the good news john 316

Oct. 09, 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 Hebrews 10:37-38 “In a very little, he who comes will come and will not wait. But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

The devotion is titled Faith Like a Jack Pine by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, Heather starts this devotion by an analogy of the Jack Pine and the Kirkland Warbler birds. These birds can only breed in young Jack Pine trees. She goes on to state that the trees have tightly closed pines cones. It takes something dramatic to burst the cones open and let its seeds scatter. If this didn’t happen, the Kirtland Warbler would become extinct. God can see the “Jack Pine “people of the world who, like the Jack Pine are tightly closed. Those who flail about, like the Kirtland Warbler, are unable to find a place to rest.  She goes on to state that sometimes we need a tragedy to allow for blessings. She encourages us not to shrink back, but trust that our God has a good plan.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some blessings from your past that have come from tragedy?

Here is my response, yours may be different: One tragedy from our past was the attempted suicide by our daughter and her death from COVID. The blessings of love and support were overwhelming.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, thank you for taking care of us. Please strengthen our faith and help us never shrink back from the path You want us to walk. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/09/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Faith Like a Jack Pine by Heather Tietz.

Oct. 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 Daniel 1: 19-20 “The King talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm.”

The devotion is titled Stand Up and Be counted by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, Darla starts this devotion by talking about the time her cousin was in critical condition and the hospital needed a family member to speak to the doctors concerning her condition. After eight hours her cousin passed away. The nurses kept asking Darla if she was okay. She responded that she was fine. Soon afterwards, a nurse came in to confirm that her cousin had passed away. The nurse asked her if she knew how she handled the day like she did. Darla replied that it is all in God’s hands and in His timing. God has everything in control, and she just went with it. The nurse complimented Darla on her faith. We are reminded that we are far from perfect, but we can always do our best to be like Daniel and his friends. Darla wants us to stand up in the world for Jesus, and that no matter what, Jesus will never forsake us.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How much effort do we put into knowing what God’s Words say? How well do we know what He wants from us and command us to do?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Since I became a Christian, every day I immediately go onto God’s word. I pray that God puts on my heart what He wants me to do.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, please help us to be like You and live life showing others how wonderful You are. Help us willingly stand up and be counted for You. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/06/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Stand Up and Be counted by Darla Noble.

Oct. 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.

The scripture is from 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony at the proper time,”

The devotion is titled Our Everywhere God by John Michalak. To sum up this devotion, The author starts this devotion by talking about the “Hymn of St. Patrick,” (I found it on YouTube). The apostle Paul speaks of God and Christ in the same way as the “Hymn of St. Patrick,”. God is personal and everywhere present. God should be the center and boundary of our lives. You should have Christ’s Spirit, love, character, and peace moving in and through you. If you have a vision of Christ in everything you see, and others will see the presence of Christ in everything you are. It is possible if you offer everything to the Creator of everything there is. John Michalak is asking us to do it today.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: Do you see Christ as just one person in heaven, or someone who can also fill you and surround you? Will you go to God in prayer that He might fill you all in all?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Since I became a Christian, I see Christ as someone who can fill and surround me. If I did not see Christ the way I see Him, I would go to Christ to fill me all in all.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, please let us see Your touch upon all creation. Magnify in us Your image for all to see. In Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/05/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Our Everywhere God by John Michalak.

Oct. 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.

The scripture is from Matthew 11:25-26 “At that time, Jesus answered, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.’”

The devotion is titled The Obvious Contrast by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, The author starts this devotion by stating that missionaries in third world countries face spiritual battles against voodoo, witch doctors, and other satanic practices. Since the contrast between God and evil is so obvious that those who accept the saving grace of Jesus embrace Him with their whole heart, soul, and mind. Darla cautions us not to let intelligence, pride, or conventional wisdom keep us from Christ. See the contrast between good and evil and choose good.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: In what ways are you letting pride or worldly wisdom keep you from being fully committed to the Lord? What will you do this week to change this?

Here is my response, yours may be different: Since I became a Christian, I don’t let pride or worldly wisdom keep me from being fully committed to the Lord.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please remove obstacles in our lives that are keeping us from being wholly and completely Yours. Let us be open and receptive to Your Word and to Your will for our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/04/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com The Obvious Contrast by Darla Noble.

Oct. 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 Matthew 21:15-16 “But when the chief priest and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying,’ Hosanna to the son of David!’ they were indignant, and said to him, ’Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes, Did you never read, out of the mouth of children and nursing babies you  have perfected praise?’”  

The devotion is titled From the Mouths of Babes by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, The author starts this devotion by stating; if we ever need an honest answer or want the truth, blunt, raw and real, just ask a small child. Children are open books, wide-eyed with wonder at everything around them and will share their unvarnished views with the world. As we know Jesus loves children. They knew that Jesus was God in the flesh. God wants us to come to Him with the faith and eyes of a child. We need to let down our grown-up guard, thank and praise Him with childlike enthusiasm and faith.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How do you praise God? What is your favorite way? Have you ever lost yourself in your adoration of Him?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I praise God with all my heart, strength, and soul. My favorite way is by singing. Yes. I do loose myself in my adoration of Him.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear god, You have been so good to us. Help us to praise you with my whole heart, wit a child’s trust, loyalty, and excitement. In Jeusu’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/02/10) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com From the Mouths of Babes by Heather Tietz.

Sept. 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.

The scripture is from John 15:9-11 “Even as the Father has loved me, I also have love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.

The devotion is titled Love Comes with Responsibilities by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, The author starts this devotion saying that we use the word “love” for “fondness”.  The things we” are fond of” give us pleasure. Then she turns her attention to what is God’s definition of “love”.  He says “love” is patient, kind, doesn’t hold a grudge, isn’t self-seeking, doesn’t envy, seeks the truth, preserves, protects, and always wants the best for the loved ones (Corinthians 13:4-8). God cares for us, bless us, and protects us. Jesus died for us all because of love. We must take on the responsibility of obeying His commands and love Him back. When this happens, our hearts will really overflow with love.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How can we remain in Jesus’ love today? What does He promise to those who remain in His love? Have can we claim that promise for ourselves?

Here is my response, yours may be different: By keeping His commandments, Jesus said that His joy will remain in us and our joy will be made full.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, thank you for Your eternal, overwhelming, unfailing love. Thank You for loving us even when we didn’t know who You were. Please fill us with Your spirit. Help us to share Your love with the world. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/29/09) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Love Comes With Responsibilities by Darla Noble.

Sept. 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.

The scripture is from Nehemiah 6:3 “I sent messengers to them, saying ‘I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?”

The devotion is titled Ignore the Hecklers!  by John Michalak and Joyverse. To sum up this devotion, The authors start this devotion using the analogy of hecklers and naysayers. Throughout history there have been hecklers that have disrupt plays, and some even made a living by being paid to stop. ‘While rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem, Nehemiah had hecklers to deal with. They were people who didn’t know the Jews and didn’t care for what they were doing. They wanted to criticize and oppose them. There is nothing wrong with criticism when it comes from people who really care about what you are doing. The authors encourage us todo rather if it is God’s work or anything else important to you and ignore the hecklers.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some ways we can focus only on God and those who have our best interest at heart, and ignore the opinions of critics who don’t really matter?

Here is my response, yours may be different: By focusing on God and his love for me and others, I can easily focus on God and those who have my best interest at heart.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear Lord, help us to discern which criticism we should listen to and which we should ignore. When we are doing Your work, please help us to focus solely on You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/28/09) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Ignore the Hecklers!  by John Michalak and Joyverse

Sept. 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 Matthew 25:21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’.”

The devotion is titled Give a Little, Get a Little…Give a Lot, Get a Lot by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, Darla starts this devotion with an eight year old girl protesting that her mother will not let her go to a friend’s house. She explained to her that if she could not trust her to obey her at home, she could not trust her to obey someone else or follow their rules on how she was to behave. Now this same girl is sixteen. She is leaving on a mission trip. Her mom said goodbye to her and explained that she was proud of her for going and stating that she could trust her completely to be safe, kind, and be a light for Jesus to the children she will minister to. In conclusion, the girl (and you) grow to understand that when you are obedient to God in little things, God will feel confident in trusting you with more.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How will you use your God-given talents and abilities to minister to or serve others this week? What are some thoughts and feelings you have about doing so?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I will use my writing skills. I feel privileged, humbled and honored.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, we want to be your trustworthy children. We You to give us opportunities to share our faith, our abilities, and our love for You with others. We promise to be faithful and use them to the best of our abilities because of You working through us. In Jesus’ name, wepray, Amen

Inspirations (2023/27/09) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Give a Little, Get a Little…Give a Lot, Get a Lot by Darla Noble.

Sept. 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 51:11 “Those ransomed by the Lord will return, and come with singing to Zion. Everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

The devotion is titled Let there Be Light by John Michalak. To sum up this devotion, John Michalak talked about a time when Isaiah spoked to God’s people who were exiled from their homeland and from God’s protection and light. John Michalak states that we give too much credit to the “darkness”. In the “darkness” we struggle with earthly things. We can’t let “darkness” overcome our hearts and minds. It is not more powerful than the God of all light and love. No matter how dark our world gets, the Light of God will continue to shine if we let it in, and all sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: What are some ways we can help to shine God’s light into this dark world?

Here is my response, yours may be different: I do this by spreading The Gospel through my blogs and social media..

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please cover over the dark, dingy parts of our lives with Your shining glory. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, who died for our sins and set us free forever. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/26/09) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Let there Be Light by John Michalak

Sept. 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 Colossians 3:3-4 “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.”

The devotion is titled The Joyful Death by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, Heather states our birth into the Christian faith begins with our death. Our obsession with “self” begins at birth. “Self” demands to speak first. It wants its own way. It ruins friendships, marriages, and lives. When “Self” dies, you are alive in Christ and you have a lifelong purpose of praise, serving God, and caring of others. Rebirth in Christ brings us abundant life, full of all things worth pursuing, having, and living for. It readies us for life with God in glory.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges for Us: How is your life “hidden with Christ in God?” What parts of your life died when you decided to follow Jesus? How does Jesus affect your everyday living?

Here is my response, yours may be different: When I decided to follow Jesus, every part of my past life died immediately. Burdens of sin were instantly lifted from me. From that time, I live for Jesus.

My Personal Prayer for us: Dear God, please cover over the dark, dingy parts of our lives with Your shining glory. Thank you for the gift of Jesus, who died for our sins and set us free forever. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/25/09) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com The Joyful Death by Heather Tietz.