Month: November 2023

Nov 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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. In my life I had my mother and grandmother, later in my life my dad who shared Godly wisdom with me. God bless you.

The scripture is from Proverbs 1:8-10: “My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching; for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck. My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent.”

The devotion is titled Crowned in Wisdom by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste. The author starts with her memories of her father’s instructions that was equivalent to the Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12, Her mother’s teachings often shared cultural proverbs with a moral lesson. God strategically places specific people in our lives and surroundings to help us navigate through life. In Proverbs 1:8-10, King Solomon instructed his son to listen, because it is beyond hearing. It allows us to internalize messages of truth and to apply those messages to our lives. As we do this, we are able to grow in our understanding of God and the world around us. Growing in wisdom is an intentional process. It is an everyday choice to internalize Biblical teachings as a child adheres to their parent’s instructions. When you adopt a lifestyle rooted in Godly wisdom you will be adorned with a dazzling crown on your head for everyone to see.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can you adopt a lifestyle of wisdom.

Here is my response, yours may be different: I can adopt a lifestyle of wisdom by growing in my knowledge and understanding of God and the world around me.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please grant us wisdom from on high. Allow wisdom to become a part of our identities so that our lives will give You honor and glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/16/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Crowned in Wisdom by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste.

Nov 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 Romans 8:24-25: “For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.”

The devotion is titled Hope for Home by Heather Tietz. Heather introduced this devotion by saying there are hundreds of thousands of children in foster care in the United States waiting for a permanent home. A permanent and safe place to be care for and loved. She says that we are like these foster children. She explains that before we knew Jesus, we were alone, abused, often abused others, and suffered greatly. Then at some point in our lives we turn ourselves over to Jesus and God claimed us as His own. We are still waiting to move into His house as our bodies weaken and we stumble when tempted in this fallen world that causes us pain. However, the apostle Paul tells us to have hope and keep looking ahead to the safe place God is preparing for us. There, we will be cared for and loved, freed from physical pain, burdens, temptations, and any kind of sadness. She concludes that life here in this world is only a shadow and dim view of what is ahead. She finishes by proclaiming that Heaven is our home!

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How do you describe your hope of hope of heaven? What do you think it is like?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I describe my hope of heaven where there is no more suffering or pain. A place where we will be cared for and loved. A place we will call our permanent home.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, please be especially close to those of Your children who have no home or family. Fill us with Your compassion for the homeless and the hurting. Let us extend Your hope and grace to everyone we meet today. Thank You for the certainty that we have a forever home with You. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Nov 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 Matthew 11:27: “All things have been delivered to me by my Father, No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.”

The devotion is titled God’s Positioning System: the Divine GPS by Brenda Kis. The author starts off by telling of a teacher,” Mr. G” who was showing a group of students how satellites help people find things. Some did it correctly and others, he had to reteach. Through this introduction, Brenda is reminding us that God has given each of us the coordinates we need to discover Him in the Bible. If we read it carefully and prayerfully, He will make himself known to us. God sent His Son, Jesus, the Teacher, a living example showing us the way and helping us to discover the ultimate prize, that is the compassionate heart of the Father. Our Father is waiting to be discovered.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: When you begin your exploration of God, will you get up a half hour earlier so you can give Him first priority or wait until evening so He’s the last thing on your mind before you sleep?

Here is my response, yours may be different: This is a no-brainer. Of course, I give God first priority as soon as I get up.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, we want to know You. Please direct our thoughts as we read Your word every day. Show us who You are as we look at the life of Christ in the Gospels. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/10/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. God’s Positioning System: the Divine GPS by Brenda Kis.

Nov 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 Exodus 35:35: “He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.”

The devotion is titled The Wisdom of God’s Heart by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste. The author starts off by reminding us that God has given each of us the ability to create something marvelous to add to Earth’s beauty. We posse talents that only we can do with our uniqueness and creativity. Our talents, skills, and gifts are by design. The creativity we have reflects God’s wisdom in creating us, His masterpiece. Just like in today’s scripture Exodus 35:35. God has a specific, special, and set-apart calling over our lives. He created us to create so our talents would further His kingdom and inspire others to do the same.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Why are your talents a form of God’s wisdom? How can you use your talents to serve others today?

Here is my response, yours may be different: God gave me certain talents only I can do. I can use my unique talents (in this case writing) to glorify God by inspiring and serving others.

My Personal Prayer for us: Creator God, thank you for blessing us with talents, gifts, and skills that only we can do in our own special way. Help us to use our talents to glorify You as Bezalel land Oholiab did. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Inspirations (2023/09/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. The Wisdom of God’s Heart by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste.

Nov 08, 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 Corinthians 2:10: “But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

The devotion is titled When A Felling Is More Than “Just” A Feeling by Darla Noble. The author starts off with today’s verse by asking if we prayed about a situation or a decision and had a “gut” feeling or a little voice in our head prompting us one way or the other. She says that these “gut feelings or little voice” are prompting from the Holy Spirit. It God’s way of pulling us towards His will or warning us to stay away from something we should not do. In contrast, what if these” thoughts or feelings” are from our sinful nature leading us to sin. She asked how do we know which is which? She says ask God to reveal is Spirit to us through prayer, measuring our thoughts and feelings and comparing to what the Bible says. When we do these things, God will make His desires known to us and we will know we are going in the direction God wants us to go.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us:  For what in our lives do we need to seek God’s guidance and counsel? How can we listen to what God has to say?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, it is how to bring my family together, forgive one another and let go of the past. I will pray and read the Bible for guidance.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, we are wrestling with this specific problem: _____. We place it in Your hands. Please guide us in making the right decision. Please help us listen to You and trust you for all things. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/08/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. When A Felling Is More Than “Just” A Feeling by Darla Noble.

Nov 07, 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 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

The devotion is titled If My People Pray by Pastor Ken. The author starts off with today’s verse. He is asking us the personalized today’s verse. He wants us to put our name in place of “my people”, “their”, and “their “. He defines “humble yourself” as to give God first place in your life. A humble prayer disarms God’s anger, obtains His mercies, and make the snares of the evil one of no avail (Thomas A. Kempis). He says, “Prayer” is pouring your heat to Jesus. He says “Seeking His Face” as looking for God in everything, to feel His presence spiritually, and emotionally giving you the peace that passes all understanding.” “Turn from your wicked ways “ is letting Jesus help you to live a life of complete obedience (1 John 1:9). You have God’s promise to hear, forgive, and will send healing to you,

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us:  What sins do you want Jesus to forgive? What healing do you crave for? Tell Him now.

Here is my response, yours may be different: I still struggle with holding grudges and being unforgivable. I crave and will pray to be healed from this.

My Personal Prayer for us: Holy Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Place Your healing touch on us, our family, our church, and our country. Stay with us always. In Jesus’ name we Pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/07/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. If My People Pray by Pastor Ken.

Nov 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 Luke 22:41-42: “He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing remove the coup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.’.”

The devotion is titled A Life Motto by Heather Tietz. The author starts off with today’s verse is an excellent Motto for the believer.  This means we will step through whatever door God unlocks knowing that God is with us and for us no matter what. She uses the story about Horatio G. Spafford as an example. He was a God-fearing man. He suffered many grievous events; the death of his four-year-old son, lost of extensive real estate in the great Chicago fire, and the loss of his four daughters when the SS Ville du Harve sank at sea. During his sorrow, he pinned the song, “It Is Well With My Soul”, also known as “When Peace, Like A River”. Even in tragedy, God opens doors. If we are rooted in Jesus, with the motto of faith to steady our feet, we can follow wherever God leads.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us:  If you were to choose a faith motto, what would it be?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Mine motto would be God is just and righteous. Your will be done.  

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank you for loving us, no matter what. We know You are preparing us for eternity. Please continue to direct our paths. Help us to willingly follow where You lead and to remain faithful regardless of the cost here on Earth. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Inspirations (2023/06/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. A Life Motto by Heather Tietz

Nov 03, 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 Proverbs 28:5: “Evil men don’t understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.”

The devotion is titled Understanding Justice by Darla Noble. The author starts off by saying that when she hears or read about people being persecuted for their beliefs and moral values she gets upset. To her it means someone imposing their beliefs on other people. God’s views are often seen as a threat, insult, and injustice to living a modern life. She questions what make this world’s rights more “right” righter than those who seek God. We live in a fallen world. Sin is present and the norm. When anyone or anything threaten to disrupt this norm, people push back. When we seek God’s wisdom through bible study, prayer, and worship, God’s justice will be our justice, too.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: for What advice does this verse have for you who have been treated unfairly?

Here is my response, yours may be different: God’s justice will be my justice.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, give us courage to stand strong. Help us know Your Word so we can be ready to defend our faith and rest securely in the hope that your justice will be our reward. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen..

Inspirations (2023/03/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Understanding Justice by Darla Noble.