The Truth and Light

I start every day with God and reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “Know His Voice” Julie Schwab wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from John 10:1–10 with the key verse, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:14

 My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. I thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witnessing.

Since the first known case of Covid until now, there are turbulent times. We elected a new President, but not without controversy. We had an attack by insurgent groups who wanted to take over the government, disfranchise millions of votes, and reinstate Donald Trump as President. 

Why? These people believed when Donald Trump said that the election was stolen and took over The Capital. Extreme right-winged media outlets carried the same message. This is a perfect example of people acting like sheep and following “the thieves [who] comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10)

In my opinion, this illustrates how much we need Jesus in our lives. He is the Good Shepherd. He calls us, and we follow. As a Good Shepherd, he looks after us and keeps us safe from all harm, including false and dangerous media outlets. Like sheep, we (God’s children) learn to know the voice of our Shepherd through our relationship with Him. And as we do, we see His character and learn to trust Him. As we grow to know and love God, we’ll be discerning of His voice and better able to run from the thieves [who] comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

A question to reflect on:

What’s one thing you’ve learned about God’s character through reading Scripture? How did that impact you? What will help you to discern God’s voice? 

I learned about God’s character by reading through the scriptures that His word is truth. God orchestrates events (with the help of the Holy Spirit) for the good of those who love and follow Him. 

My Prayer for Us:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our loving Shepherd. Help us to recognize and follow Your voice only. 

Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/03/25) Know His Voice, Julie Schwab, retrieved from www.odb.org 25/03/2021 Know His Voice

I start every day with God and reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “Facing Fear” Sheridan Voysey wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from Psalm 56:3–11 with the key verse, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

 My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. I thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witnesses.

Some years ago, I was under a principal who antagonized me daily. He attacked me on a personal and professional level. I was afraid of losing my job, and I went into a deep depression. I thought suicide was the way out of my misery. I prayed that God would help. He did. I transferred away from him. Later the same year, he was sued for discrimination and remove from the school. 

Yes, David’s prayer can be a model for us today. When we are afraid—in times of fear or accusation, we turn to God. We put our trust in God—we place our battle in God’s powerful hands. What can mere mortals do to use? When we face a situation with Him, we remember how limited the powers against us really are.

A question to reflect on:

What real fears do you face? How can David’s prayer help you deal with them? 

My Prayer for Us:

Loving God, we are afraid—and so today, we put our trust in You. What can mere mortals do to us when You’re fighting for us? Thank You for the coming victory.

Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/02/26) Facing Fear, Sheridan Voysey, retrieved from www.odb.org 26/02/2021 Facing Fear.

I start every day with God, reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “Thinking Differently.” Winn Collier wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from Romans 12:1–3 with the key verse, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” Romans 12:2

 My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. I thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witnessing.

I spent most of my service time in Greece. I was stationed on the Island of Crete. It was a beautiful place, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. I lived in a small village about 40 miles from the central city on the island. The people were so friendly and open. Because of the weather, during most of the year, they work from 8:00 to 12:00. Everything closes, then opens again around 4:00 to 8:00. Dinner is usually around 9:00 PM. Telephones are rare and expensive. If you wanted to make a phone call, you would go to the town’s communications center. Also, if you get a phone call, they announced it over a public PA system. Their culture is quite different from what I grew up in The United States. 

Paul talks about The Christian culture. 

We are charged to be different, also. Paul said, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2. We’re called to pursue God’s way of thinking and learn how to understand His perfect will. May we learn to follow God rather than every other voice.

A question to reflect on:

How would you describe the values and assumptions that surround you? What would it look like for you not to conform to the world’s ways and instead follow Jesus’ practices?

My Prayer for Us:

God, we don’t even recognize our assumptions and values most of the time. Help us to live out Your truth and Your mind in it all.

Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/02/16) Thinking Differently, Winn Collier, retrieved from www.odb.org 16/02/2021 Thinking Differently.

I start every day with God, reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “The Ticking Watch” Leslie Koh wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from Psalm 37:1–7 with the key verse, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7

 My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. I thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witness.

Have you ever been as still or quiet that you can hear a pin drop? My class and I were that quiet when they showed some pictures of how Afro Americans were hung, burned, and treated, not so recently. I heard a lot of sniffling and silent crying. Most of my class were of white or the Middle East descent. Racism was not taught in History anymore. America wanted to bury it. 

In the scripture, the Palmist wrote that we “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” Psalm 37:7. God assures us that we can trust Him to rescue us from the “wicked schemes” of evil people, give us refuge, and help us stay faithful. I wonder how my people could be so still in the midst of all our struggles. Our faith has brought us a long way. I witness the first black President. Now we have a black woman as vice president and many other Black People holding leadership positions in our government. We are not where we need to be yet. Systemic racism exists, not eradicated. So, we will continue to be still and wait patiently for the Lord. 

A question to reflect on:

How can you be still before God each day? What will help you stay silent and listen?

My Prayer for Us:

Loving God, grant us the patience and discipline to stay still for a while each day, that we might hear Your gentle whisper in our lives.

Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/02/11) The Ticking Watch, Leslie Koh, retrieved from www.odb.org 11/02/2021 The Ticking Watch.

I start every day with God, reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “Running to Tell.” Kirsten Holmberg wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from Matthew 28:1–10 with the key verse, “So the women . . . ran to tell his disciples” Matthew 28:8.

 My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. Thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witness.

When my tennis partner trusted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, he literately ran to tell me the good news of Christ’s resurrection. After I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I rushed to invest in blogs and learn how to spread the word of Christ’s resurrection with others. 

I hope everyone has the same joyful exuberance at the resurrection of Jesus and motivates us to share the good news with others. Jesus won the battle against death so we might live victoriously with Him forever!

Reflect:

Who shared the good news of Christ’s resurrection with you? How will you share it with others today? 

My Prayer for Us:

God, we rejoice because of Your victory over death. Thank You for allowing us the privilege of sharing this good news with those You’ve put in our lives.

To learn more about the resurrection of Jesus, visit ChristianUniversity.org/CA206.

Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/01/22) Running to Tell Kirsten Holmberg, retrieved from www.odb.org 22/01/2021 Running to Tell

I start every day with God, reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “All Roads?” Dave Branon wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from John 14:1–7 with the key verse, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’” John 14:6. 

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. Thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witness.

When I separated from the service, I took a job in Burbank. I rented an apartment in San Fernando. Every day I would watch the news to see the best way to get to work.  

People try numerous ways to get to Heaven, doing good deeds, giving to the church, attending church regularly. Unfortunately, just like trying to navigate Los Angeles county’s freeways, you have no success. 

Jesus made it clear that the only way to The Father is through Him. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6. Skip the methods that don’t lead to God’s presence. Instead, trust Jesus as Savior, for “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life” John3:36.

Reflect:

Why is it vital to know that only Jesus can save us? Why are we prone to try to add to what it takes to be welcomed into His family?

My Prayer for Us:

Dear God, we want to trust You for eternity. Thank You for the salvation found in Jesus alone.

Our Daily bread Ministries (2021/01/15) All Roads? Dave Branon, retrieved from www.odb.org 15/01/2021 All Roads?

I start every day with God, reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “God of the Invisible.” James Banks wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from John 1:35–42 with the key verse, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people.” Hebrews 6:10. 

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. Thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witness.

I felt invisible without God in my life. I had an outstanding military career and highly decorated. However, I felt empty and alone. The quiet faithfulness and prayers from my close friends and family members made a difference in my life. Now I serve God by serving others through my blogs, Twitter, and Facebook. 

God values faithful service over fame. He can use us powerfully wherever we are, even when no one is looking. I am not looking for recognition, nor do I want any. I want to use the talents given to me to serve others. 

Reflect:

Whose quiet faithfulness made a difference in your life? How can you serve God by serving someone else today?

My Prayer for Us:

Thank You for never overlooking us, Father! We are thankful thatYou can use us to make a difference wherever we are.

Our Daily bread Ministries (2020/01/08) God of the Invisible, James Banks, retrieved from www.odb.org 08/01/2020 God of the Invisible.

I start every day with God, reading daily devotions from Our Daily Bread. Today’s devotion is titled “When the Floods Come.” John Blasé wrote this devotion. The scripture reading is from Luke 6:46–49 with the key verse, “The one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.” Luke 6:49.

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ; for all I write, I first pray to God to guide my words to serve as spiritual food and guidance. I desire God to be my sole source of writing. All the credit goes to God, not me. I am his humble servant. Thank God that He led me to use Our Daily Bread Ministries as my inspiration for comments and witness.

I do not know what life will be like when you begin to read what I write. I will tell you what our world is like at present, the “floods and storms” we are facing. 

We are in the ravages of a pandemic known as COVID-19. In the United States, a person is dead every 10 minutes. The virus mutated and is more contagious. Our leadership at Washington, DC, provided no leadership or direction. Our President ignored the virus and its dangers. 

Also, our President and some of his allies attacked our voting process. They refuse to acknowledge that our present President has lost the election and have no intention to recognize our President-Elect, Joe Biden. These individuals have decided to overturn God’s will.

“The storms” are raging all around us and battering against our foundation of faith. Since we have a firm foundation, we know we stand strong. If I have a weakness that I need to reinforce, it is my anxiety. To shore up this weakness, I will ask The Holy Spirit to help give me comfort and reassurance. 

Reflect:

What weak spots need attention in your life? How might you work on them?

Prayer:

Jesus, I want to be not just a hearer but a doer as well. Give me the vision to see weak places in my foundation that need attention. And thank You for Your promised presence when the floods do come.

My Prayer for Us:

Jesus, we want to be not just a hearer but a doer as well. Give us the vision to see weak places in our foundation that need attention. Thank You for Your promised presence when the floods do come.

Our Daily bread Ministries (2020/01/02) When the Floods Come, John Blase, retrieved from www.odb.org 02/01/2020 When the Floods Come 

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