October 13, 2017 … What’s Your Name?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 286 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … Poignantly singing of how we Christians should desire others seeing us, even naming us. Do they call us “Christian?” And do we live up to His Name?

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 1:42 [NLT] … 42 And he [Andrew] brought him [his brother, Simon] to Jesus. … Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter [Aramaic for “rock”]. 
… Jesus sees character in Peter that even Simon couldn’t see at the time; and the Lord renames him to describe whom Simon would become.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 1:35-42 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus renames Simon, giving him a new name, “Peter,” to reflect the character the Lord saw in this newly found disciple.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Genesis 17:4-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
...  God renames Abram (“exalted father”) to be ABRAHAM (“father of many”).

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Judges 6:11-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
...  God sends an angel to charge Gideon with a new character (i.e., name) … that of “mighty warrior,” which Gideon could not recognize in himself.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Matthew 11:29 [NLT] … 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
… The only place in Scripture where Jesus describes Himself - as gentle (meed) and humble … as “Christians,” can we describe ourselves in this way.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Marvin Williams, wrote about the power of names and descriptors to help us see our identity as “Christians.” The ODB author wrote: In the article “Leading by Naming,” Mark Labberton wrote about the power of a name. He said: “I can still feel the impact of a musical friend who one day called me ‘musical.’ No one had ever called me that. I didn’t really play an instrument. I was no soloist. Yet . . . I instantly felt known and loved. . . . [He] noticed, validated, and appreciated something deeply true about me.” 

Yeah; … What’s your name?! It’s a question people often ask of us when others don’t know us, isn’t it? But when we give them our GIVEN name, the one on our birth certificate, does it really describe who we are, … especially as “Christians?”

Names, especially in the Bible, quite often were used to describe character traits. And nominal adjectives were used to help biblical characters to identify with certain personality characteristics. In the highlight passage, Simon was given a new name, “Peter,” by Jesus to reflect whom he would become later in his life as an Apostle. Abram (see Gen. 17) was given a new name, “Abraham,” by God to reflect whom God saw him become, … “the father of many nations. “ A weakling, Gideon, was called “mighty warrior,” by God’s angel (see Judges 6); and Gideon couldn’t identify with the name. But he later became what that description (i.e., name) described.

Jesus, used only two descriptive adjectives in the NT to describe Himself (see Matt. 11:29); and they were “humble” and “meek.” And if someone calls us a “Christian,” do we see ourselves as being those two character traits? And that’s the primary question asked in the song linked today, isn’t it? … When others see me, … do they see Jesus in me? And am I doing all I can to know my Savior and become like He describes me as His DISCIPLE?

 My friend, ... Jesus call us (if we’re truly “CHRISTIANS”) … “FORGIVEN” … “HOLY” … “BELOVED.” (see photo); … but are we living up to how God sees us?

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to live today as You describe me. … Amen

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

October 12, 2017 … Our Good Shepherd

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 285 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Marty Goetz singing his rendition of … The 23rd Psalm … Poignantly singing Jesus becomes the Good Shepherd for us as Christians.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 40:11 [NLT] … 11 He (the LORD) tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart; … He gently leads those what have young. 
… God, thru Isaiah, shows a caring Lord who watches over His own as a shepherd over his sheep. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 40:6-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Prophet encourages His people (i.e. us) with the good news of our Good Shepherd. 
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Psalm 23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Yes, The LORD, my King Jesus, truly is my Shepherd …

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Isaiah 26:3, 41:10, 53:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... We find our peace by following our Good Shepherd.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … John 10:14-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 14 “I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me— 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep. 
… Jesus declares to the Pharisees (and us) that HE IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 
… Peter’s exhortation for Christians to bring all cares to our GOOD SHEPHERD.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, uses a personal story of how our Lord becomes our Good Shepherd when we’re in moments of trial or trouble. The ODB author wrote: I sat in the hospital room with my husband, waiting anxiously. Our young son was having corrective eye surgery and I felt the butterflies jostle in my stomach as I fretted and worried. I tried to pray, asking God to give me His peace. As I leafed through my Bible, I thought about Isaiah 40, so I turned to the familiar passage, wondering if anything fresh would strike me. 
As I read, I caught my breath, for the words from so many years ago reminded me that the Lord “tends his flock like a shepherd” as He “gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart” (v. 11). In that moment my anxiety left me as I realized the Lord was holding us, leading us, and caring for us. 

And this story very personally illustrates what the Prophet Isaiah was trying to convey to God’s people (and us); … that (as in the highlight passage) we have a GOOD SHEPHERD who will watch over His flock and we can trust in His loving care [see the reference passages].

The questions for me and any reader here today are these: … “Do we have a Good Shepherd … and … do we trust Him to care for us?”

I pray so!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … You are my Good Shepherd; and as Your lamb, I go to You. … Amen

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

October 11, 2017 … Call On God

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 284 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Gordon Mote singing his song … Hold Me Up … Poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, need to go to God, praying that He would lift us up, sustain us, … even heal us from our condition of humanity and/or our circumstances.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 38:4-5 [NLT] … 4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city. 
… God, thru Isaiah, showed King Hezekiah and God had heard his prayer and would heal him of a deadly disease and save God’s city.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 38 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Prophet helps King Hezekiah pray for healing from a deadly illness.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Psalm 46:1 [NLT] … 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 
… Who else would we turn to in times of trouble.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Psalm 116:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… God even bends down to hear our prayers and concerns.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Matthew 11:28 [NLT] … 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. … ” 
… Jesus’ promise of His caring Spirit when we’re in need. … But do we believe Him?

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 
… Peter’s exhortation for Christians to bring all cares to our caring God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, reports an archeological finding which supports the story of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 38. The ODB author wrote: For five years, an ancient clay seal remained in a closet in Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology. After the seal was dug up at the foot of the southern part of Jerusalem’s old city wall, initial examination failed to establish the significance of the nearly 3,000-year-old object. But then a researcher carefully scrutinized the letters on the seal, resulting in a major discovery. The inscription, written in ancient Hebrew, reads: “Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz king of Judah.” 

In Isaiah 38 - see highlight passage - we read of King Hezekiah praying to God for healing from some deadly malady; and God not only promised the King healing and longer life but also to deliver His people and Jerusalem from oppression and danger. And in Hezekiah’s case, God was there to heal and deliver the King and His people.

Now, … one can’t guarantee that God will ALWAYS heal us or deliver us in times of peril or danger; but we do know that He invites us to come to Him when we’re burdened (see Matt. 11:28-30 and 1Peter 5:7]; and that He ALWAYS will hear our cares and concerns [see Psalms 46 and 116]. But do we believe His word, His promises, … His truth? And if so, why do we ever hesitate to ask God to hold us up in times of trial or illness?

Hezekiah certainly didn’t; and I pray that we don’t either!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As Gordon Mote sings, “Hold us up, 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, 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.

October 10, 2017 … Stay Awake for God’s Glory

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 283 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Gordon Mote singing his song … Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory … Poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, need to be aware of God’s glory every moment of every day.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Judges 6:14-16 [NLT] … 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 
… Christ admonished His church to wake up from a deathly sleep and pay attention to His calling for them.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Revelation 3:1-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Christ’s call for His Church to wake up, come alive, and live in His Name and for His glory. 
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Psalm 37:31 [NLT] … 31 The law of their God (i.e., God’s word) is in their hearts; … their feet do not slip. 
… Those who have God’s word deeply implanted in their hearts will stay steadfast to His truth.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Psalm 119:9-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... Again, any who have God’s word in their hearts will remain vigilant against sin.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Matthew 26:41 [NLT] … 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 
… Jesus admonishing His Disciples to remain alert and watchful because our flesh is weak and vulnerable against our spiritual enemies.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Ephesians 6:10-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … God’s word [i.e., His full armor] helps all Christians to be alert and stand strong against our spiritual enemies.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 1st Peter 5:8 [NLT] … 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 
… Peter’s warning for Christians to remain alert because of a powerful/prowling enemy.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, used a personal illustration to teach on our need, as Christians, to remain alert in the spiritual battles we will face daily. The ODB author wrote: During the years when I traveled frequently and stayed in a different city every night, I always scheduled a wake-up call when I checked into a hotel. Along with a personal alarm, I needed a jangling telephone to help get me out of bed and moving in the morning. 

The ODB illustration and the Scriptures provided today should wake us up to the reality that we need to remain alert - EVERY DAY - to face our spiritual enemies which are powerful and prowling around to take us down. And without the “wake up call” of God’s word every day, even every moment, we can become complacent and fall prey to the devices of Satan.

Jesus warned His Disciples (see Matt. 26:41), when they had fallen asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane, to wake up and remain vigilant because of their weakened flesh. And He warned His Bride, the Church (in today’s highlight passage), to WAKE UP from their (our) deadly complacency … to be able, as Gordon Mote sings, to behold His glory.

My friends, that’s why you find me here - EVERY MORNING - responding to God’s wake up call, by getting into His word and getting His word deeply in my heart, so that I will be alert for my day (each day) where I will go to battle against Satan and his world.

Fellow warrior, have you placed your wake up call today to be alert for today’s battles?

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Being with You, in Your word, this morning, Lord, has me awake and alert so as not to miss Your glory. … Amen

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

October 9, 2017 … Fearless Fishing

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 282 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Nichole Nordeman singing her song … Finally Free … Poignantly singing of how we become free in Christ when we’re willing/able to surrender to His sanctifying Spirit.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Judges 6:14-16 [NLT] … 14 The Lord turned to him [Gideon] and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” … 15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” … 16 The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” 
… When God calls us to serve Him, He will be there for us to carry out His plans. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Judges 6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Gideon breaks free from his slavery to fear and becomes God’s mighty warrior.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… We must trust in the Lord to lead us in HIS WAY … not to follow our own.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… We need not fear that God cannot provide for our needs or lift us up in times of trial.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 12: 9-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul clearly teaches, from Jesus’ own promise, that God’s grace is enough to provide His strength for us in times of weakness.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Anne Cetas, uses a cute story of a young person who wouldn’t fish because of the worms which were used for bait [see photo] The ODB author wrote: It was ten-year-old Cleo’s first time fishing, and as he looked into the container of bait he seemed hesitant to get started. Finally he said to my husband, “Help me, I-S-O-W!” When my husband asked him what the problem was, Cleo responded, “I-S-O-W! I’m scared of worms!” His fear had made him unable to act. 

How many of us choose not to participate in life - even when God calls us to His plans - because of fear of the worms? And today’s ODB took us to the story of Gideon (in Judges 6-7), an OT character who balked at life because of his fears. And Gideon is a Bible figure with whom I personally and strongly identify. Maybe some of my readers do as well.

God came after Gideon, hiding in fear from the cruel/powerful Midianites; and God called him to be the warrior who would defeat this powerful enemy of the Israelites. But Gideon didn’t want to go fishing because of the worms. Well, it didn’t go exactly like that. … But if you’ve read the highlight chapters in Judges, you know that God kept pursuing Gideon; … and the once fear-bound weakling became God’s mighty warrior.

The truths in this story are that God will doggedly pursue those He wants to use; and He will give them anything and everything needed to carry out God’s plans or His calling. And I identify with Gideon because God called me out of my fears and failures to march out in faith and lead a ministry to help men be set free from the fear, shame, and ravages of habitual sexual sin. And when God called me, like Gideon, I felt totally inadequate; but in time God showed me that since He set me free from my past sins, He could - and would - use me to help others walk free from those chains as well. 

So, what is God calling any of us toward today? Or maybe you’re in the midst of that calling but feeling inadequate. Well, God wants us to be, as Nichole Nordeman sings … Finally FREE … and to be His mighty warrior. So, I’m praying we all can break free from our fear of worms today and go fishing for God’s glory.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … I’m free by You and now desire to help others be free in Your Name and for Your glory. Let’s go fishing today! … Amen

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

October 8, 2017 … Way Enough Grace!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 281 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Matt Maher singing … Your Grace Is Enough … Poignantly sining of how God’s grace is enough for God’s children.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Kings 4:43-44 [NLT] … 43 “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked. …. But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” 44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord. 
… When God calls us to serve Him, He will provide our needs.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Kings 4:42-44 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God uses what was provided (a few loves of bread) to feed 100 people … to show, thru Elisha, that He provides what His people need.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… We must trust in the Lord to lead us in HIS WAY … not to follow our own.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... We need not fear that God cannot provide for our needs or lift us up in times of trial.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 12: 9-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul clearly teaches, from Jesus’ own promise, that God’s grace is enough to provide His strength for us in times of weakness.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. 
 … God will provide our needs.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kristen Holmberg, uses a personal ife example to teach on how God provides for our needs in times of weakness and trial. The ODB author wrote: When my husband and I were first asked to host a small group in our home, my immediate reaction was to decline. I felt inadequate. We didn’t have seats for everyone; our home was small and couldn’t hold many people. I didn’t know whether we had the skills to facilitate the discussion. I worried that I’d be asked to prepare food, something for which I lacked both passion and funds. I didn’t feel like we had “enough” to do it. I didn’t feel I was “enough” to do it. But we wanted to give to God and our community, so despite our fears, we agreed. Over the next five years we found great joy in welcoming the group into our living room. 

I can just imagine several, if not many, fellow readers here identify with this illustration of weakness turned to strength when we step out and trust God to provide what we need. The highlight OT story of God providing the bread for Elisha to feed 100 people is a good biblical example, … along with the NT story of Jesus twice feeding thousands with just a few fishes and loaves [see Matthew 14-15]. 

But the question comes down to whether we truly believe God’s promises to provide His strength and provision in our times of weakness or trial. And are we applying our faith in our lives? … I hope we do! … Because if we don’t, we’re missing out on the truth that God’s calling is His enablement.

I know that I felt totally inadequate to respond to God’s calling to found a ministry to help men walk free from habitual sexual sin. However, when I stepped out in faith, along with my wife, to put together and lead Battle Plan Ministry (see www.battleplanministries.org), He showed us the way to get started 17 years ago; and He’s given us what we’ve needed these years to help scores of men walk from darkness into light in His Name and for His glory.

So, today I'm praying that we all follow Him and know that His grace is truly enough!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help all who read here today, Lord, to trust and follow You no matter how weak or inadequate we feel. … Amen

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

October 7, 2017 … Aw Common, God, … Really?!!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 280 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group MercyMe singing their song … Even If … with a reflection of how we can - and must - respond when God says “NO!” … for a LONG TIME!!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Habakkuk 1:2a [NLT] … 2a How long, Lord, must I call for help, but You do now listen? … 
… Habakkuk perceives that God isn’t listening.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Habakkuk 1:2-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
 … The confused Prophet, Habakkuk, when God seems to be saying “NO!” over and over again, comes to God with a prayer of depression and desperation.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Habakkuk 3:17-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... After quite some time and patience, the Prophet realizes that God was always there and that He can - and WILL - give the patient believer the ability to find joy in the midst of times of trial and sorrow.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 1st Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … 13 No temptation [or trial] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted [or tried] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, [or tried] He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 
 … Paul teaches that God is ALWAYS faithful to provide us with the way to deal with life, … IF … we’re patient enough to seek it and use it.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 12: 6-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul had his tough time of pain and sorrow when God said “NO” to his prayers; but he remembered the words of Jesus, reminding the Apostle that God’s grace would be sufficient for Paul to handle the pain and privation.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, uses a life example to teach on letting God into our lives when He needs us for His witness or work. The ODB author wrote: When I married, I thought I would have children immediately. That did not happen, and the pain of infertility brought me to my knees. I often cried out to God, “How long?” I knew God could change my circumstance. Why wasn’t He? 
Are you waiting on God? Are you asking, How long, Lord, before justice prevails in our world? Before there is a cure for cancer? Before I am no longer in debt? 

Ever been in a place/time where you can identify/empathize with those latter questions or … maybe with the Prophet, Habakkuk, in today’s highlight passage, … where he (or you) prayed in a depressed and confused state of mind, not knowing why God seemed so distant and not listening to his/our prayers? Yeah, … you’ve been there, at some time, haven’t you … maybe even now?!

Well, take heart, Habakkuk in the OT and the Apostle Paul in the NT, found that God never abandons the believer [again; look up and meditate on Hebrews 13;5] … even when He just seems far off. But as the group MercyMe sings in the linked song, “Even If” our God seems to be absent/silent, … HE”S NOT! … And when we can patiently have the faith He alone can provide, He will be faithful and provide us with His strength and His way thru the challenges we experience, … even thru the pain (see reference scriptures above). …

EXTRA HELP: If any reader wants more help from Our Daily Bread on this, … go to a video and short teaching by today’s ODB author AT THIS LINK ,,,  

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me, Lord, … to ALWAYS realize the truth of Hebrews 13:5 and Your truth in the reference scriptures today. … Amen

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

October 6, 2017 … Driving Clearly Ahead

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 279 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group MercyMe singing their song … Dear Younger Me … with a reflection what we glean from God reshaping our lives.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Peter 1:3-4 [NLT] … 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 
… Peter on what Christians become in Christ.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Peter 1:3-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter reflects on how he and his fellow Christians have been reshaped and look ahead with hope because of what Jesus did for them on the cross.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 3: 5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… When we totally trust what Christ has done and don’t lean on our own understanding, we become new in Him.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 5:17 [NLT] … 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 
… We become new in Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, uses a life example to teach on letting God into our lives when He needs us for His witness or work. The ODB author wrote: On the way to work, I listened to the song “Dear Younger Me,” which asks: If you could go back, knowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self? … [Listen with the link provided] … As I listened, I thought about the bits of wisdom I might give my younger, less-wise self. Most of us have thought about how we might do things differently—if only we could do it all over again. 
But the song illustrates that even though we have regrets from our past, all our experiences have shaped who we are. We can’t change the consequences of our choices or sin. Praise God we don’t have to carry the mistakes around with us. 

Fellow Christian, … have you ever speculated on what you could’ve become if you knew, as a Christian earlier in your life, what you know now? I sure have. I was born again at age 39; and now I’m in my 70s; and if I could’ve known back in my teen and college days what I know and have become now; … Wow! But reflecting like that, as in the linked song today, may be nostalgic - maybe even helpful.

But it won’t change where I am now and where I will go into my future where my Lord is leading me. I’ve often said, in mentoring others, that when we’re driving down the road of life, it’s only productive to use the rear-view mirror for safety purposes. We have to look ahead, thru the windshield, to drive clearly into the future … where Jesus is leading us.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, Precious Spirit … Shine Your light brightly on my road ahead, that I may see clearly where You desire to lead me. … Amen

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

October 5, 2017 … On the Wings of Love

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 278 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Jeffrey Osborne singing popular … On The Wings of Love … a love song poignantly singing of how two in love must fly high on the wings of their love … but it also is a double entendre of how we fly into eternity on the wings of God’s love.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Deuteronomy 32:10-11 [NLT] … 10 In the desert land He [God] found him (Israel), in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; … He guarded him and cared for him as the apple of His eye. 11 Like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, … that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. … 
… Moses pictures our God as the Eagle who prepares its young to leave the nest and fly high in freedom.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Deuteronomy 32: 1-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Moses sing his song of God’s deliverance where He has carried them on His wings of love in the past and will carry them, even with their weaknesses into His land of promise.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Isaiah 40:30-31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
...  The Prophet likens true believers as those who soar on wings of God’s love like eagles.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 13:5 [NLT] … 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money (i.e., sin) and be content with what you have because God has said, … “NEVER will I leave you; NEVER will I forsake you.” 
… The author of Hebrews, restating Moses’ word from God to His people in Deut. 31:6, 8 of how our God will never forsake His promises and power for His remnant of believers, i.e., His children.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, uses a life example to teach on letting God into our lives when He needs us for His witness or work. The ODB author wrote: Betty’s daughter arrived home from an overseas trip, feeling unwell. When her pain became unbearable, Betty and her husband took her to the emergency room. The doctors and nurses set to work, and after a few hours one of the nurses said to the parents, “She’s going to be okay! We’re going to take good care of her and get her healed up.” In that moment, Betty and her husband felt peace and love flood over them. They realized that while they hovered over their daughter anxiously, the Lord is the perfect parent who nurtures His children, comforting us in difficult times. 

I’ve always loved the word picture of our God raising and protecting His young (i.e., you & me) like bald eagles, providing for their eaglets and preparing them to leave the nest. And ultimately the parent eagle will take the soft covering from the nest, which is high in the mountains; and the mother eagle literally pushes her young eaglet from the nest; and it plummets toward the ground, unable to fly. But the mother eagle flies under the young bird and catches it, carrying it back to the safety of the nest (see photo). And the mother eagle will do this over and over, as long as necessary, until the young bird flies on its own, never to return to the nest.

And like the eagles, we parents do hover over your young, don’t we, as in the ODB story? But ultimately we prepare our young to fly free on their own. And we Christian parents do that, preparing our kids to believe the truths about God in God’s word (see Is. 40 and Heb. 13. And as Jeffrey Osborne sings in the linked song, we help them to see that they will fly free on the wings of God’s love into His enteral arms of love.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I fly high on the wings of Your love. … Amen

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

October 4, 2017 … God’s Interruptions

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 277 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from The Gaither Vocal Band singing their song … He Touched Me … poignantly singing of how Jesus pushes, touches, and heals those He had chosen for Glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 18:40-41 [NLT] … 40 Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to Him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” … “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 
… Perhaps we should be looking for divine interruptions in our “to-do” list during our day to be a witness for Jesus.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 18:35-43 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
 … A divine interruption to Jesus’ schedule brought sight to the faith of a man blind from birth. 
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Matthew 25:37-40 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... We need to be willing to interrupt our “to-do” list and take action when Jesus shows up to allow us to serve Him in the middle of any day He give us.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. …” 
… Jesus wants us to be willing to follow Him, even when it interrupts our own “to-do” lists.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 
… Jesus wants us to be a witness for Him everyday. So, we need to be alert to he times He interrupts our “to-do” list to have opportunities to witness in His Name.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, uses a life example to teach on letting God into our lives when He needs us for His witness or work. The ODB author wrote: Experts agree that a staggering amount of time is consumed each day by interruptions. Whether at work or at home, a phone call or an unexpected visit can easily deflect us from what we feel is our main purpose. 
Not many of us like disruptions in our daily lives, especially when they cause inconvenience or a change of plans [i.e., our “to-do” lists - see photo]. But Jesus treated what appeared to be interruptions in a far different way. … 
When our plans are interrupted by someone who genuinely needs help, we can ask the Lord for wisdom in how to respond with compassion. What we call an interruption may be a divine appointment the Lord has scheduled for that day. 

Today’s highlight passage (see link above) shows us that Jesus had his own divine “to-do” list when we walked about in his three years of ministry; but when God, the Father, “interrupted” Jesus’ walk, as with the blind man in Luke 18, our Lord would stop and give witness and glory to the Father by ministering to the needs of someone who was not on His “to-do” list for that day.

I’ve often said, “If it’s good enough for Jesus, it’s way good enough for me!” So, being the “to-do” list type I am, I’m convicted to be more aware and discerning as to opportunities the Lord puts in my path to be a Luke 9:23 - Acts 1:8 witness for our Lord.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … Help me to pray for and look for Your divine interruptions and appointments today. … Amen

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

October 3, 2017 … Blessing From Crisis 

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 276 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Laura Story singing her song … Blessings … poignantly singing of the difficult reality that many of God’s blessings come in the crises of life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 57:1 [NLT] … 1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in You I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed. 
… In crisis David knew exactly to Whom he should go for protection/provision … to His God! 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 57 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David running for his life from King Saul prays for deliverance and protection
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must trust the Lord for his direction/provision, even when life makes no sense.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… Since God’s mercies are new every day, we can ALWAYS go to Him for them.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … 28 And we know that IN ALL THINGS God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. 
… God’s truth … no matter what transpires … it is for our good.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … 19 And my God will meet ALL YOUR NEEDS according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. 
… Yes, but do we really believe it!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses a life example to teach on trusting God for His provision/protection. The ODB author wrote: Marc recalls a moment from his childhood when his father called the family together. Their car had broken down [see photo], and the family would run out of money by the end of the month. Marc’s dad paused and prayed. Then he asked the family to expect God’s answer. 
Today Marc recalls how God’s help arrived in surprising ways. A friend repaired their car; unexpected checks arrived; food showed up at the door. Praising God came easily. But the family’s gratitude had been forged in a crisis. 

When the challenges and circumstances of life don’t make any sense, that’s when it’s toughest to trust in God’s mercy and grace to provide for our needs and see us thru any crisis. And as Laura Story sings her song (linked above), we so often see God’s mercies being disguised in the greatest challenges of life.

Today, as we meditate on the Scriptures provided, we need to ask ourselves if we truly trust God to provide for us and protect us, … even when life becomes so difficult to fathom. Because our God is our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider; and He would never allow anything into the life of a born-again Christian which was not, IN SOME WAY, a blessing. Though to take? ... Certainly! … But truth?! … ABSOLUTELY!! 

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … When things go against my way, help me to seek You and to see You in the storm. … Amen

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

October 2, 2017 … Our Heavenly Prayer Partner

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 275 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Third Day singing… Blessed Assurance … poignantly declaring our confidence in our Redeemer and Deliverer, our King Jesus, Who rules from above and prays to His Father for His beloved Bride.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 8:34 [NLT] … 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 
… How uplifted we should be with the reality that Jesus prays for us to His Father. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 8:31-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul shows his fellow Christians the confidence WE can have because Jesus prays for us. 
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
...  I can always rely on the mercies of my God to get me thru each day.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Romans 8: 26-27 [NLT] … 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 
… When we have no word to pray, God’s Spirit intercedes for us before God’s throne of grace.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 
… God’s grace is always sufficient to lift us up when we don’t even know what to pray for.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, ask his readers to speculate on the feelings we have when we know someone is praying for us. The ODB author wrote: Few sounds are as beautiful as hearing someone who loves you praying for you. When you hear a friend pray for you with compassion and God-given insight, it’s a little like heaven touching earth. 
How good it is to know that because of God’s kindness to us our prayers can also touch heaven? 

I personally know that I have immensely more confidence every day, KNOWING that I have a number of prayer partners who pray for my wife and me as we go to war against our spiritual foes. We know that we would not experience the victories we have seen in Battle Plan Ministry (see www.battleplanministries.org ) without a cohort of prayer warriors praying for us daily.

So, you can imagine just how much more confidence we have KNOWING, from God’s own promises (see today’s highlight passage), that our Lord, King Jesus, is on His throne praying for us. Just a few days ago, I posted a journal entry [USE THIS LINK ... and see also Rom. 8:26-27], showing that God’s Spirit helps us to pray when we can’t even find the words to pray.

And so, knowing that we have The Perfect Prayer Partner [i.e., King Jesus and His Spirit] praying for me, I will enter today with faith and confidence that I’m covered in the battles I will face.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … Thank You for being my perfect prayer Partner. … Amen

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

October 1, 2017 … Growing In Truth

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 274 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group 4Him singing… The Basics of Life … poignantly declaring in song that we need to get back to the basics of life taught in God’s word.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ephesians 4:14-15 [NLT] … 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 
… Growing in Christ means growing within ourselves and being able to relate with others as He would.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ephesians 4:11-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… As we grow in Christ, Paul helped fellow Christians see that their view of themselves would grow as well.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] … 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 
 … Doing a self inventory of these Spirit-imparted fruit periodically is a good way to determine whether one is growing in Christlikeness.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT] … 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 
 … The degree to which we consume God’s truth (i.e., His word) is the degree to which we’ll grow in our fruitfulness and effectiveness as Christians.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 5:12 [NLT] … 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 
… Our surrender of self to our Lord and His truth has every thing to do with how we grow in Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Cindy Hess Kasper, used an illustration of a child who changed in her view of herself as she learned the basics of life in school. The ODB author wrote: On her first day in preschool, young Charlotte was asked to draw a picture of herself. Her artwork featured a simple orb for a body, an oblong head, and two circle eyes. On her last day of preschool, Charlotte was again directed to draw a self-portrait. This one showed a little girl in a colorful dress, a smiling face with distinct features, and a cascade of beautiful red tresses [see photo]. The school had used a simple assignment to demonstrate the difference that time can make in the level of maturity. 

If a reader has taken the ODB author’s clear word picture, I hope we all realize that how we see ourselves and how we relate to others as Christians has everything to do with how we consume and feed on God’s truth (i.e., the Bible). So, I hope all of us are asking ourselves just how much we feed on God’s word EVERYDAY; and also just how much we’ve changed because of its influence.

A mentor, years ago, taught me one good way for Christians to do a self inventory of Christian maturity. Periodically, he had me go to Galatians 5:22-23, Paul’s listing of the fruit of the Spirit, which is actually a listing of the characteristics of Christ. So, then, he had me ask myself if I had seen myself growing or changing in fruitfulness and Christlikeness in the past months since my last self inventory. And if I felt that I needed growth in one or more of the fruit, he exhorted me to go deeper into God’s word and do what Phillips, Craig, and Dean sing in the linked song … to “go back to the basics” of Christian living.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … Help me grow to be more like You today … and even more tomorrow! … Amen

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

September 30, 2017 … Made Over In Christ

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 273 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from the group Hillsong leading in worship and singing… All Things New … poignantly declaring in song that God makes all things new in Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 3:3 [NLT] … 3 Jesus replied [to Nicodemus], “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 
… Without God’s transforming grace, no one enters the kingdom of God.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 3:1-8, 13-16, 19-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus explains the transforming grace which changes born-again Christians, bringing them (us) from the darkness into the light.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … John 6:45 [NLT] … 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, [Isaiah 54:13] ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 
 … Jesus quotes from Isaiah that He came to teach the people the truth abut God’s transforming grace.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NLT] … 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 
… Paul had experienced God’s transforming, sanctifying grace; and he wanted others to know about it.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, teaches about the transformation which takes place in the life of the born-again Christian. The ODB author wrote: A few years ago a publisher made a big mistake. A book had been on the market for several years, so it was time for a makeover. The author rewrote the book to bring it up to date. But when the revision was published, there was a problem. The publisher gave the book a nice new cover but printed the old book inside. The exterior was fresh and new, but the interior was old and out of date. This “reprint” was not really new at all. 
Sometimes that kind of thing happens with people. They realize a change needs to be made in life. Things are heading in the wrong direction. So they may put on a new exterior without making a vital change in their heart. They may change a behavior on the outside but may not realize that it is only God who can change us on the inside. 

And I’m one of those, who, like the Apostle Paul, experienced God’s big time make-over when I came to know Christ as my Lord and Savior. And unfortunately there are some - if not many - who claim to be a “christian,” but who are doing so with exterior masks rather than surrendering internally and humbly, in repentance, as did Saul of Tarsus to become the Apostle Paul. And Jesus stated this process of internal change when He told Nicodemus in the garden that no one would enter God’s kingdom without being made-over by the transforming grace of God [see highlight passages].

I pray that any reading here have experienced the newness written about by Paul in 2Cor. 5:17; because if you haven’t, I stand ready, with anticipation, to be used by God’s Spirit to shepherd you into God’s kingdom. Just email me [@ billb13@bellsouth.net]; and God will make it happen!!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … if there are any reading my prayer today, who need Your make-over, send them my 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, 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.

September 29, 2017 … Eyes of Faith

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 272 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from Krristyn Getty singing her husband, Keith’s, song … By Faith … poignantly declaring that it is our faith in Christ which moves us forward to accomplish God’s plan for the Church.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 20:29 [NLT] … 
29 Then Jesus told him [Thomas], “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” 
… Some question; but there are those who merely believe without seeing.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 20:24-29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Thomas doubted; … but his cynicism was answered when he saw the risen Christ … and his damaged faith came alive again.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Deuteronomy 31:6 [NLT] … 6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” 
… God’s promise is His reality! He will never fail the faithful.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 1st Corinthians 1:9 [NLT] … 9 God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 … God will never lie to us (see also Num. 23:19)

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 10:23 [NLT] … 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 
 … We can hold on faithfully to God’s promises.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 11:1 [NLT] … 1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 
… Faith sees things our eyes can never see.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, used a very personal example to illustrate how God often comes thru when we cannot see - or even imagine - Him. The ODB author wrote: When our son was struggling with heroin addiction, if you had told me God would one day use our experience to encourage other families who face these kinds of battles, I would have had trouble believing it. God has a way of bringing good out of difficult circumstances that isn’t always easy to see when you are going through them. 

I’m sure all readers have had a time in life when it was difficult to see the road ahead God was leading us to find and walk. So, how do we walk when we can’t see the way ahead? … Well, the answer is found in the truths found in the song linked above. We walk BY FAITH, and not be sight! 

Easy … ABSOLUTELY NOT!! … But necessary for us as surrendered believers in the resurrected Christ [?] … ABSOLUTELY!!

That was the dilemma Thomas faced when His Lord had died on the cross and the other Apostles said they had seen Jesus alive [see highlight passage]? But Jesus appeared to Thomas and he had a fresh faith. And we can have our faith come alive too, … IF … we’re willing to seek Jesus through His word and His Spirit. Because if we do, He will ALWAYS lead us down His path … for His glory!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I’m walking with fresh faith today because You let me find you … AGAIN … thru Your word. … Amen

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

September 28, 2017 … When We Can’t Pray, He Will !!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 271 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from anonymous group of children singing … Standing In the Need of Prayer … poignantly declaring that, as Christians, we all need prayer at times.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 8:26 [NLT] … 
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 
… What a comfort to know - and believe - this truth when we’re so out-of-it that we don’t know what to pray.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 8:22-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, Who will go before God and pray even when we can’t.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Galatians 6:2 [NLT] … 
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 
… We’re exhorted - by God thru Paul - to share the prayer needs of others to God, which is obeying Christ’s law of love.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … James 5:16 [NLT] … 
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 
 … And when other Christians bring there prayer needs to us in need of healing prayer, I’m sure we’re more than glad to take their needs to God. And when He senses the prayers of the faithful, He will pour His grace out to the one in need.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Randy Kilgore, used a very personal story to illustrate how there are times when, as Christians, that we simply can’t pray. The ODB author wrote: In November 2015, I learned I needed open-heart surgery. Surprised and a little shaken, I was naturally drawn to think about the possibility of death. Were there relationships I needed to mend? Were there financial matters I needed to attend to for my family? Was there work that could be done ahead of time? And what about work that couldn’t wait; who should I hand that off to? It was a time to both act and pray. 
Except I couldn’t do either. 
My body was so weary and my mind so fatigued that even the simplest of tasks seemed beyond my strength. Perhaps most surprising, when I tried to pray, my thoughts would drift to the discomfort, or the shallow breathing caused by the damaged heart made me fall asleep. It was frustrating. I couldn’t work and I couldn’t even ask God to let me live so I could spend more time with my family! 

If I poled my readers today, I would probably read of many of you thinking … “Yeah, been there … got that T-shirt!” We’ve all had times, as disciples of Christ, when life was just so overwhelming or so exhausting that we couldn’t concentrate enough to bring our thoughts to God, haven’t we? But then, if we’ve known our Lord well enough, we remember, and believe, that we have an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, Who goes before God’s throne of grace FOR US in times like these and brings exactly what we need to pray to our Lord (see the highlight passages above).

But not only should we be comforted by the truth that our Holy Spirit will - and does - pray for us before God when it’s difficult for us to pray for ourselves; but I’m sure all of us Christians have had times when a brother or sister in Christ has asked us to pray for them. And when that happens, I’m sure we all feel honored and humbled to do so. And it doesn’t take much imagination to just KNOW that our God must love to hear His children praying for the needs of others (see Gal. 6:2 and James 5:16).

So, if we have others who need prayer today, let’s join the Holy Spirit and lift those anointed prayers to our Lord.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I’m here again today, praying for dear ones who need You; and I’m feeling so grateful that others are praying for me, … especially You, Holy Spirit. … Amen

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

September 27, 2017 … Dressed for Success

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 270 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly declaring that, as Christians, we want others to see us clothed in Christlikeness.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Colossians 3: 12, … 14 [NLT] … 
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. … 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 
… When we’re clothed with Christlikeness, others will see Jesus in us rather than us in us. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Colossians 3:7-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul teaches on how we must, as Christians, dress ourselves in the garments of Christlikeness. 
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] … 
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 
 … Paul lists the Spirit-endowed characteristics of Christlikeness. When others see us wearing these, they see Christ in us.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 2:5 [NLT] … 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 
 … When we take on the attitude of Jesus, others see Christ in the choices we make.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, used a “dressed for success” word picture to show how Christians should be dressed in the clothing of Christlikeness to be successful as His witnesses in this life. The ODB author wrote: While removing the price tag from an item of winter clothing I had purchased, I smiled at these words on the back: “WARNING: This innovative product will make you want to go outdoors and stay there.”  When properly clothed for the climate, a person can survive and even thrive in harsh and changing weather conditions [see photo]. The same principle is true in our spiritual lives. As followers of Jesus, our all-weather spiritual wardrobe has been prescribed by the Lord in His Word. 

I’ve always liked the “dressed for success” word picture from Colossians 3 when it comes to our success as witnesses for Christ; because, if others see me “clothed” in my REAL ME clothing they will not see very much of Christ in me. No … I have to PUT ON or wear the robes of righteousness which my Lord has for me to wear so that others will see Christ in me, rather than me in me.

I know, that’s rather awkward wording; … but as I mature as a Christian, being a disciple and exhibiting the very nature of Christ (found in the various passages above), I will actually be putting on the clothing of Christlikeness. And when I do, I will be completely “dressed for success” as a witness for my Lord.

Today, I plan to take on as much of the clothing of Christlikeness as I can; and to do all I can to have other see Him in the way I live.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I”m putting you on today; so let anyone who sees me …. see You. … Amen

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

September 26, 2017 … God, Our Provider

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 269 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing … More Than Enough … poignantly declaring that our God is Jehovah Jireh, … our provider and He’s more than enough to provide our needs.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Kings 4:7 [NLT] … 
7 When she [the widow] told the man of God [Elisha] what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” 
… The widow (and all of us) see that God can/will provide our needs … ALWAYS! 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Kings 4:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Elisha helps a poor widow see how God provides our needs.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Genesis 22:13-14 [NLT] … 
13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (or, “Jehovah-Jireh,” which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 
… God confirms Abraham’s faith in God’s promises and His covenant to provide all the needs of His obedient people.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … 
28 And we know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 
 … I tough truth to see/believe at times; but TRUTH IS TRUTH and ALL THINGS do work together for the good of any/all who are born-again in Christ.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 4:18-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle Paul relates how God often uses others to help provide our needs for His glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used an old children’s tale to illustrate how God is our Provider. The ODB author wrote: A popular children’s book tells the story of a poor, country boy who took off his cap to honor the king. An identical hat appeared instantly in its place on his head, inciting the king’s anger for what appeared to be disrespect. Bartholomew removed hat after hat while being escorted to the palace for punishment. Each time, a new one appeared in its place. The hats grew increasingly fancy, bearing precious jewels and feather plumes. The 500th hat was the envy of King Derwin, who pardoned Bartholomew and purchased the hat for 500 pieces of gold. At last, Bartholomew’s head was bare; he walked home with freedom and money to support his family. 

This ODB story may be a bit quirky; but it does illustrate how often, in the midst of trying circumstances, it can take sometime for us to see how God will provide what we need … and even, at times, in abundance. Perhaps you can recall a time when you may not have deserved our Lord being our Provider; but He may have come thru for you, showing that He truly is Jehovah-Jireh, the One who can/will provide our needs.

I certainly remember the day when God, Who had been pursuing me in my spiritual blindness for some years, showed up in a very clear way and broke me to a place where I couldn’t help but see that He wanted me for His own; and I surrendered to my Jehovah-Jireh! … And He’s been providing my needs for me from then on.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I pray that we all know You as our Provider. … Amen

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