https://odb.org/2026/08/07/the-conqueror 1 Peter 5:6–11 (NIV): 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standingContinue reading “Like a roaring lion”
Category Archives: God’s plans and purposes
Our life stories are a part of the LORD’s story
https://odb.org/2026/08/06/part-of-his-story Judges 4:4–9 (NIV): 4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. 6 She sent for Barak son of AbinoamContinue reading “Our life stories are a part of the LORD’s story”
Waiting on God
https://odb.org/2026/08/03/waiting-6 Psalm 27:13–14 (NIV): 13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heartand wait for the LORD. Kazuto and his wife, Migiwa, waited with trepidation for the ultrasound exam results. Migiwa’s liver had been failing forContinue reading “Waiting on God”
The battle is God’s
https://odb.org/2026/07/31/a-battle-won 2 Chronicles 20:14–19 (NIV): 14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This isContinue reading “The battle is God’s”
The Company We Keep
https://odb.org/2026/07/29/the-company-we-keep Proverbs 13:20 NIV Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. A scientific study revealed that watching TV programs featuring mean characters can actually lead people to be mean. This connection is often subconscious, meaning that even shows with seemingly “harmless” jokes at others’ expense can subtly influence howContinue reading “The Company We Keep”
Created for good works
https://odb.org/2026/07/23/prepared-to-help Ephesians 2:1–10 (NIV): 2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of usContinue reading “Created for good works”
A plumb line
https://odb.org/2026/07/21/doing-right Amos 7:1–8 (NIV): 7 This is what the Sovereign LORD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king’s share had been harvested and just as the late crops were coming up. 2 When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, “Sovereign LORD, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is soContinue reading “A plumb line”
A sign from God
https://odb.org/2026/07/14/cant-explain Judges 6:36–40 (NIV): 36 Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by myContinue reading “A sign from God”
Nothing is impossible with God
https://odb.org/2026/06/24/faith-rooted-in-god Matthew 19:23–26 (NIV): 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter theContinue reading “Nothing is impossible with God”
Beauty in the dead of winter
https://odb.org/2026/06/12/seasons-of-love Romans 5:6–8 (NIV): 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were stillContinue reading “Beauty in the dead of winter”
Ronnie's Thoughts 