December 4, 2014 … He Knows My Name

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 338

Devotional Song: Go to this link   … Please take the time to take in the lyrics Daniel O’Donnell singing, Here I Am Lord, … telling of the surrender all Christians must express – in faith – come when God calls

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV Luke 19: 5 … Jesus called; and Zacchaeus responded …
5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him,“Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”  
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Highlight Context – Luke 19: 1-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus knows and calls “Zacchaeus” by name
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Reference Passage #1 – Judges 6: 11-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  … The Lord calls out Gideon, seeing much more in this “mighty man” than Gideon saw in himself

Reference Passage #2 – Isaiah 6: 1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   The Lord calls out Isaiah to carry His message to God’s people; and Isaiah surrenders to God’s calling

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV Luke 5: 10-11 … Jesus calls the fishermen away from their boats to become “fishers of men” and they dropped all and followed Jesus
10b And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. 

Reference Passage #4 - NKJV 1st Peter 5: 7 … When the Lord has called us, we cast all our cares on Him and follow …
  5 Casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David McCasland, uses the story of Jesus calling Zacchaeus by name out of a tree and showing Him the saving grace that only Jesus can offer to the lost. I so relate to that story; because Zacchaeus recognized his weakness and need for a Savior just as I did a little over 30 years ago. And when Zacchaeus responded to the Lord’s calling, He came down out of that tree, repented, and was saved. And in much the same way I recognized Jesus calling me; and on April 13, 1983; and I came down out of my tree of habitual sin and surrendered my life to the one Who knew my name.

 I can remember that day as if it were this morning. My Lord called me down out of my tree of past weakness and habitual sin; and He called me by name with a set of bizarre circumstances showing me that only He could provide me the spiritual strength to come out of my tarpits of sin and following Him as my Lord. And, just like all the callings of God on His followers documented above by the highlight and reference passages, I heard the Lord calling, and I came. Just as Daniel O’Donnell sings in the song linked above, God called me and I said, “Here I Am Lord;” and I came.

 I pray today that all who read here with me have responded to God’s calling; because He knows our names; and He calls all to surrender to Him, just as Zacchaeus did.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, Jesus, … You've called me ... now I come. Amen

Blogger Note: Every day 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, 2014 … On Whose Side Am I?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 337

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics with the group, Avalon, singing their contemporary song, He’s Everything To Me, … reminding all Christians of the reality of a true life in Christ where our pursuit of a deep/abiding relationship brings our life into accord with Him.

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV Psalm 73: 28 … Being near to God is just the “bestest” place to be!! …
28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; … I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, … That I may declare all Your works. 
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Highlight Context – Psalm 73 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  The Psalmist pleads for God’s presence, provision, and power
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Reference Passage #1 – Deuteronomy 31: 6-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  Moses reminds Joshua (and us) that God will never leave us, nor forsake us

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV Psalm 139: 23-24 … The psalmist’s plea for God’s reshaping and restoration
  23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. 

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV Proverbs 3: 5-6 … Solomon teaches of the need to get as close to God as we can in this life, not leaning on our own ways …
  5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Joe Stowell, tells an interesting historical story about Abe Lincoln during the American Civil War to illustrate his devotional point today. He writes …
  In the heat of the American Civil War, one of President Lincoln’s advisors said he was grateful that God was on the side of the Union. Lincoln replied, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.” 

And that was the concern of Asaph, the Psalmist of Psalm 73; and David in Psalm 139; and Solomon in Proverbs 3: 5-6, who pleaded with God to bring them into a right and abiding relationship with their God.

 And if you take in the images and truths from the attached photo, the linked song, and the Scriptures referenced above, you will be challenged to ask, as I was today … ”Just how close am I to my God, Who desires that I draw as near to Him as I can?” And I’m sure you’ll be motivated to seek a more intimate/abiding relationship with our Lord today than yesterday … and even more tomorrow than today.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, Jesus, … Holy Spirit, … draw me close today. Amen

Blogger Note: Every day 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, 2014 … A Root of Evil

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 336

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics with the group, Hillsong, leading in worship, singing their contemporary song, Jesus, You’re All I Need, … reminding all Christians of our need to recognize that God has provided all we need in our relationship with Christ.

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV 1st Timothy 6: 10 … Beware of loving money!! …
  10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 
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Highlight Context – 1st Timothy 6: 6-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul warns that money is not bad … but THE LOVE OF MONEY is a big danger zone
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Reference Passage #1 – Matthew 6: 19-24 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus teaching that mankind cannot serve both God and money [see verse 24]

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV Matthew 6: 33 … Jesus stanchly teaches where our life priorities should lie …
33 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things … [the needs of life] … will be added unto you. 

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV Philippians 4: 11-12 … Paul had learned to be content no matter what his status in life … with plenty or in privation …
  11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Marvin Williams , takes ODB readers (me) back to the time when the Apostle Paul was mentoring a young Timothy to become the Pastor of the church in Ephesus. And Paul recognized one of the main dangers a church will face, … the reality of coming to worship money, riches, and power in lieu of the worship of the ONE & ONLY GOD. Hence the warning to the young Pastor [see 1st Timothy 6: 6-10 linked above] and to all Christians of the message Jesus also forcefully taught in His Sermon on the Mount [see Matthew 6: 19-24] … that man cannot serve both God and money.

 Paul had learned this lesson in living, telling of his ability to be content, no matter whether in plenty or in privation, … being able to find his strength in his relationship with Christ (see Phil. 4: 11-13). Jesus taught us to “seek first the kingdom of God;” and then all we need would be provided for us (see Matt. 6: 33). The question becomes … do we believe that and do we live out these truths (above) every day in our lives? I leave that self-inventory to you as I’m dealing with it here today from this ODB entry.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Jesus, You’re all I need. Amen

Blogger Note: Every day 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 1, 2014 … “Got That T-shirt”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 335

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics with Steven Curtis Chapman singing his contemporary song, His Strength Is Perfect, … reminding all Christians of the strength of God, which, in His faithfulness, is available to any who’re willing to surrender to receive it to cover our weaknesses

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV Hebrews 4: 15 … Jesus, our High Priest in Heaven, empathizes totally with our condition …
  15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 
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Highlight Context - Hebrews 4: 11-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God knows what T-shirt we’re wearing in life … He’s been there and has the T-shirt of having defeated temptation … 
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Reference Passage #1 - Psalm 119: 9-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God’s prescription and power for dealing with temptations

Reference Passage #2 - Matthew 4: 1-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus models how we are to deal with temptation … by being able to wield the sword of the Spirit

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV 1st Corinthians 10: 11-13 … Especially note verse # 13 [in bold], where Paul outlines God’s faithfulness in His helping us deal with temptation …
  11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Anne Celas, refers to a growing problem in our culture - the struggles so many deal with in battling addictions of various sorts [see attached photo]. In fact the ministry which God has called my wife and I to lead [see this link] deals with the growing social plague of sexual addition in our culture/world. And this is personal with me because, for 22 years of my life, I was deeply addicted to pornography; so, I know VERY PERSONALLY of how temptation to sin can can become an obsessive/compulsive influence in our everyday battles of life.

 Yes, when it comes to dealing with the battles of addictive temptation in our lives, as the kids say these days, “I’ve been there, done that, and I’ve got that T-shirt!” … But perhaps, reading here, you’re dealing some stronghold of sin, which perhaps has even become an addictive influence in your life. Well, God knows how we feel in our human weakness [see the Hebrews 4 passage as well as Paul’s promise from God in 1st Corinthians 10: 13]. Yes, God’s strength is there to help us deal with even the most powerful influences which tempt us to sin; and God has even given a powerful prescription for dealing with sin and temptation - yes, even addiction.

 Take note above of how Jesus modeled His own battle strategy for dealing with our weaknesses and temptations. Read and meditate on the Matthew 4: 1-11 passage (also found in Luke 4: 1-13, where Satan did his best to tempt our Lord to sin. But Jesus used God’s prescription for our dealing with temptation by wielding God’s word as His sword and strength to cover His human weakness. And Psalm 119: 9-11 lays out how God wants us to battle temptation to sin in our lives. [I hope you have that passage memorized and internalized!]

 God’s word is our only offensive weapon to deal with all those temptations or addictions depicted in the attached photo. And as Steven Curtis Chapman sings in the linked song today, God’s power, through His word, is there for us to wield and defeat the addictive and tempting powers that Satan will use to bring us down. In fact, at one time in my life my life T-shirt would have read “ADDICTED TO PORN;” … but now the T-shirt I wear, which identifies me, reads “ADDICTED TO GOD’s WORD!!” That’s why I’m here everyday digging in to God’s truth and doing all I can to allow it to infuse me with God’s power.

What does your T-shirt say?!

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … You have shown me Your power; … now I need to wear Your sword, practice it, and use it to battle Your enemies 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.

November 30, 2014 … Purchased - “AS IS”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 334

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics with Kristian Stanfill singing his contemporary version of the old song, Jesus Paid It All, … reminding all Christians the reality that Christ purchased all of us on the cross, paying the infinitely high price for our sin, washing it clean with His blood, no matter in what condition we come to Him.

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV Revelation 21: 1 … John saw The Lamb of God take the scroll of life to open the seals as the only One Worthy to do so …
1  “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” 
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Highlight Context - Revelation 5: 1-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Only the Lamb of God was worthy to open the scroll
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV John 19: 29-30 … Jesus paid it all - “It is finished!!” …
  29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David C. McCasland, uses an interesting true-to-life word picture to illustrate just how far God went to redeem us from our sin. McCasland writes, …
  A house listed for sale “As Is” usually means the seller is unable or unwilling to spend any money to repair it or make it attractive. Any necessary repairs or desired improvements are the responsibility of the buyer after the purchase is complete. “As Is” on a real estate listing is equivalent to saying, “Buyer beware. Home may require significant further investment.” 

Now think about what Jesus, as the Lamb of God, did for all mankind on the cross. As the song by Kristian Stanfill, linked above, proclaims, Jesus paid it all, … all to Him I owe! Yes, our Lord, when He gave up His Spirit to God the Father on the cross, declared, It is finished!, which, in Christ’s words was a declaration that the sin debt from all mankind had been PAID IN FULL by His blood. 

And that is why, when John saw the scroll of life being opened in Heaven (see Revelation 5: 1-12, linked above) there was only One Worthy to do so; and that was the Lamb of God. And today, on this Sabbath day, I yield my all to the Lamb of God, … the worthy One Who came into my life, and purchased my all with His all, … taking full ownership of my soul, as shabby as it was, and paying my full sin debt for eternity.

OH PRAISE MY LORD FOR HIS GRACE!!! 

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … You paid it all for me; and now I will live it all for 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.

November 29, 2014 … That Glorious City

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 333

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics and beautiful images of heaven with Fernando Ortega singing his beautiful song, Beyond The Sky … reminding all Christians of the glorious promise of The New Jerusalem

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV Revelation 21: 1 … John saw all the glories of the New Jerusalem, … heaven come down for all who’ve received the saving grace of Christ.
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 
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Highlight Context - Revelation 21: 1-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   All of life comes full circle, from the garden into New Jerusalem
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Reference Passage #1 - Genesis 3: 22-24 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Man expelled from God’s garden … to return one day in His glorious city

Reference Passage #2 - Isaiah 65: 17-25 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  God, through the Prophet, tells of His glorious new city

Reference Passage #3 - 1st Corinthians 15: 50-58 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  Death has no victory over any Christian

Reference Passage #4 - NKJV 2nd Peter 3: 13 … The Apostle Peter longs for the day of the Lord to bring the new heavens where all righteous dwells …
  13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Phillip Yancey, reminds readers (that’s me!) of God bringing mankind from that time when we were expelled from His garden (see Genesis 3: verses 22-24, linked above) into His New Jerusalem (see attached photo depiction).

 Please take a few moments and use the song link above to hear Fernando Ortega singing a song I would like to have played at my memorial service some day (I hope a long time from now), … but that time when I’ve gone on to be with God in His promised City of Love. That’s the glorious New Jerusalem, of which the Prophet Isaiah foretold 700 years before the coming of the Messiah [see Isaiah 65: 17-25 linked above]; and it’s the new heavens and new earth promised by the Apostle in 2nd Peter 3: 13.

 You know, … it’s easy to get downright depressed when we see what’s going on in the world; and even more so when we experience the trials/tribulations of life. My father in his final few years experienced horrible physical pain and many personal maladies; and when I used to go visit him in the nursing care facility where he resided in his last few years on this earth, he would ask me - every time - to read a passage from 1st Corinthians, Chapter 15, where it spoke of our having a new, incorruptible body in heaven. And I’m sure it was glorious for the Apostle John to be given a vision of that glorious heaven which all in Christ will one day experience (see the highlight passage from Revelation 21: 1-7 [linked above].

 So, my heart and my attitude were lifted high today as I saw the attached photo, listened to the linked song, and meditated on the Scriptures above. I hope you take all of it in today and realize that one day we, who in faith have received Christ as our Savior/Lord, will live eternally with Jesus in the New Jerusalem.

 Do I sense a bold and robust ”HALLELUJAH!!” from any reading here?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … yes, my Savior, HALLELUJAH!; and come soon, Lord Jesus!!! 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.

November 28, 2014 … Amani Means Peace

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 332

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics and beautiful and pertinent song, sung by the group, Hillsong, singing a contemporary version of the old hymn It Is Well With My Soul. … reminding us of the peace provided by our God in spite of any/all troubles. 

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV 1st Samuel 16: 23 … David gave peace to Saul with the playing of God’s music on the harp
23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. 
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Highlight Context #1 - 1st Samuel 16: 14-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   David’s pacifying influence on Saul
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV Isaiah 26: 3 … God, through Isaiah, one of The Lord’s prescriptions for peace to God’s people …
  3 You will keep him in perfect peace, … Whose mind is stayed on You, … Because he trusts in You.

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV 2nd Timothy 1: 7 … Paul on the peace provided to the heart by one’s abiding relationship with Christ …
  7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

Reference Passage #3 - Philippians 4: 6-7[NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God’s prescription for peace through Paul

Reference Passage #4 - Hebrews 13: 20-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   A benediction from the “God of Peace” to those of the New Covenant
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!!! PROMINENT REFERENCE PASSAGE !!! - John 14: 25-27 [NKJV] … Jesus trying to calm His disquieted Disciples with the truth of His grace to come in His Holy Spirit …
  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. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. … “ 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Jennifer Benson Schuldt, told an interesting true story to illustrate her teaching point today. She writes [take a peek at the attached photo]…
" Amani, which means ‘peace’ in Swahili, is the name of a Labrador retriever pup that has some special friends. Amani lives with two young cheetahs at the Dallas Zoo. Zoologists placed the animals together so the cheetahs could learn Amani’s relaxed ways. Since dogs are generally at ease in public settings, the experts felt that Amani would be a “calming influence” in the cheetahs’ lives as they grow up together. " 

 I think we’d agree that there are certain people or animals or even habits in our lives which have a peace-giving influence on our soul. In today’s highlight passage, the ODB author calls our attention to the time when King Saul was troubled and called for David to play his harp, which gave the King a soul-refreshing respite. And if you read and meditate on the reference Scriptures provided above, I’m sure you will be given much peace in the realization that God has given us His peace to all Christians through the reality of His Spirit abiding in our lives.

 When Jesus addressed His troubled Disciples, in what we know of as “the Upper Room Discourse” (see John, Chapters 13-16), He told them of sending a “Comforter,” Who was/is to be The Holy Spirit, to provide them [and us] with God’s presence and His power as they moved forward to witness to God’s New Covenant Gospel message. They didn’t really understand it at the time; but later, as Paul wrote, in Phil. 4: 6-7 and 2nd Tim. 1: 7, Christ’s disciples don’t need to have a spirit of fear. No, … we have God’s love and His power in the presence of God’s Spirit in our hearts to proclaim His truth to others.

 I pray we all live, move, and have our being in the realization of living with God’s Spirit in our hearts as born-again believers.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Your power and peace are mine! 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.

November 27, 2014 … Thanksgiving Praise

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 331

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics and beautiful and pertinent song, sung by one of my favorite performers, Josh Groban, singing Thankful. … reminding us, on this special holiday, that there is so, so, so much for us to be thankful

Highlight Passage #1 - NKJV Psalm 100: 1 … David describes all who should make a joyful noise of thankfulness to our God …
  1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! 
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Highlight Context #1 - Psalm 100 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   A Song of thanksgiving to God by King David
============ Highlight Passage #2 - NKJV Psalm 150: 6 … David describes all who should praise the living God …
  6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. … PRAISE THE LORD!! 
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Highlight Context #2 - Psalm 150 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   A Song of praise to God by King David
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Reference Passage #1 - 2nd Samuel, Chapter 22 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   David sings a song of thankfulness and praise at God’s deliverance of the king-to-be

Reference Passage #2 - 1st Thessalonians 5: 16-18 [NKJV] … The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to be believers and live lives of thankfulness and praise
  16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Julie Ackerman Link, reminded the readers from the joyous praise of Psalm 150; and since today is THANKSGIVING DAY, Link’s entry took my mind and heart back to another of David’s songs of Praise, … Psalm 100.

 In her ODB devotional, Julie Link, references several questions, which are answered in Psalm 150; and this same Q/A exercise can be done from Psalm 100. So, I’ve delineated these questions/answers below from these two songs of David …

Psalm 100
 Q: Why are we thankful? … A: God
 Q: How do we offer thanks? … A: Joyfully
 Q: Who should give thanks? … A: Everyone
Psalm 150
 Q: Why do we offer praise? … A: God 
 Q: How do we offer praise? … A: Joyfully
 Q: Who should praise? … A. Everyone 

 I think the parallels and the pattern is obvious. … So, as we gather together, perhaps with family or friends on this Thanksgiving day, perhaps it would be a good exercise for all to hear these Songs of praise and thanks, offered to God’s honor by the “man after God’s own heart,” … King David. Because these songs express what all who love God should be feeling and expressing from their hearts, today and everyday … i.e., … PRAISE TO GOD!!

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … I give thanks and a loud HALLELUJAH! of praise to my God! 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.

November 26, 2014 … "Go Fish!!"

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 330

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics with Steve Green singing the poignant and always pertinent song People Need the Lord. … declaring our commission to become fishers of men just as He called His inner 12 to become.

{Elly Berry walking the beach where Jesus called His "fishers of men"}

Highlight Passage - NKJV Luke 5: 10b … Paul describes the “Father of their Faith” to Christians …
  10 And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” 
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Highlight Context #1 - Luke 5: 1-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus calls the fishermen to become "fishers of men"
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Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 4: 18-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Matthew’s version of Jesus calling the fishermen by the Sea of Galilee … and …
Reference Passage #2 - Mark 1: 16-18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Mark’s version of Jesus calling the fishermen to come and become His disciples

Reference Passage #3 - Matthew 28: 18-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   All disciples of Christ are commissioned to be “fishers of men (and women)”

Reference Passage #4 - John, Chapter 21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Jesus returns to His men after the resurrection to restore Peter to be His fisherman

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David Roper, took me back to our time in the Holy Land where my wife and I walked the very beach where Jesus called the fishermen, Peter and his brother Andrew, to come and follow Him and become “fishers of men.” In the attached photo, you see my wife and a few others in our party of pilgrims walking on that very beach, which archeologists are sure was the beach where Jesus called His disciples and where he met with them for breakfast after the resurrection and where Jesus restored Peter after he had denied Jesus [see the link to John 21 above].

 It was sobering to be on that beach where Jesus first called the big fisherman, Peter (and the others) - see the highlight passage from Luke 5 and the parallel passages in Matthew/Mark. To realize that we were walking where Jesus, after His resurrection came back to that very beach to dine with His remaining 11 Disciples and then to restore Peter, who was so broken after his denial of The Lord [see the John 21 link above].

 Jesus had called Peter (and the others) to follow Him and become “fishers of men;” and then, after our Lord was raised from the dead, He returned to the very same beach where He had called Peter to recommission him to “feed My lambs.” It’s our Lord’s beautiful symmetry of the Gospel call to all Disciples. And when Jesus left this earth to return to heaven (see Matthew 28: 18-20), all Christians were/are called, just as was Peter, to GO and become fishers of men and feeders of God’s flock. And that’s what Steve Green sings about in the linked song above. … All people need the Lord; and we are called to share the Gospel with any and all whom we’ve been given the opportunity to share God’s redeeming grace with those who need Him.

 It’s like that command from the children’s card game. We are called to “GO FISH!!”   So, today, as we walk about, may we be convicted to remember that any and all, who look us in the eyes, are those who need Christ. Yes, as Steve Green sings, “People Need the Lord!!”

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … help me to be a fisherman 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.

November 25, 2014 … Patience in God’s Purpose

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 329

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics with a Mennonite Chorus singing the old hymnI Know Him Whom I Have Believed. … declaring our commitment to God’s promises and His purposes - no matter how long they may take to unfold.

Highlight Passage - NKJV Romans 4: 20-22 … Paul describes the “Father of their Faith” to Christians …
  20 He [Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
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Highlight Context #1 - Romans 4: 16-22 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Abraham’s imperfect, but long-suffering faith in God’s promises … accounted to him as righteousness
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Reference Passage #1 … Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] … Truth; but do we have the patience and faith to believe it in our lives!! …
  6 … All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purposes. 

Reference Passage #2 … 2nd Corinthians 5: 17 [NKJV] … God’s promise for all true, born-again Christians …
 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

Reference Passage #3 - 2nd Timothy 1: 3-14 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul saw so much more in Timothy that the young preacher could see in himself … and a testimony to Paul’s own faith

Reference Passage #4 … 2nd Timothy 1: 12 [NKJV] … Paul’s witness of faith in God and in Timothy … the words of the title hymn, linked above …
  12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Marion Stroud, by using the life of Abraham as an exemplar of faith [see the Highlight passage from Romans, Chapter 4] and the reference to the mentoring of Paul to Timothy [from 2nd Timothy, Chapter 1], I was taken back many years in my own life to a time when I was a babe in Christ, a relatively new Christian, growing in my discipleship.

 And in those days, I came under the mentoring of a Godly retired physician, an Elder in our church, and a man who met with me for over a dozen years, weekly at first and then later biweekly. And early in this relationship, I didn’t know what to do or how to grow in Christ; and much like Timothy must’ve felt under the mentoring of the Apostle Paul, I just let this man of God lead me. And my mentor must’ve seen much more in me than I could see in myself; because he took me, a former sex addict before my conversion, a broken man, finally surrendered to God, to become an Ordained Minister of the Gospel and an Elder in our church. … Now that’s patience in the promises of God to transform a surrendered Christian as Paul had preached in 2nd Cor. 5 17 [see above].

 But PTL that my mentor had the kind of faith in God’s transformational grace as Paul had in mentoring the young, sickly Timothy. … Somehow my mentor had patience enough to let God remake me into a man who could serve our Lord and His purposes. Because this is the kind of patience which all Christians should have in the God of Romans 8: 28 and 2nd Tim. 1: 12.

 And as you take in the linked hymn for today and these scriptures above, I pray that you have faith that God can/will transform you so that you can be used of God, as was my mentor and Paul to Timothy, to help bring along others into the promise God has for their lives.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … use me to be a shepherd in Your Name and for Your purposes … for 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.

November 24, 2014 … Purity From Pain

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 328

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the lyrics with the group, Hillsong, singingRefiner’s Fire. … reminding Christians we are often put through the fires of life as God’s method of purify our souls when we choose to live lives of Christlike holiness.

Highlight Passage - NKJV 1st Peter 1: 6-7 … The only way to purify gold is to put it to the fire …
  6 … In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, … 
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Highlight Context #1 - 1st Peter 1: 3-9 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  Suffering and pain purify the soul
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Reference Passage #1 - Ezekiel 22: 17-22 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God will do His work to purify us into the image of Christ just as He did with ancient Israel

Reference Passage #2 … Philippians 1: 6 [NKJV] … God is going to do what it takes to purify all Christians into Christ’s image …
  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; … 

Reference Passage #3 … James 1: 2-4 [NKJV] … Recognize, with joy, that it is the pain of the fires of life which produce the purity God desires from us …
  2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

Reference Passage #4 … Revelation 19: 7-8 [NKJV] … As Christ’s bride, we are in a place to ready ourselves with purity for our Bridegoom’s return …
  7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Julie Ackerman Link, reminded me of a rather scary - but very true - word picture. And the picture is of the reality that it often takes the fires of life, with all its fury and pain, to bring us to a purified state of holiness - i.e., the state of Christlikeness.

 I hope all Christians realize in reading here that God is in the business of doing whatever it takes to rebrand us into the image of our Savior; and quite often that involves doing what the Prophet Ezekiel wrote about with regard to God’s Old Covenant with His people in Israel. And the word picture used in Ezekiel 22: 17-22 is much the same as one the Apostle Peter used in his letter to a much persecuted group of churches in Asia Minor in his day (see the link to 1st Peter 1: 3-9 above). And the picture is much as depicted in the attached photo, … that of God putting us through the fires of life to purify our souls.

 When we Christians choose to live holy and pure lives (i.e., living as Christ lived), it may take putting us through the fires of life to burn off the dross [disobedience and sin] from our souls, purifying us into Christlikeness. God was doing that with his people in the OT Covenant. He continued the strategy through Christ in His NT Covenant; and He continues to do it in the lives of His Bride, the Church, today.

 But when we’re obedient, as His Bride, and we choose to humble ourselves to prepare for our Bridegroom’s coming again (see Revelation 19: 7-8 above] by living purified lives, He will honor God with our humility and it will keep us from the Refiner’s fire. Wouldn’t we rather choose to live in humility and holiness rather than having God put us through the purifying fires of pain to have us be prepared for His return?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … I prepare my linens for Your return. Come soon, Lord Jesus! 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.

November 23, 2014 … Roots of Bitterness

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 327

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in Crystal Lewis and Ron Kenoly singingBeauty For Ashes. … reminding Christians that God can ALWAYS give us peace for despair and beauty for ashes when we choose forgiveness over bitterness

Highlight Passage - NKJV Colossians 3: 12-13 … Forgiveness is the only way to uproot any bitterness in our lives …
  12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 
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Highlight Context #1 - Colossians 3: 12-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Paul, from prison, exhorts about the character of a real Christian
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Reference Passage #1 … Ephesians 4: 31-32 [NKJV] … Forgiveness is the only way to avoid the results of bitterness …
  31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. 

Reference Passage #2 … Hebrews 12: 14-15 [NKJV] … Pursuing peace and avoiding all roots of bitterness should be the goal of all Christians …
  14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ... 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Randy Kilgore, illustrated his main point by using the life of Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch evangelist who had witnessed her father and sister die in a German concentration camp during WW2. After the war, speaking in America, one of her former prison guards answered an altar call after one of her talks; and Corrie was confronted with the reality of choosing to hate the man or forgive him. In that moment of truth, she recognized the truth of today’s highlight and reference passages … that the only way to uproot bitterness in our lives is to forgive … just as Christ has forgiven us for our unforgivable sinfulness.

 If you’ve taken in the attached photo, the linked song, and meditated on all the truths above from God’s word, you know that we must cut out any root of bitterness in our lives by Christlike forgiveness; and I’ll let any/all who read here deal with that exhortation from our Lord today.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … thank You for giving me the grace to forgive. 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.

November 22, 2014 … Warmth of the Son

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 326

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in a love song composed by Brian Wilson and Mike Love of the Beach Boys, with Wilson singingThe Warmth of the Sun. … which is a lilting song, reminiscing about lost love. but love retained in the heart

Click on photo to read text - Then click on "X" to return to blog  

Highlight Passage - NKJV Psalm 6: 6 … God’s love is the warmest when our heart is cold …
6 I am weary with my groaning; 
All night I make my bed swim; 
I drench my couch with my tears. 
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Highlight Context - Psalms 6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  David laments the hole in his heart from his separation from the love of God
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Reference Passage #1 … John 3: 16 [NKJV] … You know the verse, I’m sure … and there’s just no love like the love provided by the warmth of the SON.

Reference Passage #2 … Hebrews 13: 5 [NKJV] … The warmth of God’s love will never leave the Christian, though it can grow cold from our own sin …
  5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Deut. 31: 6, 8] 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Bill Crowder, took me back to my younger days when the Beach Boys were having hit-after-hit on the rock charts with their upbeat, Californian surfer songs. But the ODB for today called attention to one song, written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love, a slow lament about lost love, which you can be heard with the link above. The song was entitled, The Warmth of the Sun, which sung of a loved one who had left the lamented singer, but leaving behind love which warmed the heart and love which would never be lost.

 Then Bill Crowder uses a similar song, written by King David, where the ”man after God’s own heart” laments of himself being separated from the fellowship of love with God for a time, but his desire is to retain and pursue the love of God, “The Son,” having left behind a void in David’s heart which only He, God, could fill. We find this lament in Psalm 6, which is linked above for your meditation.

 And I have taken the liberty to use a play on words for the title of my journal entry today, "Warmth of The Son," as I use the ideas from Bill Crowder in his ODB devotional. God’s love is like no other love in our lives. Once received, God’s love is permanent and in faith, it will never leave us. However, we can feel God’s love become distant when we separate ourselves from Him because of our sin. That’s what King David had realized and was singing about in Psalm 6.

 Which begs the question for us today: “Do we feel the close, warm, and abiding love of THE SON?” If not, we need to look at our mind and heart and sing a song of repentance to bring the warmth of the Son back into prominence in our lives.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … I feel the warmth of Your love today. Help me to keep You close. 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.

November 21, 2014 … Techno Turbulence

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 325

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in Michael W Smith leading a large audience in the singing of the classic hymnTurn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. … reminding us how focusing on Christ is the antidote to the modern era of information which has a tendency to distract us from what is really important

Highlight Passage - NKJV Matthew 13: 22 … Jesus’ warning about the interference of the world …
  22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 
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Highlight Context #1 - Matthew 13: 1-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Oh how we need to pay attention to the parable of the sower in today’s tech world, which creates so many distractions to our seeing Christ in our lives
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Reference Passage #1 … Isaiah 26: 3 [NKJV] … The Prophet for God shows believers where our attention should be focused for us to have peace in our lives …
  3  You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.

Reference Passage #2 … Matthew 6: 33 [NKJV] … Jesus on what is REALLY important !!!
  33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [i.e., the needs of life] shall be added to you. 

Reference Passage #3 … Romans 12: 2 [NKJV] … Paul exhorting believers to beware of the distortions of the world which cloud our thinking …
  2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David McCasland, reminded me of something I see more and more in our techno-world, and something which is very disturbing to me. You’ve probably seen it (see the attached photo). Several teens will be in the same space, in close proximity to one another; and they are not even looking at one another; and they certainly are not conversing verbally with one another. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? And where is the attention of these young people? On their smart phones; and who knows, … a couple of them may even be texting one another and they are only a few feet away. Wow! Scary stuff, isn’t it?

 Jesus warned His followers about how our common Spiritual foe would use the clamor and clutter of this world to choke out our human relationships, and even more importantly, our relationship with God.

 The ODB entry for today points to Jesus telling His followers the parable of the sower [in Matthew 13]; and this parable must’ve been really important to Jesus because it’s one of the only parables where the Lord explained its meaning and had the explanation documented in Scripture. And in the highlight verse (i.e., Matthew 13: 22) Jesus tells His disciples (and that’s you and me too!) that we need to beware of how the clutter of this world can take our focus off of what’s really important. And can I get a witness here as to what - or whom - that is? … Fill in the blank …. ____________ … I’m betting you got it right!!!

 But in case (doubtful!!) you’re wanting confirmation, go to the reference Scriptures above and meditate on them; and you’ll have your answer; … and I’m praying today that all of us are focusing our minds, hearts, and spirits on the One - and only - focus which really will produce peace in our lives … And that is, of course, … ___________ … you got it!

My Prayer for Today … It’s You, Lord; and may this time, where I come here quietly each morning, help me avoid the clamor of the world so that I can keep my focus on 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.

November 20, 2014 … Faith Alone? - Yes & No!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 324

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in the glorious old Fanny Crosby him Blessed Assurance. … reminding Christians our salvation is assured in the living of our life of faith in Christ

Highlight Passage - NKJV James 2: 19-20 … Jesus brother on REAL DEAL, saving faith …
  19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 
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Highlight Context #1 - James 2: 14-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  It is faith that saves; but faith without works is not saving faith
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Reference Passage #1 … Matthew 7: 15-20 [NKJV] USE THIS LINK …   Jesus preached that we could know the saved from the unsaved by the fruit of their works.

Reference Passage #2 … Romans 12: 1-2 [NKJV] … Those who truly believe in Christ as Savior and Lord will become LIVING SACRIFICES to His Name and for His glory …
  1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Reference Passage #3 … 2nd Corinthians 5: 17 [NKJV] … Anyone IN Christ is NEW … is CHANGED … and good works are the signature of that change.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

Reference Passage #4 … Ephesians 2: 8-10 [NKJV] USE THIS LINK …   We are saved BY God’s grace, THRU our faith, UNTO good works … It’s a package deal … So, conversion will lead to a Christian whose life is changed

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dave Branon, reminded me of the centuries old Christian argument about “faith alone” as the ONLY element it takes to become a Christian. And I am one who believes that without faith, and faith alone in Christ as Savior and Lord, one will never become converted from lost to found.

BUT … (and this is an enormously important “BUT”) … as Jesus’ brother, James, writes in his declaration about faith in the highlight passage linked above (James 2: 14-20) … “faith without works is dead.” And really I don't think that there is any controversy about whether the doctrine of “faith alone” being the necessary element in one’s character for a conversion from one who is lost forever to one who is found unto eternal life is debatable.

 When the Apostle Paul teaches, in Ephesians 2: 8-9 that Christians are saved BY God’s grace alone … THROUGH our faith in that grace ALONE, and not through our works, the description of the saved Christian, however, does not stop there. It goes on, in Eph. 2: 10, which clearly states that yes, it is our faith alone that provides for salvation; but that saving faith ALWAYS leads us to become God’s workmanship. So, yes we are saved BY God’s grace [alone], THRU our faith [alone], … but … UNTO good works. And as James strongly declares, … “faith without works is dead.”

 Jesus, Himself, preached about this in His “Sermon on the Mount.” (see the Matthew 7 passage linked above) And in that teaching, our Lord declared that we would know the saved from the unsaved by the fruit which grows and is shared in their lives. In Matt. 7: 20, Jesus said, ”… by their fruits you will know them.”

 And what all of these giants of the 1st Century church, following their Lord, Jesus, are saying is that it does take an absolutely surrendered faith (alone) to be saved; but the signature of all who are saved will be their good works. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the early Christians (see the passages from Romans and 2nd Corinthians above), he stated very clearly that when a non-believer, as Paul himself had been, is saved, his/her life becomes a “living sacrifice,” (see Romans 12: 1-2) … and that life is marked by change (see 2nd Cor. 5: 17), … change which is evident in God honoring, God glorying action. And Paul’s life and witness certainly attested to his teachings.

 So the question which comes (at least to me) from the ODB entry today is … Has my life changed because of my faith in the completed works of Christ on the cross; and can others see that change in a life of living sacrifice, proving that my faith was the “real-deal” which saved me from my lost past unto my saved future? … And I believe those who know me, including Satan and his demons, would attest to the reality of my changed life, which came about because of my faith alone in my Lord and Savior, Jesus.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … I am saved! And I pray that my salvation is evident for all to see in the fruitfulness of my changed life. Amen

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

November 19, 2014 … Grumble, Grumble!!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 323

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in Sara Groves’ poignant and powerful song Eyes On the Prize. … reminding Christians that is so easy to get our eyes off of the prize of our relationship with our Lord and His promises for our eternal future.

Highlight Passage - NKJV Numbers 11: 1 … God shows off with His miraculous providence; and what do His children do … GRUMBLE!! …
  1 Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.
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Highlight Context #1 - Numbers 11: 1-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God provides and what do we do? … Grumble!!
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Reference Passage #1 … Mark 15: 11-15 [NKJV] ... USE THIS LINK …   The same people who cried HOSANNA, celebrating Christ’s entrance to Jerusalem as the Messiah, … just a few days later were grumbling and crying, “Crucify Him!!!”
   
Reference Passage #2 … Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] …
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. … 
True; … but do we believe it when things get tough? ... Or do we grumble?!

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Marvin Williams, hit me right where I needed God’s wisdom this morning, … a kick in the behind, reminding me of so many times when God’s people [and me] experienced His wondrous works and then … grumble, grumble, grumble!!!

 And Williams used a story about how his friend, Max Lucado, was trying to complete a triathlon; and desiring to quit during the race, Lucado found himself listening to another competitor who was grumbling about his pain and inabilities; and Lucado realized that if he stayed around this “loser,” he was going to end up being influenced by his grumblings and he would lose sight of why he was there … and that was to finish the race.

 When you go back and take in all those Old Testament stories, like the highlight passages linked above, of God intervening miraculously on the part of His people … delivering them from slavery in Egypt, taking them through a parted Red Sea, giving them manna to eat, and going ahead of them for 40 years in the wilderness; and what did God’s people do, over and over again? … GRUMBLE!!!

Jesus comes on the scene; and the people see Him perform miracle after miracle; and when He enters David’s city just before His time of glory over death, the people were acclaiming Him as their “Messiah.” … Then, just a few days later, many of these same people were grumbling and crying “Crucify Him!!!” … because they saw the God-Man being unjustly accused by the religious leaders. 

My friends, I would wager, though I’m not a gambler, that you who read with me here believe the truth of Romans 8: 28, copied above. But how often do we, who’ve been delivered to eternal life by our faith in Christ, grumble or complain when things get tough in our lives. I’m under conviction here today, … ad admitted grumbler, … and one who needs this heavy dose of faith testing from this ODB entry, … testing in order to realize the truth of Deut. 31: 8 and Prov. 3: 5-6, which you probably know by heart.

 But if not, and if you find yourself grumbling over small stuff and taking your “eyes off the prize” of where Christ is leading us (see the song link above), … then perhaps it would be a good idea to go to those latter verses, as I have today, and meditate on whether we are staying on God’s course for our life … or are we getting side-tracked by our grumbling spirits?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … help me keep my eyes on Your prize! 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.

November 18, 2014 … Growing Tall and Strong

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 322

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in Steven Curtis Chapman’s poignant and powerful lyric as he sings His Strength Is Perfect. … repeated from yesterday’s blog because of its pertinence to letting God’s strength work to overcome the weaknesses we have in our human nature.

Click on photo for larger view - Then on "X" to return to blog

Highlight Passage - NKJV Hebrews 13: 15-16 … Standing in God’s full armor to do battle against the enemy …
  15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 
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Highlight Context #1 - Hebrews 13: 15-25 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   Doing good for God
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Reference Passage #1 … John 15: 1-8 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  We rely on our life sustaining power by our branches being connected to God’s life-sustaining fruitfulness

Reference Passage #2 … 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; … 

Reference Passage #3 … Hebrews 10: 24-25 [NKJV] …
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

Reference Passage #4 … 1st John 4: 4 [NKJV] …
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Joe Stowell, has some of the same reference points as did my entry yesterday, especially since the author is making the point that we must be willing to set pride aside and seek God’s strength - and, as Stowell adds - intertwining our strength with the power of other Christians who are also surrendered to Christ for His grace of enablement and empowerment.

 Stowell today uses an illustration of the giant Sequoia Trees in Northern California (see attached photo), which grow to over 300 feet in height. One would think that they have very deep roots since the winds never fell these giants. However, from his research, Stowell points out that the roots of the trees, at relatively shallow depths, intertwine with one another to support each other from beneath the surface, allowing the trees to grow in such girth and height.

 I don’t think it takes a genius to see the word picture that we, as Christians, first getting our life sustaining power from God’s Spirit (see the picture of the vine in John 15: 1-8, linked above) by being connected to God’s empowering strength as a branch in His vine. But then, moving to the sequoia analogy, we also, as Christians in Christ’s body, can grow taller and more powerful by our roots being intertwined with other Christians. Hence the reference scriptures used above.

 If we take the truth in through these passages, we’ll no doubt see that we need to do all we can as Christians to do what Steven Curtis Chapman, sings in the song which is repeated from yesterday’s blog … to root ourselves to the strength of Christ and to allow us to grow in Christ to overcome our weaknesses as humans. i trust that this is the pursuit of all who read with me here.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … in-fuse me, and all who are with me here today, with Your strength and help us to grow tall and strong in Your essence. 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.

November 17, 2014 … Run to the Roar

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 321

Devotional Song: Go to this link  … Please take the time to take in Steven Curtis Chapman’s poignant and powerful lyric as he sings His Strength Is Perfect. … proclaiming the reality that God’s strength is perfect to cover our weaknesses.

Highlight Passage - NKJV Ephesians 6: 10-11 … Standing in God’s full armor to do battle against the enemy …
  10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
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Highlight Context #1 - Ephesians 6: 10-18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   God’s full armor for doing daily battle
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Reference Passage #1 … John 10: 27-28 [NKJV] …
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 

Reference Passage #2 … 1st Peter 5: 8 [NKJV] …
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

Reference Passage #3 … 1st John 4: 4 [NKJV] …
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

Reference Passage #4 … Luke 9: 23 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …   Here it is again - almost every day;… Jesus’ telling His followers the path to security in Satan’s world

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Cindy Hess Kasper, used a word picture which I often use when I’m teaching in the ministry God led my wife and I to found which helps men walk free from the clutches of Satan and habitual sexual sin (see our website at this link ). Kasper refers to Peter’s metaphor of satan being like a roaring lion, … “the king of the jungle,” as he’s often referred; and it’s a useful metaphor to describe the powerful, common foe of Christians in this world.

 It’s an apt word picture because of the way the lion hunts his prey. Maybe you’ve studied it; … I have. The pride of lions stalks a potential herd of weak sheep or gazelles in the bush; and then the alpha male gets upwind from the flock/herd and roars at his loudest. The flock (let’s imagine some sheep) hears the lion, and smells him in the wind; and most of the sheep, especially the immature and weak ones, bolt and run away from the roar of the lion. What they don’t know is that the females in the pride have set themselves into a semicircle down wind of the flock; and if the sheep run away from the roar, in fear, the females will be waiting to get the weak ones, especially any who are wounded.

 Satan is like that. He knows that the easy prey in God’s flock are those who are the weakest; and many of the men we see in our ministry have been severely weakened and wounded by their own obsessive-compulsive sin patterns. And in fear, when Satan stalks them with temptations, like p0rnography or other XXX devices, these men are easy prey for the stalking “king of the jungle.” 

However, we in Battle Plan Ministries teach - and prayerfully condition these men - to do what the Apostle Paul was teaching persecuted Christians in his letter to the church in Ephesus; and that is to prepare for the enemy by putting on the “full armor of God” [see the Ephesians 6: 10-18 linked above]. Because as Steven Curtis Chapman sings in today’s linked song, God’s strength is perfect (in His full armor) to cover our weaknesses.

 In God’s flock, we’ve got to learn to do what Jesus tried to teach His flock, … i.e., to stay close to Him, … the Good Shepherd. Because to return to the word picture of the lion and the flock, the mature and well-trained in the flock actually move toward the lion’s roar; because they’ve been trained to stay close to the Shepherd who will always move to the roar of the lion to protect His flock; and the Shepherd will lead them to safety.

 Mature Christians know and believe the truth of John 10: 27-28 and 1st John 4: 4 … that we serve a “Good Shepherd,” Who will protect us; and His Spirit within us is actually stronger and more powerful than that “king of the jungle,” who is stalking his prey and roaring to create fear in the flock.

 So, fellow Christian, if you hear the lion roaring or you smell him stalking you with temptation, run TO the roar and follow the Good Shepherd.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, … Good Shepherd, I know that You are always here to protect me. Amen

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