December 6, 2021 … With a Cheerful Heart …

Berry Patch Devotions in 202 - Day 340 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from the group Vintage Worship singing … Generous Giver … poignantly singing of how we, as followers of Christ, must do all we can to reflect our God’s generous love and mercy and grace.  

St. Nicholas with a giving heart ... 

  

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Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:7-8   [NLT] …   

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  

…  Paul reminds fellow Christians, by quoting <b>Psalm 22:8</b> of God’s law of reciprocity . that we reap what we sow.                               

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Corinthians 9:6-15 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul quotes from <b>Psalms [22:8 and 112:9]</b> about God’s law of reaping and sowing as we give to others in need with a cheerful heart.                   

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 11:24-25 [NLT] …   USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Solomon’s wisdom, shows us that the Lord rewards those who’re willing to help those in need.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:21 [NLT] …   

21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.  

… Jesus shows His followers that the way we handle what He has given us measures our heart for God.    

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 [NLT] …   

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”   

… Jesus teaching on God’s law of reciprocity … that we reap what we sow.  

Reference Passage: … Acts 20:35 [NLT] …   

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  

…Paul quotes Jesus on how it is far more blessed to give than to receive.          

 

      

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Estera Pirosca Escobar, AT THIS LINK … tells of the legendary Saint Nicholas, who was told to spread Gospel love by giving freely and generously to children in need in the 3rd century [see photo].

 

Yesterday was “Sinterklaas Day” in my wife’s home country of Holland, the day when presents are exchanged during Advent Season to commemorate what we, in the USA, would call “Santa Claus” - i.e., the heart of St. Nicholas - coming to share good gifts with children in need who had good hearts.  It is a cultural reflection of what is sung in the linked song and shared in the Scriptures above, … which is God’s law of reciprocity … that we reap what we sow and, as Jesus taught (see Acts 20:35), that it’s ALWAYS more blessed to give than to receive. 

And I pray that all reading here will join me to do all we can to reflect that Christlike heart of giving as we remember and recognize God’s eternal gift to us during this Advent Season.  And let’s pray that we move into the New Year…  believing in and following King Jesus, … that we will have generous and cheerful … and GIVING … hearts 24/7 … 365 … i.e. … ALWAYS !!!                            

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for giving Your all so that we can reflect Your heart and give to those who are in need … this season and beyond.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can to give from what You’ve given to us, Lord, with Your cheerful heart, during this Advent season and beyond.   … Amen

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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 5, 2021 … Passing It On …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 339 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing … The Perfect Wisdom of Our God … poignantly singing of how our God shares His wisdom with us thru His creation and His word. 

Delft Blue Scripture Tiles ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 78:4   [NLT] …   

4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders.  

…  Asaph sings of God’s charge for His people to share The Lord’s eternal truths and His mighty works onward to future generations.                              

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 78:1-8 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Asaph’s song, charges all generations of God’s people to pass along His truths to the follow generations of believers.                  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:160 [NLT] …   

160 The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. 

… God, thru King David’s song, declares the eternal permanence and power of God’s truth.    

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 55:11 [NLT] …   

11 It is the same with my word.  I send it out, and it always produces fruit  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.  

…God, thru the Prophet, declares the eternality of His word to accomplish God’s purposes.    

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT] …   USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches Timothy - and all Christians - of the power of God’s word to give our lives direction and Godly purpose.       

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 1:22-25 [NLT] …   USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter quotes from Isaiah 40:8 about the eternal permanence of God’s word to guide and direct the lives of all who are surrendered to God’s truth thru His word.  

      

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Cindy Hess Kasper, AT THIS LINK …  illustrates God’s call for generations of believers in God’s truth to pass along God’s wisdom as the Dutch did so in earlier centuries by sharing timeless Biblical truths by illustrating God’s word thru craftsmen on now-famous blue/white ceramic tiles made in Delft in the Netherlands (see photo). 

 

And today, for all reading with me, I pray that we all recognize the truth sung in the linked song and the reality of God’s call (see Scriptures above) for all of us, as disciples of Christ, to share and pass along His truth and wisdom to other Christians, especially the next generations.  

So we need to ask ourselves if we are using our sphere of influence in our families and among our friends to show and teach God’s truth and His call for Godly living as we ourselves live out and share God’s word with others.                           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for giving me - and fellow Christians - Your eternal truth so that we can live it out and share it with others.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can to live out and share Your truth with others … maybe even today!  … Amen

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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 4, 2021 … ALL Generations Called …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 338 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing … Chosen Generation … powerfully singing of how we, as born-again Christians, are God’s chosen generation to usher in the Kingdom of God. 

ALL generations have a place in God's Kingdom ... 

  

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Highlight Passage: … 2Kings 20:2-3   [NLT] …   

2 When Hezekiah heard this [of God’s prophesy of an early death for the King], he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly. 

…  God hears Hezekiah’s prayer to have more time to serve the Lord into the next generation.     ===============

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Kings 20:1-20 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… When King Hezekiah learned of God’s edict that he would die early, he prayed, begging God for more time to do right by Yahweh, … His Lord.                 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 78:4 [NLT] …   

4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.  

…God, thru Asaph, charges His people to share of His mighty deeds to the next generations   

Reference Passage: … Psalm 102:18 [NLT] …   

18 Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord. 

…The Psalmist desires that God’s song be recorded for future generation to be able to praise God for His wondrous works.    

Reference Passage: … Acts 2:38 [NLT] …   

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

… Peter preaches at Pentecost the Gospel truth that all generations must repent and receive God’s saving grace.     

Reference Passage: … Romans 3:23 [NLT] …  

23 For EVERYONE has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.  

… Paul teaches of the reality that our sinfulness cuts across all generations.   

      

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson, AT THIS LINK … quotes a young environmentalist, Jack Weinberg, who was quoted as saying, “Never trust anyone over thirty,” … words that he later regretted because they became watch words that divided a generation in the 60’s. 

 

As I write this today, I’m approaching my 8th decade of life; and I confess that I often think of the the younger generations, … the so-called “Millennials” and “Gen-Xers”  … as shallow and unwise, … thinking of my generation as much wiser than we likely are in reality.  But the truth is wrapped up in the linked song, which I pray all have heard today; … that we ALL, … oldies like me AND the younger generations, … have a place - a chosen place - in God’s Kingdom, which was foretold in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New [see Scriptures above].  

So, I pray today that we of varied generations (see photo) recognize God’s Gospel call to join - ALL TOGETHER - and praise our LORD GOD, … the God of all generations as we honor Him with our faith and our common desire to follow Him.                            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …and Your call to ALL OF US to follow YOU today … and on into our common tomorrows.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to respond to Your call, Lord, for all generations to come together and to follow You.    … Amen

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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 3, 2021 … The Real Me …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 337 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Matthew West singing … Hello My Name Is … powerfully singing of how we, as born-again Christians, have a new name and identity as sons of the Living God, … King Jesus.

A Precious Child of the Living God ... 

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Highlight Passage: … 1John 3:1   [NLT] …   

1 See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know Him. 

…  God sees me as the son of a King, … King Jesus … today and all days.                             

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1John 2:28-3:10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God reveals, thru John, that our real identity as Christians is in becoming a Child of God thru faith in King Jesus.                 

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Reference Passage: … John 1:12 [NLT] …   

12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 

…We who believe in Christ as Lord and King have been given the identity as children of God.  

Reference Passage: …2Corinthians 15:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul shows fellow Christians that our old life is gone for those of us who believe in Christ as Lord.    

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT] …   

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

… Again Paul shows that those who believe in Christ’s finished work on the cross and believe Him to be our Lord, are made new and live that new life as surrendered Christian disciples.    

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:9 [NLT] …   

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light 

… God, thru Peter, shows how we, who believe in Christ’s Lordship, are called to be a royal priesthood. which is our identity in Christ.    

      

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon, AT THIS LINK …  tells of taking a photo of a young friend who was outfitted with a tiara (see photo), trying to show the girl that she should see herself as a child of a King … King Jesus, … who died so that she - and all of us who place our faith in Christ’s Lordship, can see ourselves as children of God.  

And I pray today that all reading here have taken in the linked song and meditated on the truth of the Scriptures above, … and we all revel in the reality of whom we have become by placing our faith in the Lordship of Christ.  

My friend, Jesus is now our King … King Jesus!!  And by our faith in His blood, shed for us, we have been made new forever and now live as children of the Living God.  I think that deserves a robust HALLELUJAH, don’tcha think?                            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …giving me a new identity by my faith in You, Lord, as King Jesus.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to live out our lives as children of the Living God and eternal slaves of King Jesus!    … Amen

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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 2, 2021 … Unity From Diversity …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 336 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... </b>  Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from the group Jesus Culture singing … Make Us One … powerfully singing of how we as diverse brothers/sisters in Christ must come together under His call to make us ONE CHURCH serving Him. 

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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 133:1   [NLT] …   

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!   

…  A song written to celebrate God’s diverse people ascending - IN UNITY - to celebrate their festivals in Jerusalem.                           

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 133 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… David wrote this song to celebrate the diversity of Nations coming together to follow God in unity of purpose.                

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Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:10 [NLT] …  

10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.   

… Paul pleads with fellow Christians who were divided and under oppression to come TOGETHER in UNITY for Christ. 

Reference Passage: …2Corinthians 13:11 [NLT] …   

11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.   

… Paul, again, closing his 2nd letter to Corinth pleas with fellow Christians to “live in harmony” with one another.    

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:3 [NLT] …   

3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.   

… As Paul did often in his letters to fellow Christians under oppression, … begging them to come together and live in harmony and peace.   

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:14 [NLT] …   

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 

… Reading, ONCE AGAIN, Paul pleading with his fellow Christians to bind themselves together in the love of Christlikeness, which produces unity of purpose and peace.   

      

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Lisa M Samra, AT THIS LINK …  tells of a high school graduation where the principal called off the birth nations of the 608  graduates, documenting that they came from sixty (60) different countries, but graduating TOGETHER that day.  

The story illustrates the type of unity out of diversity that King David (in the highlight passage) and the Apostle Paul in the NT Scriptures above both pleaded for from God’s people.  And that is the heart of God for all those, no matter where we come from, who have surrendered to follow Christ, Who died that His Church could - and would - be unified and find peace in His purpose.

And so, what are we doing - even today - to bring peace and harmony among the diverse brothers and sisters in Christ in our own sphere of influence.  I pray MUCH!                           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for showing that we can - out of our diversity - come together in unity to serve You. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can to serve You, Lord, … TOGETHER!!      … Amen

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Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “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 1, 2021 … All About WE, … not me! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 335 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from worship gathering singing … We Gather Together … poignantly singing of how we Christians gather in corporate worship to praise our God and to worship Him TOGETHER. 

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Highlight Passage: … Hebrews 10:25   [NLT] …   

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  

…  We come TOGETHER to worship our Lord with our shared lives and common commitment to serve Him.                          

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Hebrews 10:19-25 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… As a family of God, we are to come TOGETHER to worship Him with the sharing of our lives which honor and glorify The Father.               

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Reference Passage: … Acts 2:45-47 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The early Church came TOGETHER to share their lives in worship to The Lord.     

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 14:26 [NLT] …   

26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.  

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians in Corinth, … as with us now, … to come TOGETHER, meeting to sing praises to God and to strengthen one another in orderly common worship. 

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:16 [NLT] …   

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to come TOGETHER to teach and counsel one another and to worship the Lord with singing and hymns of praise.

Reference Passage: … 1Thessalonians 5:11 [NLT] …   

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.  

… Paul again lauded fellow Christians for coming TOGETHER and encouraging and edifying one another.     

      

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, John Blase, AT THIS LINK …  briefly discusses why church attendance is down in these troubled times, … quoting a Pastor who said, “We go to church for other people. Because someone may need you there.”

And that is an issue as old as the early church (see Scriptures above) who were exhorted strongly by Paul, and also the author if Hebrews (see highlight passage), to come TOGETHER (yes, that’s the key word today) … to encourage one another with corporate worship and mutual counsel … to build up the Body of Christ for His calling to serve the Lord in this troubled and sin-ridden world. 

And I ask all who might read this; … are we coming TOGETHER to worship and serve The Lord; or are we focusing on the ME in life rather than the WE in living for the Lord?  I leave that challenge for you to ponder along with God’s Spirit.  Personally, i’m convicted and driven to be with my brothers and sisters in Christ because I desperately need the “WE” of worship to overcome the “ME” in my everyday life.                          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for calling me to corporate worship and service in order to overcome my selfishness.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to come TOGETHER with fellow Christians to worship and to serve our Lord as His Body today.     … Amen

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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.