Category: Religious

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.

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.  

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.  

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.

Nov 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. If Jesus spent a day with me, He would know without a doubt that I am not ashamed to call Him Savior no matter where I am or who I am with. God bless you.

The scripture is from 2 Timonthy 1:12: “For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.”

The devotion is titled It’s A Trust Thing by Darla Noble. Darla starts out thinking about trust. She talks about a friend who acted like they didn’t trust her. She says that God voice whispered to her “I know how you feel. Doesn’t feel very good, does it?” that was a wake-up call for her. She started thinking she had done the same with God. She concludes that faith and obedience to God is a “trust thing”.  The Savior is truly worthy and deserving of our trust.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: In what matters do you have difficulty trusting Jesus? If so, why? What will you do to change this?

Here is my response, yours may be different: There is no matter that I have difficulty in trusting Jesus.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, please take away every doubt, fear, and anxious moment we have. Give us a heart, soul, and mind that are full of Your grace and glory. We are never ashamed of You; our shame comes from our weakness. Please forgive us for the times we have not trusted You completely. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/15/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. It’s A Trust Thing by Darla Noble.

Nov 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. I am very thankful to God for all the wonderful things He has done for me. I praise Him with songs and prayers. God bless you.

The scripture is from Psalm 75:1: “We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell about your wondrous works.”

The devotion is titled Overflowing With Thanks! by Pastor Ken and Joyverse. Pastor Ken and Joyverse start by saying thankfulness fills you with positive energy. Your smile come from inside out. If or when you realize that everything good you have is because Jesus, your life becomes more meaningful, and you become closer and more intimate with Him. Take some time every day to say thank you to the giver of all blessings, Jesus. Here are some verses to think about; (1 John 4: 9-10), (John 3:16), (Romans 8:34). Some other things to think about are what are you especially thankful for? What things around you, in nature, your life, and in your relationships causes you to praise Jesus? What wondrous works has He done in your life? In conclusion, today take time to count your blessings and give thanks for them.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: In what ways so you deliberately appreciate God’s many blessings?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Every day I wake up and thank God for all the blessings He has given to my family and me. I also listen and sing praise songs to Him and share His word with others.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, thank You so much for Your constant overflowing love and grace. We will praise You as long as we live. Please help us joyfully share with others what You have done for us. We pray in the name of Jesus, Who has done more for us than we deserve, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/14/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Overflowing With Thanks! by Pastor Ken and Joyverse

Aug 30, 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 149:4-5 “For the Lord takes pleasure in his people. He crowns the humble with salvation. Let the holy ones rejoice in honor. Let them sing for joy on their beds.”

The devotion is titled Cheering Us On by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, the author uses her son as a teaching tool to help us understand the message. Zach was a very good track and cross-country runner. He would finish first way ahead of the other runners. Instead of walking away, he would stay to cheer and encourage the remaining runners, an example of living humbly and faithfully. She goes on to say that her son reminded her of Jesus’ parable of the Master who left his servants in charge of his affairs. (Matthew 25). God will cheer us on with a smile on His face and in His heart when we honor Him by living humbly and faithfully. As we do this, we can sing for joy, knowing our salvation is secure and we will hear “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Reflections and Challenges: What about your life gives the Lord pleasure.

Here is my response: I hope that I my blogs about Him and living a life that glorifies and honor Him.

My Prayer for us: Dear God, I pray our lives honor You. May others see You in us. Thank You for the gift and reward of salvation and giving us something to sing about. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/30/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Cheering Us On by Darla Noble.

July 13, 2023

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

The scripture is from Acts 17:11, “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

The devotion is titled “Whether These things Are So” by John Michalak. This devotion is summarized by asking if you are ready to receive all truths from God. This means not to build walls against certain sins you are engaging in and don’t want to open to God’s mercy and healing.  Jesus is the higher power and calling you to walk in freedom of all sins that are blocking a true relationship with Him. Give them up!

Reflection: What are some of your “blind spots” that you are reluctant to turn over to Jesus? Are you willing to open your eyes to them? Ask yourself why or why not.

Here was my response: I will pray to Jesus for the courage to open my eyes to my “blind spots” to seek His forgiveness and to rely on Him in all things.  

My Prayer for us: Dear God, We thank you for Your Word. Please ready our minds and help us receive what you have to say to us. We want to open ourselves to more and more of You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/13/07) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com. Whether These things Are So” by John Michalak.