Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 265
Devotional Song: Go to this link -
Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Morgan Cryar, entitled What Sin?, reminding Christians that can’t let our perception of our sinfulness or weakness cloud us from seeing the reality that WE ARE SAVED; and God sees only the blood of His Son covering our sins.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Kings 19: 3-4 [NLT]: …
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
============
Highlight reading study of 1st Kings, Chapters 19`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Beware of our own perceptions!] … [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 #2: Jeremiah 17: 9 [Remember, what our senses feel may be deceiving us from the truth.] … [NLT] …
9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? ..."
Reference Passage #3: 1st John 1: 9 [Confession and repentance can make a new reality by God’s cleansing of our sin.] … [NLT] …
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Reference Passage #4: John 8: 31-32 [God’s reality!] … [NLT] …
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. 32 And you will know The Truth, and The Truth will set you free.”
My Journal for Today: It is not uncommon for believers – i.e., born-again, saved Christians – to become so blinded by their own weakness and their feelings of self-pity that they can’t see reality in the fog of their own perceptions. That was the case for the great Prophet Elijah just after he had brought down fire and rain from heaven with his prayers. Yet, in today’s highlight reading passage, from 1st Kings, Chapter 19 linked above, Elijah had gotten so tired and confused from trying to escape Jezebel, who was pursuing him, that he just wanted to die.
And so, here was the anointed one, Elijah, exhausted, sitting under a broom tree, so discouraged and depressed in his self-pity that his faith was gone in the very God Who had just delivered him with fire and rain. And his self-pity was so great in that moment of misperceived weakness that he, Elijah, just wanted to die to escape the pain of Jezebel’s wrath and his exhaustion. And if you read in today’s highlight passage, copied above, Elijah, in his self-pity, cries out for God to take his life. But God is having none of Elijah’s confused perceptions and feelings; and the Lord delivers Elijah back into the reality of The Truth of Whom God really is for His children; and that is our deliverer, … our redeemer, … our Savior.
And my friend, that is the also the message of the song to which I’ve linked any reader here with me today. We can, in our humanness and personal weakness, especially after we’ve experienced some spiritual high, get our human perceptions distorted by our pride or sometimes from the physical exhaustion of going through some great and wonderful spiritual experience. In other words, beware of our feelings and perceptions when we’ve gone through some mountain-top spiritual experience.
Satan, knows that we’re vulnerable when we’re feeling prideful or when we’re physically or emotionally exhausted; and he will do all he can to get us to feel like we’re weak or unworthy, fogging us from the truth of 1st John 1: 7-9, also copied above. And as Morgan Cryar sings in today’s devotional song, when we confess our sins of pride or anxiety before God, He will say, “What sin?” And like Elijah we will be healed and brought back to reality – the reality of God’s cleansing blood.
So, my fellow Christian, if today I’ve happened to catch you in the midst of some self-perceived unworthiness or a pity-party brought on by emotional exhaustion, … take a step back and meditate on the truth Morgan Cryar sings about in his song; or … languish in the healing truth of the 1st John passage above. Because, you may now be having trouble seeing or feeling the truth; but God’s truth, i.e., His promise, is THE ONLY REALITY; and when we know and can see The Truth, He will set us free [see John 8: 32].
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for taking me out from the darkness of my self-perceptions into the reality of Your Truth. … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
September 21, 2013 … A Problem Or A Calling?
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 264
Devotional Song: Go to this link - If you were with me yesterday, you’ll notice that this powerful song, sung by Avalon, Everything To Me, is the same one I was led to in my devotional blog, reminding us that, no matter what circumstances or challenges we have in life, God must be ALL … EVERYTHING to us. And then, also yesterday, I asked those following my blog to go to this link and take in this God Tube video piece asking us if God is truly EVERYTHING in our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Samuel 9: 20 [with verses 18-20] [NLT]: …
18 Just then Saul approached Samuel at the gateway and asked, “Can you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” 19 “I am the seer!” Samuel replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way. 20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.”
============
Highlight reading study of 1st Samuel, 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 #2: Romans 8: 28 [Yes, even the mundane problems we’re going through are ALWAYS for our good as Christians.] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 6: 33 [in context with verses 31-33 [If we’re seeking God’s way, He’ll show us the right way; and many times we find the right way in dealing with the problems of life.] … [NLT] …
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. …"
Reference Passage #4: Psalm 119: 105 [God’s word is the best place to go to seek God’s will and His ways in the midst of the confusions of life.] … [NLT] …
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
My Journal for Today: Have you ever noticed how the problems or the challenges of life can divert our attention away from what should be our primary focus – and that, as a Christian, is, of course, our relationship with Christ. We, as faulty, pride-oriented humans, are so very vulnerable to the desires of our deceit-ridden flesh (see an old reminder in Jeremiah 17: 9, which you would have internalized long ago if you’ve been following my blogs).
In following my Os Hillman devotional today, he directed his readers (yes, moi) back to the very pertinent story of when Saul, serving his father’s wishes and seeking after a few donkeys, was led by this search to the Prophet Samuel, who God was also being led by God to meet Saul to anoint him as the first king of God’s peoples. And in their meeting, [see the story in the highlight passage, linked above] Samuel, prophetically tells Saul to quit worrying about the donkeys and focus on his future with God. And that had to have impressed Saul, seeing that Samuel knew about the donkey search without Saul having said anything to Samuel about this mundane problem in Saul’s life.
Sometimes, when we’re immersed in the midst of some mundane issue, we have trouble seeing that what we’re going through, no matter how problematic, is for our good and can be a calling from God to bigger, God-honoring, issues in life (see the reminder of Romans 8: 28 above). Yes, as Christ Himself reminded His followers in Matthew 6: 33 (and that’s you and me as Christians), we’re not to get wrapped up in the mundane, selfish issues involving God’s providence. Because if we truly believe Romans 8: 28 and Matthew 6: 33, we’ll not worry about issues involving lost donkeys; and we’ll – in faith – focus on trusting God [see Prov. 3: 5-6] to use the problems in life to show us more of His will and His way.
And how do we focus on God’s will instead of getting wrapped up in selfish desires? Well, I’ve discovered that – at least for this humble Christian - it’s important for me to stay focused on His word, so that my seeking God first and His righteous ways through His word will lead me to stay on His path in life rather than getting blinded or diverted by my own selfish heart (again, Jer. 17:9).
Hence, tomorrow – God willing - you’ll find me here, seeking God’s will and His ways again … by digging deeply into His word (see Psalm 119: 105 referenced above). …
How about you?
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for showing my Your path by being in Your word … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
Devotional Song: Go to this link - If you were with me yesterday, you’ll notice that this powerful song, sung by Avalon, Everything To Me, is the same one I was led to in my devotional blog, reminding us that, no matter what circumstances or challenges we have in life, God must be ALL … EVERYTHING to us. And then, also yesterday, I asked those following my blog to go to this link and take in this God Tube video piece asking us if God is truly EVERYTHING in our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Samuel 9: 20 [with verses 18-20] [NLT]: …
18 Just then Saul approached Samuel at the gateway and asked, “Can you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” 19 “I am the seer!” Samuel replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way. 20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.”
============
Highlight reading study of 1st Samuel, 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 #2: Romans 8: 28 [Yes, even the mundane problems we’re going through are ALWAYS for our good as Christians.] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 6: 33 [in context with verses 31-33 [If we’re seeking God’s way, He’ll show us the right way; and many times we find the right way in dealing with the problems of life.] … [NLT] …
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. …"
Reference Passage #4: Psalm 119: 105 [God’s word is the best place to go to seek God’s will and His ways in the midst of the confusions of life.] … [NLT] …
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
My Journal for Today: Have you ever noticed how the problems or the challenges of life can divert our attention away from what should be our primary focus – and that, as a Christian, is, of course, our relationship with Christ. We, as faulty, pride-oriented humans, are so very vulnerable to the desires of our deceit-ridden flesh (see an old reminder in Jeremiah 17: 9, which you would have internalized long ago if you’ve been following my blogs).
In following my Os Hillman devotional today, he directed his readers (yes, moi) back to the very pertinent story of when Saul, serving his father’s wishes and seeking after a few donkeys, was led by this search to the Prophet Samuel, who God was also being led by God to meet Saul to anoint him as the first king of God’s peoples. And in their meeting, [see the story in the highlight passage, linked above] Samuel, prophetically tells Saul to quit worrying about the donkeys and focus on his future with God. And that had to have impressed Saul, seeing that Samuel knew about the donkey search without Saul having said anything to Samuel about this mundane problem in Saul’s life.
Sometimes, when we’re immersed in the midst of some mundane issue, we have trouble seeing that what we’re going through, no matter how problematic, is for our good and can be a calling from God to bigger, God-honoring, issues in life (see the reminder of Romans 8: 28 above). Yes, as Christ Himself reminded His followers in Matthew 6: 33 (and that’s you and me as Christians), we’re not to get wrapped up in the mundane, selfish issues involving God’s providence. Because if we truly believe Romans 8: 28 and Matthew 6: 33, we’ll not worry about issues involving lost donkeys; and we’ll – in faith – focus on trusting God [see Prov. 3: 5-6] to use the problems in life to show us more of His will and His way.
And how do we focus on God’s will instead of getting wrapped up in selfish desires? Well, I’ve discovered that – at least for this humble Christian - it’s important for me to stay focused on His word, so that my seeking God first and His righteous ways through His word will lead me to stay on His path in life rather than getting blinded or diverted by my own selfish heart (again, Jer. 17:9).
Hence, tomorrow – God willing - you’ll find me here, seeking God’s will and His ways again … by digging deeply into His word (see Psalm 119: 105 referenced above). …
How about you?
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for showing my Your path by being in Your word … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
Friday, September 20, 2013
September 20, 2013 … Everything? … REALLY!!
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 263
Devotional Song: Go to this link - PLEASE, before you read below, meditate on the call of this powerful song, sung by Avalon, Everything To Me, reminding us that God must be ALL … EVERYTHING to us; and then go to this link and take in this God Tube video piece asking us if God is truly EVERYTHING in our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – Isaiah 55: 6-7 [NLT]: …
6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.
============
Highlight reading study of Isaiah, Chapters 55`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 12: 1-2 [Living and holy sacrifice? … Really!] … [NLT] …
5 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 #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [“ALL?” Really!!] … [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: Luke 9: 23 [Are we really committed to being “ALL IN” followers of Christ?] … [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...."
My Journal for Today: Right now, as God’s Spirit – I believe – has led me to meditate on the passages from Scripture copied above, some oldies, but all goodies, … the Lord also led me to the video links which I’ve provided above. And today, in this quiet time with God, I’m remembering the topic of the current sermon series our Pastor is preaching during this last few weeks. It’s entitled “All In?;” and it deals with just how committed we Christians are to the One Who gave EVERYTHING for us. And in the series, Pastor Matt, is asking “Are we really ALL IN and giving EVERYTHING in our lives to and for Jesus?”
And that’s my application question this morning as I write this. If you were to ask me if I were a fully-committed DISCIPLE of Christ, I would declare a resounding “YES!!” But then the reference passages, some I’ve copied or quoted many, many times in my devotional journal entries, bubbled up from my consciousness, convicting me, and asking my “heart,” as a Christian, whether I’m really “ALL IN” for Christ or not. In other words, is Christ really my EVERYTHING or does my heart, which is so vulnerable to self-deceit or Satan’s ploys (see Jeremiah 17: 9, con me into saying that Jesus is EVERYTHING to me; but in reality I’m not really ALL IN for Him.
Well, that’s the matter of the second video link which I was led to take in and meditate on this morning; and It’s really caused me to go deeper in prayer than usual, pleading that God’s Spirit will take me deeper than ever before in my desire to have Christ be my EVERYTHING. And I pray that for you as well.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, take all who are here reading today; and most personally take me to become 100% … ALL IN … for You. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - PLEASE, before you read below, meditate on the call of this powerful song, sung by Avalon, Everything To Me, reminding us that God must be ALL … EVERYTHING to us; and then go to this link and take in this God Tube video piece asking us if God is truly EVERYTHING in our lives.
Highlight meditation passage – Isaiah 55: 6-7 [NLT]: …
6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.
============
Highlight reading study of Isaiah, Chapters 55`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 12: 1-2 [Living and holy sacrifice? … Really!] … [NLT] …
5 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 #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [“ALL?” Really!!] … [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: Luke 9: 23 [Are we really committed to being “ALL IN” followers of Christ?] … [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...."
My Journal for Today: Right now, as God’s Spirit – I believe – has led me to meditate on the passages from Scripture copied above, some oldies, but all goodies, … the Lord also led me to the video links which I’ve provided above. And today, in this quiet time with God, I’m remembering the topic of the current sermon series our Pastor is preaching during this last few weeks. It’s entitled “All In?;” and it deals with just how committed we Christians are to the One Who gave EVERYTHING for us. And in the series, Pastor Matt, is asking “Are we really ALL IN and giving EVERYTHING in our lives to and for Jesus?”
And that’s my application question this morning as I write this. If you were to ask me if I were a fully-committed DISCIPLE of Christ, I would declare a resounding “YES!!” But then the reference passages, some I’ve copied or quoted many, many times in my devotional journal entries, bubbled up from my consciousness, convicting me, and asking my “heart,” as a Christian, whether I’m really “ALL IN” for Christ or not. In other words, is Christ really my EVERYTHING or does my heart, which is so vulnerable to self-deceit or Satan’s ploys (see Jeremiah 17: 9, con me into saying that Jesus is EVERYTHING to me; but in reality I’m not really ALL IN for Him.
Well, that’s the matter of the second video link which I was led to take in and meditate on this morning; and It’s really caused me to go deeper in prayer than usual, pleading that God’s Spirit will take me deeper than ever before in my desire to have Christ be my EVERYTHING. And I pray that for you as well.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, take all who are here reading today; and most personally take me to become 100% … ALL IN … for You. … Amen
Thursday, September 19, 2013
September 19, 2013 … When things get tough …
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 262
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please meditate on the call of this purposeful and powerful song, It’s Going To Be Alright, sung by Sara Groves with some powerful God Tube images, … reminding us that when things get tough our belief and faith are the only things which bring us through the troubles.
Highlight meditation passage – Philippians 4: 6-7 [NLT]: … Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
============
Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 26: 3 [Yeah, … peace, that’s what I’m looking for.] … [NLT] …
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Reference Passage #2: Hebrews 11: 6 [No matter what; we must believe in Him.] … [NLT] …
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Reference Passage #3: Romans 8: 28 [It’s true; but do we believe it?] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Reference Passage #4: 1st Corinthians 10: 13 [He will bring us through! … Yes He will! … But do we believe it?] … [NLT] …
13 The temptations [tests, trials, tribulations, or troubles] 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 #5: 1st Peter 5: 7 [God wants us to come to Him; … but do we humble ourselves and take our trials to Him?] … [NLT] …
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
My Journal for Today: If you’re reading here along with me, can I assume that you know that we’re going to face trials or troubles in our lives, some of which may be overwhelming? Today my Os Hillman devotional reminded me that, all too often, our reflexive, almost knee-jerk, reaction, even as Christians, is to go into worry mode … or maybe even into a pity-party.
Yeah, that was my M.O. when troubles came my way many years ago; but I had a mentor who helped me see that there was a better way to handle my mental turmoil in the face of life’s challenges. He taught me to take my feelings of anguish and anxiety to God, using God’s own words in prayer to give me the peace promised in Philippians 4: 6-7 to deal with my feelings. And he also taught me a fool-proof prescription for my self-activated worries; and that was to memorize and internalize certain Scriptures which I could bubble up out of my consciousness when I was anxious about something in my life.
This morning after I was led to use the Philippians 4 passage as my highlight passage in this blog, like a flood of faith from God, the other five passage which I copied above bubbled up from my memory bank. And these are some of the ones which I now go to in prayer, verbalizing them back to God, and committing myself to their truth, which belays my fears and reduces – if not eliminates – my anxiety.
So, if you’re reading here and you have some anxiety about something in your life, I would challenge you to take the time and faith-building energy to memorize, contextualize, and internalize at least three of the Scriptures above. Then, … when you’re confronted with some life-testing trial or tribulation, take these Scriptures to God in prayer.
My anxiety-reducing exercise is to pray first to God, the Father, thanking Him for the blessing of life and yes, even for the blessing of the trials in my life. Then I recite, openly and verbally several of the scriptures above. … Secondly, I pray to God, The Son, thanking Him for saving me to live for Him; and I recite the same scriptures a second time. … And then, finally, I pray to God, the Holy Spirit, thanking Him for being in me and with me in the face of my trials, … once again reciting those verses a third time.
And I challenge you to take my prescription for worry and my anxiety reducing exercise above to heart and use it the next time you’re worrying about something deeply. My friend, my experience has been that this technique will always work to effectively reduce your anxiety; and if you really do this and it doesn’t seem to reduce your anxiety, I want to know about it. Email me @ billb13@bellsouth.net and tell me of your trials and how you used my worry reducing prescription.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for a way to take away my worries when I use the technique You gave me years ago. And I praise You because it only works because of You. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please meditate on the call of this purposeful and powerful song, It’s Going To Be Alright, sung by Sara Groves with some powerful God Tube images, … reminding us that when things get tough our belief and faith are the only things which bring us through the troubles.
Highlight meditation passage – Philippians 4: 6-7 [NLT]: … Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
============
Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 26: 3 [Yeah, … peace, that’s what I’m looking for.] … [NLT] …
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Reference Passage #2: Hebrews 11: 6 [No matter what; we must believe in Him.] … [NLT] …
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Reference Passage #3: Romans 8: 28 [It’s true; but do we believe it?] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Reference Passage #4: 1st Corinthians 10: 13 [He will bring us through! … Yes He will! … But do we believe it?] … [NLT] …
13 The temptations [tests, trials, tribulations, or troubles] 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 #5: 1st Peter 5: 7 [God wants us to come to Him; … but do we humble ourselves and take our trials to Him?] … [NLT] …
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
My Journal for Today: If you’re reading here along with me, can I assume that you know that we’re going to face trials or troubles in our lives, some of which may be overwhelming? Today my Os Hillman devotional reminded me that, all too often, our reflexive, almost knee-jerk, reaction, even as Christians, is to go into worry mode … or maybe even into a pity-party.
Yeah, that was my M.O. when troubles came my way many years ago; but I had a mentor who helped me see that there was a better way to handle my mental turmoil in the face of life’s challenges. He taught me to take my feelings of anguish and anxiety to God, using God’s own words in prayer to give me the peace promised in Philippians 4: 6-7 to deal with my feelings. And he also taught me a fool-proof prescription for my self-activated worries; and that was to memorize and internalize certain Scriptures which I could bubble up out of my consciousness when I was anxious about something in my life.
This morning after I was led to use the Philippians 4 passage as my highlight passage in this blog, like a flood of faith from God, the other five passage which I copied above bubbled up from my memory bank. And these are some of the ones which I now go to in prayer, verbalizing them back to God, and committing myself to their truth, which belays my fears and reduces – if not eliminates – my anxiety.
So, if you’re reading here and you have some anxiety about something in your life, I would challenge you to take the time and faith-building energy to memorize, contextualize, and internalize at least three of the Scriptures above. Then, … when you’re confronted with some life-testing trial or tribulation, take these Scriptures to God in prayer.
My anxiety-reducing exercise is to pray first to God, the Father, thanking Him for the blessing of life and yes, even for the blessing of the trials in my life. Then I recite, openly and verbally several of the scriptures above. … Secondly, I pray to God, The Son, thanking Him for saving me to live for Him; and I recite the same scriptures a second time. … And then, finally, I pray to God, the Holy Spirit, thanking Him for being in me and with me in the face of my trials, … once again reciting those verses a third time.
And I challenge you to take my prescription for worry and my anxiety reducing exercise above to heart and use it the next time you’re worrying about something deeply. My friend, my experience has been that this technique will always work to effectively reduce your anxiety; and if you really do this and it doesn’t seem to reduce your anxiety, I want to know about it. Email me @ billb13@bellsouth.net and tell me of your trials and how you used my worry reducing prescription.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for a way to take away my worries when I use the technique You gave me years ago. And I praise You because it only works because of You. … Amen
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
September 18, 2013 … Craftsmanship for Christ
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 261
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please meditate on the call of this poignant and powerful song, To Be Pleasing You, sung by The Maranatha Singers, … reminding us our lives, wherever God has planted us, are to be lived to please and glorify our Lord.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 31: 1-5 [NLT]: …
1 The LORD also said to Moses, 2 “Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft!
===========
Highlight meditation passage # 2 – Exodus 36: 1 [NLT]: …
1 “Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen whom the LORD has gifted with wisdom, skill, and intelligence will construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded.”
============
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 25: 14-30 [NLT] … Go to this link … [God will reward His faithful disciples.] …
Reference Passage #2: Hebrews 11: 6 [Serving God takes faith.] … [NLT] …
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Reference Passage #3: Romans 12: 1-2 … Go to this link … [Using our gifts and talents so serve God in the workplace is our living sacrifice and worship of our Lord.] … [NLT] …
My Journal for Today: Os Hillman in his Workplace Ministries devotional today uses a biblical example from the Old Testament to illustrate a point that I’ve made often in this year of daily blogs; and that is the truth that GOD’S CALLING IS HIS ENABLEMENT. Hillman cites the example from Exodus, Chapters 31 and 36of the craftsman, Bezalel, who served God faithfully by using his skills as a craftsman when God called His servants to build His Tabernacle.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to speculate that most – if not all – born-again Christians desire to faithfully please God [see Hebrews 11: 6, cited above]. Don’t you, when you’re in the presence of the Lord in glory want to hear Him say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!” …
Of course we do!!
Jesus, in His parable of the talents (see Matthew 25: 14-30 linked above) tells the story, on His way to the cross and Jerusalem, that those who use who they are and what God has given them to serve the Master faithfully will be rewarded for their faithful service. But all too often we are conned by our spiritual enemies to believe the lies that we are worthless where we’ve been planted or that we should be somewhere else doing something more “spiritual” or more “sophisticated” to serve our God.
Os Hillman today, from his testimony, related the story of Os believing that he needed to drop out of the workplace and serve God in ministry by going to seminary to become a “full-time” pastor. But a set of financial circumstances took Hillman back into the workplace where he learned that he was being a “full-time pastor,” serving His Lord faithfully with the skills and gifting God had given him right there in the workplace.
That’s what the Maranatha Singers are singing about in today’s devotional song, linked for your mediation above. We will be pleasing to God and our lives will be a living sacrifice to/for the Lord (see Romans 12: 1-2 linked above) when we resign ourselves that using all God has given us and using in where He has planted us will allow us to one day – in glory – hear the Master say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!”
My Prayer for Today … Lord, use me today, as You’ve gifted me, for Your glory! … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please meditate on the call of this poignant and powerful song, To Be Pleasing You, sung by The Maranatha Singers, … reminding us our lives, wherever God has planted us, are to be lived to please and glorify our Lord.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 31: 1-5 [NLT]: …
1 The LORD also said to Moses, 2 “Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft!
===========
Highlight meditation passage # 2 – Exodus 36: 1 [NLT]: …
1 “Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen whom the LORD has gifted with wisdom, skill, and intelligence will construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded.”
============
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 25: 14-30 [NLT] … Go to this link … [God will reward His faithful disciples.] …
Reference Passage #2: Hebrews 11: 6 [Serving God takes faith.] … [NLT] …
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
Reference Passage #3: Romans 12: 1-2 … Go to this link … [Using our gifts and talents so serve God in the workplace is our living sacrifice and worship of our Lord.] … [NLT] …
My Journal for Today: Os Hillman in his Workplace Ministries devotional today uses a biblical example from the Old Testament to illustrate a point that I’ve made often in this year of daily blogs; and that is the truth that GOD’S CALLING IS HIS ENABLEMENT. Hillman cites the example from Exodus, Chapters 31 and 36of the craftsman, Bezalel, who served God faithfully by using his skills as a craftsman when God called His servants to build His Tabernacle.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to speculate that most – if not all – born-again Christians desire to faithfully please God [see Hebrews 11: 6, cited above]. Don’t you, when you’re in the presence of the Lord in glory want to hear Him say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!” …
Of course we do!!
Jesus, in His parable of the talents (see Matthew 25: 14-30 linked above) tells the story, on His way to the cross and Jerusalem, that those who use who they are and what God has given them to serve the Master faithfully will be rewarded for their faithful service. But all too often we are conned by our spiritual enemies to believe the lies that we are worthless where we’ve been planted or that we should be somewhere else doing something more “spiritual” or more “sophisticated” to serve our God.
Os Hillman today, from his testimony, related the story of Os believing that he needed to drop out of the workplace and serve God in ministry by going to seminary to become a “full-time” pastor. But a set of financial circumstances took Hillman back into the workplace where he learned that he was being a “full-time pastor,” serving His Lord faithfully with the skills and gifting God had given him right there in the workplace.
That’s what the Maranatha Singers are singing about in today’s devotional song, linked for your mediation above. We will be pleasing to God and our lives will be a living sacrifice to/for the Lord (see Romans 12: 1-2 linked above) when we resign ourselves that using all God has given us and using in where He has planted us will allow us to one day – in glory – hear the Master say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!”
My Prayer for Today … Lord, use me today, as You’ve gifted me, for Your glory! … Amen
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
September 17, 2013 … Self-help or Savior-help?
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 260
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please meditate on the call of this poignant, personal, and powerful new version of the old hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, sung by Nichole Nordeman, singing, … Look Up, reminding us that seeking to see and follow Jesus’ way is really the only way to walk in this life.
Highlight meditation passage – Zechariah 4: 5-6 [NLT]: …
5 “Don’t you know?” the angel asked. … “No, my lord,” I replied. … 6 Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
============
Highlight reading study of Zechariah, Chapters 4`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Hosea 1: 7 … [NLT] … [God is always in control.] …
7 “… But I, the LORD their God, will show love to the people of Judah. I will personally free them from their enemies without any help from weapons or armies.”
Reference Passage #2: 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 #3: Proverbs 19: 21 [When Our plans = God’s plans; HE holds our destiny!] … [NLT] …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
Reference Passage #4: Luke 9: 23 [Self help or Savior help; which is the best according to Jesus?] … [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. ..."
My Journal for Today: If you’re reading along with me today, I hope you’ve felt compelled to do what I suggest above … i.e., to listen and meditate on the song to which I’ve linked you … and then to study and meditate on the scriptures which either Os Hillman or my own Spirit-led memory brought to me today. And if you’ve done that, I really don’t think I need to add very much to the powerful message which, I believe God’s Spirit is trying to get us to recognize and follow.
However, I will add a little bit of where God is leading this humble servant this morning.
Last Sunday our Pastor asked the congregation to hold up our hands if any of us had ever lost our keys. It appeared that 100% held up our hands. Then he asked how many of us had, at any time in our adult lives, lost our cars, at least temporarily, in a parking lot. Certainly at least 90% of the audience held up our hands. And then he said, “Is it any wonder that the self-help section is the largest section of books in any book store?” And then he made his point for his sermon by saying [my paraphrase], “If we’re really Christians, believing that God will show us HIS way, why do we, who lose our keys and our cars, feel that we know the way in life better than God, … i.e., better than the One Who so desires that we follow Him in this world?”
So, which is the better way … SELF help or SAVIOR help? … DUH!!! …
My Prayer for Today … I get it, Lord! … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please meditate on the call of this poignant, personal, and powerful new version of the old hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, sung by Nichole Nordeman, singing, … Look Up, reminding us that seeking to see and follow Jesus’ way is really the only way to walk in this life.
Highlight meditation passage – Zechariah 4: 5-6 [NLT]: …
5 “Don’t you know?” the angel asked. … “No, my lord,” I replied. … 6 Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
============
Highlight reading study of Zechariah, Chapters 4`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Hosea 1: 7 … [NLT] … [God is always in control.] …
7 “… But I, the LORD their God, will show love to the people of Judah. I will personally free them from their enemies without any help from weapons or armies.”
Reference Passage #2: 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 #3: Proverbs 19: 21 [When Our plans = God’s plans; HE holds our destiny!] … [NLT] …
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.
Reference Passage #4: Luke 9: 23 [Self help or Savior help; which is the best according to Jesus?] … [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. ..."
My Journal for Today: If you’re reading along with me today, I hope you’ve felt compelled to do what I suggest above … i.e., to listen and meditate on the song to which I’ve linked you … and then to study and meditate on the scriptures which either Os Hillman or my own Spirit-led memory brought to me today. And if you’ve done that, I really don’t think I need to add very much to the powerful message which, I believe God’s Spirit is trying to get us to recognize and follow.
However, I will add a little bit of where God is leading this humble servant this morning.
Last Sunday our Pastor asked the congregation to hold up our hands if any of us had ever lost our keys. It appeared that 100% held up our hands. Then he asked how many of us had, at any time in our adult lives, lost our cars, at least temporarily, in a parking lot. Certainly at least 90% of the audience held up our hands. And then he said, “Is it any wonder that the self-help section is the largest section of books in any book store?” And then he made his point for his sermon by saying [my paraphrase], “If we’re really Christians, believing that God will show us HIS way, why do we, who lose our keys and our cars, feel that we know the way in life better than God, … i.e., better than the One Who so desires that we follow Him in this world?”
So, which is the better way … SELF help or SAVIOR help? … DUH!!! …
My Prayer for Today … I get it, Lord! … Amen
Monday, September 16, 2013
September 16, 2013 … Freed To Bless Others
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 259
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant, personal, and powerful song, sung by Wayne Watson, singing, … Friend Of A Wounded Heart, reminding us that Jesus always meets us where we are and heals our secret scars.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Chronicles 14: 2 [NLT]: …
2 And David realized that the LORD had made him king over Israel and had made his kingdom very great for the sake of his people Israel.
============
Highlight reading study of 1st Chronicles, Chapters 14`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Psalm 51 … [NLT] … Go to this link …
Reference Passage #2: Psalm 32 … [NLT] … Go to this link …
Reference Passage #3: 1st John 1: 9 [His cleansing grace to free us to bless others.] … [NKJV] …
9 If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman led me to King David’s realization (cited above in 1st Chronicles 14: 2) that he had been blessed with God’s anointing and special grace so that he, David, could be a blessing in leading God’s chosen people as King. And we know that David was a “man after God’s own heart.”
But we also know from history and biblical study that David was also, like all of us, vulnerable to his own fleshly weaknesses. In today’s highlight chapter in 1st Chronicles, we read of David, falling prey to the world’s practices of kings taking many wives and concubines, which was not God’s prime design for marriage; and later we know of David’s fall into sin and cover-up with Bathsheba. Our free will and vulnerable hearts (see Jeremiah 17: 9) make us so vulnerable to being tripped into the world’s traps of sin.
And in both Psalms 51 and 32 (written BTW in that historical order), we read of David’s confession, repentance, and cleansing from the sin which had captured his heart and caused him to be powerless to be the blessing God intended him to be to God’s people as their leader.
Where do we go when we’re wrapped up, encumbered, or even imprisoned by our own sin; … i.e, when we realize that we can’t bless others because of unconfessed sin? That’s when we need to recognize what Wayne Watson is singing about in the song I used in meditation today and to which I’ve linked you to share today. We are blessed, as New Covenant Christians, to have THE Friend of a wounded heart to take our sins as we confess them, and to cleanse us completely and forever [see 1st John 1: 9].
Yes, my fellow Christian, we do have a Friend, … no, THE FRIEND, of a wounded heart! And on the cross He has cleansed us from ALL past, present, and future sins; and from our faith in Him as Lord and Savior, He has given us the cleansing grace anytime we can and do confess of any sin, repent of it, and do all we can to walk on to become the blessing to others as we were anointed to be.
It’s the lesson King David had to learn the hard way. I pray that we can learn it from biblical truth, apply it to our lives, and let the Friend of a wounded heart cleanse us from our confessed sin, allowing us the cleansing and anointing our Lord is so willing to provide so that we can reach out with God’s love and grace to bless others.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I’m cleansed by Your grace here today as I confess and repent of all the sins You reveal to me by conviction. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant, personal, and powerful song, sung by Wayne Watson, singing, … Friend Of A Wounded Heart, reminding us that Jesus always meets us where we are and heals our secret scars.
Highlight meditation passage – 1st Chronicles 14: 2 [NLT]: …
2 And David realized that the LORD had made him king over Israel and had made his kingdom very great for the sake of his people Israel.
============
Highlight reading study of 1st Chronicles, Chapters 14`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Psalm 51 … [NLT] … Go to this link …
Reference Passage #2: Psalm 32 … [NLT] … Go to this link …
Reference Passage #3: 1st John 1: 9 [His cleansing grace to free us to bless others.] … [NKJV] …
9 If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman led me to King David’s realization (cited above in 1st Chronicles 14: 2) that he had been blessed with God’s anointing and special grace so that he, David, could be a blessing in leading God’s chosen people as King. And we know that David was a “man after God’s own heart.”
But we also know from history and biblical study that David was also, like all of us, vulnerable to his own fleshly weaknesses. In today’s highlight chapter in 1st Chronicles, we read of David, falling prey to the world’s practices of kings taking many wives and concubines, which was not God’s prime design for marriage; and later we know of David’s fall into sin and cover-up with Bathsheba. Our free will and vulnerable hearts (see Jeremiah 17: 9) make us so vulnerable to being tripped into the world’s traps of sin.
And in both Psalms 51 and 32 (written BTW in that historical order), we read of David’s confession, repentance, and cleansing from the sin which had captured his heart and caused him to be powerless to be the blessing God intended him to be to God’s people as their leader.
Where do we go when we’re wrapped up, encumbered, or even imprisoned by our own sin; … i.e, when we realize that we can’t bless others because of unconfessed sin? That’s when we need to recognize what Wayne Watson is singing about in the song I used in meditation today and to which I’ve linked you to share today. We are blessed, as New Covenant Christians, to have THE Friend of a wounded heart to take our sins as we confess them, and to cleanse us completely and forever [see 1st John 1: 9].
Yes, my fellow Christian, we do have a Friend, … no, THE FRIEND, of a wounded heart! And on the cross He has cleansed us from ALL past, present, and future sins; and from our faith in Him as Lord and Savior, He has given us the cleansing grace anytime we can and do confess of any sin, repent of it, and do all we can to walk on to become the blessing to others as we were anointed to be.
It’s the lesson King David had to learn the hard way. I pray that we can learn it from biblical truth, apply it to our lives, and let the Friend of a wounded heart cleanse us from our confessed sin, allowing us the cleansing and anointing our Lord is so willing to provide so that we can reach out with God’s love and grace to bless others.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I’m cleansed by Your grace here today as I confess and repent of all the sins You reveal to me by conviction. … Amen
Sunday, September 15, 2013
September 15, 2013 … Tooled-up for service
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 258
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this poignant, personal, and powerful song, sung by Daniel O’Donnell, singing, … Here I Am, Lord, reminding us that God will call us for His service; but we must answer.
Highlight meditation passage – Judges 6: 20-21 [NLT]: …
20 The angel of God said to him, “Place the meat and the unleavened bread on this rock, and pour the broth over it.” And Gideon did as he was told. 21 Then the angel of the LORD touched the meat and bread with the tip of the staff in his hand, and fire flamed up from the rock and consumed all he had brought. And the angel of the LORD disappeared.
============
Highlight reading study of Judges, Chapters 6`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 4: 18-20 [God often calls us right from where we are.] … [NLT] … 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed Him.
Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 6-8 [Whatever God gives us to serve Him, we are to use His gifts, tools, or talents for His glory.] … [NLT] …
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Reference Passage #3: Acts 1: 8 [When God calls us, He gives us the power to serve Him.] … [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: Os Hillman, in writing his devotional blogs, primarily for workplace believers, reminds his readers that God so often, in scriptural teaching, called His servants right from their workplace; and He always gave them what it took to get the job done for God.
In today’s highlight example we see God calling Gideon away from his wheat thrashing, and calling this young man, whom God dubbed “a mighty warrior,” to come out and be much more than Gideon ever imagined he could be for God. And, as you can read in Judges, Chapter 6 linked above, Gideon had trouble seeing himself as God saw him; and he first balked at doing what God was calling him to do. That’s a pattern which we so often see as God calls His servants.
Moses was called from his shepherding and given a staff to serve God; but Moses, like Gideon, had trouble with the calling at the outset. Think of others, like Nehemiah being called to build the walls in Jerusalem, God calling him away from his job as cup bearer for the king in Persia. And you remember how difficult it was for many of the twelve Disciples in following Jesus, even though they might have followed Him when called them from their work. Notice (in Matthew 4: 18-20) how Jesus called these servants away from their life-long work sites; giving them the charge to follow and serve Him. The did follow; but later they often balked at what God called them to do.
It’s often difficult in our work-a-day world to hear and receive God’s calling to serve Him, even if He’s just calling us to serve right there in our work-a-day world. But remember, (see Romans 12: 6-8, passage copied above), when God calls us to serve Him, He gives us the tools (i.e., His talents and gift[s]) to serve Him. And as is revealed in Acts 1: 8 (cited above), God will always be there enabling and empowering us to witness for Him, either on our worksite or in some special calling which He has for our future.
If you take the time to listen to Daniel O’Donnell singing today’s devotional song [linked above] and then to take in and meditate on the scriptures provided for today’s study, you’ll likely come away from this blog, as I have, with the realization that we’re called and gifted, very personally, to serve God; and most often, God’s calling us to serve right where He’s placed us to be His servants. But if the Lord calls us away from our work-site in service to Him, He’ll give us whatever it takes to be His servant.
So, … let’s go serve Him today!
My Prayer for Today … Here I am, Lord; … use me! … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this poignant, personal, and powerful song, sung by Daniel O’Donnell, singing, … Here I Am, Lord, reminding us that God will call us for His service; but we must answer.
Highlight meditation passage – Judges 6: 20-21 [NLT]: …
20 The angel of God said to him, “Place the meat and the unleavened bread on this rock, and pour the broth over it.” And Gideon did as he was told. 21 Then the angel of the LORD touched the meat and bread with the tip of the staff in his hand, and fire flamed up from the rock and consumed all he had brought. And the angel of the LORD disappeared.
============
Highlight reading study of Judges, Chapters 6`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Matthew 4: 18-20 [God often calls us right from where we are.] … [NLT] … 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed Him.
Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 6-8 [Whatever God gives us to serve Him, we are to use His gifts, tools, or talents for His glory.] … [NLT] …
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Reference Passage #3: Acts 1: 8 [When God calls us, He gives us the power to serve Him.] … [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: Os Hillman, in writing his devotional blogs, primarily for workplace believers, reminds his readers that God so often, in scriptural teaching, called His servants right from their workplace; and He always gave them what it took to get the job done for God.
In today’s highlight example we see God calling Gideon away from his wheat thrashing, and calling this young man, whom God dubbed “a mighty warrior,” to come out and be much more than Gideon ever imagined he could be for God. And, as you can read in Judges, Chapter 6 linked above, Gideon had trouble seeing himself as God saw him; and he first balked at doing what God was calling him to do. That’s a pattern which we so often see as God calls His servants.
Moses was called from his shepherding and given a staff to serve God; but Moses, like Gideon, had trouble with the calling at the outset. Think of others, like Nehemiah being called to build the walls in Jerusalem, God calling him away from his job as cup bearer for the king in Persia. And you remember how difficult it was for many of the twelve Disciples in following Jesus, even though they might have followed Him when called them from their work. Notice (in Matthew 4: 18-20) how Jesus called these servants away from their life-long work sites; giving them the charge to follow and serve Him. The did follow; but later they often balked at what God called them to do.
It’s often difficult in our work-a-day world to hear and receive God’s calling to serve Him, even if He’s just calling us to serve right there in our work-a-day world. But remember, (see Romans 12: 6-8, passage copied above), when God calls us to serve Him, He gives us the tools (i.e., His talents and gift[s]) to serve Him. And as is revealed in Acts 1: 8 (cited above), God will always be there enabling and empowering us to witness for Him, either on our worksite or in some special calling which He has for our future.
If you take the time to listen to Daniel O’Donnell singing today’s devotional song [linked above] and then to take in and meditate on the scriptures provided for today’s study, you’ll likely come away from this blog, as I have, with the realization that we’re called and gifted, very personally, to serve God; and most often, God’s calling us to serve right where He’s placed us to be His servants. But if the Lord calls us away from our work-site in service to Him, He’ll give us whatever it takes to be His servant.
So, … let’s go serve Him today!
My Prayer for Today … Here I am, Lord; … use me! … Amen
Saturday, September 14, 2013
September 14, 2013 … He knows my name!
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 257
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and powerful meditation on the Name of “Jesus”, including the song, … There’s Just Something About That Name.
Highlight meditation passage – Matthew 10: 30 [with verses 29-31 [NLT]: …
29 Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
============
Highlight reading study of Matthew, Chapters 10`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Genesis 36: 15-16 [Challenges come into our lives to develop our wings so that we can fly alone in this world.] … [NLT] …
15 These are the descendants of Esau who became the leaders of various clans: The descendants of Esau’s oldest son, Eliphaz, became the leaders of the clans of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the clan leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Eliphaz. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.
Reference study of Ephesians, Chapters 6: 10-18`: Go to this link …
My Journal for Today: Names are important in the Bible. People were named by their parents and sometimes later changed by others to designate their character and who they were in God’s grand scheme. Maybe you’ve done some study on this, … such as Abram’s name being changed to Abraham. Moses changed Hoshea’s name to “Joshua;” and we know that this name, which is the same one for “Yeshua” or “Jesus” in Hebrew, means “The Lord Who Saves.” That’s sort of meaningful, wouldn’t you say?
Of course, we know that God Himself instructed Jesus’ parents to name Him “Yeshua,” or in English translated “Jesus;” and He certainly was appropriately named to become the One Who would save all of mankind. I hope you’ve taken the time to take in this morning’s meditation and devotional song, which tells the story of some in the Bible who came into contact with the God-man, “Yeshua,” Who was also “Yeshua HaMashiach,” … or … Jesus, The Messiah.
Yes, names are important. … Os Hillman, the author/editor of the daily devotionals which I’m using as the framework of my daily quiet-times with God this year, later in life discovered that his actual, given first name, “Omar,” was a name from the Bible. As you can read above in Genesis, Chapter 36, “Omar” was one of the sons of Esau; and Hillman discovered that the name in Arabic meant “disciple” and in Hebrew it meant, “famous speaker/teacher.” Well, as it turns out, Omar Smallwood (or “Os”) Hillman did become a rather famous disciple of Christ and teacher of those in the workplace as to how to apply Christ to their lives on the job.
So, does God really know our name? … Does He really care about our identity? … Well, later in my life, after I became a Christian, I discovered that my name, “William,” actually means “helmeted warrior;” and go figure, after being an atheist warrior against Christians for many years, I later became the Director of a ministry right on the front lines of spiritual warfare [see this link for Battle Plan Ministry], becoming a warrior, helmeted by salvation (see Ephesians 6: 10-18 linked above) to fight FOR Jesus and not against Him. But in both cases, my name “William” fit my character; and God knew all along that I would one day come from fighting AGAINST Him to being on the frontlines of battle FOR Him.
Yes, as our highlight passage above (from Matthew 10) tells us, we are not only known by God, even to each hair on our heads; but either in this life or in the next, God is going to give us a name which absolutely fits the character we’ll have in our eternal relationship with our Lord. Jesus changed Simon’s name to “Peter;” and Jesus has a name which will fit you and me for eternity.
But for now, all we need to do is focus our attention on the Name of “Jesus,”: and as the devotional song above sings, “There’s Just Something About that Name!”
My Prayer for Today … Oh yes, dear Lord, JESUS, … Your Name is wonderful!! … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and powerful meditation on the Name of “Jesus”, including the song, … There’s Just Something About That Name.
Highlight meditation passage – Matthew 10: 30 [with verses 29-31 [NLT]: …
29 Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
============
Highlight reading study of Matthew, Chapters 10`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Genesis 36: 15-16 [Challenges come into our lives to develop our wings so that we can fly alone in this world.] … [NLT] …
15 These are the descendants of Esau who became the leaders of various clans: The descendants of Esau’s oldest son, Eliphaz, became the leaders of the clans of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the clan leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Eliphaz. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.
Reference study of Ephesians, Chapters 6: 10-18`: Go to this link …
My Journal for Today: Names are important in the Bible. People were named by their parents and sometimes later changed by others to designate their character and who they were in God’s grand scheme. Maybe you’ve done some study on this, … such as Abram’s name being changed to Abraham. Moses changed Hoshea’s name to “Joshua;” and we know that this name, which is the same one for “Yeshua” or “Jesus” in Hebrew, means “The Lord Who Saves.” That’s sort of meaningful, wouldn’t you say?
Of course, we know that God Himself instructed Jesus’ parents to name Him “Yeshua,” or in English translated “Jesus;” and He certainly was appropriately named to become the One Who would save all of mankind. I hope you’ve taken the time to take in this morning’s meditation and devotional song, which tells the story of some in the Bible who came into contact with the God-man, “Yeshua,” Who was also “Yeshua HaMashiach,” … or … Jesus, The Messiah.
Yes, names are important. … Os Hillman, the author/editor of the daily devotionals which I’m using as the framework of my daily quiet-times with God this year, later in life discovered that his actual, given first name, “Omar,” was a name from the Bible. As you can read above in Genesis, Chapter 36, “Omar” was one of the sons of Esau; and Hillman discovered that the name in Arabic meant “disciple” and in Hebrew it meant, “famous speaker/teacher.” Well, as it turns out, Omar Smallwood (or “Os”) Hillman did become a rather famous disciple of Christ and teacher of those in the workplace as to how to apply Christ to their lives on the job.
So, does God really know our name? … Does He really care about our identity? … Well, later in my life, after I became a Christian, I discovered that my name, “William,” actually means “helmeted warrior;” and go figure, after being an atheist warrior against Christians for many years, I later became the Director of a ministry right on the front lines of spiritual warfare [see this link for Battle Plan Ministry], becoming a warrior, helmeted by salvation (see Ephesians 6: 10-18 linked above) to fight FOR Jesus and not against Him. But in both cases, my name “William” fit my character; and God knew all along that I would one day come from fighting AGAINST Him to being on the frontlines of battle FOR Him.
Yes, as our highlight passage above (from Matthew 10) tells us, we are not only known by God, even to each hair on our heads; but either in this life or in the next, God is going to give us a name which absolutely fits the character we’ll have in our eternal relationship with our Lord. Jesus changed Simon’s name to “Peter;” and Jesus has a name which will fit you and me for eternity.
But for now, all we need to do is focus our attention on the Name of “Jesus,”: and as the devotional song above sings, “There’s Just Something About that Name!”
My Prayer for Today … Oh yes, dear Lord, JESUS, … Your Name is wonderful!! … Amen
Friday, September 13, 2013
September 13, 2013 - The Chrysalis Experience
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 256
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this poignant and powerful song, sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean , … singing He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, reminding Christians that God often allows great challenge in our life to develop our strength and Christlikeness.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 14: 5-6 [NLT]: …
5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. 6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.
============
Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 14`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 8: 28 [Challenges come into our lives to develop our wings so that we can fly alone in this world.] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose for them.
Reference Passage #2: Luke 24: 13-34 [Jesus carefully using the “Butterfly Principle” to let the wings of two disciples grow in strength after they experienced the cross.] … [NLT] …Go to this link ...
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman, in his devotional blog, which I’m using this year to guide me in my daily quiet times with God, uses “the butterfly principle” to illustrate the challenges God often puts His children through to develop their wings to fly independently in this very cruel world. And to highlight this principle, he used the story of what God put His freed people through before He set them free by taking them through the Red Sea. In Exodus, Chapter 14, linked above, we read about Pharaoh backing the Israelites up against the sea, challenging the faith of the people and developing that faith, before He set them free and allowed them to walk on their own through the parted waters.
It’s like the principle God uses to develop the wings of a butterfly in a chrysalis before it’s transformed and is able to fly free on its own. We know that if God doesn’t put the butterfly through its chrysalis, it will never have wings strong enough to fly independently. And to illustrate this, I think of one New Testament story where Jesus used that principle to allow the wings of two disciples to grow strong enough to fly on their own. It’s the story to which I’ve linked any followers here with me today in Luke 24: 13-34, the story of the men walking to Emmaus just after they had witnessed the crucifixion in Jerusalem.
Jesus encountered the men in a post-resurrection form that the men on the road to Emmaus could not recognize the Lord. And then Jesus carefully allowed them to experience and deal with their grief and agony, sensitively allowing their wings to strengthen before He revealed Himself to them when they were ready to walk on their own as His disciples.
And that’s the butterfly principle which God almost always uses with His followers, doesn’t He? And I’ll bet, right now, you’re remembering some incident or occurrence in your life where God allowed you to go through a Romans 8: 28 episode to strengthen your wings so that you could be able to fly more freely on your own in this tough world. And wouldn’t you agree, that it’s always the toughest times which grow us the strongest and help us to develop our wings of Christlikeness the best?
So, if right now your recalling one of those wing-testing times; or maybe you’re going through one of those times right now, just know that, as today’s devotional song, linked above, presents for us, God will “do whatever it takes” to help us grow and develop our wings to be able to fly free in the world.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for Your patience, mercy, and grace in doing what it takes to allow my wings to grow strong enough to fly free in my world. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link - Please take in this poignant and powerful song, sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean , … singing He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, reminding Christians that God often allows great challenge in our life to develop our strength and Christlikeness.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 14: 5-6 [NLT]: …
5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. 6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.
============
Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 14`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Romans 8: 28 [Challenges come into our lives to develop our wings so that we can fly alone in this world.] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose for them.
Reference Passage #2: Luke 24: 13-34 [Jesus carefully using the “Butterfly Principle” to let the wings of two disciples grow in strength after they experienced the cross.] … [NLT] …Go to this link ...
My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman, in his devotional blog, which I’m using this year to guide me in my daily quiet times with God, uses “the butterfly principle” to illustrate the challenges God often puts His children through to develop their wings to fly independently in this very cruel world. And to highlight this principle, he used the story of what God put His freed people through before He set them free by taking them through the Red Sea. In Exodus, Chapter 14, linked above, we read about Pharaoh backing the Israelites up against the sea, challenging the faith of the people and developing that faith, before He set them free and allowed them to walk on their own through the parted waters.
It’s like the principle God uses to develop the wings of a butterfly in a chrysalis before it’s transformed and is able to fly free on its own. We know that if God doesn’t put the butterfly through its chrysalis, it will never have wings strong enough to fly independently. And to illustrate this, I think of one New Testament story where Jesus used that principle to allow the wings of two disciples to grow strong enough to fly on their own. It’s the story to which I’ve linked any followers here with me today in Luke 24: 13-34, the story of the men walking to Emmaus just after they had witnessed the crucifixion in Jerusalem.
Jesus encountered the men in a post-resurrection form that the men on the road to Emmaus could not recognize the Lord. And then Jesus carefully allowed them to experience and deal with their grief and agony, sensitively allowing their wings to strengthen before He revealed Himself to them when they were ready to walk on their own as His disciples.
And that’s the butterfly principle which God almost always uses with His followers, doesn’t He? And I’ll bet, right now, you’re remembering some incident or occurrence in your life where God allowed you to go through a Romans 8: 28 episode to strengthen your wings so that you could be able to fly more freely on your own in this tough world. And wouldn’t you agree, that it’s always the toughest times which grow us the strongest and help us to develop our wings of Christlikeness the best?
So, if right now your recalling one of those wing-testing times; or maybe you’re going through one of those times right now, just know that, as today’s devotional song, linked above, presents for us, God will “do whatever it takes” to help us grow and develop our wings to be able to fly free in the world.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for Your patience, mercy, and grace in doing what it takes to allow my wings to grow strong enough to fly free in my world. … Amen
Thursday, September 12, 2013
September 12, 2013 … Will We Be Faithful?
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 255
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and powerful call, sung by Steve Gree , … singing Find Us Faithful, where he reminds all Christians we’re in this life – all in for Christ – with a desire that He finds us faithful to carry out His will for us.
Click on picture of promised land for a larger viewing
Highlight meditation passage – Numbers 20: 11-12 [NLT]: …
11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So all the people and their livestock drank their fill. 12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
============
Highlight reading study of Numbers, Chapters 20`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Deuteronomy 34: 1-4 [The tragic sight of the Promised Land God gave to Moses, who was not allowed to enter therein because of his unfaithfulness. See attached foto.] … [NLT] …
1 Then Moses went to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2 all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; 3 the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho—the city of palms—as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I told them I would give it to their descendants. I have now allowed you to see it, but you will not enter the land.”
Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [In seeking the Lord’s presence we must trust that He will lead us.] … [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 show you which path to take.
My Journal for Today: I took the picture above from Mount Nebo in what is now Jordan. But this was the land of Moab in Moses’ day; and it is from this very place, documented in Deut. 34 that Moses, just before he died, was allowed to see the Promised Land which God had promised for His people; but as we know from today’s highlight passage in Numbers 20, Moses was not allowed to be the one to lead God’s people into the land because he had openly rebelled against God’s “Plan A” when he struck the rock with the rod of his staff instead of following God’s instructions.
Having been there to take the photo above, the view of the Promised Land on a clear day from Mount Nebo is beautiful; but it had to be a tragic viewing for Moses as he realized that it was his own selfishness and disobedience that kept him from being able to enter the Land toward which he had led the people for 40 years in the wilderness. Certainly God had a “Plan B” to take the people into that Promised Land; and Joshua would be the agent of God’s promise in “Plan B.” But Moses could have been there for “Plan A” save his one moment of disobedience, pride, and selfishness.
Sin always has consequences in our life, doesn’t it?
But when I think about my personal application of this story today, I have to ask myself the question which comes out of the song sung by Steve Green to which I link us today; and that question is … “Will God find us faithful as we walk God’s narrow road?” And once you listen to the song and take in the Scriptures today, I’ll leave that question to lead you as it is leading me today.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that I am being faithful as I walk Your pathway today. … Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ... Please take in this poignant and powerful call, sung by Steve Gree , … singing Find Us Faithful, where he reminds all Christians we’re in this life – all in for Christ – with a desire that He finds us faithful to carry out His will for us.
Highlight meditation passage – Numbers 20: 11-12 [NLT]: …
11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So all the people and their livestock drank their fill. 12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
============
Highlight reading study of Numbers, Chapters 20`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Deuteronomy 34: 1-4 [The tragic sight of the Promised Land God gave to Moses, who was not allowed to enter therein because of his unfaithfulness. See attached foto.] … [NLT] …
1 Then Moses went to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2 all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; 3 the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho—the city of palms—as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I told them I would give it to their descendants. I have now allowed you to see it, but you will not enter the land.”
Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [In seeking the Lord’s presence we must trust that He will lead us.] … [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 show you which path to take.
My Journal for Today: I took the picture above from Mount Nebo in what is now Jordan. But this was the land of Moab in Moses’ day; and it is from this very place, documented in Deut. 34 that Moses, just before he died, was allowed to see the Promised Land which God had promised for His people; but as we know from today’s highlight passage in Numbers 20, Moses was not allowed to be the one to lead God’s people into the land because he had openly rebelled against God’s “Plan A” when he struck the rock with the rod of his staff instead of following God’s instructions.
Having been there to take the photo above, the view of the Promised Land on a clear day from Mount Nebo is beautiful; but it had to be a tragic viewing for Moses as he realized that it was his own selfishness and disobedience that kept him from being able to enter the Land toward which he had led the people for 40 years in the wilderness. Certainly God had a “Plan B” to take the people into that Promised Land; and Joshua would be the agent of God’s promise in “Plan B.” But Moses could have been there for “Plan A” save his one moment of disobedience, pride, and selfishness.
Sin always has consequences in our life, doesn’t it?
But when I think about my personal application of this story today, I have to ask myself the question which comes out of the song sung by Steve Green to which I link us today; and that question is … “Will God find us faithful as we walk God’s narrow road?” And once you listen to the song and take in the Scriptures today, I’ll leave that question to lead you as it is leading me today.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that I am being faithful as I walk Your pathway today. … Amen
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
September 11, 2013 … Seeking God's Presence
Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 254
Devotional Song: Go to this link ,,, Please take in this poignant and powerful call, sung by my friend Clay Crosse and his friends Bob Carlisle and Bebe Winans, … singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding all Christians that following Christ is the only way to walk through this life.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 33: 15-16 [NLT]: …
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. 16 If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?”
============
Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 33`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 55: 6 [We must intentionally seek the Lord for His presence and power to be found in our lives.] … [NLT] …
6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.
Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [In seeking the Lord’s presence we must trust that He will lead us.] … [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 show you which path to take.
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 28: 18-20 [He calls us lead others on the way of life; but He promises to always be with us.] … [NLT] …
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
My Journal for Today: In today’s highlight reading/study passage, in this case Exodus, Chapter 33, which you can read above with the link provided, Moses was in a tough place, recognizing that he was going to have to lead a rag-tag group of recalcitrant people to God’s Promised Land. So Moses knew that he was going to need the presence of the Lord to be with him as he led the people through the wilderness.
My friends, we’re no different that those wayward, willful people who were following God and Moses in the wilderness. Yes, we seek God’s Promised Land just like they did; but like them (and Moses) we need to do what today’s song proclaims. As we trek through this life, on the way to the next (i.e., the Promised Land), we need the presence of the Lord to lead us as we follow Him.
Hence our desire should be the same a Moses as he was leading God’s people in the wilderness; and that is to seek God’s presence and then to follow Him as He calls us to do in the New Covenant Great Commission (see Matt. 28: 19-20 above). We must trust that seeking God’s presence (as is promised in Prov. 3: 5-6 and Isaiah 55: 6) will lead us where God wants us to go.
And without seeking His presence and His power in our trek through this life, on the way to the next, we’ll be on our own; and very personally, my friend, that’s not a place I want to be. So, I will pray for us here that we all seek His presence, as did Moses, and follow Him closely as our song for today calls us to do.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, as Your willful people, like me, travel on the roads of life toward Your promises, we seek Your presence and even more so, Your power, to lead us were we need to go in Your Name.… Amen
Devotional Song: Go to this link ,,, Please take in this poignant and powerful call, sung by my friend Clay Crosse and his friends Bob Carlisle and Bebe Winans, … singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding all Christians that following Christ is the only way to walk through this life.
Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 33: 15-16 [NLT]: …
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. 16 If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?”
============
Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 33`: Go to this link …
Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 55: 6 [We must intentionally seek the Lord for His presence and power to be found in our lives.] … [NLT] …
6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near.
Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [In seeking the Lord’s presence we must trust that He will lead us.] … [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 show you which path to take.
Reference Passage #3: Matthew 28: 18-20 [He calls us lead others on the way of life; but He promises to always be with us.] … [NLT] …
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
My Journal for Today: In today’s highlight reading/study passage, in this case Exodus, Chapter 33, which you can read above with the link provided, Moses was in a tough place, recognizing that he was going to have to lead a rag-tag group of recalcitrant people to God’s Promised Land. So Moses knew that he was going to need the presence of the Lord to be with him as he led the people through the wilderness.
My friends, we’re no different that those wayward, willful people who were following God and Moses in the wilderness. Yes, we seek God’s Promised Land just like they did; but like them (and Moses) we need to do what today’s song proclaims. As we trek through this life, on the way to the next (i.e., the Promised Land), we need the presence of the Lord to lead us as we follow Him.
Hence our desire should be the same a Moses as he was leading God’s people in the wilderness; and that is to seek God’s presence and then to follow Him as He calls us to do in the New Covenant Great Commission (see Matt. 28: 19-20 above). We must trust that seeking God’s presence (as is promised in Prov. 3: 5-6 and Isaiah 55: 6) will lead us where God wants us to go.
And without seeking His presence and His power in our trek through this life, on the way to the next, we’ll be on our own; and very personally, my friend, that’s not a place I want to be. So, I will pray for us here that we all seek His presence, as did Moses, and follow Him closely as our song for today calls us to do.
My Prayer for Today … Lord, as Your willful people, like me, travel on the roads of life toward Your promises, we seek Your presence and even more so, Your power, to lead us were we need to go in Your Name.… Amen
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
September 10, 2013 … The Realm of The Spirit and the Mind
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.
============
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
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.
============
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
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!
============
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.”
============
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.
============
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.
============
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.
============
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
