June 8, 2023 … Trial Strong …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 159 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kristin and Keith Getty singing … When Trials Come … poignantly, yet powerfully, singing of how God’s strength faithfully comes when we encounter trials in our lives. 

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Highlight Passage: … Romans 5:3-4 [NLT] … 

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.   

… Paul shows all Christians how the trials we face - in our faith - build our Christlike character.                                            

Highlight Passage (Context): … Romans 5:1-5 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

…Paul teaches fellow Christians that the trials of life strength us in Christlike character.               

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

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  

… God, thru Isaiah, promises the Lord’s victorious hand to lift believers up in times of trial.     

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

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”.  

… Jesus shows His disciples (and us) that His disciple (and we) will face troubles and trials in this world but that He had (and, for us, has) overcome the world.  .    

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

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.. 

… Paul shows fellow Christians his confidence that anything/everything we Christians face in life is for our good and God’s glory.  

Reference Passage… Philippians 4:13 [NLT] … 

13 For I can do everything’s through Christ, Who gives me strength.  

… Paul’s confidence that God will ALWAYS provide His own with strength when we are weak.

Reference Passage: … James 1:12 [NLT] … 

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.. 

… James shows fellow Christians will receive a crown of life when facing trials in the Name of Christ.              

                                                                                                                          

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams… AT THIS LINK …  wrote about remembering her 4 year old son going thru the trials of eye rehab to correct a weakness in one eye, … trusting, thru the whole ordeal, his parents and remaining strong thru surgery and months of eye rehab training.  

And the ODB illustration shows the message well - from God’s word In the Scriptures above … that our God promises - and delivers - His enabling and empowering grace to those of us who love and follow Him thru life’s trials and troubles.  So, if any of us is facing any of life’s trials today, I pray we know - and rely on - God’s strength to empower us to grow stronger from those trials.    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your grace and strength to meet - and overcome - the trials I face today.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to receive Your grace, Lord, to help us overcome what we will face today - and tomorrow.  … 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.