Dec 1, 2020 … Always Being There

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 336 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Ryan Stevenson singing … No Matter What … poignantly singing of how our God is ALWAYS there for us … no matter what!! 

Sometimes we all need a lift ... 

 

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Highlight Passage:   Job 2:13 [ESV] ... 

13 And they [Job’s friends] sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.  

…  Job’s friends were there for their friend in his loss … BEFORE they opened their mouths with their opinions.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Job 2:11-13  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Job’s friends came to sit with him in his loss, quietly sharing his grief. 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 34:18  [ESV] …  

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  

… When King David felt abandoned by the world, he knew that His God was always there for him.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:28-30 [ESV] … 

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  

…  Jesus is always there for us when we’re down and out. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:20 [ESV] … 

20 … And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

…  Jesus’ promise to be with us … ALWAYS … 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:6-7  [ESV] …  

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.   

… God, thru Peter, is always there for us when we’re willing to humble ourselves under His mighty hand of help.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kirsten Holmberg, AT THIS LINK tells of a theme park employee sitting with a crying autistic boy (see photo) when he became disconsolate, … showing how we, as Christians, need to remember that our Lord is always there for us when we’re down and out. 

And the ODB author then reminded us of how Job’s three friends came to share with their friend at the outset of his grief and pain, simply sitting with Job to show their support (see highlight passage).  And that is a reflection of God always being there for us when we need Him to be with us or to use us to help someone else we see in trouble.  And often just being there, without offering words, is the best thing we can do; … because we know what happened when Job’s friends began to confuse Job with their opinions. 

I pray today that we all know that Jesus offers to be there for us ALWAYS when we need His caring assistance (see Reference Scriptures above).  And we can be His caring assist for someone today if we see them needing a lift or simply by just being there for them.  I pray we will if needed.   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for being there for me ALWAYS when I’m feeling down. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me today to be there for anyone we see in need of a caring assist.  … 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.

Nov 30, 2020 … Our Best … Really?!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 335 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Matthew West singing … Do Something … powerfully singing of how God created us to “do something” in this world for His glory.  

Are we giving our best, ... REALLY?! 

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Highlight Passage:  Malachi 3:10 [ESV] ... 

10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 

…  God’s promise to His people when we’re willing to bring our tithe to God.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Malachi 3:6-10  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God charges His people, thru the Prophet Malachi, to give their tithe, humbly and willingly, for God’s glory. 

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Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 3:9-10 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Solomon’s instruction to honor God with the FIRST FRUITS of our wealth, … not the leftovers!!

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 …  [ESV] … 

38 …give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

…  Jesus instructs His followers how to give … for God’s glory.  

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:6-7, 11-12  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Paul, teaches on pleasing God with our giving because God loves a cheerful giver. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon, AT THIS LINK illustrates God’s call for us to give our best for His glory by using the giving of shoes to a shelter to help those in need (see photo).

Perhaps then, … as we all take in the Scriptures above, my fellow Christian, … you, as am I, might be convicted to do more today to “DO SOMETHING,” as Matthew West sings in the linked song, … perhaps a bit more then we have in the past, … to help others.  So, let’s all ask ourselves if we’re giving what we can to honor our Lord with our time, talents, and treasures.  Are we giving our FIRST FRUITS; … or are we merely giving our leftovers?   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving Your all to show us how we might give more for Your glory.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me to give our utmost for our Lord’s glory.    … 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.

Nov 29, 2020 … Sweeter Than Honey

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 334 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Mercy Me singing … Word of God Speak … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, can sample the sweetness and fruitfulness of God Himself when we hear His word speak to us. 

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Highlight Passage:  Isaiah 25:6 [ESV] ... 

6  On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. 

…  One day, at the wedding feast of the Lamb, eternal life will become sweeter than honey.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Isaiah 25:1-9  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, that one day life will become sweeter than honey - FOREVER! 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:103 …  [ESV] … 

103  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

…  We can sample God’s eternal sweetness NOW by taking in His words.  

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 24:13-14 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru Solomon, shows us that Godly wisdom is like sampling the sweetness of honey. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 55:11  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… When God’s word goes forth it ALWAYS is powerful to accomplish God’s will.  

Reference Passage: … 2Tim 3:16-17  …  [ESV] …  

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

… God’s word is always fruitful for His will and our good works. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams, AT THIS LINK describes a Russian wedding custom where the love exhibited in the kiss of  newlyweds make sweetness out of the bitterness of wedding drink and toast.       

And that’s what God promises in/thru his word, isn’t it; … that God will make our eternal life with Him sweeter than honey and most certainly sweeter than the bitterness of this life.  Can I get a witness?  

There’s a lot of bitterness in life now, isn’t there?  And that’s why you find me here, beginning each day by taking in God’s word, which, as you read above from God’s truth, is always sweeter than honey and points us toward a sweet and ever-fruitful eternal life as God’s bride at the eternal wedding feast of our Bridegroom, … the Lamb of God. 

So, meditate on God’s word with me here today, fellow Christian, and sample the sweetness and power of our God’s love letter to us.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving us the sweetness of Your word to overcome the bitterness of this life. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me to take in the sweetness of Your truth, Lord, … today … and then again tomorrow, … until we take it in forever with You.    … 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 to the blog via email at that site.

Nov 28, 2020 … He’s Got Me Covered!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 333 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Building 429 singing … You Won’t Be Shaken … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, can ALWAYS trust that God’s grace has us covered with His protective and loving care. 

God's wings of protection ... 

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Highlight Passage:  Psalm 139:16 [ESV] ... 

16  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; … in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

…  God had our days numbered before the beginning of our time on this earth. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Psalm 139  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

King David poetically and musically writes of God knowing all about us before we were ever formed in the wombs of our mothers.  

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 …  [ESV] … 

 5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

…  God’s promise to His people, thru Solomon, that we can ALWAYS trust God’s leading and our leaning on Him.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 8:2-3 [ESV] …

 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 

…  We need to place our faith/trust … ALWAYS … in God; because He knows all.  And we don’t!!

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:6-7  [ESV] … 

<i>  6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

… We can ALWAYS bring our cares - <u>whatever they are</u> - to a caring, all-knowing, God. 

Reference Passage</u>: … 1John 3:19-20  …  [ESV] … 

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before Him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything.

… In our hearts we can KNOW - ALWAYS - that God knows all about our circumstances. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Alyson Kieda, AT THIS LINK relates how she and her family grieved when her dad breathed his last.   But then they were able to celebrate his life and home-going because they trusted that God had her dad’s life planned to bring him home to Jesus before time even began (see Psalm 139).     

It might be a good idea for any of us Christians to meditate on King David’s song in Psalm 139 regularly, … if not each morning; … because it would help us to realize that God knew, and fashioned, our lives even before the beginning of time; … and that there is no where we can go that He doesn’t have us protected.     

So, … let’s all take in the linked song and meditate on the Scriptures above and then rest easy today, KNOWING and TRUSTING, that God’s got us under His wings (see photo).  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for always keeping me under Your wings of protection

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me to trust that God has us covered today … and tomorrow too!    … 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.

Nov 27, 2020 … Strength for Battle

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 332 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … His Strength Is Perfect … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, glean Strength from God when we feel too weak to do battle in life. 

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Highlight Passage:  1Chronicles 16:11 [ESV] ... 

11  Seek the Lord and His strength; … seek His presence continually!  

…  King David and God’s people sing thanks to the Lord for His strength … 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  1Chronicles 16:1-11  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem because he knew that the God’s power was needed for God’s people to face the battles which lied ahead for them. 

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 …  [ESV] … 

10 …  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

…  God’s promise to His people, thru Isaiah, to lift them up when they need the Lord’s strength. 

Reference Passage: … John 16:33 [ESV] … 

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” …   

…  Jesus helping His disciples to rely on Him and His Spirit as they would face life ahead. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 10:13…  [ESV] … 

13 No temptation  [or “trial”] has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted [or “tried”] beyond your ability, but with the temptation [or “trial”] He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

… God, thru Paul, promises to be with us … ALWAYS … when we face the battles of life. 

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 12:9  …  [ESV] … 

9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

… Jesus promised Paul (and us!) that His power would be available to any/all of us in the face of our weakness. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey, AT THIS LINK writes of realizing all the battles he and his friends were facing in life, … realizing how much they needed God’s strength.  And the author then referred to the battles King David and God’s people were to face ahead and how they sang praises to God (see highlight passage), seeking His strength.    

And now, in these viral and social battles we all face these days, I think we Christians recognize our weaknesses to face life without relying on God’s strength.  But, my friend, His strength is ours when we need it, … isn’t it?  That’s what the verses above promise, … don’t they?  The question is … do we believe God’s word and will we rely on God’s strength … as Steven Curtis Chapman sings … when our strength is gone? 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for Your strength today when I need it to do battle!  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me to pray for and receive Your strength, Lord, when our strength is gone.   … 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.

Nov 26, 2020 … Giving Thanks … ALWAYS!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 331 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from a worship chorus singing the old hymn … Now Thank We All our God … powerfully singing of how we, as Christians, must sing our praises and thanks to God … ALWAYS.  

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Highlight Passage:  Isaiah 12:4 [ESV] ... 

4 And you will say in that day: … “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted.   

…  God, thru Isaiah, calls on His people to thankfully declare God’s mighty works to all.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Isaiah 12  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Isaiah’s inspired poetry, commands His people (that’s us!) to offer up our thanks to God … ALWAYS!  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 100 …  [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  A song of thankfulness which could be sung every day of our lives.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 …  [ESV] … 

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

…  Paul reminds fellow Christians (again, that’s us!) that ALL THINGS are for our good and His glory.  But are we thankful for that … REALLY … in ALL circumstances? 

Reference Passage: … Ephesian 5:20 …  [ESV] … 

20 … giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, … 

…  Paul exhorts fellow Christians in Ephesus (and us) to give thanks ALWAYS … for EVERYTHING …

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:17 …  [ESV] … </b>

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  

… Paul repetitively, to other Christians, declares that whatever we do we should THANKFULLY do it for our Lord. 

Reference Passage: … 1Thessalonians 5:18 …  [ESV] … 

18 … give thanks <u>in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you ...

… How many times does God have to repeat it, thru Paul, for Christians to see that He demands our thankfulness in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES? 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pye, AT THIS LINK writes about an 17th century English Deacon, Martin Rinkart, who performed over 4000 funerals during a plague in 1637; and then, in the same year, wrote the lyrics to what became a classic hymn of thanksgiving (see linked song).   

And here we are, here in America, celebrating Thanksgiving Day today, … where, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic and much sociopolitical division, we are reminded by God’s word - again and again - that even in the midst of angst and evil circumstances, we, as born-again disciples of Christ, should - nay, MUST -  celebrate the reality of our thankfulness.

The Prophets and the Apostle Paul, in God’s word above, certainly declared their thankful hearts … over and over and over again, didn’t they?  Can’t we take out at least one day to share and sing of our thankfulness to our Lord, Who thankfully gave His all for all of us? 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for EVERYTHING! 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me to offer up our thanks … today and all days … for all You have done, Lord, to save us and provide for us.    … 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.

Nov 25, 2020 … Jesus Saves

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 330 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    …   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Jeremy Camp singing … Jesus Saves … powerfully singing of how Jesus is our only avenue to salvation. 

Statue in San Salvador to honor Jesus as "The Savior of the World" 

 

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Highlight Passage:  Romans 10:13 [ESV] ... 

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  

…  Paul repeats the prophesy of Joel that ALL who believe in declare Christ as Lord will be saved. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Romans 10:5:15  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Paul, quoting from Old Testament prophesy (Joel 2:32) of salvation for all who declare Christ, our Messiah, to be our Lord.  

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Reference Passage: … Joel 2:32 …  [ESV] … 

32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. … 

…  The Prophet Joel prophesies that one day anyone/everyone who has declared, in faith, that the Messiah is Lord will be saved, which is a prophesy that was repeated by Peter in Acts 2:21 and Paul in Romans 10:13. 

Reference Passage: …  John 14:6 …  [ESV] … 

 6 Jesus said … , “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.. “   

…  Jesus declares to His disciples that following Him is the only way to salvation.  

Reference Passage: … Acts 2:21 …  [ESV] … 

21  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 

…  Peter in his sermon at Pentecost quotes the Prophet, Joel, that anyone who believes Jesus as The Messiah and lives with Him as Lord will be saved. 

Reference Passage: … Acts 4:12 …  [ESV] … 

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 

…  Peter declares the truth that under no other name, other than “Jesus,” can anyone be saved, confirming that Jesus is the Messiah as prophesied by Joel.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Benson Schulet, AT THIS LINK writes of how the country of El Salvador honors Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world with an enormous statue in their capital city [see photo]. 

And the Scriptures above, as well as the linked song, declare the same truth that El Salvador honors with the statue … that Jesus, as He declared in John 14:6, and was prophesied by the Prophet, Joel (see Joel 2:32) and also repeated by the Apostles Peter and Paul [See Scriptures above] … that anyone - and everyone - who believes, declares, and lives with King Jesus as Messiah and Lord will be saved.  

And I “PRAISE THE LORD” daily for that reality in my life … as I pray anyone reading here with me can as well.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for being our Lord … and Savior !!! 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me to praise You, King Jesus, for saving ALL who believe and live with You as our Lord.      … 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.