … 1John 2:5-6  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… The Apostle John teaches truth to fellow Christians that those who obey God’s word show their love of The Lord by living as Christ lived.     

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Xochitl Dixon -  AT THIS LINK  -  showed how God created the Great Gray Owl to be able to camouflage himself to blend into the foliage of the trees (see photo).   But as any of my readers can take from the linked song and from God’s word posted above, we Christians are called to separate ourselves from becoming like the word and to do all we can to become and behave more like Jesus in the world.  

The question becomes … <b>”How’re we doing?”</b>  As Zach Williams sings in the linked song, are we doing all we can to be more like Jesus and less like the world?  Or, like the Great Gray Owl, are we just blending in and camouflaging ourselves into the world’s ways.  I’m praying today, in the Spirit of what Zach Williams sings and God’s word teaches, that we Christians <b>“come out”</b> and be noticed as Christlike witnesses with our lives, … surrendered to being like Christ … say-by-day-by-day.                 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for  helping me show myself as Your likeness today … and tomorrow.              

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I’m praying that those who read with me here will join me to do all we can to be noticed as Your likeness, Lord, 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.