Month: December 2023

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. I am always grateful for God and what He has done in my life. I am also grateful for my wife of over 36 years. God bless you.

The scripture is from 1 Corinthians 1:4: “I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.”

The devotion is titled On the Lookout for Grace by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste. Beatrice says that as Christians is it easy to rejoice over God’s goodness and grace in our own lives. She says it takes another level of empathy to rejoice over God’s goodness in another person’s life. She mentions that opportunities to give thanks on behalf of others are all around us. Some examples are, but not limited to, a person who gets adopted, or a long-awaited birth. We can rejoice over a person who is overcoming addiction or a cancer survivor. She concludes that God’s grace abounds and the opportunities to rejoice are limitless. The Bible tells us that all of heaven rejoices when one person gives their life to Jesus, that allow them to experience the ultimate grace of salvation. Finally, the grace of God is the greatest gift we can experience and when we extend God’s grace to His other children, the gratitude spills over.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How have we seen God’s grace show up in someone’s else’s life? How can we be on the lookout for grace today?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I have witnessed many people give their lives to Christ and trust Him as their Lord and savior. I will have my eyes-of-gratitude open to look for grace in other people’s lives.

A Personal Prayer for us: Gracious God, thank You for freely extending grace to us, so we can do the same to others. May the love we show them cause them to rejoice over Your goodness in their lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/06/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible, On the Lookout for Grace by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste.

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. I personally express my respect and appreciation for the beautiful creation God has given me to enjoy by rising every morning to see a new day. I try to care of this creation by advocating actions to improve our environment and use our resources wisely. God bless you.

The scripture is from Genesis 1:27-28: “God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them. God said to them. ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’.”

The devotion is titled It’s Not Just a Piece of Paper by Darla Noble. Darla introduced this devotion by talking about two men hiking on a wooded trail. One of the men finished eating a granola bar and tossed the wrapper on the ground along the trail. The other men went back and picked up the wrapper. The wrapper-thrower commented that one little piece of paper here and there won’t hurt and maybe field mice might use it to make a nest. While they were driving back, the young man drove to a run-downed neighborhood. There the streets and yards were filled with litter. He commented to the wrapper-thrower that this is what a piece of paper looks like. From this story we learn that the earth and our environment are on loan from God. He made them with exquisite care. He asked us to take care of His environment and the earth. He asked us to treat them with TLC (tender love and care) He put in creating them.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How seriously do we take God’s admonition to “dress and keep” the earth (Genesis 2:15)? How does the way we treat God’s creation show how much we love Him?

Here is my response, yours may be different: First of all, I admit that I am not an environmental engineer or scientist. I try to respect and appreciate God’s creation by advocating and support measures that will improve and maintain our environment and doing my small part by not allowing anything that will bring harm to His creation.  

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God in heaven, thank you for nature and all the things it provides for us. We will treat the earth You made with respect and appreciation. Help us to never take its beauty for granted. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/05/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible It’s Not Just a Piece of Paper by Darla Noble.

Dec.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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. I personally interact with children in the same way that Christ did because they are a blessing and I believe they have guardian angels who stand in the presence of God to protect them. God bless you.

The scripture is from Mark 10:14-16: “Bur when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, ‘Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kington like a little child, he will no way enter into it.’ He took them in his arms, and bless them, laying his hands on them.”

The devotion is titled The Miracle of the Moment by Pastor Ken. The disciples tried to prevent some young children from “bothering” Jesus as He was teaching a crowd of people. Jesus stopped them, and told them that we all should be eager to come to Him and willing to respond to Him with genuine faith and trust as the children.

Then He blessed them. Jesus wants us to have the desire to pass those blessings on to others. He knew that even the smallest kindness act or simple encouraging words can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

We don’t need to have a lot of money or material wealth to be a blessing on someone’s life. You can lend a helping hand, share, and always make sure your words build others up and not tear them down.

Be a miracle in someone’s life today and always. Be the one who brings God’s children to Jesus.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can we imitate God’s love by paying it forward today?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I can imitate God’s love by paying forward the blessings and love that He gives me on a daily basis.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank you for calling us Your child. You have given us the power to encourage, help, and inspire. Please help us be a light that shines brightly for You, leading more of Your children to You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Dec.01, 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 am joyful every day. I express my joy to God through songs and worship. God bless you.

The scripture is from Nehemiah 12:43: “They offered great sacrifices that day, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women and the children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even far away.”

The devotion is titled Joy Heard Even Far Away by Darla Noble. Darla starts by talking about a couple who after suffering five miscarriages and was informed by the doctors that their chances of having a baby was less than ten percent. So, when they were finally expecting a baby, they were very excited. The couple wanted everyone to know how grateful they were to God for what He was doing for them.  

The couple could not stop posting how grateful and joyful they were to God. Some people stopped following them on social media. They were tired of hearing all the joy; joy of motherhood, being pregnant, etc…

Darla is asking what we are grateful for and how are we expressing our joy to God for His blessings.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some ways we can openly express our joy to God for who He is and what He does for us?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I express my joy to God for who He is and what He does for me through songs, worship and witnessing.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, we praise Your wonderful name for the blessings You give, for the love You extend, and for the joy we have in knowing we are your children. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/01/12) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible Joy Heard Even Far Away by Darla Noble.