July 7, 2021 … Seeking Godly Wisdom …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 188 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from The Gettys singing  … Perfect Wisdom of Our God … poignantly singing about how our God provides His perfect wisdom to those who humbly seek it. 

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Highlight Passage:   Proverbs 1:7  [NLT] …  

7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 

… Solomon shows his children that pursuing God’s ways is the way to wisdom and to avoid foolish living. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Proverbs 1:1-9 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon, as a wise father, seeks to provide his children with Godly wise knowledge. 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:105 [NLT] … 

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.  

… God’s word is the light which leads us down the road of life to God’s wise direction.  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 4:7 [NLT] … 

7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!  And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.

… God, thru Solomon, shows us that seeking Godly wisdom is the key to Godly discernment and judgment.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 11:33 [NLT] … 

33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! 

… The infinite extend of God’s wisdom is impossible to attain; but the Apostle Paul knew that we must seek it nonetheless. 

Reference Passage: …Ephesians 1:15-17 [NLT] … 

16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

… Paul prays for fellow Christians to seek and find Godly wisdom so that they (we) might know and discern the ways of God.  

 

Reference Passage: … James 1:5  [NLT] … 

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  

… James shows that our God is willing - and we certainly know able - to provide His wisdom to those who genuinely seek it.     

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Elisa Morgan, AT THIS LINK … tells of a friend, Ellen, who received a necklace with beads in morse code which spelled out a message of good advice, … saying, “Seek God’s ways!”   

Godly advice for all of us, don’t you think?  And it was certainly the advice of Solomon to his children and God’s advice to all of us (see highlight passage) … that we can find God’s ways by seeking His wisdom, … which according the Scriptures above, God is most willing to provide when we come to Him humbly seeking His direction in life (see photo). 

And oh how I pray that all reading here join me to seek God’s will today and His ways thru His word - i.e., God’s perfect “GPS”  - [see Ps 119:105].  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing us Your wisdom and our ways thru Your word again today.         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … with diligence and determination … to seek out Godly wisdom thru Your word today - and tomorrow.    … 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. 

July 6, 2021 … Our Forever Father …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 187 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing  … Good, Good Father … poignantly singing about how we have a forever Father in our God.  It’s Who our God is!! 

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Highlight Passage:   Matthew 6:8-9  [NLT] …  

8 Don’t be like them [the hypocrites], for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:  <b>“Our Father in heaven, </b>may Your name be kept holy. …  

… Jesus appeals for His followers to pray to their - always present … always perfect …  Heavenly Father 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Matthew 6:5-13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches on praying, humbly and genuinely, to our perfect, … all-knowing and all-caring, … Heavenly Father.  

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Reference Passage: … Malachi 2:10 [NLT] … 

10 Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? 

… God’s word, thru the Prophet, shows us that we are all children of the same God who has made a perfect and lasting covenant with His family of believers, which we, as His family, continue to violate.     

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:16 [NLT] … 

16 For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 

… We, who believe in our Heavenly Father as our “Abba Father,” know that we are God’s children.

Reference Passage: … Titus 2:12-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also shows believers how we look forward to the hope of Jesus coming for God’s family in the Person of our our Heavenly Father’s Son, … our Lord, King Jesus.  

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:7  [NLT] … 

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

… Peter writes that we can ALWAYS go to our Heavenly Father because He ALWAYS cares for us.    

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Albert Lee, AT THIS LINK … shows, thru the work/writing of John Sowers … in his book, ”Fatherless Generation,” … that we’re living in a generation of fatherless families where these kids don’t know a father.  And Sowers believes that many of the social ills we face these days are the result of FATHERLESSNESS in our world.   

But if my fellow Christian readers believe in the truth of what Chris Tomlin sings in the linked song, … as well as the truths of the Scriptures above, … we believe - and know - that disciples of Christ are never fatherless; and we always have a good, good … “Abba Father” … to go to anytime/anywhere, … a Heavenly Father Who ALWAYS cares for our needs.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for being my good, GOOD Heavenly Father … ALWAYS!         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to praise our Heavenly Father for ALWAYS being there for us.   … 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.

July 5, 2021 … “WHAT” … Not How …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 186 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Joni Earickson Tada singing  … Alone Yet Not Alone … poignantly singing about how we, as Christians, can have confidence in facing all in this world because we’re never alone in Christ 

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Highlight Passage:   2Corinthians 2:4  [NLT] …  

4 I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.  

… Paul, showing his love for his fellow Christians by sharing his love for Christ with them.    

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Corinthians 2:1-5 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul helping fellow Christians to focus on Christ in sharing their faith, ,,, and not on HOW we share Him 

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… When put ALL our trust in Christ … with ALL our hearts, … He will show us the HOW to lead others to Him. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 1:16 [NLT] … 

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 

… Paul recognized the importance of Christ when sharing the Gospel with others.   

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:15  [NLT] … 

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.  

… We ALWAYS must be ready to share God’s Gospel grace with others.   

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kirsten Holmberg, AT THIS LINK  … tells of overcoming the very common fear of speaking in public [see photo] by focusing on the WHAT of the message rather than on the HOW.   

And that would apply, as the Apostle Paul brought out to his fellow Christians in the highlight passage as he shared the Gospel message with them … to focus on the “WHAT” of the message, being CHRIST and His saving grace, rather than having any fear of HOW the message is shared.  

So, today, if God gives us an opportunity to share His gospel grace with others, I pray we realize that it’s WHAT we’re sharing (as in the Scriptures above) that’s important and not HOW we share with others. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for being my WHAT to share you today and giving me Your empowering grace to share You with others.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to recognize the WHAT behind our sharing the Gospel with others and that is Christ’s love and grace.    … 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 subscribee to the blog via email at that site.

July 4, 2021 … In God We Trust …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 185 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Hillsong, leading in worship and singing  … In God We Trust … poignantly singing about how we, as Christians, need to place ALL our trust and faith in our God. 

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Highlight Passage:   Isaiah 30:15 [NLT] …  

15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:  “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be save.  In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.  

… God’s people chose to trust in an alliance with Egypt rather than in their God.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Isaiah 30:1-5, 15-18 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Isaiah, shows His people that only in trusting in Him, their LORD, will they find rest and peace.    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 118:6, … 8 [NLT] … 

6 The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? … 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. 

… God makes it clear thru His Psalmist in whom we should trust.  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Our God wants us to trust in Him <u>with ALL our hearts</u>, … not in ourselves or the world. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 15:13 [NLT] … 

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

… Paul’s prayer for his fellow Christians … that they find joy/peace/strength by trusting in God.   

Reference Passage: …James 4:7  [NLT] … 

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.   

… It’s when we trust and submit ourselves to God that our enemies will flee from us.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, James Banks, AT THIS LINK  … uses a reference story about Revolutionary War history to show how the American soldiers trusted in superstition rather than God and the result was defeat in one battle on Canadian soil.    

Similarly in the times of Isaiah, God’s people put their trust in an alliance with Egypt [see highlight passage] rather than trust in their God when the Assyrians were threatening Judah.  The result was a disastrous defeat.  And these stories raise the question of whom we trust today when we do battle against our spiritual enemies … Satan, the world, and our own flesh. 

If we look at the USA currency [see photo], we see the American motto: ”In God We Trust!” … BUT … DO WE? … Or do we place our trust in idols or worldly values … like money, power, politics, science, or other human pursuits?  And I pray we’re doing a self inventory right now to decide in Whom we place our trust today?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me and helping me to trust You, LORD, … and You alone … today and tomorrow.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to put all our trust in You, Lord, 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.

July 3, 2021 … Getting Clean …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 184

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Natalie Grant singing  … Clean … poignantly singing about how our God’s Spirit is doing in a cleaning job in our hearts and our soul as we follow the ways of our Lord in life.  

Choosing to get clean ... 

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Highlight Passage:  James 4:8 [NLT] …  

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  

… James chides fellow Christians to get closer to God and be cleansed of our unclean and worldly ways.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … James 4:4-10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… James charges and challenges Christians to make themselves clean in the eyes of God.    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 139:23-24 [NLT] … 

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; … test me and know my anxious thoughts.  24  Point out anything in me that offers You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.  

… Repeating the prayer song of David should be our prayer and desire every morning.  

Reference Passage: … 2 Corinthians 7:1 [NLT] … 

1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

… Because we have God’s promises of eternal life in Christ, we are called to cleanse ourselves from the ways of the flesh and the world and move toward holiness.  

Reference Passage: … Titus 3:4-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… It was Jesus and His Spirit Who washed us clean when we came to receive His saving and sanctifying grace. 

Reference Passage: …1John 1:7 [NLT] … 

7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 

… If we choose to live in God’s light of truth, He will cleanse us from our sin.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patrician Raybon, AT THIS LINK   … uses a word picture of our recent challenge to wash our hands thoroughly (see photo) to prevent the COVID virus from spreading.  But we have a much worse pandemic in our lives, don’t we?  … It’s the comprehensive and deadly virus of sin; and the ODB author shows us that it is God’s charge that we ALL do ALL we can to cleanse ourselves from this deadly pandemic by the choices we make once we come to Christ as our cleansing Lord/Savior.   

As Natalie Grant sings in the linked song, we Christians have surrendered to a God Who can - AND WILL - make us clean from our pandemic of sin.  But, … as the Scriptures above attest, we must be willing to do what it takes to make holy and cleansing choices in our lives to be cleansed and made whole by God’s Spirit. 

Oh how I pray that we’re humbly seeking that holy cleansing by the prayer of David (in Ps 139:23-24) EVERY DAY; and living the life of 2Cor 7:1 and 1John 1:7 so that our Lord can give us the enabling/empowering grace to live a clean and holy life in serving His kingdom for His glory. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me to clean myself up for Your glory today.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to allow our Lord’s grace to wash us clean from our selves and give us the power to help others to find the cleansing grace Jesus has for all of us 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.

July 2, 2021 … Choosing Faithfulness …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 183 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Matt Maher singing  … Faithfulness … poignantly singing about the faithfulness of our God. 

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Highlight Passage:  Psalm 18:20, … 27 [NLT] …  

20 The Lord rewarded me for doing right; He restored me because of my innocence. … 27 To the faithful You show Yourself faithful; … to those with integrity You show integrity.  

… Another example that we reap what we sow in our choice to follow our Lord.       

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm18:20-27 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Young David, thanking God for the Lord’s faithfulness in honoring his own faithfulness to follow the Lord thru the trials of Saul’s pursuit.    

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Reference Passage: … 1Samuel 12:24 [NLT] … 

24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve Him. Think of all the wonderful things He has done for you. 

… God, thru the Prophet Samuel, charging God’s people to remain faithful in following their God … ALWAYS!  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… God, thru Solomon, shows us that we should trust and follow God faithfully … ALWAYS, … and our God will ALWAYS be faithful to lead us thru life. 

Reference Passage: … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 

23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 

… Jesus calls on His disciples to deny ourselves and be faithful to follow Him. 

Reference Passage: … Luke 16:10 [NLT] … 

10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 

… Jesus’ parable to show that we can’t serve two masters … we must choose to serve God rather than money or the world. But we get to choose!! 

Reference Passage: …Hebrews 10:23 [ESV] … 

23 Let us hold tightly WITHOUT WAVERING to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.   

… Our God can always be trusted to be faithful; … but can we be trusted to be faithful to Him? 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, AT THIS LINK  … uses a Novella by Leo Tolstoy, entitled Family Happiness, which tells of the unfaithfulness of a young bride to her faithful husband …  to illustrate, as the Scriptures above attest, that we must choose to be faithful to our Lord, Who is ALWAYS faithful to His beloved family of disciples and as the Bridegroom to His beloved Church.  

So, I’m praying this morning, out of my love for my Lord and the realization of my sin nature, that I can be a faithful Bride today - for at least on full day - to follow Jesus’ command in Luke 9:23.  Then, I pray we all can choose - and continue  - to be faithful tomorrow as well.        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your empowering grace to be faithful to You, my LORD.      

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to be a faithful disciple and follower of our Lord today; and then again tomorrow.  … 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.

July 1, 2021 … Taking Time To Pray …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 182 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Michael W Smith leading worship and singing Martin Luther’s hymn … A Mighty Fortress … poignantly singing how our God is a mighty fortress in Whom we can rest … ALWAYS. 

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Highlight Passage:  Psalm 46:10 [ESV] …  

10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”  

… God speaks thru the Psalmist, commanding His people to rest in His mighty presence.       

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 46 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Psalmist writes of taking rest in our God, Who is our mighty fortress …    

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… God, thru Solomon, shows us that we should trust and follow God ALWAYS, … even when we’re feeling weak or confused. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 26:3 [ESV] … 

3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 

… God points us tot he key to peace and that is to keep our mind focused on seeking the Lord. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 [ESV] …

10 …fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

… God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, promises His strength to lift us up in times of weakness.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:28-30 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus invites any/all who believe on Him to rest in His strength when we feel weak.   

Reference Passage: …Hebrews 4:1, 3 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… God’s word, thru Hebrews, shows that God’s promise of rest always has been available to those who trust in our God’s strength.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, John Blasé, AT THIS LINK   …cites an Hawaiian historian who described the early converted Hawaiian Christians who, from their preChristian temple habits, felt the the Missionaries who led them to Christ didn’t take enough time to prepare for and languish in time devoted to prayer.  

And wouldn’t that be the observation one could make about many, … if not most, … Christians today?  I’m certainly convicted by what the ODB author wrote about Martin Luther, who often led those around him to sing his hymn, A Mighty Fortress, the lyrics of which (see linked song) were based in Psalm 46.  

And if you believe, as I do, that God’s word calls us (see Scriptures above)to rest in our Lord as our MIGHTY FORTRESS, giving us His strength to lift us up when we are feeling weak, then why don’t we take more time to rest and find peace in our prayers to our mighty God?  

As I said, I’m convicted by that question.  How about you?         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for being my rest today.  Help me to take the time to rest in Your mighty strength in my prayer time with You.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to just take the time to rest in prayer with our MIGHTY FORTRESS 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.