Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 349
Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Graham Kendrick singing … God Moves In A Mysterious Way … poignantly singing William Cowper’s 19th century poem about how God can seem to move in unexplainable ways at times.
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Highlight Passage: … 1Samuel 20:34 [NLT] …
34 Jonathan left the table in fierce anger and refused to eat on that second day of the festival, for he was crushed by his father’s shameful behavior toward David.
… Jonathan, Saul’s son, learns of his father, Saul, and Saul’s crazed desire to kill David.
Highlight Passage (Context): … 1Samuel 20:26-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jonathan, the crown prince and son of Saul, learns of Saul’s deep desire to kill David.
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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, 27:27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b>
… God, thru Solomon, writes of the essence of true friendship and brotherhood.
Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, also thru Solomon, writes, for believers, of how two or three friends, coming together are so much stronger than only one dealing with life alone.
Reference Passage: … John 15:13 [NLT] …
13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
… Jesus teaches his disciples on the value of a true and loving friend.
Reference Passage: … Galatians 6:10 [NLT] …
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians the essence of how Christians should treat each other with true Christlike friendship.
Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:3-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Again, God, thru the Apostle Paul, shows all Christians how we should rise above selfishness and take on the attitude of Christ by looking out of the interests of others before self.
My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread< author, Amy Boucher Pye … AT THIS LINK … tells of the lifelong friendship which developed between William Cowper, a 19th century poet, who suffered from deep and even suicidal depression and his Pastor, John Newton, the famous converted slaver. The two remained close friends and dealt with each other’s life challenges TOGETHER.
And if my fellow Christian readers have taken in the linked song by Williams Cowper and meditated on the Scriptures above, we see, thru the life stories of Jonathan and David and the teaching of Solomon, the Apostle Paul, and Jesus, Himself, that when we Christians always have a truly close and loving friend, just as our Lord is for all those who obey and follow Him. Therefore, we can - and will - live much more enriched and fruitful lives than we would if we try to be “Lone Ranger” Christians.
Oh how I pray that you all have at least one friend like David had with Jonathan, one who is always there for you, …. just as Jesus is the friend of all who love and follow Him. Yes, as Solomon wrote (see Ecclesiastes 4:9-12), two or three, working together for the Lord, is always stronger than one, acting alone.
My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your friendship and for the genuine brothers and sisters in Christ who’ve become my friends over the years.
My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to recognize Your friendship, Lord, and the dear friends You have brought into our lives. … 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.
1 comment:
Amen!
Kjetil!-
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