Apr 26 2025 … Action With NO Distraction …

Apr 26 2025 …  Action With NO Distraction …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing  … I Will Follow Christ,  declaring the Christians allegiance to follow the LORD ALWAYS.

God's word is my "GPS" ... 

 

Highlight Passage: …  Joshua 1:7 … [NLT] … 

7  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.          

…  God charges Joshua to focus on the instructions Moses had given him in his word, not going away from God’s commands

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … Joshua 1:1-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s charge to Joshua to follow God’s word and commands as designated by God for lead God’s people into the promised land.                                                                        

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 28:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses, commands His chosen people to obey and follow His commands COMPLETELY.   

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

… God’s word, thru Solomon, conveys HIs wisdom and trusting in God to show us HIS WAY in life, NOT our own way.    

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

… God, thru Jeremiah, shows His chosen people that He, The Lord, has plans for their good.  

Reference Passage: …  John 14:21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus commands those who claim to love Him to obey and follow HIs commands. 

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

… The Apostle Paul knew that if others followed his ways and teachings, they would be following the Lord..  

Reference Passage: …  2Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches Timothy (and all fellow Christians) to use God’s word as their guide to follow in life. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Tom Felton … AT THIS LINK    …  relates a true story about a school bus driver passing out with 60 students in the bus most of whom were distracted by their cell phones.  But one student, Dillon Reeves, was alert to the bus being out of control and ran to the driver and pumped the brakes, bringing  the bus under control, and saving all the students.   

And the ODB story illustrates how God calls on all Christians to be alert and use His word, as in the Scriptures shared above, to follow God’s will and His way in life, using God’s word as our “GPS” for life.   And if we know and follow our Lord, He will use His truth to guide us to follow His ways and to accomplish His plans.   That’s why you find me here, starting my every day by being in and following God’s word as my “GPS.”  And I’m calling on my fellow Christians, … i.e., any who’re reading with me here today …   to use God’s word as your perfect “GPS” to guide us in life.   Are you with me?

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for giving me Your “GPS” to guide me to follow You to glory.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that we’re all focusing on following You, Lord, by using Your word as our “GPS.”    … 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. 

Apr 25 2025 … Growing In Faith …

Apr 25 2025 …  Growing In Faith …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with Danny Gokey singing  … Stand By Faith,  calling on ALL Christians to stand and walk by with in this life.

Watkins Glen Gorge Trail in NY ... 

 

Highlight Passage: …  James 1:2-3 … [NLT] … 

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.            

…  God call to walk in faith no matter what we face in life.

           

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

… James assures and encourages fellow Christians to consider it joyful to endure the trials of life which allow them (us) to grow in faith in Christ.                                                                          

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

… God’s word, thru Solomon, conveys HIs wisdom and trusting in God to show us HIS WAY in life, NOT our own way.    

Reference Passage: … John 16:33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… His disciples that He has overcome the trials which they (we) will confront in life.

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

… Paul calls on fellow Christians to rejoice with patience and hope when they (we) face trials in life.  

Reference Passage: …  1Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…When Christians face temptations or trials in life, God promises, thru Paul, for them (us) to be shown THE way (HIS way) forward in life.

Reference Passage: …  Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul, once again, encourages and exhorts fellow Christians to take ALL worries and concerns to God in prayer to receive God’s enabling grace to grow in faith, receiving His peace in the process.   

Reference Passage: …  1 Peter 5:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter, promises fellow Christians to share in the hope and strength we get from Christ in dealing with the trial of life. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Anne Cetas … AT THIS LINK     …  writes about hiking and climbing the difficult trail up into the Watkins Glen Gorge in New York (see photo) and how the ODB author and her friends with her, when they completed the hike, … and seeing all the beauty along the way, … realizing that going through it all was totally worth it at the end of the climb.    

And, after taking in the ODB entry today, as well as the Scriptures God gave me to study today (see Reference Scriptures above), I’m reminded - by God’s truth - that climbing all the steps of faith in life is worth it to be able to grow in faith and get closer to following God’s way to peace in life, with the hope if being with our Lord in glory FOREVER.  Are you coming with me?

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for showing me Your way, Lord.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that we all follow Your way to glory, Lord, 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 “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. 

Apr 24 2025 … Cleansing Confession …

Apr 24 2025 …  Cleansing Confession …  

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with Kari Jobe singing  … the Cross Is My Confession,  about how all who bring their confession to Christ will be cleansed and saved at The Cross.

Highlight Passage: …  Proverbs 28:13 … [NLT] … 

13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.            

…  God’s wisdom, thru Solomon, for God’s people to receive God’s mercy thru            cleansing confession.

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … Proverbs 28:9-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God, thru Solomon, provides wisdom for all who desire to be transformed to live righteous lives.                                                                           

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 51:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of his confession of his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah, her husband;  and David’s plea for God’s mercy.    

Reference Passage: … Psalms 32:5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… David reports in song of God cleansing his sins when David was willing to confess and repent before God.

Reference Passage: … Acts 19:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul preached of Christ in the Synagog in Ephesus and many confessed their sins and were saved.

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

… The Apostle Paul shows others of anyone confessing their sins and being saved.   

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

…James, Jesus’ brother, calls on fellow Christians to confess their sins to be healed by God thru HIs grace.

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

… John teaches truth of God being willing (and able) to cleanse His people of their (our) sins if they (we) are able to confess them before God.

My Devotional Journal:Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Marvin Williams … AT THIS LINK        …  writes about major telecom companies knowing and ignoring the toxic effects of lead covered cable which they left in the ground for years, leaching toxins into the soil; … but finally getting serious, in confessing their lack of action, by replacing the toxic cables with safer ones.     

And the story illustrates how unconfessed sin becomes a spiritual toxin in the lives of unconfessed sinners.  But when and if anyone is willing to confess and repent of their (our) sin, God’s word and His promises are to cleanse them (us) - (see Scriptures provided above). That’s a pretty good deal, from a loving and grace-sharing God, don’t ya think?  I do!!   And I’m going for it.  … How about you?  

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for cleansing me of my sin … FOREVER … as I repent to follow You, Lord .  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that all reading here will join me, …  to confess and repent of our sins and follow You, Lord again 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.

Apr 23 2025 … Forever Forgiveness …

Apr 23 2025 …  Forever Forgiveness …   

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with music and lyrics with Matthew West singing  … Forgiveness,  about how all born-again Christians are to forgive and show God’s love and mercy to one another.  

Buzz Lightyear's motto ... 

Highlight Passage: … Matthew 18:33 … [NLT] … 

33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’             

…  Jesus calls out His followers and disciples to forgive others the way He, our Lord and Master, has forgiven them (us),  … completely and forever.           

           

Highlight Passage (in context): … Matthew 18: 21-35 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus relates a parable showing the forgiveness of a Master for his indebted servant.              

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 43:25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God, thru Isaiah, promises to blot out our sinfulness with His forgiveness.  

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

… God promises His mercy and grace to be endless, everyday, for those who love the Lord.

Reference Passage: … John 13:34-35 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus commands His disciples to love each other as He loves them (and us) which will identify them (us) as His disciples.

Reference Passage: …  Romans 5:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul shows how God showed His loving grace by dying to forgive and save His chosen ones forever. 

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

…Paul calls on fellow Christians to forgive each other just as God, thru Christ, has forgiven all who believe and follow Him.  

Reference Passage: …  Hebrews 4:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, calls on Christians to come boldly to God, seeking His forgiveness and grace when we need His mercy and love the most.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread Author - Elisa Morgan … AT THIS LINK      …  used one of the main animated characters in the movie Toy Story, i.e, Buzz Lightyear, (see photo), who often cried out, as he flew around in the bedroom with the others toys who had come to life, “To infinity and beyond!”, which is an interesting declaration, since infinity is most often thought of as the end of everything where there could be no “BEYOND.”   

But there is a “BEYOND,” isn’t there?  And that’s the point of today’s ODB entry, which calls on all born-again Christians to show to others the same infinite and eternal love and mercy that God has shown for all who’ve surrendered to Christ and received His forgiveness, … i.e., God’s mercy and grace which goes beyond the infinite to show the Lord’s eternal forgiveness.  So, I’m stopping, … right here, …  as you may be reading this, to pray that you, my fellow Christian readers, have received God’s forgiveness and His saving grace; and you all have discovered how we … yes, you and me, … can offer that mercy and eternal forgiveness to others.   Are you with me?

         

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You, … for offering me Your eternal love and grace by forgiving me.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray, … again today, … that all reading here will join with me, …  to receive your forgiving mercy and grace, Lord, each day of our lives.      … 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.