August 21, 2016: Doing Life Together

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 234  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Casting Crowns singing … Broken Together, reminding Christians to that life is meant to be lived in TOGETHERNESS … not in loneliness.

Highlight Passage: Hebrews 10:24-25 [NKJV] …  
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 
… God’s church is primed to work TOGETHER in the unity of Christ’s calling.
===========
Highlight Context … Hebrews 10:19-25 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s will that life is meant to be lived in community … in TOGETHERNESS.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Two - TOGETHER - are better than one alone … and even more brings more strength.

Reference Passage #2 … Philippians 2: 3-4 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God made us to reach out and help one another - TOGETHER - in community.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, David McCasland, uses the word picture of Disneyland lines to illustrate how we work better, as humans, TOGETHER, rather than as Lone Ranger Christians. He wrote: While standing in line for a popular attraction at Disneyland, I noticed that most people were talking and smiling instead of complaining about the long wait. It made me ponder what made waiting in that line an enjoyable experience. The key seemed to be that very few people were there by themselves. Instead, friends, families, groups, and couples were sharing the experience, which was far different than standing in line alone. 

My nature is to go it alone in life. Some are the gregarious type who love groups and togetherness; and they do well in crowds of people. I’m not one of them. But if there’s one lesson I’ve learned in becoming and growing as a Christian, it is the lesson taught by God’s truth above, … that life is meant to be lived in community, with each of us in God’s kingdom reaching out to help others and to share in each other’s sorrows and burdens.

Today’s OBD was a good reminder for me to resist my natural tendency to do life in a lounge chair - ALONE; and rather, … to follow my Lord’s leading - thru His word (see above) - to live in community, … especially with my fellow Christians.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … I will be with my fellow Christians today, Lord, in Sabbath celebration of Your love… in Your house, … worshipping You. Please bless our time of praise and sharing.  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.

August 20, 2016: Giants?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 233  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Don Moen singing … God Will Make A Way, reminding Christians to seek God’s way and then follow it in faith.

 
Highlight Passage: Numbers 13:30 [NKJV] …  
30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” 
 … Caleb and Moses, with faith in God, saw His will that the people move into Canaan as God had promised.
===========
Highlight Context … Numbers 13:25-14:9 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Ten spies feared the giants and two feared God and saw His will to move on.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Again, as I so often do, this passage is reported as significant.

Reference Passage #2 … Philippians 3:13-14 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to keep their eyes of faith on the prize (of God’s will) rather than being deterred by fears of the world or self.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, David Roper, uses the true story of the 12 spies going into Canaan to scope out God’s promised land; and when they returned, 10 were afraid to move forward, having seen “giants;” … but two of the spies saw God’s prize in Canaan for the taking. He wrote: After being encamped near Mt. Sinai for two years, the people of Israel were on the verge of entering Canaan—the land God had promised them. God told them to send twelve spies to assess the land and the people living there. When the spies saw the strength of the Canaanites and the size of their cities, ten of them said, “We can’t!” Two said, “We can!” 
… What made the difference? 

The difference, of course, was perception of these two groups, skewed by fear of the world or self in ten as opposed to the faith of two who clearly saw God’s will and His vision for His people. Oh, so often we know of God’s calling or His direction; but we become encumbered by our own self-imposed fears. Some may see the exact same things from life, as did God’s 12 spies; but they report very opposite prospects to move forward based on how they see God’s sovereignty and His will for them to move onward.

The ODB author asks his readers, “What are your “giants”? A habit you cannot break? A temptation you cannot resist? A difficult marriage? A drug-abusing son or daughter? If we compare ourselves with our difficulties, we will always be overwhelmed. Faith looks away from the greatness of the undertaking to the greatness of an ever-present, all-powerful God.”

We all must answer those questions; and after taking in the song and scriptures above, I pray we all might move onward to the prize God has for us.   Is fear going to stop us or will our faith in God prevail?

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Author Roper’s prayer is worthy of repeating by this humble servant today, as He wrote "Dear Lord, when the “giants” in my life begin to overwhelm me with fear, help me to trust 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.

August 19, 2016: All Alike?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 232  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of iGuy Penrod singing the classic hymn … Count Your Blessings, reminding Christians to remember what God has done for us.

 
Highlight Passage: Matthew 20:15 [NKJV] …  
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 
… Seeking to go our own way or to be like others so often leads us astray from God.
===========
Highlight Context … Matthew 20:1-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… So often our pursuits are a matter of trusting and seeking God’s ways, rather than our own.

Reference Passage #2 … Luke 18:9-14 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… We can be like the Pharisee in the parable and look down - in pride - on others we feel lower than our station in life

Reference Passage #3 … Romans 12:1-2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Conforming to the world’s ways is not being a living sacrifice for our Lord.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams, quotes a sociologist on how we so often try to pursue what others have rather than being grateful for God’s blessings. He wrote: Thomas J. DeLong, a professor at Harvard Business School, has noted a disturbing trend among his students and colleagues—a  “comparison obsession." He writes:  “More so than ever before, . . . business executives, Wall Street analysts, lawyers, doctors, and other professionals are obsessed with comparing their own achievements against those of others. [see attached photo] . . . This is bad for individuals and bad for companies. When you define success based on external rather than internal criteria, you diminish your satisfaction and commitment.” 

And the scriptures rendered above certainly support this professor’s observation, … telling us, in no uncertain terms, what Guy Penrod sings in today’s devotional song. All too often I find myself comparing what I do with others, rather than being grateful for God’s many (WAY MANY!) blessings in my life. I find myself seeking to do life the world’s way rather than pursuing God’s way [see Prov. 3:5-6 and Romans 12:2].

I don’t need to be like so many others. I need to be me … and the best me I can be for my Lord. And that’s my goal today. How about you?

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, thank You for saving ME … and for reshaping me into Your image. Help me to be the best of You I can be 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.

August 18, 2016: He Wanted ME ?!?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 231  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of images from Brian Doerkson singing the classic hymn of surrender … Just As I Am, the song played at Billy Graham crusades for decades as lost souls were called to come forward in surrender to God’s altar call of salvation.

 
Highlight Passage: 2 Chronicles 10:17-18 [NKJV] …  
17 Then Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter; so five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain. 18 Thus the children of Israel were subdued at that time; and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers. 
… God lifts Judah to defeat Israel because of their faith in Him.
===========
Highlight Context … 2 Chronicles 13:10-18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+13%3A10-18&version=NKJV … Even a little bit of faith goes a long way to let God in for His victories.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … John 3:16-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s love so great that He receives any lost soul who comes to Him in faith.

Reference Passage #2 … Revelation 3:20 [NKJV] …  
20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 
… Jesus’ call to even lukewarm believers … to open the door and let Him in for fellowship.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson, used a story of some faithful soldiers to illustrate God’s reception of any/all who come to Him in faith. He wrote: As the convoy waited to roll out, a young marine rapped urgently on the window of his team leader’s vehicle. Irritated, the sergeant rolled down his window. “What?” “You gotta do that thing,” the marine said. “What thing?” asked the sergeant. “You know, that thing you do,” replied the marine. … Then it dawned on the sergeant. He always prayed for the convoy’s safety, but this time he hadn’t. So he dutifully climbed out of the Humvee and prayed for his marines. The marine understood the value of his praying leader. 

Those soldiers sensed they needed to go to God before they went into battle that day [see photo]. And my ODB author reinforced this modern day example of God’s receptiveness to the faithful by highlighting the biblical story of the men of Judah, under Abijah, surrendering their plight to God as The Lord came in to help them defeat the northern tribes of Israel [see the 2nd Chronicles 13 passage above].

And I think of how God wanted me, … yes, even me, when I was a sex addicted atheist, who finally surrendered to His love (see John 3:16-17) and let Him come into my life daily to transform me into the man I’m becoming today (see Revelation 3:20).

Oh, how it’s my prayer that all reading here have received His saving grace, … offered openly and freely to any/all who come to receive His love by faith; and then daily to open the door as He knocks and desires to come in and fellowship with us.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, Jesus, come in and dine 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.

August 17, 2016: Others First

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 230  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of images from the group, The Hollies, singing a popular song from the 70s, … He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, proclaiming the reality of Christians reaching out to help carry the burdens of our brothers/sisters in Christ … and for others in need as well.

Highlight Passage:  Romans 16:1-2 [NKJV] …  
1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. 
… Paul exhorting fellow Christians to reach out and help those who had helped him.
===========
Highlight Context … Romans 16:1–4,13,21–23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul wanted others to help those who had helped him while in prison.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Philippians 2:3-4 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul, passing on the charge to reach out and help others, … more than self.

Reference Passage #2 … 1 Thessalonians 5:11 [NKJV] …   1
1 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 
… Others first!!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Anne Cetas, told the story of an unselfish brother carrying his younger brother miles to raise funds for those, like his brother, with cerebral palsy. She wrote: In the summer of 2015, Hunter (aged 15) carried his brother Braden (8) for a fifty-seven-mile walk to raise awareness of the needs of people with cerebral palsy [see attached photo]. Braden weighs sixty pounds, so Hunter needed frequent rest stops where others helped him stretch his muscles, and he wore special harnesses to disperse Braden’s weight. Hunter says that while the harnesses helped with the physical discomfort, what helped him most were the people along the way. “If it weren’t for everyone cheering and walking with us, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. . . . My legs were sore, but my friends picked me up and I made it through . . . .” His mom named the arduous trek “The Cerebral Palsy Swagger.” 

The message of that true story and from one of my favorite songs from 1970 by the Hollies, as well as from the letters of the Apostle Paul from prison, cited above, is clear, isn’t it? We need to ask ourselves if there’s anything we can do today to help others, rather than focusing on our own selfish desires.

Do I sense anyone else here who feels convicted besides me?

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Show me clearly where I can pick up the load and help someone carry their burden today, Lord.  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.

August 16, 2016: Light In Darkness

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 229  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of images from Chris Tomlin singing … Light of the World, proclaiming the reality of Christians being able to shine the Light of Christ into the world - a very dark world. … And THEN ON TO THIS LINK  to hear Chris Rice singing Go Light Your World, commanding us to do as Christ commanded - to shine as the Light of the World.

Highlight Passage:  John 1:4-5 [NKJV] …  
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 
… A good name is the strongest legacy we can leave for our children.
===========
Highlight Context … John 1:1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… In Him (Christ) and from Him comes the light of the world.
===========

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. 
… Jesus demands that His disciples shine His light into a very dark world.

Reference Passage #2 … John 8:12, 9:5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus made it clear that HE was the light of the world.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, C.P. Hia, used an historical illustration to teach on how we, as Christians, must shine our light - i.e. Christ’s light - into a very dark world. He wrote: In 1989, Vaclav Havel was elevated from his position as a political prisoner to become the first elected president of Czechoslovakia. Years later at his funeral in Prague in 2011, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who herself was born in Prague, described him as one who had “brought the light to places of deep darkness.” 
What Havel’s introduction of light did in the political arena of Czechoslovakia (and later the Czech Republic), our Lord Jesus did for the whole world. 

Really, … I don’t need to write very much more in conviction, do I? Christ came into this world - a space darkened by sin; and He both declared (see above Scriptures) and demonstrated that He was the “Light of the World.” And when we let His light into our hearts (see photo), we become His light in the world; and as He commands (and Chris Rice sings) we must shine His light to help others come out of their darkness.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Help me be Your light for someone else 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.

August 15, 2016: Forging a Legacy

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 228  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing … I Want To Be Like You, proclaiming the desire to leave a legacy of Christlikeness Christian parents desire to be for the next generation.

Highlight Passage:  Matthew 6:8 [NKJV] …  
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, … loving favor rather than silver or gold. 
… A good name is the strongest legacy we can leave for our children.
===========
Highlight Context … Proverbs 22:1-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Leaving a legacy of Godliness for those who come after us.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Ephesians 4:1, 6:4 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Living as we’re called to live, in Christ, and raising our kids toward Christlikeness will be a strong legacy for God’s glory.

Reference Passage #2 … Galatians 5:22-23 [NKJV] …  
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 
… Living in Spirit-led fruitfulness will ALWAYS leave a legacy of Christlikeness.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Joe Stowelli, used a personal story to illustrate the need for Christians to leave a legacy of Christlikeness. He wrote: While staying in a hotel in a small town I noticed that the church across the street was having a service. People were jammed into the church with a standing-room-only crowd of both young and old flowing out onto the sidewalk. When I noticed a hearse by the curb, I realized it was a funeral. And given the crowd, I assumed that it was the celebration of the life of some local hero—perhaps a wealthy businessperson or a famous personality. Curious, I said to the desk clerk, “That’s an amazing turnout for a funeral; it must be for a famous person in town.” 
“No,” he replied. “He wasn’t rich or famous; but he was a good man.” 

 When we die, as disciples of Christ, what kind of a legacy do we want to leave for others to say of our lives, … especially our family (see attached photo)?  I would pray that I would follow the Apostle Paul’s admonition … to live a life worthy of my calling in Christ (see Eph. 4:1) and that my wife and I have, together, raised our children in the admonition of the Lord (see Eph. 6:4).

In that way, … in our fruitfulness as a Christian parents/grandparents (see Gal. 5:22-23) … I’m praying that our kids/grandkids would all want to sing, as do Phillips, Craig, and Dean in the linked song above, “I want to be like you.”

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Help my dear wife and I live in a way which honors and glorifies You to those who come after us.  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.

August 14, 2016: Father Knows Best

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 227  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Sandi Patty singing … His Eye Is On the Sparrow, proclaiming the reality of our Heavenly Father, Who loves us and always watches over His children.

Highlight Passage:  Matthew 6:8 [NKJV] …  
8 “… For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 
… God, thru the Prophet, expresses His inscrutable greatness. Jesus teaching on our reliance on the Father’s providence.
===========
Highlight Context … Matthew 6:8-9, 25-34 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus teaches on the watchcase of the Heavenly Father.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God, our Heavenly Father, not only is always with us, … He goes ahead of us.

Reference Passage #2 … 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 will direct your paths. 
… I hope all here have this one in our hearts and truly believe it.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Lawrence Darmani, an ODB author from Ghana, tells a very personal story to illustrate his teaching today. He wrote: I was only four years old as I lay by my father on a floor mat on a hot summer night. (My mother, with a baby, had her own room at the time.) This was in northern Ghana where the climate is mostly dry. Sweat covered my body, and the heat parched my throat. I felt so thirsty I shook my father awake. In the middle of that dry night, he rose up and poured water from a jar for me to quench my thirst. Throughout my life, as he did that night, my father exemplified the image of a caring father. He provided what I needed. [See attached photo] 

We have a social plague of fatherlessness growing in this country; and it’s effects have been devastating on our culture. The violence and distrust for authority that we see so prevalent today is no doubt related to the reality that so many sons don’t know, nor trust, that they have a father who will be there for them … ALWAYS.

And that’s what Jesus was reassuring the people on that hillside when He delivered the Sermon on the mount (see the Matthew 6 citation above). Jesus knew that His Heavenly Father was watching over Him; and He wanted the people (and that’s you and me) to know that we could trust a loving Heavenly Father Who would always provide for us and watch over us.

I pray that all reading here, even if your earthly father did not provide the watch-care he should have, know and live by the truth that our Heavenly Father watches over, not only the sparrow, as the song declares, but over us as well.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Thank You for providing my needs and watching over me every day … and every moment!  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.

August 13, 2016: Way Beyond Me!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 226  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Chris Tomlin, leading in worship, and singing … How Great Is Our God, proclaiming the greatness and majesty of our inscrutable and indescribable Lord and God.

 
Highlight Passage:  Isaiah 55:8-9 [NKJV] …  
8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. …” 
… God, thru the Prophet, expresses His inscrutable greatness.
===========
Highlight Context … Isaiah 55:6-9 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s Prophet declares God’s incomprehensible greatness.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Job 36:26 [NKJV] …  
26 “Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; … Nor can the number of His years be discovered. … “ 
… Job is finally recognizing God’s greatness.

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. 
… Prayerfully we have faith that God is in control and is working out all things for our good … and according to His purposes … even if we don’t understand those purposes.

Reference Passage #3 … Romans 11:33-26 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK  
… Paul quotes from Is. 40:13 and Jer. 23:18 to declare that God’s ways are “unsearchable.”

Reference Passage #4 … Philippians 1:6 [NKJV] …  
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; … 
… Faith in God’s sometimes inscrutable sanctifying grace …

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Bill Crowder, uses a modern word picture to teach about our having faith in things we don’t understand. He wrote: Although I depend on technology every day to get my job done, I don’t understand much about how it works. I turn my computer on, bring up a Word document, and get to work on my writing. Yet my inability to comprehend how microchips, hard drives, Wi-Fi connections, and full-color displays actually function doesn’t get in the way of my benefiting from technology. 

And isn’t that the way we, as Christians, move forward in life, … not really being able to understand or explain all the ways of God; … but trusting that He’s in control and is moving us toward a completion that we know our Lord has for us [see the reference scriptures above]? … Of course, it is! … And sometimes it’s frustrating; but it all boils down to our faith in a God Who is so much greater than we can imagine and ALWAYS has our good in His plan.

All we have to do is look into the heavens (see attached photo) and we can declare what Chris Tomlin sings above; and I will pray that we can trust in our great and wondrous God this day; … trusting that He’s in control and His purposes are to move us to become more like Him today and everyday.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … I trust You, Lord … even tho, so often, I don’t have a clue what You’re doing.  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.

August 12, 2016: Carrying HIS “Message”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 225  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group 4Him singing … The Message, singing of our responsibility as Christ’s messengers to carry His message faithfully and clearly to this world.

Highlight Passage:  Romans 12: 2 [NKJV] …  
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 
… Paul exhorts Christians to be living sacrifices - not as the world would - but as Christ would. 
===========
Highlight Passage - Repeated in Context … Romans 12:1-2 [ MSG] … USE THIS LINK …  
… The Message paraphrase of Romans 12:1-2 showing God’s intent for the church in this world. 
===========
Highlight Context – Romans 12:1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul exhorted those in Christ’s body to unify and carry the message of redemption in all that we think, say, and do.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Matthew 28:19-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Christ’s “Great Commission” for His church

Reference Passage #2 … Acts 1:8 [NKJV] …  
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.” 
… Jesus’ charge for His Church to become His witness … i.e. His messengers.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, David McCasland, warns Christians, much the same way the Apostle Paul did in Romans 12 (see above) to avoid falling into the mind trap of Satan’s ways when we carry Christ’s good news to the world. He wrote: When Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the medium is the message” in 1964, personal computers were unknown, mobile phones were science fiction, and the Internet didn’t exist. Today we understand what great foresight he had in predicting how our thinking is influenced in this digital age. 
 In Nicholas Carr’s book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, he writes, “[The media] supply the stuff of thought, but they also shape the process of thought. And what the Net seems to be doing is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation. Whether I’m online or not, my mind now expects to take in information the way the Net distributes it: in a swiftly moving stream of particles.” 

When Christ ascended and returned to heaven after His resurrection, He commissioned His Church to go forth with His Spirit’s power and take the message of the gospel to the world (see Matt. 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8). But, unfortunately, satan has found a way to mute and distort the message of God by having Christians adopt the world’s way of messaging (i.e., the internet’s language system).

The Apostle Paul (in Romans 12:2) warned Christians to avoid the world’s way of doing business; and we should take heed of this warning as we do all we can to be Christ’s ambassadors in this world. So, fellow messenger, … let’s go forth today and take God’s truth, … i.e., HIS MESSAGE, … living it out and and proclaiming His word clearly to the world. That’s what I try to do - and pray that I’m doing - each day here.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … help me to witness and carry Your message clearly to the world every day in this place.  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.

August 11, 2016: “Fear Not!”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 224  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Mark Lowry and the Gaither Band singing … Mary Did You Know, singing of glorious birth of the baby King Jesus.

Highlight Passage:  Luke 2:10 [NKJV] …  
10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid,for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 
… God’s goodness and mercy shields us from the heat of our day.
===========
Highlight Context – Luke 2:8-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… No need to fear from the Angels … or from Jesus.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … John 10:31-39 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Many feared Jesus in His day, especially the Jewish leaders, because they could not see the Messiah in Him.

Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Phillip Yancey, teaches on the fear so many had in Jesus’ day, not understanding how the Messiah could be born in a manger. He wrote: Nearly every time an angel appears in the Bible, the first words he says are, “Do not be afraid” (Dan. 10:12, 19; Matt. 28:5; Rev. 1:17). Little wonder. When the supernatural makes contact with planet Earth, it usually leaves the human observers flat on their faces in catatonic fear. But Luke tells of God making an appearance on earth in a form that does not frighten. In Jesus, born in a barn and laid in a feeding trough, God finds at last a mode of approach that we need not fear. What could be less scary than a newborn baby? 

For many years in my younger days, I feared the reality of Christ, rejecting His divinity, … much like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. But like the angels declared to the shepherds on the night of our King Jesus’ birth, there’s no need to fear our Lord as the Messiah. Yet, there is need to bow down to Him as our Lord. For if we don’t, the eternal horror we will face is certainly something to be feared.

I pray that all who read here have seen Jesus as our eternal King and have received Him as our Lord so as to be with Him forever in Paradise.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … I pray that all who read here with me know You, Lord Jesus, as King and Messiah.  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.

August 10, 2016: His Goodness Shades Us

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 223  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Newsong singing … For Goodness Sake, singing of the reality of God’s love ALWAYS shielding us when we surrender our lives to our Savior.

 
Highlight Passage:  Psalm 121:5 [NKJV] …  
5 The Lord is your keeper; … the Lord is your shade at your right hand. 
… God’s goodness and mercy shields us from the heat of our day.
===========
Highlight Context – Psalm 121 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… A Song of God’s goodness shading us from evil.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Lamentations 3:22-23 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s shielding faithfulness never ceases

Reference Passage #2 … Hebrews 13:5 [ 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, Josh. 1:5] 
… God repeats His promise to never forsake us.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pye, relates a word picture to illustrate the goodness and mercy and faithfulness of our God. She wrote: Living in Britain, I don’t usually worry about sunburn. After all, the sun is often blocked by a thick cover of clouds. But recently I spent some time in Spain, and I quickly realized that with my pale skin, I could only be out in the sunshine for ten minutes before I needed to scurry back under the umbrella. As I considered the scorching nature of the Mediterranean sun, I began to understand more deeply the meaning of the image of the Lord God as His people’s shade at their right hand. Residents of the Middle East knew unrelenting heat, and they needed to find shelter from the sun’s burning rays.

The ODB entry today is a word picture with which we can all identify; … i.e., the need to be shaded from the scorching sun (which, of course, represents the evil in this world). Everyday, watching the news we see/hear of the heat of this evil world bearing down on us … with murders, terrorism, and all sorts of mayhem pervading our times.

BUT … God’s promise to Israel in Psalm 121, and repeated in the other reference scriptures above, is that His goodness and mercy will always be there to shade us from the heat of evil in the world. Take in today’s linked song, and know that even if we lose our lives to this scorching evil, believers will be shaded with God’s love for eternity.

So, when you see reports of terrorists and murderous mayhem today, … take heart in the shading we have from our Lord.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … I run into the shade of Your mercy today, Lord, to be shielded from the heat of evil in this world.  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.

August 9, 2016: Soldiers of Selfishness

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 222  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Steve Green singing … People Need The Lord, poignantly singing the reality that so many will pass our way everyday who need God’s saving grace.

 
Highlight Passage:  2 Corinthians 4:1 [NKJV] …  
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 
… The “ministry” to which Paul refers is sharing God’s good news with those who need Him. 
===========
Highlight Context – 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Sharing Christ’s good news should be the heart of every Christian
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … John 3:16-17 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… He loved us so much; and we need to share His love with others

Reference Passage #2 … 2 Timothy 1:8-12 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul exhorted Timothy (and all Christians) to be willing to do all to share the Gospel with others who need Christ.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Poh Fang Chia, relates a true story about a man who lived over 30 years after WW2 was over thinking that the war was still being fought. She wrote: World War II had ended. Peace had been declared. But young Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda of the Japanese Imperial Army, stationed on an island in the Philippines, didn’t know the war had ended. Attempts were made to track him down. Leaflets were dropped over his location, telling him the war was over. But Onoda, whose last order in 1945 was to stay and fight, dismissed these attempts and leaflets as trickery or propaganda from the enemy. He did not surrender until March 1974—nearly 30 years after the war had ended—when his former commanding officer traveled from Japan to the Philippines, rescinded his original order, and officially relieved Onoda of duty. Onoda finally believed the war was over. [See attached photo of Hiroda’s surrender] 

Have you noticed how resistant non-believers can be to the truth of the Gospel? Perhaps you have a resistant relative who won’t surrender to God’s saving grace to end his war of selfishness. And, as Steve Green sings in today’s song, linked above, we will pass some, maybe many, today who need the Lord. And if not you or me, … who will share the love of God (see John 3:16) with these lost folks at war with God?

That was Paul’s obsession in exhorting Timothy, in the highlight passage above, to share Christ’s saving grace whenever/wherever he could; and that should be our heart as well. And perhaps today God will arrange a divine appointment to do just that and help a soldier of selfishness to surrender to the saving Grace of our Lord.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Show me, Lord Jesus, whom I should share You with 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.

August 8, 2016: Waiting With Love

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 221  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Sara Groves singing … I’ll Wait, poignantly singing the reality of all Christians to wait in anticipation of the return of our Lord.

Highlight Passage:  Revelation 22: [NKJV] …  
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” … Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! … I, for one, await My Lord’s return!
===========
Highlight Context – Revelation 22:12-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus defending the little children.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … John 3:16-17 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… He loved us so much!!

Reference Passage #2 … Revelation 19:7-8 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… I am preparing for His return.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Keila Ochoa, told a story about her son to illustrate how much we Christians should be anticipating the return of our Savior. She wrote: The day before my husband was to return home from a business trip my son said, “Mom! I want Daddy to come home.” I asked him why, expecting him to say something about the presents his daddy usually brings back or that he missed playing ball with him. But with solemn seriousness he answered, “I want him to come back because I love him!” 

Our Lord and our Bridegroom has declared, through His Apostle, John, that He’ll be coming home soon (see the highlight passage); and seeing all the events in our lives, it seems His return is imminent. But have we, as Christ’s Bride (i.e., the Church) been waiting for Him as God described we should (see Revelation 19:7-8), i.e., by preparing our linens because we love him so much, … much like the little boy in the Ochoa’s story was waiting on his daddy.

Just because we love Him as He loved us [yes, we know - from John 3:16] … and as Sara Groves sings in today’s song, … we wait with anticipation.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … I’m waiting. … Oh, dear lord, … come soon!  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.

August 7, 2016: Lifting Them Up

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 220  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, poignantly showing what God will do for any who are down trodden and need His grace.

Highlight Passage:  Mark 10:16 [NKJV] …  
16 [Jesus to His disciples] “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. …” 
… Jesus so defended the vulnerable, little children who came to Him.
===========
Highlight Context – Mark 10:13-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus defending the little children.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Luke 10:25-37 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus defending the “Good” Samaritan.

Reference Passage #2 … John 4:1-26 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus saving the “woman at the well.”

Reference Passage #3 … John 8:1-11 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus protecting the woman caught in adultery.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson, told a story of a teacher protecting her student to illustrate how Christians need to take up for others in need. He wrote: When Kathleen’s teacher called her to the front of the grammar class to analyze a sentence, she panicked. As a recent transfer student, she hadn’t learned that aspect of grammar. The class laughed at her. Instantly the teacher sprang to her defense. “She can out-write any of you any day of the week!” he explained. Many years later, Kathleen gratefully recalled the moment: “I started that day to try to write as well as he said I could.” Eventually, Kathleen Parker would win a Pulitzer Prize for her writing. 

And this teacher was being much like Jesus, Who so very often took up and supported the vulnerable and defenseless around Him, … much like he did in the highlight passage above, defending the little children; … or (in Luke 10) where He castigated the Pharisees with the story of the “good” Samaritan; … or (in John 4 )where the Lord took up for the loose woman at the wall; … or (in John 8) when He even protected a prostitute accused of adultery.

And aren’t we, as Christians, charged by our God to be as much like our Savior as we can in this life? And so, today’s ODB entry asks of me … whom am I defending who needs defending? Whom am I lifting up who is down trodden? Or whom am I protecting who is defenseless?

My prayer is that we all can be more like Jesus today [and tomorrow] by responding to help the vulnerable and defend the defenseless.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … help me to see others in need and to do all I can to help.  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.

August 6, 2016: Looking Up

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 219  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Michael W Smith, leading in worship and singing … Open The Eyes Of My Heart, poignantly praying in song that God open the eyes of believers to see His glory. … And then ON TO THIS LINK  to hear Alan Jackson singing, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, following God’s desire that we look up ... upon His Son ... always.

Highlight Passage:  2 Kings 6:17  [NKJV] …  
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 
… God opened the eyes of the King’s messenger so that he may see God’s army.
===========
Highlight Context – 2 Kings 6:8-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God can/will open the eyes of unbelief to behold His glory.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Hebrews 11:1, 12:1-2 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God gives us the way for our eyes to be fixed … on His Son, Jesus!!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Marion Stround, used a life picture to illustrate how we can get down in our selves, due to life’s circumstances to ignore God’s glory in our lives. He wrote: Emil was a homeless man who spent a whole year looking down at the pavement as he plodded around the city day after day. He was ashamed to meet the eyes of others in case they recognized him, for his life had not always been lived out on the streets. Even more than that, he was intent on finding a coin that had been dropped or a half-smoked cigarette. His downward focus became such a habit that the bones of his spine began to become fixed in that position so that he had great difficulty in straightening up at all. 

And then the ODB author, in the highlight passage (above), … used the biblical story of Elisha when the Prophet helped the king’s servant to look up and see God’s glory; … and to get his eyes off of his own fears. And that’s why the author of Hebrews [see Hebrews 11/12 above] also gives us as God’s desire to help us see our way through life.

So, after taking the time to deeply hear and internalize the songs, linked above, I had to ask myself if I was letting internal or worldly matters take my eyes off of my Savior. Perhaps any readers here today need to ask the same question.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … open my eyes this day that I may see your power and love, i.e., Your glory, manifest in my life.  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.

August 5, 2016: Watching Over Me

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 218  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Selah singing … His Eye Is On The Sparrow, poignantly declaring the reality of God’s watchful care, overlooking all who believe in Him.

Highlight Passage:  Psalm 34:15 [NKJV] …  
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. 
… David felt His God watching over him in times of trial.
===========
Highlight Context – Psalm 34:15-22 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… David, being pursued by Saul, knew peace because his faith looked to His Lord.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 3:5-6 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Solomon knew God watched over him.

Reference Passage #2 … Isaiah 26:3 [ NKJV] …  
3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 
… The Prophet declared that God’s peace comes to those who look to the Lord in faith.

Reference Passage #3 … Philippians 4:6-7 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul declares how to find God’s inexplicable peace.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Dave Branon, used the timely picture of the Olympic athletes being able to look up in Rio and see Jesus watching over them. He wrote: No matter where the athletes of the 2016 Olympics go in the city of Rio de Janeiro, they can see Jesus. Standing high above this Brazilian city and anchored to a 2,310-foot-high mountain called Corcovado is a 100-foot-tall sculpture called Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer). With arms spread wide, this massive figure is visible day and night from almost anywhere in the sprawling city. 

How pertinent are those words today as the Olympics get under way in Rio; ... and all in attendance there can look up and see the statue of Jesus looking down over them. But, as Selah sings in my linked song (above), and the Scriptures above declare, any day/anywhere, any Christian can/should know that Jesus watches over us, providing us with His peace.

Young David, when he wrote Psalm 34, knew the peace of his Messiah watching over him as he was being threatened and pursued by Saul; ... and Isaiah & Paul knew that God watched over them as they wrote Isaiah 26:3 & Phil. 4:6-7.

And … I will pray today that all who read here with me, ... no matter what pressures we may be experiencing, can look up and feel Jesus watching over us and giving us His peace.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … I pray that all here know, as do I, that You watch over all who look to You in faith.  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.

August 4, 2016: Not Perfect - Just Forgiven

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 217

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Unspoken singing … Call It Grace, poignantly declaring the reality of God’s perfect and powerful grace white-washing our sin and saving us in spite of our sin.

Highlight Passage:  Romans 7:18-19 [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. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 
… Paul was far from perfect; but definitely forgiven … read on to Romans 8:1 !!
===========
Highlight Context – Romans 7:14-25 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul’s admission of imperfection and failure.
===========     

Reference Passage #1 … Ephesians 2:8-10 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul, like all Christians, saved by grace, thru faith, unto good works.

Reference Passage #2 … 1st Timothy 1:15 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul declares himself saved, even though admitting to be the “worst of sinners.”

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Schuldt, referenced a book by a Christian writer who came to Christ because of the witness of very imperfect Christians. She wrote: In his book Jumping Through Fires, David Nasser tells the story of his spiritual journey. Before he began a relationship with Jesus, he was befriended by a group of Christian teens. Although most of the time his buddies were generous, winsome, and nonjudgmental, David witnessed one of them lie to his girlfriend. Feeling convicted, the young man later confessed and asked for her forgiveness. Reflecting on this, David said that the incident drew him closer to his Christian friends. He realized that they needed grace, just as he did.  

I really love the way the Apostle Paul staged the reality and truth of God’s amazing … saving … grace in the greatest victory chapter in all of the NT, … Romans 8, … when he writes of his own failures and imperfections in Romans 7. Take a few minutes to read and meditate on Romans 7:14-25 and then all of Romans 8.

Do you identify, perhaps even empathize, with the Romans 7 passage? Sure you do! We all do, don’t we? … But then there is the truth and reality of Romans 8. … And does Paul calling our attention to the victory of Romans 8 over our imperfections in Romans 7 cause you to praise our Lord, as it does me?

I hope so, … nay, … I pray so!! Because, as Christians, we can choose to live in Romans 7 or Romans 8. How about you? Where’re you going to live today?

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … I choose to live in Romans 8 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.

August 3, 2016: Way More!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 216

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing … Your Grace Still Amazes Me, poignantly declaring the reality of God’s grace being more than we could ever imagine.

 
Highlight Passage:  Ephesians 3:20-21 [NKJV] …
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. 
… Glory to the One Who provides more than we could ever imagine.
===========
Highlight Context – Ephesians 3:14-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… The mystery of God’s providence … more … WAY MORE … than we imagine !!! 
===========     

Reference Passage #1 … 1st Corinthians 10:13 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
 … Paul teaches on what’s always available for us to deal with the trials/temptations of life … always more than we need.

Reference Passage #2 … 2nd Peter 1:2-4 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God provides what we need - and so much more!!!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, David McCasland, referred to the Apostle Paul’s teaching on God’s amazing grace and what God provides for us to deal with the circumstances of life. He wrote: What are the five best toys of all time? Jonathan H. Liu suggested the following: A stick, a box, string, a cardboard tube, and dirt (GeekDad column at wired.com). All are readily available, versatile, appropriate for all ages, fit every budget, and are powered by imagination. No batteries required. 
Imagination plays a powerful role in our lives, so it’s not unusual that the apostle Paul mentioned it in his prayer for the followers of Jesus in Ephesus (Eph. 3:14–21). After asking God to strengthen them with His power through His Spirit (v. 16), Paul prayed that they would be able to grasp and experience the full dimension of the love of Christ (vv. 17–19). In closing, Paul gave glory to “him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (v. 20).  

 There’s really not much I could add to this pertinent and powerful teaching, along with the Scriptures above, on the reality that our God always provides what we need to deal with life, especially when we feel overwhelmed or weak. The question is not about God’s provision or His power … but rather our willingness to believe and receive His amazing grace to handle life’s challenges.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … You give me more than I could ever imagine from Your grace … everyday.  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.

August 2, 2016: Diligence in Discipleship

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 215

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Steven Curtis Chapman singing the song with his own lyrics … His Strength Is Perfect, poignantly declaring the reality of a NEVER GIVE UP life in Christ.

Highlight Passage:  2nd Timothy 4: 7 [NKJV] …
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 
… Paul never gave up for the Gospel of Christ.
===========
Highlight Context – 2nd Timothy 3:10-15, 4:7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… The Apostle Paul modeled the “NEVER GIVE UP” attitude about the Gospel for God’s Kingdom.
===========     

Reference Passage #1 … 2nd Corinthians 11:22-33, 12:9 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… What Paul went thru to spread the Gospel to the world … and he NEVER GAVE UP because He knew that God’s grace was enough to sustain him.

Reference Passage #2 … 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. 
 … Our calling is to live a life worthy of our calling as in/for Christ !!!

Reference Passage #3 … James 1:2-4 [ NKJV] …
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 
 … Working through the challenges of life for Christ and NEVER giving up!!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Jaime Garrido used the life success of Dutch cyclist Joep Zoetemelk to illustrate his teaching of the Apostle Paul’s NEVER GIVE UP attitude in Christ. He wrote: Joep Zoetemelk is known as the Netherlands’ most successful cyclist. But that’s because he never gave up. He started and finished the Tour de France 16 times—placing second five times before winning in 1980. That’s perseverance! Many winners have reached success by climbing a special ladder called “never give up.” 
However, there are also many who have lost the opportunity to achieve success because they gave up too soon. This can happen in every area of life: family, education, friends, work, service. Perseverance is a key to victory.  

Joep Zoetemelk is famous in my wife’s native land of The Netherlands; … because he refused to give up on his dream and finally succeeded in winning the Tour de France. And then there is an even more powerful example of NEVER GIVING UP; and that is the Apostle Paul, who, in his lifetime, after his conversion, never wavered from his calling to spread the gospel to the known world, especially among Gentiles.

We read of what Paul went through to take the Good News to the known world (see 2nd Cor. 11:22-33); and in his final days, modeling Christlikeness for Timothy, a young preacher, Paul came to declare that he had fought the good fight in running the race for Christ’s Gospel and God’s Kingdom. And this, of course, raises the question for us this day, are we running our race for Christ and for His glory … no matter what we encounter in/for His calling; and NEVER GIVE UP?!!

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … and empowering Spirit, … I know You are there to give me Your strength to never give up on my calling.  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.

August 1, 2016: His Everlasting Arms

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 214 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of a contemporary medley of two old hymns, sung by the David Crowder Band … Leaning on the Everlasting Arms & ’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, poignantly declaring the reality of the loving arms of our Savior and our trust in His eternal protection.

Highlight Passage: Deuteronomy 33: 29 [NKJV] … 
27 The eternal God is your refuge (O Israel); and underneath are the everlasting arms; … 29 Happy are you, O Israel! … Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, … 
… What a promise!! … What a blessing!!
===========
Highlight Context – Deuteronomy 33:27-34:12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Moses gives God’s blessing on Israel as they were about to traverse into the Promise Land without their Prophet-Leader.
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Numbers 20:1-12 [ NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Moses, denied entry into God’s promised land, … still looked positively and with blessing on the entrance of Israel into God’s promise.

My Journal for Today: … Our Daily Bread author, James Banks taught on a truth we Christians must lay hold of in this life. He wrote: Are the best days of your life behind or in front of you? Our outlook on life—and our answer to that question—can change with time. When we’re younger, we look ahead, wanting to grow up. And once we’ve grown older, we yearn for the past, wanting to be young again. But when we walk with God, whatever our age, the best is yet to come! 

Banks’ primary biblical example of this positive-looking attitude was how Moses viewed his own life and God’s people. We know from Numbers 20:1-12 how Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land. Yet, this Prophet who led God’s people out of Egypt and through the wilderness for 40 years, still longed for God’s people to enter His promise; and he blessed them when it was time for them to go forth to claim God’s promised land.

No matter what our condition or circumstances, that should be our attitude, especially for those in our family or the family of God. Today, I pray, as Moses blessed Israel, and the David Crowder Band sings, … that we lean on the everlasting arms of our Savior, Who died to give us eternal entrance into God’s promised land forever.

My Prayer Today: O, Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, … truly tis so sweet to trust in Your everlasting arms. 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.