the good news john 316

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.

Nov 02, 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 John 2:17: “This world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.”

The devotion is titled Thanks for the Problems by Ann Hendrickson. The author starts off with telling the story about singer and songwriter, Maijohn Wilkin. She showed up at a young preacher’s church in her Cadillac, adorned in all the material riches that anyone could imagine. She walked up to the young pastor and told him that she had all kinds of problems. The young pastor went down a list of things. She said finally that she didn’t know. The young pastor asked her if she ever thanked God for her problems. She returned home and sat down at her piano and began to sign a prayer that come to mind, “One Day at a Time”. This song was widely considered the biggest gospel hit in the 1970’s. The author goes on the say that we have problems even when we seem to “have it all”. The author goes on to say when we out our lives and talents in God’s hands and thanking Him for our problems, He has put in our way, he is ready and willing to use us to bless the rest of His children.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: for what problems of yours will you thank God today.

Here is my response, yours may be different: the problems I have that I will thank God today is our finances and how we can be able to still live in California.

My Personal Prayer for us: Gracious God, Thank you for Your Son, Jesus Christ, He has not only forgiven us, but He has also given meaning to our lives, filling us with joy, hope, love, and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/02/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Thanks for the Problems by Ann Hendrickson.

Nov 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.

The scripture is from Psalm 29:11: The Lord will give strength to his people. The Lord will bless his people with peace.”

The devotion is titled God Has set Me Free! by David Haase. The author starts off with his experience when he returned home from the Vietnam conflict. He didn’t understand why he and other Vets were so hated. It got to him, and he started to focus on things that happened. He convinced himself that his life was worthless. He became bitter with a short temper and a bad marriage. He remarried and his second wife convinced him to go to church. He soon realized that God’s grace was greater than anything he had done. His life changed and he accepted Christ’s gift of grace. Today he is a pastor and works for God every day, filled with God’s joy, strength, and peace. He concludes that God truly freed him to live his best life for Him. He prays the God will free us to experience His grace and peace in our lives as well.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How does peace come from within when God is in control of our lives?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, peace comes from within when God is in control of my life because God’s grace is truly greater than anything I have done  or will do until Christ’ returns and we are transformed.

My Personal Prayer for us: Gracious God, Thank you for Your Son, Jesus Christ, He has not only forgiven us, but He has also given meaning to our lives, filling us with joy, hope, love, and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/01/11) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. God Has set Me Free! by David Haase.

Oct. 31, 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 13:12 “The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deed of darkness, and let’s put on the amor of light.”

The devotion is titled Soldiers of the Light by John Michalak. The author says our world is a dark place and getting darker. Some examples are our culture is less moral. There is an increase of violence and hatred. It can feel hopeless to fight back against this darkness. The fact that the world is getting darker should fills us with hope because the darker our world gets, the closer we are to a new day when Christ returns. Each day the light of Christ reign comes closer. The more the “enemy rears its head in victory, the closer is his demise. We are encouraged to rise as one does before the dawn for this new day when Christ returns. Every inch of territory the darkness takes, we are to respond as soldiers of light. The darkness is a reason to hope. We are instructed rise up and declare the coming of Christ’s return.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some ways we can be soldier of the light on your family, your church, and community?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Some ways I can be a soldier of light to my family, church, and community is remind everyone that God is still on the throne and in charge. Each day of darkness brings us closer to Christ’s return.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, help us to embrace the hope of Your return. Fill us with Your Spirit that we may help spread Your light amid the world’s darkness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/31/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Soldiers of the Light by John Michalak.

Oct. 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.

The scripture is from Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

The devotion is titled I Will Never Forget That Sermon by Darla Noble. Darla recalled the time when she was 10 years old. She professed her faith and was baptized into Christ for forgiveness of her sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fast forward some years: she heard a sermon that made her realized that how personal her relationship with Jesus is and she wanted that more than anything. She want us to realize how personal our relationship with Jesus is, and us to want that more than anything.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If not, what is keeping you from doing so? If you have, who do you know needs Jesus?  Would you share your testimony with that person and begin praying that they will make Christ Lord of their life soon?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I know many who need Jesus. I have shared my personal testimony with them. Others, I share my testimony through my blogs. For all of them I pray that they will make Jesus Lord of their lives soon.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, thank You for saving us from our sins through Your death on the cross. Please give us a life that demonstrates the gratitude we feel every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/27/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. I Will Never forget That Sermon by Darla Noble.

Oct. 26, 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 Isaiah 49:14-16: “But Zion said,’ The Lord has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me. Can a women forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?’ Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you! Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are continually before me.”

The devotion is titled Take God Personally by John Michalak and Joyverse. To sum up this devotion, The authors say that when God says something, we should take it personally. They go on to say that Christians approach God less as a person and more like an administrative office, checking if we are following rules before fulfilling various requests. We forget that God is deeply personal and seeks us in the most personal way, even more nurturing than a nursing mother. Our pursuit is to seek God personally, directly, intimately. Our first and last thought, and our trust in His care should be as natural as breathing. In conclusion, Take God personally and He always keeps His promises.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some ways we can approach God more personally in our prayers, lives, in the way we worship Him at church, and in our devotion time?

Here is my response, yours may be different: To remember that He is God and He is deeply personal and seeks us in the most personal way.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, we commit ourselves today to You, person to person. Please fill us with Your heart of love and truth. We know You will never forget or forsake us. May we never forget or forsake You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/26/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. Take God Personally by John Michalak and Joyverse.

Oct. 25, 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 15:13: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy spirit.”

The devotion is titled The Little Rose Bush by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, The author talked about her grandmother’s Heirloom Tea rose bushes. She took some cuttings to remember her dead grandmother by. On one move, they had to keep them in water for several months. She was finally able to get them in the ground and they grew. The rosebushes remind her of many things like her grandmother, family, and that when things appear dead and hopeless, God knows better. With God, there is always hope and joy if we let Him cultivate it in us and trust in his timing.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What seemingly hopeless thing in your life should you turn over to God? What is keeping you from letting His hope, joy, and peace fill you?

Here is my response, yours may be different: For me, it is my anxieties and depression. I am trying and trusting to let God’s hope, joy, and peace fill me.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please fill us with your hope and joy and peace. Give us the courage to trust You. You always know what is best. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/25/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible. The Little Rose Bush by Darla Noble.