Month: October 2023

Oct. 31, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Romans 13:12 “The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deed of darkness, and let’s put on the amor of light.”

The devotion is titled Soldiers of the Light by John Michalak. The author says our world is a dark place and getting darker. Some examples are our culture is less moral. There is an increase of violence and hatred. It can feel hopeless to fight back against this darkness. The fact that the world is getting darker should fills us with hope because the darker our world gets, the closer we are to a new day when Christ returns. Each day the light of Christ reign comes closer. The more the “enemy rears its head in victory, the closer is his demise. We are encouraged to rise as one does before the dawn for this new day when Christ returns. Every inch of territory the darkness takes, we are to respond as soldiers of light. The darkness is a reason to hope. We are instructed rise up and declare the coming of Christ’s return.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some ways we can be soldier of the light on your family, your church, and community?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Some ways I can be a soldier of light to my family, church, and community is remind everyone that God is still on the throne and in charge. Each day of darkness brings us closer to Christ’s return.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, help us to embrace the hope of Your return. Fill us with Your Spirit that we may help spread Your light amid the world’s darkness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/31/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Soldiers of the Light by John Michalak.

Oct. 27, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

The devotion is titled I Will Never Forget That Sermon by Darla Noble. Darla recalled the time when she was 10 years old. She professed her faith and was baptized into Christ for forgiveness of her sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fast forward some years: she heard a sermon that made her realized that how personal her relationship with Jesus is and she wanted that more than anything. She want us to realize how personal our relationship with Jesus is, and us to want that more than anything.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If not, what is keeping you from doing so? If you have, who do you know needs Jesus?  Would you share your testimony with that person and begin praying that they will make Christ Lord of their life soon?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I know many who need Jesus. I have shared my personal testimony with them. Others, I share my testimony through my blogs. For all of them I pray that they will make Jesus Lord of their lives soon.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, thank You for saving us from our sins through Your death on the cross. Please give us a life that demonstrates the gratitude we feel every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/27/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. I Will Never forget That Sermon by Darla Noble.

Oct. 26, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Isaiah 49:14-16: “But Zion said,’ The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me. Can a women forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?’ Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you! Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are continually before me.”

The devotion is titled Take God Personally by John Michalak and Joyverse. To sum up this devotion, The authors say that when God says something, we should take it personally. They go on to say that Christians approach God less as a person and more like an administrative office, checking if we are following rules before fulfilling various requests. We forget that God is deeply personal and seeks us in the most personal way, even more nurturing than a nursing mother. Our pursuit is to seek God personally, directly, intimately. Our first and last thought, and our trust in His care should be as natural as breathing. In conclusion, Take God personally and He always keeps His promises.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some ways we can approach God more personally in our prayers, lives, in the way we worship Him at church, and in our devotion time?

Here is my response, yours may be different: To remember that He is God and He is deeply personal and seeks us in the most personal way.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, we commit ourselves today to You, person to person. Please fill us with Your heart of love and truth. We know You will never forget or forsake us. May we never forget or forsake You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/26/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Take God Personally by John Michalak and Joyverse.

Oct. 25, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Romans 15:13: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy spirit.”

The devotion is titled The Little Rose Bush by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, The author talked about her grandmother’s Heirloom Tea rose bushes. She took some cuttings to remember her dead grandmother by. On one move, they had to keep them in water for several months. She was finally able to get them in the ground and they grew. The rosebushes remind her of many things like her grandmother, family, and that when things appear dead and hopeless, God knows better. With God, there is always hope and joy if we let Him cultivate it in us and trust in his timing.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What seemingly hopeless thing in your life should you turn over to God? What is keeping you from letting His hope, joy, and peace fill you?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, it is my anxieties and depression. I am trying and trusting to let God’s hope, joy, and peace fill me.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please fill us with your hope and joy and peace. Give us the courage to trust You. You always know what is best. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/25/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. The Little Rose Bush by Darla Noble.

Oct. 24, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Deuteronomy 31:7: “Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it.’”

The devotion is titled You Can Be the Cause by John Michalak. To sum up this devotion, The author talked about the word cause. He states that every effect has a cause. No inheritance has been given that wasn’t cause, or given by someone else. Joshua was to go into the Promised Land and build something that can be passed down for future generations. God promised this inheritance, but Joshua had to make them inherit it. John states that God granted us His Holy Spirit and new life in His Son, but we are charged with passing this inheritance on to others by sharing the Gospel and make disciples in His name. With God’s help, we can be the very reason (cause) someone receives it.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Are there people you have been waiting for god to reach with the message of salvation?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I will pray for you to have the courage to answer God’s call to share the message of salvation with them.

My Personal Prayer for us: Holy Lord, please help us be strong and courageous for You. Make us the cause of blessing and salvation in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/24/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. You Can Be the Cause by John Michalak.

Oct. 23, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from 2 Corinthians 12:9: “He said to me, ‘’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest in me.”

The devotion is titled When I am Weak by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, The author talked about woman named Charlotte Elliott. When she was 30. she contracted an illness that kept her bedridden. An evangelist visited her, counseled her out from her depression and into Jesus’ arms. She gave what strength she had left to God. She wrote over 150 songs for Christ throughout her life. “Just As I am” is one of her most loved songs, today. She lay in bed for nearly fifty years, but her spirit grew stronger. In her weakness, others found Jesus.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What weakness do you have? How can God use them for His kingdom?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I have a chronic physical ailment with my right ankle. As a result, my right leg is smaller, and I have painful ulcers. God has used this aliment and me to have an online blog to spread the gospel, and through playing tennis when I am able.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, Your grace is more sufficient for all our needs. We are weak, but You are strong. Please fill us with Your love and power. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/23/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. When I am Weak by Heather Tietz.

Oct. 19, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Joshua 1:9: “Haven’t I command you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

The devotion is titled Wherever You Go by Ami Hendrickson. To sum up this devotion, The author talked about the Israelites failure to cross the Jordan river because of their fear. God made them walk in the wilderness until all that generation perished. Now Joshua is the new leader. God tells him to be strong and courageous and that He will be with him multiple times. God makes the same promise to us today. The author assures us that when God gives a command, He will provide the strength to follow it.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What command is God giving you? What is your response?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I believe that God has given a command to use my writing skills to spread the Gospel.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, we are often afraid. Sometimes this world makes us want to hide away. But we know that when You call us to Your service, You give us the strength and courage to succeed. Thank You for seeing our potential. We resolve to always live for You. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/19/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Wherever You Go by Ami Hendrickson.

Oct. 18, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from romans 5:15: “But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to many.”

The devotion is titled Free gift of Grace by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, The author talked about Karl Plagge who was a German officer. He was eventually in charge of slaughtering Lithuanian Jews. However, he choose to issue permits that kept them out of concentration camps and provide decent food for them. He risked his life for those he was supposed to hate. Darla wants us to imagine what our living God, who created us will do to save us when we let Him.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Take a few moments to focus your thoughts solely on the cross and the sacrifice made on your behalf. How does that make you feel.

Here is my response, yours may be different: I am overwhelmed with emotions that Jesus sacrificed His life for me a total sinner.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank you for the free gift of grace Jesus offered us. Please help us to fully understand the sacrifice You made for our salvation. Thank You for loving us ad for setting us free from sin’s bondage. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/18/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Free gift of Grace by Darla Noble.

Oct. 17, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Luke 17:5-6: “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith,’ the Lord said, ‘If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea, ‘and it would obey you.”

The devotion is titled Do You Really Believe? by John Michalak. To sum up this devotion, The author said that when we ask Jesus to increase our faith, the real issue is the type of faith we have in the first place. It is about quality, not quantity. We are really implying that we don’t believe. True belief in God comes from developing an intimate relationship with God. We have to stay close to His word and make our prayers as much about connecting with Him as about wish fulfillment. Remember what mountains God has moved in your life. If your problem is belief, start trusting Him again. Turn your life over to Him to guide you.  

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some areas in your life where your faith in God may be lacking? How will you seek God anew? How can you walk in the newness of faith?

Here is my response, yours may be different: The big area in my life where my faith is lacking is finances. The numbers aren’t adding up. I need to step up in faith that God got us.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, show us the areas where we need to trust you more fully. Show us how to trust You again. Please increase our faith. Make the seeds of faith we have sprout and grow to Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/17/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Do You Really Believe? by John Michalak.

Oct. 16, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture from Our Daily Inspirations App.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, before I read or comment on God’s word, I pray that He prepares my heart to receive his guidance and ask that He uses me as his vessel to comment on His word.

The scripture is from Psalm 100:3: “Know that the Lord, he is God. It is he who has made us, and we are his. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

The devotion is titled Jesus Our Shepherd by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, The author starts with talking about sheep and how forgetful and defenseless they can be.  Shepherds guarded them day and night. Sheep are a valuable community. They provided food, drink, clothing, and vital part of temple sacrifice. Jesus calls himself our shepherd. He knows we (like sheep) can forget and wander into unsafe territory. Like sheep, we get confused about which way to go. We may head to greener pastures and stumble into life’s ditches and forget to call on Him. God sees a great value in us. He is still pursuing us, picking us up, listening to our prayers, sending angelic warriors on our behalf, and providing all our needs. God wants to spend time caring for us who have little to offer back to Him. We are so blessed to be His flock.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: In what ways are we like sheep? How has god shepherded us.

Here is my response, yours may be different: Like sheep, I get tempted by greener pastures and fell into danger. God being the good shepherd protects and leads me out.  

My Personal Prayer for us: Thank you, Jesus for your great patience with us. Nothing compares to Your kindness and love. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/16/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Jesus Our Shepherd by Heather Tietz.