July 11, 2025 … From Death To Life !! …

July 11, 2025 … From Death To Life !!    … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with The Gettys and Matt Papa singing… Christ Our Hope,  proclaiming that our hope for eternal life rests in our faith in Christ, Our Lord.

 

Highlight Passage … Amos 5:6a  … [NLT] … 

6 Come back to Me and live!  ….  

…  God calls His people to repent and come back to Him to live forever with Him.       

           

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Amos 5:1-6, 10-14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God, through the Prophet Amos, calls believers to live forever with Him          

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Reference Passage:… Psalms 23:4  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...  

…  King David sings of His Good Shepherd, The Messiah, protecting and saving him.

Reference Passage:… Daniel 12:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Daniel, of everlasting life for the faithful who believe and follow the Lord.

Reference Passage: … John 11:25  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus assures Martha (and us) that her brother Lazarus, like all believers in Him, would live with Him forever.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 10:9-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul truthfully tells of what it takes to be saved and live forever with Christ.   

Reference Passage: …  1John 1:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… The Apostle John declares that those, who humbly confess their sins, will be cleansed and saved by God. 

Reference Passage: … Revelation 21:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…God reveals to believers living forever with no sorrow or pain in Heaven.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Tom Felton  … AT THIS LINK     … told a true story about a family receiving an urn filled with the ashes of what they were told were the ashes of their son who had reportedly died from from a drug overdose.  But later the family learned it was a mistake, … when their beloved son and brother returned to the family , … very much alive, … having gone through and completed a drug rehab program and having walked free from the death that comes to many from drug addiction. 

That young man exemplifies what the Prophet Amos sang about many … many … years ago, when God, thru the truth of Amos’ words in today’a Highlight passage, related to God’s people about God saving and calling them (us) to go from death and exile to life by confessing and repenting of their (our) sins.  That’s what I did,, over 40 years ago.   What about you?   Are you headed to eternal  life or death?  For those of us who confess our sins and walk in faith to follow Christ, … we will ultimately live with our Lord forever. Are y’all with me?  If so, I’ll see you in glory!    

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for calling me out … from death to life.  

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again today, Lord. … for bringing those of us who have faith in You, … to live forever with You.    … 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.

July 10, 2025 … He’s AlWAYS THERE! …

July 10, 2025 … He’s AlWAYS THERE!    …  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Cody Carnes singing… Nothing Else,  proclaiming that all we want and need is the presence of our Lord … and NOTHING ELSE!   

Highlight Passage: … Psalms 139:7  … [NLT] … 

7 I can NEVER escape from Your Spirit. I can never get away from Your presence.   

…  King David sings of his confidence in God’s presence in David’s heart.      

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … Psalms 139:7-12  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b> 

…  King David sings of God’s presence in the hearts of believers.          

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Reference Passage:… Exodus 33:14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God promises Mose of The Lord’s presence and strength as Moses leads God’s people to the Promised Land.

Reference Passage: … Psalm 16:11  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David again sings of God’s promise of His presence and protection.  .

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

…  Solomon shows believers that trusting God is the way to go in life.   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:20b [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus, when He calls Christians to serve Him, promises to ALWAYS be with those who do..   

Reference Passage: …  1Corinthians 3:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Paul exhorts fellow Christians to understand that God lives in the hearts of His faithful followers … FOREVER!    

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

…The Apostle Peeter also teaches truth to fellow Christians about how they (we( can give ALL their (our) cares to a God who cares for them (us).

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Jasmine Goh  … AT THIS LINK     … described the attitude of Her grandmother when her grandma was informed by the doctors that her husband would likely only live a few more days.  The family  thought their grandmother might be greatly concerned about her husband’s passing or her own well being.  However, Jasmine Goh reported that the family was bolstered by the grandma’s response, as she said, “I know where he’s going. God is there with him.”

The attitude of the ODB author’s grandmother apparently reminded Jasmine Goh of King David’s song in the Highlight passage today (see Psalm 139:7-12)  Where King David sang that God’s presence is with all who open their heart to surrender self to their (our) faith in God.  That’s why you find me here … every morning … opening up God’s word and  relishing in my God’s promises of His presence in me (see the linked song and the Reference Scriptures above).  Are you with me? I’m praying that you feel His presence with us today.  I certainly do here this morning.  

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for being with me . ALWAYS, Lord, … in my heart.   

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again today, Lord. … for being with any of us who, with our faith, sense Your presence.    … 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.

July 9, 2025 … Seeking God’s Peace …

July 9, 2025 … Seeking God’s Peace    …  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing… I Will Follow Christ,  calling on ALL Christians to ALWAYS follow our Lord with thankful hearts.  

ALWAYS following His ways ... 

Highlight Passage: … 1Thessalonians 5:19  … [NLT] … 

19 Do not stifle (i.e., “grieve”) the Holy Spirit.  

…  Paull exhorts fellow Christians to avoid grieving God’s Spirit.       

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … 1Thessalonians 5:16-24  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians how to seek God’s peace by following His ways. .

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

…  Solomon shows believers that trusting God is the way to go in life. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 26:2, 41:10  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, promises His peace to those who focus on Him and use His strength when they (we) are weak.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:20b [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus, when He calls Christians to serve Him, promises to ALWAYS be with those who do.

Reference Passage: … Luke 9:23 (NLT) …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus commands His followers to give up our way and ALWYS follow HIS ways.   

Reference Passage: …  Galatians 5:24-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…Paul exhorts fellow Christians to surrender self and to follow God’s Spirit … ALWAYS.  

Reference Passage: …Philippians 4:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…The Apostle Paul also teaches truth to fellow Christians about how to follow Christ and find His protective peace. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Tim Gustafson  … AT THIS LINK      … tells of three adrenaline stoked teenage boys being led in the depths of the Mammoth Cave system by one of the boys uncle, “Frank.” And the Uncle was having to continually call to the boys to follow His experienced lead.  But finally Frank let them wander into the darkness a while, … until they called out to him and to find his guiding head lamp and to follow Uncle Frank more reliably.     

It’s a good illustration to accompany the linked song and the Scriptures shared above which - hopefully - show us that we must CONTINUALLY seek and then, with thankful hearts, follow God’s Spirit, as He promises to lead us to His glory.   Personally, … that’s the pursuit of this heart of mine!   How about you?   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for giving me Your light to follow You, Lord, in the darkness of my world.  

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again today, Lord. … for calling and leading us out of our darkness by Your light.    … 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.

July 8, 2025… Desperate Prayers    …  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to hear music and lyrics with Dallas Holm singing… Rise Again,  Assurance from Jesus that He will rise again from death to life. 

Highlight Passage: … John 11:23  … [NLT] … 

23 Jesus told her, .“Your brother will rise again.” 

…  Jesus assures a grieving Martha that her brother, Lazarus, will rise again from death.       

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … John 11:1-7, 17-23  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus responds to the desperate prayers of Martha and Mary for Lazarus.          

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 50:15  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God promises, in song, to hear our prayers and rescue His children. 

Reference Passage: … Psalms 91:14-15  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Likely Moses sings of God hearing the desperate prayers of His people for protection.

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:10-14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru Jeremiah, promises to rescue his desperate people from their exile to Babylon. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 15:13 (NLT) …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul’s prayer for fellow Christians for God to fill his faithful people with peace and power in their (our) trials.   

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 1:3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Paul assures fellow Christians that God has blessed them to be united with Christ.  

Reference Passage: …1Thessalonians 5:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about God keeping His chosen blameless until the Day Christ comes again.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Kenneth Petersen  … AT THIS LINK     … wrote about a friend, Kathy, who collapsed while working with her daughter and flatlined at the hospital; and the family was summoned, informed that Kathy was dying; but the desperate prayers of the family were answered as Kathy was revived and lived.  

The incident apparently reminded the ODB author of the biblical story of the Sisters of Lazarus calling on Jesus to come and heal their brother who was dying (see Highlight passage).  But Jesus delayed several days and when He came to Martha and Mary, their brother had been dead for four days.  But, as we’ve all likely read in Scripture, Jesus promised that Lazarus would be raised from the dead.  And he was, … foreshadowing Jesus being raised from the dead to save mankind from their (our) sin. 

Do any of my readers have any desperate prayers? Well, my friends, offer them up to God.  He hears us.  He answers us.  He protects us.  He loves us!  … ALWAYS!!!   

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for hearing our prayers, Lord, . ALWAYS!!  

 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I praise You, … again today, Lord. … for hearing our desperate prayers and providing us with Your protection and provision … 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.