the good news john 316

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.

Nov 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. If you want to leave comments or feedback, you can email jp0870584@gmail.com. I will have Jesus more actively influence each thought, word, and action in my life by seeking Him 24/7/365. God bless you.

The scripture is from John 1:1-4: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

The devotion is titled The Life-Giver and the Light-Bearer by Pastor Ken. Pastor Ken starts with today’s verse. He says that today’s verse expresses the truth about Jesus with two basic words: life and light. Jesus is the Life-Giver. The word “Life” refers to eternal life.  This is something you could never get on your own. Earthly death cannot take this gift from you. The gift of eternal life is ours from God through Jesus. Jesus is the Light-Bearer, the name of the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus is God in the flesh.

Jesus also gives you something more than you deserve. He gives you abundant life which is filled with unmerited grace and blessings (John 10:10).

Today is yours, a day given to you by God to enjoy the hope of eternal life, abundantly illuminated by Jesus.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What changes must you make to put your full trust in Jesus as your Life-Giver and follow Him as your Light-Bearer?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I already put my full trust in Jesus as my Life-Giver and to follow Hin as my Light-Bearer.

A Personal Prayer for us: Heavenly Lord, thank you for the material blessings you provide to us every day. Please help us remember these things are Yours. Help us to honor You in the way we care for them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/30/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible The Life-Giver and the Light-Bearer by Pastor Ken.

Nov 29, 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. All my accomplishments, money, and material possessions I own and enjoy come from God. God bless you.

The scripture is from Deuteronomy 8:18: “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today.”

The devotion is titled Sharing His Treasures by Darla Noble. The author introduced this lesson by talking about a simple man, Pete. By the time he was sixteen, he figured out how to graft fruit trees together to make a different kind of apple. People complimented him and his wife on the produce they raised in their garden, the flower beds around the front lawn and the small orchard of Pete’s one-of-kind tress. He would say that this was just my gift from the Good Lord, His way of sharing His treasures with him. To sum up, everything on earth belongs to the Lord. He is the master and ruler of the universe. He shares His treasures and extends to us the privilege and honor of caring for them and enjoying the pleasure they can bring, because He loves us. Be a good borrower and take care of the things God trusts you to manage for Him so you can receive the blessings He wants to give you for a job well done.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What has God loaned to you that you that you are not sharing back with Him? What will you do to change that?

Here is my response, yours may be different: One thing God has loaned to me is my material wealth. I plan to seek God’s guidance to help me get our finances in order so I can share back to Him what is truly His.

A Personal Prayer for us: Heavenly Lord, thank you for the material blessings you provide to us every day. Please help us remember these things are Yours. Help us to honor You in the way we care for them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/29/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible Sharing His Treasures by Darla Noble.

Nov 28, 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 believe I can lay down my life for others by putting others needs before my own. God bless you.

The scripture is from 1 John 3:16: “By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

The devotion is titled Live Your Life as Jesus Did by Pastor Ken and Joyverse. The authors want us to take a moment to stop and think of the Jusus’ unfathomable love for us when He died on the cross for us. The only reason He endured the humiliation, pain, misery, and horror was because He loved us more than anything. Jesus didn’t want to live for eternity without us. Even if you were the only sinner on the planet, Jesus would have suffered and died just to save you. The more we understand the magnitude of His sacrifice, the more we will be inspired to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him. As our relationship grows and matures, we will begin to think and act like Jesus. We will be willing to give up our own life plans so others will have a chance to know Jesus the way we do. In conclusion, live life the way Jesus did, for our heavenly Father and for others.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can we develop a more Christ-like character so others will see Jesus’ reflection in us?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I will continue to put others needs before my own.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank You for showing us how we should live through Jesus Christ. Please guide our lives so we can reflect His character in all we do and say. Give us the courage and faith to dedicate our lives to others because we know Jesus is our life and resurrection. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/28/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible Live Your Life as Jesus Did by Pastor Ken and Joyverse.

Nov 28, 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 believe I can lay down my life for others by putting others needs before my own. God bless you.

The scripture is from 1 John 3:16: “By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

The devotion is titled Live Your Life as Jesus Did by Pastor Ken and Joyverse. The authors wants us to to take a moment to stop and think of the Jusus’ unfathomable love for us when He died on the cross for us. The only reason He endured the humiliation, pain, misery, and horror was because He loved us more than anything. Jesus didn’t want to live for eternity without us. Even if you were the only sinner on the planet, Jesus would have suffered and died just to save you. The more we understand the magnitude of His sacrifice, the more we will be inspired to have a personal and intimate relationship with Hom. As our relationship grows and matures, we will begin to think and act like Jesus. We will be willing to give up our own life plans so others will have a chance to know Jesus the way we do. In conclusion, live life the way Jesus did, for our heavenly Father and for others.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can we develop a mor Christ-like character so others will see Jesus’ reflection in us?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I will continue to put others needs before my own.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank You for showing us how we should live through Jesus Christ. Please guide our lives so we can reflect His character in all we do and say. Give us the courage and faith to dedicate our lives to others because we know Jesus is our life and resurrection. In Jesus’ mane we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/28/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible Live Your Life as Jesus Did by Pastor Ken and Joyverse.

Nov 27, 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 taste the Lord and see that He is good all the time. God bless you.

The scripture is from Psalm 34:8-9: “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Oh fear the Lord, you his holy ones, for there is no lack with those who fear Him.”

The devotion is titled Spiritual Cardiologists by Heather Tietz. Heather starts with an analogy about what defines good eating. Most of the world, including her, defines good eating as well-prepared meat. She goes on to talk about a health issue that came up with her husband. A cardiologist told them that the only way to guarantee his heart health was to drop all animal food from his diet. He encouraged us to taste and see how good a vegan diet can be. Of course, since we wanted my husband to live a long and healthy life, we followed the cardiologist’s instructions. She goes says that it takes a fearful or devastating life changing event to find our need for God. She concluded that we are like spiritual cardiologists. We can encourage those who are suffering alone that God is good. We (as Christians) know that if they give Him a taste, through a local Bible study, a prayer meeting, visiting a church, opening a Bible or just call on Him, they will not be disappointed. To sum it up, God is good. The instant His children turn to Him, their hearts will began healing.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Who do you know needs a spiritual cardiologist? Can you write a prayer for them today?

Here is my response, yours may be different: There are the homeless, addicts, sinners, etc. that need a spiritual cardiologist. Heavenly Father, I lift up to You all the above mentioned. I pray that they find their way to You, the Master Cardiologist to heal their spiritual hearts. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, You alone are good. No matter what happens to us on this earth, You are our true refuge. You provide everything we need, both here and forevermore. We love You with all our hearts; it is wholly Yours. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/27/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible Spiritual Cardiologists by Heather Tietz.

Nov 24, 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. Our souls and our lives were purchased by the blood of Jesus. I pray that I will continue to live in such a way that shows my gratitude for such extravagant redemption. God bless you.

The scripture is from 1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds.”

The devotion is titled Sharing Back by Darla Noble. The author starts off with the story of Helen Keller. Everyone, including her own parents, had given up any hope for her. But, Annie Sullivan, her nanny, saw past Helen’s disabilities to her intelligence and spirit. Annie help Helen overcome countless obstacles. Helen shared back by working for social welfare and advocating for help and equal rights for the others who were disabled. Next, Darla shared the story of Saul. After his encounter with Jesus, Saul became the apostle, Paul. Jesus called him into a life of service. Paul, sharing back, gave others the opportunity to hear the Gospel and accept Christ as their Savior. Darla concludes that there is nothing we can give God that He didn’t give us first. By sharing back, we make it possible for others to experience God blessings.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What will you do this week to share back the monetary and material blessings God has shared with you?

Here is my response, yours may be different: We (my wife and I) will continue to give to our church. We will continue to give to Goodwill and Amvets so more jobs can be created. I will continue to give to ministries like Klove to help spread the Gospel to others.  

A Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, thank You for all You have given us. Please make us a worthy recipient of Your blessings-one that

Inspirations (2023/24/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Sharing Back by Darla Noble.