April 27, 2024 … Pulling the Worry Weeds …

April 27, 2024 …  Pulling the Worry Weeds  …     

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Roland Zimmerman singing … Weeds … Singing of calling Christians to rid His garden of the weeds of worry to allow the fruit in His garden to grow and flourish. 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 13:22 [NLT] … 

22  22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.        

…  Jesus explains His parable of the fruit of HIs Spirits being choked by the weeds of worry in the life of His chosen people.                                                

Highlight Passage (in context): … Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ parable of casting out weeds in his garden of life.                                                         

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 55:22  [NLT] … 

22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall.  

… God’s promise, thru King David, of God protecting those who bring their (our) burdens to the Lord.   

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6, 12:25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  …  

… Solomon also teaches that believers trusts in God and not let personal worries weigh them (us) down.  

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches of the fruit in the lives of Christians who don’t allow the worries of this life to choke out these fruit (see also Jesus’s words in Matt 13:22)

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

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to take our worries to God in thankful prayer to receive His enabling grace and peace..    

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:7 [NLT] …  

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.  

…Peter, to fellow oppressed Christians, exhorting them (us) to take ALL their (our) cares and worries to their (our) caring God.                    

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Katara Patton -  AT THIS LINK  -    relates how the author planted seeds in a planter in the backyard but had to pull the weeds that grew up first to allow the seeds to grow and flourish and become fruitful.    

And the question for all of us taking in today’s ODB entry is whether we Christians are doing all we can to pull the weeds of worry from the garden God has called us to tend.  I’m praying today that we pull all those weeds and to let God’s Spiritual garden grow and become become fruitful for His glory.                                                          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for Your empowering grace to clear the weeds of worry from Your garden today, Lord.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to do all we can to clear the worry weeds from Your garden, Lord.    … 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.

April 26, 2024 … Together For God’s Glory …

April 26, 2024 …  Together For God’s Glory …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Matthew West singing … Strong Enough …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians must surrender our will to let God’s strength to work thru His Church for His glory.

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Highlight Passage: … Philippians 4:16 [NLT] … 

16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.           

… Paul thanks fellow Christians for helping him spread the Gospel in desperate times.                                               

Highlight Passage (in context): … Philippians 4:14-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul lauds and thanks the Church in Philippi for their sacrificial giving when Paul was imprisoned in Rome allowing Paul to continue to share the Gospel with those who need to find Christ.                                                       

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 27:17 [NLT] …  

17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  

… God, thru Solomon’s teaching, shows that we work stronger for the LORD when we work TOGETHER.   

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… Solomon also teaches that two, working together, are always stronger than just one; and three are even stronger.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:10 [NLT] … 

10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians (and us) to come TOGETHER in unity and work  TOGETHER for God’s kingdom.  

Reference Passage:  … 1Thessalonians 5:14-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul again teaches fellow Christians how they (we) must come TOGETHER and work TOGETHER for God’s glory.    

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, calls on Christians to encourage and help one another as they (we) come TOGETHER for God’s glory.                      

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt -  AT THIS LINK  -   relates the true story of several rescue teams from the USA and Australia, during the COVID pandemic which came together to rescue a floundering vessel, … illustrating what God’s word (in the Scriptures above) teaches about working TOGETHER to more effectively do what God calls us to do.    

I think most, if not all, of those reading what I’m writing here would agree that we Christians can do so … SO … much more when we work TOGETHER. than when we try to go it alone.  And so, I, for one, am constantly looking for support and prayer for what God has called me to do in His kingdom.  Even as I write this, I’m praying for that kind of unity and support. … How about you?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for being my provider in troubled times.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to work with my brothers and sisters, IN CHRIST,  to be Your three-braided cord, in working TOGETHER for Your glory, Lord.    … 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.

April 25, 2024 … Following THE Leader …

April 25, 2024 …  Following THE Leader …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing … I Will Follow Christ …  Powerfully singing of how we Christians must choose to follow our Lord in life. 

His way is really the only way to go ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Joshua 14:9 [NLT] … 

9 So that day Moses solemnly promised me, ‘The land of Canaan on which you were just walking will be your grant of land and that of your descendants forever, because You wholeheartedly followed the Lord my God.’         

… Joshua promises Caleb that God will lead his faithful follower to Caleb’s inheritance in the promised land.                                             

Highlight Passage (in context): … Joshua 14:6-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Joshua remembers the trust and faithfulness of Caleb, even as Caleb humbly followed God in the wilderness for 45 years.                                                      

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Reference Passage: … Leviticus 26:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… God’s blessing on those who obediently follow the ways of the Lord.   

Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 28:9-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… God repeats His promise to God’s chosen - and faithful - followers to bless them in their willingness to follow The Lord.

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

… God, thru Solomon’s wisdom, imparts truth about those who trust in God to lead us to HIs glory.    

Reference Passage: … Luke 10:25-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches truth about following the Lord with ALL of their (our) hearts.  

Reference Passage: … John 14:15, 26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… Jesus promises to His disciples (and to us) that God will provide His Spirit to lead us as we choose to show our love for Him by obeying and following His ways rather then our own.                     

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Arthur Jackson -  AT THIS LINK  -  relates today’s ODB author and his  admiration for an 85 year old friend, Raleigh, who, as an octogenarian reported that he had just finished writing a book and was starting up a new ministry, … all the result of faithfully following God as Raleigh’s helper.   

Raleigh’s humble following of His Lord in life reminded the ODB author of Caleb (in the highlight Bible passage), who had faithfully followed Moses and Joshua as they followed God thru the wilderness for over 4 decades.  And taking in the linked song and the Scriptures above, I’m praying that all reading with me here are committed to trusting God to lead us to His eternal glory.  My friend, … it’s really the only way to go for those who have faith in God, … isn’t it?         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for showing me the way to go as I follow You thru Your word every day..   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to choose to follow Your way, … really way every day, … as my Lord.    … 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.

April 24, 2024 … Unity From Diversity …

April 24, 2024 …  Unity From Diversity …     

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Erik Dewar singing … Male Us One …  Poignantly singing of how God provides us with His enabling grace to make us ONE in His church.     

Unity in Christ's Church ... 

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Highlight Passage: … 1Corinthians 12:18 [NLT] … 

18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it.              

… The Apostle Paul uses the picture of the human body, picturing the unity of His body out of the diversity of my parts, put together by God for his purposes.                                            

Highlight Passage (in context): … 1Corinthians 12:12-27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches about God creating His church to be unified as one body which is put together to be Christ’s body.                                                  

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 133:1 [NLT] …  

1  How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.   

… King David sings of God’s desire and will is for His chosen to live and work together in unity.  

Reference Passage: …  John 17:21-23 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus’ prayer that all born again Christians be bonded to one another in His church.   

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

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to unify and become one body, coming together and being unified in the bond of Christlikeness.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:14 [NLT] …  

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony..  

… The Apostle Paul calls on fellow Christians to let the love of Christ bind them together in harmony.                    

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:8 [NLT] … 

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.  Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.   

… The Apostle Peter calls on fellow Christians to humbly come together, love each other, and treat each other as one family.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Monica La Rose -  AT THIS LINK  -   quotes and teaches from an essay by Professor Daniel Bowman Jr,, who writes about how difficult it is for autistic individuals to fit into the Christian community.  It really takes Christ’s body of faithful servants, humbly reaching out to bring in those who have unique qualities which the Lord values in His body, … the Church. 

And today’s ODB entry challenged me - maybe you too - to do all we can, as unique members of Christ’s body, to reach out and include others who have individual needs; … but Christ, thru His Spirit, is calling us to include in His body, …The Church.   May we all be alert to that calling in our lives as members of Christ’s body, … HIS CHURCH.                                                    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …giving me the discernment to reach out and invite others with special needs into Your body, Lord.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … to reach out and bring those with unique qualities into Your Church, … 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.

April 23, 2024 … Jesus Offers Us His Peace …

April 23, 2024 …  Jesus Offers Us His Peace …      

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in this song with lyrics from Don Moen singing … Peace, Peace Wonderfull Peace …  Poignantly singing of how God provides us with His peace thru Jesus.   

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Highlight Passage: … John 16:33 [NLT] … 

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”            

… Jesus teaches His disciples that He, as their Messiah, would overcome the troubles of the world by bringing His peace.                                            

Highlight Passage (in context): … John 16:25-33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… Jesus, in the upper room, promises His disciples His peace from a troubled world.                   

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 26:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  … 

… God’s Spirit, thru the Prophet Isaiah, shows that in the day of Messiah, He, the Lord God, will provide His peace to those whose minds are fixed on and trusting The Lord, God.  

Reference Passage: …  John 14:27 [NLT] …   

27 “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.  

… Jesus gives His promise of peace as His disciples were wallowing in fear over His promise of dying on the cross.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:1 [NLT] … 

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God  because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.  </i> 

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians of God giving us His peace when trust in Him.

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

… Paul also shows fellow Christians how to set aside their fears and experience God’s peace which is beyond human comprehension.                    

Reference Passage:   …  Hebrews 12:14-15 [NLT]  … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Author of Hebrews, charges Christians to live at peace with one another and work at living a holy life.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread  Author, Winn Collier -  AT THIS LINK  -     related a true story of North and South troops encamped on two sides of a  river in Tennessee during the Civil War, joining in peaceful music and songs the night before they would engage in battle the next day where over 24,000 of those men would die, … illustrating how our hearts seek after peace, especially when the threat of death or disaster looms in our lives.   

And the death of Christ is what loomed heavy in the hearts of Jesus’ disciples as they dined with Him in that upper room the night of His betrayal and just before He promised His death on a cross.  Just as those Civil War solders, when we face the threat of death, it is God’s peace that we seek; and our God provides and promises His peace when we trust in Him in dealing with the dangers and threats of living in this world. 

So, I’m praying that all who read with me here today, can -  and will - hold on to what Don Moen sings about about in the linked song; and you will experience that wonderful peace promised by God’s word in the Scriptures above, which can only come to those who trust in the Lord during the trials we’ll face in this world.                                                    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …giving me Your peace and power, Lord, again today as I face what the world deals out.   

My Prayer Today Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray. again today, that all reading here will join me today, … as we trust in You, Lord, to give us Your peace. … … 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.