Pride separates us from Him, remember what we accomplish is because of His help

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Monday, October 19, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[Pride separates us from Him, remember what we accomplish is because of His help]

Scripture reading:

This message came to Ezekiel in 586 B.C. . . . a prophecy against Tyre, the capital of Phoenicia, just north of Israel. Part of the city was on the coastline, and part was on a beautiful island. Tyre rejoiced when Jerusalem fell, because Tyre and Judah always competed for the lucrative trade that came through their lands from Egypt in the south and Mesopotamia to the north. Tyre dominated the sea trading routes, while Judah dominated the land caravan routes. After Judah was defeated, Tyre thought it had all the trade routes to itself. But this gloating didn’t last long. . . (NLT)

Ezekiel 26:1-6 – On February 3, during the twelfth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity, this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, Tyre has rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Ha! She who was the gateway to the rich trade route to the east has been broken, and I am the heir! Because she has been made desolate, I will become wealthy!’

“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am your enemy, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the waves of the sea crashing against your shoreline. They will destroy the walls of Tyre and tear down its towers. I will scrape away its soil and make it a bare rock! It will be just a rock in the sea, a place for fishermen to spread their nets, for I have spoken, says the Sovereign Lord. Tyre will become the prey of many nations, and its mainland villages will be destroyed by the sword. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 26:17-18 – Then they will wail for you, singing this funeral song: “O famous island city, once ruler of the sea, how you have been destroyed! Your people, with their naval power, once spread fear around the world. Now the coastlands tremble at your fall. The islands are dismayed as you disappear.

Today’s devotional story is titled: The Lesson in the Ruins by: Tim Gustafson

“You have to be careful about the snakes, insects, jaguars and everything else,” said archaeologist Ivan Šprajc. Wielding chainsaws and machetes, he and his team slashed through thick jungle to try to reach the lost city of Ocumtún. The ancient metropolis had disappeared along with the rest of the once-vibrant Mayan civilization on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. No one knows why.

“The study of history is, in large measure, the study of ruins,” says author George Will—an apt testimony to our human inability to do things that last.

In the Bible, we read a prophecy about a thriving city. “They will destroy the walls of Tyre and pull down her towers,” God said through His prophet Ezekiel (26:4). “Out in the sea she will become a place to spread fishnets” (v. 5). Tyre had been “a power on the seas” who put “terror on all who lived there” (v. 17). They’d also celebrated Jerusalem’s fall (v. 2). A companion prophecy says of Tyre’s destruction, “The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor” (Isaiah 23:9¹). Tyre fell because of its pride.

Working hard to create new things is one way we reflect God’s image. But beware the fatal trap of pride. Whatever we do, let’s do it for our eternal God and in His strength. He promises us “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28²)

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ What city or civilization do you admire and why?

~ How do you think of it when you consider that one day it will no longer exist?

Prayer: Dear God, please help me serve You well as a citizen of Your kingdom, which can never be shaken.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/the-lesson-in-the-ruins?ts=1792368000000

Scripture reference:

¹) God would destroy Tyre because he hated its people’s pride. Pride separates people from God, and He will not tolerate it. As we examine our life, we must remember that all true accomplishment comes, as a result of our Creator’s help. We have no reason to take pride in ourselves. (NLT)

Isaiah 23:9 – The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has done it to destroy your pride and bring low all earth’s nobility.

²) Hebrews 12:28 – Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

Practice His teachings and share the Good News with others; we all need to fish for souls

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Sunday, October 18, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[Practice His teachings and share the Good News with others; we all need to fish for souls]

Scripture reading:

These men already knew Jesus. He had talked to Peter and Andrew previously and had been preaching in the area. When Jesus called them, they knew what kind of man He was and were willing to follow Him. Jesus told Peter and Andrew to leave their fishing business and begin fishing “for people,” helping others find God. Jesus was calling them away from their productive trade to be productive spiritually. We all need to fish for souls. If we practice Christ’s teachings and share the Good News with others, we will be able to draw those around us to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets. (NLT)

Matthew 4:18-22 – One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

Today’s devotional story is titled: Fishers of Sheep by: John Blase

It was one of those videos that makes you stop and do a double take—Yemeni fishermen frantically rescuing hundreds of sheep from the Red Sea. A ship carrying thousands of sheep had run aground off the coast of Ras Al-Ara, Yemen. The vessel was headed for Djibouti when it capsized, leading to the drowning of more than 160 sheep. However, many were saved due to the combined efforts of a group of fishermen who found themselves, well, fishing for sheep.

Isaiah’s words came to mind when I first saw that image: “We all, like sheep, have gone astray” (53:6¹). In the same moment, perhaps reflecting the way the Old and New Testaments beautifully work in tandem, Jesus’ invitation to His first disciples surfaced from my memory. Matthew’s gospel records His invitation as He walked beside the Sea of Galilee: “ ‘Come, follow me’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people’ “ (4:19).

For those of us intent on being Jesus’ disciples today, that same invitation is offered. Jesus calls us to fish for people. And why? People—and that means all of us—are like sheep who have strayed from God’s ways and will and words. We need rescue. Being introduced to the Savior can take place by way of His disciples. In His beautiful way, Jesus makes us—His sheep—fishers of other sheep.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ Who in your vicinity is like a drowning sheep?

~ What part can you play in their rescue?

Prayer: Dear God, please make me a fisher of sheep.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/fishers-of-sheep?ts=1792281600000

Scripture reference:

¹) Isaiah speaks of Israel straying from God and compares them to wandering sheep. Yet God would send the Messiah to bring them back into the fold. We have the hindsight to see and know the identity of the promised Messiah, who has come and died for our sins. But if we know all that Jesus did and still reject Him, our sin is much greater than that of the ancient Israelites, who could not see what we have seen. Have you given your life to Jesus Christ, the “Good Shepherd”, or are you still going your own way like a wandering sheep? (NLT)

Isaiah 53:6 – All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

He is always ready to show compassion to anyone willing to seek Him

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Saturday, October 17, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[He is always ready to show compassion to anyone willing to seek Him]

Scripture reading:

God responded in mercy by canceling His threatened destruction. God had said that any nation on which He had pronounced judgment would be saved if it repented. God forgave Nineveh, just as He had forgiven Jonah. The purpose of God’s judgment is correction, not revenge. He is always ready to show compassion to anyone willing to seek Him. (NLT)

Jonah 3:1-4 – Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.”

This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all. On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now Nineveh will be destroyed!”

J0nah-3:10 – When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah 4:1-4 – This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

The Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?”

Jonah 4:5-11 – Then Jonah went out to the east side of the city and made a shelter to sit under as he waited to see what would happen to the city. And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

But God also arranged for a worm! The next morning at dawn the worm ate through the stem of the plant so that it withered away. And as the sun grew hot, God arranged for a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is certainly better than living like this!” he exclaimed.

Then God said, to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die!”

Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual

Today’s devotional story is titled: God’s Compassion by: Karen Huang

I didn’t like Sadie. My colleague was often rude to me, so I avoided her. So when she heard about an evangelistic meeting in my church and asked if she could go with me, I was indifferent. “I’ll see,” I mumbled.

Days passed, and the topic seemed forgotten. But God hadn’t forgotten. I could feel His gaze, waiting for me to reach out to Sadie. One day, while I was praying, a question pervaded my thoughts: Think about your response to Sadie. Is it right?

Ouch! The question reminded me of what God asked the prophet Jonah after the people of Nineveh repented: “Is it right for you to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4). Jonah had warned the Ninevites of God’s judgment for their sin (3:1-4). Strangely, however, when they repented and God “did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened” (v. 10), “this seemed very wrong” to Jonah “and he became angry” (4:1). He believed that the cruel enemies of Israel had gotten off easily (vv. 1-3) and deserved punishment.

But God corrected Jonah, pointing out his lack of compassion for the Ninevites, who had no true spiritual understanding (vv. 5-11). God, “gracious and compassionate . . . slow to anger and abounding in love” (v. 2), cares about the welfare of all people, no matter what they’ve done. Let’s extend God’s compassion to others too—helping them to know and love Him.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ Why can it be difficult to show compassion to some people in your life?

~ How can God help you extend it to them?

Prayer: Loving Father, please help me to see others the way You do and show them Your compassion.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/gods-compassion?ts=1792195200000

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

Others can see our hope in Him when we take care of His people and do His work here on earth; this is the best way to prepare for His return

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Friday, October 16, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[Others can see our hope in Him when we take care of His people and do His work here on earth; this is the best way to prepare for His return]

Scripture reading:

Some Christians believe that faith is a personal matter that should be kept to oneself. It is true that we shouldn’t be boisterous or obnoxious in sharing our faith, but we should always be ready to give an answer, gently and respectfully, when asked about our faith, our lifestyle, or our Christian perspective. Can others see your hope in Christ? Are you prepared to tell them what Christ has done in your life? (NLT)

1 Peter 3:13-17 – Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ As Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Today’s devotional story is titled: Ready for Christ’s Return by: Dave Branon

It was late fall, and my wife and I were going to take a trip by car. The day before our planned departure, it began to snow, and I suddenly realized I hadn’t taken the car in to have snow tires put on. The snowy, deteriorating conditions led to a long line at the tire shop—something I could have avoided with better planning.

Much of life is about getting ready, isn’t it? It’s vital for us to think ahead, prepare for what eventualities might occur, and make sure we’ve planned well.

This is true of our spiritual life as well. In Matthew 24, Jesus pointed out the necessity of being all set for His later return. He told His listeners that they “must be ready” because He will come again (v. 44¹). And Peter later wrote that believers should prepare themselves ahead of time intellectually and spiritually “to give the reason for the hope that [they] have” (1 Peter 3:15).

Our lives should be ones of preparation. First, we must make sure we’re ready for Jesus’ return by putting our faith in Him. Next, our task is to continually prepare ourselves for service for Him—even if it means to “suffer for doing good” (v. 17). With His help, let’s get ready.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ How are you sure you’re ready to meet Jesus when He returns or when you die?

~ What can you do to better prepare to serve and honor God?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please help me use my time wisely—preparing for what You want me to do. While I handle daily responsibilities, help me to also set aside times for spiritual preparation.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/ready-for-christs-return?ts=1792108800000

Scripture reference:

¹) Jesus asks us to spend the time of waiting taking care of His people and doing His work here on earth, both within the church and outside it. This is the best way to prepare for Christ’s return. (NLT)

Matthew 24:44-47 – [Jesus said] “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.”

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

Our source for hope comes from Him; trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Thursday, October 15, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[Our source for hope comes from Him; trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness]

Scripture reading:

David Guzik note – [Paul’s] prayer and blessing concluding the section is appropriate. As God fills us with the blessings of His joy and peace in believing, we are equipped to live in this common bond of unity God calls us to.

Any hope the Christian has comes from God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Hope cannot be conjured up by human effort; it is God’s gift by His Spirit (NIV).

Romans 15:5-13 – May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote: “For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”

And in another place it is written, “Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.” And yet again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.” And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.”

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s devotional story is titled: Searching for Hope by: Marvin Williams

For many years, hope has been one of the most searched terms on the internet. Surprisingly, it surpasses searches for political crises and even making money online. People are seeking more profound meaning. Recent years haven’t fostered optimism; instead, they’ve felt like an ongoing, slow-motion crisis: Environmental fears, economic instability, and digital anxiety dominate our headlines and hearts. Yet through all these struggles, millions type hope into their browsers, as if throwing a lifeline to something beyond the chaos.

Paul understood that God is the Someone beyond the chaos. When the apostle wrote of “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13), he wanted Roman believers in Jesus to understand that God was both the source and object of their hope. Paul reminds us that true hope isn’t merely wishful thinking or fleeting optimism; it’s anchored in God’s character and faithfulness. And He instills confidence in us through His promises. He’s also the one who provides “endurance and encouragement” (v. 5) through the power of His Holy Spirit. This hope endures despite circumstances, filling us with joy and peace as we recognize God has accepted us in Christ (v. 7).

If you’re searching for hope, direct your heart toward God. As you trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness, you can have eternal hope found in Him alone.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ What keeps your hope in God alive when you face adversity?

~ What can you do to remain confident in Him?

Prayer: God of truth, please fill me with Your hope and joy.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/searching-for-hope?ts=1792022400000

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

When our thoughts and actions are going in a wrong direction from His truth, we can turn to Him for help

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Wednesday, October 14, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[When our thoughts and actions are going in a wrong direction from His truth, we can turn to Him for help]

Scripture reading:

As the potter molded or shaped a clay pot on the potter’s wheel, defects often appeared. The potter had power over the clay, to permit the defects to remain or to reshape the pot. Likewise, God had power to reshape the nation to conform to His purposes. Our strategy should not be to become mindless and passive—one aspect of clay—but to be willing and receptive to God’s impact on us. As we yield to God, He begins reshaping us into valuable vessels. (NLT)

Jeremiah 18:1-10 – The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.

Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refused to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.

Today’s devotional story is titled: Lives Molded by God by: Kirsten Holmberg

When Asheton met Nick, she described herself as lost, lacking purpose, and behaving in ways she wasn’t proud of. Nick had recently experienced something similar and had reconnected with his faith in the process. He shared with Asheton how viewing God as a loving potter who had reshaped his life and given him hope in that difficult time. The two eventually married and took up pottery as a hobby. Now they offer potter classes and encourage the attendees that “they’re special and created for a purpose.”

God likened Himself to a potter when communicating with the prophet Jeremiah, instructing him to observe the way a potter reshaped marred pots into new pots” as seemed best to him” (Jeremiah 18:4). God revealed to the prophet His ability to shape and reshape the Israelites—either planting or uprooting them according to their response to His counsel. He endowed Jeremiah with a message of repentance and hope for them that He can “do with you, Israel, as this potter does” (v. 6).

Jeremiah’s message was proclaimed to the nation of Israel, but the principle applies to our individual lives as well. When we find ourselves wandering from God’s truth in our thoughts and actions, we can turn to the Potter for help. When we admit our wrongdoings and ask Him for guidance and wisdom to change our ways, we can trust Him to reshape us with His loving hands.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ When has God reshaped your life?

~ How are you different today as a result of His help?

Prayer: Please mold me, dear Father, into the person You want me to be.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/lives-molded-by-god?ts=1791936000000

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

It is important to seek Him in prayer before our schedule takes over our thoughts, and to leave the noise of our lives to hear His voice

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Tuesday, October 13, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[It is important to seek Him in prayer before our schedule takes over our thoughts, and to leave the noise of our lives to hear His voice]

Scripture reading:

Were the disciples impatient that Jesus prayed in solitude while so much ministry waited to be done? How would you have responded if you had been the one to find Jesus in prayer? It’s easy to be so caught up with ministry that you neglect times of solitude, individual worship, and prayer. Perhaps you need to redesign your schedule to find time for earnest prayer. It is vitally important to: (1) seek the Lord before your busy schedule takes over your thoughts; (2) withdraw from noise and demands so you can focus on God; (3) take Jesus’ attitude of regular communion with the Father; (4) reflect on the priorities Jesus had for His life; (5) determine to pray on a more regular basis, not just in times of crisis. If prayer was important for Jesus, then it must be important for His followers. Pray . . . ! (NLT)

Mark 1:21-39 – Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Today’s devotional story is titled: Jesus’ Prayer Priority by: Jennifer Benson Schuldt

The Arctic lights of the aurora borealis (the northern lights) are well known for their shimmering green and violet light, but did you know they also emit low frequency electromagnetic (radio) waves? Special devices can convert these natural radio signals into audible whooshing and crackling noises. However, to record these otherwise inaudible vibrations of electric and magnetic energy, you must travel at least four miles away from human sources of sound or electricity that could interfere with the radio receivers.

It’s also sometimes necessary to leave the noise of our lives to hear God’s voice. Mark’s gospel describes Jesus waking up before dawn and find a “solitary” place to pray (1:35). He’d stayed up late the night before, healing and freeing people from demons (vv. 21-32). The “whole town” had watched (v. 33). Can you imagine their joy and awe? But while Jesus willingly served them, the experience was likely also exhausting.

So the next morning, Jesus took time to find quiet before God, despite the fact that the people were looking for him (v. 37). Jesus’ example shows us the value He placed on spending time alone in prayer.

Today, take a break and listen for God’s voice in the quiet (Psalm 46:10¹). Let Him reorder your priorities and refresh your soul so you can enjoy the peace He offers.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ How can we take time to be still before God?

~ Why might you be hesitant to spend time in silence with Him?

Prayer: Dear God, please show me how to give more of myself to you as I pay attention to You.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/jesus-prayer-priority?ts=1791849600000

Scripture reference:

¹) Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

Remember He is the One who gives us everything we have, let our prayers serve as a constant reminder of His goodness to us

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Monday, October 12, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[Remember He is the One who gives us everything we have, let our prayers serve as a constant reminder of His goodness to us]

Scripture reading:

This verse [8:10] is traditionally cited as the reason we say grace before or after meals. Its purpose, however, was to warn the Israelites not to forget God when their needs and wants were satisfied. Let your . . . prayers serve as a constant reminder of the Lord’s goodness to you and your duty to those who are less fortunate.

In times of plenty, we often take credit for our prosperity and become proud that our own hard work and cleverness have made us rich. It is easy to get so busy collecting and managing wealth that we push God right out of our lives. But it is God who gives us everything we have, and it is God who asks us to manage it for Him. (NLT)

Deuteronomy 8:10-18 – When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

“But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your sliver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Today’s devotional story is titled: What God Has Done by: Mike Wittmer

Dan Wallace teaches Greek and travels the world cataloguing ancient manuscripts. At the height of his career, he caught encephalitis, a disease that causes the brain to swell. Dan spent the next year in a wheelchair, traveling to five hospitals and the Mayo Clinic. He survived, though he lost most of his memory, including his knowledge of foreign languages. Yet he persisted and returned to the classroom. Dan says, “I had to relearn Greek, and I taught myself Greek using the textbook that I myself had published the year before!”

It’s strange to learn Greek from yourself, but it’s not unusual to learn the same truths over again. This is why God gave us Deuteronomy. Its name means “second law,” a fitting title for a book that reviews the laws and commands given by God in the Old Testament. Deuteronomy gives the Ten Commandments again (ch. 5¹) and repeatedly urges God’s people to remember how He delivered them from Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and brought them to the promised land. They needed to remember their salvation story, lest their success might make them proud and they’d “forget the Lord . . . [their] God, who brought [them] out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (8:14).

What wilderness has God brought you out of? How has He provided for you? When we pause to think, we have ample reason to thank and praise Him—again and again.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ Why is it important to rehearse [study] the Bible’s stories and instructions?

~ What other practices help you to celebrate your salvation?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, please help me to remember Your story.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/what-god-has-done?ts=1791763200000

Scripture reference:

¹) The people had entered into a covenant with God, and Moses commanded them to hear, learn, and obey His regulations. Christians also have entered into a covenant with God through Jesus Christ and should be responsive to what God expects. Moses’ threefold command to the Israelites proves excellent advice for all God’s followers. Listening is absorbing and accepting information about God. Learning is understanding its meaning and implications. Obeying is putting into action all we have learned and understood. All three parts are essential to a growing relationship with God. (NLT)

Deuteronomy 5:1-5 – Moses called all the people of Israel together and said, “Listen carefully, Israel. Hear the decrees and regulations I am giving you today, so you may learn them and obey them!

“The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Mount Sinai. The Lord did not make this covenant with our ancestors, but with all of us who are alive today. At the mountain the Lord spoke to you face to face from the heart of the fire. I stood as an intermediary between you and the Lord, for you were afraid of the fire and did not want to approach the mountain. He spoke to me, and I passed his words on to you. This is what he said . . .

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

When we stay together, we are safe; His love for us is so great that He seeks out each one of us when we are lost

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Sunday, October 11, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[When we stay together, we are safe; His love for us is so great that He seeks out each one of us when we are lost]

Scripture reading:

It may seem foolish for the shepherd to leave 99 sheep to go search for just one. But the shepherd knew that the 99 would be safe in the sheepfold, whereas the lost sheep was in danger. Because each sheep was of high value, the shepherd knew that it was worthwhile to search diligently for the lost one. God’s love for the individual is so great that He seeks out each one and rejoices when he or she is found. Jesus associated with sinners because He wanted to bring the lost sheep—people considered beyond hope—the Good News of God’s Kingdom. Before you were a believer, God sought you; and He is still seeking those who are yet lost. (NLT)

Luke 15:3-7 – So Jesus told them this story: “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Today’s devotional story is titled: Jesus Looks for the Lost by: Tom Felten

“I’ve been looking for him all my life.” With tears in his eyes, Bill Cordes spoke those words after being reunited with his younger brother, Robert. The men hadn’t seen each other for eighty years after being split up when Robert was just four months old due to a troubled family situation. Bill’s granddaughter helped him finally find his baby brother—someone he’d never stopped thinking about or seeking to find.

In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables of people who refused to stop looking for something or someone precious. In the parable of the lost sheep, He said to the Pharisees who were challenging Him, if a shepherd lost one sheep of his hundred, wouldn’t he “leave the ninety-nine . . . and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (v. 4). His point? The Pharisees—the “ninety-nine”—thought they were right with God, but they weren’t. And Christ told them, there’s “more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents”—who turns from sin to God’s forgiveness—than for those who don’t think they need to (v. 7).

Our Great Shepherd never stops looking for us, and He’ll never stop seeking others as well. When we repent and receive salvation in Christ, there’s great joy in heaven—in God’s heart—because what “was lost . . . is found” (v. 32¹). And what joy we experience in being found by the one who sought us!

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ Why should you repent of your sins?

~ How does it encourage you to know that Jesus looks for the lost?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, because You sought me, I can repent of my sins and receive Your salvation.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/jesus-looks-for-the-lost?ts=1791676800000

Scripture reference:

¹) Luke 15:32 – [Jesus said] “‘We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.

He gives us a purpose, keeping our mind centered on Him, He gives us wisdom to make decisions and faith to trust Him; don’t despair; stay on God’s path

I will trust in the Lord for He is good, faithful, and just. He has wonderful plans for me, and I know He holds my future.

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. (Author unknown)

Heavenly Father, bless my day with miracles and blessings. Help me walk into tomorrow with a better approach, mind, and attitude! I pray today you do the impossible in my life and others. Heal bodies, change lives, and turn situations around. In Jesus’ name. Amen (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Saturday, October 10, 2026

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems. Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[He gives us a purpose, keeping our mind centered on Him, He gives us wisdom to make decisions and faith to trust Him; don’t despair; stay on God’s path]

Scripture reading:

We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but when we fix our thoughts on God, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil. As we focus our mind on God and His Word, we become steady and stable. Supported by God’s unchanging love and mighty power, we are not shaken by the surrounding chaos. Do you want peace? Keep your thoughts on God and your trust in Him.

At times the “path” of the righteous doesn’t seem smooth, and it isn’t easy to do God’s will, but we are never alone when we face tough times. God is there to help us, to comfort us, and to lead us. God does this by giving us a purpose (keeping our mind centered on Him) and giving us provisions as we travel. God provides us with relationships of family, friends, and mentors. God gives us wisdom to make decisions and faith to trust Him. Don’t despair; stay on God’s path. (NLT)

Isaiah 26:3-7 – You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust. The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot, and the needy walk all over it.

But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them.

Today’s devotional story is titled: A Sound Mind by: Patricia Raybon

As a player for the San Francisco Giants baseball team, Drew Robinson knew mental highs and lows. Whenever injuries demoted him to the Giants’ minor league affiliate, he’d fall into a depressive state. Will I be replaced? Will I recover? At home, watching teammates playing on TV, “I just felt completely isolated, alienated and lonely.” After a suicide attempt during the pandemic, he shared his troubles with the Giant’s team psychologist. He got so much help he urged other players to come forth with their mental struggles. Now he’s the Giants’ full-time mental health advocate, urging physically tough players to seek strong mental health too. After surviving his worst, Robinson believes his purpose is to encourage others.

The Bible regards a sound mind as a wise goal but also a gift from a loving God. In song, the prophet Isaiah said of Him, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (26:3 nlt). What a consoling promise during a time of great trouble! Sin and rebellion had turned the hearts of God’s people away from Him, leaving their thoughts and minds in turmoil. So Isaiah urged them, “Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock” (v. 4 nlt).

During our anxious times, we too can trust God in our journey. Fixing our minds on Him points our trust to our daily peace—Jesus.

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

~ Why does trusting God help us find peace?

~ What worry can you give to Him today?

Prayer: Please quiet my mental struggles, dear God, as I trust in You.

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread Ministries: https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/a-sound-mind?ts=1791590400000

I am not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional.  My information does not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. I share educational and informational resources that are intended for inspiration and help.