June 19, 2018 … Bad Judgment - Good Judgment

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 169 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Mercy Me singing their song … Dear Younger Me … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, would likely look back and change our choices to reflect more of Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 7:1-2 [NKJV] … 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 
 … We reap what we sow … to avoid hypocrisy in our judgment of others.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 7:1-6 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus preaches on judging others.
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Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 5:17, 9:6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… The principle of reaping what we sow applies to everything we choose to do, giving us the opportunity to reflect the change in us from God’s Spirit doing His “do-over” of our spirit.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 1:6, 2:5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s Spirit is giving us the opportunity to make “do-over” choices which honor God with our Christlikeness.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Linda Washington, in looking back on her life, reflected on attitudes and choices which did not reflect the Christlikeness she desired for herself later in life. The ODB author wrote: I’ve been quick to judge anyone I saw walking in the street while staring at a phone. How could they be so oblivious to the cars about to hit them? I’ve told myself. Don’t they care about their own safety? But one day, while crossing the entrance to an alleyway, I was so engrossed in a text message, that I missed seeing a car at my left. Thankfully, the driver saw me and came to an abrupt stop. But I felt ashamed. All of my self-righteous finger-pointing came back to haunt me. I had judged others, only to do the same thing myself. 

Can any reader, besides myself, identify? … In looking back at our lives, as is sung in the linked song, I would imagine there are things, especially attitudes and choices as Christians, that we’d like to change or DO OVER so as to reflect our Savior rather than our selves.

Jesus preached about that reaping and sowing principle in His Sermon on the Mount, didn’t He [see highlight passage]? He taught that we should not judge others lest we ourselves be judged. Well, I could write a lot of things on a card, as in the YouTube video, which I’d like to have a “do over” to change from my past. But the past is the past; … and the present is where the action is … to learn from the past and make choices which are Christ’s “DO-OVER” as He does his transforming work in me (see Phil. 1:6 and 2Cor. 5:17).

So, what kind of choices can we make today which can honor God and reshape His kingdom for His glory?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your sanctifying grace and the opportunity to become more like You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... O Lord, … pour the power of Your grace into all that I do in Your Name and for 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.

June 18, 2018 … Grace, Not Works

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 168 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Phillips, Craig and Dean singing their song … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes … poignantly singing of how God will clean up our mess … IF … we surrender and let His grace go to work.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Geneis 28:15 [NKJV] … 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you [i.e., Jacob and God’s chosen people] wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 
… God’s promise was (and is) FOREVER and did not depend on Jacob’s working for God’s blessing.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 28:10-22 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Most of his life Jacob felt that he had to work and compete with his brother for God’s blessing … NOT TRUE !!! … God’s blessing was always secure in God’s covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob.
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Reference Passage : … Ephesians 2:8-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s grace of salvation/sanctification are His gifts and will always work themselves out in our good works … if we but surrender to His Spirit and let them do so.

Reference Passage : … 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; … 
… We can “take it to the bank” that God will ALWAYS finish His promise of remaking us into His own image …

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Monica Brands, used an illustration we have all likely experienced [see photo] to illustrate our nature of thinking we must do ALL the work of cleaning up our lives. The ODB author wrote: “I got myself into this mess, so I’d better get myself out,” … I sometimes find myself thinking.  Although I believe in a God of grace, I’m still prone to act as if His help is available only when I deserve it. 

Do I sense anyone, like myself, declaring “Amen; … Been there before!!” Yes, it’s true that our works are used by God to express our salvation (i.e., in sanctification). However, like it was with Jacob (see highlight passage), God’s promise to Jacob was that He, the Lord, would bring Jacob and God’s people the blessed promised land; and this did not require Jacob to do all he felt he had to, conning and conniving with his brother, for God’s blessing.

God’s ultimate blessing - of His saving/sanctifying grace - was worked out for us - COMPLETELY - by Jesus on the Cross; … and it’s God’s promise - as it’s expressed in today’s song - that God’ll do whatever it takes to bring us to the place where we’re reshaped into the image of His Son (see Phil. 1:6) and all we have to do is surrender to His Spirit and let our works be a reflection of His grace (see Eph. 2:8-10).

So, yes, our life is messy; … but today [and tomorrow] let’s let God, thru our works, clean up the mess … for HIS glory, not our own satisfaction.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your eternally offered grace which empowers me to work for Your glory.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... O Lord, … pour the power of Your grace into all that I do in Your Name. … 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.

June 17, 2018 … He’s Our Refuge

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 167 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Buddy Davis singing … God Is Our Refuge … poignantly singing of how God is our strength in times of trial or fear.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 91:1-2 [NKJV] … 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” 
 … God is the place to run and hide when we feel anxious or threatened.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 91 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist expresses in song his trust that His God was the place to hide in moments of anxiety or fear.
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Reference Passage : … Psalms 46:1-2, 62:7-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… More than one psalmist sung of God being the refuge and strength of His people.

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 26:3 [NKJV] … 3  You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 
 … God’s prescription for peace when we’re feeling anxious.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul’s advice when we’re feeling anxious.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:6-7 [NKJV] … 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 
 … When we have great cares, we are to humbly bring them to our God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Cindy Hess Kasper, used a personal story of an anxious moment to illustrate where we need to take our worries and fears, … to our Heavenly Father. The ODB author wrote: My very first job was at a fast-food restaurant. One Saturday evening, a guy kept hanging around, asking when I got out of work. It made me feel uneasy. As the hour grew later, he ordered fries, then a drink, so the manager wouldn’t kick him out. Though I didn’t live far, I was scared to walk home alone through a couple of dark parking lots and a stretch through a sandy field. Finally, at midnight, I went in the office to make a phone call. 
And the person who answered—my dad—without a second thought got out of a warm bed and five minutes later was there to take me home. 

The ODB author knew whom to call on when she was in danger, … her earthly daddy. But sometimes we don’t know who - in this world - to call when we’re anxious or fearful; and the Psalms above and the reference passages scream out God’s prescription when we’re feeling stressed out or fearful; … and that is to come to the One who will always be our hiding place, … the One Who’s always there for us.

If anyone reading here is feeling anxious or stressed out while reading this, I hope know have that Perfect Place to run and hide to find God’s Perfect Peace.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You always being my hiding place. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... O Lord, … hold Your own under Your wings of safety. … 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.

June 16, 2018 … Rough Ride

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 166 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Gordon Mote singing his song … Hold Me Up … poignantly singing of how God will do whatever it takes to help us thru the rough waters of this life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 16:33 [NKJV] … 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 
… Jesus doesn’t promise a trouble-free life. He only promises to be our “overcomer” when we face the rough waters of life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 16:22-33 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus warns His disciples of upcoming storms in life; but promises His overcoming grace. 
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Reference Passage : … Luke 8:22-25 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… In the storms of life, we must have faith that Jesus will bring us thru … just as He promised.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NKJV] … 5 … be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 
… God’s love and His promise of being with us ALWAYS when we need Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, used a personal story an unanticipated rough time to illustrate God’s promise to be there when we need Him. The ODB author wrote: During a vacation, my husband and I signed up for a leisurely rafting tour down Georgia’s Chattahoochee River. Dressed in sandals, a sundress, and a wide brimmed hat, I groaned when we discovered—contrary to the advertisement—that the trip included light rapids. Thankfully, we rode with a couple experienced in whitewater rafting. They taught my husband the basics of paddling and promised to navigate us safely to our destination. Grateful for my life jacket, I screamed and gripped the plastic handle on the raft until we reached the muddy bank downriver. I stepped onto the shore and dumped water from my purse as my husband helped me wring out the hem of my soaked dress. We enjoyed a good laugh, even though the trip had not turned out as advertised. 

Good story in today’s ODB entry to illustrate going thru the rough waters of life; but I think today’s linked song, written/sung by a blind artist, Gordon Mote, is the perfect prayer for us as we travel the sometimes unadvertised rough waters we encounter in life. And the first graphic in the video with the lyrics to the song, we read a truth ALL Christians should know is true: … ”We may not know what the future holds; but we do know the One Who holds the future!”

Perhaps there are readers going thru a rough patch of unanticipated whitewater in life right now; but when we believe - TRULY BELIEVE - the truth of the scriptures above, especially John 16:33, Luke 8:22-25, and Hebrews 13:5, we will KNOW that Jesus is our eternal “Overcomer.” 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You Your never-failing, enabling/empowering grace.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... O Lord, … hold us up!! … 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.

June 15, 2018 … Lovable! - Me?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 165 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images from Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing their song … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes … poignantly singing of how God will do whatever it takes to restore any brokenness in our relationship with Him.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Jeremiah 31:3a [NKJV] … 3 The Lord has appeared [a]of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; … 
… God’s covenant love is everlasting … FOREVER!!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Jeremiah 31:1-6[NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… God shows His people, thru Jeremiah, that His love for them, in spite of their unfaithfulness will never wane.
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Reference Passage : … John 3:16-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s love is eternally ours!!!

Reference Passage : … 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.” 
… God’s love and His promise of eternal love is for FOREVER!

Reference Passage : … 1 John 1:9 [NKJV] … 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
 … God’s love and His faithfulness are eternal!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Adam Holz, used a personal story about his daughter to illustrate how much God loves His children. The ODB author wrote: “Lovable!” 
That exclamation came from my daughter as she got ready one morning. I didn’t know what she meant. Then she tapped her shirt, a hand-me-down from a cousin. Across the front was that word: “Lovable.” I gave her a big hug, and she smiled with pure joy. “You are lovable!” I echoed. Her smile grew even bigger, if that was possible, as she skipped away, repeating the word over and over again. 
I’m hardly a perfect father. But that moment was perfect. In that spontaneous, beautiful interaction, I glimpsed in my girl’s radiant face what receiving unconditional love looked like: It was a portrait of delight. She knew the word on her shirt corresponded completely with how her daddy felt about her. 
How many of us know in our hearts that we are loved by a Father whose affection for us is limitless? Sometimes we struggle with this truth. 

Unfortunately there are too many - even Christians - out there who question God’s love because of some past pattern of sin, … like the Israelites who were consumed by Babylon until God set them free and called a remnant of believers back to Jerusalem, showing them His eternal and covenant love for His children. But in their doubts of God’s love, the Lord, thru Jeremiah, brought them a strong message (see the highlight passage) that His love was [and is] a FOREVER love … just like the love of that father in the ODB story above had for his daughter; … and just like the Heavenly Father Who sent is Son into the world to save mankind (see John 3:16-17).

No matter what we’ve done in our past, God is faithful to forgive us (see 1John 1:9); and His love is eternal, which will ALWAYS be there for us (see Hebrews 13:5).

Take a few minutes and hear today’s linked song and realize that our Heavenly Father will always be there with His love … and His grace; and as the song says, “He’ll do whatever it takes” to restore His relationship with us if has been severed or broken in any way by our sinfulness past.

His promise … not mine!!! 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You Your never-failing, eternal love. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Help me to know and always hold onto Your promise of eternal love. … 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.

June 14, 2018 … Whom To Follow?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 164 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Sara Groves singing her model version of the old hymn … Abide With Me … poignantly singing of how we disciples of Christ must seek to continually abide in Him and to avoid being influenced by the world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Nehemiah 4:6 [NKJV] … 6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 
… Nehemiah would not be turned away by his critics and enemies; and the people built the walls, following God’s way.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Nehemiah 4:1-6 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Nehemiah’s worldly critics/opponents did all they could to detract/deter him from God’s will; but he would not be dissuaded.
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Reference Passage : … Joshua 24:15 [NKJV] … 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 
… Joshua chose to follow His God and not the Lord’s enemies or the ways of the word.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Are we going to follow our own way or the way[s] of God?

Reference Passage : … John 15:7-8 [NKJV] … 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 
 … Staying connected to Christ (i.e., abiding in Him) is really the only way to be fruitful in life.

Reference Passage : … Romans 12:1-2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must choose to be true disciples of Christ, not following the ways of the world.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a personal story to illustrate how we can become distracted by the world or our critics to take the wrong road in life. The ODB author wrote: I work with a team to put on an annual community event. We spend eleven months plotting many details to ensure the event’s success. We choose the date and venue. We set ticket prices. We select everything from food vendors to sound technicians. As the event approaches, we answer public questions and provide directions. Afterward we collect feedback. Some good. Some that is hard to hear. Our team hears excitement from attendees and also fields complaints. The negative feedback can be discouraging and sometimes tempts us to give up. 

If we take in today’s photo illustration, and the linked song, I think we’d all agree that it can be confusing, if not downright confounding, to decide which path to take in life. Certainly our enemies (i.e., Satan’s warriors) and the world would desire to distract us from God’s will, won’t they?

And that was what Nehemiah faced when God called him to rebuild the walls in Jerusalem (see highlight passage). But he would not be dissuaded from God’s will and the Lord’s calling, and he chose to follow God’s will and His way, ignoring the distractions of his enemies; and we know the outcome, which glorified God.

I don’t think the message of this ODB entry is secretive or confusing, is it? No, … if you’ve meditated on all above, the message, i.e., God’s calling, is clear. As disciples of Christ, we must abide in Him, follow HIS ways, and do all we can to avoid the distractions of the world or the deterrence of Satan. And in doing so, we’ll be able to follow our Lord and be fruitful in His Hame and for His glory.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for showing us Your way and giving us the signposts to follow Your will from Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Help me to seek and follow ONLY Your will and Your way from Your word. … 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.

June 13, 2018 … A Servant’s Love

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 163 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Laura Story singing her song … Grace Abounds … poignantly singing of the grace we receive from God especially when we serve one another as servants of God in sharing His love/grace with others.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Philippians 2:5-7 [NKJV] … 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 
… Jesus modeled the ultimate in grace/love by becoming a servant of man and dying to save us. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Philippians 2:1-11 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK … … Jesus showed us the ultimate of humility and grace by setting aside His glory in heaven and coming to earth to serve all mankind with God’s ultimate act of love.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 23:11, 25:40 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus on the glory to God which comes from serving others.

Reference Passage : … Galatians 5:13 [NKJV] … 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 
… God, thru Paul, tells Christians that our only freedom is expressed when we seize the opportunities to serve others with God’s grace expressed thru our acts of love.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 10:24 [NKJV] … 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ... 
… God shows us the goal we should have every day …

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, used a bit of historical wisdom from Ben Franklin to show us how we must follow the model of Christ in HUMBLY serving others. The ODB author wrote: When Benjamin Franklin was a young man he made a list of twelve virtues he desired to grow in over the course of his life. He showed it to a friend, who suggested he add “humility” to it. Franklin liked the idea. He then added some guidelines to help him with each item on the list. Among Franklin’s thoughts about humility, he held up Jesus as an example to emulate. 

Jesus, of course, presented us with the ultimate example of by setting aside His majesty and glory for the time His Father gave Him up to serve mankind, dying for us on the cross (see highlight passage). The question which jumps out of the words of this ODB entry is … Do we follow Christ’s lead and serve Him by serving others? (see remaining reference passages)

I’m praying I [we] do … TODAY!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for showing us the way to give You glory by serving others with Your grace.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Help me, and any others reading here, to use any opportunity you provide to serve others today so that You will be glorified! … 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.

June 12, 2018 … Called By Name

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 162 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Francesca Battistelli singing … He Knows My Name … poignantly singing of the grace we receive from God in being called out by name to serve The King of kings.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 20:16 [NKJV] … 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” … She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 
… Jesus, having been raised from the dead, returns to call our Mary Madeline by name. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 20:11-18 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… The resurrected Jesus called Mary Madeline by her name … just as he does each and every one of His sheep.
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Reference Passage : … John 10:3-4, 14-15 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows His sheep by name.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NKJV] … 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 
... God wants us to cast our cares on Him because He loves us just that much.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, used a strategy advertising uses to show the effects of calling one his his/her own name. The ODB author wrote: Advertisers have concluded that the most attention-grabbing word that viewers react to is their own name. Thus a television channel in the UK has introduced personalized advertisements with their online streaming services. 
We might enjoy hearing our name on television, but it doesn’t mean much without the intimacy that comes when someone who loves us says our name. 

Have you ever had some one you admired greatly, perhaps a grandparent, a mentor, or a dignitary call you out from a crowd by name? In such an instance one feels important, don’t we, … being recognized and acknowledged by name?

Well,… when Mary Madeline was so down with agony after Jesus was crucified, the Lord came to her; and when He called her by name, she knew immediately that her Savior was alive and cared deeply for her … enough to call her out by name.

And that’s what our Good Shepherd does for His flock. He calls us out by Name to follow Him; and all we need to do is just that (I hope you know Luke 9:23), knowing that He will lead us to glory. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for knowing my name and seeking me out to follow You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Help me remember just how much you loved me and now have called me to follow and serve 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.

June 11, 2018 … Light for Life

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 161 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from The Gettys singing their song … Speak O Lord … poignantly singing of the grace we can receive anytime we go to our Lord for the hugs of His grace.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 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. 
… If His word is true (and it is!), if we trust it and follow it, we have the perfect “GPS” (God’s positioning system) for life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Proverbs 3:1-7 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… God, … our Abba Father, … giving Fatherly truth to His kids (yes, that’s us!)
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 119:105 [NKJV] … 24 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my patch. 
… We should be looking to stir up love and good works with our giftedness and providence.

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 55:11 [NKJV] … 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; … it shall not return to Me void, … But it shall accomplish what I please, … And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 
… The power of God’s word to lead us into/thru God’s purposes for our lives.

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
... The power of God’s truth when believed and lived out daily.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Linda Washington, used a personal reflection of of her father’s advice when she felt estranged from God. The ODB author wrote: After being laid off from an editorial job, I prayed, asking for God to help me find a new one. But when weeks went by and nothing came of my attempts at networking and filling out applications, I began to pout. “Don’t You know how important it is that I have a job?” I asked God, my arms folded in protest at my seemingly unanswered prayer. 
When I talked to my father, who had often reminded me about believing God’s promises, about my job situation, he said, “I want you to get to the point where you trust what God says.” My father’s advice reminds me of Proverbs 3, which includes wise advice from a parent to a beloved child. 

I’m not going to write much here today. If you’ve taken in the linked song and meditated on the scriptures above, the attached photo becomes obvious as the direction we get from our Abba Father; and the question which scream forth from this devotional entry is this one:

… If God’s word is true - and it is! - then why don’t we live by it more trustingly? 

And my friends, my belief in God’s truth and His word as my primary “GPS” in life is why you find me here, EVERY MORNING, praying that God will reveal Himself in/thru His word; and that He will shine His light of truth on my path in life, … as He did yesterday, … as I’m praying He’ll do today, ... and then, even more so, … tomorrow.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for giving me Your light of truth to guide my life.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Help me glean Your purpose and direction for life from Your word. … 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.

June 10, 2018 … Hugs of Grace

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 160 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Laura Story singing her song … Grace Abounds … poignantly singing of the grace we can receive anytime we go to our Lord for the hugs of His grace.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Peter 4:9-10 [NKJV] … 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 
… Exhorted to be helpful, loving, and hospitable to all, ministering to others with the gifts we have been given.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Peter 4:7-11 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Peter, exhorts us (Christians) to be hospitable and minister to one another’s needs. 
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Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… All Christians have been given at least one Spirit-imparted gift. Are we using it for God’s people and His glory.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 10:24 [NKJV] … 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, … 
… We should be looking to stir up love and good works with our giftedness and providence.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, used a personal reflection of a friend’s ability to make others feel welcomed and loved. The ODB author wrote: “Who will hug everybody?” 
That was one of the questions our friend Steve asked after he got the news that he had cancer and realized he would be away from our church for a while. Steve is the kind of man who makes everyone feel welcome—with a friendly greeting, a warm handshake, and even a “holy hug” for some—to adapt an application from Romans 16:16, which says, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” 
And now, as we pray for Steve that God will heal him, he is concerned that as he goes through surgery and treatment—and is away from our church for a time—we will miss out on those welcoming greetings.  
Perhaps not all of us are cut out to greet one another as openly as Steve does, but his example of caring for people is a good reminder to us. 

If you’re a Christian, you have been given a special gift by God’s Spirit [see 1Cor. 12:4-7], maybe more than one. Steve’s gifts - from the OBD story - were obviously encouragement ,and likely hospitality, exhibited in his desire to give out hugs to others, showing and sharing the love and grace of God.

And the question blasting from this ODB entry is obvious, isn’t it? Am I using my spiritual gifts to stir up love and good works (see Heb. 10:24) or to help meet the needs of others, sharing what God has given me to spread God’s grace?

And when we do that, as with Steve and his hugs, we’ll experience what Laura Story sings about in the linked song. So, let’s all share a few “hugs of grace” with others today.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for giving me gifts which I can share with others to help them and glorify You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Help me to have the discernment and courage to use my gifts today to help 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.

June 9, 2018 … Perfect Daddy

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 159 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group Hillsong singing … Abba Father … poignantly singing of the love we can lavish on our Heavenly Father because of His love in us thru His Son, our Savior, Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 27:10 [NKJV] … 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. 
… Even when his earthly father might forsake him, David knew his Heavenly Father would not.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 27 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… David knew that His loving Heavenly Father would always be there for him.
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Reference Passage : … John 6:44, 10:30, 14:6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus and His Father are one; and no one comes to the Father except thru the Son.

Reference Passage : … 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.” 
… Contentment in what God has provided because He will/would never leave us or forsake us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, used a personal reflection of his (our) Heavenly Father in the context of our attitude about our earthly father. The ODB author wrote: Standing in the crowded store aisle, I struggled to find the perfect Father’s Day card. Although we had reconciled after years of a strained connection, I had never felt close to my dad. 
The woman next to me groaned and shoved the card she’d been reading back into the display. “Why can’t they make cards for people who don’t have good relationships with their fathers, but are trying to do the right thing?” 
She stormed off before I could respond, so I prayed for her. Thanking God for affirming only He could be a perfect Father, I asked Him to strengthen my relationship with my dad. 

We’re very close to the day we set aside annually to honor Dads. And it calls to mind the attitude many sons/daughters have of their earthly fathers, which often casts a strong influence on how one views his/her Heavenly Father.

I have a friend who has no trouble believing in and worshiping God, the Son, as Savior and Lord; but in his heart he has trouble trusting God, the Father, because of the way his earthly dad treated him. Perhaps you, or someone you know, has a father whose earthly relationship causes him/her to balk at loving our Heavenly Father. But as with King David (see Psalm 27), we can come to our Father in heaven with PERFECT trust because of His PERFECT love for us.

So, … if we can love God’s Son, Jesus, The Christ, the One Who died for us on the cross for our sins, perhaps we can (should) just take Him at His word when He said … “I and My Father are one!” [see John 10:30] And since Jesus will never leave us, nor forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5), we can come to - or thru - our belief and trust in Jesus to go to our Abba Father, knowing that He will ALWAYS be the DADDY we all need and can trust.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for being my loving Father as well as my Friend.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Lord, I crawl up in Your lap today, Abba, feeling the warmth of your love. … 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.

June 8, 2018 … Glorious Faces

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 157 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly singing that we Christians need to let Jesus in our hearts be seen in our faces as well.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Galatians: 5:22-23 [NKJV] … 22 . 2 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law. 
… These are the qualities and characteristics of Christ. So, do others see them in our faces and the way we live?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Galatians 5:22-26 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… God shows what should show on the faces and in the lives of all Christians ... i.e., the fruit of the Spirit.
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Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 3:18 [NKJV] … 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 
… God’s intention - and His promise - is to remake every born-again Christian into the image of His Son.

Reference Passage : … 1 John 3:2-3 [NKJV] … 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 
… What a glorious promise that at His 2nd coming we all be made over to be like Him when we see Him face-to-face.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David H Roper, used a reflection from his mother to show us a pertinent/powerful truth about whom others see us to be. The ODB author wrote: My mother used to say that an angry look might someday freeze on my face. She was wiser than she knew. A worried brow, an angry set to our mouths, a sly look in our eyes may reveal a miserable soul. On the other hand, kind eyes, a gentle look, a warm and welcoming smile—despite wrinkles, blemishes, and other disfigurements—become the marks of inner transformation.

 Yes! ... There is much truth in that observation by the author’s mom, isn’t there? And I think that’s why today’s digitalized forms of communication can be so devious. In emails, on Facebook, or Twitter we can’t see the faces of those reflecting themselves in their messages; and hence, we find so much deception and confusion emanating from social media and digital messaging these days.

We can’t see into he souls of those who’re trying to show themselves to us; and the dangers of miscommunication are obvious and apparent these days, aren’t they?

But if we, as disciples of Christ, desire that others see Jesus in us (i.e., the fruit of HIs Spirit as in the highlight passage), we need to be as open, honest, and transparent as possible; ... so that others can see the transformation of us from the face of lost sinners into an image reflecting the very face of Christ.

So, I’m asking myself the question asked by Joy Williams in the linked song, ... “Do Others See Jesus In Me?” [also see photo] …

How about In your face? … Do others see the Savior?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your fruit growing in me day by day. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit ... Lord, make me over in Your image more today than yesterday ... and even more tomorrow than today. … Amen

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

June 7, 2018 … My God Is God ALONE

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 157 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Steve Green singing … God and God Alone … poignantly singing how we must see and worship our God.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Zephaniah 3:17 [NKJV] … 17 The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” 
… God’s promise to the remnant of repentant and surrendered servants.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Zephaniah 1:1-6, 2:1-3 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru His Prophet, calls Judah (and really all people) to repent and come in surrender to Him and He will restore His people.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 139:23-24 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Let us stop where we are and pray this prayer today!!

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… But we must trust Him with ALL our hearts!!

Reference Passage : … John 4:23-24 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must worship God in spirit in and truth, surrendering our all to Him and rejecting the false idols of this world.

Reference Passage : … Romans 12:1-2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must be living sacrifices to His Name and for His glory in order to receive His restoring grace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses ta personal illustration from a wedding ceremony to teach on Christians being willing to surrender all in repentance to our Lord. The ODB author wrote: Years ago, I attended a wedding where two people from different countries got married. Such a blending of cultures can be beautiful, but this ceremony included Christian traditions mixed with rituals from a faith that worshiped many gods.

The ODB author gave us the big/theological term for what happened at that wedding. It is “syncretism,” which is the mixing of the doctrines and tenants of more than one faith into one’s life. And I’m afraid we see all too much of that creeping into the lives of those who call them selves “Christian” these days.

That’s what the Prophet Zephaniah was called to rebuke in the people of Judah in his day (see highlight passages); but we see it in our world today, … those that mix/match religions, letting the idols and customs of our day take over our worship from the one, true God [the God we’re called to worship in Spirit and in Truth in John 4:23-24].

And it’s not really different today, is it? We let the lust-driven idols of our day creep into how we live our lives, letting things like money, power, social-media, self-satisfaction, or other “idols” become our “gods,” … letting these forces become our living worship, taking away our living sacrifice to God and surrendering our all to Him. … I’ll let you do a self inventory and see if we need to live up to the prayer of the Psalmist (see my exhortation from Psalm 139:23-24 above).

PLEASE STOP what you’re doing, … clear your heart, … and pray that Psalm 139 passage right now!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, … Abba Father … thank You for always being there to provide your true remnant the grace to give You what You desire and deserve.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … On Lord, You are so worthy and we are so needy. Help us to overcome our selves. … 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.

June 6, 2018 … Rebuilding TOGETHER

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 156 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from the group Casting Crowns sining … Broken Together … poignantly singing how it is God’s will that we take our individual brokenness and come TOGETHER in Christ to rebuild the walls around our lives TOGETHER.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Nehemiah 3:2 [NKJV] … 2 Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. And NEXT TO THEM Zaccur the son of Imri built. 
 … Note how God’s people came together to rebuild the walls. [Note how many times “next to them” appears in Neh. 3:1-12]
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Highlight Passage [context]: Nehemiah 3:1-12 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… God’s people came together under Nehemiah’s leadership and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem … side-by-side … working together.
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Reference Passage : … Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Solomon, exhorts His people to WORK TOGETHER to serve Him as Lord.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 28:19-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ GREAT COMMISSION calls on all Christians to work together to rebuild His kingdom.

Reference Passage : … Romans 12:4-5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, charges Christians to come together - in one Body - to use our individual gifts along side other Christians with different gifts to rebuild God’s kingdom TOGETHER.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 10:24 [NKJV] … 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, … 
… Working together in Christ is so much more effective than being “Lone Ranger” Christians …

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, uses the biblical story of God’s people, led by Nehemiah, rebuilding the walls in Jerusalem to illustrate how God’s people must come together to rebuild Christlikeness into God’s kingdom today. The ODB author wrote: In ancient times, a city with broken walls revealed a defeated people, exposed to danger and shame. That is why the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. How? By working side by side, an expression that can well describe Nehemiah 3. 

In Nehemiah 3, there is a detailed description, with family names documented, of God’s people coming together and not paying attention to differences involving gender, social, or financial status to simply work TOGETHER to fulfill God’s charge and task of rebuilding the walls in Jerusalem. And I think the word picture is quite obvious as to what we need to do NOW, in our times, to come TOGETHER as Christians to rebuild the walls of God’s kingdom in this divided/threatened world of ours.

We must come TOGETHER as the Body of Christ to carry our His great commission and work TOGETHER to rebuild the walls around our marriages, our families, our churches, and our communities (see reference Scriptures above). And we’ll never accomplish this as “Lone Ranger” Christians.

So, whom in Christ’s body can we work with today, to rebuild our part of the walls in God’s kingdom? Perhaps it’s best to just start in our marriages and our families to be “Broken Together” (hear the song) and work TOGETHER to rebuild the walls around our families.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, … Abba Father … thank You for showing us that we must come TOGETHER as Your Body to serve You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, show me what I can do - along side other Christians - to build Your walls 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.

June 5, 2018 … Seeing Clearly

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 155 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from a choral society singing the 19th century hymn … Open My Eyes That I May See … poignantly singing how it is God’s Spirit which gives us the eyes to see God’s way thru life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 18:39 [NKJV] … 38 And [the blind man] cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 
… Simple faith can open our spiritual eyesight to see God’s way thru life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 18:35-43 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… A blind man is healed to see by his faith in Jesus
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 119:105 [NKJV] … 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 
… Trusting in God’s way gives us vision to see our way more clearly.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… Trusting in God’s way gives us vision to see our way more clearly.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:8, 14-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tells his followers what how they must have a pure heart in order to see life thru the eyes of God and to shine His light for others to see Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Arthur Jackson, uses a very practical visual illustration to show us how we must have the eyes of faith to see life more clearly - the way Jesus wants us to see the way. The ODB author wrote: Some years ago a traveling companion noticed I was straining to see objects at a distance. What he did next was simple but life changing. He took off his glasses and said, “Try these.” When I put his glasses on [see photo], surprisingly my blurred vision cleared up. Eventually I went to an optometrist who prescribed glasses to correct my vision problem. 

Then the ODB author took his readers (me) to the story of Jesus healing the blind man who showed the faith necessary to see again [see highlight passage]. And these illustrations should remind anyone reading here that it takes action in faith to be able to see clearly down the road of life … the way God would have us see. And I know that delving into God’s word with prayer every morning - for me - is like a legally blind man (which I am) putting on glasses each morning to help me see life more clearly.

My faith in following Jesus here each day is what gives me the sight to be able to shine His light into the darkness for others to see - IF - they have the faith to put on the glasses He offers to see Him and follow Him down the road of life.

So, join me … and let’s put on our glasses of faith and follow our Lord today.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, … Abba Father … thank You for shining Your light on my path thru Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, make Your way clear to me; … and I will follow You thru life, prayerfully to lead others to 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.

June 4, 2018 … Guide Us, Lord!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 154 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing … Speak, O Lord … poignantly singing how God’s Spirit speaks to us thru God’s word, which He has authored to be our “GPS” in life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 14:25-26 [NKJV] … 25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 
… Jesus tries to belay the confusion of His Disciples as He promises the coming of His Spirit to be their “GPS” thru life after Jesus is gone from the earth.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 14:23-31 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus, in the Upper Room, promises the coming of His Spirit after His departure to teach His Disciples (and all Christians) about the truths written about Him.
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Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… Paul teaches aboutThe Holy Sprit’s guidebook to life for Christians is God’s word, of which The Holy Spirit is the author, interpreter, and guide.

Reference Passage : … 2 Peter 1:2-4 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Peter, assures us that He’s given us everything we need, thru the power of God’s grace and His word to deal with all things in life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, uses a personal story about a tour guide helping her see the details of famous church paintings in Istanbul to illustrate how the Holy Spirit is our guide thru life. The ODB author wrote: The first time I went to the gorgeous Chora Church in Istanbul, I was able to figure out some Bible stories from the Byzantine frescos and mosaics on the ceiling. But there was much I missed. The second time, however, I had a guide. He pointed to all the details I had previously missed, and suddenly everything made perfect sense! The first aisle, for instance, depicted the life of Jesus as recorded in the gospel of Luke. 
Sometimes when we read the Bible we understand the basic stories, but what about the connections—those details that weave Scripture into the one perfect story? We have Bible commentaries and study tools, yes, but we also need a guide—someone to open our eyes and help us see the wonders of God’s written revelation. 

I don’t think it’s difficult for any reader here with me to see that Jesus has given His Church His Holy Spirit, the Author of His word, to be our guide thru life, being the perfect GPS (“God’s Positioning System”). God’s Spirit also imparts God’s power in our lives thru His grace to sustain us when we’re confused or frustrated or weakened by this trek we call life.

That’s why we rely so heavily upon God’s word, once again Authored by His Sprit, to provide us with God’s PERFECT Positioning System (“GPPS”) to lead us thru the roads of life. And that’s why we need to abide and walk in the Spirit and let Him be our Guide today … and more so, tomorrow. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, … Abba Father … thank You for sending me Your Spirit to be my life guide.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Show me THE WAY, Your way; … and I will follow Your Guide. … 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.

June 3, 2018 … Choices … Today and Tomorrow

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 153 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from one Mr Probz singing … Do It All Again … poignantly singing how many of us look back on how we’ve made choices and desire that we could have a “do over!”

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 62:8 [NKJV] … 8  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. … 
… Knowing that God is our refuge in times of trouble, David expresses his trust in God. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalms 62 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… King David, under extreme stress, being pursued by enemies, expresses his trust in his God. 
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… In all things, doing all we can to honor God, we must trust in Him and not on our own feelings.

Reference Passage : … Ecclesiastes 3:1 [NKJV] … 1  To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. 
… Solomon, in times of great frustration, expresses the reality that time presents us.

Reference Passage : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s mercies and his uplifting grace are new every morning in His faithfulness to lead us thru life.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 5:15-16 [NKJV] … 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 
… God, thru Paul, warns Christians to do all we can to take advantage of the time we have to honor God with our choices.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, uses a cute personal story about his dog to illustrate our need to “chew” and consume God’s word. The ODB author wrote: My father died at 58 years of age. Ever since then, I pause on the date he died to remember Dad and reflect on his influence in my life. When I realized I had lived more of life without my dad than with him, I began pondering the brevity of my own life. 
On reflection, we may wrestle with both an event in time and the feelings it stirs within us. Though we measure time with clocks and calendars, we remember times because of events. In the moments of life that trigger our deepest emotions, we can experience joy, loss, blessing, pain, success, failure. 

I don’t know who said it; … probably some “time management” guru; but I once heard it said, … “One cannot measure time. We can only measure events in time.” And a whole “time-management” industry has developed to help us plan our lives to manage what goes on within the clocks and calendars of life (see photo].

In Scripture, King David wrote a song (Psalm 62] when he was under great time pressure; and in this song we read of the king coming to trust in God even when events were seemingly out of control. Solomon, after he realized that he had blown off much of his life with vane choices, wrote (in Eccles. 3:1) that there was “a time for everything,” implying that we need to do all we can to maximize the time we have. And the Apostle Paul echoed that teaching in Eph. 5:15-16 when God used His writing to exhort Christians to think/act circumspectly in these evil times.

So, where does this leave us today? Well, many of us look back with regrets as to how we’ve lived our lives (see linked song). But in God’s admonition thru His word above, we’re exhorted to do all we can in managing the events of our lives - i.e., those things we can control - by doing all fo honor and glorify the Lord with our choices.

Good plan for our “to do list” today, wouldn’t you say? Yes, but we also see that we can’t drive thru life using only the rear-view mirror. No, we’ve got to look ahead and trust that God will lead us - and even help us - to make choices which will honor Him today … and tomorrow!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, … Abba Father … thank You for mercy which is new every morning.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me, Lord, to use your mercies/grace today to honor You with my choices … and even more tomorrow. … 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.

June 2, 2018 … Chewing on Truth

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 152 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  .Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from the Maranatha Singers … Thy Word … poignantly singing how we, as Christians, must allow God’s word to lead us in life as we feed on it daily.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Peter 2:2 [NKJV] … 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, … 
… To mature as young Christians we must feed daily on God’s truth to grow into the Christian God desires us to become.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Peter 2:1-3 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… Peter teaches new Christians on what they must do to lay aside their sin nature by feeding on the Word of God.
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Reference Passage : … Job 23:12 [NKJV] … 12  I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. 
… Job treasured the truth from God’s word more than food.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 23:7a [NKJV] … 7 For as a man (or woman) thinks in his (or her) heart, so is he (she). 
… We become what we think. Therefore, we must put in our minds the truth of God.

Reference Passage : … Psalms 119:9-11, 105 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must feed on God’s word to avoid sin and use it as our light to walk out of darkness.

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul teaches Timothy (and you and me) the power we have when we feed on God’s word, … power to carry out every good work for God’s glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, uses a cute personal story about his dog to illustrate our need to “chew” and consume God’s word. The ODB author wrote: My wife recently gave me a Labrador retriever puppy we named Max. One day when Max was spending time with me in my study, I was concentrating at my desk and heard the sound of paper ripping behind me. I turned to find a guilty-looking puppy with a book wide open and a page dangling from his mouth. 
Our veterinarian tells us that Max is going through his “chewing years.” As puppies lose their milk teeth and permanent ones grow, they soothe their gums by chewing almost anything. We have to watch Max carefully to ensure he isn’t gnawing on something that could harm him, and we point him to healthy alternatives. 

I can personalize that story because a mentor, when I was a new, “baby,” Christian recognized how biblically illiterate I was; and he led me on an 18 month trek to contextualize, memorize, and internalize Scripture. And because of that discipline and exercise I grew immensely from the immature flesh driven former atheist and then baby Christian to the disciple I now am, … an ordained Minister of the Gospel.

When we’re new or immature Christians, like the puppy (see photo) we need to “chew” on substance which will help us grow in Christ, … which will provide us with light in the darkness of this world, … and which will help us avoid our sin nature (see reference scriptures above). As the Proverb says (Prov. 23:7), “we become what we think.”

 So, our minds must continually consume what will help us grow into discerning, powerful followers of Christ. Hence, that’s why you find me here - EVERY MORNING - feeding on God’s truth and prayerfully growing in His grace. How about you, is God’s word on your daily diet? 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, … Abba Father … thank You for providing the food of life from your word.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me, Lord, to keep feeding on Your truth daily. … 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.

June 1, 2018 … Be Still !!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 151 

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 their song … Be Still and Know … poignantly singing how we, as Christians, must be willing to slow the pace of our life and desires to hear from and follow the directions of our God.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 45:10a [NKJV] … 10  Be still, and know that I am God; … 
… God’s prescription to know Him more intimately …
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 46 [NKJV] …USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru the Psalmist, lifts up believers and tells us to slow down … to be still … to receive the grace of God … no matter how confusing or frustrating life may be.
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 41:10 [NKJV] … 10  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, … Yes, I will help you, … I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ 
… But our God can only do this if we know Him intimately and are will to wait on Him to give us His strength. If we want to do it on our own, He will let us.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 11:28-30 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus is always willing to lift up His disciples (yes, you and me) if we’re willing to let Him.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, gives us a prescription for His peace; but we must be willing to slow down - in prayer - and wait on His grace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Elisa Morgan, uses a personal story to illustrate our need to slow down and take in God’s grace in this fast-paced life. The ODB author wrote: My friend and I sat in the sand, near the ever-rhythmic ocean. As the sun sank in the distance, wave after wave curled, paused and then rippled toward our extended toes, stopping just short each time. “I love the ocean,” she smiled. “It moves so I don’t have to.” 
What a thought! So many of us struggle to stop. We do, do, do … and go, go, go, … somehow afraid that if we cease our efforts we will cease to be. Or that by stopping we will expose ourselves to the ever-present realities we work to keep at bay. 

I don’t know about you fellow Christians reading here, but that personalized word picture from the ODB author nailed me this morning! But I know I’m not alone in this western-world, where “Do it quicker, better, and bigger than the next person” is, all-too-often, our performance mantra. 

So, … in spite of the hurried, pressured world which surrounds us, why don’t you readers do what I try to do each morning [and then write about it here] … when I start my day in quiet with God and just “be still !!” Take time to take in the video of Hillsong singing the highlight truth from Psalm 46. … LISTEN TO ALL OF IT! And then imagine that you’re sitting on the beach [as in the photo] with the waves tickling your toes; and feeling the very presence of God, hugging You with His grace, and giving us the strength to face today.

It feels … SO GOOD!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, … Abba Father … thank You for being there for me when I’m willing to take the time to feel Your presence and receive Your power.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to be still and receive a hug from You, Lord, 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.