January 12, 2015 … Storytellers

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 12

Devotional Song: ... Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of the lyrics of the powerful song, Redeemed, … where Big Daddy Weave sings the powerful truth of our redemption in Christ; … and THEN ON TO THIS LINK  to hear Steve Green sing, People Need The Lord to remind us all that we need to tell our redemption story to a lost and dying generation.

Highlight Passage #1 Colossians 1: 13-14, 21-22 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK  … And here is the story that all true, born-again Christians can/must tell to a dark world
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Highlight Context - Colossians 1: 13-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul’s story of redemption led him to write these truths to other Christians of their redemption in Christ
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Reference Passage #1 - John 15: 5-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK   … Jesus tells of the fruitfulness which comes from His redeeming grace.

Reference Passage #2 - Ephesians 1: 7 [NKJV] … 
  7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace … 
Paul’s story and mine too [see attached photo] !!!

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Randy Kilgore, relates the story of Lew Wallace, the great Civil War General, who became Governor of the New Mexico Territory right after the Civil War. And General Wallace, inspired by the lost culture of the “wild west” in those days wrote his famous book, Ben Hur - A Tale of The Christ, which was called the most influential book of the 19th Century in America. Wallace believed that the story of the Christ redeeming the world was THE STORY to cure the social ills of any generation.

 Today, this ODB entry by Randy Kilgore reminds me that all Christians have a story of redemption, … a story of light to share with any darkened generation, … a story of The Christ, which is far more personal and powerful than even the great redemption story related by General Lew Wallace. My story is a story for the ages, … just as is your story of being REDEEMED, … as Big Daddy Weave sings in the linked song above.

 Whom will we encounter today who needs to hear our story of being redeemed and renewed by the blood of Christ?

My Prayer for Today … O Lord, … Give me an opportunity to share my story with someone who needs to hear Your story. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 11, 2015 … Out from the cave !!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 11

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of the lyrics with Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing their poignant song, All Is Well, … And ON TO THIS LINK ...  with the trailer for the movie from Dreamworks Entertainment, The Croods, with the message of the movie referenced below.

Highlight Passage #1 Luke 12: 7 [NKJV] … 
7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 
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Highlight Context - Luke 12: 1-7, 22-32 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus quells man’s fears with His message of hope from God, His Father
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Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 6: 25-34 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK -   Matthew’s version of Jesus’ “Do not worry” message from The Sermon on the Mount

Reference Passage #2 - 2nd Timothy 1: 7 [NKJV] … …
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. …
Paul teaching a rather timid church leader, Timothy, that fear is unnecessary when he have faith in Christ.

Reference Passage #3 - Hebrews 13: 5-6 [NKJV] … 
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Deut. 31: 6,8]  6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” [Ps. 118: 6] …
The message of “fear not” from the Author of the book of Hebrews …

Reference Passage #4 - 1st John 4: 18 [NKJV] … 
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. …
 John showing believers why fear is defeated by the love of God. My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Anne Cetas, uses a rather recent illustration from an animated movie, The Croods as she writes … [see also the attached photo]
... Grug Crood, the dad of a caveman family early in the animated movie, “The Croods,” believes that there’s no safe place beyond their cave. They huddle together at night so he can protect them. He thinks his teenage daughter should give up her adventurous side because it can only lead to danger. His motto for his family is “Never not be afraid.” … In other words, “Always be afraid.”

However, in the ODB entry for today, Cetas, then uses the very words and teachings of Jesus, from His “Sermon on the Mount,” as documented by Luke and Matthew (see passages above), where the Lord tried to show His followers that God, His Father, certainly fed the birds, … so, why wouldn’t God, Who loved mankind so much more than the birds, feed and clothe His beloved ones. Hence, as is documented in the Luke 12 and Matthew 6 passages above, those who have faith in Christ [i.e., God] have no reason to fear anything in this life, … including death.

 Christ, Himself, was the personification of the “FEAR NOT!” message which the Bible repeats over and over again. Read above how the author of the book of Hebrews quotes from the Old Testament (passages from Deut. 31: 6,8 and Ps. 118: 6] or John from his 1st John 4: 18 teaching … that God’s love casts out all fear; and the truth that God will never forsake any who believe and reverence (i.e., fear) Him.

 So, I take note today, remembering that God’s love for me demolishes any need for me to fear ANYTHING or ANYONE. So, I pray today to walk in the message that Paul taught to a rather timid new Pastor, Timothy, … [see 2nd Timothy 1: 7 above] … “that God has not given me a spirit of fear … but rather of love and power and of a sound mind!” 

My Prayer for Today … O Lord, … My faith in You casts out my fear!! Help me to hold onto this confidence in 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 10, 2015 … Old Dog … New Tricks!!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 10

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of the lyrics with Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing the poignant song, He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, … proclaiming the truth of God’s willingness and ability to do whatever it takes to remake anyone of faith in Christ into the image of our Savior.

Highlight Passage #1 John 3: 4-5 [NKJV] … 
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” …  5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 
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Highlight Passage #2 John 3: 16 [NKJV] … 
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 
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Highlight Context - John 3: 1-8, 13-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  Jesus tells old Nicodemus about the ultimate change
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Reference Passage #1 - John 19: 38-39 [NKJV] …
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. … 
 John documents the change in Nicodemus, whom we believe was saved when he helped Joseph of Arimathea bury the crucified Lord.

Reference Passage #2 - Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK -  …
Paul describes what it takes for anyone - no matter how old and corrupted by habit - to be saved

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David C McCasland, tells of an repeated adage which can be found in several forms in different languages involving change. He writes ….
  There are sayings in many languages about the difficulty of changing long-established habits. In English, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” In French, “Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on apprend à faire la grimace” (You can’t teach an old monkey how to pull a funny face). In Spanish, “El loro viejo no aprende a hablar” (An old parrot can’t learn to speak). 

And then McCasland writes about the interesting confrontation between Jesus and the religious leader, Nicodemus, found in Chapter 3 of John (see highlight passages above). Nicodemus, who questioned Jesus about the claim of one needing to be “born again,” according to many Bible scholars was actually questioning how an old man, like himself, so steeped in Jewish tradition, could be saved as Jesus was claiming. And Jesus’ answer came in words that most Christians know by heart (see John 3: 16), disclaiming that God can save anyone, no matter how old or set in his/her ways, if they believe in Jesus as THE CHRIST.

 And that was what the Apostle Paul taught and boldly claimed later (see Romans 10: 9-13 linked above). And what better example of God’s ability to change someone than the testimony and witness of the Apostle Paul, who had been a Christian killer as Saul of Tarsus; but who, later as a called one, the “Apostle” Paul, brought the truth and good news of the Gospel to much of the known world at that time.

 And Nicodemus also changed, as we read documented by the beloved Apostle John (see John 19: 38-39 copied above); because Nicodemus, risking so much as a member of the Sanhedrin, helped Joseph of Arimathea bury the crucified Christ. showing that Nicodemus had likely become saved. 

And I’m also one who can give witness to the changing and saving power of our Lord; … because my surrender to Christ at age 39 totally changed me. For 22 years of my life I was addicted to many forms of sexual sin; but on April 13, 1983, as a broken man, I accepted Christ’s claim of His saving grace, repenting of my past life of sin; and here I sit, over 30 years later, a former atheist, now a born-again Christian, … a former porn addict, now an obsessive Bible student, … and a former hater of Christians, now an Ordained Minister of the Gospel.

 Can an old dog learn new tricks? … ABSOLUTELY!!! 

My Prayer for Today … O Lord, … You are remaking me in Your image; and I yield, Holy Spirit to your enabling 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 9, 2015 … God’s Love Letter

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 9

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of the lyrics with Phillips, Craig, and Dean sining the poignant song, I Choose To Believe, … proclaiming our need to believe God’s promises and His truth, which we find most clearly laid out in His word.

Highlight Passage #1 Psalm 119: 97 [NKJV] … 
97 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 
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Highlight Passage #2 Psalm 119: 105 [NKJV] … 
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 
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Highlight Context - Psalm 119: 97-104 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   The Psalmist declares his love of God’s word - “His Law”
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Reference Passage #1 - Joshua 1: 8 [NKJV] … 
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. …
God’s prescription for spiritual success in following God’s will to Joshua.

Reference Passage #2 - 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17 [NKJV] … …
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. …
Paul exhorts the power of Scripture to Timothy … but also to any believer.

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Poh Fang Chia, reminded his readers (and me) of a lesson I learned from a mentor years ago; and that is about the power of God’s word to guide us through life; and that is why you will find me here - EVERY MORNING - digging deeply into God’s love letter, His word, written to/for any who believe in its truth to capture the essence of the God we love.

 The author of Psalm 119 knew this; and when you read and study his longest Psalm in the Bible, one can’t help but see that this believer, whoever he was, had a love affair in knowing and following God’s word. My mentor once expressed a prayer he had for me was that I would wake up each day with anticipation of what God was going to give me through His word to do what Paul wrote about to Timothy in 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17. And that is my prayer for any who’re reading with me today. And here I am with just that expectation.

 I pray that we all believe what God exhorted Joshua in Joshua 1: 8 … to be in God’s word every day; … and to have God’s word permeate our being so that it can lead us to success in following His will and His ways. I pray that we all develop a love affair for God’s word as did the author of Psalm 119. And I pray that we realize that God’s word is His love letter to all who believe in its power to light the way of our path in life.

 My mentor taught me - and I believe him - that to know God through His word would cause us to love Him more; … and to love our Lord more and more through His word would cause us to obey God more; … and to obey God and His word more readily would cause us to want to serve Him more and more; … and finally, to serve God more by following His word would allow God to bless us more and more. Therefore, if we want to be blessed by God (and what Christian doesn’t?!), we need to get to know God more and more; and the best way to get to know our God more intimately is through His word.

 And I’ll be here tomorrow - going more deeply into God’s love letter - because my desire is to know my God more intimately every day of my life; and His word is the best way for me (or you) to know our Lord.

My Prayer for Today … O Lord, … I beg You to give me more and more from Your word to light my path. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 8, 2015 … Showers of Blessing

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 8

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of Laura Storyl singing her poignant song, Blessings, … proclaiming the truth that God’s blessings don’t always come in the warm fuzzies of life … that often God’s providence comes wrapped in tears and difficulties.

Highlight Passage #1 Ezekiel 34: 26 [NKJV] … 
26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. 
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Highlight Context - Ezekiel 34: 25-31 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God’s prophesy and providence for HIS people will ultimately bring them protection, His purpose, and peace
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Reference Passage #1 - Ecclesiastes 11: 5 [NKJV] …
5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, [or “spirit”] or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, … so you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
...  Truth from Solomon

Reference Passage #2 - Romans 8: 29 [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.
… Truth from Paul

Reference Passage #3 - Philippians 4: 19[NKJV] …
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
… More truth from Paul concerning God’s providence

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Jennifer Benson Schuldt, reminded her readers (i.e, me too!) of a truth which is often forgotten by Christians and is so poignantly sung by Laura Story in the song she wrote and sings as linked above. I do hope you take the time to hear it (probably again as it’s becoming a contemporary Christian classic).

 We so often equate God’s “blessings” to be the warm and wonderful things in life. However, as Laura Story sings, … God’s providence - i.e., His blessings - can often come in the hurtful, painful, and tearful challenges of life. If we truly believe the highlight and reference Scriptures copied/linked above, we know that God does promise blessings to those who believe and follow Him in faith. However, God DOES NOT promise that His providence will always take the form of the comfortable or the “feel-good” aspects of life.

TRUTH: Read and meditate, … especially on Romans 8: 28 copied above. And then let’s ask ourselves, as I have this morning, … Do we really believe that ALL THINGS which come our way (i.e, God’s providence) is for our good? Because if we do believe that, we will see the challenges of life, … yes, even the very painful ones … are God’s purposeful providence … yes, His blessings!

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … How will You bless me today? Help me to see anything which comes my way as Your blessing. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 7, 2015 … “Here I Am, Lord”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 7

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of Daniel O’Donnell singing the poignant song, Here I Am Lord, … proclaiming the surrender of one life in service to God and others.

Highlight Passage #1 Galatians 6: 10 [NKJV] … 
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 
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Highlight Context - Galatians 6: 1-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul exhorts Christians to surrender in the service of the Lord and others
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Reference Passage #1 - Isaiah, Chapter 6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Isaiah called to serve God as a Prophet

Reference Passage #2 - Mark 10: 41-45 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus teaches about the slave/servant who is last will be first in God’s kingdom

Reference Passage #2 - Ephesians 4: 1-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul saw himself as a prisoner to His Lord, Jesus, … an attitude which should be shared by all born-again Christians to be able to walk in a worthy manner to our calling as “Christians”

Reference Passage #4 - Philippians 2: 1-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul’s instruction to Christians as to striving to surrender to Christlikeness and to become like the Master - a servant.
See especially Phil. 2: 3-4 …
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dennis Fisher, presented some strong and convicting teaching about servanthood in Christ; and if any reader here has seen the attached photo, listened to the song to which I linked readers, and taken in the highlight and reference Scriptures, linked and copied above, I think the message to any Christian following here is straight forward.

 Jesus was the personification of total surrender (i.e., even slavery) to His Father’s will; and that is His calling for all who’ve come to Him in surrender of our will to His. Isaiah, when he was called to be a Prophet of God, surrendered, saying, “Here I am, Lord, send me!” (see Isaiah 6 linked above). And this should be our attitude to our LORD and Savior, Jesus.

 My dear ones, Jesus is “KING JESUS;” to any/all who’ve received His saving grace! And all who are surrendered to His Lordship should be surrendered to His will and His ways, shouldn’t we not be? The question from today’s ODB entry … at least for me, is … ”Do I have the attitude of Isaiah or that of the post-resurrection Disciples [see Reference passages above?”]; In other words, am I a prisoner of Christ as Paul referred to himself (see Ephesians 4: 1-3); or have I humbled myself to pursue Christlikeness as modeled by our Lord, Himself (see the Phil. 2 passage, … also linked above)?

 Personally, I need to be seeking more of the “Here I am, Lord” attitude sung about by Daniel O’Donnell (linked above). And as I move further in 2015, that will be my pursuit.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Here I am, Lord. Help me to be more like YOU today than yesterday, … and even more tomorrow than today. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 6, 2015 … “Beauty From Ashes”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 6

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of Chrystal Lewis and Ron Kenoly singing the poignant song, Beauty From Ashes, … proclaiming the truth that our Lord desires to turn the ash heap of our world into the beauty of His kingdom.

Highlight Passage #1 Luke 22: 50-51 [NKJV] … 
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. 
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Highlight Context - Luke 22: 39-51 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus heals the ear of the soldier, showing compassion in the midst of chaos
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Highlight Context - Matthew 26: 51-52 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Matthew’s account of Jesus’ rebuke of the disciple (Peter) cutting off the soldier’s ear
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Highlight Context - Mark 14: 47 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Mark’s brief account of the disciple cutting off the soldier’s ear
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Highlight Context - John 18: 10-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   John’s account implicates Peter as the one who cut off the soldier’s ear
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Reference Passage #1 - Isaiah 61: 1-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Isaiah’s prophesy of the Messiah who would come to turn “beauty from ashes” (see verse # 3)

Reference Passage #2 - Luke 4: 16-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Luke’s account of Jesus fulfilling Isaiah's prophesy … that He had come as Messiah

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Julie Ackerman Link, uses a story about two great jazz musicians to illustrate her point of turning a moment of discord into something beautiful. She writes …
... Early in his career, jazz player Herbie Hancock was invited to play in the quintet of Miles Davis, already a musical legend. In an interview, Hancock admitted being nervous but described it as a wonderful experience because Davis was so nurturing. During one performance, when Davis was near the high point of his solo, Hancock played the wrong chord. He was mortified, but Davis continued as if nothing had happened. “He played some notes that made my chord right,” Hancock said. 

Then ODB author, Link, then turned to the life of Christ and made reference to how often our Lord took moments of error or chaos in the lives of His disciples to show how, in the words of today’s linked song above, He could (and did) turn “beauty into ashes.” How often in the parallel gospel accounts do we read of Jesus using the lack of faith or very human mistakes lived out by the 12 Disciples to show them [and us] how HE, Jesus, could and would show the ways of God’s Kingdom, rather than for us to live with the ways of man or the world.

 Certainly the time, recorded in all four of the Gospels, and documented above was such an example, … of where Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, the Priest’s soldier/servant; and Jesus immediately healed the ear, showing all the compassion of the Savior/Messiah rather than relenting to the chaos of man’s ways.

 And seven-hundred years before Messiah came on earth, Isaiah had predicted that our Lord would come to bring “beauty from ashes,” [see Isaiah 61: verse 3] as Crystal Lewis and Ron Kenoly also sing in the song linked above. But Jesus was the fulfillment of that prophesy, … as He clearly declared to the people in Luke 4: 16-21.

 Hopefully, … prayerfully, … we all, this very day, will look to live to bring beauty from the ashes we see around us, doing all we can to exercise forgiveness, kindness, patience, and compassion, especially when we see life all around us expressing the ways of mankind, the world, and Satan.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Help me to be Your emissary of compassion in this world of chaos. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 5, 2015 … “Some Assembly Required”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 5

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing the poignant song, He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, … proclaiming the truth that God will supply whatever grace we need if we but humbly yield to Him.

Highlight Passage #1 Philippians 4: 6-7 [NKJV] … 
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 
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Highlight Context - Philippians 4: 4-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul had discovered what it took to avoid worry and stress.
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Reference Passage #1 - 1st Corinthians 10: 13 [NKJV] … 
13 No temptation [also translated “test, tribulation, or trial”] has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. … 
Paul exhorted that God will never allow a believer to be put in any temptation without the Lord’s faithful help to deal with such trials.

Reference Passage #2 - Philippians 1: 3-6 [NKJV] … 
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; … 
Paul was confident in the finishing work of God’s Spirit, the fellowship of believers, and the power in prayer to his Lord.

Reference Passage #3 - 1st Peter 5: 6-7 [NKJV] … 
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. …
 Peter discovered the power of humility and where to get his help in life.

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Bill Crowder, through a personal story reminded me of my own encounter with failure and how to deal with the difficulties and stresses of life.

A few years ago, my wife and I purchased an office clutch which we saw assembled in a home improvement store. It was just what we needed for my office with a desk space, a spot for a computer tower and monitor, and a variety of shelves. When it arrived, stamped clearly on the box were the words, ”Some assembly required!” Well, when we got all the parts unpacked and got a look at the instructions, I realized that I was WAY OVER MY HEAD to assemble the project (see attached photo). Therefore, I had to contract with a friend who could decipher the instructions and construct the hutch to specifications. It took him two full days; but with his carpentry skills, he built the piece of furniture, much to the relief of yours truly. Seeing the finished project, I was glad to pay my friend for doing the job. And this very morning I’m sitting at that hutch doing this morning devotional. 

Sometimes it takes more than we have in life to deal with the trials, tribulations, temptations, and troubles which can come our way. Two of Christ’s Apostles, Paul and Peter, quoted above in Scripture, recognized that they needed the help of God’s Spirit, the fellowship of believers, and prayer to deal with the anxieties of life.

 I hope any reader here will take the time to take in the song linked above where Phillips, Craig, and Deal lay out the truth in song that God will “do whatever it takes” to provide any Christian the enabling and empowering grace to deal with life. That’s what Paul was decrying in writing to his beloved friends in Philippi [see Philippians 4: 4-13] and those in Corinth [see 1st Cor. 10: 13], which, of course, was also directed to all Christians like you and me. He exhorted us to deal with the stresses of life by taking them to God in prayer [see Phil. 4: 6-7] and relying on others in the body of Christ [just as Peter also related in 1st Peter 5: 6-7].

 So, I pray that I can internalize and activate these truths as I’m forever in need of “some assembly” in trying to put my life together in this complicated and stress-filled life.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Help me as I deal today with life’s complications and concerns. I lean on Your power - AGAIN. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 4, 2015 … Preparing for the Bridegroom

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 4

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a video of an anonymous group singing a tribute song to Christ as the Bridegroom, Holy - Bride of Christ, … proclaiming that Christ’s church is the Holy Bride at the wedding feast of the Lamb of God

Highlight Passage #1 Revelation 19: 7-8 [NKJV] … 
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 
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Highlight Context - Revelation 19: 4-9 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   John’s vision of the wedding feast of the Lamb of God
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Reference Passage #1 - Luke 5: 33-35 [NKJV] … 
33 Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” 
 34 And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” …
 Jesus responds to the religious leaders and stated clearly that HE was “The Bridegroom”

Reference Passage #2 - John 3: 27-29 [NKJV] … 
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
... John, the Baptist’s witness of Jesus being “the Bridegroom”

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Joe Stowell, related how, as a Pastor for many years Stowell performed many weddings; and each time he reveled in the reality that the Bride was always “the star” of the event. However, Stowell reminds his readers that there will be one wedding, the Wedding Feast of the Lamb of God, where “the star” will be The Bridegroom, … the Lamb of God Himself, returning to claim His Bride, the Church.

 Stowell goes on in this ODB entry to point out that The Church today has many faults and blemishes; and today’s highlight passage from Revelation 19 rightly disclaims that The Church, collective, should be doing more to prepare Herself for Her Bridegroom. However, The Church has been selected by the faith of its election to be Christ’s Bride, which is made clear by Jesus Himself and by John The Baptist (see Luke 5: 33-35 and John 3: 27-29).

 Being a male, sometimes it’s difficult for me to think of myself in the role of Christ’s Bride; but since His Bride, THE Church, is constituted by all who've declared Christ to be their LORD and Savior, we all await Jesus’ return to claim His Bride; and in this wait, we are, according to the highlight vision of the Apostle John (again Revelation 19: 7-8) the Bride (i.e., The Church); and we should be preparing our linens (i.e., with our righteous acts) for the wedding feast of the Lamb.

 I’m convicted today, as Christ’s Bride, that I should be doing much more to diligently prepare for my Bridegroom’s return. … How about you?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … My life are my linens, being prepared for Your return for me as Your Bride. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 3, 2015 … Redeemed by His blood

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 3

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of Big Daddy Weave singing the his contemporary Christian classic Redeemed, … proclaiming the redemption and freedom found by all who come to Christ in faith … and THEN TO THIS LINK - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uZcGaixMhg - to hear Steve Green singing the reality of his song, People Need The Lord and what must be our drive to share God’s redeeming grace with all who will see His redemption in our lives.

Highlight Passage #1 Psalm 40: 8-10 [NKJV] … 
10  I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.
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Highlight Context - Psalm 40 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   King David declares the redemption He found in His Lord
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Reference Passage #1 - Psalm 96: 1-3 [NKJV] … 
1 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! … Sing to the Lord, all the earth. 
2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name; … Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
3  Declare His glory among the nations, … His wonders among all peoples. … 

Reference Passage #2 - 2nd Corinthians 5: 17 [NKJV] … 
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; … behold, all things have become new. 
… Proclaiming the reality of God’s redemption
 

Reference Passage #3 - Ephesians 1: 7 [NKJV] … 
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ... 
… Redeemed by God’s grace through the blood of the Lamb

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dave Branon, reminds - and even convicts me - that I need to be living my life to show off what God has done to redeem me from the pits of sin.

 My life NOW should be a placard to proclaim God’s redemption to others who need The Lord’s saving grace. I’m really a poster-child for 2nd Cor. 5: 17 and hopefully you’ve heard the song linked above and realize especially what Steve Green is singing … that people need our LORD and His redeeming blood.

 So, today, as we encounter people walking about in our lives, let’s pray that God opens the door of opportunity for us to share what God has done in our lives through His redeeming grace … and what He can do to/for anyone who receives that grace through realization and repentance.

 Yes, so many people in our lives need the Lord.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … My life proclaims 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 2, 2015 … Wonderworking Power

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 2

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of a Southern Gospel quartet singing the old hymn Power In The Blood, … exclaiming the wonderworking power of Jesus’ blood, shed in remission of our sins on the cross.

Click on graphic to read smaller print - Then on "X" to return to blog 

Highlight Passage #1 Genesis 1: 9 [NKJV] … 
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” 
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Highlight Context - Genesis 3: 1-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Adam and Eve hid in their sin; but there’s no where to hide from God
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Reference Passage #1 - Numbers 32: 23 [NKJV] … 
23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out. …
 There are always consequences for sin

Reference Passage #2 - Psalm 139: 7-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   No where to hide from God

Reference Passage #3 - Hebrews 10: 19-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   We can come boldly to God’s throne of grace because He has covered our sin with His blood

Reference Passage #4 - 1st John 1: 7 [NKJV] … 
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. … 
 The blood of Christ cleanses us from our sin

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Lawrence Darmani, reminded me of a truth I remember from my youth and I have seen repeated in my grandchildren. We come into the world as sinners; and even as children, our default reaction when we realize we’ve done wrong is to either run and hide or to cover up our sin with a lie. I’ve seen our kids/grandkids stand right in front of me and lie, seeing on their face they know they have sinned as they lie about it. 

That’s our nature - our sin nature. And that pattern began in “the garden” with Adam and Eve (see the highlight passage linked above). God, … realizing that His children had eaten of the forbidden tree, called out to Adam, knowing full well where this sinner was. Adam, however, tried to hide from God in his shame; but surely we know, especially if we believe the truths spelled out above in the reference scriptures, that there’s no where to hide from God in our sin (see the Psalm 139 passage). As God’s word clearly spells out, our sin will always expose us to God’s all-knowing, all-seeing power (see Numbers 32: 23).

 However, God has provided a way for us to be cleansed and covered by a power far greater than our sin nature. It is the “wonderworking power of the blood” of Christ, shed on the cross in remission of our sin. And if we come under the blood of Christ, in repentance and confession, we can/will be cleansed of our sin; and we won’t need to hide in our sinful nature any more.

 So, I pray today that we all recognize and realize the “power of THE BLOOD” to heal and to cleanse us of our shame and sin. Take a few moments, meditating with the song linked above to pray for God’s healing and wonderworking power IN THE BLOOD.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Your blood is my cover. … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

January 1, 2015 … More Like Christ

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2015 - Day 1

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of a chorus singing the old hymn Be Thou My Vision, … declaring the reality of our need to let God’s will and His way, through His word, be our vision into the New Year …

Highlight Passage #1 2nd Timothy 3: 14 [NKJV] … 
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, … 
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Highlight Context - 2nd Timothy 3: 1-5; 10-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Timothy getting counsel and advice from the wiser Paul for his duties as Pastor of the church in Ephesus.
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Reference Passage #1 - Joshua 1: 8-9 [NKJV] … 
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Reference Passage #2 - Psalm 119: 105 [NKJV] … 
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet … and a light to my path. 

Reference Passage #3 - Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … 
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 

Reference Passage #4 - Proverbs, Chapter 16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Wisdom from Solomon as to where we search to find true wisdom and direction

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David C McCasland, gets me started into the New Year with wise counsel from the Apostle Paul to his protégée, Timothy, who was a young pastor in Ephesus trying to do the “right stuff” for his new Christian flock. Timothy was doing the right thing by following the older, wiser, more experienced Christian mentor, Paul, who could lead the young Pastor in the right and righteous direction.

 Today is New Year’s day; and many of us may feel compelled to set some New Year’s resolutions into motion; but we know - from our past in setting such goals - that, all too often, we fall by the wayside in failure setting these “resolutions” in motion (see attached photo). So, how do we set our course into the New Year and be more resolute and stay on track with our goals?

 Well, the advice Paul gave to young Timothy can certainly help us be more resolute; and the other reference scriptures linked/copied above can help as well (meditate on the passages above). And personally, you can come each day to this place and find me doing my best to do what God has advised Joshua in Joshua 1: 8; or what Solomon was trying to advise his off-spring in Prov. 3: 5-6 or in Chapter 16; or what the author of Psalm 119 was advising concerning God’s word (see Psalm 119: 105); or again, what Paul was advising Timothy in 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17; and that is to get into God’s word and let the truth of Scripture be a light unto our path and our Spirit-led “GPS” into the New Year.

 So, dear one, if you come here - day-by-day-by-day - you will find me delving deeply into God’s word, using the ODB devotionals, to help me stay on track as I seek God’s way and His will from His word.

My Prayer for Today …   Lord, shine a light on my Path with Your word so that I can find Your way and stay on track.  … 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

December 31, 2014 … Crossing Our Jordan

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 365

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of Kristyn Getty singing By Faith, … declaring the truth that we can follow our God to find the Holy City God promises for all who come to Him in faith …

Highlight Passage #1 Joshua 3: 14 [NKJV] … 
14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, … 
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Highlight Context - Joshua 3: 9-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God’s people had to trust in God for them to cross over the Jordan and into the Promised Land.
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Reference Passage #1 - Joshua 1: 8-9 [NKJV] … 
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Reference Passage #1 - Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … 
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Jennifer Benson Schuldt, relates a personal story to illustrate her New Year’s Eve devotional, a story which reminded me of my own family incident.

 When our oldest daughter was about 5 years old she was learning to swim; and she wanted to show her mom and dad that she could jump off the high dive at the rec center where we went to swim as a family. I told her to get on the board and I would be in the pool below when she jumped into the water. When she got to the edge of the diving board, I could see the look of fear on her face; and I could imagine her thinking, “Can I trust Dad down there treading water; … and what will happen when I jump?” … But she did trust me; and she jumped from that 30 meter board; and I’ll never forget the smile on her face as she emerged from the water after jumping off.

 So, today's ODB author, Schuldt, directs her readers (me) to the passage in Joshua, Chapter 3 where the fearful Israelites were being exhorted by Joshua, their new leader after Moses had died, to cross over and head into the “Promised Land,” as God was directing His people. But remember all those fears the people had from the report of the spies that the Canaanites, who lived across the Jordan, were like monsters. Like my daughter at the edge of that diving board, God’s people were asking themselves, “Can we trust God and our new leader, Joshua?” But as we see in the highlight passage linked above and the attached photos, the people, led by their Priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, stepped into the Jordan; and history tells us that the waters parted much as they had when God’s people were led by Moses across the Red Sea to escape the Egyptians 40 years earlier.

 It’s a new year ahead; but today’s devotional begs the question, “Are we willing to cross the Jordan of our fears and trust God to lead us into HIS purposes and HIS promises?” … Will we trust our God to lead us as HE did Joshua; or will we let our fears paralyze us to keep us from crossing over our 2014 Jordan and move into the promised land of 2015?

 Our choice; … but personally I choose to jump off the board with God waiting for me in the waters of fear. I choose to step into Jordan of tomorrow morning and be here crossing into God’s promised land of my future. And I know that just as God promised Joshua in Joshua 1: 8-9, if I step out in faith, following God’s word and seeking His will, being obedient to His ways, my God will lead me to HIS promised land into this New Year.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … I will cross the Jordan of my fears and following You into Your promised 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

December 30, 2014 … Following The Good Shepherd

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 364

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of Marty Goeetz, our Messianic Jewish psalmist, singing King David’s beloved Psalm, Psalm 23, … declaring the truth that our Savior is our Good Shepherd now and forevermore.

Highlight Passage #1 Psalm 23: 1; … 6 [NKJV] … 
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. … 
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; … And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. 
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Highlight Context - Psalm 23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  David’s beloved song about the “Good Shepherd” in his life
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Reference Passage #1 - Isaiah 53: 6 [NKJV] … 
6 … All we, like sheep, have gone astray. We have turned each to his own way; and the Lord has laid on HIM the iniquity of us all. 

Reference Passage #2 - John 10: 7-11; 22-30 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … Jesus IS “The Good Shepherd,” Who clearly states that He and the Father are ONE

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David C. Egner, relates a poignant and pertinent thought for Christian readers to hold onto as we move into the New Year; and Egner illustrates the point with a true story about a flock of over 1500 sheep, where one, leading the flock, fell over a cliff; and in the process of following that one, over 300 of the flock died. 

It’s an apt word picture that several Scriptural authors describe God’s chosen as “sheep;” and the Lord as our “Good Shepherd.” Several of those Bible passages are linked or copied above, the most often quoted being from the 23rd Psalm, penned by King David; and I hope any reader here has taken a few minutes to use the song link above to hear one of my favorite Christian singers, Marty Goetz, a Messianic Jew, who has put Psalm 23 to music.

And over 700 years before the birth of Messiah, the Prophet Isaiah declared the nature of mankind being like sheep, wandering on our own and often perishing in our desires to follow other sheep; but as Isaiah writes in Isaiah 53: 6, God has lain on Christ the iniquity of us all, providing mankind with a Savior, … a “Good Shepherd,” to lead us to safety, as King David wrote, … into … “the house of the Lord forever.”

 And, of course, you no doubt have red the red-letter words in Scripture (see the John, Chapter 10 passages linked above) where Jesus openly and clearly, in response to inquiry from the religious leaders of His day, referred to HIMSELF as “The Good Shepherd,” declaring that He and The Father were (and are) One.

 And today, as we’re about to launch our walk with The Lord into 2015, I pray that we all are closely following the Good Shepherd so that we will avoid following other sheep over the cliffs of danger in our lives.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … I pray that all here are following our Good Shepherd closely and diligently into and through this upcoming new year. … Lead us, Lord, and we 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

December 29, 2014 … Waiting on God

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 363

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of Kristyn Getty singing the song written by Keith Getty, By Faith, … reminding Christians of the faith it takes to wait on God and work within His will.

Highlight Passage #1 John 11: 5-7 [NKJV] … 
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. 7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 
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Highlight Context - John 11: 1-48 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  Faith many times requires waiting on God’s way, rather than wanting our own way

Highlight Context #2 - John 11: 20-27 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Martha illustrates both selfish desire and ultimate faith in Jesus
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Reference Passage #1 - Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … 
6 … Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him; and He will direct your paths.

Reference Passage #2 - Luke 10: 38-42 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … Martha learning about faith from Jesus

Reference Passage #3 - 2nd Corinthians 5: 6-8 [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: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Marion Stroud, besides the highlight passages about Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave, uses a personal story about his kids at Christmas to illustrate how difficult it is for any of us, let alone children, to exercise faith in circumstances which require delayed gratification. We humans are all dissatisfied when we have to wait to get what we desire. We are a “give me more” and “give it to me now” people, aren’t we? 

We’ve been celebrating The Advent Season in my devotionals in the last few weeks; and Christmas is a story about delayed gratification. God sent His son, The Messiah, in the form of a babe in a manger, which was confusing to the the Jews; but then God’s plan had Jesus waiting and growing for 30 years before Jesus began to reveal Himself as the Son of God to His friends and the religious leaders of the day.

 And one of those times of delayed revelation came when Jesus’ friend Lazarus fell ill and died as related in today’s highlight scripture (see link to John 11: 1-48 above). You remember the story. In His divine insight, Jesus knew that His friend Lazarus had died; but he delayed with His disciples two days before traveling to Bethany, another two days, to be with Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary. 

Therefore, Lazarus had been dead for four days and was decaying in his tomb. Martha, came to Jesus upon His arrival, despondent over the death, and expressing dismay that Jesus hadn’t come earlier to save her brother (see the passage in John 11: 20-27 above). But Jesus was there to teach all his followers, especially the Jewish leaders whose hate of Jesus was growing, a lesson about WHO He was (and is). And in this moment of despair, Martha, whom we often give a bad rap about her faith (see the Luke 10 link above), even though she was grieving over the loss of here brother, showed very deep faith that Jesus was the Son of God.

 The question from these lessons today is … DO WE HAVE THE FAITH TO WAIT ON GOD? Can we trust God to rely on God’s way, … God’s timing, … and God’s plan, rather than being influenced by our selfish desire to have our own way? This is a good reminder and self exam for me today. How about you?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Help me to have the faith of Prov. 3: 5 and 2nd Cor. 5: 7 and to walk by faith rather than by needing my own sight. 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

December 28, 2014 … Yet He lives!!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 362

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of Matt Maher singing his very personal declaration in son, Because He Lives, … reminding all who call Jesus their Savior, that we are alive BECAUSE HE LIVES !!

Highlight Passage #1 Romans 8: 38-39 [NKJV] … 
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
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Highlight Context - Romans 8: 31-39 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul’s exhortation of victory … in that nothing can separate the born-again Christian from the love of God. 
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Reference Passage #1 - Deuteronomy 31: 6 [NKJV] … 
[Moses to Joshua] 6 … “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

Reference Passage #2 - Romans 7: 13-25 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK  ... The prophesy fulfilled, and written of by Matthew in Chapter 2, verse 15, that God Son would come out of Egypt …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David C McCasland, relates a beautiful story to illustrate the main point of today’s entry. I’d do it an injustice if I tried to provide it seconded handed to any reading here. Therefore, here are the author’s words … " Ted Robertson’s home in Colorado was one of more than 500 destroyed by the Black Forest Fire in June 2013. When he was allowed to return and sift through the ash and rubble, he was hoping to find a precious family heirloom made by his wife—a tiny ceramic figurine of baby Jesus about the size of a postage stamp. As he searched the charred remains of their home, he kept wondering, ‘Is the baby Jesus still here?’ … In a corner of what used to be his garage, Ted Robertson discovered the burned remnants of a nativity scene and there he found the baby Jesus figurine undamaged by the flames. He told KRDO NewsChannel 13, ‘We’ve gone from apprehension to hope . . . that we’re going to recover some parts of our life that we thought were lost.’ " 

Do you identify with that story? I sure do. So often when we, as Christians, are in the midst of trials, maybe even some which are devastating, we can be lured by the lie (probably from Satan) that our Lord has abandoned us. But if a believer can internalize the truth of today’s ODB highlight passage (see the link above to Romans 8; 31-39), we’ll KNOW, without doubt, the truth of what Moses was relating to Joshua when Moses was dying … that our God will never leave us, nor forsake us [see Deut. 31: 6 above].

 Today’s ODB highlight passage is from the great victory chapter Paul wrote in Romans 8 [use the link above to review it]. And the hopefulness which Paul writes in that chapter is in stark contrast to his self-conflicted attitude in Romans 7: 13-24 [also linked above]. Writing God’s truth in both the Romans 7 and Romans 8 passages, we see that even a staunch believer, like Paul, can get down-and-out about our sin nature and/or the circumstances of life; but ROMANS 8 relays the pick-me-up truth … that OUR SAVIOR LIVES, and nothing can separate us from His love.

 So, today, as Matt Maher sings in the song linked above, let’s get on board with those Deut. 6 - Romans 8 truths … and live to walk with the One Who has saved us from ourselves, … the One Who Lives, … and the One Who will never leave us nor forsake us.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … I know You live and that You will walk with me today. 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

December 27, 2014 … Protected in God’s Will

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 361

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of Josh Groban singing his poignant arrangement of the Christmas carol, What Child Is This, … reminding all who call Jesus, The Christ, our Savior that He is the King of kings and even as a babe was The Messiah.

Highlight Passage #1 Matthew 2: 13 [NKJV] … 
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 
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Highlight Context - Matthew, Chapter 2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   The true tale of God sending His angel to reroute Joseph and his family to Egypt to escape the horrible edict of King Herod to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and surrounding regions.
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Reference Passage #1 - Isaiah 9: 6 [NKJV] … 
6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 

Reference Passage #2 - Hosea 11: 1 [NKJV] … … The prophesy fulfilled, and written of by Matthew in Chapter 2, verse 15, that God Son would come out of Egypt …
  1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My Son. … “ 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dave Branon, reminded me of a personal story which illustrated the point of today’s ODB entry, which was that God can/will direct and protect our lives to complete or fulfill His plans and purposes for our lives. 

My story happened years ago when my uncle and aunt were driving into their driveway on Palm Sunday in 1965 in Indiana when a tornado came through their farm. As my uncle pulled into his driveway, he saw their house explode; and his truck was picked up by the raging cyclone, dropping the truck back on the highway next to their farm headed directly away from the farm and the storm and toward the town. My uncle accelerated the truck and escaped the storm and their deaths from the tornado. Many people died in that tornado that night; but my aunt and uncle lived well into their nineties to raise their kids and grandkids, knowing that God very likely saved them that night. 

Matthew relates a fascinating and complicated true story about how God’s intervention in the lives of Mary, Joseph, and their newborn son saved them from imminent peril. Please take the time to refresh your memory of these events by using the link above to read and meditate on Chapter 2 of Matthew’s Gospel account, when God sent an angel to Joseph to take his young family from Bethlehem to Egypt. And when they ultimately returned to Nazareth after Herod’s death, we read how that historical event fulfilled God’s plan, prophesied by Hosea (see Hosea 11: 1 copied above) that God would bring His Son out of Egypt to fulfill God’s redemptive plan in Jerusalem.

 The point of the ODB entry today is straight forward. If we are in the will of God, and pursue that will and the Lord’s ways, God will guide us, protect us, and ultimately take us where He has destined us to go. When we are in God’s will, we’re in the safest place we can be.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … guide me, direct me, protect me for Your purposes and Your glory. 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

December 26, 2014 … Shining His Light

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 360

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in video of Matt Redman singing his poignant song, Light of the World, … pleading for God, the Light of the World to shine on His children.

Highlight Passage #1 ... John 1: 14 [NKJV] … 
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. 
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Highlight Context - John 1: 1-14 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Spirit inspired declaration of the essence of The Christ, who was born a man to dwell among men and shine His light for all to see God
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Reference Passage #1 - Isaiah 9: 6 [NKJV] … 
6 For unto us a Child is born, 
Unto us a Son is given; 
And the government will be upon His shoulder. 
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, 
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 

Reference Passage #2 - John 14: 16-17 [NKJV] … … Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit…
  16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 

Reference Passage #3 - Acts 1: 8 [NKJV] …  Jesus, ascending into heaven, charges all who truly believe in Him to become His Spirit-empowered witnesses …
  8 “… But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

 Reference Passage #4 - Philippians 2: 6-7 [NKJV] … And my Lord did this for me (and you) …
  6 … Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Joe Stowell, used a personal story to illustrate the importance and reason God set aside His glory and came down as a babe in a manger to dwell among men. Here was Stowell’s story … ”It was the buzz of our neighborhood. A famous professional football player had moved in just two houses down from where we lived. We had seen him on television and read about his great skills on the field, but we never thought he would choose to reside in our neighborhood. Initially, our expectations were that we would welcome him into the neighborhood and we would all become great friends. But his life was obviously far too busy for any of us to get to know him personally.“ 

And then author Stowell reminds the ODB devotional readers (i.e., me) of the incredible reality of the Spirit-inspired declaration of the Apostle John, highlighted and linked above, … that the God of the Universe, … the great “I AM,” … chose, as it says in Phil. 2: 6-7, to set aside the glory of the Godhead to become a Babe in a manger and to walk among men and to die so ignominiously on a cross, so that mankind could see and identify with the Light of the World, … to see God in flesh, walking among us.

 But even those who walked most closely with Him during His time on earth, His inner disciples, didn’t recognize what the beloved Apostle John wrote about [see John 1: 14 copied above] until after He died on that infamous cross and was raised again from the dead, and ascended once again into heaven, … all witnessed by over 500 hundred earthly witnesses, who were transformed later by the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus (see John 14: 16-17), so that all who surrendered to God’s Spirit, could shine Jesus’ light - the Light of the World - as His witnesses (see Acts 1: 8 above) into an ever darkening world. And our Lord charged all of us, i.e., those who’ve received Him as Savior and LORD, to do all we can to shine His light - every day of our lives.

 So, today, as we are coming out from our celebration of our Lord’s birth, let us do all we can to shine His light … by worshipping the “Word Who became flesh” and dwelt among us, … the One Who sent His Spirit to abide in the hearts of true believers forever as the “Light of the World!”

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … shine Your light in me! 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, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.