January 9, 2017 ... All Things New

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 9 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Hillsong United singing one of their songs … All Things New … declaring the truth and reality for all who are born-again in Christ … that God is making all things new for His glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Revelation 21:5a [NKJV] … 
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
… Pretty good offer, wouldn’t you say? … Then why don’t we take Him up on it?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Revelation 21:1-5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s plan is to make all things new for His glory.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … 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. 
… In Christ, I am being totally restored into His image for His glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, used an interesting word picture to remind all Christians of our restoration from old to new in Christ’s image. The OBD author wrote: In 2014, a sinkhole opened up under the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky, swallowing eight vintage, irreplaceable Chevrolet Corvette sports cars. The automobiles were severely damaged—some beyond repair. 
One car in particular received a lot of attention. The one-millionth Corvette, which rolled off the assembly line in 1992, was the most valuable in the collection. What happened to that gem after it was pulled from the sinkhole is fascinating. Experts restored the car to mint condition, mainly by using and repairing its original parts. Although this little beauty was in horrible shape, it now looks as good as it did the day it was built. … The old and damaged was made new. 

And as I meditated on this OBD word picture in my quiet time with God this morning, I realized what an apt description of the restoration job my Lord is working me over for His glory.

Life is certainly like a sinkhole which often opens up to damage and consume any/all who are in the area; and when God pulls the wreckage of one of His own from the carnage, He most certainly is willing - and able - to restore the old wreckage into a new and shiny image, … giving our God all the glory.

Yeah, … I’m like that Corvette in the attached photo … when God pulled me from the pit many years ago … a wreck, to say the least. And over time - and it did take time - He has made me, as the Apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 5:17, into a remade version in His image which brings glory to Himself. And in the end, as Hillsong sings and as we read in Revelation 21:5, our Lord is going to make ALL THINGS NEW !!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … may the newness others see in me, Lord, shine forth 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.

January 8, 2017 ... Giving It Up To Him

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 8 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Dennis Jernigan and Natalie Grant singing one of his songs … You Are My All In All … declaring a humble truth which all too often we don’t live by letting pride get in our way.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 11:28 [NKJV] … 
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 
… Pretty good offer, wouldn’t you say?  … Then why don’t we take Him up on it?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 11:25-30 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus offers His all for our all.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : …Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
...  God’s way … but too often I let MY WAY get in HIS WAY.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Luke 9: 23 [NKJV] …
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
… It’s the “deny yourself” part that gets me messed up way too often.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NKJV] …
7 … casting ALL your cares on HIM, because He cares for you. 
… But do I really believe it … and then live it?

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lawrence Darmani, used a very human story to illustrate his teaching today. However my mind took me to another analogy from a TV Character with whom I identify a lot.

My wife and I often watch the NBC cop drama, Blue Bloods, and the Danny Reagan character (see photo) all too often gets tripped up in life because of his impetuous pride and unwillingness to seek help from others; … and most especially help from God.

Well, … as I said, I can identify with Danny because all too often, like his character, I let the me in me get in the way of the HE in me. I let MY way get in the way of HIS way, when all I would have to do, is give up my burdens and let Him take my cares on His way big shoulders.

So once you’ve taken in the song/scriptures linked/copied above, maybe you’ll join me with a heart-felt desire to use a strategy that Danny Reagan has so much trouble adopting, … humbly seeking God’s way and let Him shoulder much of life’s burdens.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … I know it’s a risky prayer, Lord, because of what You might have to do to make it happen; … but help me to be humble and to receive 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 7, 2017 ... Our Provider

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 7 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Don Moen leading in worship and singing … Jehovah Jireh … joyfully declaring that our God will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 6:11 [NKJV] … 
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 
… God ALWAYS knows our needs … every day!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 6:9-15, 31-34 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus teaches His disciples to pray with faith in His provision for their lives.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Psalm 91:11, 145:18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
... But do we call on Him for our needs or do we rely upon our selves for our provision?

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Philippians 4:19 [NKJV] …
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
… God teaches us that HE will provide ALL our needs.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NKJV] …
7 … casting ALL your cares on HIM, because He cares for you. 
… But do I really believe it … and then live it?

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, used the compelling story of a mine rescue in 2010 to illustrate our need to rely on God for our provision. The ODB author wrote: In August 2010, the attention of the world was focused on a mine shaft near Copiapó, Chile. Thirty-three miners huddled in the dark, trapped 2,300 feet underground. They had no idea if help would ever arrive. After seventeen days of waiting [and praying], they heard drilling. Rescuers produced a small hole in the mine shaft ceiling, and that hole was followed by three more [see photo], establishing a delivery path for water, food, and medicine. The miners depended on those conduits to the surface above ground, where rescuers had the provisions they would need to survive. On day sixty-nine, rescuers pulled the last miner to safety. 

Well, … taking in all of the historical, musical, biblical, and Spirit-led insights from above, I’m duly convicted that all too often I rely WAY TOO HEAVILY on my own abilities to provide for my needs (or my family’s). But I’ll let any reader with me here today decide as to how much more we need to rely upon our “Jehovah Jireh” to be our provider.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Forgive me when I try to go it on my own to provide for my needs, when You are always there to watch over and care for 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.

January 6, 2017 ... Worship the King!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 6 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Hillsong leading in worship and singing … Here I Am To Worship … poignantly declaring our need, as Christians, to be continually in a state of worship of our King, Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 2:1-2 [NKJV] … 
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 
… The wise men simply wanted to worship the prophesied King, which should be our attitude 24/7 daily.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 2:1-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Later, when Jesus was likely an infant, the Magi sought after the one prophesied to be the King of the Jews. They wanted to worship this King.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Psalm 95:6 [NKJV] … 
6  Oh come, let us worship and bow down. … Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 
… This should be our posture and attitude EVERY DAY … 24/7!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, used the biblical story of the Magi in the Matthew 2 Advent account to illustrate our need, as Christ's disciple to be in a 24/7 state of worship of our King, Jesus. The ODB author wrote: Many manger scenes depict the wise men, or magi, visiting Jesus in Bethlehem at the same time as the shepherds. But according to the gospel of Matthew, the only place in Scripture where their story is found, the magi showed up later. Jesus was no longer in the manger in a stable at the inn, but in a house. Matthew 2:11 tells us, “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” 
Realizing that the magi’s visit happened later than we may think provides a helpful reminder as we begin a new year. Jesus is always worthy of worship. When the holidays are past and we head back to life’s everyday routines, we still have Someone to celebrate. 

My dear one, … it’s a new year; and we’ve just gone thru the Advent season, … where we celebrated the coming of King Jesus into our world and lives. And our ODB author today helps us [well, at least me] realize that we need to be going into the new year - and everyday - with an attitude that is sung by Hillsong in the song linked above … ”Here I Am To Worship!”

So, let’s ask ourselves a few questions today: …
… Is my life in surrender to King Jesus; or am I living to worship myself or the idols of this world?
… Do I start every day with a time of worship to the King?!
… How does my life display an attitude of worship which calls others to worship King Jesus?

I’ll leave it to you to answer those ??? for yourself. Personally, I needed to do a heart check-up today of my 24/7 worship of Yeshua Hamashia, … my LORD, … my Savior, … my King!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Here I am to worship You, my Lord, as King. ... 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, 2017 ... Here Him Calling!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 5 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Daniel O’Donnell singing … Here I Am Lord … poignantly declaring our surrender to God’s call to follow Him.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 3:9 [NKJV] … 
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” 
… God often calls us out in our sin; but are we listening?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 3:8-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… After Adam’s sin, God called out to him in the Garden.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Luke 9:23 [NKJV] … 
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
… Jesus calls His disciples to deny ourselves and follow Him.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … John 10:27 [NKJV] … 
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 
… We Christians are His sheep; … do we hear Him calling to follow Him.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 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 is continually calling us to hear Him and let Him into our lives.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, uses a personal story to illustrate a story from Genesis, teaching on our need as Christians to listen for God and then to follow Him. The ODB author wrote: My young son loves to hear my voice, except when I call his name loudly and sternly, followed by the question, “Where are you?” When I do that, I am usually calling for him because he has been into some mischief and is trying to hide from me. I want my son to listen to my voice because I’m concerned about his well-being and do not want him to get hurt. 
Adam and Eve were used to hearing God’s voice in the garden. However, after they disobeyed Him by eating the forbidden fruit, they hid from Him when they heard Him calling, “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9 - above). They didn’t want to face God because they knew they had done something wrong—something He had told them not to do (v. 11). 

Can I get a witness identifying with the ODB author’s story? Personally, I’ve had many times, after I became a Christian, that I’ve sensed God calling me out; and like Adam in the Garden; ...  I didn’t want to “fess” up or I hid myself in shame. Anybody reading here have that “t-shirt?” Well, isn’t it time for us to answer as Daniel O’Donnell does in today’s linked song? …

“Here I am, Lord; … I will follow!”

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Show me, Lord, Your will from Your word and from life; and I will follow 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 4, 2017 ... Real Deal Love

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 4 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes singing … Up Where We Belong … poignantly declaring the power of God’s love to lift us to share His heavenly glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st John 4:20-21 [NKJV] … 
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can[a] he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 
… TESTING: Do we really love God? … Really?!
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st John 4:20-5:5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru John, gives us one truth test of our love of God; and that is when we show His love to others.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 13:34-35 [NKJV] … 
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 
… Jesus’ love commandment.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … John 14:21 [NKJV] … 
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 
… We can only really show our love for our Lord when we love as He loved.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … John 15:10 [NKJV] … 
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 
… Again, … Jesus teaching disciples (you and me) how we can abide in His love … by obeying His commandments.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses a poignant story to illustrate the teaching on the reality and validity of true Christian love. The ODB author wrote: When a woman in Karen’s church was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), things looked bad. This cruel disease affects nerves and muscles, eventually leading to paralysis. The family’s insurance wouldn’t cover home care, and the stricken woman’s husband couldn’t bear the thought of putting her in a nursing home. 
As a nurse, Karen had the expertise to help and began going to the woman’s home to care for her. But she soon realized she couldn’t take care of her own family while meeting the needs of her friend, so she started teaching others in the church to help. As the disease ran its course over the next seven years, Karen trained thirty-one additional volunteers who surrounded that family with love, prayer, and practical assistance. 

Dear one, … our love of God is validated and confirmed when we obey His commands to love others. His love is also magnified when we reach out to share His love with others as did “Karen” in the story illustration above. And that was made clear to Jesus’ inner 12 Disciples when he gathered them in that upper room for a time when He revealed to them (and us) what His love was all about (see the Reference Passages above).

And in this year ahead, I’m praying that I can be a channel or conduit for God’s love … so that He can lift me up, as today’s song declares, where I belong, … sharing HIs “agape” with others.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … Help me to show You just how much I love You by sharing Your love with others. ... 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, 2017 ... Hidden Reality

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 3 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from anonymous voice singing the 19th century Methodist hymn … Open My Eyes That I May See … poignantly singing a prayer I’m sure we all share … to have God give us His vision in our troublesome circumstances.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2nd Kings 6:17 [NKJV] … 
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he [the king’s servant] 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. 
… Elisha prayed to God to let the king’s servant the vision to see what his humanity had blinded him 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2nd Kings 6:8-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Elisha helped the young servant of the king of Syria see what what the young servant was blinded to see by his humanity.
============= Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Psalm 91:11 [NKJV] … 
11 For He [the Lord] shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 
 … God is watching over us even when we can’t see His plan or understand our circumstances.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 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. 
… What Jesus sees as our love gift to Him … total surrender … total obedience.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Ephesians 6:10-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul wrote of our daily battles where we often can’t see the spiritual forces we must stand against in faith that our God watches over us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, uses a rather humorous story to illustrate the point that things are often not what they seem to be in the surface The ODB author wrote: Don is a border collie who lives on a farm in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. One morning, he and his owner, Tom, set out to check on some animals. They rode together in a small farm utility truck. When they arrived, Tom left the vehicle but forgot to put the brake on. With Don in the driver’s seat, the vehicle rolled down a hill and across two lanes of traffic before it stopped safely. To watching motorists, it appeared the dog was out for a morning drive. Indeed, things are not always as they seem. 

And I think readers here would agree with me that often what we see or perceive in the trials/battles of life are unclear at best and many times totally confusing. What we, as Christians, desire is to see our circumstances as God sees them; but often our humanity can blind us to what’s really going on from God’s point of view.

That’s what the highlight passage today in 2Kings illustrates. Elisha prayed and helped a young servant of the king of Syria to see what he could not see from his own earthly perspective. And when we’re confused - in the midst of the trials/struggles/battles of life we need to believe in and seek God’s vision to allow us to move forward, trusting that He will see us through.

Please take in the linked song and the Reference passages above; and I think we’ll all move forward in this new year with the heart-felt desire to seek after God’s will and His way, allowing Him to open our eyes that we may see His truth and direction.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … Help me to see Your will and way more clearly. ... 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, 2017 ... My Gift to Jesus

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 2 

Devotional Song:  …  GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Brian Littrell singing a contemporary arrangement of the old hymn … I Surrender All … poignantly singing of something we all should do EVERY DAY … to give back to Jesus our all in return for His love gift - His all - given to us on the cross.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 12:1-2 [NKJV] … 
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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. 
… Our everyday gift to Jesus is our all.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 11:33-12:2 … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle Paul lays out for believers what Christians must to give back to Christ a measure of what He has given to us.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Luke 9: 23 [NLT] … 
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
… What Jesus sees as true discipleship … our giving our all to follow Him.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … John 41:21 [NLT] … 
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 
… What Jesus sees as our love gift to Him … total surrender … total obedience.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Ephesians 4:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul wrote of what he - and we, as a surrendered prisoners of our Lord, must give to Him continually to show our worthiness as Christian disciples.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, uses a holiday analogy to teach on what Christians must do to give back to Jesus what He has given for us. The ODB author wrote: The weeks after Christmas are the busiest time of year in the US for merchandise returns as people trade unwanted gifts for what they really want. Yet you probably know a few people who always seem to give the perfect gift. How do they know just what another person values and what is right for the occasion? The key to successful gift-giving is not money; it’s listening to others and taking a personal interest in what they enjoy and appreciate. 
This is true for family and friends. But what about God? Is there anything meaningful or valuable that we can give to God? Is there anything He doesn’t already have? 

The ODB author today asks important questions, especially as we enter and move into a New Year, … where many of us are thinking about how we might be better and do better in the new year. And isn’t that what Jesus was asking His disciples to do (See Luke 9:23 and John 14:21) … to do what Brian Littrell sings in my song link for this journal entry … to surrender our all as our New Year’s resolution … for this year and forever more.

But the Apostle Paul in his letters to Christians really nailed the greatest love gift we can give our Lord (see Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 4:1-3) … that we humbly and obediently surrender our all to the Master.

The question we, as Christians, must ask our selves today: … ARE WE?!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … May I give You my all in 2017 and beyond. ... 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, 2017 ... Thanks-Living in Christ

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 1 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Guy Penrod singing the old hymn … Count Your Blessings … Joyfully singing of something we all should do EVERY DAY … to count the many blessings God brings into our life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 23:6a [NKJV] … 
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; … 
… Now or anytime is the time to begin anew with Christ!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 23 … USE THIS LINK …
… Former shepherd, King David, expresses his thankfulness to his GOOD Shepherd in a song. 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 10:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus declares His being the “Good Shepherd” in the line of David, … the Messiah for Whom the people were waiting.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Philippians 1:3 [NLT] … 
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, … 
… Paul expresses his love and thankfulness for His fellow Christians in Philippi, … just as we should pray and express our thanks for friendships, … most especially the friendship of Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Anne Cetas, writes of a friend, Sue, who devised a clever way to recognize God’s blessing with a thankful heart. The ODB author wrote: Wanting to mature in her spiritual life and become more thankful, Sue started what she called a Thanks-Living jar. Each evening she wrote on a small piece of paper one thing she thanked God for and dropped it in the jar. Some days she had many praises; other difficult days she struggled to find one. At the end of the year she emptied her jar and read through all of the notes. She found herself thanking God again for everything He had done. He had given simple things like a beautiful sunset or a cool evening for a walk in the park, and other times He had provided grace to handle a difficult situation or had answered a prayer. 

Wow … that’s a good idea! … And I’m going to implement a version of Sue’s “Thanks-Living” jar as a New Year’s resolution for 2017. But instead of using a jar to contain my “thanks-living” entries, I’m using a large Ziploc bag; and, as you can see in the photo, each Sunday, I’ll be entering the blessings I can remember from the previous week. And each day in my morning prayer time, I can look at the previous entries to help me express my thankfulness to my Lord for His many blessings (see song link above).

When we take the time to remember God providence and blessing, with a humble and thankful heart, as King David did in Psalm 23 and the Apostle Paul did in Phil. 1:3, our heart remembers the grace, mercy, and love God sheds upon His “sheep” as the Good Shepherd. Join me today - and all through the New Year - joyfully expressing our thanks to our Lord.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … One-by-one I recount Your blessings. ... 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, 2016 ... Starting Over with Christ

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 366

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from my friend Clay Cross and two of his friends, Bib Carlisle and Bebe Winans singing … I Will Follow Christ … poignantly singing of how all times are the right time to start over and follow Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2nd Corinthians 6:2b [NKJV] … 
2 Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 
… Now or anytime is the time to begin anew with Christ!
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2nd Corinthians 5:17-6:2 … USE THIS LINK …
… Any time is the acceptable time to receive Christ’s freely offered saving grace; and in that time all things become new.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 3:3 [NLT] … 
3 Jesus answered and said to him [Nicodemus], “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 
… Jesus declares the need of everyone/anyone to be born-again in Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, used a personal story to illustrate our childlike need to run to our Abba Father when we carry burdens too heavy for us to bare. The ODB author wrote: Our preschool-age granddaughter Maggie and her kindergarten-age sister Katie hauled several blankets to the backyard, where they proceeded to build a blanket tent in which to play. 
They had been outside a while when their mom heard Maggie call for her. “Mom, come here quick!” Maggie yelled. “I want to ask Jesus into my heart, and I need your help!” 
Apparently at that moment her need for Jesus became clear to her, and she was ready to put her faith in Him. Maggie’s urgent call for help in trusting Jesus brings to mind Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6 about salvation. 

And once anyone, like Maggie, truly receives the saving grace of Christ, his/her life starts over in a trek, following Christ, to eternity. As the Apostle Paul wrote to his fellow Christians [see highlight passage above], beginning anew in Christ makes everything new.

And what better day than TODAY, New Year’s Eve, to START OVER with Christ. Little Maggie started her life over the moment she received Christ as Lord and Savior. And certainly that’s the ultimate starting point for our eternal life in Christ … just as Jesus taught Nicodemus in that garden encounter (see John 3:3). However, if you’re already a born-again believer, you can - well, we all can - start over moving into the new year.

Each year on this date, my computer reminds me to GO TO THIS LINK  and read and meditate on a poem written by Woodrow Kroll. And I would exhort any reader here to use that link above and take in this poignant word of truth from this eminent Bible teacher. And then PLEASE take in the linked song for this journal entry, where a friend of mine, and two friends of his, sing of what we, as Christians, must do in starting over in 2017.

Yes, my friends, as Paul wrote (in 2Cor. 6:2) and the Christian brothers sing (linked above) … “NOW is the acceptable time” to follow Christ.   

So, as Woodrow Kroll writes, let’s START OVER.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … I begin again to serve You in the new year. ... 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, 2016 ... Alone With God

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 365

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … Be Still and Know … poignantly singing of how our God is so faithful to us, willing and able to provide us with our needs, especially when we feel unable to carry our burdens.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 14:22-23 [NKJV] … 
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 
… After and exhausting time feeding the multitudes, Jesus sends them away; and He goes up to a high place to be with His Father.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 14:13-23 … USE THIS LINK …
… After working in 100% obedience to Jesus’ heavenly Father, in His humanity and spirit, our Lord, The Christ, often needed time to be with His Abba Father … to refresh, to renew and to ready Himself to move on in service to His Father.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Matthew 11:28-30 [NLT] … 
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 
… Our Lord invites us to bring our burdens to Him and to let Him help us carry our load.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Matthew 26:36 [NLT] … 
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 
… Carrying His greatest burden yet, Jesus needed to get alone with His Father to unburden His soul.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 1st Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … 
13 No temptation [test, trial, or trouble] 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. 
…What a great truth and promise when we’re overburdened at times.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, used a personal story to illustrate our childlike need to run to our Abba Father when we carry burdens too heavy for us to bare. The ODB author wrote: It was a busy morning in the church room where I was helping. Nearly a dozen little children were chattering and playing. There was so much activity that the room became warm and I propped the door open. One little boy saw this as his chance to escape so when he thought no one was looking, he tiptoed out the door. Hot on his trail, I wasn’t surprised that he was headed straight for his daddy’s arms. 
The little boy did what we need to do when life becomes busy and overwhelming—he slipped away to be with his father. 

Cute story; but one with a deeper truth with which we all can identify; … that quite often we need to follow Jesus’ example of going off ALONE to spend time and renewing prayer with our Heavenly Father. In His humanity, Jesus must’ve felt way overburdened, much like He must’ve in the Garden of Gethsemane just before going to the cross or after carrying out many of the miracles God’s Spirit empowered Him to perform to show His divinity to mankind.

And often we too can get overburdened by the weight of human circumstances, can’t we? And in those times what do we need to do? Well, I think anyone who’s taken in today’s linked song and the Scriptures provided knows that our Lord invites us to come to Him so that He, caring so deeply for our needs, can help us carry our load.

Maybe you, as in the picture, need to get alone with God and unburden yourself today. That’s what I’ve been doing this very morning, just before I wrote this journal entry; and I’m uplifted in spirit knowing that my God would never give me anything to carry which, along with His faithful help, I cannot carry [go meditate on 1st Cor. 10:13 above].

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … It’s so uplifting being alone with You here. Help me, 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.

December 29, 2016 ... Signet to the World

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 364

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from an album of Dennis Jernigen songs with Dennis joining Annie Herring in singing … Faithful and True … poignantly singing of how our God is so faithful to us, which calls us to be faithful and true to Him.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Haggai 2:23 [NKJV] … 
23 “But when this happens, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will make you like a signet ring on my finger, says the Lord, for I have chosen you. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” 
… As with Zerubbbel, we are God’s chosen signets with His authority to bring witness in His Name. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Haggai 2:15-23 … USE THIS LINK …
… God chooses Zerubbabel to be the Lord’s signet ring to rebuild His Temple.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Matthew 28:19-20 [NLT] … 
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 
 … As Christ’s disciples, we are to carry His Name and message to the world … with HIS authority.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 
… We are sealed by His Spirit to become His witnesses.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, used a personal and historical reference to illustrate how we, as Christians, are given the authority of Christ to carry His Gospel message to the world. The ODB author wrote: When I first made the acquaintance of a new friend from abroad, I noticed his posh English accent and that he wore a ring on his little finger. Later I learned that this wasn’t just jewelry; it revealed his family’s history through the family crest engraved on it. 
It was a bit like a signet ring—perhaps like the one in Haggai. In this short Old Testament book, the prophet Haggai calls for the people of God to restart the rebuilding of the temple. They had been exiled and had now returned to their homeland and begun rebuilding, but enemy opposition to their project had stalled them. Haggai’s message includes God’s promise to Zerubbabel, Judah’s leader, that he had been chosen and set apart as their leader, like a signet ring. 

We’re about to move into a new year; and it’s important that we look back, perhaps for the last year, and determine whether we, as Christ’s witnesses, have been His signet followers, carrying His Gospel message to the world as we’re called to do (see the reference passages above).

In more ancient days, a signet ring was used by one sending a message or letter (see photo) to carry the seal of authority from a king or leader for the message being sent. And that’s a picture of what we need to be to the world, … just as we were charged to be as Christ’s disciples (again, Acts 1:8 and the Great Commission).

Therefore, … in looking back at the last year, … I must confess I probably should’ve done more to carry the Spirit-imparted seal of Christ’s Gospel to others; … so, my resolution and commitment should be to be a clearer, more obvious signet for my Lord in the New Year.

How about you?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … You’ve charged me to carry Your seal to those who need Your Gospel message. Help me to fulfill that calling, 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.

December 28, 2016 ... God’s Love - Locked In FOREVER

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 363

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Third Day leading an audience in worship and singing the old hymn … Blessed Assurance … joyously singing and declaring of the eternal promise of God’s love forever for all who believe in His saving grace, assured for us by His shed blood and His resurrection.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 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. 
… Paul’s persuaded apologetic about the locked-in and eternal nature of God’s love. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 8:31-39 … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, declares the eternal permanence of His love, … measured and displayed by His death on the cross and His resurrection.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Psalm 106: 1 [NLT] … 
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! … His faithful love endures forever. 
… Truth!!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Cindy Hess Kasper, used a news event in 2015 to illustrate the permanent nature of God’s love. The ODB author wrote: In June 2015, the city of Paris removed forty-five tons of padlocks from the railings of the Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge. As a romantic gesture, couples would etch their initials onto a lock, attach it to the railing, click it shut, and throw the key into the River Seine. After this ritual was repeated thousands of times, the bridge could no longer bear the weight of so much “love.” Eventually the city, fearing for the integrity of the bridge, removed the “love locks.” 
The locks were meant to symbolize everlasting love, but human love does not always last. … But there is one constant and enduring love—the love of God. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever,” proclaims Psalm 106:1 

I think we, as Christians, can get the word picture to assure us of God’s love. But the ODB author went on to write the following, which I feel compelled to included, because it strongly assures us of God’s “LOCKED-IN LOVE.”

Christ’s work on the cross to secure our salvation has been completed. With a triumphant proclamation, Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus returned to the Father. Now seated at God’s right hand, the exalted Christ continues His redemptive and sanctifying work as our eternal High Priest (Heb. 4:14–16). He is our “Advocate with the Father” (1 John 2:1–2; 1 Tim. 2:5), always defending and interceding for us (Heb. 7:24–25; 9:24). Paul confidently writes, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). No one can successfully bring a charge of condemnation against those who are in Christ (vv. 33–34). 

I know my journal entry may be a bit long today; but I hope you’ve taken the time to digest these truths and the assurance of the linked song above. And then, going into a new year very soon, I pray we all stand and live by the realization that God’s love was lock-solid and eternally guaranteed when He shed His blood and died on the cross; and that love can be eternally received by faith by anyone who believes - and declares - that Jesus died for our sins and has allows us to be with Him for eternity.

And moving into 2017 that’s a deal I was not able to pass up; and I pray any reader here has received God's locked-in love as well.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, thank You for Your love, … locked in forever when You died for me and any believer who has received Your love/grace 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.

December 27, 2016 ... Witness to His Glory

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 362

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Dolly Parton singing the old Advent Spiritual … Go Tell It On the Mountain … joyously singing and declaring, in witness, that “Jesus Christ is LORD!”

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Peter 1:16 [NKJV] … 
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 
… Peter testifies to the glory he had personally seen in Christ … no less that we can - or should - do as our Lord’s witnesses.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Peter 1:12-21 … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter, in his last will and testament gives witness to what he has found in His relationship with King Jesus, the Christ.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Matthew 28:19-20 … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus declares, in his Great Commission, that we are to go and share His glory with any/all who will come to Him for salvation and sanctification.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Acts 1:8 … 
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 to all disciples upon His re-ascent to heaven, … that we are to be His witnesses until He comes again.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Randy Kilgore, tells a personal story to illustrate the power of a personal testimony of how Jesus Christ changes a life. You can read the ODB for today by going to the “Blogger Note” link below. But earlier this month I also wrote (USE THIS LINK) about the power of our own story of transformation in Christ. Perhaps reading my blog now might help bolster any reader’s confidence in the power of our story to give glory to our Lord.

After His resurrection, and just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He charged His disciples (i.e., all who are born-again in Him) to “GO” and be His witnesses to all who will listen to our story (see Matt. 28:19 and Acts 1:8. Dolly Parton joyously sings just that in that wonderful old Advent Carol (linked above) … that we are to “GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN”, … not only that Jesus was born … but that He has changed our lives forever.

The question I’m asking of myself (and perhaps you should ask of yourself), have we been the witnesses Christ has called us to be in 2016; … but even more importantly, will we “go tell it on the mountain” in 2017?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, give me the empowering grace to share how YOUR STORY changed MY STORY for eternity. ... 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, 2016 ... Waiting On God

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 361

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Sara Groves singing her song … I’ll Wait … poignantly singing about one of the toughest things for any believer to do … to wait on God’s timing.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 2:25 [NKJV] … 
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 
… Simeon waited patiently on God for all of his life; and his faith in God’s promise was finally rewarded.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 2:25-38 … USE THIS LINK …
… Luke’s account of two believers, Simeon and Anna, who faithfully waited and served their awaited Messiah all of their life.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 … USE THIS LINK …
… Believing that and living it are two different things!

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Galatians 4:4-5 … 
4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 
 … It’s so hard to wait on God’s timing to fulfill His promises.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Julie Ackerman Link, made a personal confession to illustrate how difficult it can be at times to wait on God’s timing. The ODB author writes: Sometimes I joke that I'm going to write a book titled On Time. Those who know me smile because they know I am often late. I rationalize that my lateness is due to optimism, not to lack of trying. I optimistically cling to the faulty belief that “this time” I will be able to get more done in less time than ever before. But I can't, and I don't, so I end up having to apologize yet again for my failure to show up on time. 
In contrast, God is always on time. We may think He's late, but He's not. Throughout Scripture we read about people becoming impatient with God’s timing. 

However, two who did have the patience and trust to wait on God are described in Luke’s account of the Messiah coming to mankind [see Luke 2:25-38] … two who had faithfully waited on their promised One all of their lives; … and finally, … in the course of God’s perfect timing, He allowed His Temple servants, Simeon and Anna, to see their Lord face-to-face.

BUT … perhaps we’ve waited faithfully for God to act - even to fulfill what we believe to be His will, - and God’s timing just doesn’t seem to match our desires. … UGH!! … Well, that’s what Sara Groves sings about in her song, linked above. It can be really tough to live up to the truth of Proverbs 3: 5-6, can’t it? But trusting in our God and waiting on HIS timing, which is always perfect, is what we’re often called to do.

I’ve got several long-term prayers which have gone seemingly unanswered for years. How about you? … Well, let’s keep praying … and trusting … that God knows best when to answer our desires with His will.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, help me to be patient and wait on You faithfully, knowing that Your timing is perfect. ... 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 25, 2016 ... Joy, Joy, Joy!!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 360

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Hillsong singing a contemporary arrangement of the classic Advent carol … Joy to the World … joyously singing of the coming of our Savior … our eternal King, Jesus!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 2:10-11 [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. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 
… God’s messenger angels proclaim the coming of Messiah to the Bethlehem shepherds. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 2:8-14 … USE THIS LINK …
… And the Angels proclaim to the shepherds near Bethlehem of the joy which has come to the world in that Babe born in a manger near them.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 3:16-17 … 
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. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 
… Jesus explains the joyful good news of God’s love and His coming to save mankind.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Philippians 2:5-11 … USE THIS LINK … … And Paul writes of the humbling of our King, Who came to live/die for mankind.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, used a contemporary story to represent the eternal joy we have when we celebrate the coming of our King Jesus, Who came to save us from our sin. The ODB author writes: On the final day of a Christian publishing conference in Singapore, 280 participants from 50 countries gathered in the outdoor plaza of a hotel for a group photo. From the second-floor balcony, the photographer took many shots from different angles before finally saying, “We’re through.” A voice from the crowd shouted with relief, “Well, joy to the world!” Immediately, someone replied by singing, “The Lord is come.” Others began to join in. Soon the entire group was singing the familiar carol in beautiful harmony. It was a moving display of unity and joy that I will never forget. 

This morning my wife and I will be with our family to share the joy of Christmas; but our family love and celebration will only be a brief remnant of the joy which those chosen and lowly shepherds must’ve felt when God’s Messenger Angels came to them to proclaim the coming of God’s greatest gift to mankind … that Babe, … being born in Bethlehem as the fulfillment of God’s plan to save mankind from our sin.

When you take in the linked song and the Scriptures provided above, meditate on the incredible joy in knowing that God, Himself, came to us as a Babe, grew and walked among man, and then died and was raised again to give us a way to eternal life with Him. So, let’s celebrate the joy of the Advent Season!! … JOY, JOY, JOY!!!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, our joy is always and forever in You and Your gift to mankind. Glory, Glory, Glory! … ALLELUIA!!! ... 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 24, 2016 ... Walk As The Light

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 359

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Hillsong leading in worship and singing… Here I Am To Worship … joyously singing about our worship of the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, our King Jesus … and THEN ON TO THIS LINK with again Hillsong singing of the Light of the World with beautiful imager from Ilana Yahav using sand art to illustrate how we must be Christ’s light shining from our lives into this dark world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 9:2 [NKJV] … 
2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; [and] those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death upon them a Light has shined. … 
… And we are those in self-imposed prison of darkness who have benefitted from Christ’s light shining thru the darkness and unto eternity.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 9:1-7 … USE THIS LINK …
… The Prophet, over 700 years before His Advent, proclaims the coming Great Light of the World. 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Matthew 5:16 … 
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 
… Jesus commands His disciples to shine our light - i.e., the Light of Christ - to glorify the Father and to bring light into the darkness of this world.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … John 1:5, 9 … USE THIS LINK …
… John, the Baptist, proclaims the coming Light of hope for the world.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 2nd Corinthians 4:3-6 … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle, Paul, proclaims that we who follow Christ must become His light to those whose eyes are veiled in darkness.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCaslandd, used an historical reference to teach on Christians becoming the light of the world to a very dark world. The ODB author writes: Rev. Martin Niemoller, a prominent German pastor, spent nearly eight years in Nazi concentration camps because he openly opposed Hitler. On Christmas Eve 1944, Niemoller spoke these words of hope to his fellow prisoners in Dachau:  “My dear friends, on this Christmas . . . let us seek, in the Babe of Bethlehem, the One who came to us in order to bear with us everything that weighs heavily upon us. . . . God Himself has built a bridge from Himself to us! A dawn from on high has visited us!” 

In this Advent Season, … if you’ve taken in the two poignant song videos linked above as well as the attached photo; … then if you’ve meditated on the Scriptures provided by OBD and yours truly, from God’s word, I would say that it’s likely that you, along with yours truly, are convicted and motivated to become more of Immanuel’s light, shining from our hearts, minds, and actions into the New Year and into this ever darkening world.

As the photo above depicts, let’s all become more of the light of hope in Christ in 2017.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, may I shine Your light brightly in the new year. ... 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 23, 2016 ... My All For His All

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 358

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Susan Boyle and the Liberia Choir singing… In the Break Midwinter … the beautifully sung Advent song lyrics written by Christina Rossetti, paying special attention to the final verse which is …
What can I give Him, poor as I am? 
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; 
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; 
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 103:2 [NKJV] … 
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits … 
… In this time of year especially we should remember all our Lord has done for us. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 103:1-5 … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist remembers all God has done for him.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 3:16 … 
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. 
… Jesus tells Nicodemus and us all what God has given mankind, the greatest gift of all.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Galatians 5:22-23 … 
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. 
 … From all that God has given me in Christ, I would want to reach out in His Name to give more of me for the New Year.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Marion Stroud, used a story of a man sharing his story of the greatest Christmas gift he ever got, when, at Christmas, God gave him the gift of salvation. The ODB author writes: One year, those responsible for decorating their church for Christmas decided to use the theme of “Christmas lists.” Instead of decorating with the usual shiny gold and silver ornaments, they gave each person a red or green tag. On one side they were to write down the gift they would like from Jesus, and on the other they were to list the gift they would give to the One whose birth they were celebrating. 

What would you put on your card, dear one? … As for me, on one side - fry desire rom Him, … as the attached photo and John 3:16 inspires, I would say, “More of You, Lord.” 

And on the other side, reflecting on the fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, I would write, “More of me than ever before!” What would be on your card this Christmas?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, as we move thru this Advent Season, You have already given me Your all; … help me now to give You my all in the New Year. ... 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 22, 2016 ... My Gift - My Story

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 357

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Big Daddy Weave singing his song… My Story … Powerfully telling of the God speaking the truth of salvation through the story of our changed lives as Christians.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Peter 3:15 [NKJV] … 
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; …
... Our best defense or answer for the skeptic is our story of deliverance and redemption. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Peter 3:8-18 … USE THIS LINK …
… When our faith is questioned or challenged, the best we can give the doubter is our story. 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Revelation 12:11 … 
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 
… The word of our testimony will overcome even the strongest of doubters, especially our story of the effect the blood of the Lamb has in changing our lives.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Randy Kilgore, used a story of a man sharing his story of the greatest Christmas gift he ever got, when, at Christmas, God gave him the gift of salvation. The ODB author writes: At a winter retreat in northern New England, one of the men asked the question, “What was your favorite Christmas gift ever?” 
One athletic man seemed eager to answer. “That’s easy,” he said, glancing at his friend next to him. “A few years back, I finished college thinking I was a sure bet to play professional football. When it didn’t happen, I was angry. Bitterness ate at me, and I shared that bitterness with anyone who tried to help me.” 

Fellow Christian, … you can use the link to the entire ODB devotional below in the "Blogger Note" addendum to read the rest of the story of this man letting God’s gift of salvation heal him of his bitterness. And it brings up the issue of what we give to others, especially skeptics or unbelievers, at Christmas - or anytime - when they question our faith.

Peter preached (see 1st Peter 3:15 above) that we should always be ready to give an answer for our faith. So, … what do we tell a lost loved-one or acquaintance when they come to us with questions about our faith? Well, Big Daddy Weave yields an answer to that in the song linked above; because the best answer we can give to one questioning our faith is to tell them our story, … our story of being formed or reformed by Christ.

My friend, no one can argue with a testimony. The skeptic can argue with Bible proclamations or even the strong evidence for Christ; but he/she can’t argue with my story. My story is MY STORY; and no one can argue with it’s truth. Now the unbeliever may continue to resist the truth of Christ in my life; but he/she will never be able to take away the gift you give them - maybe even this Advent Season - with your story.

So, if God gives us the appointed opportunity to answer some skeptic this Christmas - or into the New Year - let’s confidently tell them how Jesus is shaping or reshaping our life into His image. And then wish them a “very Merry Christmas or a Happy New Year!”

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, please give me the anointed opportunity - maybe even today - to share my story with someone for Christmas or in the New Year. ... 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 21, 2016 ... God’s Child Care

Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 356

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from the group Avalon singing their song… No Orphans of God … poignantly singing the reality of God’s love for ALL of His children …

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Highlight Verse[s]: Exodus 2:10 [NKJV] … 
10 And the child [Moses] grew, and [his mother] brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.” 
… Moses’ desperate mother was willing to give up her child to save his life and to let God raise him for God’s glory.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Exodus 1:22 - 2:10 … USE THIS LINK …
… The story of Moses’ birth and destiny to be raised as a prince in Egypt.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 27:10 … 
10 When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. 
… God has a plan for all His children.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Luke 2:1-7 … USE THIS LINK …
… God gave His own Son to mankind to raise for our salvation and His glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, used a very personal story to illustrate the lengths God will go thru to raise His children to their salvation and His glory. The ODB author writes: A baby just hours old was left in a manger in a Christmas nativity outside a New York church. A young, desperate mother had wrapped him warmly and placed him where he would be discovered. If we are tempted to judge her, we can instead be thankful this baby will now have a chance in life. 
This gets personal for me. As an adopted child myself, I have no idea about the circumstances surrounding my birth. But I have never felt abandoned. Of this much I am certain: I have two moms who wanted me to have a chance in life. One gave life to me; the other invested her life in me. 

And in Exodus (highlight passage) we read of the desperation of Moses’ mother to cast him in a basket onto the Nile [see photo], giving him to over God’s care to be raised as a prince of Egypt. And then the ultimate story of parental sacrifice as we read in Luke 2 of God giving His own Son into the hands of Mary & Joseph to raise His Boy, Jesus, to die for the sins of mankind.

Perhaps, in this time of the year, we should recognize that God has a plan for all of His children; and His plan often calls for great sacrifice on the part of parents or those who care for orphaned children. And today’s journal has caused me to be so thankful for the care my parents gave to my sister and me.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Thank You, God, for Your watchcase over 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.