August 13, 20147 … Surrender Power

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 225

August 12, 20147 … Surrender Power 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear Chris Tomlin singing the his contemporary classic How Great Is Our God, proclaiming the power of God in any/all who believe and surrender to His Spirit.

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Highlight Passage - Acts 6: 8, … 10 [NKJV] … 
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. … 
10 And they [the people] were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
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Highlight Passage [Context] - 2nd Timothy 2: 1-7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK 
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Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 5: 16 [NKJV] … 
16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven. 

Reference Passage #2 - Acts 1: 8 [NKJV] … Jesus declares …
8a And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will become witness to Me in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the utmost part of the earth. 

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author told of an incident in 1891 where the people of the Southwest were having a severe drought and needed rain. So the people of that area brought in someone who had a reputation of explosive techniques to bring rain. But all he did was make a lot of noise with various types of explosions with dynamite and other sources of explosive power. However, no rain came.

The story from the book of Acts at the outset of chapter 6 however, showed a different kind of power; and it was the type of power spoken of earlier in Acts [see Acts 1: 8] when Jesus ascended into heaven, promising that the very power of the resurrection, in the Person of the Holy Spirit, would be unleashed in believers to allow them to be powerful witnesses to and for God in the early church times. And when we read about this power being unleashed by Stephen and other witnesses in the early church, it was impressive. And this witness of God’s power in the faithful, like Stephen, caused many to surrender and be converted.

 But was that power spoken of in Acts 6: 1-10 or earlier in Acts 1: 8 only for the early faithful believers; or can this power be on display among Christians today? And the answer is that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; so, if others are not seeing the power of God in Christians today, where do you think the problem lies? … Duh!! … It wouldn’t be a lack of faith, would it?

The type of Spirit-filled faith which Stephen (and other early church leaders) had is not on display today because we Christians of today are not filled with the same degree of surrender to God’s Spirit as was Stephen. The Spirit is the same; but our degree of faith and surrender is not.

So, today, my prayer is for a powerful filling of God’s Spirit in my life so that I can be what Jesus called me to be in Matthew 5: 16 and Acts 1: 8, a powerful light and witness, … one who can shine God’s light through my life into an every darkening world.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that I go out and shine Your powerful light through all I think, say, and do to be a powerful witness in my world for Your glory. ... 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 12, 20147 … Follow the Leader

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 224 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please go this video link to hear an anonymous praise group singing the old classic hymn Be Thou My Vision, proclaiming our need to follow the vision of our Savior, especially when we’re charged to lead others in the faith.

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Highlight Passage - 2nd Timothy 2: 2 [NKJV] … 
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - 2nd Timothy 2: 1-7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK 
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Reference Passage #1 - Luke 9: 23 [NKJV] … If you’ve followed my blogs, I make reference to this passage at least weekly as Christ is exhorting His disciples as to what it takes to follow Him. If you don’t have this one memorized – please seek it out and internalize its truth.

Reference Passage #2 - 1st Corinthians 11: 1 [NKJV] … 
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 

Reference Passage #3 … Philippians 2: 5-8 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Albert Lee, told of an incident where the famous evangelist D.L. Moody noted, in the hotel where he was staying while preaching at a crusade, that the guests left their shoes out to be cleaned and polished, as was the custom in some places. However, the hotel staff was not used to that custom and had no workers to do that task. So, Moody, quietly set about cleaning and polishing the shoes himself; and when the guests, who had come to hear him speak, heard about the task, they were overwhelmed by the example of humility of this Christian disciple.

This story reminds one of another such incident found in John 13, doesn’t it? I’m sure you know I’m referring to the humility lesson Jesus gave His disciples by washing their feet. Jesus, of course, was the ultimate example of leading by humility; and I’m always taken by the followership of the Apostle Paul as he, too, led by example. And I also take note that Paul, in mentoring his protégé, Timothy, as well as when he was instructing the church, such as in 2nd Tim. 2: 2 and 1st Cor. 11: 1 told his followers that they could follow his lead, … because he, Paul, was following Christ’s admonition of following our Lord (see Luke 9: 23). Paul’s exhortation in 1st Cor. 11: 1, where Paul said, “Imitate me, …,” almost sounds arrogant, doesn’t it? However, when we know what Paul went through to follow Christ, denying all considerations of personal comfort or safety (see 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 11), we can see that Paul was merely confident in his followership of Christ to be able to lead others in the Lord’s direction.

I hope you’ve had others to follow who led you closer in following Christ. I certainly have had that blessing. However, after following for a reasonable period of time, one must humbly take up the banner and lead others in their quest to know and follow our Lord.

 So, if we are following the Lord, as He exhorted in Luke 9: 23, I pray that we’ll begin to show the way to Christlikeness for others who’re seeking to become more like our Lord.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray You continue to give me the opportunity to follow Your leadership and to lead others to a deeper, more abiding, relationship with You. ... 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 11, 20147 … Simplicity Is Power

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 223

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear group, Hillsong, singing Jesus, You’re All I Need, reminding all who love God of the simplicity which is wrapped up in God loving us and our need to love Him.

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Highlight Passage - Mark 12: 28 [NKJV] … 
28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Matthew 11: 28-30 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

Reference Passage #1 - Matthew 11: 28-30 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK 

Reference Passage #2 … 1st Peter 5: 7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Bill Crowder, used an interesting comparison of today’s IRS rulebook with the laws established by the Levitical priests. His point was that fallen mankind has a tendency to take something very simple and muck it up with complexity.

All one has to do is look at our U.S. tax code with over 4 million words to see how complex we’ve made the law for taxation in this country. And in comparison … by the time Jesus came to us, the 1st Century Jewish priesthood had made God’s Law so complex, overlaid with human legalism, that even the Priests found it impossible to follow, let alone live by it.

In today’s highlight passage [see Mark 12: 29], Jesus was challenged by a priestly religious leader and asked what Jesus considered most important from God’s Law; and The Lord didn’t hesitate, quoting from the Jewish “Shema,” which was/is found in our Deuteronomy 6: 4 reference; and this illustrates how simple Jesus considered THE LAW to be rather than the complexity of the Levitical laws the religious leaders of the day and in the had created.

 As any reader with me here can gather, Jesus’ way is really quite simple. And He even told His disciples just how simple any disciple of His would find life’s path if they were to follow Him (see Luke 9: 23, which I hope you know by heart now as often as I refer to the passage). Now, I’m not saying that following Jesus by denying self is EASY.

Far from it, being a disciple of Christ is very, VERY difficult; but it IS always quite simple. So, once again, I hope any reading with me are as challenged to see if we’re doing what Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-30 or what Peter exhorted in 1st Peter 5: 7; because, as Hillsong sings in the song linked above, Jesus Is All I [WE] Need.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, though I so often make life so complex; help me to recognize that 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 10, 20147 … Holy … Holy … Holy!!!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 222

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear group, Hillsong, singing Holy Holy Holy, reminding all who love God just how much more He, in His holiness, love us

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Highlight Passage - Revelations 4: 8 [NKJV] … 
1 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they did not rest day or night, saying: … “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Revelations, Chapter 4 [NKJV] … Go to this ink 

Reference Passage #1 … Matthew 6: 14-16 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Julie Ackerman Link, makes reference to a common cliché when discussing a rather perplexing scene in the Apostle John’s intricate vision in Revelation, Chapter 4, linked above. The vision was of six-winged angels, covered with eyes, surrounding God and continually singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty!”

 The cliché was “time flies when you’re having fun;” and it was helpful to the author to help her interpret how these angels, for time eternal, only had the responsibility of lauding God’s holiness. Ms. Link reports, and I agree, that it was obvious that these angels were completely fulfilled and gratified to merely proclaim what they witnessed with all their eyes (see Rev. 4: 8).

And I think we can actually empathize with them. … Doesn’t time seem to fly by when we’re doing something gratifying or enriching? How many times have grandparents reported how fast time seems to have flown by as their grandkids were growing up?

 The author, Ms. Link, asks, “Is it boring to say the same words over and over when you’re in the presence of one you love?” Of course not; and she points out that it’s never boring or tiresome when we’re doing something we were designed or gifted to do; and especially when we know that it’s what God has intended for us to do in His will. … So, this raises the application question, … ”Are we doing what God has purposed for us to do; and is what we’re doing causing the time to fly by with purpose and power?” And secondly, are we doing what our Lord commanded all disciples to do in shining His light of holiness and love wherever we go? If so, time will fly by and we’ll never be bored of feel purposelessness.

I’ll let you deal with that one just as I am this morning as I write this.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I’m excited, with purpose and direction, to be doing EXACTLY what You have purposed for me to do in my life; and for that I say, “Holy, Holy, Holy and HALLELUJAH!” ... 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 9 2014 … God Will Make A Way

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 221

Devotional Song: Go to this link - and take the time to see a lyrical video of an anonymous praise group singing the classic song … God Will Make A Way, proclaiming the reality that we serve a God Who makes a way through this wilderness we call life.
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Highlight Passage: Psalm 77: 19-20 … [NKJV] …
19  Your way was in the sea; your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known. 20  You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Psalm 77: 10-20 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Exodus 14: 10-22 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  God made a wondrous way for His people through the Red Sea … just as He will for us through life …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … … God’s way is the way of trust …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … God’s ways are always the good ways …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David McCasland, took me back to the wondrous and miraculous way God made for His people to deliver them from Egypt, … through the parting of the Red Sea, which the Psalmist, Asaph, celebrated in his song, which we read in Psalm 77, a portion of which is copied and linked above.

And God may not part a river or a sea for us in our lives; but He set about making a way - no, … THE WAY - through the wastelands of sin in our lives by sending His Son to die so that we can walk, in faith, into an eternal relationship with Himself.

And so, when we are challenged by such passages as Romans 8: 28, we must recognize and acknowledge the God we serve; and through trusting and following Him, He will make a way … and as the song sings today, … a way where there seems to be no way.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, as I did yesterday and as I’ll do tomorrow, today I will seek to find YOUR way. … 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 8, 2014 … Standing Alone!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 220

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please go this video link to hear the newly famous group, Celtic Women, singing a song of the benefits of an abiding relationship with Christ, You’ll Never Walk Alone, which reminds us of the hope we have from and in our Lord.

Highlight Passage - Genesis 6: 7-8 [NKJV] … 
7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Genesis 6: 5-22 [NKJV] … Go to this ink

Reference Passage #1 … Deuteronomy 31: 8 [NKJV] … 
8 “… And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” 

Reference Passage #2 … Psalm 34: 15 [NKJV] … 
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. 

My Journal for Today: Fellow Christian, have you ever felt lonely or out there walking alone in your faith? Well, today’s Our Daily Bread devotional [ODB], authored by Jennifer Schuldt, does a “forget that!” exposé on that thought. And the author uses the life and circumstances of THE man of faith of his day, … NOAH.

And what an example of stand alone faith this dude was. And Schuldt also reminds us that though Noah had to stand alone for God, he never was standing alone. And that’s what the encouraging song, linked above, sings about, doesn’t it? I hope you’ve taken the time to hear the now famous, Celtic Women, singing the classic song Jerry Lewis made famous by singing it at the end of his annual fund-raising telethons to help MS victims know that they were never alone in their battles against the disease.

But sometimes, in this life, we feel like that lonely soul in the attached picture; and certainly how Noah must’ve felt as he was instructed to build a boat in times when his world had never seen rain. Yes, sometimes, even when we’re desiring help and fellowship, we are cast into the role of the person of faith standing for Christ in the midst of a world who wants nothing to do with our Lord. And when this occurs, stand alone we must, realizing in faith the truth of both of the reference passages above [see and meditate on Deuteronomy 31: 8 and Psalm 34: 15].

 So, I pray that if/when we come to that place where we’re out there on our own, standing alone for Christ, we will do so, as did Noah, … and we will find favor, as he did, with our Lord.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for all of those who stand with me for You and Your glory in this life. Being the weak soul I am, I need them. ... 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 7, 20147 … Loving the Unlovable

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 219

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK  … Please go this video link to hear Scott Underwood singing This Is Love, reminding all who meditate on the love given to all the unlovable (that’s you and me) by the Lamb of God.

Highlight Passage - Ephesians 4: 1-3 [NKJV] … 
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Ephesians 4: 1-12 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

Reference Passage #1 … Matthew 5: 42-44 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK

Reference Passage #2 … John 3: 16 [NKJV] … I won’t insult you because I’m sure any Christian reading here will know this verse by heart.

Reference Passage #3 … 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … Yes, this is the “love chapter” from the Apostle Paul …

My Journal for Today: In this morning’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, the author, Dennis Fisher, points to a dilemma all of us face in life – that of trying to love the unlovable. He writes, … " In the book God in the Dock, author C. S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn’t have to contend with such difficult people.”

But then fisher quotes C.S. Lewis, who challenges all of us, especially us Christians, with these words:  "You are just that sort of person. You also have a fatal flaw in your character. All the hopes and plans of others have again and again shipwrecked on your character just as your hopes and plans have shipwrecked on theirs."

Ouch!!! … That hurt!

I’ll bet any reading here agreed when Fisher raised the issue of having people in our lives who are so, so difficult to love, even though we know Jesus’ commands to love even our enemies. [See the link above to Jesus’ reference to loving our enemies in Matthew 5: 42-44.] The Apostle Paul wrote his famous “love chapter” (see link to 1st Cor. 13 above) which gives us God’s own definition of the extent of loving all … not just the lovable.

And I don’t doubt that many reading here have been thinking about some people in our lives who are so, so, SO difficult to love. However, knowing, as Christians, that love is a choice and not a feeling, we, given the power of the Holy Spirit in us, as Christians, can do what Paul wrote about to the church (see the highlight passage quotes/links above) and that is to “walk worthy” of our calling as Christians … and … to CHOOSE to love … yes, even the unlovable. And think of what C.S. Lewis was saying about ALL OF US, … that WE are the unlovable ones whom God has chosen to love enough to send His Son to die for us (see the classic verse in John 3: 16).

Yes, I know … ENOUGH SAID!!

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for loving this unlovable soul enough to die for me. ... 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 6, 2014 … The Potter’s Clay

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 218

Devotional Song: … Go to this link ...    Please go this video link to meditate on a rather karaoke version of an old hymn, Have Thine Own Way, Lord, which reminds me that EVERYDAY God is the Potter and I am His clay.

Highlight Passage - Jeremiah 18: 4; … 6 [NKJV] … 
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. … 
 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Jeremiah 18: 1-6 [NKJV] … Go to this ink

Reference Passage #1 … Lamentations 4: 2 [NKJV] … 
2 The precious sons of Zion, valuable as fine gold, how they are regarded as clay pots, The work of the hands of the potter! 

Reference Passage #2 … Romans 9: 21 [NKJV] … 
21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Reference Passage #3 … 2nd Corinthians 5: 17 [NKJV] … 
17 Therefore, if anyone in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Reference Passage #4 … Galatians 2: 20 [NKJV] … 
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

My Journal for Today: The word picture of God as “the Potter” and his children (i.e., that’s you and me!) as “the clay,” is relatively common, being cited by various authors in both the Old and New Testaments. And it’s a word caricature with which I identify. Because when God finally got His hands on me, when I surrendered to His will in 1983, I was certainly a broken piece of pottery. And I believe that my testimony would be corroborated by others that “the me,” in my brokenness back in ’83, has certainly been reshaped in the Hands of my Lord into an entirely new shape (see both Galatians 2: 20 and 2nd Cor. 5” 17 copied above). And God, as my Potter, is continuing to reshape me into the image of my Lord and Savior, Jesus (see Phil. 1: 6)

I don’t think I need to go on with this for any Christian reading and meditating here with me, do I? No, as Christians, we’re all in some stage of brokenness; and the degree to which God, as our infinitely capable Potter, can reshape us, depends upon our willingness to submit ourselves into His hands for that reshaping process [i.e., sanctification].

I pray we all put ourselves on The Potter’s wheel today … and everyday!

My Prayer for Today … Lord, mold me, … remake me, … and shape me into the Image of Your Son, Jesus. ... I submit myself to The Potter's hands.   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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 5, 2014 … Are We Free?!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 217

Devotional Song: … Go to this link… Please go this video link to hear Nichole Nordeman singing a song of freedom in Christ, Finally Free, which reminds me of the reality which I must believe … that in Christ, my Savior, I’m finally free of sin and self.

RESTRAINED in Self

RELEASED in Christ

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Highlight Passage - Romans 8: 1 [NKJV] … 
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Romans 8: 1-11 [NKJV] … Go to this ink

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 23: 7 [NKJV] … 
7 As a man (or woman] thinks in his [her] hear, so is he [she]. 

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. 

My Journal for Today: Fellow Christian, are we free today?

Well, today’s Our Daily Bread devotional [ODB], authored by Poh Fang Chia, essentially asks that question by using a life analogy involving the training of domesticated elephants. … As any Christian can see from the first attached photo, when one sees an elephant restrained in a circus, they will note that the largest, most powerful, land mammal is usually restrained by only a stake in the ground with a short chain and a rather flimsy chain or rope. Of course, the elephant could pull free from the restraints at any time; but even the large bull elephants don’t because he’s been trained to believe that he cannot break free from the simple stake with a rope (or chain) attached to a flimsy ring around the animal’s ankle. The elephant could free himself from the restraints with one good tug; but he doesn’t because he believes he can’t.

Quite often in my ODB devotionals this year, I’ve been reminded of the truths in Romans, Chapter 8, revealed by the Apostle Paul, who had made the comparison of the self-imposed bondage of self-pity and mistaken beliefs in Chapter 7 of his letter to the Romans and the freedom which any Christian really has if he/she REALLY BELIEVES in the reality of what God’s Spirit provides for us through His prevenient, saving, and sanctifying grace.

As the second photo above reveals and today’s linked song reminds us, WE ARE FREE IN CHRIST!!! But do we believe it? Because, like the elephant (and the truth of Proverbs 23:7 reveal) if we believe, in our hearts, that we can’t break free from the bondage of the strongholds of sin which have us bound up in habitual behavior, we are captive to those restraints.

I lead a ministry (SEE THIS LINK for Battle Plan Ministry) to help men break free from the bondage of habitual sexual sin. And the prognosis for these men breaking free from their own self-imposed bondage of recurring sexual sin is whether they, as born-again Christians, can come to believe, in their hearts, that Christ, with His finished work on the cross, has set them free. As long as they believe, as Paul wrote about in Romans 7: 14-25 that they are captive to the law of sin in their flesh, Satan has them totally restrained from the freeing power of God’s enabling/empowering grace.

BUT (and this is such a big “BUT”) if/when these men can – and do – believe that Christ has set them free by His sanctifying grace, THEY WALK FREE and will make sin-defying choices which honor God rather than dishonor His Name. I pray today that all Christians reading this have broken free from the self-imposed belief that sin rules in our lives … so that we can walk free, following the mandate of Christ, who called all disciples to follow Him (I hope you know Luke 9: 23 by now).

My Prayer for Today … Lord, in my relationship with You, I’m a free man, … free to make Savior choices rather than selfish choices … free from my own sin to break the bondage of self-imposed misbeliefs and to walk free, … following You. ... 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 4, 2014 … Recognizing Just Who I AM

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 216

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  and take the time to see a lyrical video of Fernando Ortega singing a contemporary version of the classic song … Just As I Am, with Billy Graham’s voice imposed toward the end testifying of how much of a sinner he recognized in himself … and THEN TO THIS LINK to hear Ortega singing the refrain of the old classic version of Just As I Am, which Billy Grahams used for years for the invitational hymn at his crusades.
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Highlight Passage: Romans 7: 18 … [NKJV] 
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Romans 7: 11-25 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Romans 8: 1-4 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  In Christ we are set free from the bondage of death in sin …  

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 8: 37-38 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  In Christ NOTHING can separate us from His love and salvation …  

Reference Passage #3: 1st Timothy 1: 15 … [NKJV] 
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David Roper, made a direct reference to the song to which I have linked any readers above, which is a contemporary version of the old Billy Graham invitational hymn, Just As I Am. And as Roper notes, to illustrate his ODB entry today, as one hears Fernando Ortega singing the song, there is a brief “selah” in the song, and one can hear the voice of Billy Graham giving testimony to his self realization of just how much of a sinner he was - even after he was saved by God’s mercy and grace.

Please take the time to hear and meditate upon the songs linked above.

The Apostle Paul certainly recognized this when he wrote his famous self-recognition passage in Romans, Chapter 7, linked above, which became the launching pad for the explosive “victory in Christ” exposé in Romans, Chapter 8 [see the first four and last two verses linked above]. Paul later, when he was writing to his young preacher protégée, Timothy, touting himself the “chief” of all sinners. The Apostle knew who he was; and he wanted Timothy to know himself as well.

In writing these passages, cited above, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wasn’t wallowing in self pity. No, he was simply recognizing who he was as a sinner and Whose he had become as a saved saint. And I hope all reading here can recognize the human potential for sin which still resides in our flesh; but then again, I pray we all ALSO recognize all the truth of Romans 8 in declaring that nothing can separate us - as born-again saints - from the love of God when we own it and claim it in Christ [see Romans 8: 37-38 linked above].

My Prayer for Today … Lord, You saved me from myself; and now, in You, I daily find victory over self and sin. … 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 3 2014 … Bonded in Christ

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 215

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  and take the time to see a lyrical video of Steve Green singing the classic song … People Need The Lord, proclaiming the truth that all who are war with Christ need to let down their walls and let Him in.
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Highlight Passage: Ephesians 2: 14-15… [NKJV] …
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, … 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Ephesians 2: 11-18 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  The free gift of salvation is laid out in all its simplicity …  

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Galatians 3: 26-29 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  All the human walls of separation are broken down in our bonding with Christ …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Colossians 3: 14-17 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  It’s the love of Christ which bonds us to Him and to all other Christians …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dave Branon, reminded me of a fascinating reality when Christians who have never met come to be acquainted. 

Perhaps you’ve experienced this while traveling. You make the acquaintance of a stranger, i.e., someone you’ve never met. Perhaps you sit next them in an airplane; and in making awkward initial conversation, you both discover that you’re both committed Christians. IMMEDIATELY there is a bonding experience which breaks down all the natural barriers to communication and interaction.

Or perhaps you’ve experienced the opposite with your newly acquainted traveling companion, discovering that you’re a Christians and he/she is not. There is an immediate wall of separation, is there not, between the two of you which is difficult to breach and requires some touchy interaction to overcome? Therefore, to run into another born-again Christian while traveling really makes the communication so very much easier, doesn’t it?

The Apostle Paul wrote about that bonding with Christ when he was writing back to Gentile Christians in Ephesus as well as those whom he had helped lead to Christ in Galatia and Colossi (see the Ephesians 2, Galatians 3, and Colossians 3 passages above).

Yes, after one truly comes to know Christ as Lord and Savior (see Romans 10: 9-13 linked above), he/she is bonded by the love of God to all other Christians; and that’s why two perfect strangers, discovering they are mutually bonded in Christ, have no wall of separation or enmity between them. Whereas a Christian and a non-Christian do.

Hence, … that’s why we need to do all we can to witness for Christ and let Him break down the walls between non-believers and Himself, showing His love to any/all whom we contact, letting His love break down the walls which separate our Lord from the world. It’s what Steve Green sings about in the linked song above; and it’s what the world needs desperately (see attached photo).

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray all who read here have come to You, King Jesus, so that we can take Your love to a world so desperately in need of 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 2, 2014 … Living in the REAL Grace-land

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 214

Devotional Song: Go to this link  – Please take your time to see a lyrical video of Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing the classic song about God’s mercy … Your Grace Still Amazes Me, proclaiming the truth as to the reality of God’s “amazing grace,” which always abounds in the life of a believer to enrich, enlighten, enable, and empower us.
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Click on photo to read text and then click BACK arrow or "X" to return to blog 

Highlight Passage: Romans 5: 15… [NKJV] …
15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Romans 5: 15-21 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Lamentations 3: 22-23 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  God’s heart of mercy is new every day!! … Now this is real “grace” land …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  The free gift of salvation is laid out in all its simplicity …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Ephesians 2: 8-10 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Again, here’s the real “graceland” where we all should abide …

Reference Passage #4 - NKJV: Titus 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Our pilgrimage to the land of grace should be through Christ’s finished work on the cross, because there lies the real home of THE KING …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Joe Stowell, takes his readers to an illustration of a home for “The King” in Memphis, TN, near where I live, which was aptly named for promotion and profits; and that, of course, is Elvis Presley’s mansion in the mid south, “Graceland.” And if you’re a child of the 50s/60s, as am I; and/or you’re a fan of classic Rock-n-roll, you just have to make a pilgrimage to Graceland to see this mecca and tribute to ostentatious idolatry.

The Mid-south Mecca, Graceland, is gaudy and fun to visit; and it’s the #1 tourist attraction in Memphis, TN. But when you come and see it, you’ll see why it’s the antithesis of today’s ODB passage, where the Apostle Paul was promoting another kind of “GRACE-LAND,” and that is the free gift of saving grace offered by the finished and foretold Savior and Messiah, Jesus, The Christ. And the Apostle Paul, in the highlight passage, linked above, tells of how one man, Adam, brought sin into the world; and the other Man (i.e., God-man), Jesus, brought salvation into the world with His finished work on the cross.

Where mankind must now live and move and have our being is in God’s GRACE-land; and I pray that all reading here abide there with our Savior and Lord, Jesus. I need say no more; but forgive the photo which seems to shamelessly promote the gaudy and glorious home of the King of Rock & Roll. And yes, twice a year - on Elvis’ birthday and his death day - thousands come in a pilgrimage to “The King.” To me, it’s a pilgrimage to paganism and illustrates the extent of idolatry in the world; but it brings valuable bucks into our mid south economy. And big buck is where the action is, right? 

So “y’all come” and see this wonderful and trashy place. But keep the real “GRACE-land” in perspective, … the home in heaven where all Christians will one day reside, … the home of the real KING of kings; and my friend, that KING is my Friend, Jesus: and He REALLY ROCKS!!! 

 My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray all who read here have come to You, King Jesus, and to abide in our true “GRACE-land!" … 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 1, 2014 … City of Refuge

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 213

Devotional Song: Go to this link  – Please take your time to see a lyrical video of Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing the classic song about God’s mercy … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, proclaiming the truth as to God’s desire that all of His children would be saved from the justice we deserve as sinners.
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Highlight Passage: Psalm 59: 16 … [NKJV] …
I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Psalm 59: 10-17 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Lamentations 3: 22-23 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … … God’s heart of mercy is new every day!! …  

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  The plan of salvation is laid out in all its simplicity …  

Reference Passage #3: 2nd Peter 3: 9 … [NKJV] …
  9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Bill Crowder, takes all of its readers (and that’s me!) back to an Old Testament concept established by God in ancient Israel whereby someone who had committed an accidental homicide could flee to a “City of Refuge” (see attached photo) in order to be able to confess and receive refuge, asylum, mercy, and life from having been a part of the death of another, which would ordinarily, under God’s Law, require a death for a death.

As Crowder writes in ODB: ” This concept [of the “City of Refuge”], however, was not intended to be simply a practice for ancient Israel. More than that, cities of refuge reflected the heart of God for all people. He Himself longs to be our safe haven and our city of refuge in the failures, heartaches, and losses of life.” [See the Reference Scriptures linked or copied above.]

And if you take in the linked song and the Scriptures David wrote [in the highlight passages] when he was trying to escape the unjust pursuits of King Saul, you’ll see how David had faith in God as his refuge, just as we should continually be thankful that our Lord, Jesus, is our “City of Refuge” from our own sinful selves. And I pray that we all have fled to Him for His mercy and for His salvation.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray all who read here have come to you as our “City of Refuge” for Your saving grace! … Amen

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

July 31, 2014 … Just As I Am

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 212

Devotional Song: Go to this link  – Please take your time to see a lyrical video of Brian Doerksen singing the classic evangelistic invitational song … Just As I AM, used for many years at the Billy Graham Crusades as Billy offered his invitation for any/all to come - just as they are - to receive God’s free gift of salvation.
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Highlight Passage: Isaiah 55: 3 … [NKJV] …
3  Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you … 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Isaiah 55: 1-7 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: John 3: 16 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Again, … I’m sure you know this one by heart …  

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: John 4: 1-42 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Jesus saves the Samaritan woman at the well …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: John, Chapter 21 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Jesus restores the repentant Peter after his betrayal …  

Reference Passage #4 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  The plan of salvation is laid out in all its simplicity …  

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Anne Cetas, reminded me of how Jesus received me, … broken, yea even dead in my sin; and in His infinite mercy and forgiveness, Christ reached down into His ocean of forgetfulness and pulled me out of myself and into Himself and saved me. He took me after 22 years of bondage to habitual sexual sin, 12 of them unfaithful to my wife; and HE SAVED ME - just as I was.

Today, the attached photo could have been me when I came to Christ on April 13th, 1983, searching for life, … dead in my sin, and my Savior gave me life eternal in spite of myself, … just as He did for the woman at the well (see John 4 linked above); and just as He did when He restored the Apostle Peter (see John 21) after His Disciple had denied The Lord three times. My friend, have you come to our Lord, Jesus, in your brokenness and received His free gift of eternal life - just as He declared to Nicodemus in John 3: 16?

Are you saved?

If not, come to Him today - just as you are. Tell Him you believe in Him. Repent of your sin; and ask Him to save you. And it is His promise that He will receive you into the Family of God … JUST AS YOU ARE! [See the Romans 10: 9-13 passage linked above]

I pray that all who use the link and hear Brian Doerksen sing that classic old hymn which Billy Graham has used for over 70 years of evangelism to invite any/all who would come - no matter what their condition - to God’s throne of saving grace … to receive what our Savior will offer to anyone who repents and seeks after God’s grace of salvation. Yes, I came - just as I was - and He saved me. Has He you?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray all who read here have come, just as they are for Your saving grace! … Amen

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

July 30, 2014 … Wearing God’s Love

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 211

Devotional Song: Go to this link – Please take your time to see a lyrical video of the group Avalon singing their son … Testify to Love, reminding Christians that every time they reach out in the Name of God to witness to His love they identify themselves as part of the family of God. 
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Highlight Passage: 1st John 4: 7 … [NKJV] …
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: 1st John 4: 7-16 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: John 13: 34-35 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Whenever others see Christians loving one another, as Jesus declares, they see the label of God’s love on display …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 5: 8 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: 1st John 3: 1-3 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … … God’s love is on display when the family of God love on one another …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Bill Crowder, uses an interesting word picture to illustrate Christian love on display. The author makes reference to the famous sweaters made in the Aran Islands, a group of islands just off the coast of Ireland, where the families (i.e., Irish clans) identify their clan markings with sweaters, which are knit by the various clans to identify themselves. And now those beautiful 100% wool sweaters, bed covers, and scarves are marketed world-wide because of their beauty and distinctiveness. One will know the identity of the clan who made each patterned sweater by the distinctive patters of knitting in the various items [see attached photo].

When John was writing his first letter to the church while in exile on Patmos, he wrote a reinforcement to a principle he had earlier written about, quoting Jesus, in John 13: 34-35 (see link above). In today’s ODB highlight verse, [see 1st John 4: 7] John wrote, ”Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” In other words, taking both of these passages into account, others can recognize that we are part of the family of God when they see us loving one another, especially when we obviously show love to one who is very unloveable. It’s like wearing an Aran sweater from a certain clan, maybe the “Maloney” clan. That is, people know that I’m representing the “Maloney” family if I’m wearing a Maloney clan sweater. Likewise, people will see that I’m part of the family of God, when I’m wearing his love for all to see.

So, the question becomes, will I be wearing the love of God, openly and for all to see, as I walk about in the world today? Will I, as Avalon sings in the linked song today, “Testify to Love,” by the way I live and move and have my being? Will others see me wearing the identifiable garment of love which identify me as part of God’s family as I go out today?

We’ll see!

And yes, prayerfully others WILL DEFINITELY SEE God’s love on display as I show off my family markings of love today.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, let me wear Your colors of love 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

July 29, 2014 … Bold Access To Grace

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 210

Devotional Song: Go to this link  – Please take your time to see a video of Fernando Ortega singing his classic hymn with lyrics … I Need Thee Every Hour, a hymn of surrender with the acknowledgement in faith that we can come to God’s throne of grace anytime, anyplace, and anywhere. And Hallelujah !!! for the truth of this gift of God’s grace.
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Click on photo to read text; click back arrow to return to blog

Highlight Passage: Hebrews 4: 16 … [NKJV] …
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Hebrews 4: 14-16: 5: 1-2 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Exodus 19: 10-16 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  Old testament fear of being in God’s presence …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Leviticus 16: 23-34 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  What it took in the OT to be a Priest in the presence of God in the Holy of Holies …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: 2 Samuel 6: 7-8 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …  And no wonder the children of God were so afraid of the presence of God in their midst …

Reference Passage #4 - NKJV: 1st Peter 5: 7 [NKJV] …
7... casting all your care on Him for He cares for you. 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Dennis Fisher, especially with a lot of Old Testament reminders of how God’s people had to tread so lightly and take so many precautions as God made His presence and power known to the people. If one reads through and meditates on how God’s presence was made manifest in those Levitical OT times, it’s easy to see why the people were “sore afraid” to be in God’s presence.

But here we are, as the author of Hebrews so eloquently reminds us, being able to come in faith - BOLDLY before God’s throne of grace - being in surrender to all God did for us on the cross; … and to bring our petitions to a God Who’s so very willing (and able) to pour out His grace from His throne as He now resides in our hearts. So, do we realize that we can do so ANYTIME and ANYWHERE? And as any young person would not likely say today, ”HOW COOL IS THAT!!”

What is your need today? Do you feel, as Fernando Ortega sings in the linked hymn today, that you need Jesus every hour? I certainly do! And I’m bowled over with gratitude, praising my Lord’s Holy Name, that I can come, as Peter wrote (in 1st Peter 5: 7), casting all my cares on Him … because as the author of Hebrews also wrote, HE CARES FOR MY (and your) NEEDS!!

So, let’s do come BOLDLY to His throne of grace today, and bring all our cares to Him, humbly requesting, with contrite hearts, that we need our Lord every hour of every day.

My Prayer for Today … I need THEE every hour, most gracious, LORD! … Amen

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

July 28, 2014 … Surrendered And Faithful

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 209

Devotional Song: Go to this link  – Please take your time to see a video of Steve Green singing his classic song with lyrics … Find Us Faithful, exhorting all of us who have surrendered in faith to Christ to be faithful to do all we can to spread the Gospel message.
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Highlight Passage: Acts 28: 15 … [NKJV] …
15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Acts 28: 11-16; 30-31 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Acts, Chapter 13: 18 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: 2nd Corinthians 11: 22-32 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 

Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 12: 1-2 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Hebrews 11: 1 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by David McCasland, refers to the chronicles of the Apostle Paul by Luke in the book of Acts and by Paul himself in his letters; … i.e., accounts of incredible dedication, consistency, and courage to spread the word of Christ’s saving power all over the known world at the time.

When one reads the book of Acts (see links above) and Paul’s own accounts of his harrowing trials [see 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 11], one has to be bowled over by Paul’s total surrender to his own exhortation in Romans 12: 1-2, which I hope we all know by heart and do all we can to follow as a command from God.

I’m afraid I’ve got some growing to do to find myself in even the minor leagues when it comes to being willing to surrender myself as a major-leaguer Gospel messenger like the Apostle Paul, who, as you can read in the passages linked above, was willing to do anything as a “living sacrifice” of courage in sharing Christ all over his world.

 Prayerfully we can reflect at least some of the courage and commitment exhibited by Paul as we living our lives for Christ in our days and times.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, help those of us who’ve been redeemed by Christ to have the courage to share this good news with others. … Amen

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

July 27, 2014 … God’s Divine Perspective

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 208

Devotional Song: Go to this link   – Please take your time to see a video of a local church congregation singing the old classic hymn with lyrics … Be Thou My Vision, reminding all Christians to strive to see the world though God’s perspective.
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Highlight Passage: Habakkuk 2: 1, 3 … [NKJV] …
1 I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, … [and God responded] … “… 3 For the vision is yet appointed for a time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come; … “
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Habakkuk 2: 1-14 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Habakkuk 3: 17-18 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 

Reference Passage #2 - NKJV: Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 

Reference Passage #3 - NKJV: Hebrews 11: 1 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, authored by Poh Fang Chia, used an interesting word picture to depict the Christians’s pursuit of a divine perspective … or what is now being labeled as a “Christians world view.”

The story is of a young man trying to get to the top of the Empire State Building to view the “Big Apple.” From the streets below, he saw the world as hectic and even troublesome; but when he got to the top of the Empire State (see attached photo), the perspective was very different … i.e., very organized and well laid-out.

That was the change which the Prophet Habakkuk found when he took his earthly perspective, i.e., his human world view to God (see Chapter One of Habakkuk’s three chapter song). He was dismayed by what he saw in the world; and he couldn’t understand why God would allow all the chaos and disobedience from God’s chosen people. But God told Habakkuk to go up to a “rampart” or “a strong tower” (the Hebrew word, pronounced “mat-sore” in Habakkuk 2: 1) so that the Prophet could have a more Godly perspective on what was about to transpire. And Habakkuk did exactly that; and when he finally got to that high place, he was able to find God’s view on things, … giving him a whole new, divine perspective.

If you go back and read the entire song of Habakkuk, in Chapter One you read of a totally confused, perplexed, and acutely depressed Prophet looking at life. That was life from the street level of New York City. Today we see all the violence and the horror of man’s injustice to man. But then, when you get to the last chapter of Habakkuk’s journal, for example in Habakkuk 3: 17-18, linked above, you see that the Prophet finally sees things from God’s divine perspective; and what he sees - though there is still the potential for bad things happening - will not take away Habakkuk’s joy, finally well-grounded in faith.

That, my friend, is the view we have when we truly believe the truth of passages like Proverbs 3: 5-6 and Romans 8: 28 and Hebrews 11: 1, all truths - linked above - which I hope we all have memorized and internalized by faith. Because if we do, we will have a divine perspective from on high, seeing the world from God’s viewpoint rather than our lowly way of looking at the world.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me to go to a high place today to see the world from Your viewpoint. And when I do I will have Your joy to replace my anguish. … 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

July 26, 2014 … Junkyard Living

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 207

Devotional Song: Go to this link …   Please go this video link to hear my friend Clay Crosse and two of his friends, Bob Carlisle and Bebe Winans singing I Will Follow Christ, which proclaims the decision all Christians must make and live out our lives … in order to be fruitful and to live with our Lord in eternity.

Highlight Passage - NKJV - Isaiah 17: 10-11 …
10 Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold; therefore, you will plant pleasant plants and set out foreign seedlings; 11 In the day you will make your plant to grow, and in the morning you will make your seed to flourish; but the harvest will be a heap of ruins in the day of grief and desperate sorrow. 
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Highlight Passage [Context] - Isaiah 17: 7-11 [NKJV] … Go to this ink
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Reference Passage #1 … 2nd Chronicles 28: 22-25 [NKJV] … Go to this ink

Reference Passage #2 … John 14: 21 [NKJV] … 
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 

Reference Passage #3 … John 15: 5-7 [NKJV] … 
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. … “ 

Passage #4 … 1st John 2: 15-16 [NKJV] … 
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 

My Journal for Today: In today’s Our Daily Bread devotional, the author, Julie Link, reminds the readers of some biblical history, … i.e., the days when King Ahaz ruled the southern kingdom of Judah; and he lost faith in God and made alliances with the world powers of his day. Ultimately he paid the price of disobedience to God as prophesied by Isaiah in those days (see the highlight passages copied/linked above).

 And besides the biblical history, Ms. Link, uses an interesting comparison and word picture to make her point that believers always have a choice of the outcomes of life. We can either choose obedience to God which will produce a field of His fruit; or we can choose, as did King Ahaz, to be disobedient; and see life become a junkyard [see attached photo].

 We New Covenant Christians have such an advantage over those who walked the earth before Jesus, as did King Ahaz. History and Scripture gives us the actual commands of the God-Man, the One Who walked this earth, pronounced His mission (see Luke 4: 18-19), and fulfilled all that His Father sent Him to earth to accomplish, saving all who would come, in faith, repent of their sin, and be obedient to His word. And in our faith relationship with Jesus, being obedient to His word, we can overcome the doubts that a King Ahaz might have.

 But do we? … Do we do what God’s word proclaims in 1st John 2: 15-16 and reject the world’s ways in lieu of doing what Jesus Himself proclaimed in John 5: 5 and John 14: 21, and that is to simply follow His commands … just as God had commanded His people to live in the days of Ahaz (or before). It’s out choice, isn’t it? We can be obedient and become fruitful; or as the ODB piece for today pictures, we can ignore God’s ways and become a junkyard (see attached photo).

Our choice; … I don’t know about you; but I’m not going to choose to become a junkyard dog.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, help me to follow Your truth and live fruitfully for Your kingdom. ... 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK; on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

July 25, 2014 … Looking for Zacchaeus

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2014 - Day 206

Devotional Song: Go to this link – Please take your time to see a video of Steve Green, singing… People Need the Lord, reminding me that today I may pass by a “Zacchaeus,” i.e., someone who is lost and is seeking salvation from the only One Who can save him/her; and I may be the only person who can share my Lord with this one - up a tree with no where to go.
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Highlight Passage: Luke 19: 9… [NKJV] …
9 And Jesus said to him [Zacchaeus], “Today salvation has come to this house,… “ 
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Highlight Context - NKJV: Luke 19: 1-10 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK …
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Reference Passage #1 - NKJV: Romans 10: 9-13 [NKJV] … GO TO THIS LINK … 

My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread devotional entry, as did the song I’ve linked readers to, reminded me of a scary truth; … that I may pass by a lost soul today, as did Jesus when he walked by Zacchaeus in that sycamore tree, … one who needs the Lord and is desperately seeking salvation; … but one who hasn’t got a clue that He’s just within reach through my testimony of Christ saving anyone who seeks Him.

You’re probably like I am and love that story of the sinner, tax-collector, Zaccheaus, in Luke, Chapter 19, the little guy who was so desperately seeking salvation, being convicted of his sinful life; and so, he climbed up a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus Who was walking into his town followed by a crowd of people (see attached photo).  And Jesus, just being the God-man, knowing the heart of Zacchaeus, called him down out of the tree and was willing to consort with this reprobate, knowing that the tax-collector needed what only He, Jesus, had to offer.

Today, we need to be willing, if given the divine appointment, to share what we have - and that being salvation in Christ - with any Zacchaeus if we encounter one who is lost and is seeking what God has given us … the blessing of salvation in Christ.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, if any Zacchaeus comes my way today, allow me the privilege of sharing what You have given me with him. … 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 [TGIF], distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read the Our Daily Bread blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.