Month: October 2023

Oct. 13, 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 1;19-20: “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Who was preached among you by us-by me, Silvanus, and Tmothy-was not ‘Yes and no,’ but in him is ‘Yes.’ For however many are the promises of God, in him is the ‘Yes.’ Therefore also through him is the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God through us.”Please help us to live up to our “amen’s”

The devotion is titled So Be It by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, The author explains to us the word “Amen” means so be it or let it be said. When we end our prayers with “Amen” we are promising, committing ourselves, to do the things we said we will do. “Amen” confirms our desire to have God work in the lives of who we prayed for. Darla goes on to say that Jesus is the keeper of His promises. He promised to never leave us on our own, He will love us forever, His death was payment for our sins, He would come back to take those who have been faithful and obedient to heaven, and those who deny and reject Him will suffer eternal separation from God. He kept everyone of His promises except His returning, but that will come. We can count on it. Jesus is a man of His word. When He says “Amen” He means it. Darla questioned us if our “Amen” can be counted on by Jesus.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is God’s ultimate promise to you. How will we let Him Keep that promise in our lives?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I will make sure my promises I make to Jesus are kept.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, thank you for being faithful to Your promises. As today’s verse reminds us: “You are the God of ‘yes.’” Please help us to live up to our “amens.” We long for your glory to shine through us. In Your precious name we Pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/13/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com God’s Ultrasound by Heather Tietz

Oct. 12, 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 139:16 “Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

The devotion is titled God’s Ultrasound by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, The author started with the analogy of the ultrasound. Ultrasound has many uses. One was to aid parents to see what sex their baby will be. However, there were times that the ultrasound was wrong. Also in the case of humans the ultrasound couldn’t predict the baby’s talents, interest, subjects it would struggle to learn, or their temperament, or throughout its life unforeseen health problems, accidents, a raving success or what appears to be an untimely death. However, God can see all these and more. When life shock us, we can fall back in God’s arms and know He has a plan for us. God’s “ultrasound” pierces through all life’s issues and see a bright future for us if we only believe in Him.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What significant event in life has been a shock to you? Have you let God help you work through it?

Here is my response, yours may be different: The most significant event in our lives that was a shock to us was our daughter’s attempted suicide. We turned this event over to God to help us work through it. Even though it ended with her death, we came out of this more blessed and stronger.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, thank you for seeing us as we truly are, flaws and all. Nothing we do can surprises You. Thank You for calling us Your children We pray In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/12/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com God’s Ultrasound by Heather Tietz.

Oct. 11, 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 Ephesians 1:18-19 “Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believed, according that working of the strength of His might.”

The devotion is titled Full Potential by Darla Noble and Joyverse. To sum up this devotion, The authors start with a story about their friend, an old woman, receiving a new iPad from her son. He explained to her how she can do many things on it. She replied that she had a computer and didn’t need it. She further stated that all she wanted to do was to play Mahjong while sitting on her deck. The authors go on to say that like their friend, we are guilty of not allowing God’s full potential to shine through us. We are often busy trying to do things on our own and fail to exhibit the full impact of God’s power and experience all He wants for us. The authors don’t want us to do that. They say don’t let life get in the way of living. They want us to experience God’s glory, power, blessings, and strength in mighty ways. We are created for a purpose and wants us to follow willingly to where He leads to discover His plan for us.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Do we regularly trust in the full power of God? If so. What have we come to expect from Him? If not, how can we change this way of thinking in our own lives?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Now, I regularly trust in the full power of God.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please work in us. Open our hearts to the truth of Your power and love. Let us experience the joys of Your rich glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/11/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Full Potential by Darla Noble and Joyverse.

Oct. 10, 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 Lamentations 3:20-23 “My soul still remembers them, and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind; therefore I have hope. It is because of the Lord’s loving kindness that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”

The devotion is titled Let Grief Do Its Work by John Michalak. To sum up this devotion, John starts this devotion with the example of Israel turning away from God and the consequence of their act. Lamentations reveals the importance of grief. Grief has a purpose and needs tome to do its work. Israel lamented over their turning away from God. Like Israel, our reliance on God’s grace it most honestly pursued through a heart of true repentance. Like Israel, if we don’t truly grieve the consequences of turning away from God, how can we truly surrender ourselves to God and benefit from His great faithfulness? John remind us that only God can turn our grief into hope.  

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Have you ever tried to rush through grief or regret when you sin? Will you ask God for strength to experience true regret when you sinned against Him and a heart to renew your hope in Him?

Here is my response, yours may be different: After I turned my life over to Christ, I committed two gravely sins. I regretted both of these incidents and prayed to God for forgiveness and to restore my relationship with Him.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, give us strength borne of our grief. Make us genuinely repentant and aware of Your infinite compassion, so we can enjoy the hope of Yor saving grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen

Inspirations (2023/10/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Let Grief Do Its Work by John Michalak.

Oct. 09, 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 Hebrews 10:37-38 “In a very little, he who comes will come and will not wait. But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

The devotion is titled Faith Like a Jack Pine by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, Heather starts this devotion by an analogy of the Jack Pine and the Kirkland Warbler birds. These birds can only breed in young Jack Pine trees. She goes on to state that the trees have tightly closed pines cones. It takes something dramatic to burst the cones open and let its seeds scatter. If this didn’t happen, the Kirtland Warbler would become extinct. God can see the “Jack Pine “people of the world who, like the Jack Pine are tightly closed. Those who flail about, like the Kirtland Warbler, are unable to find a place to rest.  She goes on to state that sometimes we need a tragedy to allow for blessings. She encourages us not to shrink back, but trust that our God has a good plan.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some blessings from your past that have come from tragedy?

Here is my response, yours may be different: One tragedy from our past was the attempted suicide by our daughter and her death from COVID. The blessings of love and support were overwhelming.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, thank you for taking care of us. Please strengthen our faith and help us never shrink back from the path You want us to walk. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/09/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Faith Like a Jack Pine by Heather Tietz.

Oct. 06, 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 Daniel 1: 19-20 “The King talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.”

The devotion is titled Stand Up and Be counted by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, Darla starts this devotion by talking about the time her cousin was in critical condition and the hospital needed a family member to speak to the doctors concerning her condition. After eight hours her cousin passed away. The nurses kept asking Darla if she was okay. She responded that she was fine. Soon afterwards, a nurse came in to confirm that her cousin had passed away. The nurse asked her if she knew how she handled the day like she did. Darla replied that it is all in God’s hands and in His timing. God has everything in control, and she just went with it. The nurse complimented Darla on her faith. We are reminded that we are far from perfect, but we can always do our best to be like Daniel and his friends. Darla wants us to stand up in the world for Jesus, and that no matter what, Jesus will never forsake us.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How much effort do we put into knowing what God’s Words say? How well do we know what He wants from us and command us to do?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Since I became a Christian, every day I immediately go onto God’s word. I pray that God puts on my heart what He wants me to do.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, please help us to be like You and live life showing others how wonderful You are. Help us willingly stand up and be counted for You. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/06/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Stand Up and Be counted by Darla Noble.

Oct. 05, 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 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time,”

The devotion is titled Our Everywhere God by John Michalak. To sum up this devotion, The author starts this devotion by talking about the “Hymn of St. Patrick,” (I found it on YouTube). The apostle Paul speaks of God and Christ in the same way as the “Hymn of St. Patrick,”. God is personal and everywhere present. God should be the center and boundary of our lives. You should have Christ’s Spirit, love, character, and peace moving in and through you. If you have a vision of Christ in everything you see, and others will see the presence of Christ in everything you are. It is possible if you offer everything to the Creator of everything there is. John Michalak is asking us to do it today.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Do you see Christ as just one person in heaven, or someone who can also fill you and surround you? Will you go to God in prayer that He might fill you all in all?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Since I became a Christian, I see Christ as someone who can fill and surround me. If I did not see Christ the way I see Him, I would go to Christ to fill me all in all.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, please let us see Your touch upon all creation. Magnify in us Your image for all to see. In Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/05/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Our Everywhere God by John Michalak.

Oct. 04, 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 Matthew 11:25-26 “At that time, Jesus answered, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.’”

The devotion is titled The Obvious Contrast by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, The author starts this devotion by stating that missionaries in third world countries face spiritual battles against voodoo, witch doctors, and other satanic practices. Since the contrast between God and evil is so obvious that those who accept the saving grace of Jesus embrace Him with their whole heart, soul, and mind. Darla cautions us not to let intelligence, pride, or conventional wisdom keep us from Christ. See the contrast between good and evil and choose good.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: In what ways are you letting pride or worldly wisdom keep you from being fully committed to the Lord? What will you do this week to change this?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Since I became a Christian, I don’t let pride or worldly wisdom keep me from being fully committed to the Lord.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please remove obstacles in our lives that are keeping us from being wholly and completely Yours. Let us be open and receptive to Your Word and to Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/04/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com The Obvious Contrast by Darla Noble.

Oct. 02, 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 Matthew 21:15-16 “But when the chief priest and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying,’ Hosanna to the son of David!’ they were indignant, and said to him, ’Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, Did you never read, out of the mouth of children and nursing babies you  have perfected praise?’”  

The devotion is titled From the Mouths of Babes by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, The author starts this devotion by stating; if we ever need an honest answer or want the truth, blunt, raw and real, just ask a small child. Children are open books, wide-eyed with wonder at everything around them and will share their unvarnished views with the world. As we know Jesus loves children. They knew that Jesus was God in the flesh. God wants us to come to Him with the faith and eyes of a child. We need to let down our grown-up guard, thank and praise Him with childlike enthusiasm and faith.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How do you praise God? What is your favorite way? Have you ever lost yourself in your adoration of Him?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I praise God with all my heart, strength, and soul. My favorite way is by singing. Yes. I do loose myself in my adoration of Him.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear god, You have been so good to us. Help us to praise you with my whole heart, wit a child’s trust, loyalty, and excitement. In Jeusu’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/02/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com From the Mouths of Babes by Heather Tietz.