February 28, 2018 … Lost Lamb

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 59 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Gospel text, images, and lyrics from Judy Collins’ popular version of the most recorded Christian hymn,… Amazing Grace … powerfully singing of how Jesus, The Good Shepherd, will come after any lost lamb who is willing to come to and follow Him.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 15:6 [NLT] … 6 When He arrives, He will call together His friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with Me because I have found My lost sheep.’ 
… Jesus seeks out any lost lamb to bring that one back to the flock.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 15:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… And my Good Shepherd has led me from that valley of death to drink from His living waters.

Reference Passage : … John 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God sent His Son, His Good Shepherd, into the world to save all those who would deny themselves and follow Him (see Luke 9;23).

Reference Passage : … 2 Peter 3:9 [NLT] … 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 
… The Good Shepherd doesn’t want any from His flock to perish.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Leslie Koh, uses a very personal story to illustrate just how our Good Shepherd searches for His lost lambs. The ODB author wrote: When we discovered that my mother-in-law had gone missing while shopping with a relative, my wife and I were frantic. Mom suffered from memory loss and confusion, and there was no telling what she might do. Would she wander the area, or hop onto any bus thinking it would take her home? Worst-case scenarios spun through our minds as we began to search for her, crying out to God, “Please find her.” 
Hours later, my mother-in-law was spotted stumbling along a road, miles away. How God blessed us in being able to find her. Several months later, He blessed her: at eighty years of age, my mother-in-law turned to Jesus Christ for salvation. 

A little over 35 years ago, I was almost 40 and one of God’s lost lambs. But He, … my Good Shepherd, … came after me and led me from that valley of the shadow of death [see Ps. 23] into His lush pastures of life. And for all those years thereafter, He has been leading me to drink of His living waters ever since. Every day, when I’m here, being embraced by Him by His living word, I feel like that little lamb in the attached photo.

And … as the linked long so poignantly sings, “I once was lost but now I’m found, … was blind but now I see.” And I can only pray today that all who read this are His foundlings, being led in the pastures of life by our Good Shepherd.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for coming after me.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to seek after any who might be lost and need to feel Your love, thru me, and to come to You as their Good Shepherd. … Amen

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.

February 27, 2018 … Letting Fear Go

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 58 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images from Ryan Stevenson singing… In The Eye of the Storm … powerfully singing of how we can know that God is in control not matter what storm we may face.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 6:49=50 [NLT] … 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him. 
… The fear of death and the unknown gripped the disciples in the storm.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 6:45-53 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The disciples fear Jesus is a ghost as He walks to them on water in the midst of the storm. 
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 26:3, 40:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s promise of His peace and strength to lift us out of our fears.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ promise that His grace will ALWAYS be sufficient to give us the strength when we’re feeling weak.

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 1:7 [NKJV] … 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 
… We need not fear!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, teaches on a feeling we all experience, … fear. The ODB author wrote: Our bodies react to our feelings of dread and fear. A weight in the pit of our stomachs, along with our hearts pounding as we gulp for breath, signal our sense of anxiety. Our physical nature keeps us from ignoring these feelings of unease. 
The disciples felt shockwaves of fear one night after Jesus had performed the miracle of feeding more than five thousand people. The Lord had sent them ahead to Bethsaida so He could be alone to pray. During the night, they were rowing against the wind when suddenly they saw Him walking on the water. Thinking He was a ghost, they were terrified (Mark 6:49–50). 

Sometime, … somewhere, … we all will have to deal with the fear of the unknown, or in our feelings of weakness, … or when we face death. That’s why I so identify with the true story of Jesus’ disciples out in that boat in a terrifying storm. And then they saw something even more frightening, … Jesus walking on the churning waters of the Sea of Galilee [see photo and the highlight passage].

But when they realized it was their Rabbi, Jesus, Whom they had just seen feed thousands with so little food; and they saw the wind calm when He stepped in the boat, their fears were replaced by faith. But, later, when Jesus was taken to be crucified, they again let their fears overwhelm them, which is so like most, if not all, of us when we’re confronting with the unknown or fear of death. 

So, … when will get it… as Ryan Stevenson sings in the linked song, … “In The Eye of the Storm,” … that our King Jesus is in control? And the sooner we can anchor our faith to The Rock in our storms, the sooner our fears will be replaced by God’s peace [as all the Scriptures above attest]. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your empowering grace to lift me up in my storms.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to feel Your strength as I weather this storm today. … Amen

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.

February 26, 2018 … Sharing Joyously

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 57 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics with Ray Bolz singing… Thank You For Giving to the Lord … poignantly singing of how we Christians give from our time, talents, and treasures back to our Lord Who has given His all for us.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Malachi 3:10 [NKJV] … 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 
… Thru the Prophet God challenges His people to give to bring their tithes and offerings into His storehouse to do His work for His people.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Malachi 3:6-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Malachi, lays out the principle of giving back the Lord’s kingdom.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:9-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...  
… Solomon shows how we should honor the Lord with the “first fruits” of His providence when we give back to Him in worship.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 6:19-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...   
… Jesus teaches on Kingdom living with regard to money and possessions.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… Paul exhorts the church to help God, thru His church, to take care of those in need by giving regularly, really weekly, to the Church to carry out His kingdom work.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...   
… Paul teaches on the attitude all Christians should have in sharing their time, talents, and treasures for God’s kingdom.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, used a story about her boy sharing his toys to illustrate how Christians should share our time, talents, and treasures by giving to the Lord’s work. The ODB author wrote: When my son Xavier was six years old, a friend brought her toddler to visit and Xavier wanted to give him a few toys. I delighted in our little giver’s generosity, until he offered a stuffed animal my husband had searched several stores in different cities to find. Recognizing the high-demand toy, my friend tried to politely decline. Still, Xavier placed his gift into her son’s hands and said, “My daddy gives me lots of toys to share.” 
Though I’d like to say Xavier learned his confident giving from me, I’ve often withheld my resources from God and others. But when I remember that my heavenly Father gives me everything I have and need, it’s easier to share. 

Well, once again, if you’ve taken the time to read this ODB entry, hear the linked song, and meditate on the Scriptures above, the message of this blog is obvious, any reader will either we’re uplifted that we’ve been giving what we should to God’s kingdom work, thru the Church; or, we’re convicted that we should be giving more of God’s providence back to Him in worship so that God’s Church can do God’s work on earth.

I’ve heard it said that one can tell where a person’s heart is (see Jesus’ teaching in Matt. 6:19-21) by looking at his calendar and his bank statements. Because… how we use our time and treasures (i.e., finances) will reflect what is in our hearts and how were sharing of our lives for God’s glory.

 ’ll leave it to any reader here to decide - with the Spirit’s guidance - how we’re doing. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your providence.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … May the time, talents, and treasures You give us be used, thru our worship of giving, for Your kingdom and Your glory. … Amen

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.

February 25, 2018 … Solid Rock

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 56 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with an unidentified group singing the old hymn … On Solid Ground … powerfully declaring that we Christians must build our lives on the solid rock of our relationship with Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 33:6 [NKJV] … 6  In that day He [The Lord] will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. 
… The Lord should alway be the foundation of any who believe and serve Him.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 33:2-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Isaiah shows His people how they must lay the foundation of their lives - ON HIM! 
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 7:24-25 [NLT] … 24 “Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. …”
 … Jesus taught His followers that their lives must be built on solid rock; … and that Rock, of course, was HIM!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, uses a botanical word picture to show that we Christians should bloom where God plants us. The ODB author wrote: For many years, people in our city built and bought homes in areas subject to landslides [see photo]. Some knew about the risk of the unstable land, while others were not told. “Forty years of warnings from geologists and city regulations created to ensure safe homebuilding” were unexplained or ignored (The Gazette, Colorado Springs, April 27, 2016). The view from many of those homes was magnificent, but the ground beneath them was a disaster in the making.

When you hear the linked song and meditate on the Scriptures above; and then we read the ODB entry for today, I think the message is quite apparent, isn’t it? And it begs the obvious question: Are we building our lives on our relationship with Christ? … If so, gleaning our wisdom and guidance from His word, communing with our Lord continually in prayer, and having our faith anchored deeply in the Rock of that relationship, … we will find that we can withstand the severe storms which will come our way.

However, if we don’t … well the result will be obvious, won’t it?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for being my Rock.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Hold be steadfast in the anchor of my faith. … Amen

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.

February 24, 2018 … Right Place - Right Time!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 55 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with an unidentified group singing… Here I Am Lord … poignantly singing of how we should respond to God’s call to service and action.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Samuel 20:13 [NKJV] … 13 … But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And the Lord be with you as He has been with my father. 
 … Jonathan’s commitment to David, giving up his right to succeed to the throne of Saul and risking his very life for David.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Samuel 20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jonathan came into a covenant friendship with David at exactly the right time because of the jealousy of Saul for David.
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 6:8 [NKJV] … 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” … Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” 
… Isaiah responded to God’s call with surrender and commitment exactly at the time of God’s calling. But do we bloom where God plants us.

Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NKJV] … 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 
… Any born-again Christian is always at the right place, at the right time, to witness Christ’s love and grace to others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses a botanical word picture to show that we Christians should bloom where God plants us. The ODB author wrote: “A weed is any plant that grows where you don’t want it,” [see photo] my father said, handing me the hoe. I wanted to leave the corn plant that had “volunteered” among the peas. But Dad, who had grown up on a farm, instructed me to pull it out. That lone cornstalk would do nothing but choke the peas and rob them of nutrients. 

Then, in the “Insight” addendum to the ODB entry today, Mart DeHaan, another ODB author, wrote, giving insight into the highlight passage about David and Jonathan: Do you ever wonder whether you are in the place God wants you to be? David and Jonathan help us ask a different question. When combined with the story of Jonathan’s father, Saul, they give us reason to ask not about our place in life but about the condition of our hearts. 

And I’m somewhat convicted - or at least challenged - by these images and questions from God’s word today. I’m asking myself: “Am I responding as did Isaiah when he was called by God to go and share His message with the world?” [see Is. 6:8] … Even more I’m asking myself: “Am I blooming where I’m planted as Jesus called Christians to be as His witnesses wherever they happened to be?” [See Acts 1:8]

I’ll let you wrestle with those thoughts after you listen to the linked song and meditate on the Scriptures above. Personally, in conviction, God has me pinned to the mat here this morning as I’ve been with Him.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your Spirit and the charge to be Your witness wherever You have me today.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to go forth in Your Name - even today - for Your glory. … Amen

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.

February 23, 2018 … Mercy Me!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 54 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Gordon Mote singing his song… Mercy Walked In … poignantly singing of how Jesus and His mercy pleads our case before the Father and how we are forgiven by His grace.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 4:16 [NKJV] … 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 
 … Mercy must always prevail in the hearts of true believers over judgment and favoritism. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: James 2:1-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… James, showing his flock how they must avoid favoritism and show the same mercy shown to us by our Lord.
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Reference Passage : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NKJV] … 22  Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 
 … God’s mercies are never ending and always available to the humble believer.

Reference Passage : … Romans 5:8 [NKJV] … 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
 … And is that how we must love others … ALL OTHERS?

Reference Passage : … James 4:6 [NKJV] … 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 
… Quoting Prov. 3:34, James exhorts Christians to remain humble and receive God’s grace to allow us to be graceful to others.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 7:1-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ strong “judge not” command to His followers.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, uses a personal family story to illustrate how we must avoid bias and favoritism and show mercy to others as Christ has shown His mercy to us. The ODB author wrote: When my children were squabbling and came to me to tattle on one another, I took each child aside separately to hear their account of the problem. Since both were guilty, at the end of our chat I asked them each what they felt would be an appropriate, fair consequence for their sibling’s actions. Both suggested swift punishment for the other. To their surprise, I instead gave them each the consequence they had intended for their sibling. Suddenly, each child lamented how “unfair” the sentence seemed now that it was visited upon them—despite having deemed it appropriate when it was intended for the other. 

That’s good parental teaching lesson for the children, isn’t it? But, really, … we all need that lesson don’t we, because we have such a strong “natural” tendency to judge others on superficial characteristics and favor those who are just like we are. Common, … admit it!

Showing love, mercy, and grace like Jesus has shown to us - as sinners (remember Rom. 5:8?) - is way tough, isn’t it? But that’s what Jesus’ brother, James, was writing to his fellow Christians about in the highlight passage. And his truth should be our life’s aspiration … that is, to love and show mercy to ALL just as our Lord has done for us.

I don’t know about my fellow readers here; but those shoes are WAY BIG for me to step into; and I’ve still got some growing ahead to be able to walk in them comfortably.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your mercy, love, and grace … always there for me when I’m humble enough to receive them.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to dole out Your mercies to someone else today; … even if it’s just a smile to someone who looks very unappealing to me. … Amen

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.

February 22, 2018 … Buckle Up!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 53 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Crowder and Tauren Wells singing … All My Hope … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, have all our hope in Jesus, Who has washed us with His blood.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 4:16 [NKJV] … 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
 … Because Jesus is our Heavenly High Priest, we can bring all our cares to Him as He intercedes to the Father for us.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 4:11-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God promises that we can come BOLDLY to Him as our High Priest Who has even experienced all our trials/temptations, … yet can, in His sinlessness, cover our sin with His blood. 
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 145:14-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… David, under threat of his life from Saul, took his cares to God Whom he knew would protect him.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NKJV] … 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
 … Paul learned, as should we, that our spiritual well-being, all our hope, and our strength ONLY comes from His grace.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NKJV] … 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
 … God’s promise of His presence and protection, … no matter what!!

Reference Passage : … 1st Peter 5:5-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter exhorts us to humbly seek the protection of our Lord, Who cares for our every need.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, uses a very common airline illustration to show how we need to buckle ourselves to the Lord Who will help take us thru any storm. The ODB author wrote: “The captain has turned on the seat belt sign, indicating that we are entering an area of turbulence. Please return to your seats immediately and securely fasten your seat belt.” Flight attendants give that warning when necessary because, in rough air, unbuckled passengers can be injured. Secured in their seats, they can safely ride out the turbulence. 
Most of the time, life doesn’t warn us of the unsettling experiences coming our way. But our loving Father knows and cares about our struggles, and He invites us to bring our cares, hurts, and fears to Him. 

I don’t need to write much here to add to that, do I? … Question is … have we buckled ourselves securely to our relationship with Christ? Because if we have, WE’RE SAFE, … no matter what storm we may encounter in life.

Please take in the linked song and meditate on today’s Scriptures above; and then if you, like me, are riding thru a storm today, BUCKLE UP!! … God will carry us thru the storm.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for being my seat belt in the storm. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … I’m riding out the storm with Your angels carrying me thru it today. … Amen

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.

February 21, 2018 … Scary Spider

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 52 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Josh Groban and Brian McKnight, singing … Bridge Over Troubled Waters … poignantly singing of how, in our relationship with Christ, we always have a bridge to walk over our troubled waters of life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ephesians 3:16 [NKJV] … 16 … that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, …
 … God’s promise is Paul’s wish for us all … that we be strengthened and uplifted when we’re feeling fearful or weak.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ephesians 3:14-19 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, trying to show believers of His presence/power in times of fear or trial. 
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 41:10 [NKJV] … 10  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, … yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ 
 … God, thru the Prophet, promises to lift us up when we’re feeling weak.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NKJV] … 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
 … Paul learned, as should we, that our spiritual well-being and our strength ONLY comes from His grace.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NKJV] … 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 
 … God’s promise of His presence and protection, … no matter what!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Adam Holz, uses a personal illustration to show how we can rely on our God to give us His strength in fearful times of trial. The ODB author wrote: Spiders. ... I don’t know any kid who likes them. At least not in their rooms . . . at bedtime. But as she was getting ready for bed, my daughter spied one [as in the photo] dangerously close to her bed. 
 “Daaaad!!!!! Spiiiderrr!!!!!” she hollered. Despite my determination, I couldn’t find the eight-legged interloper. “He’s not going to hurt you,” I reassured her. She wasn’t convinced. It wasn’t until I told her I’d stay next to her top bunk and stand guard that she agreed to get in bed. 
As my daughter settled in, I held her hand. I told her, “I love you so much. I’m right here. But you know what? God loves you even more than Daddy and Mommy. And He’s very close. You can always pray to Him when you’re scared.” That seemed to comfort her, and peaceful sleep came quickly. 

What a pertinent and powerful picture of how we all are when fearful or extremely trying times envelope us. But when we can focus on God’s truth, especially if God’s always true word is buried deeply in our consciousness, we can feel like that little girl did when her dad held her hand, … protected and sheltered by our Heavenly Father. In other words, we can have, as the song declares, a “bridge over troubled waters.”

If God’s promises are true, … and of course, they are, … He will never forsake us (Heb. 13:5); and we need never fear because He’s always there to lift us up when we’re feeling weak (Isaiah 41:10 and 2Cor. 12: 9), giving us His strength to cover our weakness and belay our fears.

Obviously it’s true, because it’s in His word. But the question alway is … do we trust His promises and then let His presence hold our hand when we see spiders in our lives?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for ever-present hand to lift me out of my fears.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give me Your empowering grace to deal with my fears today. … Amen

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.

February 20, 2018 … Heal Thyself

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 51 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Queen Latifah, in the movie “Joyful Noise” singing … Fix Me Jesus … poignantly singing of our need to rely upon and seek the healing grace of Jesus as our Jehovah Rapha - our healer God.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 4:23 [NKJV] … 23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. 
 … Jesus showed His followers physical healing to point to their need for spiritual heading which could only come thru Him.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 4:23-5:12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus was followed by those who sought His physical healing; but He desired that they see their need - thru Him - for emotional/spiritual well-being.
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Reference Passage : … John 15:4-5 [NKJV] … 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. … 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. … “ 
… Jesus teaches that we can only be fruitful in life IF we abide in Him.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NKJV] … 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
 … Paul learned, as should we, that our spiritual well-being and our strength ONLY comes from His grace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Mart DeHaan, uses the story of a real physician who seeks more than just physical healing in seeking after the emotional well-being of his patients. The ODB author wrote: When Dr. Rishi Manchanda asks his patients [see photo], “Where do you live?” he’s looking for more than an address. He has seen a pattern. Those who come to him for help often live in conditions of environmental stress. Molds, pests, and toxins are making them sick. So Dr. Manchanda has become an advocate of what he calls Upstream Doctors. These are health care workers who, while providing urgent medical care, are working with patients and communities to get to the source of better health. 

When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He showed the people His power, as the God-Man, over disease and despair by healing many who followed Him (see highlight passage). But in that passage one also reads how He preached that His true disciples would also find spiritual healing - and well-being - in and thru Him.

This, of course, raises the self-diagnostic question as to whether we need what Queen Latifah sings about in the linked song … that we go to Jesus - maybe today - seeking His healing … possibly physical, … but most certainly emotional and/or spiritual as well.

Personally, I could use a lot of all of that! … How about you?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your healing grace, given so freely. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to connect more closely with You and abide in Your healing grace. … Amen

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.

February 19, 2018 … Sharing Our Goldfish

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 50 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics Brian LIttrell singing a modern version of the old hymn … I Surrender All … poignantly singing of the reality that Jesus demands of His disciples.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Corinthians 9:7 [NKJV] … 17 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 
… Our giving measures the extent of grace given from our hearts as Christians.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2Corinthians 9:6-15 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, exhorts Christians to be willing to give willingly and generously to others. 
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Reference Passage : … Galatians 6:9-10 [NKJV] … 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 
… Paul really was into showing fellow Christians the joy which comes from giving generously and sacrificially to others.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:19 [NKJV] … 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
… God’s promise to provide all we need.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:16 [NKJV] … 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 
… God’s smiles when we share with others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lisa Samra, uses a personal story about her daughter to illustrate how many people don’t share what God has given them. The ODB author wrote: On the way home from church, my daughter sat in the backseat enjoying Goldfish crackers as my other children implored her to share. [See photo] Trying to redirect the conversation, I asked the hoarder of snacks, “What did you do in class today?” She said they made a basket of bread and fish because a child gave Jesus five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed more than 5,000 people (John 6:1–13). 
“That was very kind of the little boy to share. Do you think maybe God is asking you to share your fish?” I asked. “No, Momma,” she replied. 
I tried to encourage her not to keep all the crackers to herself. She was unconvinced. “There is not enough for everyone!” 

Isn’t that just like our basic nature … to try to hold onto to our “goldfish,” rather than sharing them with others who have need? Actually, as Brian Littrell sings in the linked song, Jesus wants us to be willing to surrender our all to Him, Who has given His all for us. And thru all the Scriptures quoted above, mostly from the Apostle Paul, certainly we get the idea that God loves a cheerful, generous, and sacrificial giver.

I’ll leave it to my fellow readers to wrestle with God’s Spirit - as I am today - if we’re convicted to do more to share the bounty of need which God has provided for us (see Phil. 4:19 and Heb. 13:16). 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your grace, given so freely. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to be more willing to share my goldfish with others. … Amen

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.

February 18, 2018 … Persecuted And Blessed

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 49 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics of the group Mercy Me singing their song … Even If … poignantly singing of the strength we get from God’s grace and our faith to face times of trial and even persecution.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Peter 3:14 [NKJV] … 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” [Isaiah 8:12]
 … Even quoting the Bible to give us courage is easier said than done sometimes when we’re being persecuted for our faith.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Peter 3:13-18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter tries to lift up Christians who were being persecuted severely.
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 41:10 [NKJV] … 10  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ 
… God’s promise of His strength to carry us thru hard times.

Reference Passage : …Acts 1:8 [NKJV] … 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 
… Jesus promises His power to help us be His witnesses to the world, … yes, even a hostile world.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NKJV] … 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
… Jesus helps Paul (and us) realize that God’s grace is sufficient to help us deal with our weaknesses in life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, uses a fictional character from a novel to illustrate Christian courage in the face of persecution. The ODB author wrote: Fear is Hadassah’s constant companion. Hadassah, a young Jewish girl living in the first century, is a fictional character in Francine Rivers’ book A Voice in the Wind. After Hadassah becomes a slave in a Roman household, she fears persecution for her faith in Christ. She knows that Christians are despised, and many are sent to their execution or thrown to the lions in the arena. Will she have the courage to stand for the truth when she is tested? 

Peter, in today’s highlight passage, was writing to Christians in his day in Asia Minor who were being severely persecuted, even tortured and killed, for their faith. And he was writing to them from first hand experience, knowing their fear, having run and denied Christ when Jesus was being persecuted (Luke 22:54:62). But later, having personally experiencing Christ’s forgiveness and grace (see John 21:15-19), Peter could encourage these persecuted Christians, knowing the blessing they would receive for their persecution in Christ’s Name.

Perhaps some readers here are in times of trial or even persecution; and your faith is being tried or tested severely. Well, … EVEN IF … that is the case (as the linked song sings), if we believe in the truths Paul exhorts in 2Cor. 12:9, knowing all the persecution he endured, we can be lifted up, as Isaiah encouraged in Is. 41:10 and be Christ’s witness of faith and courage (see Acts 1:8). 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for your empowering grace when my faith is tested.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help any reading here to hold on to Your promises and receive Your grace … to stand in the face of persecution. … Amen

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.

February 17, 2018 … Fleeing To The King

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 48 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Natalie Grant singing … Clean … poignantly singing of the thankfulness we have that there is no sin that God can’t make clean.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Corinthians 6:18-19 [NKJV] … 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 
… Running away from self/Satan to the strength Christ gives us from His Spirit to be cleansed.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, instructs Christians on how to live with a pure heart in Christ.
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Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NKJV] … 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
… Jesus helps Paul (and us) realize that God’s grace is sufficient to help us deal with our weaknesses in life.

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 2:22 [NKJV] … 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 
 … Paul helping Timothy (and us) to move away from lust and toward purity in Christ.

Reference Passage : …1 John 1:9 [NKJV] … 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
… If we’re willing, as Christians, to surrender and humbly confess our sins, God will cleanse us completely.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, tells of our interracial church body, showing how mankind needs to come together and share the love of God. The ODB author wrote: “Parry four!” 
When I began fencing in high school, my coach would shout the correct defensive position (“parry”) against the move he was making. [See photo] When he extended his weapon and lunged, to repel the attack I had to listen and respond immediately. 
That active listening brings to mind the prompt obedience Scripture calls for in the area of sexual temptation. 

Sexual impurity (i.e., sin) is one of the most prevalent forms of sin against God and His “temple,” the body, in our culture today. The world has become “pornified,” and temptations abound in this hyper-sexual world. Hence, the instruction from the Apostle Paul in God’s word becomes every more pertinent than ever.

But if we realize that we can have victory over such impurity and temptation by surrendering to God’s grace, fleeing from this type of temptation, and relying on God’s empowering grace to be victorious, … that our Lord will cleanse us and keep us on the trek to purity in His name [see today’s linked song].

The key is the power we receive and can use from God’s grace; and the ONLY way we receive it and use it is to be in a constant state of surrender to follow Christ (hopefully you know the truth of Luke 9:23). When we deny ourselves and flee to Him, He will give us the grace to walk in purity and His power.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your ever empowering grace. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help keep me on the victorious cleansing walk of surrender to You … EVERY DAY. … Amen

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.

February 16, 2018 … Love Sweet Love

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 47 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Jackie DeShannon singing her hit song … What the World Need Now Is Love … poignantly declaring perennial need of mankind … always needing more of the Love of God to overcome the evil of our human nature.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Leviticus 19:34 [NKJV] … 34 The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. 
… But do we?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Leviticus 19:33-34 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God commands His people - and that’s us too! - to love others as He loves us. =============

Reference Passage : … Mark 12:30-31 [NKJV] … 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no other commandment greater than these.” 
… Jesus, quoting from the Old Testament, restates the commands, from HIs lips as our Lord and King, to love others as we would love God first and then ourselves as well.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Leslie Koh, tells of our interracial church body, showing how mankind needs to come together and share the love of God. The ODB author wrote: I worship in a church located in a large, open field—a rare commodity on the island of Singapore (we’re just twenty-five miles long and fifteen miles wide). Some time back, people from abroad who work in my country started gathering on the church property for a picnic every Sunday. 
This evoked a range of responses from fellow churchgoers. Some fretted about the mess the visitors would leave behind. But others saw this as a divine opportunity to extend hospitality to a wonderful group of strangers—without even leaving the church grounds!

Back in the years I was in college in the middle 1960s, Hal David and Burt Bacharach wrote a song which certainly expressed a desperate need for those of us going thru the throws of the racial and Viet Nam war division of that day. And the song, linked above and performed by Jackie DeShannon, poignantly expresses a deep need of our times as well, … that the world desperately needs more of what the Old … AND … New Testament commanded for all of God’s people (see highlight and reference Scriptures) … that the world needs more … MUCH MORE … of God’s love.

So, … really, … everyday - actually even every moment - we need to ask ourselves how we can show some of what God has given to us in His Son … His infinite and unending love.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your love.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to share Your love with someone today who needs it. … Amen

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.

February 15, 2018 … Our Calling

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 46 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans, and Bob Carlisle singing … I Will Follow Christ … poignantly declaring their commitment to be fully surrendered disciples of Christ, just as we should be, following Him no matter where He would lead.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Kings 19:21b [NKJV] … Then he [Elisha] arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant. 
 … When we’re called by God, … we go!
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Kings 19:19-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Elisha’s calling was being anointed to follow Elijah as God’s leader, Prophet, and mentor. 
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 28:19-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Christ’s “Great Commission” calls us all to go into the world and make disciples.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:;23 [NKJV] … 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  ..."
 … Jesus’ calling for ALL those who would follow Him.

Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NKJV] … 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 
… All Christians are called to be witnesses for Christ, wherever we are to go.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Alyson Kieda, used a personal story to illustrate how all Christians are called to follow Christ and serve Him, wherever they (we) may be. The ODB author wrote: As a child, I looked forward to our church’s Sunday evening services. They were exciting. Sunday night often meant we got to hear from missionaries and other guest speakers. Their messages inspired me because of their willingness to leave family and friends—and at times, homes, possessions, and careers—to go off to strange, unfamiliar, and sometimes dangerous places to serve God. … 
 Though not many of us are called to leave family and friends behind to serve God as fulltime missionaries, God wants all of us to follow Him and to “live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to [us], just as God has called [us]” (1 Corinthians 7:17). As I’ve often experienced, serving God can be thrilling and challenging no matter where we are—even if we never leave home. 

Fellow Christian, may I ask, “What is your calling?” The ODB entry today led me to answer that question this morning. And when I awoke, my iPhone alarm caused me to hit the wrong button on my phone and it took a screenshot, which I have of my wife (see photo). And I chuckled as I realized that she was a big part of my personal calling as a Christian, … to be a Godly husband, a father to our two girls, and leader of what we call “The Berry Patch,” our family.

But even that high calling is subservient to my highest calling, which is expressed powerfully in today’s linked song above … that “I Will Follow Christ.” And as you meditate on the highlight passage of Elisha choosing to follow Elijah into God’s service as well as the other scriptures above, … with Jesus calling us all to follow Him as witnesses and servants, … we must all ask ourselves what our PRIME calling is as disciples of Christ.

So, I will leave it to you and God’s Spirit, as I’ve been challenged this morning, … to decide if we are walking strongly in our calling as followers of Christ. And if not, what should we do to turn ourselves around and do what He calls us to do in Luke 9:23?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for calling me and giving me Your grace to be Your disciple.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … You call, I follow! … Amen

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.

February 14, 2018 … Our Home And Hiding Place

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 45 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Don Moen singing … Thank You Lord … poignantly singing of our thanks to our Lord for all He has blessed us with … including the love of others who have blessed our lives with His love.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 14:2-3 [NKJV] … 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 
 … Jesus’ promise that He will go ahead an prepare a place in heaven for us to join Him there. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 14:1-14 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus promises that He has gone ahead to prepare a place in heaven for ALL who believe in His Lordship.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Our trust in our God to lead us in His path.

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 4:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus is our hiding place in the storms of life.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 28:20 [NKJV] … 20 … and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 
… As we serve our Lord, no matter what we encounter, He is with us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a personal story to illustrate how our trust should always be in Jesus who has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in glory. The ODB author wrote: A friend recently prepared to relocate to a city more than 1,000 miles from her current hometown. She and her husband divided the labor of moving to accommodate a short timeline. He secured new living arrangements, while she packed their belongings. 
I was astounded by her ability to move without previewing the area or participating in the house hunt, and asked how she could do so. She acknowledged the challenge but said she knew she could trust her husband because of his attention to her preferences and needs over their years together. 

That story shows a lot of love, trust, and faith in a spouse’s ability to go ahead and prepare a home for his family, doesn’t it? And isn’t that what Jesus was promising to His disciples in that upper room (see photo) the night before He went to the cross, telling them (and us) that He would prepare a place for them in glory? But when He went to the cross, did His men remember and trust in His promise? … No, … they bolted and ran in fear, did’t they?

So, our question looms heavily here today. Do we believe Jesus and His promises … to not only prepare a place in glory for us as His disciples; but to also be our “hiding place” in the storms of life here in our time on earth (hear the linked song)?

I pray we do.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for going ahead to prepare a home in glory so that those of us who believe in You can be with You forever.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … You are my hiding place and my eternal hope. … Amen

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.

February 13, 2018 … Such A Blessing

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 44 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Don Moen singing … Thank You Lord … poignantly singing of our thanks to our Lord for all He has blessed us with … including the love of others who have blessed our lives with His love.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 1:7 [NKJV] … 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. … Paul had such love for the blessings the Roman Christians had provided for them; and he wanted to be a blessing for them by writing this letter to them.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 1:1-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul writing to beloved fellow Christians in Rome.
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Reference Passage : … John 17:6-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus prays for the blessing of His disciples - the 12 and for you and me too.

Reference Passage : … Romans 16:1-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Notice how personal Paul was in his “thank-you” references to the Roman Christians, calling them out by name to affirm his love - and God’s love - for them.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 1:3-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … … Paul expresses his love and prayers of blessing for his fellow Christians who had - and were - so helpful and supportive of his ministry.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Elisa Morgan, used a personal remembrance to illustrate the importance of giving personal affirmation (i.e., thanks) to those who have blessed us in life. The ODB author wrote: The familiar bing of an arriving email caught my attention while I wrote at my computer. Usually I try to resist the temptation to check every email but the subject line was too enticing: “You are a blessing.” 
Eagerly, I opened it to discover a faraway friend telling me she was praying for my family. Each week, she displays one Christmas card photo in her kitchen table “Blessing Bowl” and prays for that family. She wrote, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3) and then highlighted our efforts to share God’s love with others—our “partnership” in the gospel. 

As I read this ODB entry today, which made reference to all the love letters the Apostle Paul wrote to fellow Christians who had blessed him with support and prayers, I thought back to many fellow Christians who have blessed me with their love, support, and affirmation. In fact if you’re reading this, you’re likely one of those who have blessed me, … maybe even prayed for me.

Wow! So many wonderful brothers/sisters in Christ whom God has blessed me with. I hope (and pray) in some way that any such blessed ones have “heard” from me of my thankfulness, having been so blessed by others. The Apostle Paul, in fact, in the last chapter of his theologically laden love letter to the Romans, names his beloved supporters (see Romans, Chapt. 16). He just wanted them to know how much God had blessed him with their friendship.

Perhaps, we all “be a blessing” (see photo) to at least one such person today … to let them know of how much they have blessed us with their love and/or support. But - above all - we need to let God know of our thankfulness for His blessings [just as Don Moen sings in the linked song above]. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for so many in my life who have lifted me up in times of trial.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me recognize someone today for what they mean to me. … Amen

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.

February 12, 2018 … One Day At A Time

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 43 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Don Moen singing … God Will Make A Way … poignantly singing of God’s way of providing for our needs … even when the way seems so unclear.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Kings 17:15-16 [NKJV] … 15 So she [the widow] went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah. 
… Elijah trust God completely in the face of famine; and God showed His worthiness and faithfulness thru the widow to provide their needs.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Kings 17:1-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God shows Elijah that He, our Lord, is worthy of our trust.
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Reference Passage : … Psalms 18:1-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God will deliver us from our enemies, … if not in this life … the next!l

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God will show is the way - HIS WAY - even when there seems not way.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 6:31-34 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus makes it clear that we’'re not to worry about our needs … that our God will provide them all if we but trust in Him.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:19 [NKJV] … 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
 … God, thru Paul, promises to provide our needs from His riches is glory. BUT … do we believe Him?

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, used a personal remembrance to illustrate how trustworthy God is to provide our needs. The ODB author wrote: After graduation from college, I had a low-paying job. Money was tight, and sometimes I didn’t even have enough for my next meal. I learned to trust God for my daily provision. 
It reminded me of the prophet Elijah’s experience. During his prophetic ministry, he learned to trust God to meet his daily needs [see highlight passages]. 

Sometimes when things seem tight or we’re in a state of want, our faith in God as our provider can wane, can’t it? But the story of how God provided for Elijah, first having a bunch of birds feed him and then a needy widow, showed the Prophet - and hopefully us - that God will ALWAYS be there to provide our NEEDS; … yes, even when things seem desperate.

I certainly don’t know where any reader with me is today as I write this. Maybe you’re in a place of stability and comfort; … maybe in a place of instability or need. But I pray we all know that our God will ALWAYS be there to provide us with what we need, … not necessarily what we want. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for providing for what I need. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to trust You … no matter what! . … Amen

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.

February 11, 2018 … Unity From Diversity

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 42 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Steve Green singing … Find Us Faithful … poignantly singing the way we Christians must live for Christ, TOGETHER, faithfully using our individual gifts for His glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 6:6-7 [NKJV] … [Seven Greeks were chosen in Jerusalem to help feed the Greek widows] … 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 
… The result of unity among believers is kingdom fruitfulness.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 6:1-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… There was disunity among Christians in Jerusalem after the resurrection; but the Apostle and Elders developed a way to unify the believers and it resulted in growth in the Church. 
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Reference Passage : … John 15:1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus shows His disciples how they can be fruitful - by connecting with Him, individually and collectively (as the Church), to be fruitful for Christ in His kingdom.

Reference Passage : … Romans 12:3-5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul shows believers how we must come together and use our individual gifts to serve our Lord in the unity of the body.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 4:1-3 [NKJV] … 1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 
… Paul exhorts fellow Christians, as prisoners of King Jesus, to be unified in the faith.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, paints a very common word picture of human division which can hurt the fruitfulness of the church. The ODB author wrote: An influx of refugees to our community has led to new growth in area churches. That growth brings challenges. Church members must learn how to welcome these newcomers as they adjust to a strange culture, new language, and different worship styles. All this change can create some awkward situations. 
Misunderstandings and disagreements occur everywhere we find people. Church is no exception. If we don’t handle our differences in a healthy way, they can harden into divisions. 

Do we get it? … Unity and fruitfulness comes from Christians using our individual gifting and talents TOGETHER as one body in Christ (i.e., the Church) so that our surrender to abide in God’s Spirit will yield Spirit-led power and fruitfulness.

So, we must ask ourselves are we using our spiritual gifts TOGETHER with our fellow Christians to further Christ’s kingdom. Unity from diversity is the key!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for leading Your Church to become fruitful when we work together in unity.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to be an agent of unity in Your Church, dear Lord. . … Amen

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.