January 27, 2024 … Words Of Life

January 27, 2024 … Words Of Life   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Hawk Nelson singing … Words …  powerfully singing of how how our words can bring life or death.  

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Highlight Passage: …Proverbs 25:25 [NLT] … 

25  Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.           

… Solomon gives Godly advice on how we use our words., … like giving water to the thirsty.   

Highlight Passage (in context) … Proverbs 25:18-25 … USE THIS LINK … 

…Solomon shows that giving good words of truth to others is like a fountain of life to the thirsty.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 5:9, 37:30  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of how our words can either bring sweetness and life or the stench of death.  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 10:20, 15:1  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Solomon provides Godly advice on how we use our words.   

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 5:2 [NLT] …   

2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.   

… The author of Ecclesiastes, likely Solomon, writes of limiting our words to those which give life to others.       

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:29  [NLT] …   

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.    

… The Apostle Paul tells fellow Christians how to use our words.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:16a  [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. …   

… Again, Paul, exhorts fellow Christians to use Godly words of wisdom in sharing Christ with others.     

        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author , Lisa M Samra -  AT THIS LINK -   tells of how her daughter discovered a fly in their jar of honey, prompting the ODB author reflexively share the old proverb that one can catch more flies with honey than one can with vinegar.       

And that old adage of catching flies with honey rings of the truth of Solomon or of the Apostle Paul in the Scriptures above, doesn’t it?   And in this digital age of rapid and voluminous use of words, we see the effects that our words can have in lifting up or tearing down others.  And so, I, for one, was duly convicted to try harder to use my words for God’s glory, especially as I use my words online or in counseling others today … and onward into tomorrow.  How about you?           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me use my words for Your glory today, Lord.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to let our words be guided by Your word, Lord, as I share life 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.

January 26, 2024 … God Sees The Heart

January 26, 2024 … God Sees The Heart    

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from a Chorus of Children singing … God Sees The Heart …  poignantly singing of how God sees and judges the heart of all believers, not the outward appearance.   

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Highlight Passage: … !Samuel 16:7 [NLT] … 

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  </i>           

… God shows Samuel that God’s anointed must be judged as God views the heart of His chosen … not on the outward appearance.  

Highlight Passage (in context): … 1Samuel 16:1-7 … USE THIS LINK … 

…God, thru the Prophet Samuel, anoints David to be king, not on his physical appearance but seeing David’s heart for the Lord.                                                            

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Reference Passage: …Psalms 44-21  [NLT] … 

21 God would surely know it, for He knows the secrets of every heart.  

… God reveals that He knows the secrets of EVERY heart. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 4:23, 21:2  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God’s word shows believers to guard our hearts, because our heart is what God uses to guide our lives.  

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 17:10  [NLT] …   

10 But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives.  I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”   

… God’s rewards ALL based on our actions which come from the hearts of believers.     

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:21  [NLT] …   

21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.  

… Jesus teaches His followers, that our actions and choices are led by the desires of our heart.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:12  [NLT] …   

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.   

… God; thru the Author of Hebrews, shows the power of God’s word to reshape the desires of our heart.    

        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author , Marvin Wiliams-  AT THIS LINK -  tells of how the Metropolitan Operas chose orchestra by hearing them behind a screen.  But when Julia Landsman won the french horn competition and the judges saw that she was a woman, she was rejected.      

That story reveals how mankind often judges us in this world.  However, if my readers have taken in the linked song and the truth of the Scriptures shared above, we see that God judges those who choose to follow The Lord on their (our) actions which come from their (our) hearts.  And I, for one, have learned from God’s word that following God’s truth, in His word, shapes my heart to follow and to live by God’s will.  

What about you?  What are you using to shape the choices and actions which come from your heart?   

        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your “GPS,” … Your word, … Lord, to guide my choices today.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to use Your word, Lord, to shape our hearts and our actions.     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.

January 25, 2024 … Really, God?!!  

<b><u>Devotional Song</u>: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   http://tinyurl.com/39m2z5z5  …  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Elevation Worship singing …Your Plans For Us …  poignantly, yet powerfully, singing of the goodness of God’s plans for His people. 

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Highlight Passage: … Esther 4:14 [NLT] …

14  If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?”. 

 … Esther learns from her cousin, Mordecai, that God had her exactly where she could serve the Lord. 

Highlight Passage (in context): … Esther 2:3-4, 12-17 … USE THIS LINK … 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Esther+2%3A3-4%2C+12-17&version=NLT

…God’s plan for Esther leads her to the King’s harem and God’s calling to be the queen to the King.                                                            

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 16:9, 19:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God, thru Solomon’s Proverbs, shows that God’s plans and purpose will always prevail over our plans <b>(see photo)</b>. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 55:8-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… shows, thru Isaiah, that God’s thoughts and His plans will always prevail over man’s ways. 

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11  [NLT] …   

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  …  

… God’s promise to His people, thru Jeremiah, that His plans for His people will always be good for them (us).     

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:25-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches to avoid worrying about the necessities of life because God will provide them.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 11:33-36 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b>

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians that God’s thoughts and provisions may be confusing to mankind, but they (we) can trust that all things come from God and are good for those who believe in God’s power to provide for His beloved people.     

        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author , Tom Felton -  AT THIS LINK -   tells of being somewhat confused by incurring cancer at a time when he and his family were experiencing victories for God’s kingdom thru the mission work where they had been called to serve.     

But the ODB author remembered how Esther’s faith prevailed (see highlight passages) in very precarious times; and that God’s word (see above) shows us that God’s ways may be perplexing at times; but they are aways good for those who believe in God’s power and provision.  I’m in for God’s planning, … how about you?       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for providing me with Your plans for my life, for which I’m seeking to follow thru Your word.        

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to continually seek to follow Your plans, Lord, for our lives today … and 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.

January 24, 2024 … Slow To Anger

January 24, 2024 … Slow To Anger  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Joshua Miller singing … Slow To Anger …  passionately singing of our God being slow to anger and rich in love.   

Responding in anger ... 

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Highlight Passage: … James 1:19 [NLT] … 

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.. 

… James shares God’s desire for His chosen to be patient and avoid getting angry by listening first and acting with Christlike compassion.               

Highlight Passage (in context): …James 1:18-20 … USE THIS LINK … 

…James, helping fellow Christians to understand and apply God’s instructions to quell our natural tendency toward anger.                                                           

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 37:8 [NLT] …   

8 Stop being angry!  Turn from your rage!  Don not lose our temper - it only leads to harm. .  

… King David sings of God’s calling His children to avoid anger which leads to harm. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 14:29, 15:18, 19:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Solomon’s Proverbs, repeatedly calls for His people to quell their (our) anger which leads to foolishness and harm. 

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:31  [NLT] …   

31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you..  …   

… Jesus’ golden rule of treating others as we would desire to be treated.   

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:31-32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to get rid of anger and resend thru our anger with tender-hearted forgiveness just as God has forgiven His people.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:12-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul again calls on fellow Christians to strive for Godly holiness by sharing the love of God with humble forgiveness and kindness rather than responding to others in anger.    

        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author , Katara Patton -  AT THIS LINK -   tells of being angered by a misguided post online attacking the ODB author’s character.  But rather than responding in anger, the ODB author paused to pray and quell her anger, …  as God’s word above calls Christians, … and to listen first and pray to avoid responding quickly in anger.     

Do any of my readers here today, besides myself, identify with how God’s word repeatedly calls us to stop and control our anger.  Because, …  by doing all we can, … especially in this digital age of rapid communication (see photo), … to quell angry responses and take action by sharing God’s love/grace, rather than responding in our very human feelings, which so often leads to more harm and misunderstandings.   What can we do today to avoid anger and share God’s love and His mercy/grace with others?         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for loving me so that I can love others, … even when I’m mistreated and angry.      

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to share God’s love and grace with others, … yes, even when we’re mistreated and angry.      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.

January 23, 2024 … God’s Restoring Grace

January 23, 2024 … God’s Restoring Grace  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Matthew West singing … Restored…  truthfully singing of God’s work and His restoring grace in Christians to restore believers from brokenness to Christlike beauty.  

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Highlight Passage: … Micah 4:3 [NLT] … 

3   The Lord will mediate between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away.  They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

… Micah share promises from God to remake God’s people from the brokenness of war to peaceful beauty.               

Highlight Passage (in context): …Micah 4:1-5 … USE THIS LINK …

…God’s covenant promise, thru Micah, to restore His faithful and chosen people to peace from their (our) past warring and sinfulness.                                                         

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Reference Passage: …Isaiah 61:7 [NLT] …   

7 “Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor.  Your will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.  

… God, thru Isaiah, prophesies the restoring/remaking power of God’s grace, coming thru the Messiah.

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 30:17  [NLT] …   

17 I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,”  says the LORD.  …   

… God, thru Jeremiah. promises to remake and restore His chosen people.  

Reference Passage: … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jeremiah also promises His faithful and restoring mercies to bring God’s love to HIs people.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:6  [NLT] …   

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns..  …  

… God, thru the Apostle Paul, assures Christians of God’s restoring grace, working in them (us) to remake them (us) into His image for His glory.   

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:10  [NLT] …   

10 In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.  …  

… Peter assures oppressed and suffering Christians of God’s restoring love and grace.    

        

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author , Winn Collier -  AT THIS LINK - https://odb.org/2024/01/23/scraps-to-beauty - tells of his wife’s favorite piece of jewelry, a necklace made by Ethiopian artisans from scraps of bullets and war materials; and it reminds the ODB author’s wife of God’s willingness and ability to remake His loved ones from the brokenness of our sin into the beauty of Christlikeness.   

Do any of my readers here today desire to wear the beauty of Christ’s robes of riotousness to cover our rags of sin?   I for one relish the opportunity to wear, … and even show off, … His robes, which are remaking me into the beautiful image of my Savior.   How about you?              

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your robes, Lord, to cover my rags.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me, … to joyfully wear Your robes, Lord, and to wear them for 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.