May 6 2026 … Coming By Faith…

May 6 2026 … Coming By Faith… 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing In Christ Alone … declaring that we Christians should come to Christ in faith alone.

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 15:28… [NLT]

… 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed. … 

… Jesus grants the wish of a gentile mother who came to Jesus in faith requesting that He heal her demon-possessed daughter.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Matthew 15:21-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus grants the wish of a gentile woman who came to Him by faith alone, seeking healing for her daughter.

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon teaches believers to trust in God with ALL our heart and to lean not on our own understanding.  

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to always be there to provide his strength when they (we) are weak. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 2:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul assures fellow Christians that his focus - in faith - was on Jesus Christ

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

… The Apostle Paul declares that dying to self is how he lives by faith in Christ. 

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:1-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians about dying to selfish living and focusing their (our) faith on Christ alone. 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:7  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter calls on fellow persecuted Christians to bring ALL their cares to God Who cares for them (us).  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Arthur Jackson …  USE THIS LINK       … related a story of J.D., a missionary to Eastern Africa, who was captivated by women in Zambia who presented elaborate missionary plans, by drawing them in the dirt on wrinkled paper; but their faith, as they presented the plans was so genuine and almost overwhelming.

The ODB entry for today uses the true episode of the Gentile mother who came to Jesus - in faith - desperately pleading for The Lord to heal her daughter, … which He did, declaring her faith to be like that of Abraham.  What kind of faith do we bring to Jesus today?   Is it a self-seeking desire or is it like that mother in the Highlight passage - and the faith described in the Scriptures shared above - a faith which surrenders all to Christ?   Personally, I pray my faith will be like that mother’s, coming to Jesus with ALL my heart.  How about you? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for always being there when I come to You in faith.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for calling us to come to You in faith. … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 5 2026 … What Is Our Legacy …

May 5 2026 … What Is Our Legacy … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...      and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Nichole Nordeman singing Legacy … showing that we Christians must live and choose to leave a legacy of Christlikeness as we ALL prepare to die.

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Highlight Passage: … Ecclesiastes 7:2 … [NLT]

…  2 Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies — so the living should take this to heart. 

… God reveals to John of Christ’s return for His faithful chosen ones.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Ecclesiastes 7:1-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s revelation to and thru the Apostle John about Jesus’ return for all true born-again Christians.

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon, who also authored Ecclesiastes, shows that our way in life would be guided by trusting and following God’s way, not by following our own way.  

Reference Passage: … John 10:27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Jesus clearly claims to be the Son of God and calls on all to follow Him as the sheep knows the voice of the shepherd and follows him wherever he leads them. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 10:9-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians, showing them (us) that ALL who surrender their (our) lives to faith in Christ will be saved.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:1-2  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul goes on to call ALL Christians to become living sacrifices, living their (our) lives to honor/glorify God rather than living for self and the world.

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also testifies that when he died to self, he was transformed to forever live for Christ. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, Paul declares that he is surrendered to do all things in this life because of God’s strength working thru him.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Anne Cetas …  USE THIS LINK     …wrote about how U.S. presidents, shortly after becoming president, are asked to plan and write about how they want to be remembered at their funerals.   President G.W. Bush said it was “kinda weird” planning to die; but it’s really a good practice for us all, … isn't it?  

How do we want to be remembered (our legacy?) when we die; because we all will die, won’t we?   That’s really what the so-called “Teacher,” who was Solomon, wrote about with the help of God’s Spirit in the book of Ecclesiastes (see the Highlight passage).  But taking in the linked song and the Scriptures shared above, I’m convicted to look back over my life as a Christian and speculate on how others will look on my life when I’m gone from this earth to be with my Lord … forever.  What will be my legacy; … what will be yours?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me the opportunity to live … and die … for You.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for the promise of a legacy of Christlikeness. which You have given to all who believe in Your finished work on the cross.  … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 4 2026 … No Fear - He’s Coming Back …

May 4 2026 … No Fear - He’s Coming Back … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Jordan Feliz singing Jesus Is Coming Back … declaring that we Christians should have no fear because Jesus is coming back for those who  believe He is LORD.

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Highlight Passage: … Revelation 1:1 … [NLT]

…  1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to His servant John, … 

… God reveals to John of Christ’s return for His faithful chosen ones.

Highlight Passage in Context:  Revelation 1:1-2, 12-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s revelation to and thru the Apostle John about Jesus’ return for all true born-again Christians.

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 24:27, 36-44 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches truth about the end times to His disciples, calling them to be prepared for Christ coming again in the clouds (see photo).  

Reference Passage: … Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Luke repeats Jesus’ teaching to His disciples of the end times. 

Reference Passage: … John 14:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus calms the fears of His disciples in the upper room, the night of Jesus’ betrayal.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 15:52 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul, in faith, assures fellow Christians of the second coming of our Lord.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 9:27-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s word, thru the Author of Hebrews, assures Christians of the coming of Christ again to save those who believe in Him as Lord. 

Reference Passage: … Revelation 1:7  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …</b> 

… The Apostle John writes to reveal Christ’s revealed promises to return for His faithful believers.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Bill Crowder …  USE THIS LINK      …wrote about geologists recording a geomagnetic disturbance, called The Carrington Event, occurred in 1859 which caused a worldwide disturbance in the telegraph system.  Today scientists say …“It’s been conjectured that a storm on the scale of the Carrington event, if it happened today, could cause an internet apocalypse.”

And the ODB author goes on to say that we Christians need not fear any so-called APOCALYPSE in the future because God’s word (see Scriptures above) reveals and promises that Jesus will return in His glory to save and bring all born-again Christians to be with Him in his glory FOREVER.   Maybe today!  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!! 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for Your promise to come for me and all who believe in You as Messiah and Lord.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for Your promise to return for Your bride one day soon.  … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 3 2026 … Sharing God’s Love …

May 3 2026 … Sharing God’s Love  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham singing Love of God … declaring that we Christians sing of he love of God to others.

Parents waving their love to us ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Deuteronomy 11:18-19 … [NLT]

…  18 “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 19 Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ... " 

… Moses shares God’s command to God’s people to share His love to future generations through His truth.

Highlight Passage in Context:</u>  Deuteronomy 11:13-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses, reminds His people that His love for them would last forever thru His word.

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 7:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God promises His love through His word FOREVER.

Reference Passage: … Joshua 1:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…God teaches Joshua that his success in carrying out God’s will would depend on his - and His people - staying in and following God’s truth.

Reference Passage: … John 3:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus shares with Nicodemus about the extent of God’s love..  

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shares the truth that NOTHING can separate born-again Christians from God’s love.

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul testifies that when he was willing to die to self, he was made alive by God’s love.  

Reference Passage: … 1John 4:7-8  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John teaches truth that sharing God’s love with others is the sign of God’s love in them (us).

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from James Banks …  USE THIS LINK     … related a family tradition which started with his parents standing in their driveway and waving, to show their love, as we drove away until we could no longer see them in our rear-view mirror (see photo).  And it’s a tradition that the ODB author claims is shredded by him and his wife to this day with their children.

And much the same way, if my readers have taken in the linked song and meditated on the Scriptures shared above, I think we’ll all agree that God’s word calls on us Christians to do all we can to share God’s love with others, especially thought His word, which is God’s way of waving good-bye to His children.  Let me wave “Good-bye” to you today by sharing God’s word - and HIs love - with you above.

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for giving me Your word as Your wave Good-bye to me today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for sharing Your love with us through Your word every day.  … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

May 2 2026 … A Strong Defense …

May 2 2026 … A Strong Defense  … 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...           and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Cody Carnes singing Firm Foundation (He Won’t) … declaring that he (and we) stand on the firm foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.

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Highlight Passage: … 1Peter 5:8-9 … [NLT]

…  8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 

… Peter, writing to fellow oppressed and persecuted Christians, calls for them (us) to stand firm in faith.

Highlight Passage in Context:  1Peter 5:8-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Peter calls for fellow Christians to have a strong defense as they (we) fight the battles of life.

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Reference Passage: … Joshua 1:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God promises Joshua - and us - to stand strong and be courageous because He, The Lord, will always be with him (and us).

Reference Passage: … Matthew 24:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Jesus, in teaching fellow Christians about the end-times, promises to save ALL who stand faithfully with Him to the end.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 16:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul calls on ALL Christians to remain faithful and stand strong in the faith to the end.  

Reference Passage:… 2Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Paul also remembers Jesus’ teaching … that shows faithful believers that God’s strength and enabling grace give  them (us) strength when they (we) are weak.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 6:10-13[NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows that all Christians put on God’s full armor, giving believers strength of faith to fight the battles of life.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:13  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, Paul confidently declares that he (and all born-agin believers) can stand strong with God’s strength to deal with the struggles of life.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Patricia Raybon …  USE THIS LINK    … told how frustrated the coach of her son’s youth basketball team was in trying to get the youngsters to realize that they must put as much - or even more - energy in playing defense as they do trying to score on offense, … the latter, of course, giving them more glory with their fans than it was working hard to play defense.

And it’s that the way it goes in the Christian’s life, doesn’t it?   But with God’s word being our “coach” as Christians in this game we call life, we need to take in and carry out the instructions God gives us from the truth of His word - like those shared above - that we must stand firm in the defense of our faith in Christ against our spiritual opponents.  Personally, that’s why you find me here every morning, getting my game (i.e., “life”) plan ready to stand firm and do battle each day, as Cody Carnes sings in the linked song.   Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You …Lord, … for getting me ready to play defense again today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, for giving us Your game-plan for life from Your word. … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.