Month: December 2023

Posted on

Humble…Obedient…Blessed

Dec.20, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture, Intended Purpose, 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. The significance did the sheep and shepherds have to Jesus’ life is that Jesus came into the world in the most humbling low esteem way, and the shepherds were the first to be notified. God bless you.

The scripture is from Luke 2:8: “There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.”

The devotion is titled Humble…Obedient…Blessed by Darla Noble.  Darla states the during the time of Jesus’ birth, shepherds were close to the bottom of the social scale. Yet they tended, guarded, cared for, and manage sheep; one of the most vital commodities of the economy and health. She further says that this would make perfect sense that God would choose shepherds, the keepers of the lambs offered as a sacrifice for sins, would be the first to meet Jesus, the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the world. In conclusion, Darla asked that as we celebrate the Christmas season and enter a new year, she hopes we will become more like the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks that night: humble, obedient, and blessed.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What occupies our time? How do we feel about lowly, menial work? What can we learn from today’s bible verse about God’s attitude toward humble laborers?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, what occupies my time is doing the best job I can do because I know it is God who placed me in the position, even if it is lowly and menial work,  I will do the best I can to add to God’s glory.

A Personal Prayer for us: Holy Lord, thank You for sending Your Son into the world. Thank You for Your many blessings. Please help us make our lives a living celebration of His birth during the Christman season and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/20/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Humble…Obedient…blessed by Darla Noble.

Posted on

Making the Invisible Visible

Dec.19, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture, Intended Purpose, 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. Faith is believing in something that is not seen. God bless you.

The scripture is from Romans 3:23-24, 28: “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”

The devotion is titled Making the Invisible Visible by Heather Tietz.  Heather starts this devotion by comparing the air to faith. We all know that air is a force, but it is invisible. For example: air can blow seeds, push clouds, lift airplanes, and drive the weather. It is a force causing change. She goes on to say that Faith, like air, is an invisible force. It can be heard in words, prayers of thanksgiving, encouraging self-talk when depressed. Faith can be seen in our tithe and in the Sabbath we honor. Faith can be felt in the peace that comes when we pray. To conclude, for air, it must have a force to put it in motion. That force is sunlight. For faith, it is God’s grace, His gift of Jesus, the Light of the World. This is the force that gives our faith movement.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How could we explain the relationship between grace and faith to a child? How does following God’s commands and doing good works fit into it all?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, I would explain to the child that faith is based on God’s grace, He offered His son as a sacrifice for our sins. To show our gratitude, we follow God’s commands and do good works to glorify Him in Heaven.

A Personal Prayer for us: Thank you, Lord for being gracious to us. Thank You for sending Jesus to love us and show us how to love You and love others. Help our hearts for You to affect how we live today. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/19/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Making the Invisible Visible by Heather Tietz.  

Posted on

Intended Purpose

Dec.18, 2023

Here are my reflections and comments from today’s scripture, Intended Purpose, 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. For me to live according to today’s promise, I need to make sure I do my part to preserve what God created. Humanity is included in God’s gift because we were given authority over His creation and to care of it. God bless you.

The scripture is from Genesis 1:30: “’To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;’ and it was so.’”

The devotion is titled Intended Purpose by Darla Noble.  Darla starts this lesson off by talking about the pesky flies and mosquitos. How we thought why God created them and how we could do without them. God created everything for a purpose. He created us for a specific and unique purpose. God created everything needed to sustain each and every living element of His creation and make the planet a robust, thriving ecosystem. God continues to bless us too. He has done even more for us. Everything He created lives according to His purpose.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some things God provided for you yesterday, today, and tomorrow?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, God has put air in my lungs, food to eat, beautiful things to look at, and pets to love and love us.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, thank You for being a God of provision. You wrap us in Your arms with tender loving care. Please help us to live a life that expresses our thanks for what You do. Help us to fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/18/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Intended Purpose by Darla Noble.  

Posted on

Faith Factor

Dec.15, 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. For me I am not afraid of anything. When things come up, I am confident in my faith in God. God bless you.

The scripture is from Proverbs 3:25-26: “Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation for the wicked, when it comes: for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.”

The devotion is titled Faith Factor by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste.  The author states that from the begging of time, fear presents a challenge, and no one is exempt from it. Anxiety, depression, and fear are universal, and affect all humanity all over the globe. In the above passage Solomon is encouraging us to live in faith. God promises to keep us from being overtaken by destruction like the wicked. God’s protection and provision buoy our faith in Him. In conclusion, fear is universal, but faith is too. When we put our trust in God, our fear transforms into faith.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can we cultivate our faith in God? In what specific ways might that eliminate our fear and improve our confidence?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, as I read God’s Word, I cultivate my faith in God. Doing this eliminates my fears and improves my confidence.

A Personal Prayer for us: Gracious God, thank You for replacing our fears with faith. Our confidence in You empowers us to put our hope and trust in You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/15/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Faith Factor by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste.

Posted on

Seeing God Every Day

Dec.14, 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. For me for me I see God in everything. God bless you.

The scripture is from Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

The devotion is titled Seeing God Every Day by Darla Noble. The author says that when people read the beatitudes (Matthew 5), they focus on the cost rather than the reward. Today’s verse, being “pure in heart” isn’t about being perfect. It is about seeing God every day, everywhere you look. She concludes that the pure on heart are truly blessed; they see God.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Where do you see God? Take the time today to write down all the things that show you who God is.

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, I see God in everything. My favorite time is in the mornings. I see the sunrise. I smell the fresh morning air. I feel the cool crisp air. I hear birds chirping. I taste a cup of fresh brewed coffee.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please make us pure in heart. We ask that You open our eyes and the eyes of our hearts to see You everywhere we look. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/14/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Seeing God Every Day by Darla Noble.

Posted on

Blessings and Curses

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. For me some blessings that come from listening to God’s Word and obeying His commandments are His unyielding love and support. God bless you.

The scripture is from Deuteronomy 11: 26-27: “Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today.”

The devotion is titled Blessings and Curses by Katelyn Molloy. The author recalls a memory when she was in the fourth grade. Her teacher passed out voluntary worksheets to be completed by a certain day. One week she forgot to do it. The consequence of not turning the worksheets was sitting out at the beginning of recess. She decided to lie; during lunch she completed the worksheet and tried to hand it to her teacher saying she found it in her backpack. Her teacher was not fooled and informed her that she would sit out the whole recess. She learned that lying did not get her anywhere but made it worst. She said this is like God’s commandments. God asks us to follow His commandments for our own good. He is not doing this to control us, but to have us live a happy and long life, full of His blessings.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can we become more familiar with God’s commandment? How has following God’s commandments blessed you?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, I study God’s word daily and I have been blessed by living a happy life, full of His blessings.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank You for Your love. Please bless us and help us follow Your commandments. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/13/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Blessings and Curses by Katelyn Molloy.

Posted on

The Holy Spirit

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. I think that Jesus says the world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth, because the world is still in sin. God bless you.

The scripture is from John 14: 16-17: “I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

The devotion is titled The Holy Spirit by Darla Noble and Joyverse. The authors start with how we describe our spirit. Then ask if it is holy. The Holy Spirit is described as divine. It is Jesus’ final parting gift to us before He left the earth. The Holy Spirit is God’s spirit. It counsels us, guides, and fills us with God’s divine presence. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is available to every person for free at any time. You might ask, how can we receive the Holy Spirit? In Acts 28, Peter saysto repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and we will receive the Holy Spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit following our repentance and our baptism. In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is a precious gift from God. It can guide and direct our lives, protect, teach, comfort and give us the strength to be the person God created us to be. The authors are asking won’t we let the Holy Spirit fill us, today and always.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What words would you use to describe your spirit?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, I would describe my spirit as holy because it is a gift from God.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, we repent of our sins. Thank You for the precious blood of Jesus that washed us clean. Please fill us with Your Spirit. We want to live by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/12/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, The Holy Spirit by Darla Noble and Joyverse.

Posted on

God’s Military Escort

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. I think Ezra would be ashamed to ask the Babylon king for protection because God’s hand is on all those who seek Him, for good. God bless you.

The scripture is from Ezra 8:22: “For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the way, because we had spoken to the king, saying ‘The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him.’”

The devotion is titled God’s Military Escort by Heather Tietz. The author sets the background for this devotion by stating that before Jesus and Roman rule, journey by foot was dangerous, law was not enforced, and bandits were common. Referencing the above verse, Ezra was preparing for a journey from Babylon to Jerusalem with treasures for the God’s temple. With the Babylon’s king permission, 220 temple servants, about forty Levite priests, and the prayers of God’s people, Ezra sets out with no Babylonian military support, just fasting and prayers from God’s people. After several months, the temple treasure arrived safely. In conclusion, Heather reminds us that God is enough. God will protect us in His own way. Our God has all the tools of salvation at His hands, God is enough!

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are you most afraid of? Can you truly say, “God in your Savior and protector?” Why or Why Not?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, I am not afraid of anything because God is my Savior and Protector.  

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please protect us from the problems we will face today. Help us to remember to place all our faith and all our trust in You. You are more than enough for us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/11/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, God’s Military Escort by Heather Tietz.

Posted on

Like a Wind Turbine

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. I do good works because of my faith. God bless you.

The scripture is from Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”

The devotion is titled Like a Wind Turbine by Heather Tietz. The author starts by stating that most religions require actions. Many religions teach that a peaceful afterlife is contingent upon one’s own success at living right. Christianity is different. It needs only faith. It is God’s gift to us. God only ask that we believe. When we believe, we can’t help but trust Him. God wants our heartfelt, “Not my will, but Yours God.” Our invisible trust will manifest itself in actions because Christian lives live differently when faith is there. The author continues to make the point about faith by the way giant turbines work. She says that the wind might be invisible but set a giant turbine in front of it and you can see it’s there driving the blades around, powering factories and homes, giving life to lifeless things. Faith is like the wind. You can’t see it working until you put it to work. When you put a problem in front of faith, you can see faith working, driving us to our knees, giving peace beyond understanding, inspiring works, and prompting feet to move. Faith in Jesus empowers Christian lives. Faith lights up the world.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How does your faith manifest itself in a recent problem?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For us, we were facing our daughter’s death. When she died, we put our faith in God that she was finally home with the Lord, and we celebrate her life with others.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank You for Your saving grace. Please bless our faith, strengthen it and use it to bless others. We praise You for Your many gifts, though we know we are unworthy of them. You are our all in all. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/08/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Like a Wind Turbine by Heather Tietz.

Posted on

Delivered to Serve

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. For me deliverance looks like being saved from in this context. God bless you.

The scripture is from Psalm 59:1-2: “Deliver me from my enemies, my God. Set me on high from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity. Save me from the bloodthirsty men.”

The devotion is titled Delivered to Serve by Brenda Kis. Imagine this setting. The place is China, the main character is a Chinese Christian Woman who is doing Bible studies in her home. The Communist authorities were notified, and she was sentence to a year in a women’s prison. Imagine that God had prepared this place for her. She began to sing hymns in her cell. Soon she was teaching sixty women about God. The prison superintendent said that because she was converting so many prisoners, he released her. She replied that he could not release her because it was against the law and her job there was not done. Brenda concludes that the real enemy we face isn’t our circumstances or people who are against us, but we have forgotten that we belong to God. It’s His business to put us where He needs us, even when we feel thwarted or in danger, and His business to care for us.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can we reframe the situation in which we find ourselves right now? How is God deliverance manifesting right now.

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, I would recenter my thoughts that I belong to God and it’s His business to put me where He needs me and His business to care for me.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, deliver us from our limited perspective and give us Your peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/07/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, Delivered to Serve by Brenda Kis.