the good news john 316

Sept. 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 Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

The devotion is titled Words Do Matter by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, we are reminded that there are evil people who turned their lives over to Satan. Rather than speak evil of them, we should see these people as God’s creation. They are equally love by God and need God’s redeeming grace. This verse (Ephesians 4:29) from today is to remind us think and choose words to build up rather than demolish and tear down.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges: Have you hurt someone with your words this week? Have you said things that did not bring honor to God?

Here is my response: Yes, but I cannot unsay these things, but I will ask for God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of those I hurt.

My Prayer for us: Dear God, please let my thoughts and words be to Your glory. Help us to only speak kindly and truthfully about Your children. Let our words be words You would speak. I the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/06/09) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Words Do Matter by Darla Noble.

Sept. 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 Luke 7:14-15 “He came near and touched the coffin, and bearers stood still. He said. ‘Young man, I tell you arise!’ He who was dead sat up and began to speak. Then he gave him to his mother.”

The devotion is titled “I tell You, Arise!”, by Pastor Ken. To sum up this devotion, the author recreates the scene of the dead child. The author reminds us that Jesus who is compassionate and all-understanding sees our needs, knows our situations, and is ready to offer us hope through our darkest hours. Jesus tells us not to grieve and He is with us. In conclusion, He is speaking words of life into our darkest moments.

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges: What do you expect of God when you are in the middle of a crisis? How do you cry out to Him when you are hurting?

Here is my response: I simply pray to God. I want God to hear, understand, comfort, and answer my prayers.

My Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, heal our broken hearts. Resurrect the best parts of us; our hopes, our faith, and our trust in You. Guide us through both good and bad times according to Your will for our lives. In your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/05/09) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com “I tell You, Arise!” by Pastor Ken.

Aug 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 Philippians 1:20-21 “According to my earnest expectation and hope that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me is to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

The devotion is titled To Me, To Live is Christ by Sam. To sum up this devotion, the author Sin is death; lust pride, envy, gluttony, and sloth all deserve death. However we don’t die because Jesus died for our sins. He took the punishment for our sins. We can live our lives anyway we want. God gives us free will. We can chose to live in sin and sit on death row or take Jesus’ hand and walk His path. Paul call us to lift up Christ in all things, in life and death. Our life already belongs to Jesus; let Him use it. Death will hold no fear. It means our struggle is over and we will see Jesus coming in the clouds. Jesus justifies, purifies, and sanctifies us. He gives us the power to overcome sin and the means to help others. He knows what will truly make us happy and blessed. He want to give the strength to overcome. Why not today you let Him in?

Reflections, Questions, and Challenges: What path are you on today? Will you ask Jesus to guide you to the path of eternal life?

Here is my response: Long before I became a child of God, I was such a sinner that my face was beside the word sinner in the dictionary.  I am on the path of eternal life. I asked Jesus long ago to guide me to the path of eternal life and He said YES. He can do this for you.

My Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, help us to live for You. Come into our hearts, cleanse it, purify it, and sanctify it. Give us the power to overcome sin and to help others overcome it. Lead us toward heaven today. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/31/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com To Me, To Live is Christ by Sam.

Aug 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 Ecclesiastes 10:10 “If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.”

The devotion is titled Our Blunt Edge by Heather Tietz. To sum up this devotion, the author uses an analogy about Helen Keller. She acquired her blunt axe when she became blind and deaf. However, she lived a whole life earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and becoming a prolific writer and speaker. We all have a blunt edge that can render some part of our lives ineffective or destructive. Our blunt axe is God’s place to shine in us. His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). God wants to enable your success because His strength brings Him glory.

Reflections and Challenges: What are some of your blunt edges? Will you give those blunt edges to God today? Let him sharpen your blunt edges for His service and glory.

Here is my response: Some of my blunt edges are pride, egotism, and selfishness. I will give them to God and let Him sharpen them for His service and glory.

My Prayer for us: Dear God, thank you for providing Your strength to counteract our blunt axe edges. With Your guidance and grace, we will sharpen the skills we have, while relying on You for the weakness we cannot change. Thank You for loving us, no matter what. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/28/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Our Blunt Edge by Heather Tietz.

Aug 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 Mark 16:15-16 “He said to them,’ Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.’”

The devotion is titled You’ve Gotta Push the Button by Darla Noble. To sum up this devotion, the author uses an analogy about a vending machine. You are thirsty and you want a cool drink. You put your money into the vending machine, but you forget to push the button to receive your drink. People stand in front of the vending machine of salvation. They believe Jesus is God’s son, and He died on the cross for our sins. That Jesus is the key to eternity in heaven. However, many people have not push the button to receive the gift of salvation. That button is baptism. Jesus was baptized to set the example. We are told in scripture that we are to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the Holy Spirit. The immersion of baptism pushes the button of rebirth and signifies the washing away of sins.

Reflections and Challenges: Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ and the only way to salvation? If you believe, have you been baptized to complete this amazing and undeserved gift of salvation?

Here is my response: A resounding YES.

My Prayer for us: Dear God, wash us and we will be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7). We believe in Your words, Lord. We put our faith and trust in You. Thank you for Your saving grace. In Your Son Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/25/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com You’ve Gotta Push the Button by Darla Noble.

Aug 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.

The scripture is from Micah 7:8 “Don’t rejoice against me, my enemy, When I fall, I will rise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”

The devotion is titled A Hero for All Challenges by John Michalak. To sum up this devotion, we will go through life with many challenges: love, purpose, stability, past hurts, darkness, and even ourselves. Seeking the things we desire, we may fall, but Jesus will help us rise to the challenge. Jesus can overcome any challenges. God will light the way when you are in the darkness.

Reflections and Challenges: Do you turn to God to help you endure conflict? When opposed, will you pray for the peace that only God provides?

Here is my response: When I face oppositions and challenges, I will pray for the peace that only God can provide.

My Prayer for us: Dear Lord, thank You helping us to rise when we fall. Thank you for providing a light that shines through even our darkest days. Please help us to see You as the Hero of our story, the One who will help us overcome. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/24/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com A Hero for All Challenges by John Michalak.

Aug 23, 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 11:28-30 “’ Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.’”

The devotion is titled It’s No Problem for God by Darla Noble. When we try doing things on our own, we fall under the weight of things life brings or what we bring upon ourselves. When we allow ourselves to become one with Christ. He circles His loving arms around us and holds us securely in place. We must remember that our problems are no problem for God. Stop trying to do life on your own.

Reflections for you: When do you try to handle the stresses and difficulties of life on your own? What prevents you from giving them over to Jesus?

Here is my response: In my early life before I became a Christian, I tried to handle life on my own. I felled miserably. I was proud. I didn’t need anyone, not even Jesus.

My Prayer for us: Dear God, we are tired trying to live life on our won. We want You to guide us, direst our paths, and help bear our burdens. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/23/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com It’s No Problem for God by Darla Noble.

Aug 22, 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 2:23 “I thank you and praise you, O God of my fathers, who have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we desired of you; for you have made known to us the King’s matter.”

The devotion is titled Yours for the Taking by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste. King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream. None of his wise men were able to interpret. The King was so frustrated that he put out a decree that all the wise men (including Daniel) would be executed because no one could tell what he dreamed the night before. Daniel prayed that God would give him wisdom (Daniel 2:23). God answered and revealed the King’s dream to Daniel. There are going to be times when we will feel powerless. When this happens, we need to pray for wisdom from above and God will give it to You (James 1: 5-6).

Reflections for you: Where in your life are you lacking in wisdom and need God’s guidance?

Here is my response: In my life I lacked wisdom in many things and turned to God for wisdom and guidance. One that really comes to mind every day is commenting on His words from daily devotions.

My Prayer for us: All mighty God, increase our faith and give us the wisdom we need to get through life’s challenges. Thank you for promising to answer this prayer every time we ask. In Jesus’s we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/22/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Yours for the Taking by Beatrice Jean-Baptiste.

Aug 21, 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 Philippians 3:20-21 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.”

The devotion is titled Heavenly Metamorphosis by Heather Tietz. One day when Christ returns, we will have a metamorphosis: a complete change of our perspective, desires, and appearance. We will be in a place where there will be no need for medicine, band aids, hospitals, or police. There will be no sadness, disabilities, or fears. All the frustrations we experience with ourselves, and the world will be only memories. Jesus will make us perfect, and we will perfectly fit in His perfect place.

Reflections for you: What are some sins you struggle with that you are eager to see God transform? You should ask Him to help you conquer these sins today.

Here is my response: Some sins I struggle with, but not limited to, are pride, lying, selfishness, and bitterness. As I hope you will do, I will ask Jesus to help me to conquer these sins.

My Prayer for us: Dear Jesus, You alone can change us into a beautiful, perfect being. Thank You for loving us even when we are so steeped in sin. We look forward to eternity with You. Thank you for the changes You are already making in us. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Inspirations (2023/21/08) retrieved from Website: Daily Bible.com Heavenly Metamorphosis by Heather Tietz.