Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 253
Devotional Song: Go to this link ...
Please take in this poignant and powerful call, sung by an unknown Irish worship group, … singing Be Thou My Vision, calling to the hearts of all Christians to join our spirits with the One Who rules in our hearts, … God’s Spririt.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Corinthians 14: 15 [NLT]: …
15 Well then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in the Spirit, and I will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing in words I understand.
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Highlight reading study of 1st Corinthians, Chapters 14`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: 1st Corinthians 12: 4-7 [Many varied gifts, all imparted from one Spirit for the common good of Christ’s body.] … [NLT] …
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God Who does the work in all of us.
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
Reference Passage #2: Ephesians 1: 17 [We need to pray as Paul did for fellow Christians and for ourselves, … that God will impart understanding as well as His gifting.] … [NLT] …
16 I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Reference Passage #3: Colossians 1: 9-10 [Every day we seek to know God more intimately so that we can serve Him more faithfully and effectively.] … [NLT] …
9 So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.
Reference Passage #4: Romans 12: 1-2 [When our minds are given over to God’s Spirit, he can use our lives for God’s glory.] … [NLT] … If not memorized … GO TO THIS LINK …
My Journal for Today: As children of God we have a body, a mind, and a spirit; and as believing Christians, we are to surrender all of who we are to the One Who resides in our hearts, the Holy Spirit, so that He can rule our personal worship (i.e., our spirit), yielding our minds to the Lord to use our actions for His glory.
Today, as I was using Os Hillman’s devotional and reviewing my collection of personal worship songs, I came across a You Tube version of an old Irish hymn, Be Thou My Vision, which was translated from ancient Gaelic to English at the turn of the 20th century. The hymn calls all Christians to join their hearts and minds with God’s Spirit, making Him the guide to our lives, … our vision. And I challenge any reading with me here to go back and use the link above to hear this Irish chant, using your minds to read and grasp the lyrics imparted by song.
With the song today and the scriptures cited, my devotional study has brought to my mind the truth that God gave us our minds to surrender our spirit to God’s Spirit, Who resides in our hearts so that we can honor our Lord with our lives, … our choices and our actions. And by now, if you’ve followed my blogging for any period of time, you’ll know that I often end up coming back from my own scripture memory to Paul’s admonition in Romans 12: 1-2 to becoming worshipful lives of “living sacrifice,” whereby we, as followers of Christ, do all we can to give up our own selfish ways and the ways of the world to become living sacrifices of worship, 24/7, for our God, … our lives given over in surrender to God’s Spirit, thus becoming agents of power in this world to glorify God.
I don’t know about you; but my whole life has become “addicted” to my own search to know God, … to love God, … to obey God, … to serve God, … and in doing so, join with His Spirit, to glorify God. That’s why I’m here today; and that’s why I’ll be here tomorrow. And I will pray that we all join our minds and hearts to seek God’s Spirit in becoming more like Christ today than yesterday … and even more like Him tomorrow.
My Prayer for Today … Oh LORD, I pray to know You more tomorrow than today; … and I thank You for helping me to know You more today than yesterday. … Amen
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monday, September 09, 2013
September 9, 2013 … The Way of God
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 252
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and personal call, sung by Daniel O’Donnell, … singing, Here I Am, Lord, calling to the hearts of all Christians to follow the Lord and be His witnesses in the world.
Highlight meditation passage – Psalm 81: 13-14 [NLT]: …
13 But oh, that my people would listen to Me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! 14 How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon My hands would be upon their foes!
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Highlight reading study of Psalms, Chapters 81: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Acts 1: 8 [There is no doubt we are called; but will we follow?] … [NLT] …
8 “… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Can we;… will we be obedient to Christ’s call and instructions to His disciples?] … [NLT] …
23 Then He [Jesus] said to the crowd [of His disciples], “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. …”
My Journal for Today: Acts a Christian and as disciples of Christ, we certainly cannot deny that we are a called people [see Acts 1: 8 above as well as Matthew 28: 19-20, which is the so-called Great Commission]. But when God’s people were led out of Egypt by Moses, they were a called people to the way of the Lord as well. But as is documented by the Psalmist Asaph in Psalm 81, God’s Old Covenant believers, even though they were witness to some of God’s most dramatic and dynamic miracles in delivering them from Egypt, wavered and waned in their faith and found it difficult to hold on to following God’s way.
Wouldn’t you agree that we New Covenant believers so often suffer from a balking, wavering faith when it comes to being followers of THE Messiah? Again, … I cite Christ’s call to His disciples, as I so often do in these devotional entries (see Luke 9: 23 above); and I for one feel God’s call to His way, as Daniel O’Donnell sings in today’s devotional song, linked above. But I so often find myself wavering by not being able to, or rather willing to, carry out the first of Jesus’ three commands of His disciples … to deny self in following Him.
Yes, … to be a follower of Jesus, let alone a leader in His kingdom, one must, as God called His people in Psalm 81: 13-14, be willing to listen to and to follow His call. But this morning, in this quiet place, again hearing God’s call clearly, I stand in conviction that I, too often, have been recalcitrant in my faith; and I need to move forward … first following, and then leading if called, to walk in the way of the Lord.
How about you, today? Will you walk with me in His way; and prayerfully we’ll have the opportunity to lead others to that way, … His way.
My Prayer for Today … Here I am, Lord; … I will follow You. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and personal call, sung by Daniel O’Donnell, … singing, Here I Am, Lord, calling to the hearts of all Christians to follow the Lord and be His witnesses in the world.
Highlight meditation passage – Psalm 81: 13-14 [NLT]: …
13 But oh, that my people would listen to Me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! 14 How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon My hands would be upon their foes!
============
Highlight reading study of Psalms, Chapters 81: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Acts 1: 8 [There is no doubt we are called; but will we follow?] … [NLT] …
8 “… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Can we;… will we be obedient to Christ’s call and instructions to His disciples?] … [NLT] …
23 Then He [Jesus] said to the crowd [of His disciples], “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. …”
My Journal for Today: Acts a Christian and as disciples of Christ, we certainly cannot deny that we are a called people [see Acts 1: 8 above as well as Matthew 28: 19-20, which is the so-called Great Commission]. But when God’s people were led out of Egypt by Moses, they were a called people to the way of the Lord as well. But as is documented by the Psalmist Asaph in Psalm 81, God’s Old Covenant believers, even though they were witness to some of God’s most dramatic and dynamic miracles in delivering them from Egypt, wavered and waned in their faith and found it difficult to hold on to following God’s way.
Wouldn’t you agree that we New Covenant believers so often suffer from a balking, wavering faith when it comes to being followers of THE Messiah? Again, … I cite Christ’s call to His disciples, as I so often do in these devotional entries (see Luke 9: 23 above); and I for one feel God’s call to His way, as Daniel O’Donnell sings in today’s devotional song, linked above. But I so often find myself wavering by not being able to, or rather willing to, carry out the first of Jesus’ three commands of His disciples … to deny self in following Him.
Yes, … to be a follower of Jesus, let alone a leader in His kingdom, one must, as God called His people in Psalm 81: 13-14, be willing to listen to and to follow His call. But this morning, in this quiet place, again hearing God’s call clearly, I stand in conviction that I, too often, have been recalcitrant in my faith; and I need to move forward … first following, and then leading if called, to walk in the way of the Lord.
How about you, today? Will you walk with me in His way; and prayerfully we’ll have the opportunity to lead others to that way, … His way.
My Prayer for Today … Here I am, Lord; … I will follow You. … Amen
Sunday, September 08, 2013
September 8, 2013 … The Place of Trial and Tears
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 251
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful song, sung by the group, Phillips, Craig, and Dean, … singing Your Grace Still Amazes Me, reminding us that God’s grace will always be there … even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Highlight meditation passage – Matthew 36: 38 [NLT]: …
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
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Highlight reading study of Matthew, Chapters 26, Verses 36 - 46: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Luke 22: 41-44 [God provides His ministry of comfort, even in our time of trials and tears.] … [NLT] …
41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
Reference Passage #2: 1st Corinthians 10: 13 [God may not take away the trial; but He will ALWAYS provide the way to deal with the time of tears.] … [NLT] …
13 The temptations [can also be translated “troubles, trials, or tribulations] in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Reference Passage #3: Psalm 23: 1-4 [Through the valley of the shadow of despair into the garden of glory.] … [NLT] … Use this link!
Reference Passage #4: Psalm 84: 6 [No matter what the feeling of despair; God will be there for/with us.] … [NLT] …
6 When they walk through the Valley of Baca, [translated “the valley of weeping”] it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
Reference Passage #5: 2nd Corinthians 5: 1-8 [Even if our trials mean physical calamity or death, as a Christian, we’ll find ourselves in the presence of glory with Jesus] … [NLT] … Use this link
My Journal for Today: Ever been there … in the valley of tears, … a point of despair from which there seems no return, … a place where hope seems gone?!!
Jesus was there, … in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he went against Satan one last time before the cross, into what was probably His greatest temptation, … praying desperately for His cup to pass. But His Father would not let this trial of tears pass from Jesus; but as you read above in Matthew 26 and Luke 22, The Lord did send angels to minister to Jesus in His trial of tears, letting Him know that no matter how horrible the trial or troubles might be, God was going to be with Him (even though that would mean that His Father would turn His back on His Son on the cross).
But as 1st Cor. 10: 13 as well as Psalms 23 and 84, referenced above, attest, God will ALWAYS be there for us in our times of tears and trials; and though He may not take the walk through the shadow of death away, He will be there to help us walk through it into the garden of His glory.
That’s why I love the song, sung by my favorite Christian singing group, Phillips, Craig, and Dean, linked above, His Grace Still Amazes Me; because God’s grace does ALWAYS amaze me! God’s grace is always there for us in those trials of tears. And even if it means being led through the valley of the shadow of death into the arms of death itself, … God’s ministry of grace will carry us right into the arms of Jesus, Himself [see 2nd Cor. 5: 1-8, linked above].
Are you in a valley of tears, … that place surrounded by the valley of the shadow of death? If so, we must not despair; … our Lord is with us, … even to bring us to Himself in glory!
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I await being in Your arms in glory; but if I must go through the valley of tears in this life, I know You’re with me. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful song, sung by the group, Phillips, Craig, and Dean, … singing Your Grace Still Amazes Me, reminding us that God’s grace will always be there … even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
Highlight meditation passage – Matthew 36: 38 [NLT]: …
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
============
Highlight reading study of Matthew, Chapters 26, Verses 36 - 46: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Luke 22: 41-44 [God provides His ministry of comfort, even in our time of trials and tears.] … [NLT] …
41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
Reference Passage #2: 1st Corinthians 10: 13 [God may not take away the trial; but He will ALWAYS provide the way to deal with the time of tears.] … [NLT] …
13 The temptations [can also be translated “troubles, trials, or tribulations] in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Reference Passage #3: Psalm 23: 1-4 [Through the valley of the shadow of despair into the garden of glory.] … [NLT] … Use this link!
Reference Passage #4: Psalm 84: 6 [No matter what the feeling of despair; God will be there for/with us.] … [NLT] …
6 When they walk through the Valley of Baca, [translated “the valley of weeping”] it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
Reference Passage #5: 2nd Corinthians 5: 1-8 [Even if our trials mean physical calamity or death, as a Christian, we’ll find ourselves in the presence of glory with Jesus] … [NLT] … Use this link
My Journal for Today: Ever been there … in the valley of tears, … a point of despair from which there seems no return, … a place where hope seems gone?!!
Jesus was there, … in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he went against Satan one last time before the cross, into what was probably His greatest temptation, … praying desperately for His cup to pass. But His Father would not let this trial of tears pass from Jesus; but as you read above in Matthew 26 and Luke 22, The Lord did send angels to minister to Jesus in His trial of tears, letting Him know that no matter how horrible the trial or troubles might be, God was going to be with Him (even though that would mean that His Father would turn His back on His Son on the cross).
But as 1st Cor. 10: 13 as well as Psalms 23 and 84, referenced above, attest, God will ALWAYS be there for us in our times of tears and trials; and though He may not take the walk through the shadow of death away, He will be there to help us walk through it into the garden of His glory.
That’s why I love the song, sung by my favorite Christian singing group, Phillips, Craig, and Dean, linked above, His Grace Still Amazes Me; because God’s grace does ALWAYS amaze me! God’s grace is always there for us in those trials of tears. And even if it means being led through the valley of the shadow of death into the arms of death itself, … God’s ministry of grace will carry us right into the arms of Jesus, Himself [see 2nd Cor. 5: 1-8, linked above].
Are you in a valley of tears, … that place surrounded by the valley of the shadow of death? If so, we must not despair; … our Lord is with us, … even to bring us to Himself in glory!
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I await being in Your arms in glory; but if I must go through the valley of tears in this life, I know You’re with me. … Amen
Saturday, September 07, 2013
September 7, 2013 … A Living Reverence of God’s Word
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 250
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this powerful song, sung by the group, 4Him, … singing The Message, reminding us that we are to live obediently by God’s message, His living word, faithfully carrying out His messages for our daily lives.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Chronicles 13: 10 [NLT]: …
10 Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.
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Highlight reading study of 1st Chronicles, Chapters 13: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Numbers 4: 15 [God is serious about our living by His commands.] … [NLT] …
15 The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.
Reference Passage #2: Hosea 4: 6 [Knowing God’s truth and respecting it enough to live by it is what must guide our dailly living.] … [NLT] …
6 My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.
Reference Passage #3: Joshua 1: 8 [In doing all we can to live by God’s will, His prescription for success is living by His living word.] … [NLT] …
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Reference Passage #4: 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17 [All we need for living is found in His word.] … [NLT] …
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Reference Passage #5: Isaiah 55: 11 [God will always lead us truthfully from His word.] … [NLT] … 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. ...
Reference Passage #6: Psalm 119: 9-11 [And all we need to live a God-honoring life is to have His word deeply embedded in our consciousness.] … [NLT] …
9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you - don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
My Journal for Today: I’m doing my devotional blog today a bit differently, giving you, not only a link to a pertinent devotional song and a key passage to read with a cross reference or two, but today, giving you more reading to study from several author references; and all of them keying on the topic of our being willing to get God’s word so deeply in our consciousness that we can live God-honoring lives.
If one cannot read through the passages I’ve either copied or linked you to above, I don’t know if there’s any hope for a Christian who meditates on these truths and then decides to ignore them, as Uzzah, the priest did when he even reflexively touched the ark of the Covenant and was slain by God [see 1st Chron. 13: 10), … Who merely did what He had previously commanded [see Numbers 4: 15].
God’s word has all we need for living lives which honor and glorify Him (see 2nd Tim. 3: 16-17 and Isaiah 55: 11). But to carry out God’s will, we’ve got to do what God instructed Joshua (see Joshua 1: 8 or the author of Psalm 119: 9, 11. We’ve got to have God’s word so deeply embedded in our minds/hearts that when we’re confronted by life’s challenges, we’ll be able to respond by living out what He has commanded.
How about it, fellow Christian? Do you know and live by God’s word. Because the old chain of living I’ve given here before will come from our knowing God through His word. Remember: … To know God (through His word) is to love God; … to love God is to obey God; … to obey God is to serve God; … and to serve God is to be blessed by God. Therefore, to seek God’s blessing it all begins by knowing God and we do that by knowing His word.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I see to know You more through Your word today. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this powerful song, sung by the group, 4Him, … singing The Message, reminding us that we are to live obediently by God’s message, His living word, faithfully carrying out His messages for our daily lives.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Chronicles 13: 10 [NLT]: …
10 Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God.
============
Highlight reading study of 1st Chronicles, Chapters 13: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Numbers 4: 15 [God is serious about our living by His commands.] … [NLT] …
15 The camp will be ready to move when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the sacred articles. The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.
Reference Passage #2: Hosea 4: 6 [Knowing God’s truth and respecting it enough to live by it is what must guide our dailly living.] … [NLT] …
6 My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.
Reference Passage #3: Joshua 1: 8 [In doing all we can to live by God’s will, His prescription for success is living by His living word.] … [NLT] …
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Reference Passage #4: 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17 [All we need for living is found in His word.] … [NLT] …
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Reference Passage #5: Isaiah 55: 11 [God will always lead us truthfully from His word.] … [NLT] … 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. ...
Reference Passage #6: Psalm 119: 9-11 [And all we need to live a God-honoring life is to have His word deeply embedded in our consciousness.] … [NLT] …
9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you - don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
My Journal for Today: I’m doing my devotional blog today a bit differently, giving you, not only a link to a pertinent devotional song and a key passage to read with a cross reference or two, but today, giving you more reading to study from several author references; and all of them keying on the topic of our being willing to get God’s word so deeply in our consciousness that we can live God-honoring lives.
If one cannot read through the passages I’ve either copied or linked you to above, I don’t know if there’s any hope for a Christian who meditates on these truths and then decides to ignore them, as Uzzah, the priest did when he even reflexively touched the ark of the Covenant and was slain by God [see 1st Chron. 13: 10), … Who merely did what He had previously commanded [see Numbers 4: 15].
God’s word has all we need for living lives which honor and glorify Him (see 2nd Tim. 3: 16-17 and Isaiah 55: 11). But to carry out God’s will, we’ve got to do what God instructed Joshua (see Joshua 1: 8 or the author of Psalm 119: 9, 11. We’ve got to have God’s word so deeply embedded in our minds/hearts that when we’re confronted by life’s challenges, we’ll be able to respond by living out what He has commanded.
How about it, fellow Christian? Do you know and live by God’s word. Because the old chain of living I’ve given here before will come from our knowing God through His word. Remember: … To know God (through His word) is to love God; … to love God is to obey God; … to obey God is to serve God; … and to serve God is to be blessed by God. Therefore, to seek God’s blessing it all begins by knowing God and we do that by knowing His word.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I see to know You more through Your word today. … Amen
Friday, September 06, 2013
September 6, 2013 … Our Desert Experiences
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 249
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this powerful song, written by Keith Getty and sung by his sister, Kristyn, … singing By Faith, reminding us that no matter what our lot as Christians, no matter what the desert experience might be, we must walk by faith and not by sight.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 2:15 [NLT]: …
15 And sure enough, when Pharaoh heard about it [i.e., Moses killing an Egyptian soldier], he gave orders to have Moses arrested and killed. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and escaped to the land of Midian.
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Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 2: Go to this link …
Reference Passage: 2nd Corinthians 5: 7 (with verses 6-8) [We must walk by faith and not by sight through the deserts of our life.] … [NKJV] …
6 So, we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
My Journal for Today: This morning Os Hillman, using Moses being led by God into his experience in the deserts of Midian, I was reminded that often, because of the circumstances of our lives, we’re led into desert experiences which prepare us for God’s purpose and faith-driven service for God’s glory. But all too often, when we’re in the midst of our desert times, we have trouble seeing them as preparation for our future and calling us to service for/with God.
Perhaps you, as a reader today, are having trouble living out what Kristyn Getty sings about in the song I’ve linked you to today … and what Paul wrote about to the Corinthians in 2nd Cor. 5: 7 … that we must live by faith and not by sight, especially when we’re led into and through the deserts of life. For Moses it was 40 years as a shepherd, having to be broken into surrender and broken of all pride … so that God could use this man to shepherd His people out of bondage and toward the Promised Land.
So, my dear one, if you’re in some desert time in your life now, trying to break free and desiring to serve God more effectively, we must do what the Apostle Paul wrote about above and what the Getty’s sing about in this morning’s song; and that is to walk by faith and not by sight … i.e., to let God shape or reshape our lives by our desert experiences and to be readied or prepared for service to Him down the road of life.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray we all walk by faith and not by sight, especially through the desert experiences of life. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this powerful song, written by Keith Getty and sung by his sister, Kristyn, … singing By Faith, reminding us that no matter what our lot as Christians, no matter what the desert experience might be, we must walk by faith and not by sight.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 2:15 [NLT]: …
15 And sure enough, when Pharaoh heard about it [i.e., Moses killing an Egyptian soldier], he gave orders to have Moses arrested and killed. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and escaped to the land of Midian.
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Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 2: Go to this link …
Reference Passage: 2nd Corinthians 5: 7 (with verses 6-8) [We must walk by faith and not by sight through the deserts of our life.] … [NKJV] …
6 So, we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
My Journal for Today: This morning Os Hillman, using Moses being led by God into his experience in the deserts of Midian, I was reminded that often, because of the circumstances of our lives, we’re led into desert experiences which prepare us for God’s purpose and faith-driven service for God’s glory. But all too often, when we’re in the midst of our desert times, we have trouble seeing them as preparation for our future and calling us to service for/with God.
Perhaps you, as a reader today, are having trouble living out what Kristyn Getty sings about in the song I’ve linked you to today … and what Paul wrote about to the Corinthians in 2nd Cor. 5: 7 … that we must live by faith and not by sight, especially when we’re led into and through the deserts of life. For Moses it was 40 years as a shepherd, having to be broken into surrender and broken of all pride … so that God could use this man to shepherd His people out of bondage and toward the Promised Land.
So, my dear one, if you’re in some desert time in your life now, trying to break free and desiring to serve God more effectively, we must do what the Apostle Paul wrote about above and what the Getty’s sing about in this morning’s song; and that is to walk by faith and not by sight … i.e., to let God shape or reshape our lives by our desert experiences and to be readied or prepared for service to Him down the road of life.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray we all walk by faith and not by sight, especially through the desert experiences of life. … Amen
Thursday, September 05, 2013
September 5, 2013 … Striving for Significance
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 248
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful and pertinent song sung by the group, Casting Crowns, singing Who Am I?, helping us to remember not where or why we find significance … but rather, in WHOM we find our purpose for life.
Highlight meditation passage – Psalms 90: 17 [A prayer in song by Moses] [NLT]: …
17 And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
============
Highlight reading study of Psalms, Chapters 90: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 26: 12 [We are reminded by God through the Prophet as to Whom we serve and Who provides us with our purpose in life.] … [NLT] …
12 LORD, you will grant us peace, for all we have accomplished is really from You.
Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 1 [Our work is our worship; … our worship is our significance in this life.] … [NLT] …
12 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
My Journal for Today: Why am I here; for what purpose am I created to serve God’s design? The question of our significance is one of those driving influences in doing what we do and striving to do it as well as we can, … isn’t it?
Today, from Os Hillman’s workplace devotional, he leads his readers (i.e., that’s me) to Psalm 90, the oldest of all of the Psalms, in which Moses prays to recognize that, as in the last verse from that Psalm, copied above (from Psalms 90: 17) we get our significance and our sense of “success” only from what we do and how we live for God.
Isaiah, the Prophet, recognized this truth about our significance in life when he wrote in Isaiah 26: 12 that “ … all we have accomplished is really from [God].” My friend, when we put our faith in God as our Lord and Savior, He imparted at least one Spirit-imparted gift to be able to serve Him, as Paul wrote about in Romans 12: 1, becoming a “living sacrifice” for His glory.
So the question rises today from my meditation, “Do we do what we do for earthly gain or for the recognition of other men; or are we do what we do because it is our worship of the One Who has planted us where we are, doing what we do, for HIS glory?”
I pray that we all can answer that as our personal answer to the question posed by Casting Crowns in their song, linked above, Who am I? Because if we can see that all we do and who we are is wrapped up in what we do for God’s glory, then we have become what Paul wrote about in the truth of Romans 12: 1; and our work has become our worship of the One Who made us whom we are for His glory.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, let what I do be ONLY for Your glory today. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful and pertinent song sung by the group, Casting Crowns, singing Who Am I?, helping us to remember not where or why we find significance … but rather, in WHOM we find our purpose for life.
Highlight meditation passage – Psalms 90: 17 [A prayer in song by Moses] [NLT]: …
17 And may the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
============
Highlight reading study of Psalms, Chapters 90: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 26: 12 [We are reminded by God through the Prophet as to Whom we serve and Who provides us with our purpose in life.] … [NLT] …
12 LORD, you will grant us peace, for all we have accomplished is really from You.
Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 1 [Our work is our worship; … our worship is our significance in this life.] … [NLT] …
12 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
My Journal for Today: Why am I here; for what purpose am I created to serve God’s design? The question of our significance is one of those driving influences in doing what we do and striving to do it as well as we can, … isn’t it?
Today, from Os Hillman’s workplace devotional, he leads his readers (i.e., that’s me) to Psalm 90, the oldest of all of the Psalms, in which Moses prays to recognize that, as in the last verse from that Psalm, copied above (from Psalms 90: 17) we get our significance and our sense of “success” only from what we do and how we live for God.
Isaiah, the Prophet, recognized this truth about our significance in life when he wrote in Isaiah 26: 12 that “ … all we have accomplished is really from [God].” My friend, when we put our faith in God as our Lord and Savior, He imparted at least one Spirit-imparted gift to be able to serve Him, as Paul wrote about in Romans 12: 1, becoming a “living sacrifice” for His glory.
So the question rises today from my meditation, “Do we do what we do for earthly gain or for the recognition of other men; or are we do what we do because it is our worship of the One Who has planted us where we are, doing what we do, for HIS glory?”
I pray that we all can answer that as our personal answer to the question posed by Casting Crowns in their song, linked above, Who am I? Because if we can see that all we do and who we are is wrapped up in what we do for God’s glory, then we have become what Paul wrote about in the truth of Romans 12: 1; and our work has become our worship of the One Who made us whom we are for His glory.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, let what I do be ONLY for Your glory today. … Amen
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
September 4, 2013 … A Paradigm Shift
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 247
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful and pertinent song sung by Steve Green, singing People Need The Lord, exhorting us to break through any human paradigm which keeps us from sharing Christ with others.
Highlight meditation passage – Acts 10: 19-20 [NLT]: …
19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”
============
Highlight reading study of Acts, Chapters 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [God moves; we follow = wisdom!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 19: 21 [Our plans = God’s plans = Our Destiny!] … [NLT] …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
My Journal for Today: A “PARADIGM” is a set of values, ideals, or forms which set a pattern which guide individuals or groups to make choices or to behave in certain stereotypic ways.
For decades in the 20th century, the Swiss watchmakers had set a paradigm of excellence by making watches in a certain way which – through patents – captured over 90% of the watch-selling market worldwide. Then along came the Japanese and the Texas Instruments Corporation who devised a different way to make watches; and because of this PARADIGM shift to digital watch-making, now the Swiss have less than 10% of the world’s market.
Sometimes it takes a paradigm shift to change the way a world thinks or acts. Certainly as we read
Chapter 10 of the Book of Acts, we read how the Apostle Peter had a definite paradigm involving the way he viewed the world of the Gentiles. And his paradigm would have him avoiding Gentiles because of his Jewish way of interacting or thinking about non-Jews. In Acts 10 (please take the time to use the link above and read the whole chapter), God intervened to use Peter’s surrender to God’s will to lead him to help a Gentile, Cornelius, and his family, as well as all of Cornelius’ community to see the truth of the Gospel and come to a saving relationship with Christ.
Today, Os Hillman’s focus on Peter’s paradigm shift causes me to remember how God broke me down with my paradigm that Christians were all hypocrites. And because of that paradigm about 35 years ago, I was unwilling (and unable) to see Christ for Whom He was/is. But God used a miraculous set of circumstances, much as He did with Simon, who became Peter, or Saul, who became Paul, to break down my paradigm of “Christianity,” allowing me to see Christ and to get my eyes off of Christians.
As Steve Green sings in my devotional song (linked above) for today, People Need The Lord, … i.e., ALL PEOPLE need the Lord, don’t they? So, if we have any paradigms of thinking which cause us to refrain from sharing Christ with ANY person or group of people, we need to pray that God will break through and give us HIS PARADIGM, … allowing His grace to lead us rather than any personal stereotype or paradigm which we might hold, causing us to hold back from sharing Christ with anyone and everyone.
Go listen to the Steve Green song and read Acts, Chapter 10; and then pray, with me, that God will break through any selfishly held paradigm which might cause us to refrain from sharing Christ with the world.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, if there are any ideas or paradigms of thinking which hold me back from sharing You with anyone, break them now … in Your Name and for Your glory. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful and pertinent song sung by Steve Green, singing People Need The Lord, exhorting us to break through any human paradigm which keeps us from sharing Christ with others.
Highlight meditation passage – Acts 10: 19-20 [NLT]: …
19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.”
============
Highlight reading study of Acts, Chapters 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [God moves; we follow = wisdom!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 19: 21 [Our plans = God’s plans = Our Destiny!] … [NLT] …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
My Journal for Today: A “PARADIGM” is a set of values, ideals, or forms which set a pattern which guide individuals or groups to make choices or to behave in certain stereotypic ways.
For decades in the 20th century, the Swiss watchmakers had set a paradigm of excellence by making watches in a certain way which – through patents – captured over 90% of the watch-selling market worldwide. Then along came the Japanese and the Texas Instruments Corporation who devised a different way to make watches; and because of this PARADIGM shift to digital watch-making, now the Swiss have less than 10% of the world’s market.
Sometimes it takes a paradigm shift to change the way a world thinks or acts. Certainly as we read
Chapter 10 of the Book of Acts, we read how the Apostle Peter had a definite paradigm involving the way he viewed the world of the Gentiles. And his paradigm would have him avoiding Gentiles because of his Jewish way of interacting or thinking about non-Jews. In Acts 10 (please take the time to use the link above and read the whole chapter), God intervened to use Peter’s surrender to God’s will to lead him to help a Gentile, Cornelius, and his family, as well as all of Cornelius’ community to see the truth of the Gospel and come to a saving relationship with Christ.
Today, Os Hillman’s focus on Peter’s paradigm shift causes me to remember how God broke me down with my paradigm that Christians were all hypocrites. And because of that paradigm about 35 years ago, I was unwilling (and unable) to see Christ for Whom He was/is. But God used a miraculous set of circumstances, much as He did with Simon, who became Peter, or Saul, who became Paul, to break down my paradigm of “Christianity,” allowing me to see Christ and to get my eyes off of Christians.
As Steve Green sings in my devotional song (linked above) for today, People Need The Lord, … i.e., ALL PEOPLE need the Lord, don’t they? So, if we have any paradigms of thinking which cause us to refrain from sharing Christ with ANY person or group of people, we need to pray that God will break through and give us HIS PARADIGM, … allowing His grace to lead us rather than any personal stereotype or paradigm which we might hold, causing us to hold back from sharing Christ with anyone and everyone.
Go listen to the Steve Green song and read Acts, Chapter 10; and then pray, with me, that God will break through any selfishly held paradigm which might cause us to refrain from sharing Christ with the world.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, if there are any ideas or paradigms of thinking which hold me back from sharing You with anyone, break them now … in Your Name and for Your glory. … Amen
Tuesday, September 03, 2013
September 3, 2013 … Following God’s Cloud
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 246
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and pertinent song sung by Alison Krauss, leading in worship and singing the old hymn Be Thou My Vision, encouraging us to make the Lord’s way our vision rather than seeking our way in life.
Highlight meditation passage – Numbers 9: 21 [with verses 20-22] [NLT]: …
20 Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the LORD commanded. Then at the LORD’s command they would break camp and move on. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. 22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on.
============
Highlight reading study of Numbers, Chapters 9: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [God moves; we follow = wisdom!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 19: 21 [Our plans = God’s plans = Our Destiny!] … [NLT] …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman’s devotional in Numbers, Chapter 9, took me back to the time when the Israelites where wandering in the wilderness, with God taking them to the Promised Land; and The Lord showed them His way by leading them in a cloud. God moved in the cloud; and Moses faithfully followed, … with the people following Moses.
The image and the message are clear for all of God’s people; aren’t they? How many times, does God’s word paint the picture that He wants to lead His children where we, when we follow Him, will always be going in the right direction … HIS DIRECTION?
You may remember one of my most repeated word pictures in my devotional journal entries, as I ask the question, … ”Would you rather plow through a minefield, blindly on your own; or would it be wiser to follow someone with a mine detector, … one who will lead us through the minefield without risk?”
Of course, the answer is a no-brainer, isn’t it?
Well, ask yourself today, … “Am I following THE ONE Who knows where all the mines are (i.e., God’s Spirit)?” Or put another way, … “Am I following God’s cloud toward my promised land; or am I trying to wander through the minefield of life aimlessly on my own?”
When we have honest answers to those questions, we’ll know what we need to do to get a course correction and to stay on track in following Christ through today’s minefield. Go back and meditate on today’s devotional song, sung by Allison Kraus, linked above, for your direction-finding; and then let’s pray for God to lead us, carefully as we follow Him today.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that prayer which I so often pray; … please shine Your light so brightly on my path today that I can’t help but see the way in following Your will. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and pertinent song sung by Alison Krauss, leading in worship and singing the old hymn Be Thou My Vision, encouraging us to make the Lord’s way our vision rather than seeking our way in life.
Highlight meditation passage – Numbers 9: 21 [with verses 20-22] [NLT]: …
20 Sometimes the cloud would stay over the Tabernacle for only a few days, so the people would stay for only a few days, as the LORD commanded. Then at the LORD’s command they would break camp and move on. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only overnight and lifted the next morning. But day or night, when the cloud lifted, the people broke camp and moved on. 22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on.
============
Highlight reading study of Numbers, Chapters 9: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [God moves; we follow = wisdom!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 19: 21 [Our plans = God’s plans = Our Destiny!] … [NLT] …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman’s devotional in Numbers, Chapter 9, took me back to the time when the Israelites where wandering in the wilderness, with God taking them to the Promised Land; and The Lord showed them His way by leading them in a cloud. God moved in the cloud; and Moses faithfully followed, … with the people following Moses.
The image and the message are clear for all of God’s people; aren’t they? How many times, does God’s word paint the picture that He wants to lead His children where we, when we follow Him, will always be going in the right direction … HIS DIRECTION?
You may remember one of my most repeated word pictures in my devotional journal entries, as I ask the question, … ”Would you rather plow through a minefield, blindly on your own; or would it be wiser to follow someone with a mine detector, … one who will lead us through the minefield without risk?”
Of course, the answer is a no-brainer, isn’t it?
Well, ask yourself today, … “Am I following THE ONE Who knows where all the mines are (i.e., God’s Spirit)?” Or put another way, … “Am I following God’s cloud toward my promised land; or am I trying to wander through the minefield of life aimlessly on my own?”
When we have honest answers to those questions, we’ll know what we need to do to get a course correction and to stay on track in following Christ through today’s minefield. Go back and meditate on today’s devotional song, sung by Allison Kraus, linked above, for your direction-finding; and then let’s pray for God to lead us, carefully as we follow Him today.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that prayer which I so often pray; … please shine Your light so brightly on my path today that I can’t help but see the way in following Your will. … Amen
Monday, September 02, 2013
September 2, 2013 … Triumphant In Defeat
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 245
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in the poignant and pertinent song, sung by Selah … Press On, reminding us that our greatest victories can be won in the face of defeats and challenges in life. … And if you’ve never seen the movie Braveheart, see the trailer linked here to which I make reference below.
Highlight meditation passage – John 21: 14 [with verses 5-9] [NLT]: …
14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of John, Chapter 21: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: John 12: 24-26 [Jesus’ parable about the seed not being able to produce fruit until it dies unto itself first.] … [NLT] …
24 “ … I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. …”
Reference Passage #2: Philippians 3: 12-14 [No matter what our defeats might be in life, we must press on in/for Jesus’ sake.] … [NLT] …
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Reference Passage #3: Acts 1: 8 [Our calling is to be Christ’s witness, no matter what!!] … [NLT] …
8 " ... But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
My Journal for Today: Perhaps you’ve seen the movie, Braveheart, starring Mel Gipson as the 13th century hero of Scotland, who fought for freedom in his native Scotland against the oppressive reign of King Edward in England. If you’ve not seen the movie, you can get an idea of the story by viewing the short trailer to which I’ve linked you above.
Wallace lost his life, being tortured to death by the powers that reigned in the land at the time; but ultimately because of the repentance and will to press on to victory by Robert Bruce, who had once betrayed Wallace, … Scotland won it’s independence and freedom from the tyranny of England. And ultimately that victory was credited to William Wallace’s willingness to stand for freedom – even in his personal defeat and death.
Well, we Christians know an even greater story of life coming from death, don’t we? And of course, that is the true and victorious story of our Lord, Jesus, dying on the cross and being resurrected to call for His followers to die to self so that they (we) could have the ultimate victory of eternal life. And Jesus, in the face of ignominious defeat – even unto death, came back (see the highlight verse above) to show His Disciples that He was alive; and then, as our Lord ascended into heaven, He called (in Acts 1: 8) all of His disciples to be His witnesses in all of the world, … even if it meant, like William Wallace experienced, death in this world.
Witnessing for Christ sometimes means being willing to die to self in this world in order to experience the ultimate prize promised by God for eternity. But even it only means experience temporary defeat or personal ignominy or humiliation, as Paul wrote about in Phil. 3: 13-14 (cited above), it’s worth it to stand in witness to/for our Lord.
I pray that we’re willing to press on – no matter what – to witness for our Lord today.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me (us) to stand for You … no matter what may appear to be defeat. You are the Prize for Whom we stand in witness. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in the poignant and pertinent song, sung by Selah … Press On, reminding us that our greatest victories can be won in the face of defeats and challenges in life. … And if you’ve never seen the movie Braveheart, see the trailer linked here to which I make reference below.
Highlight meditation passage – John 21: 14 [with verses 5-9] [NLT]: …
14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of John, Chapter 21: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: John 12: 24-26 [Jesus’ parable about the seed not being able to produce fruit until it dies unto itself first.] … [NLT] …
24 “ … I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. …”
Reference Passage #2: Philippians 3: 12-14 [No matter what our defeats might be in life, we must press on in/for Jesus’ sake.] … [NLT] …
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Reference Passage #3: Acts 1: 8 [Our calling is to be Christ’s witness, no matter what!!] … [NLT] …
8 " ... But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
My Journal for Today: Perhaps you’ve seen the movie, Braveheart, starring Mel Gipson as the 13th century hero of Scotland, who fought for freedom in his native Scotland against the oppressive reign of King Edward in England. If you’ve not seen the movie, you can get an idea of the story by viewing the short trailer to which I’ve linked you above.
Wallace lost his life, being tortured to death by the powers that reigned in the land at the time; but ultimately because of the repentance and will to press on to victory by Robert Bruce, who had once betrayed Wallace, … Scotland won it’s independence and freedom from the tyranny of England. And ultimately that victory was credited to William Wallace’s willingness to stand for freedom – even in his personal defeat and death.
Well, we Christians know an even greater story of life coming from death, don’t we? And of course, that is the true and victorious story of our Lord, Jesus, dying on the cross and being resurrected to call for His followers to die to self so that they (we) could have the ultimate victory of eternal life. And Jesus, in the face of ignominious defeat – even unto death, came back (see the highlight verse above) to show His Disciples that He was alive; and then, as our Lord ascended into heaven, He called (in Acts 1: 8) all of His disciples to be His witnesses in all of the world, … even if it meant, like William Wallace experienced, death in this world.
Witnessing for Christ sometimes means being willing to die to self in this world in order to experience the ultimate prize promised by God for eternity. But even it only means experience temporary defeat or personal ignominy or humiliation, as Paul wrote about in Phil. 3: 13-14 (cited above), it’s worth it to stand in witness to/for our Lord.
I pray that we’re willing to press on – no matter what – to witness for our Lord today.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me (us) to stand for You … no matter what may appear to be defeat. You are the Prize for Whom we stand in witness. … Amen
Sunday, September 01, 2013
September 1, 2013 … Faithfulness to Convict
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 244
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in the poignant and pertinent song, sung by Phillips, Craig, and Dean … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, reminding us that God, through His prevenient and completing grace is going to faithfully transform us through conviction and direction to reshape us into Christ’s image so that we can reflect His light more brightly and rightly into the world.
Highlight meditation passage – John 16: 8 [with verses 5-9] [NLT]: …
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of John, Chapter 16: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 5: 16 [And our light is dampened when we choose sinfulness.] … [NLT] …
15 "... No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. ..."
Reference Passage #2: Philippians 1: 6 [The transformation process (i.e., sanctification) may take time; but He’s going to get it done!] … [NLT] …
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Reference Passage #3: Romans 8: 28 [One of the toughest truths to accept in God’s word, isn’t it?] … [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.
My Journal for Today: Don’tcha just hate it sometimes that God is faithful to convict us of our sin, not letting us live in the darkness we know of as this world without doing His faithful job of reshaping us into Christ’s image so that we can reflect His light more brightly into this world.
It hurts sometimes, doesn’t it; … when we realize that we’re not responding to His redirection in life … from the Spirit, Whom Jesus left behind in His church, planting Him in the hearts of every true believer so that He could, as Phillips, Craig, and Dean sing in the linked song above, do whatever it takes to point us in the direction of God’s righteous path.
But we can so easily (because of our wicked, very human, heart – see Jeremiah 17: 9) -allow our selfish desires to get in the way of our choices to follow the Savior. But we must know the truth of the Scriptures which bubbled up from my memory, copied above, mostly from Paul’s letters, which tell us that “He’ll Do Whatever It Takes,” as the song above sings, to bring us back into a right relationship with Christ, so that our reformed image can shine a brighter and truer light into this world.
I will pray for us to respond to God’s Spirit of conviction so that we can become brighter lights for Christ.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, help us to respond to You, Holy Spirit, as You do what it takes to help us shine Jesus more brightly in our countenance.… Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in the poignant and pertinent song, sung by Phillips, Craig, and Dean … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, reminding us that God, through His prevenient and completing grace is going to faithfully transform us through conviction and direction to reshape us into Christ’s image so that we can reflect His light more brightly and rightly into the world.
Highlight meditation passage – John 16: 8 [with verses 5-9] [NLT]: …
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you. 8 And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of John, Chapter 16: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 5: 16 [And our light is dampened when we choose sinfulness.] … [NLT] …
15 "... No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. ..."
Reference Passage #2: Philippians 1: 6 [The transformation process (i.e., sanctification) may take time; but He’s going to get it done!] … [NLT] …
6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Reference Passage #3: Romans 8: 28 [One of the toughest truths to accept in God’s word, isn’t it?] … [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.
My Journal for Today: Don’tcha just hate it sometimes that God is faithful to convict us of our sin, not letting us live in the darkness we know of as this world without doing His faithful job of reshaping us into Christ’s image so that we can reflect His light more brightly into this world.
It hurts sometimes, doesn’t it; … when we realize that we’re not responding to His redirection in life … from the Spirit, Whom Jesus left behind in His church, planting Him in the hearts of every true believer so that He could, as Phillips, Craig, and Dean sing in the linked song above, do whatever it takes to point us in the direction of God’s righteous path.
But we can so easily (because of our wicked, very human, heart – see Jeremiah 17: 9) -allow our selfish desires to get in the way of our choices to follow the Savior. But we must know the truth of the Scriptures which bubbled up from my memory, copied above, mostly from Paul’s letters, which tell us that “He’ll Do Whatever It Takes,” as the song above sings, to bring us back into a right relationship with Christ, so that our reformed image can shine a brighter and truer light into this world.
I will pray for us to respond to God’s Spirit of conviction so that we can become brighter lights for Christ.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, help us to respond to You, Holy Spirit, as You do what it takes to help us shine Jesus more brightly in our countenance.… Amen
Saturday, August 31, 2013
August 31, 2013 … REAL Repentance = TOTAL Surrender
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 243
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in this touching old hymn, sung at a Vineyard Fellowship … I Surrender All, capturing the essence of true repentance … i.e., being in TOTAL surrender to our Savior and Lord.
Highlight meditation passage – 2nd Corinthians 7: 10 [NLT]: …
10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 7: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 4: 17 [Jesus followed what John The Baptist had been preaching with The Messiah’s own message on repentance.] … [NLT] …
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Reference Passage #2: Romans 7: 14-15 [Paul recognized how difficult it can be to be in total surrender to His Lord.] … [NLT] …
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.
My Journal for Today: Before you read my journal entry, if you’re meditating with me here, please use the link above and take in the devotional song which touched my heart so deeply this morning, … especially the lyrics written by Judson Van DeVenter in 1896 which are found in almost every hymnal and sung even by contemporary worshipers and singers today.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
Repentance, and I mean “real-deal” repentance, may be one of the toughest things for humans to do because it takes what my hymn today sings about … and that is total surrender of self to The Savior.
Before one can be saved by a merciful and loving Savior, one must be willing – in faith – to surrender one’s will to that of a loving God who so desires to pour out His saving grace into anyone who is willing to humbly receive His merciful and eternal gift. However, to be able to receive the gift Jesus came to earth as the God-man to offer, one has to recognize that he/she is a sinner, repent of that sinfulness, and confess their need of a Savior – THE One and only Savior (see Romans 10: 9-13 ... linked here).
Now, I’m assuming that anyone reading here has done that (but assumptions can be fool hardy; so, if you’re not sure of your eternal salvation, feel free to contact me via email – billb13@bellsouth.net – and we can discuss the matter). However, if you know you’re saved, do you, as do I as a born-again Christian, often find yourself being unwilling to repent of your own convicted sinfulness or rebellion against God?
The Apostle Paul even recognized this strong human tendency in himself… i.e., to hold on to our selfishness and our unwillingness to surrender to God’s law of love (see the Romans 7: 14-15 reference above).
But, … oh how God wants to pour out His enriching, enabling, and empowering grace in our lives, giving us the ability to reflect all of the fruitfulness God wrote about through Paul in Galatians 5: 22-23. However, we foolish and sin-bearing creatures, so often desire to hold on to the fruit of the flesh Paul also wrote about in Galatians 5: 19-21. Common; admit it!! This repentance deal is tough, isn't it?
Surrender all? … Ouch!!! … Are we going to be able to do that today? … If we do, Godly fruitfulness will be our reward. … And if we cannot fully repent and receive God’s grace of forgiveness, we will languish in the darkness of our own selfishness. I pray for the former and for us to be cleansed from the latter.
My Prayer for Today … Oh, Lord, help us to see our sinfulness clearly so that we can confess it and receive your cleansing grace. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in this touching old hymn, sung at a Vineyard Fellowship … I Surrender All, capturing the essence of true repentance … i.e., being in TOTAL surrender to our Savior and Lord.
Highlight meditation passage – 2nd Corinthians 7: 10 [NLT]: …
10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 7: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 4: 17 [Jesus followed what John The Baptist had been preaching with The Messiah’s own message on repentance.] … [NLT] …
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
Reference Passage #2: Romans 7: 14-15 [Paul recognized how difficult it can be to be in total surrender to His Lord.] … [NLT] …
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.
My Journal for Today: Before you read my journal entry, if you’re meditating with me here, please use the link above and take in the devotional song which touched my heart so deeply this morning, … especially the lyrics written by Judson Van DeVenter in 1896 which are found in almost every hymnal and sung even by contemporary worshipers and singers today.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
Repentance, and I mean “real-deal” repentance, may be one of the toughest things for humans to do because it takes what my hymn today sings about … and that is total surrender of self to The Savior.
Before one can be saved by a merciful and loving Savior, one must be willing – in faith – to surrender one’s will to that of a loving God who so desires to pour out His saving grace into anyone who is willing to humbly receive His merciful and eternal gift. However, to be able to receive the gift Jesus came to earth as the God-man to offer, one has to recognize that he/she is a sinner, repent of that sinfulness, and confess their need of a Savior – THE One and only Savior (see Romans 10: 9-13 ... linked here).
Now, I’m assuming that anyone reading here has done that (but assumptions can be fool hardy; so, if you’re not sure of your eternal salvation, feel free to contact me via email – billb13@bellsouth.net – and we can discuss the matter). However, if you know you’re saved, do you, as do I as a born-again Christian, often find yourself being unwilling to repent of your own convicted sinfulness or rebellion against God?
The Apostle Paul even recognized this strong human tendency in himself… i.e., to hold on to our selfishness and our unwillingness to surrender to God’s law of love (see the Romans 7: 14-15 reference above).
But, … oh how God wants to pour out His enriching, enabling, and empowering grace in our lives, giving us the ability to reflect all of the fruitfulness God wrote about through Paul in Galatians 5: 22-23. However, we foolish and sin-bearing creatures, so often desire to hold on to the fruit of the flesh Paul also wrote about in Galatians 5: 19-21. Common; admit it!! This repentance deal is tough, isn't it?
Surrender all? … Ouch!!! … Are we going to be able to do that today? … If we do, Godly fruitfulness will be our reward. … And if we cannot fully repent and receive God’s grace of forgiveness, we will languish in the darkness of our own selfishness. I pray for the former and for us to be cleansed from the latter.
My Prayer for Today … Oh, Lord, help us to see our sinfulness clearly so that we can confess it and receive your cleansing grace. … Amen
Friday, August 30, 2013
August 30, 2013 … THE Defining Moment
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 242
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in this powerful song written by Bill Gaither and sung by his Gaither Vocal Band, singing He Touched Me, reminding us that when Jesus comes into our lives He transforms us. His touch of saving grace is the primary defining moment in our lives as Christians.
Highlight meditation passage – Acts 9: 3 [NLT]: …
3 As he [Saul of Tarsus] was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Acts, Chapter 9: Go to this link …
My Journal for Today: As Os Hillman writes in his devotional today …
"For Moses, it was the burning bush.
For Peter, it was walking on water.
For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, it was walking through the burning furnace untouched.
For Daniel, it was deliverance from the lions' den.
For Joshua, it was parting the Jordan River and crossing into the Promised Land.
For Saul of Tarsus (becoming the Apostle Paul), it was being blinded and spoken to by Jesus on the Damascus road.”
For these men to be used of God, these were defining moments in their lives. And that’s what Bill Gaither and his Vocal Band are singing about in Gather’s rendition of He Touched Me, his song linked for your hearing and meditation above.
When Jesus brings a lost person to that Spirit-prepared moment of brokenness; and through His prevenient grace, The Lord touches that one with His saving grace, it is THE defining moment in the life of any Christian. It is that moment when our humility is readied to the place of being able to recognize and receive the grace of salvation offered by a forgiving and loving God Who wants to transform us into His own image. And in that eternally powerful defining moment, we are changed forever.
Perhaps, like me, you can remember your life-changing, defining moment. During the years Jesus walked this earth in ministry, there were many such moments for those God, The Father, led His Son to touch, … people like the bleeding woman who touched Jesus’ robe, … or the woman at the well, whom Jesus showed such compassion, … or Saul of Tarsus, whom the resurrected Jesus was willing to knock Saul off his horse on that road to Damascus; and from the blindness and healing which followed, Saul became Paul and through His changed life and God-inspired writings, the Apostle Paul has changed the world.
And I can remember, as if it was yesterday, my Damascus Road experience on April 13th, 1983, which God took my brokenness and showed me, through His truth in Philippians 4: 13 (note it was on 4/13/83) that He was the only One Who could give me the Spirit-imparted strength to cover the weakness I had recognized in myself. And from that day forward – to today – He has been carrying out His promised transformation of my life.
I will pray this morning that you’ve had a touch from the Savior which has transformed you; and it’s never too late for anyone who recognizes himself or herself as a sinner in need of a Savior to receive God’s saving grace. And all it takes is the willingness – in the faith He will provide – to receive His touch of grace; and when it happens and one is willing to confess it before others (see Romans 10: 9-13 - linked here ), if you’re that one, God will provide the saving touch that will change you forever.
So, if you need The Savior’s touch today, … just receive it and then go out, in faith, and tell others how He has changed your life for eternity.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that any who meditate with me here today have been touched with Your eternal, life-altering, grace, … they will be willing to share the good news with others. I know I have; and I declare it so here to You in gratitude for Your mercy and to any who might read and be so touched today. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE use this link and take in this powerful song written by Bill Gaither and sung by his Gaither Vocal Band, singing He Touched Me, reminding us that when Jesus comes into our lives He transforms us. His touch of saving grace is the primary defining moment in our lives as Christians.
Highlight meditation passage – Acts 9: 3 [NLT]: …
3 As he [Saul of Tarsus] was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Acts, Chapter 9: Go to this link …
My Journal for Today: As Os Hillman writes in his devotional today …
"For Moses, it was the burning bush.
For Peter, it was walking on water.
For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, it was walking through the burning furnace untouched.
For Daniel, it was deliverance from the lions' den.
For Joshua, it was parting the Jordan River and crossing into the Promised Land.
For Saul of Tarsus (becoming the Apostle Paul), it was being blinded and spoken to by Jesus on the Damascus road.”
For these men to be used of God, these were defining moments in their lives. And that’s what Bill Gaither and his Vocal Band are singing about in Gather’s rendition of He Touched Me, his song linked for your hearing and meditation above.
When Jesus brings a lost person to that Spirit-prepared moment of brokenness; and through His prevenient grace, The Lord touches that one with His saving grace, it is THE defining moment in the life of any Christian. It is that moment when our humility is readied to the place of being able to recognize and receive the grace of salvation offered by a forgiving and loving God Who wants to transform us into His own image. And in that eternally powerful defining moment, we are changed forever.
Perhaps, like me, you can remember your life-changing, defining moment. During the years Jesus walked this earth in ministry, there were many such moments for those God, The Father, led His Son to touch, … people like the bleeding woman who touched Jesus’ robe, … or the woman at the well, whom Jesus showed such compassion, … or Saul of Tarsus, whom the resurrected Jesus was willing to knock Saul off his horse on that road to Damascus; and from the blindness and healing which followed, Saul became Paul and through His changed life and God-inspired writings, the Apostle Paul has changed the world.
And I can remember, as if it was yesterday, my Damascus Road experience on April 13th, 1983, which God took my brokenness and showed me, through His truth in Philippians 4: 13 (note it was on 4/13/83) that He was the only One Who could give me the Spirit-imparted strength to cover the weakness I had recognized in myself. And from that day forward – to today – He has been carrying out His promised transformation of my life.
I will pray this morning that you’ve had a touch from the Savior which has transformed you; and it’s never too late for anyone who recognizes himself or herself as a sinner in need of a Savior to receive God’s saving grace. And all it takes is the willingness – in the faith He will provide – to receive His touch of grace; and when it happens and one is willing to confess it before others (see Romans 10: 9-13 - linked here ), if you’re that one, God will provide the saving touch that will change you forever.
So, if you need The Savior’s touch today, … just receive it and then go out, in faith, and tell others how He has changed your life for eternity.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that any who meditate with me here today have been touched with Your eternal, life-altering, grace, … they will be willing to share the good news with others. I know I have; and I declare it so here to You in gratitude for Your mercy and to any who might read and be so touched today. … Amen
Thursday, August 29, 2013
August 29, 2013 … Going Against the Flow
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 241
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE don’t bypass this link and take in this poignant and powerful song sung by Kathy Troccoli, singing I Will Choose Christ, exhorting Christians to be willing to give their all in service to our Lord.
Highlight meditation passage – Numbers 14: 5-10 [NLT]: …
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the people of Israel. 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7They said to the community of Israel, “The land we explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us! 9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites from above the Tabernacle.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Mark, Chapter 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Joshua 1: 9 [God’s calling will always be His empowerment.] … [NLT] …
9 [God speaks to Joshua] “ … I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Yes, I know – repeating again – Jesus’ call to discipleship.] … [NLT] …
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.
Reference Passage #3: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [But do we trust Him?] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.
My Journal for Today: Before you began reading with me today, I hope you took the time to use the You Tube link above and listen to Kathy Troccoli, especially paying attention to the powerful lyrics which are included in the You Tube piece. It’s a powerful song which gives a witness to what we Christians must do when we choose to be disciples of Christ. And if you’ve read my reference passages, copied above, you’re probably saying something like, “Bill, how many times do you have to repeat the Luke 9: 23 and Prov. 3: 5-6 citations?”
Well, I think I end up repeating them so often because I personally (BTW, this is MY devotional journal) need to have them repeated so often. So often, as today, these verses just bubble up out of my consciousness as I’m generating these journal entries; and I just know it’s God’s Spirit speaking to me, reminding me – with emphasis – how I need to be a closer, more trusting, follower of where God is leading me. And then when I reheard Kathy Trocolli’s song, which also came to my attention today, I was under total conviction that I need to be much more serious about following where God is leading me as I do life in this counter-God culture.
Today’s highlight passage, brought forth by Os Hillman’s devotional today was from Numbers, Chapter 14, where Joshua and Caleb, after spying the Promised Land, were confronting the people who’d become convinced by ten other spies that they should avoid going into that land promised by God because, in their estimation, it was too dangerous. But Joshua and Caleb, as we know, bucked the tide of public opinion, having total faith in God’s promises, that God would give them this land of “milk and honey,” and their stance for God almost cost them their life.
But from all of these passages in God’s word, and Kathy Trocolli’s song, we’re reminded that God’s calling and His promises will always become His empowerment and enablement to follow Him to what He’s promised.
Has God called you to take a stand that’s unpopular in our culture? Is He leading you to email your congressional Representatives or Senators about unGodly governmental laws or proposals? Is God calling you to minister or witness to people who need help; and He has given you the gifts or experience to help those in such need? And perhaps the trek God is calling you to take is way against the poplar tide of opinion or the “politically correct” ways of doing things.
Well, I certainly identify with Joshua and Caleb, being called to lead a ministry which daily calls me to take a stance for righteousness and against the public will to take the actions which God would lead us to take. Sometimes, being director of Battle Plan Ministries (see this link – http://battleplanministries.org), I feel like God has called me to empty the ocean with a tea cup. But I know it’s the right thing, and even more importantly, I know it’s what God has called me to do. So, …….. I move onward … and prayerfully upward!!
What about you? What’s God calling you to do to empty the ocean with your teacup? How about it, … join me and dip your cup in with me? Let’s do it together!! Let’s choose Christ today, … no matter who is standing against us.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I stand with You and follow You wherever You lead me. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... PLEASE don’t bypass this link and take in this poignant and powerful song sung by Kathy Troccoli, singing I Will Choose Christ, exhorting Christians to be willing to give their all in service to our Lord.
Highlight meditation passage – Numbers 14: 5-10 [NLT]: …
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the people of Israel. 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7They said to the community of Israel, “The land we explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey, and he will give it to us! 9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”
10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites from above the Tabernacle.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Mark, Chapter 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Joshua 1: 9 [God’s calling will always be His empowerment.] … [NLT] …
9 [God speaks to Joshua] “ … I command you—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Yes, I know – repeating again – Jesus’ call to discipleship.] … [NLT] …
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.
Reference Passage #3: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [But do we trust Him?] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.
My Journal for Today: Before you began reading with me today, I hope you took the time to use the You Tube link above and listen to Kathy Troccoli, especially paying attention to the powerful lyrics which are included in the You Tube piece. It’s a powerful song which gives a witness to what we Christians must do when we choose to be disciples of Christ. And if you’ve read my reference passages, copied above, you’re probably saying something like, “Bill, how many times do you have to repeat the Luke 9: 23 and Prov. 3: 5-6 citations?”
Well, I think I end up repeating them so often because I personally (BTW, this is MY devotional journal) need to have them repeated so often. So often, as today, these verses just bubble up out of my consciousness as I’m generating these journal entries; and I just know it’s God’s Spirit speaking to me, reminding me – with emphasis – how I need to be a closer, more trusting, follower of where God is leading me. And then when I reheard Kathy Trocolli’s song, which also came to my attention today, I was under total conviction that I need to be much more serious about following where God is leading me as I do life in this counter-God culture.
Today’s highlight passage, brought forth by Os Hillman’s devotional today was from Numbers, Chapter 14, where Joshua and Caleb, after spying the Promised Land, were confronting the people who’d become convinced by ten other spies that they should avoid going into that land promised by God because, in their estimation, it was too dangerous. But Joshua and Caleb, as we know, bucked the tide of public opinion, having total faith in God’s promises, that God would give them this land of “milk and honey,” and their stance for God almost cost them their life.
But from all of these passages in God’s word, and Kathy Trocolli’s song, we’re reminded that God’s calling and His promises will always become His empowerment and enablement to follow Him to what He’s promised.
Has God called you to take a stand that’s unpopular in our culture? Is He leading you to email your congressional Representatives or Senators about unGodly governmental laws or proposals? Is God calling you to minister or witness to people who need help; and He has given you the gifts or experience to help those in such need? And perhaps the trek God is calling you to take is way against the poplar tide of opinion or the “politically correct” ways of doing things.
Well, I certainly identify with Joshua and Caleb, being called to lead a ministry which daily calls me to take a stance for righteousness and against the public will to take the actions which God would lead us to take. Sometimes, being director of Battle Plan Ministries (see this link – http://battleplanministries.org), I feel like God has called me to empty the ocean with a tea cup. But I know it’s the right thing, and even more importantly, I know it’s what God has called me to do. So, …….. I move onward … and prayerfully upward!!
What about you? What’s God calling you to do to empty the ocean with your teacup? How about it, … join me and dip your cup in with me? Let’s do it together!! Let’s choose Christ today, … no matter who is standing against us.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I stand with You and follow You wherever You lead me. … Amen
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
August 28, 2013 … God’s Calling
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 240
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Today take in this poignant and powerful song sung by Steve Green, singing People Need The Lord, reminding us that we may pass person after person today who need Jesus.
Highlight meditation passage – Mark 10: 47-49 [NLT]: …
47 When Bartimaeus [a blind beggar] heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby [there in Jericho], he began to shout out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 “Be quiet!” some of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Mark, Chapter 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 7: 7 [If we have needs, we need to ask Jesus to meet them>] … [NLT] …
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. … ”
Reference Passage #2: Revelations 3: 20 [He’ll come into us, if we but ask.] … [NLT] …
20 “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 5: 15-16 [Shining Christ’s light so that those who need Him will see Him.] … [NLT] …
15 Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
My Journal for Today: The 50-cent theological term for Jesus’ calling the lost is “prevenient grace.” It’s God’s grace which calls us out of our need to recognize that we need a Savior, a Redeemer, … Our Lord. It’s what the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, experienced when Jesus came through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem; and the blind man had a need that only Jesus could provide; and so when Jesus came near he called out to the One Bartimaeus knew was the Messiah; and when the Lord called to this blind man, he responded [see the highlight passage above].
I can remember the time when I was blind and needed a Savior. Well, maybe I wasn’t physically blind; but I was most certainly spiritually blinded by my own selfishness; and I most certainly was in need of a Savior. And then He came close to me on April 13, 1983; and in my brokenness I was able to reach out and receive His call, i.e., Jesus’ prevenient grace; and on that day, this one, who had been spiritually blind for the first 39 years of my life, began to see life with new and different eyes. And like Bartimaeus, I began to follow Jesus.
How many people will we pass today who, as Steve Green sings in my devotional song for today, need the Lord? And how many of them have a need which is strong enough for them to make it known to you or those around them? I just pray today that if we come into contact with someone who needs Jesus, and their actions identify them as “blind” to the Lord, that we have the wherewithal to shine Christ’s light and share Him with anyone in need of our Savior.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, today help me to see and discern any who are blind to You and need Your saving grace. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Today take in this poignant and powerful song sung by Steve Green, singing People Need The Lord, reminding us that we may pass person after person today who need Jesus.
Highlight meditation passage – Mark 10: 47-49 [NLT]: …
47 When Bartimaeus [a blind beggar] heard that Jesus from Nazareth was nearby [there in Jericho], he began to shout out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 “Be quiet!” some of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Mark, Chapter 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 7: 7 [If we have needs, we need to ask Jesus to meet them>] … [NLT] …
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. … ”
Reference Passage #2: Revelations 3: 20 [He’ll come into us, if we but ask.] … [NLT] …
20 “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 5: 15-16 [Shining Christ’s light so that those who need Him will see Him.] … [NLT] …
15 Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
My Journal for Today: The 50-cent theological term for Jesus’ calling the lost is “prevenient grace.” It’s God’s grace which calls us out of our need to recognize that we need a Savior, a Redeemer, … Our Lord. It’s what the blind beggar, Bartimaeus, experienced when Jesus came through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem; and the blind man had a need that only Jesus could provide; and so when Jesus came near he called out to the One Bartimaeus knew was the Messiah; and when the Lord called to this blind man, he responded [see the highlight passage above].
I can remember the time when I was blind and needed a Savior. Well, maybe I wasn’t physically blind; but I was most certainly spiritually blinded by my own selfishness; and I most certainly was in need of a Savior. And then He came close to me on April 13, 1983; and in my brokenness I was able to reach out and receive His call, i.e., Jesus’ prevenient grace; and on that day, this one, who had been spiritually blind for the first 39 years of my life, began to see life with new and different eyes. And like Bartimaeus, I began to follow Jesus.
How many people will we pass today who, as Steve Green sings in my devotional song for today, need the Lord? And how many of them have a need which is strong enough for them to make it known to you or those around them? I just pray today that if we come into contact with someone who needs Jesus, and their actions identify them as “blind” to the Lord, that we have the wherewithal to shine Christ’s light and share Him with anyone in need of our Savior.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, today help me to see and discern any who are blind to You and need Your saving grace. … Amen
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
August 27, 2013 … Grace ... AMAZING grace!!
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 239
Devotional Songs: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and powerful song sung by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, singingYour Grace Still Amazes Me, exhorting all to remember how deep, how wide, and how strong God’s grace is for anyone willing to receive it today.
And there is the classic old song, at this link ... written by John Newton, Amazing Grace, sung in this more contemporary version, by Chris Tomlin.
Highlight meditation passage – John 20: 19-20 [NLT]: …
19 That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” He said. 20 As He spoke, He held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them His side. They were filled with joy when they saw their Lord!
============
Highlight reading study #1 of John, Chapters 20: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: John 13: 33-34 [God’s love abounds in His grace to all who come to Him in faith.] … [NLT] …
34 "... So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Reference Passage #2: Revelations 3: 20 [And to receive His love and grace, all we need to do is open the door.] … [NLT] …
20 “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends. ... "
My Journal for Today: Do you remember the scene at the end of Chapter 20 of John’s Gospel? Jesus had just materialized in that upper room to the disciples gathered there; and the first thing out of His mouth was “Peace be with you …;” and today, as I do, we might read that casually; but the astonishment of the disciples had to be overwhelming as Jesus came to His followers after His resurrection into that same upper room where He had tried to reassure them in Chapters 13-16 before He went to the cross.
But here He was in the midst of the eleven who had bolted in fear in the Garden that night when Jesus was taken by the Jewish guards. And there they were in the midst of their post-cross grief; and all of a sudden Jesus appears from seemingly no where; … and what were the first words out of His mouth? Yes, … “Peace be with you!” And perhaps they remembered that same quiet voice of assurance when Jesus had spoken to them several days earlier (see John 13: 34-35 copied above). But in the meantime, before that moment of reassembly in the upper room, the disciples had scattered in fear and had denied they knew Jesus. He had been unjustly tried and skewered on a “tree” unto death. And a few of them had seen the empty tomb after Jesus was buried. But here He was, having appeared out of no where, right there in front of them, … able to show them His scars and let doubting ones, like Thomas, touch Him. And the first words out of His mouth were words of love and amazing grace.
Do you identify with the disciples in that room that night? I do; … because my life is a poster-boy for what those men received that night; and that is God’s amazing grace. No, those men didn’t deserve God’s grace (just as I don’t); but they got it anyway. And that’s what Phillips, Craig, and Dean and Chris Tomlin sing about in the songs to which I’ve linked you this morning. God’s grace toward those of us who believe in Him is nothing short of AMAZING to those of us – none deserving it – who are willing, as Jesus said to His church in Rev. 3: 20, to merely open the door at His knocking and let Him in.
I don’t know about you; but I’m opening the door to My Savior and Lord today!
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I hear You knocking; and I’m here to open the door. Come in; let’s hang out today together. … Amen
Devotional Songs: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and powerful song sung by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, singingYour Grace Still Amazes Me, exhorting all to remember how deep, how wide, and how strong God’s grace is for anyone willing to receive it today.
And there is the classic old song, at this link ... written by John Newton, Amazing Grace, sung in this more contemporary version, by Chris Tomlin.
Highlight meditation passage – John 20: 19-20 [NLT]: …
19 That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” He said. 20 As He spoke, He held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them His side. They were filled with joy when they saw their Lord!
============
Highlight reading study #1 of John, Chapters 20: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: John 13: 33-34 [God’s love abounds in His grace to all who come to Him in faith.] … [NLT] …
34 "... So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Reference Passage #2: Revelations 3: 20 [And to receive His love and grace, all we need to do is open the door.] … [NLT] …
20 “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends. ... "
My Journal for Today: Do you remember the scene at the end of Chapter 20 of John’s Gospel? Jesus had just materialized in that upper room to the disciples gathered there; and the first thing out of His mouth was “Peace be with you …;” and today, as I do, we might read that casually; but the astonishment of the disciples had to be overwhelming as Jesus came to His followers after His resurrection into that same upper room where He had tried to reassure them in Chapters 13-16 before He went to the cross.
But here He was in the midst of the eleven who had bolted in fear in the Garden that night when Jesus was taken by the Jewish guards. And there they were in the midst of their post-cross grief; and all of a sudden Jesus appears from seemingly no where; … and what were the first words out of His mouth? Yes, … “Peace be with you!” And perhaps they remembered that same quiet voice of assurance when Jesus had spoken to them several days earlier (see John 13: 34-35 copied above). But in the meantime, before that moment of reassembly in the upper room, the disciples had scattered in fear and had denied they knew Jesus. He had been unjustly tried and skewered on a “tree” unto death. And a few of them had seen the empty tomb after Jesus was buried. But here He was, having appeared out of no where, right there in front of them, … able to show them His scars and let doubting ones, like Thomas, touch Him. And the first words out of His mouth were words of love and amazing grace.
Do you identify with the disciples in that room that night? I do; … because my life is a poster-boy for what those men received that night; and that is God’s amazing grace. No, those men didn’t deserve God’s grace (just as I don’t); but they got it anyway. And that’s what Phillips, Craig, and Dean and Chris Tomlin sing about in the songs to which I’ve linked you this morning. God’s grace toward those of us who believe in Him is nothing short of AMAZING to those of us – none deserving it – who are willing, as Jesus said to His church in Rev. 3: 20, to merely open the door at His knocking and let Him in.
I don’t know about you; but I’m opening the door to My Savior and Lord today!
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I hear You knocking; and I’m here to open the door. Come in; let’s hang out today together. … Amen
Monday, August 26, 2013
August 26, 2013 … My Plans – God’s Plans
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 238
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and pertinent song sung by Alison Krauss, leading in worship and singing the old hymn Be Thou My Vision, encouraging us to make the Lord’s way our vision rather than seeking our way in life. … And then, with this link ... please take in the song, written and performed by Laura Story, entitled Be Thou My Vision, which help us to realize that many times the tragedies of life can be some of God’s greatest blessings in reshaping our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – Proverbs 19: 21- [NLT]: …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
============
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Faith in action is God’s witness to the world!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
My Journal for Today: Today in my workplace devotional, by Os Hillman, he told the story of Samuel Morse, whom you may know of as the father of my digital blogging today or other many other devices which we now use daily, like texting or emailing. All of them were off-shoots and advances in the electronic telegraph, which Morse invented in 1837. We also know his name from the development of “Morse” code which he developed along with the telegraph to send messages more efficiently; … and now many of us do our own “Morse coding” by shortening our language when we text with abbreviations like “THX” or “LOL” or “BFF.” So, we can “THK” Samuel Morse for things we do so casually to communicate our ideas these days.
But I didn’t know, until Hillman told Morse’s story today, that Samuel Morse wanted to be an artist; and had even gone to France to paint and reflect on his life after a series of personal tragedies. But on his trip back from France in casual conversations, Morse picked up the idea for using electricity to send coded messages; and we now know that the telegraph and Morse coding resulted from that, … which then evolved into many of the forms of communications we use right now to communicate.
Wouldn’t you agree, as Alison Krauss and Laura Story sing (linked above), that many of the U-turns or redirections in life are created by God allowing the challenges of life to reshape our life directions or plans? Today’s biblical references to Proverbs 19: 21 or 3: 5-6 above, cry out the truth that God’s plans are HIS plans and many times in life God’s planning must be brought about in our lives by the interruptions or redirections from our own planning and choices.
And I’d almost bet right now you’re thinking of some event or roadblock or mountain you had to climb in life which took you to a redirection changing your life planning in some major way. That’s certainly the case for yours truly; because when I look back over the course or path of my life, I can see quite a few times when the directions of my life were forged by situations or circumstances that were way beyond my choosing; … and those paths, which led me from atheism to faith, … from addiction to sex to addiction to God’ word, … and from self-destruction to Savior discipleship, all were led by a God who cared much more about loving me than allowing me to make selfish choices which would ultimately lead me down Satan’s paths in life.
So, don’t let the difficulties or tragedies of life con you into thinking that God doesn’t care. God is in the reshaping and redirecting business in your life, just as He was for Samuel Morse; and sometimes it may take a tragedy or trial or test in our life to help us stay on God’s course in life rather than allowing us to keep on heading on our own chosen way, which God knows will be a spiritual disaster if we were to continue down that selfish path.
Go back and listen to those songs linked above again; and see if they don’t get you to realize that God only wants us to follow His paths, … in HIS timing, … and in HIS way; and only because He loves us so much.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, AGAIN … I’m following You today; … no matter where You lead me. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and pertinent song sung by Alison Krauss, leading in worship and singing the old hymn Be Thou My Vision, encouraging us to make the Lord’s way our vision rather than seeking our way in life. … And then, with this link ... please take in the song, written and performed by Laura Story, entitled Be Thou My Vision, which help us to realize that many times the tragedies of life can be some of God’s greatest blessings in reshaping our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – Proverbs 19: 21- [NLT]: …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
============
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Faith in action is God’s witness to the world!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.
My Journal for Today: Today in my workplace devotional, by Os Hillman, he told the story of Samuel Morse, whom you may know of as the father of my digital blogging today or other many other devices which we now use daily, like texting or emailing. All of them were off-shoots and advances in the electronic telegraph, which Morse invented in 1837. We also know his name from the development of “Morse” code which he developed along with the telegraph to send messages more efficiently; … and now many of us do our own “Morse coding” by shortening our language when we text with abbreviations like “THX” or “LOL” or “BFF.” So, we can “THK” Samuel Morse for things we do so casually to communicate our ideas these days.
But I didn’t know, until Hillman told Morse’s story today, that Samuel Morse wanted to be an artist; and had even gone to France to paint and reflect on his life after a series of personal tragedies. But on his trip back from France in casual conversations, Morse picked up the idea for using electricity to send coded messages; and we now know that the telegraph and Morse coding resulted from that, … which then evolved into many of the forms of communications we use right now to communicate.
Wouldn’t you agree, as Alison Krauss and Laura Story sing (linked above), that many of the U-turns or redirections in life are created by God allowing the challenges of life to reshape our life directions or plans? Today’s biblical references to Proverbs 19: 21 or 3: 5-6 above, cry out the truth that God’s plans are HIS plans and many times in life God’s planning must be brought about in our lives by the interruptions or redirections from our own planning and choices.
And I’d almost bet right now you’re thinking of some event or roadblock or mountain you had to climb in life which took you to a redirection changing your life planning in some major way. That’s certainly the case for yours truly; because when I look back over the course or path of my life, I can see quite a few times when the directions of my life were forged by situations or circumstances that were way beyond my choosing; … and those paths, which led me from atheism to faith, … from addiction to sex to addiction to God’ word, … and from self-destruction to Savior discipleship, all were led by a God who cared much more about loving me than allowing me to make selfish choices which would ultimately lead me down Satan’s paths in life.
So, don’t let the difficulties or tragedies of life con you into thinking that God doesn’t care. God is in the reshaping and redirecting business in your life, just as He was for Samuel Morse; and sometimes it may take a tragedy or trial or test in our life to help us stay on God’s course in life rather than allowing us to keep on heading on our own chosen way, which God knows will be a spiritual disaster if we were to continue down that selfish path.
Go back and listen to those songs linked above again; and see if they don’t get you to realize that God only wants us to follow His paths, … in HIS timing, … and in HIS way; and only because He loves us so much.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, AGAIN … I’m following You today; … no matter where You lead me. … Amen
Sunday, August 25, 2013
August 25, 2013 … The Repentance of the Faithful
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 237
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful, sung by Steve Green, singing Find Us Faithful, reminding us that we, the repentant remnant of the faith, must do all we can to do what God commanded of His faithful and that is to walk the walk of faith no matter what our spiritual enemies and unGodly worldly leaders say or do.
Highlight meditation passage – 2nd Chronicles 34: 19- [NLT]: …
19 When the king [Josiah] heard what was written in the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. 20 Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: 21 “Go to the Temple and speak to the LORD for me and for all the remnant of Israel and Judah. Inquire about the words written in the scroll that has been found. For the LORD’s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the LORD. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do.”
============
Highlight reading study of 2nd Chronicles, Chapters 33-34: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 1: 18-32 [God will not allow a nation to go on in absolute disdain for His commands.] … [NLT] … Go this link ...
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Jesus’ call is simply to follow Him – no matter what the leaders of the country say or do.] … [NLT] …
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. ... "
Reference Passage #3: Hebrews 12: 1 [God’s call is always to avoid the sins of our predecessors and follow Christ.] … [NLT] …
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
My Journal for Today: Well, my friend, if you’re a history buff or a student of the Old Testament, you probably have read or studied in the books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles, where a lot of the history of God’s chosen people, is documented. And most certainly such reading may not be the most exciting of studies; but in those books a lot of what happened in God’s relationship with His people during the age of the Kings was laid out. And today Os Hillman leads his readers (that’s me!) to the accounts of the reign of Josiah, the young king who came to power in the southern kingdom of Judah after the rule of two successive evil kings, Manasseh and his son, Amon.
These latter two kings were really bad dudes; and they had led Judah way-way astray into evil practices which almost spit in the face of God. Josiah, on the other hand, when he became King in Judah at the age of only eight (8), began to turn things around; and somehow, and to me with the anointing and prevenient grace of God, led the people out of their previous rebellion, following what Josiah knew had been the past practices of King David.
However, when Josiah was 26, the priests in the Temple found the scrolls of God’s word, i.e., the Book of the Law. And when God’s word was read before Josiah, as you can read above in 2nd Chronicles 34: 19, he was deeply moved to grieve what God’s people had done during the evil years of Manasseh and Amon. And so, Josiah went into surrender and repentance mode; and though God ultimately had to punish Judah for the disobedience of His people, a merciful God spared Josiah and all of his family and the repentant remnant who had followed Josiah.
Reading these chapters (linked above), caused me to think about what is going on in our world today, especially in this country which was founded on Godly principles, following the lead of Godly leaders. However, now we’re living in a period of national choices and actions which would have to be akin to those years when Manasseh and his son were leading Judah. And I believe, in reading and knowing the truth of Romans 1: 18-32, God is in the process of lifting His merciful hand of protection from a nation which He has seemingly blessed for many, many ages after our founding.
Now however, knowing what Christ had commanded of His disciples (including nations) in Luke 9: 23 and His call for us to be His faithful followers (see Hebrews 12: 1 above), other than some wondrous act of mercy for God to protect His remnant of repentant faithful, I believe in the upcoming years, we’re going to see God, Who has already begun to lift His Spirit’s protection of America, let the leadership of the USA go into the hands of Satan for a season; and it could be an ugly spectacle! And oh, how I hate to think that my kids and grandkids may have to live through the upcoming agony.
But as Steve Green sings in the song to which I’ve linked you today, I pray that we can be of the faithful, as was Josiah in the Old Testament, and many of the faithful disciples of Christ in the 1st Century, remaining true to honor God no matter the circumstances … yes, even if it takes becoming martyrs for the faith.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me to be faithful! … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this powerful, sung by Steve Green, singing Find Us Faithful, reminding us that we, the repentant remnant of the faith, must do all we can to do what God commanded of His faithful and that is to walk the walk of faith no matter what our spiritual enemies and unGodly worldly leaders say or do.
Highlight meditation passage – 2nd Chronicles 34: 19- [NLT]: …
19 When the king [Josiah] heard what was written in the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. 20 Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: 21 “Go to the Temple and speak to the LORD for me and for all the remnant of Israel and Judah. Inquire about the words written in the scroll that has been found. For the LORD’s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the LORD. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do.”
============
Highlight reading study of 2nd Chronicles, Chapters 33-34: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 1: 18-32 [God will not allow a nation to go on in absolute disdain for His commands.] … [NLT] … Go this link ...
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Jesus’ call is simply to follow Him – no matter what the leaders of the country say or do.] … [NLT] …
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. ... "
Reference Passage #3: Hebrews 12: 1 [God’s call is always to avoid the sins of our predecessors and follow Christ.] … [NLT] …
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
My Journal for Today: Well, my friend, if you’re a history buff or a student of the Old Testament, you probably have read or studied in the books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles, where a lot of the history of God’s chosen people, is documented. And most certainly such reading may not be the most exciting of studies; but in those books a lot of what happened in God’s relationship with His people during the age of the Kings was laid out. And today Os Hillman leads his readers (that’s me!) to the accounts of the reign of Josiah, the young king who came to power in the southern kingdom of Judah after the rule of two successive evil kings, Manasseh and his son, Amon.
These latter two kings were really bad dudes; and they had led Judah way-way astray into evil practices which almost spit in the face of God. Josiah, on the other hand, when he became King in Judah at the age of only eight (8), began to turn things around; and somehow, and to me with the anointing and prevenient grace of God, led the people out of their previous rebellion, following what Josiah knew had been the past practices of King David.
However, when Josiah was 26, the priests in the Temple found the scrolls of God’s word, i.e., the Book of the Law. And when God’s word was read before Josiah, as you can read above in 2nd Chronicles 34: 19, he was deeply moved to grieve what God’s people had done during the evil years of Manasseh and Amon. And so, Josiah went into surrender and repentance mode; and though God ultimately had to punish Judah for the disobedience of His people, a merciful God spared Josiah and all of his family and the repentant remnant who had followed Josiah.
Reading these chapters (linked above), caused me to think about what is going on in our world today, especially in this country which was founded on Godly principles, following the lead of Godly leaders. However, now we’re living in a period of national choices and actions which would have to be akin to those years when Manasseh and his son were leading Judah. And I believe, in reading and knowing the truth of Romans 1: 18-32, God is in the process of lifting His merciful hand of protection from a nation which He has seemingly blessed for many, many ages after our founding.
Now however, knowing what Christ had commanded of His disciples (including nations) in Luke 9: 23 and His call for us to be His faithful followers (see Hebrews 12: 1 above), other than some wondrous act of mercy for God to protect His remnant of repentant faithful, I believe in the upcoming years, we’re going to see God, Who has already begun to lift His Spirit’s protection of America, let the leadership of the USA go into the hands of Satan for a season; and it could be an ugly spectacle! And oh, how I hate to think that my kids and grandkids may have to live through the upcoming agony.
But as Steve Green sings in the song to which I’ve linked you today, I pray that we can be of the faithful, as was Josiah in the Old Testament, and many of the faithful disciples of Christ in the 1st Century, remaining true to honor God no matter the circumstances … yes, even if it takes becoming martyrs for the faith.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me to be faithful! … Amen
Saturday, August 24, 2013
August 24, 2013 … God’s Faith-building Strategies
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 236
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Again today, like yesterday, please take in this powerful, sung by three great Christian singers, Clay Crosse, Bebe Wynans, and Bob Carlisle, singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding us that no matter what happens in life, as the “called ones” according to God’s will (i.e., we Christians), we must follow Christ.
Highlight meditation passage – Hebrews 10: 35-36 [with verses 35-39] [NLT]: …
35 Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.
37“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” [Hab. 2: 3-4]
39But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Hebrews, Chapters 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 1: 12-15 [What has God called Christians toward; unrighteousness or righteousness? ] … [NLT] …
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Jesus’ call is simply to follow Him.] … [NLT] …
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. ... "
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 6: 33 [God’s call is always to seek Christ first and His righteousness.] … [NLT] …
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
My Journal for Today: How does God want us to live? And why does He seem SO OFTEN to have to put us through such agony to get us in a place to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23 above)?
As a fellow Christian, called by Christ Himself to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else,” (from Matt. 6: 33) have you ever found yourself having to go through what seems like hell to get to heaven? Yeah, I know, … been there, done that, and have that t-shirt, … don’t we?
How often in Scripture do we read of God putting His stalwarts through a lot of hellish stuff to hone and ripen them for His service. Think of the likes of Moses, Jonah, and the Apostles Paul and Peter, … just to name a few. Think of their life stories and how God used them for His glory, but even more so how He prepared them for His glory. … Now think of our own life story; and I would bet that you – like me – have gone (or are going through) some really crappy stuff (if you’ll pardon my crass language) in the process of reshaping us into His own image and to refine us through the fires of life to purify our testimony/witness.
So, as the author of our highlight passage exhorts today in Hebrews 10, who quoted from one of those whom God took through the fire of faith preparation, Habakkuk, (see the quote from Hab. 2: 3-4 above) we must do what my devotional song sings today; and that is to follow Christ in faith … NO MATTER WHAT!!
And I’m going to tell you, my dear one, that we must not be surprised or deterred from Christ’s call of Luke 9: 23 no matter what we must go through to follow our Lord. My friend, should we be surprised, when we turn – in repentance – and walk toward Christ, that our Lord’s powerful enemy, Satan, is going to do all he can to discourage us, to deter us, and to destroy our witness for our Savior? And Satan knows exactly where our weaknesses lie; and he’s going to do all he can to draw our worship/witness to himself and away from our witness for Christ.
So, my fellow Christian, I charge us all to review today’s devotional song and all of God’s word, upon which I’ve meditated and copied here today, so that we all will stay on the path where Christ, through His Spirit, is leading us. We all must “keep on keeping on in Christ” as my symbol … <'KOKO>< … reminds me. Let me pray for both of us …
My Prayer for Today … Lord, if I, or any who read here, must go through the pains of fire to be purified and readied for Your service, I, for one, thank You for these fires which prepare us to do battle in Your Name. Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Again today, like yesterday, please take in this powerful, sung by three great Christian singers, Clay Crosse, Bebe Wynans, and Bob Carlisle, singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding us that no matter what happens in life, as the “called ones” according to God’s will (i.e., we Christians), we must follow Christ.
Highlight meditation passage – Hebrews 10: 35-36 [with verses 35-39] [NLT]: …
35 Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.
37“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” [Hab. 2: 3-4]
39But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Hebrews, Chapters 10: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 1: 12-15 [What has God called Christians toward; unrighteousness or righteousness? ] … [NLT] …
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Reference Passage #2: Luke 9: 23 [Jesus’ call is simply to follow Him.] … [NLT] …
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. ... "
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 6: 33 [God’s call is always to seek Christ first and His righteousness.] … [NLT] …
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.
My Journal for Today: How does God want us to live? And why does He seem SO OFTEN to have to put us through such agony to get us in a place to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23 above)?
As a fellow Christian, called by Christ Himself to “seek the Kingdom of God above all else,” (from Matt. 6: 33) have you ever found yourself having to go through what seems like hell to get to heaven? Yeah, I know, … been there, done that, and have that t-shirt, … don’t we?
How often in Scripture do we read of God putting His stalwarts through a lot of hellish stuff to hone and ripen them for His service. Think of the likes of Moses, Jonah, and the Apostles Paul and Peter, … just to name a few. Think of their life stories and how God used them for His glory, but even more so how He prepared them for His glory. … Now think of our own life story; and I would bet that you – like me – have gone (or are going through) some really crappy stuff (if you’ll pardon my crass language) in the process of reshaping us into His own image and to refine us through the fires of life to purify our testimony/witness.
So, as the author of our highlight passage exhorts today in Hebrews 10, who quoted from one of those whom God took through the fire of faith preparation, Habakkuk, (see the quote from Hab. 2: 3-4 above) we must do what my devotional song sings today; and that is to follow Christ in faith … NO MATTER WHAT!!
And I’m going to tell you, my dear one, that we must not be surprised or deterred from Christ’s call of Luke 9: 23 no matter what we must go through to follow our Lord. My friend, should we be surprised, when we turn – in repentance – and walk toward Christ, that our Lord’s powerful enemy, Satan, is going to do all he can to discourage us, to deter us, and to destroy our witness for our Savior? And Satan knows exactly where our weaknesses lie; and he’s going to do all he can to draw our worship/witness to himself and away from our witness for Christ.
So, my fellow Christian, I charge us all to review today’s devotional song and all of God’s word, upon which I’ve meditated and copied here today, so that we all will stay on the path where Christ, through His Spirit, is leading us. We all must “keep on keeping on in Christ” as my symbol … <'KOKO>< … reminds me. Let me pray for both of us …
My Prayer for Today … Lord, if I, or any who read here, must go through the pains of fire to be purified and readied for Your service, I, for one, thank You for these fires which prepare us to do battle in Your Name. Amen
Friday, August 23, 2013
August 23, 2013 … Waiting On God Is Work
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 235
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... and take in this powerful song, sung by three great Christian singers, Clay Crosse, Bebe Wynans, and Bob Carlisle, singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding us that waiting on God is an active – very active – following process.
Highlight meditation passage – Psalm 37: 23 [with verses 23-24] [NLT]: …
23 The steps of the Godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
============
Reference Passage #1: Joshua 1: 8 [Having a command of God’s word is at the heart of waiting on God.] … [NLT] …
8 Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.
Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Waiting on God is a trusting and seeking process.] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.
Reference Passage #3: Philippians 4: 6-7 [Seeking God’s peace in prayer is essential in finding God’s will and His way.] … [NLT] …
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Reference Passage #4: 2nd Corinthians 13: 1 [Getting Godly counsel helps to confirm where God is leading us.] … [NLT] …
18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.
My Journal for Today: Waiting on God is never a passive process. When we have a task to accomplish or need direction from God, waiting on God is ALWAYS great wisdom. However, that process is not a “sit back and wait” kind of deal; is it? No, … It involves a following of The LORD and a lot of work!
And this morning’s song, to which I link you above, points to the following process. And the first thing we must do in waiting on the Lord is to do all we can to be following Christ; and this involves searching and seeking God’s will and His way from His word.
Do you remember what Joshua had to do after Moses died; and God laid out the task for Joshua to take God’s people into the Promised Land? And In Joshua 1: 1-9 God encouraged Joshua; but the Lord also gave him God’s prescription for success, which was to be in God’s word – day and night - and actively pursuing His way through His word. And my friend, that takes work.
Next waiting on God takes trust. And as you read a passage I refer to often in my devotionals, Proverbs 3: 5-6, we see that we must avoid selfishly doing life our own way; and we must seek God’s will and His way. And quite often – well, mostly – that takes work!
And then in waiting on God, we must avoid anxiety and worry; and in Philippians 4: 6-7 God, through Paul, gives His prescription for anxiety; and that, of course, is prayer; and when we’re praying we should be taking whatever leanings we have in our mind/heart to God for His confirmation. And according to the Phil. 4 truth, when we humbly bring a leaning to God which is solidly in His will, He will give us His peace, … taking away all our worry and give us His way to proceed. And all of this takes work!
Finally, waiting on God involves getting confirmation from counsel; and Paul also advised us (see 2nd Cor. 13: 1 above) that we’d never lead an army into battle without getting solid, God affirming, counsel. Therefore, as one is waiting on God’s will, for His way, it is wise to seek out advice from other Godly, trustworthy CHRISTIAN counselors. And you guessed it, that is work!
So, we see that waiting on God’s will and seeking His way is a VERY ACTIVE process and will never involve just sitting back and doing nothing. Therefore, … when we seek the Lord’s will and His way from His word, praying and getting counsel from other Christians, we may get worn out waiting for God.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I seek Your way today; and I know that it’s going to be God’s work in the process. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... and take in this powerful song, sung by three great Christian singers, Clay Crosse, Bebe Wynans, and Bob Carlisle, singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding us that waiting on God is an active – very active – following process.
Highlight meditation passage – Psalm 37: 23 [with verses 23-24] [NLT]: …
23 The steps of the Godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
============
Reference Passage #1: Joshua 1: 8 [Having a command of God’s word is at the heart of waiting on God.] … [NLT] …
8 Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.
Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Waiting on God is a trusting and seeking process.] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.
Reference Passage #3: Philippians 4: 6-7 [Seeking God’s peace in prayer is essential in finding God’s will and His way.] … [NLT] …
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Reference Passage #4: 2nd Corinthians 13: 1 [Getting Godly counsel helps to confirm where God is leading us.] … [NLT] …
18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.
My Journal for Today: Waiting on God is never a passive process. When we have a task to accomplish or need direction from God, waiting on God is ALWAYS great wisdom. However, that process is not a “sit back and wait” kind of deal; is it? No, … It involves a following of The LORD and a lot of work!
And this morning’s song, to which I link you above, points to the following process. And the first thing we must do in waiting on the Lord is to do all we can to be following Christ; and this involves searching and seeking God’s will and His way from His word.
Do you remember what Joshua had to do after Moses died; and God laid out the task for Joshua to take God’s people into the Promised Land? And In Joshua 1: 1-9 God encouraged Joshua; but the Lord also gave him God’s prescription for success, which was to be in God’s word – day and night - and actively pursuing His way through His word. And my friend, that takes work.
Next waiting on God takes trust. And as you read a passage I refer to often in my devotionals, Proverbs 3: 5-6, we see that we must avoid selfishly doing life our own way; and we must seek God’s will and His way. And quite often – well, mostly – that takes work!
And then in waiting on God, we must avoid anxiety and worry; and in Philippians 4: 6-7 God, through Paul, gives His prescription for anxiety; and that, of course, is prayer; and when we’re praying we should be taking whatever leanings we have in our mind/heart to God for His confirmation. And according to the Phil. 4 truth, when we humbly bring a leaning to God which is solidly in His will, He will give us His peace, … taking away all our worry and give us His way to proceed. And all of this takes work!
Finally, waiting on God involves getting confirmation from counsel; and Paul also advised us (see 2nd Cor. 13: 1 above) that we’d never lead an army into battle without getting solid, God affirming, counsel. Therefore, as one is waiting on God’s will, for His way, it is wise to seek out advice from other Godly, trustworthy CHRISTIAN counselors. And you guessed it, that is work!
So, we see that waiting on God’s will and seeking His way is a VERY ACTIVE process and will never involve just sitting back and doing nothing. Therefore, … when we seek the Lord’s will and His way from His word, praying and getting counsel from other Christians, we may get worn out waiting for God.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I seek Your way today; and I know that it’s going to be God’s work in the process. … Amen
Thursday, August 22, 2013
August 22, 2013 … Walking Out Of Darkness Into The Light
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 234
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Take in this encouraging old hymn, sung by Michael W Smith, singing Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus, reminding us that the only way we can walk away from the darkness of this world is to pursue His light in our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 20: 21 [with verses 18-21] [NLT]: …
18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. 19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” 20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” 21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
==============
Highlight reading study #1 of Exodus, Chapters 20: Go to this link …
============
Reference Passage #1: John 3: 18-21 [NLT] [Jesus invites us to come the THE Light.]…
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 1-2 [Living a life bathed in light of Christlikeness.] … [NLT] …
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Reference Passage #3: 2nd Corinthians 4: 6 [We come to the light and out of the darkness when we do all we can to see and seek Jesus’ light.] … [NLT] …
6 For God, Who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
My Journal for Today: Have you ever been in a dark place of sinful living as a Christian, perhaps where you were unwilling or unable to confess your sin for a period of time, covering up the darkness in your life? … But then, … finally, … you came out from the darkness into the light by confessing your sin to God and to at least one other person? Do you recall the feelings of release and peace which you experienced in that moment of unburdening and your willingness to surrender to God’s Spirit and to come to the light of truth from the darkness of cover-up?
This morning I’ve linked you to one of my favorite hymns, in this case sung by Michael W Smith, which exhorts Christians to do all we can to turn our eyes on or toward Jesus. And this song is so powerful because it points us to the only way to come out of the darkness and into the light of Christ; and that is to seek His face by the way we live our lives [seek out above and meditate on Romans 12: 1-2 for Paul’s prescription for this kind of living].
I’m not going to write very much here today; because, like myself, I think you know, from the conviction and enlightenment ministry of the Holy Spirit, what Jesus was saying to Nicodemus in John 3: 18-21 or the Apostle Paul to Christians in 2nd Cor. 4: 6, both copied above for our meditation. And just as Michael W Smith sings, we must willing to come to the Light and out of the darkness by seeking to look into the face of Jesus in order to live lives which reflect Christ’s Light of truth and not the Satan-inspired darkness we see in this world.
We must ask ourselves; … “Are we living in the light or in the darkness?” And if our answer is the latter, we must come to the Light and out of the darkness by seeking to do all we can to live and reflect God’s truth in our lives.
I don’t know about you; but I could do more to live in the light.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, as I so often pray in this place, shine Your Light on my path so that I can clearly see where to walk out of the darkness and reflect Your light through my life. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Take in this encouraging old hymn, sung by Michael W Smith, singing Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus, reminding us that the only way we can walk away from the darkness of this world is to pursue His light in our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 20: 21 [with verses 18-21] [NLT]: …
18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. 19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” 20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” 21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
==============
Highlight reading study #1 of Exodus, Chapters 20: Go to this link …
============
Reference Passage #1: John 3: 18-21 [NLT] [Jesus invites us to come the THE Light.]…
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”
Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 1-2 [Living a life bathed in light of Christlikeness.] … [NLT] …
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Reference Passage #3: 2nd Corinthians 4: 6 [We come to the light and out of the darkness when we do all we can to see and seek Jesus’ light.] … [NLT] …
6 For God, Who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
My Journal for Today: Have you ever been in a dark place of sinful living as a Christian, perhaps where you were unwilling or unable to confess your sin for a period of time, covering up the darkness in your life? … But then, … finally, … you came out from the darkness into the light by confessing your sin to God and to at least one other person? Do you recall the feelings of release and peace which you experienced in that moment of unburdening and your willingness to surrender to God’s Spirit and to come to the light of truth from the darkness of cover-up?
This morning I’ve linked you to one of my favorite hymns, in this case sung by Michael W Smith, which exhorts Christians to do all we can to turn our eyes on or toward Jesus. And this song is so powerful because it points us to the only way to come out of the darkness and into the light of Christ; and that is to seek His face by the way we live our lives [seek out above and meditate on Romans 12: 1-2 for Paul’s prescription for this kind of living].
I’m not going to write very much here today; because, like myself, I think you know, from the conviction and enlightenment ministry of the Holy Spirit, what Jesus was saying to Nicodemus in John 3: 18-21 or the Apostle Paul to Christians in 2nd Cor. 4: 6, both copied above for our meditation. And just as Michael W Smith sings, we must willing to come to the Light and out of the darkness by seeking to look into the face of Jesus in order to live lives which reflect Christ’s Light of truth and not the Satan-inspired darkness we see in this world.
We must ask ourselves; … “Are we living in the light or in the darkness?” And if our answer is the latter, we must come to the Light and out of the darkness by seeking to do all we can to live and reflect God’s truth in our lives.
I don’t know about you; but I could do more to live in the light.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, as I so often pray in this place, shine Your Light on my path so that I can clearly see where to walk out of the darkness and reflect Your light through my life. … Amen
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
August 21, 2013 … God’s Strength and His Armor In Battle
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 233
Devotional Song: Go to this link … Twelve Minutes of Viewing that could change your life … with the Ellerslie Mission Society presenting the power of the Gospel to give us God’s full armor in battle. … Then listen – with this link to this encouraging song, sung by Steven Curtis Chapman, singing his lyrics in His Strength Is Perfect, also reminding us that the only way we can fight the battles of life is by wearing God’s full armor and by carrying His Spirit Sword.
Highlight meditation passage – Joshua 7: 10-12 [NLT]: …
10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen the things that I commanded to be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them; they have also lied about it and hidden the things among their belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Joshua, Chapters 7: Go to this link …
============
Reference Passage #1: Ephesians 6: 10-18 – Go to this link [Putting on God’s full armor to stand in our daily battles.] … [NLT] …
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman’s devotional takes me back to Joshua, Chapter 7 today, where God’s people, having crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land, and having taken Jericho in their first battle, now encountered a “small-time” enemy at Ai. This battle should’ve been an easy one for the Israelites; but as you read in Chapter 7 of Joshua’s book, the Amorites there soundly defeated God’s chosen peoples in battle.
And you may recall why. Yes, it was because of the disobedience of only ONE of the leaders of God’s army. His name was Achan; and in rebellion and disobedience, he was not willing to obey God’s commands. And therein is the message reminder for yours truly, as a soldier in God’s army – and perhaps for you as well.
When we go into battle today in the daily spiritual battles of life; and you know we will; we must be surrendered to God’s will totally so that we can put on His full armor and carry His well sharpened and practiced Sword of the Spirit (see Paul’s description of the armor in Ephesians 6: 10-18 linked above). Because, as the videos to which I’ve linked you today depict, we can be victors in battle rather than victims … IF and only IF … we’re humbly willing to be surrendered soldiers to our Commander in Chief (i.e., God’s Spirit), who will daily give us His strength to cover our weaknesses (as Steven Curtis Chapman sings in the song to which I’ve linked you today).
What about it, fellow soldier? Are you wearing God’s full armor today? Are you carrying a well-practiced and sharpened Spirit Sword? Because if you are, as I am, we can cover each other’s back as we do battle together today and we’ll take that high ground of prayer to hold it in Name of our King Jesus!
LET’S ROLL !!!
My Prayer for Today … Today, Lord, my co-warrior and I, reading here with me, are wearing Your armor and carrying Your Sword, Holy Spirit; and we’re here today to take the high ground of prayer in Your Name. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link … Twelve Minutes of Viewing that could change your life … with the Ellerslie Mission Society presenting the power of the Gospel to give us God’s full armor in battle. … Then listen – with this link to this encouraging song, sung by Steven Curtis Chapman, singing his lyrics in His Strength Is Perfect, also reminding us that the only way we can fight the battles of life is by wearing God’s full armor and by carrying His Spirit Sword.
Highlight meditation passage – Joshua 7: 10-12 [NLT]: …
10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen the things that I commanded to be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them; they have also lied about it and hidden the things among their belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.
============
Highlight reading study #1 of Joshua, Chapters 7: Go to this link …
============
Reference Passage #1: Ephesians 6: 10-18 – Go to this link [Putting on God’s full armor to stand in our daily battles.] … [NLT] …
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman’s devotional takes me back to Joshua, Chapter 7 today, where God’s people, having crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land, and having taken Jericho in their first battle, now encountered a “small-time” enemy at Ai. This battle should’ve been an easy one for the Israelites; but as you read in Chapter 7 of Joshua’s book, the Amorites there soundly defeated God’s chosen peoples in battle.
And you may recall why. Yes, it was because of the disobedience of only ONE of the leaders of God’s army. His name was Achan; and in rebellion and disobedience, he was not willing to obey God’s commands. And therein is the message reminder for yours truly, as a soldier in God’s army – and perhaps for you as well.
When we go into battle today in the daily spiritual battles of life; and you know we will; we must be surrendered to God’s will totally so that we can put on His full armor and carry His well sharpened and practiced Sword of the Spirit (see Paul’s description of the armor in Ephesians 6: 10-18 linked above). Because, as the videos to which I’ve linked you today depict, we can be victors in battle rather than victims … IF and only IF … we’re humbly willing to be surrendered soldiers to our Commander in Chief (i.e., God’s Spirit), who will daily give us His strength to cover our weaknesses (as Steven Curtis Chapman sings in the song to which I’ve linked you today).
What about it, fellow soldier? Are you wearing God’s full armor today? Are you carrying a well-practiced and sharpened Spirit Sword? Because if you are, as I am, we can cover each other’s back as we do battle together today and we’ll take that high ground of prayer to hold it in Name of our King Jesus!
LET’S ROLL !!!
My Prayer for Today … Today, Lord, my co-warrior and I, reading here with me, are wearing Your armor and carrying Your Sword, Holy Spirit; and we’re here today to take the high ground of prayer in Your Name. … Amen
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