August 20, 2014 … Christ, Our Foundation

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 232

Devotional Song: Go to this link ...  and take the time to see a lyrical video of the group Hillsong singing their contemporary Christian hit … Cornerstone, proclaiming the reality of our hope in this life and our hope for the next is built on the foundation of our “Cornerstone,” Jesus Christ. 
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Highlight Passage: 1st Corinthians 3: 11 … [NKJV] …
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: 1st Corinthians 3: 1-16 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Psalms 118: 22-23 [NKJV] …  God’s prophesy, through Isaiah, of the Messiah as THE cornerstone of His eternal temple …
  22  The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23  This was the Lord’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes. 

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Isaiah 28: 16 [NKJV] …  This passage was quoted by all of the synoptic Gospel authors…
  16 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation. Whoever believes will not act hastily. 

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Matthew 7: 24-28 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Jesus teaching on Himself as the foundation for the church …

Reference Passage #4 - NKJV: Ephesians 2: 19-22 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Paul also declared Christ as the “cornerstone” of a building church …

Reference Passage #5 - NKJV: 1st Peter 2: 6-7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … … And Peter preached boldly in Acts 4 and in his first epistle about Christ as the foundation of the church, also quoting from Isaiah 28 and Psalm 118, linked above …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dennis Fisher, opened with an illustrative story …

"The Bavarian city of Nördlingen is unique. It sits in the middle of the Ries Crater, a large circular depression caused by the impact of a huge meteorite a long time ago. The immense pressure of the impact resulted in unusual crystallized rock and millions of microscopic diamonds. In the 13th century, these speckled stones were used to build St. George’s Church. Visitors can see the beautiful crystal deposits in its foundation and walls. Some might say it has a heavenly foundation." 

The story illustrates how the stone used to build the foundation of any structure is crucial to it’s stability and use as a functional structure. And any architect or builder would certainly agree with that premise. And this is why CHRIST, in both the Old and New Testaments, as well as from declarations from even Jesus about Himself (see above), is declared as the One from heaven, i.e., the Messiah, Who came to earth to become “the Cornerstone” for the building of His own Temple, as we can read in today’s ODB highlight passage from the Apostle Paul, … especially in 1st Corinthians, Chapter 3. verses 11 and 16.

The question becomes, from my devotional thoughts today, … ARE WE THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR CHRIST’S TEMPLE WITH HIM AS OUR CORNERSTONE? … And we can only be such building blocks if we’re building our lives with our Lord as our foundation. I’ll be dealing that that self-analysis today. … How about you?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me to be a solid building block to your being my “Cornerstone” in building Your Temple, … the Church. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 19, 2014 … Follow the Master

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 231

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  and take the time to see a lyrical video of one of Steve Green’s best versions of the stirring song of discipleship … Find Us Faithful, proclaiming our pursuit of a living relationship with Christ as the most fruitful followership we can ever pursue in this life. 
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Highlight Passage: Numbers 9: 23… [NKJV] …
23 At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Numbers 9: 15-23 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  I hope all who read here have this on memorize - if not, perhaps now is the time to do that …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Luke 9: 23 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  And this one is the most posted passage in my devotional journaling … therefore, I also pray that you have it memorized and internalized …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Jennifer Benson Schuldt, opened with an illustrative story involving, of all things, a dog show (see attached picture), where all the dogs involved followed the commands of their masters/trainers. Whatever the trainers commanded, the dogs followed to the Nth degree; and this was Shuldt’s way of illustrating what today’s highlight passage brought out.

In the Numbers, Chapter 9 passage [linked above], we read of that time when God was leading His chosen ones, the Israelites, toward the Promised Land; and He did so by showing His presence as either a cloud, by day, or a pillar of fire, by night; and whenever God wanted His children to move, He signaled it to the people through that cloud; and the people moved the Tabernacle whenever God commanded, leading them closer and closer to the Promised Land.

Interesting in the both the Old and New Testaments, this process of the Master’s commands and the peoples’ followership was found in two verses of the same number: In the OT, Numbers 9:23 … and in the NT, Luke 9:23. And after you’ve taken in the attached picture, listened to the song by Steve Green, and meditated on the highlight and reference passages, I’m sure you’re just as convicted as was I this morning, by our need to be more diligent and disciplined followers of our Master and LORD, Jesus, The Christ.

But that implies that we’re doing all we can, like those dogs at the dog show, to get the commands from our Master and then to do all we can to follow those commands as He leads us to His Promised Land.

What about it, friend? How’re we doing? Personally, I need to be listening more for my Savior’s commands and then following them more in self denial. How about you?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, You are the cloud over my Tabernacle. Lead me and I will follow! … Amen

  Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 18 2014 … Faith Tested Everyday!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 230

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  and take the time to see a lyrical video of an anonymous praise group singing the classic hymn written by Fanny Crosby in 1873 … Blessed Assurance - Jesus Is Mine, proclaiming the reality that we can await, IN FAITH, all the promises wrought on the cross by our Savior. The question is … IS THAT OUR STORY … of faith as we await His coming again??
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Highlight Passage: Revelation 22: 20 … [NKJV] …
20 “ … He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” … 
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Revelation 22: 12-22 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: 2nd Corinthians 13: 5-6 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
… Paul’s challenge for believers to test their faith…

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Hebrews 11: 1-3 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  From the well-known HALL OF FAITH chapter …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: James 1: 2-7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Faith tested and preserved = patience realized …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Phillip Yancey, opened with an illustrative story of how some POWs in WW 2 rigged a radio in prison at the end of the war and learned about the end of the WW2 four days before the prison officials. They were celebrating, with this knowledge, knowing that they would be free, when several days after the revelation the prison guards and officials had vanished from the prison, learning what the POWs already knew.

The Apostle Paul, knowing what he knew about Jesus’ second coming challenged believers in the 1st Century to test their faith [see 2nd Cor. 13: 5-6 linked above] to see if they (and we) were ready for Jesus’ coming for His Bride. The whole of Revelation is Jesus’ calling his Church to be ready for His coming as the Bridegroom for His bride. And at the end of this vision imparted to John, we read of the beloved Apostle declaring, “Even so, come again, Lord Jesus!” 

Are we ready for our Lord to come - maybe today … maybe tomorrow … maybe in our grandkids lifetime; but do we really believe, in testing our faith today by what we think, say, and do, that HE IS COMING!!

I believe it! How about you? … BUT … are we living that in the glory of that realized faith?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, do come again soon, dear Jesus! … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 17, 20147 … Together, Singing Our Love

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 229

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear a large chorus singing the great Wesley classic O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing, declaring that singing God’s praises never goes out of style, especially when God’s people are singing in choral togetherness, just as we should be living together in the unity of God’s love for all mankind.

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Highlight Passage - John 17: 20-21 [NKJV] … Jesus prays for the unity of His Church …
  20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. … “ 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - John 17:20-26 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK
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Reference Passage #1 - Mark 12: 30-31 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK ... for Jesus’ declaration of the Jewish Shema for all mankind …

Reference Passage #2 - John 13: 34-35 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK ... for Jesus’ desire for all Christians to find unity/togetherness in the love of God …

Reference Passage #3 - Acts 1: 7-8 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK ... for Jesus’ call for His disciples to be His witnesses …

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Julie Ackerman Link, relates a story of Canadian Astronaut, Chris Hadfield, who sang live on TV with a chorus here on earth when he was in the space station. Part of the song he had written, “Is Someone Singing,” had a line in the chorus which declared, “You can’t make out borders from up here,” which is a thought which Jesus had for mankind when He prayed for His Church Body to come together in the unity of God’s love, which we all need to express to/for one another.

Surely it doesn’t take a Ph.D. in any field of science or to be a biblical scholar to see that Jesus’ prayer in John 17 has not been realized; and so, as we all recognize this reality, let us all here strive to be the living fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer and commandment for His disciples. And as we live for Christ, let us all be a chorus of perfect harmony, praising God and reaching out as our Lord commanded to love one another.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, help us all, as Your children, to live as a chorus of love, singing Your praises and sharing Your love with each other… ALWAYS! ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 16, 2014 … Living Billboards

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 228

August 16, 20147 … Follow the Leader Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please go this video link to hear Chris Rice singing the classic song of faith and witness Go Light Your World, proclaiming the need for all Christians to be living/walking billboards, proclaiming our faith with all we say and do as we walk through life.

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Highlight Passage - 2nd Corinthians 5: 17; … 20a [NKJV] … The angel to the women at the tomb … 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. … 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, … 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - 2nd Corinthians 5: 16-21 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK 
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Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 5: 14-16 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK for Jesus’ call for His disciples to shine His light …

Reference Passage #2 - Acts 1: 7-8 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK for Jesus’ call for His disciples to be His witnesses …

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, C.P. Hia, relates a story of an Air Force pilot shot down and imprisoned during the Viet Nam conflict. And even though he was submitted to horrible tortures during his imprisonment, when he because a State Department official many years later, he went back to Viet Nam to become a living “billboard” of forgiveness and reconciliation. And that’s a picture of what we as transformed, born-again Christians need to be to fulfill our calling by Christ to be His lights in this ever darkening world as well as witnesses to God’s love and mercy when so much of the world is so unforgiving and hate-filled.

 And I personally know of this calling, having become a “poster-boy” for the highlight passage which was penned by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth and for us, by extension. God took me from being a poster-boy for sinful living and transformed me into an ordained minister of His Gospel.

So, take in what Paul wrote in 2nd Cor. 5: 17, … 20, copied/linked above; and let’s all ask ourselves are we living/walking “billboards,” declaring the love and mercy of God by how we live and move and have our being in this world.  Or are we walking billboards for Satan and the world. It's our choice.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me to become a lving/walking billboard, declaring Your love for all to experience in me. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 15, 20147 … Hope ETERNAL !!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 226

August 15, 20147 … Follow the Leader Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please go this video link to hear an anonymous praise group singing the classic song of hope in the faith Because He Lives, proclaiming the truth of the Good News of the Gospel … that because Jesus lives, we can face all the tomorrows of this challenging life.

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Highlight Passage - Matthew 28: 6a [NKJV] … The angel to the women at the tomb …
  11 He is not here; for He is risen as He said. … 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Matthew 28: 1-10 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK
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Reference Passage #1 - John 14: 19 [NKJV] … Jesus’ promise to His disciples in the upper room …
  19 "Because I live, you will live also … " 

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Anne Cetas, relates a very personal incident where she grieved at the loss of both of her parents within a month. However in the face of her loss and loneliness, she also felt an inner peace and joy, knowing that her parents were with Jesus and she would see them again in heaven.

 That is the hope eternal that all Christians have because of what the angel at the tomb of Jesus declared to the women who had come to check out the grave. The reality they discovered, that … HE IS RISEN! … gives all who believe in Him as Lord hope eternal.

Have you, as a Christian, ever been to a funeral for someone who openly had spurned God, … i.e., one who had rejected Christ as his/her Savior? Such a funeral or memorial service is entirely different that one for a Christian, isn’t it? At the latter there is often laughter and joy, even though the circumstances which caused the death might have been horrible. But when a non-believer is laid to rest, it’s difficult or impossible for those who knew the deceased to declare, “Rest In Peace.” And why is that? It is because Christians at such a funeral for a non-believer know what lies ahead for that lost soul; and that is eternal torment in hell.

 But the opposite is the case for a born-again, believing Christian, isn’t it? Because no matter what the circumstances surrounding such a passing, Christians know – in their hearts – that what Jesus promised His disciples in the upper room, will be true for any Christian who believed in Christ as their Savior and Lord. Yes … because HE lives, I will live with Him forever!

 And because of that truth, sung in the song to which I linked you today, i.e., BECAUSE HE LIVES, I have hope eternal that I will one day live with Him in Heaven; and so it is with both of my parents, having passed from this life to the next, two believers who now reside with my LORD forever.

And knowing that fact … do I sense a ”HALLELUJAH!!!” from any reading with me here today?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, because You live, I can face tomorrow. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 14, 20147 … Worthwhile Witness

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 226

August 12, 20147 … Follow the Leader Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please go this video link to hear Daniel O’Donnell singing a song of Christian witness and commitment, Here I Am Lord, proclaiming the power of our witness when we surrender all to Jesus.

Click on photo to read text - then return either with back arrow or on the "X" in the upper right corner of graphic 

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Highlight Passage - 1st Peter 2: 11-12 [NKJV] … 
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable amount the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - 1st Peter 2: 9-12 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK
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Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 5: 16 [NKJV] … Repeating from yesterday’s ODB devotional, Christ’s admonition to disciples as to our witness to others …
  16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. 

Reference Passage #2 - Acts 1: 8 [NKJV] … Once again as well, Jesus declares …
  8 And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will become witness to Me in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the utmost part of the earth. 

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Randy Kilgore, relates an incident where a friend of his was attacked by bees in close proximity with another friend. The first friend received several bee stings, the second only one or two. The first friend, however, had almost no reaction to his multiple stings; but the second friend was allergic to bee stings and had a severe allergic reaction to his few stings.

 Kilgore used the story to illustrate that our words/actions can be like the bee stings in the story. Though our words may be few or our actions seemingly benign to some, either can have profound effects upon others whom we have more personal influence. The old adage, “sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me, “ is TOTALLY FALSE; because our words may not affect some; but they can often have a drastic negative affect upon others, especially if those words open old wounds or are not in accord with our perceived character.

 Have you ever been sorely disappointed or hurt when the words of a friend just don’t fit what you perceived their character to be? Or have you been let down when a Christian, with whom you had deep respect, is revealed to have had a deep fall into some form of socially unacceptable behavior? How do you feel when a highly respected Christian leader is “busted” in the media and revealed to have fallen into sexual sin? Or very personally, how do you feel when a Christian friend is uncovered to have lied to you?

 The Apostle Peter, in writing to Christians who were being severely persecuted for their faith (see today’s highlight passages), exhorted these believers to stand firm in their faith, because Peter strongly proclaimed the power that the words/actions of these mostly Jewish Christians would have upon the minds/hearts of the Gentiles, mostly Romans, who were persecuting these first century Christians.

What we do or say as Christians will be the light which Jesus commanded His disciples to become (see Matt. 5: 16; and those words/deeds will become the witness Jesus exhorted believers to share with the world after The Savior left the world and ascended in Heaven after His resurrection.

 Therefore, … today, … let us all examine our witness, i.e., the character others perceive in our lives, and then let us go forth, with what we say and do, shining the Light of Christ for all to see.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, just as I prayed yesterday in my devotional blog, … I pray that I go out and shine Your powerful light through all I think, say, and do to be a powerful witness in my world for Your glory. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 13, 20147 … Surrender Power

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 225

August 12, 20147 … Surrender Power 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear Chris Tomlin singing the his contemporary classic How Great Is Our God, proclaiming the power of God in any/all who believe and surrender to His Spirit.

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Highlight Passage - Acts 6: 8, … 10 [NKJV] … 
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. … 
10 And they [the people] were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
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Highlight Passage [Context] - 2nd Timothy 2: 1-7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK 
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Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 5: 16 [NKJV] … 
16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. 

Reference Passage #2 - Acts 1: 8 [NKJV] … Jesus declares …
8a And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will become witness to Me in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the utmost part of the earth. 

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author told of an incident in 1891 where the people of the Southwest were having a severe drought and needed rain. So the people of that area brought in someone who had a reputation of explosive techniques to bring rain. But all he did was make a lot of noise with various types of explosions with dynamite and other sources of explosive power. However, no rain came.

The story from the book of Acts at the outset of chapter 6 however, showed a different kind of power; and it was the type of power spoken of earlier in Acts [see Acts 1: 8] when Jesus ascended into heaven, promising that the very power of the resurrection, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, would be unleashed in believers to allow them to be powerful witnesses to and for God in the early church times. And when we read about this power being unleashed by Stephen and other witnesses in the early church, it was impressive. And this witness of God’s power in the faithful, like Stephen, caused many to surrender and be converted.

 But was that power spoken of in Acts 6: 1-10 or earlier in Acts 1: 8 only for the early faithful believers; or can this power be on display among Christians today? And the answer is that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; so, if others are not seeing the power of God in Christians today, where do you think the problem lies? … Duh!! … It wouldn’t be a lack of faith, would it?

The type of Spirit-filled faith which Stephen (and other early church leaders) had is not on display today because we Christians of today are not filled with the same degree of surrender to God’s Spirit as was Stephen. The Spirit is the same; but our degree of faith and surrender is not.

So, today, my prayer is for a powerful filling of God’s Spirit in my life so that I can be what Jesus called me to be in Matthew 5: 16 and Acts 1: 8, a powerful light and witness, … one who can shine God’s light through my life into an every darkening world.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that I go out and shine Your powerful light through all I think, say, and do to be a powerful witness in my world for Your glory. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 12, 20147 … Follow the Leader

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 224 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please go this video link to hear an anonymous praise group singing the old classic hymn Be Thou My Vision, proclaiming our need to follow the vision of our Savior, especially when we’re charged to lead others in the faith.

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Highlight Passage - 2nd Timothy 2: 2 [NKJV] … 
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - 2nd Timothy 2: 1-7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK 
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Reference Passage #1 - Luke 9: 23 [NKJV] … If you’ve followed my blogs, I make reference to this passage at least weekly as Christ is exhorting His disciples as to what it takes to follow Him. If you don’t have this one memorized – please seek it out and internalize its truth.

Reference Passage #2 - 1st Corinthians 11: 1 [NKJV] … 
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 

Reference Passage #3 … Philippians 2: 5-8 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Albert Lee, told of an incident where the famous evangelist D.L. Moody noted, in the hotel where he was staying while preaching at a crusade, that the guests left their shoes out to be cleaned and polished, as was the custom in some places. However, the hotel staff was not used to that custom and had no workers to do that task. So, Moody, quietly set about cleaning and polishing the shoes himself; and when the guests, who had come to hear him speak, heard about the task, they were overwhelmed by the example of humility of this Christian disciple.

This story reminds one of another such incident found in John 13, doesn’t it? I’m sure you know I’m referring to the humility lesson Jesus gave His disciples by washing their feet. Jesus, of course, was the ultimate example of leading by humility; and I’m always taken by the followership of the Apostle Paul as he, too, led by example. And I also take note that Paul, in mentoring his protégé, Timothy, as well as when he was instructing the church, such as in 2nd Tim. 2: 2 and 1st Cor. 11: 1 told his followers that they could follow his lead, … because he, Paul, was following Christ’s admonition of following our Lord (see Luke 9: 23). Paul’s exhortation in 1st Cor. 11: 1, where Paul said, “Imitate me, …,” almost sounds arrogant, doesn’t it? However, when we know what Paul went through to follow Christ, denying all considerations of personal comfort or safety (see 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 11), we can see that Paul was merely confident in his followership of Christ to be able to lead others in the Lord’s direction.

I hope you’ve had others to follow who led you closer in following Christ. I certainly have had that blessing. However, after following for a reasonable period of time, one must humbly take up the banner and lead others in their quest to know and follow our Lord.

 So, if we are following the Lord, as He exhorted in Luke 9: 23, I pray that we’ll begin to show the way to Christlikeness for others who’re seeking to become more like our Lord.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray You continue to give me the opportunity to follow Your leadership and to lead others to a deeper, more abiding, relationship with You. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 11, 20147 … Simplicity Is Power

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 223

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear group, Hillsong, singing Jesus, You’re All I Need, reminding all who love God of the simplicity which is wrapped up in God loving us and our need to love Him.

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Highlight Passage - Mark 12: 28 [NKJV] … 
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Matthew 11: 28-30 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 11: 28-30 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK 

Reference Passage #2 … 1st Peter 5: 7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Bill Crowder, used an interesting comparison of today’s IRS rulebook with the laws established by the Levitical priests. His point was that fallen mankind has a tendency to take something very simple and muck it up with complexity.

All one has to do is look at our U.S. tax code with over 4 million words to see how complex we’ve made the law for taxation in this country. And in comparison … by the time Jesus came to us, the 1st Century Jewish priesthood had made God’s Law so complex, overlaid with human legalism, that even the Priests found it impossible to follow, let alone live by it.

In today’s highlight passage [see Mark 12: 29], Jesus was challenged by a priestly religious leader and asked what Jesus considered most important from God’s Law; and The Lord didn’t hesitate, quoting from the Jewish “Shema,” which was/is found in our Deuteronomy 6: 4 reference; and this illustrates how simple Jesus considered THE LAW to be rather than the complexity of the Levitical laws the religious leaders of the day and in the had created.

 As any reader with me here can gather, Jesus’ way is really quite simple. And He even told His disciples just how simple any disciple of His would find life’s path if they were to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23, which I hope you know by heart now as often as I refer to the passage). Now, I’m not saying that following Jesus by denying self is EASY.

Far from it, being a disciple of Christ is very, VERY difficult; but it IS always quite simple. So, once again, I hope any reading with me are as challenged to see if we’re doing what Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-30 or what Peter exhorted in 1st Peter 5: 7; because, as Hillsong sings in the song linked above, Jesus Is All I [WE] Need.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, though I so often make life so complex; help me to recognize that You’re all I need. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 10, 20147 … Holy … Holy … Holy!!!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 222

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear group, Hillsong, singing Holy Holy Holy, reminding all who love God just how much more He, in His holiness, love us

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Highlight Passage - Revelations 4: 8 [NKJV] … 
1 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they did not rest day or night, saying: … “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Revelations, Chapter 4 [NKJV] … Go to this ink 

Reference Passage #1 … Matthew 6: 14-16 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Julie Ackerman Link, makes reference to a common cliché when discussing a rather perplexing scene in the Apostle John’s intricate vision in Revelation, Chapter 4, linked above. The vision was of six-winged angels, covered with eyes, surrounding God and continually singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!”

 The cliché was “time flies when you’re having fun;” and it was helpful to the author to help her interpret how these angels, for time eternal, only had the responsibility of lauding God’s holiness. Ms. Link reports, and I agree, that it was obvious that these angels were completely fulfilled and gratified to merely proclaim what they witnessed with all their eyes (see Rev. 4: 8).

And I think we can actually empathize with them. … Doesn’t time seem to fly by when we’re doing something gratifying or enriching? How many times have grandparents reported how fast time seems to have flown by as their grandkids were growing up?

 The author, Ms. Link, asks, “Is it boring to say the same words over and over when you’re in the presence of one you love?” Of course not; and she points out that it’s never boring or tiresome when we’re doing something we were designed or gifted to do; and especially when we know that it’s what God has intended for us to do in His will. … So, this raises the application question, … ”Are we doing what God has purposed for us to do; and is what we’re doing causing the time to fly by with purpose and power?” And secondly, are we doing what our Lord commanded all disciples to do in shining His light of holiness and love wherever we go? If so, time will fly by and we’ll never be bored of feel purposelessness.

I’ll let you deal with that one just as I am this morning as I write this.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I’m excited, with purpose and direction, to be doing EXACTLY what You have purposed for me to do in my life; and for that I say, “Holy, Holy, Holy and HALLELUJAH!” ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 9 2014 … God Will Make A Way

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 221

Devotional Song: Go to this link - and take the time to see a lyrical video of an anonymous praise group singing the classic song … God Will Make A Way, proclaiming the reality that we serve a God Who makes a way through this wilderness we call life.
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Highlight Passage: Psalm 77: 19-20 … [NKJV] …
19  Your way was in the sea; your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known. 20  You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Psalm 77: 10-20 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Exodus 14: 10-22 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  God made a wondrous way for His people through the Red Sea … just as He will for us through life …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … … God’s way is the way of trust …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … God’s ways are always the good ways …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David McCasland, took me back to the wondrous and miraculous way God made for His people to deliver them from Egypt, … through the parting of the Red Sea, which the Psalmist, Asaph, celebrated in his song, which we read in Psalm 77, a portion of which is copied and linked above.

And God may not part a river or a sea for us in our lives; but He set about making a way - no, … THE WAY - through the wastelands of sin in our lives by sending His Son to die so that we can walk, in faith, into an eternal relationship with Himself.

And so, when we are challenged by such passages as Romans 8: 28, we must recognize and acknowledge the God we serve; and through trusting and following Him, He will make a way … and as the song sings today, … a way where there seems to be no way.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, as I did yesterday and as I’ll do tomorrow, today I will seek to find YOUR way. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 8, 2014 … Standing Alone!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 220

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please go this video link to hear the newly famous group, Celtic Women, singing a song of the benefits of an abiding relationship with Christ, You’ll Never Walk Alone, which reminds us of the hope we have from and in our Lord.

Highlight Passage - Genesis 6: 7-8 [NKJV] … 
7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Genesis 6: 5-22 [NKJV] … Go to this ink

Reference Passage #1 … Deuteronomy 31: 8 [NKJV] … 
8 “… And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” 

Reference Passage #2 … Psalm 34: 15 [NKJV] … 
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. 

My Journal for Today: Fellow Christian, have you ever felt lonely or out there walking alone in your faith? Well, today’s Our Daily Bread devotional [ODB], authored by Jennifer Schuldt, does a “forget that!” exposé on that thought. And the author uses the life and circumstances of THE man of faith of his day, … NOAH.

And what an example of stand alone faith this dude was. And Schuldt also reminds us that though Noah had to stand alone for God, he never was standing alone. And that’s what the encouraging song, linked above, sings about, doesn’t it? I hope you’ve taken the time to hear the now famous, Celtic Women, singing the classic song Jerry Lewis made famous by singing it at the end of his annual fund-raising telethons to help MS victims know that they were never alone in their battles against the disease.

But sometimes, in this life, we feel like that lonely soul in the attached picture; and certainly how Noah must’ve felt as he was instructed to build a boat in times when his world had never seen rain. Yes, sometimes, even when we’re desiring help and fellowship, we are cast into the role of the person of faith standing for Christ in the midst of a world who wants nothing to do with our Lord. And when this occurs, stand alone we must, realizing in faith the truth of both of the reference passages above [see and meditate on Deuteronomy 31: 8 and Psalm 34: 15].

 So, I pray that if/when we come to that place where we’re out there on our own, standing alone for Christ, we will do so, as did Noah, … and we will find favor, as he did, with our Lord.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for all of those who stand with me for You and Your glory in this life. Being the weak soul I am, I need them. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 7, 20147 … Loving the Unlovable

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 219

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear Scott Underwood singing This Is Love, reminding all who meditate on the love given to all the unlovable (that’s you and me) by the Lamb of God.

Highlight Passage - Ephesians 4: 1-3 [NKJV] … 
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Ephesians 4: 1-12 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

Reference Passage #1 … Matthew 5: 42-44 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

Reference Passage #2 … John 3: 16 [NKJV] … I won’t insult you because I’m sure any Christian reading here will know this verse by heart.

Reference Passage #3 … 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … Yes, this is the “love chapter” from the Apostle Paul …

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Dennis Fisher, points to a dilemma all of us face in life – that of trying to love the unlovable. He writes, … " In the book God in the Dock, author C. S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn’t have to contend with such difficult people.”

But then fisher quotes C.S. Lewis, who challenges all of us, especially us Christians, with these words:  "You are just that sort of person. You also have a fatal flaw in your character. All the hopes and plans of others have again and again shipwrecked on your character just as your hopes and plans have shipwrecked on theirs."

Ouch!!! … That hurt!

I’ll bet any reading here agreed when Fisher raised the issue of having people in our lives who are so, so difficult to love, even though we know Jesus’ commands to love even our enemies. [See the link above to Jesus’ reference to loving our enemies in Matthew 5: 42-44.] The Apostle Paul wrote his famous “love chapter” (see link to 1st Cor. 13 above) which gives us God’s own definition of the extent of loving all … not just the lovable.

And I don’t doubt that many reading here have been thinking about some people in our lives who are so, so, SO difficult to love. However, knowing, as Christians, that love is a choice and not a feeling, we, given the power of the Holy Spirit in us, as Christians, can do what Paul wrote about to the church (see the highlight passage quotes/links above) and that is to “walk worthy” of our calling as Christians … and … to CHOOSE to love … yes, even the unlovable. And think of what C.S. Lewis was saying about ALL OF US, … that WE are the unlovable ones whom God has chosen to love enough to send His Son to die for us (see the classic verse in John 3: 16).

Yes, I know … ENOUGH SAID!!

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for loving this unlovable soul enough to die for me. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 6, 2014 … The Potter’s Clay

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 218

Devotional Song: … Go to this link ...    Please go this video link to meditate on a rather karaoke version of an old hymn, Have Thine Own Way, Lord, which reminds me that EVERYDAY God is the Potter and I am His clay.

Highlight Passage - Jeremiah 18: 4; … 6 [NKJV] … 
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. … 
 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Jeremiah 18: 1-6 [NKJV] … Go to this ink

Reference Passage #1 … Lamentations 4: 2 [NKJV] … 
2 The precious sons of Zion, valuable as fine gold, how they are regarded as clay pots, The work of the hands of the potter! 

Reference Passage #2 … Romans 9: 21 [NKJV] … 
21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Reference Passage #3 … 2nd Corinthians 5: 17 [NKJV] … 
17 Therefore, if anyone in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Reference Passage #4 … Galatians 2: 20 [NKJV] … 
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

My Journal for Today: The word picture of God as “the Potter” and his children (i.e., that’s you and me!) as “the clay,” is relatively common, being cited by various authors in both the Old and New Testaments. And it’s a word caricature with which I identify. Because when God finally got His hands on me, when I surrendered to His will in 1983, I was certainly a broken piece of pottery. And I believe that my testimony would be corroborated by others that “the me,” in my brokenness back in ’83, has certainly been reshaped in the Hands of my Lord into an entirely new shape (see both Galatians 2: 20 and 2nd Cor. 5” 17 copied above). And God, as my Potter, is continuing to reshape me into the image of my Lord and Savior, Jesus (see Phil. 1: 6)

I don’t think I need to go on with this for any Christian reading and meditating here with me, do I? No, as Christians, we’re all in some stage of brokenness; and the degree to which God, as our infinitely capable Potter, can reshape us, depends upon our willingness to submit ourselves into His hands for that reshaping process [i.e., sanctification].

I pray we all put ourselves on The Potter’s wheel today … and everyday!

My Prayer for Today … Lord, mold me, … remake me, … and shape me into the Image of Your Son, Jesus. ... I submit myself to The Potter's hands.   Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 5, 2014 … Are We Free?!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 217

Devotional Song: … Go to this link… Please go this video link to hear Nichole Nordeman singing a song of freedom in Christ, Finally Free, which reminds me of the reality which I must believe … that in Christ, my Savior, I’m finally free of sin and self.

RESTRAINED in Self

RELEASED in Christ

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Highlight Passage - Romans 8: 1 [NKJV] … 
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Romans 8: 1-11 [NKJV] … Go to this ink

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 23: 7 [NKJV] … 
7 As a man (or woman] thinks in his [her] hear, so is he [she]. 

Reference Passage #2 … Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] … 
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

My Journal for Today: Fellow Christian, are we free today?

Well, today’s Our Daily Bread devotional [ODB], authored by Poh Fang Chia, essentially asks that question by using a life analogy involving the training of domesticated elephants. … As any Christian can see from the first attached photo, when one sees an elephant restrained in a circus, they will note that the largest, most powerful, land mammal is usually restrained by only a stake in the ground with a short chain and a rather flimsy chain or rope. Of course, the elephant could pull free from the restraints at any time; but even the large bull elephants don’t because he’s been trained to believe that he cannot break free from the simple stake with a rope (or chain) attached to a flimsy ring around the animal’s ankle. The elephant could free himself from the restraints with one good tug; but he doesn’t because he believes he can’t.

Quite often in my ODB devotionals this year, I’ve been reminded of the truths in Romans, Chapter 8, revealed by the Apostle Paul, who had made the comparison of the self-imposed bondage of self-pity and mistaken beliefs in Chapter 7 of his letter to the Romans and the freedom which any Christian really has if he/she REALLY BELIEVES in the reality of what God’s Spirit provides for us through His prevenient, saving, and sanctifying grace.

As the second photo above reveals and today’s linked song reminds us, WE ARE FREE IN CHRIST!!! But do we believe it? Because, like the elephant (and the truth of Proverbs 23:7 reveal) if we believe, in our hearts, that we can’t break free from the bondage of the strongholds of sin which have us bound up in habitual behavior, we are captive to those restraints.

I lead a ministry (SEE THIS LINK for Battle Plan Ministry) to help men break free from the bondage of habitual sexual sin. And the prognosis for these men breaking free from their own self-imposed bondage of recurring sexual sin is whether they, as born-again Christians, can come to believe, in their hearts, that Christ, with His finished work on the cross, has set them free. As long as they believe, as Paul wrote about in Romans 7: 14-25 that they are captive to the law of sin in their flesh, Satan has them totally restrained from the freeing power of God’s enabling/empowering grace.

BUT (and this is such a big “BUT”) if/when these men can – and do – believe that Christ has set them free by His sanctifying grace, THEY WALK FREE and will make sin-defying choices which honor God rather than dishonor His Name. I pray today that all Christians reading this have broken free from the self-imposed belief that sin rules in our lives … so that we can walk free, following the mandate of Christ, who called all disciples to follow Him (I hope you know Luke 9: 23 by now).

My Prayer for Today … Lord, in my relationship with You, I’m a free man, … free to make Savior choices rather than selfish choices … free from my own sin to break the bondage of self-imposed misbeliefs and to walk free, … following You. ... Amen

Blogger Note: Every day during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 4, 2014 … Recognizing Just Who I AM

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 216

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  and take the time to see a lyrical video of Fernando Ortega singing a contemporary version of the classic song … Just As I Am, with Billy Graham’s voice imposed toward the end testifying of how much of a sinner he recognized in himself … and THEN TO THIS LINK to hear Ortega singing the refrain of the old classic version of Just As I Am, which Billy Grahams used for years for the invitational hymn at his crusades.
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Highlight Passage: Romans 7: 18 … [NKJV] 
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Romans 7: 11-25 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Romans 8: 1-4 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  In Christ we are set free from the bondage of death in sin …  

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 8: 37-38 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  In Christ NOTHING can separate us from His love and salvation …  

Reference Passage #3: 1st Timothy 1: 15 … [NKJV] 
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David Roper, made a direct reference to the song to which I have linked any readers above, which is a contemporary version of the old Billy Graham invitational hymn, Just As I Am. And as Roper notes, to illustrate his ODB entry today, as one hears Fernando Ortega singing the song, there is a brief “selah” in the song, and one can hear the voice of Billy Graham giving testimony to his self realization of just how much of a sinner he was - even after he was saved by God’s mercy and grace.

Please take the time to hear and meditate upon the songs linked above.

The Apostle Paul certainly recognized this when he wrote his famous self-recognition passage in Romans, Chapter 7, linked above, which became the launching pad for the explosive “victory in Christ” exposé in Romans, Chapter 8 [see the first four and last two verses linked above]. Paul later, when he was writing to his young preacher protégée, Timothy, touting himself the “chief” of all sinners. The Apostle knew who he was; and he wanted Timothy to know himself as well.

In writing these passages, cited above, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wasn’t wallowing in self pity. No, he was simply recognizing who he was as a sinner and Whose he had become as a saved saint. And I hope all reading here can recognize the human potential for sin which still resides in our flesh; but then again, I pray we all ALSO recognize all the truth of Romans 8 in declaring that nothing can separate us - as born-again saints - from the love of God when we own it and claim it in Christ [see Romans 8: 37-38 linked above].

My Prayer for Today … Lord, You saved me from myself; and now, in You, I daily find victory over self and sin. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 3 2014 … Bonded in Christ

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 215

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  and take the time to see a lyrical video of Steve Green singing the classic song … People Need The Lord, proclaiming the truth that all who are war with Christ need to let down their walls and let Him in.
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Highlight Passage: Ephesians 2: 14-15… [NKJV] …
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, … 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Ephesians 2: 11-18 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  The free gift of salvation is laid out in all its simplicity …  

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Galatians 3: 26-29 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  All the human walls of separation are broken down in our bonding with Christ …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Colossians 3: 14-17 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  It’s the love of Christ which bonds us to Him and to all other Christians …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dave Branon, reminded me of a fascinating reality when Christians who have never met come to be acquainted. 

Perhaps you’ve experienced this while traveling. You make the acquaintance of a stranger, i.e., someone you’ve never met. Perhaps you sit next them in an airplane; and in making awkward initial conversation, you both discover that you’re both committed Christians. IMMEDIATELY there is a bonding experience which breaks down all the natural barriers to communication and interaction.

Or perhaps you’ve experienced the opposite with your newly acquainted traveling companion, discovering that you’re a Christians and he/she is not. There is an immediate wall of separation, is there not, between the two of you which is difficult to breach and requires some touchy interaction to overcome? Therefore, to run into another born-again Christian while traveling really makes the communication so very much easier, doesn’t it?

The Apostle Paul wrote about that bonding with Christ when he was writing back to Gentile Christians in Ephesus as well as those whom he had helped lead to Christ in Galatia and Colossi (see the Ephesians 2, Galatians 3, and Colossians 3 passages above).

Yes, after one truly comes to know Christ as Lord and Savior (see Romans 10: 9-13 linked above), he/she is bonded by the love of God to all other Christians; and that’s why two perfect strangers, discovering they are mutually bonded in Christ, have no wall of separation or enmity between them. Whereas a Christian and a non-Christian do.

Hence, … that’s why we need to do all we can to witness for Christ and let Him break down the walls between non-believers and Himself, showing His love to any/all whom we contact, letting His love break down the walls which separate our Lord from the world. It’s what Steve Green sings about in the linked song above; and it’s what the world needs desperately (see attached photo).

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray all who read here have come to You, King Jesus, so that we can take Your love to a world so desperately in need of You. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 2, 2014 … Living in the REAL Grace-land

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 214

Devotional Song: Go to this link  – Please take your time to see a lyrical video of Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing the classic song about God’s mercy … Your Grace Still Amazes Me, proclaiming the truth as to the reality of God’s “amazing grace,” which always abounds in the life of a believer to enrich, enlighten, enable, and empower us.
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Click on photo to read text and then click BACK arrow or "X" to return to blog 

Highlight Passage: Romans 5: 15… [NKJV] …
15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Romans 5: 15-21 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Lamentations 3: 22-23 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  God’s heart of mercy is new every day!! … Now this is real “grace” land …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  The free gift of salvation is laid out in all its simplicity …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Ephesians 2: 8-10 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Again, here’s the real “graceland” where we all should abide …

Reference Passage #4 - NKJV: Titus 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Our pilgrimage to the land of grace should be through Christ’s finished work on the cross, because there lies the real home of THE KING …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Joe Stowell, takes his readers to an illustration of a home for “The King” in Memphis, TN, near where I live, which was aptly named for promotion and profits; and that, of course, is Elvis Presley’s mansion in the mid south, “Graceland.” And if you’re a child of the 50s/60s, as am I; and/or you’re a fan of classic Rock-n-roll, you just have to make a pilgrimage to Graceland to see this mecca and tribute to ostentatious idolatry.

The Mid-south Mecca, Graceland, is gaudy and fun to visit; and it’s the #1 tourist attraction in Memphis, TN. But when you come and see it, you’ll see why it’s the antithesis of today’s ODB passage, where the Apostle Paul was promoting another kind of “GRACE-LAND,” and that is the free gift of saving grace offered by the finished and foretold Savior and Messiah, Jesus, The Christ. And the Apostle Paul, in the highlight passage, linked above, tells of how one man, Adam, brought sin into the world; and the other Man (i.e., God-man), Jesus, brought salvation into the world with His finished work on the cross.

Where mankind must now live and move and have our being is in God’s GRACE-land; and I pray that all reading here abide there with our Savior and Lord, Jesus. I need say no more; but forgive the photo which seems to shamelessly promote the gaudy and glorious home of the King of Rock & Roll. And yes, twice a year - on Elvis’ birthday and his death day - thousands come in a pilgrimage to “The King.” To me, it’s a pilgrimage to paganism and illustrates the extent of idolatry in the world; but it brings valuable bucks into our mid south economy. And big buck is where the action is, right? 

So “y’all come” and see this wonderful and trashy place. But keep the real “GRACE-land” in perspective, … the home in heaven where all Christians will one day reside, … the home of the real KING of kings; and my friend, that KING is my Friend, Jesus: and He REALLY ROCKS!!! 

 My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray all who read here have come to You, King Jesus, and to abide in our true “GRACE-land!" … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 1, 2014 … City of Refuge

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 213

Devotional Song: Go to this link  – Please take your time to see a lyrical video of Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing the classic song about God’s mercy … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, proclaiming the truth as to God’s desire that all of His children would be saved from the justice we deserve as sinners.
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Highlight Passage: Psalm 59: 16 … [NKJV] …
I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Psalm 59: 10-17 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Lamentations 3: 22-23 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … … God’s heart of mercy is new every day!! …  

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  The plan of salvation is laid out in all its simplicity …  

Reference Passage #3: 2nd Peter 3: 9 … [NKJV] …
  9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Bill Crowder, takes all of its readers (and that’s me!) back to an Old Testament concept established by God in ancient Israel whereby someone who had committed an accidental homicide could flee to a “City of Refuge” (see attached photo) in order to be able to confess and receive refuge, asylum, mercy, and life from having been a part of the death of another, which would ordinarily, under God’s Law, require a death for a death.

As Crowder writes in ODB: ” This concept [of the “City of Refuge”], however, was not intended to be simply a practice for ancient Israel. More than that, cities of refuge reflected the heart of God for all people. He Himself longs to be our safe haven and our city of refuge in the failures, heartaches, and losses of life.” [See the Reference Scriptures linked or copied above.]

And if you take in the linked song and the Scriptures David wrote [in the highlight passages] when he was trying to escape the unjust pursuits of King Saul, you’ll see how David had faith in God as his refuge, just as we should continually be thankful that our Lord, Jesus, is our “City of Refuge” from our own sinful selves. And I pray that we all have fled to Him for His mercy and for His salvation.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray all who read here have come to you as our “City of Refuge” for Your saving grace! … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.