Mar 31, 2025 … Jesus Changes Everything …

Mar 31, 2025 … Jesus Changes Everything …  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with the group, Casting Crowns singing … The Change In Me,  proclaiming how God changes us to serve and glorify Him with our transformed lives.

Highlight Passage: … 1Timothy 1:15 …[NLT] … 

15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”  — and I am the worst of them all.             

…  Paul shows all how God transformed him and used him as an example of God’s saving grace.              

Highlight Passage (in context):… 1Timothy 1:12-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul, who once pursued Christians to imprison or kill them, is turned around and used by God to bring transformation in Christ for many.                                                                  

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Reference Passage: … John 14:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…Jesus declares to HIs disciples in the Upper Room showing them that HE is the only way to the Father.

Reference Passage: …   Romans 3:23  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…  The Apostle Paul declares truth about everyone being a sinner in need of salvation and sanctification.   

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

…  Paul shows fellow Christians the reality of faith in Christ changing everything in the lives of those who believe in Him as LORD and SAVIOR.  

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

… Paul testifies to the change in his life which took place thru HIs faith in Christ.

<b><u>Reference Passage:</u> …  Revelation 3:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …</b> 

… Jesus calls on believers in Christ to open the door of their (our) hearts as God’s Spirit knocks and desire entry to transform our lives with His fellowship and enabling grace.

                        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Arthur Jackson  … AT THIS LINK     … related the true story of a young man, named Eric, who had many personal challenges as a young man, leading him - by his own choices - to become,  in his words “the king of bad.”  But a friend at Eric’s job invited him to a church service where Eric heard and was drawn by The Gospel to surrender his life to Christ.   And Eric became one of those, like the Apostle Paul, whose life was transformed by his faith in Jesus, to follow Christ rather than living for himself.     

Eric was transformed by the truth and reality of what the Apostle Paul taught in 2Corinthians 5:17 … that we become transformed by God’s Spirit into lives which reflect Christlikeness.  Personally, being led by God’s word, that’s what I desire for my life; … how about you?     

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for providing us Christians with Your truth as our guide in life, leading us onward every day to become more like Jesus.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that all reading here will join me, …  to accept Your make-over, Lord, leading us onward every day to a better 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.

Mar 30, 2025 … Infinity From Infirmity

Mar 30, 2025 … Infinity From Infirmity  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with the group, Victory Worship singing … Beauty For Ashes,  proclaiming how God’s salvation turns our lives from ashes to infinite beauty. 

Blue Dancers by Edgar Degas

 

Highlight Passage: … Galatians  4:13 …[NLT] … 

13 Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News.            

…  Paul reminds fellow Christians in Galatian of the sickness which led him to that area and birthed a church dedicated to God’s glory.              

Highlight Passage (in context)  … Galatians 4:13-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul reminds fellow Christians in Galatia how his sickness led him to stay in that area and led to the foundation of a church in that region.                                                                

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 61:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…God, thru Isaiah, proclaims and prophesies the day of restoration of Israel will come when Messiah will bring blessings and righteousness to God’s people forever.

Reference Passage: …   Jeremiah 31:13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jeremiah prophesies of the coming day of joy and beauty which will come to restore God’s people from the sickness of sin.

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

… Jesus calls on God’s people to shine the Light of Christ into the darkness of this world, bringing beauty from ashes.

Reference Passage: …  Romans 8:28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows that all things in the lives of Christians are intended to bring God’s transforming grace for their (our) good and God’s glory.

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

… Paul also teaches truth about the beauty of God’s Spirit bringing His fruit into the lives of born-again Christians.

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

… Paul assures fellow Christians that His Spirit is transforming them (us) into vessels of Christlikeness, doing good work for God’s glory..

                        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Sheridan Voysey … AT THIS LINK -   … tells of how the infirmities of several impressionistic artists, like Degas, Renoir, or Matisse, all who had debilitating infirmities where they had to adapt to create many of their beautiful paintings.  For example, Edgar Degas’ eyesight was so poor that he had to transfer media from paint to pastel chalk to be able to see well enough to create works like his series of “Blue Dancer” pastels … as illustrated in the photo.    

And these were illustrations, for the ODB author of how God uses His transforming grace to bring His fruit into and thru the lives of born-again Christians.   For example, in my life, God brought strength to me to overcome a severe addiction and allow me to share that strength to help many others who suffered from that same addiction, … leading them to freedom and a restored walk with Christ.  Perhaps God has brought His victory or beauty into your life to help others to overcome the brokenness or ashes in their past.   If so, I pray you will go forth and and continue to help others to find beauty to replace the past ugliness in their lives. 

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for giving me Your strength to allow me to help others walk free from the ashes of their past.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that all reading here will join me, …  to rely on Your strength, Lord, to lead us out of the darkness of our sin and to walk in the light of 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.

Mar 29, 2025 … God’s Presence and Power

Mar 29, 2025 … God’s Presence and Power  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with Steven Curtis Chapman singing … His Strength Is Perfect,  promising God’s presence and power to lift us cup when we feel weak.

Relying on God's Presence and Power ... 

 

Highlight Passage: … Deuteronomy 31:6 …[NLT] … 

6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”         …  Moses relays God’s promise to be with and NEVER forsake HIs chosen people.              

Highlight Passage (in context): … Deuteronomy 31:1-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God’s promise, thru Moses to Joshua and God’s people that the Lord’s presence and power would ALWAYS be with them.                                                                                  

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

…God calls Joshua to lead His people into the promised land with the Lord’s power protecting them wherever they (we) go.

Reference Passage: …   1Chronicles 28:20  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… David commands God’s people, thru Solomon, to build a temple for God to reside and give power to His people in HIs presence.

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

…Solomon’s call for believers trust and follow God’s will with ALL their (our) heart and to avoid leaning on our own ways in life.

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

… God, thru Isaiah, promises to provide His strength when His people feel weak.

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

… Jesus promises His disciples, (and that’s us, too) be with them (us) ALWAYS.

Reference Passage: …  Hebrews 13:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, reminds His chosen - i.e., all born-again Christians - that The Lord will ALWAYS be with them.

                        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Winn Collier … AT THIS LINK    … shares US Government stats on how often the airlines lose the luggage of airline travelers, supporting a market for digital devices to allow travelers to track the placement of their luggage.   But in today’s ODB devotional, we read of God’s promises to never leave or forsake His people, with God’s word repeatedly promising that our God will be with His chosen people … ALWAYS!   

The question is … do we believe God’s promises - thru His word - to ALWAYS be with and support His people?  I do!   Do you?   

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for giving me Your strength when I’m feeling weak or lost (see linked song).

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that all reading here will join me, …  to trust Your presence and power, Lord, when we feel weak as we face this world or our own weaknesses. … 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.

Mar 28, 2025 … Following God’s Will

Mar 28, 2025 … Following God’s Will  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with Phil Wickham singing … The Jesus Way,  calling on all Christians to choose to follow God’s will and Jesus’ way.

Following the Jesus Way ... 

 

Highlight Passage: … James 4:15 …[NLT] … 

15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”           

…  James calls on fellow Christians to look for and follow God’s will for our lives..               

Highlight Passage (in context): … James 4:13-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Jesus’ brother calls on Christians to set aside their (our) egos and follow God’s will.                

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

…Solomon’s call for believers to seek to trust and follow God’s will with ALL their (our) heart and to avoid leaning on our own ways in life.

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…God, thru Jeremiah, promises to listen to and give those who pray to follow God’s plans in life </b>(see photo)</b>.

Reference Passage: …   Matthew 6:33  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus Himself calls on all followers to seek and follow Him and to seek the Kingdom of God.

Reference Passage: …  John 5:30  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesusshows His followers that everything He thinks, says or does is in line with His Father’s will.

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 5:15-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians that they (we) should always seek and follow the will and ways of God in the demands and circumstances of life.

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

… Peter instructs fellow Christians that they (we) are to bring ALL their (our) cares and worries to God, Who ALWAYS cares for His chosen ones.

                        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Karen Huang … AT THIS LINK -     … related a personal story of her confidence in her work of a plan she had developed; … but how she let her pride get in the way of surrendering her plan to God’s, confessing that she wondered if “her plan” was really God’s plan.  

And today’s ODB entry and the various Scriptures shared above; … AND the linked song … ALL describe how we need to take our will and our ways in life, seeking to trust God to see that our plans, and our ways, are in accord with God’s.  That’s why I’m here … right now … and once again, daily, into God’s word as led by today’s entry from Our Daily Bread, seeking to have my steps in life follow those of my Savior (again see photo) as God uses His word to become my perfect “GPS.”  Are you with me again today as we follow Jesus’ steps all the way to glory?

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for showing me THE way, … Your way, …  to go in life again today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that all reading here will join me, …  to follow, as Phil Wickham sings, “The Jesus Way,” in life today and then again tomorrow.   … 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.