January 13, 2018 … Slow To Anger

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 13 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with lyrics and song from the Maranatha Singers singing the old hymn … Great Is Thy Faitherulness … poignantly singing of the unchanging and faithful nature of God which is slow to anger and with His mercies new every morning.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Exodus 34:6 [NLT] … 6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, … “Yahweh! … The Lord!  The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. 7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations 
… Moses learns His God’s character, which is slow to anger and filled with love and faithfulness. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Exodus 33:18-19, 34:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God reveals to Moses His Name and His character
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 19:11 [NLT] … 11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs. 
… If we imitate God we will control our anger.

Reference Passage : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Our God is faithful and His mercies are new every morning … just as ours should be to others every day.

Reference Passage : …Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul lists characteristics of Christlikeness, which includes … patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Reference Passage : …James 1:19 [NLT] … 19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 
… God, thru James, exhorts Christians to pursue Christlikeness and be slow to anger.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Linda Washington, related a personal story of how her personal perception of God’s character was influenced by her education. The ODB author wrote: When I studied Greek and Roman mythology in college, I was struck by how moody and easily angered the mythological gods were in the stories. The people on the receiving end of their anger found their lives destroyed, sometimes on a whim. 
I was quick to scoff, wondering how anyone could believe in gods like that. But then I asked myself, Is my view of the God who actually exists much different? Don’t I view Him as easily angered whenever I doubt Him? Sadly, yes. 

Often, I believe, we let ideas from the world or cultural paradigms influence how we see God. And so, when circumstances don’t go our way, especially for a long period of time, we think of God like an angry boss or distant father figure. But as Moses learned (see highlight passage), his God, … Yahweh, … Who is our God of course, was no where near like that.

And when we could finally see God in the flesh in His Son, Jesus, we really got the accurate picture of the character of God. And so, when you take in and meditate on the scriptures above, that picture is one of a God, our LORD, King Jesus, who was/is never changing, always faithful, slow to anger, and always willing to dole out His love, His mercy, and His grace to those who obediently follow Him.

Personally, I come here every day to glean from His word more about my King Jesus so that I can do all I can to become just like Him; and I will continue to do so, … so that my character can imitate His (see all the reference passages, especially Gal 5:22-23.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for revealing the real You thru Your Son and describing Yourself completely in Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to become 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.

January 12, 2018 … Like A Sore Thumb

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 12 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images from Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans, and Bob Carlisle singing … I Will Follow Christ … poignantly singing of the desire all Christians should have … to follow our Lord no matter the circumstances or trial or persecution.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Malachi 3:16a [NLT] … 16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said. … 
… For the remnant of believers, God promises to hear their (our) prayers and lead us to His glory. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Malachi 3:13-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Prophet declares the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises, especially to those who obediently follow Him.
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Reference Passage : … Psalms 32:8, 50:15, 116:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmists sing of God’s willingness and faithfulness to hear the prayers of the obedient and to lead them to His glory.

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 41:10, 43:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… As God's obedient children, we never have to fear that our God will not be there for us - no matter what the circumstances.

  Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5b [NLT] … 5 … For God has said, … “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.” [quotes Deut. 31:6, 8] 
… In the NT, the Author of Hebrews restates God’s promise from the OT to never abandon His obedient followers.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, related a personal story to illustrate how our God is always faithful to hear the prayers of His obedient followers and to lead them to glory - no matter how tough it might be along the way. The ODB author wrote: Lee is a diligent and reliable bank employee. Yet he often finds himself sticking out like a sore thumb for living out his faith. This reveals itself in practical ways, such as when he leaves the break room during an inappropriate conversation. At a Bible study, he shared with his friends, “I fear that I’m losing promotion opportunities for not fitting in.” 

Sometimes we Christians do stand apart from the world, don’t we? Sort of like the photo, … we stand out like a proverbial “sore thumb” (see photo), … especially when we follow Christ and the rest of the world is following their own standards. And as the young man in the ODB story, it can be tough to follow Christ as Clay Crosse and his friends sing in the linked song.

But if we truly believe what the Prophets Isaiah and Malachi prophesied about our Lord, the Messiah (see reference Scriptures), then we know that our God is faithful; and no matter how much we stand out and must diverge from the culture in following our Lord, … He is with us and will never forsake us (see also Heb. 13:5b). And by following our Lord faithfully, He will ultimately lead us to His glory.

That’s why I’m here today, … getting encouragement and confirmation from His word so that I can stand up for Him … even when - and especially if - I stand out like a sore thumb in this world. … How about you?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there to hear my prayers and lifting me up when I need You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give me Your empowering grace to stand up for You even when I stand out from the crowd. … 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.

January 11, 2018 … Carried In Cracked Pots

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 11 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Joy Williams singing her song … Do They See Jesus In Me … Repeated from yesterday’s blog as poignantly sung of the desire all Christians should have … for others to see Jesus in our lives which are, so often, being hidden inside these sin-ridden vessels.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Corinthians 4:7 [NLT] … 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. 
… We carry the power of the Gospel forth in these sin-ridden vessels, which often makes it difficult for others to want to see Jesus in us.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, teaching on how we carry ourselves many times will determine how others might desire to see the life-changing power of the Gospel.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:16 [NLT] … 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” 
… As Christians, we need to be willing to show how God has changed us so that others can see the Holy Spirit being carried around in these ugly, but transformed, vessels.

Reference Passage : … Luke 19:1-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… When others saw Zacchaeus change it would have caused them to see the power of the Gospel chasing the life of a sinner.

Reference Passage : … 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! 
… Again, as Christians, we need to be willing to show off the change in us brought about by Gods love, mercy, and grace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, related a a personal story to illustrate how others see us will often determine if they want to know more about what’s inside of what’s carrying our Christianity. The ODB author wrote: “Do you want to see what’s inside?” my friend asked. I had just complimented her on the old-fashioned rag doll her daughter held in her small arms. Instantly curious, I replied that yes, I very much wanted to see what was inside. She turned the doll face down and pulled open a discreet zipper sewn into its back. From within the cloth body, Emily gently removed a treasure: the rag doll she’d held and loved throughout the years of her own childhood more than two decades prior. The “outer” doll was merely a shell without this inner core to give it strength and form. 

That’s an interesting word picture, isn’t it? And it shows that others will only desire to see what’s inside us as Christians; and that is God’s Spirit, if/when they see who we are as transformed vessels. Really, we’re actually like the attached photo, with God using us as “cracked pots,” which allow the transforming power of the Gospel to shine thru our changed lives so that others will want to share in that life-changing power.

And that truth is very well illustrated in the story of how the hated tax-collector, Zacchaeus, was changed by Jesus’ grace and mercy; and what he became because of God’s love. And there’s little doubt that we’re all like the vessels of clay which the Apostle Paul wrote about in today’s highlight passage.

But the question becomes … are we allowing the light of Christ to shine thru the cracks in the vessel which contains God’s Spirit (see Matthew 5:16)? As Joy Williams sings, in the song again linked today, do others see the life-changing grace of God’s Spirit shining thru the way we live, … especially when they have seen how we have changed once Jesus comes to reside in our hearts?

And many times the only way others will see that change is when we we’re willing to share our testimony of a changed-life (see 2Cor. 5:17) with others. So, does that challenge you, as it does me, to shine the transforming light of the Gospel with others every time we get the opportunity.

Maybe today?!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for making me a poster boy for 2Cor. 5:17.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give me the opportunity to do a show-n-tell about how You have changed me, … maybe even 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.

January 10, 2018 … A Server Like Jesus

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 10 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Joy Williams singing her song … Do They See Jesus In Me … Poignantly singing of the desire all Christians should have … for others to see Jesus in the way we live our lives.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 22:27 [NLT] … 27 Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves. 
… Jesus shows His disciples (and us) that the servant, like Himself, is the one God will consider a leader.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 22:24-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus defines what a servant leader is … and that is a living picture of His disciples being like Himself … i.e., servants of the Living God.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:16 [NLT] … 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” 
… Jesus show us that our Christlikeness, i.e., serving as He did, is the way we shine His light into a dark world.

Reference Passage : … Mathew 25:31-46 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
 … Jesus made it clear that we only serve Him when we serve others … and others only see Him when we’re serving others as He would serve them.

Reference Passage : … Mark 10:43-45 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus teaches on what it takes to be a leader in this world … i.e., to be like Him … a servant.

Reference Passage : … Luke 4:18-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus quotes from Isaiah’s Messianic prophesy relating exactly Who He is and why He came … to serve mankind … i.e., being the One Who had come to set the world free from their captivity to sin.

Reference Passage : … John 13:1-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus washes the Disciples feet to show them that their Messiah, the God-Man, is a servant to all … just as they should be to others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Adam Holz, related a testimony of how difficult, at times, it was for him to be like Christ and serve those he loved most, … his family. The ODB author wrote: It was a long day at work. But when I got home, it was time to start my “other” job­: being a good dad. Greetings from my wife and kids soon became, “Dad, what’s for dinner?” “Dad, can you get me some water?” “Dad, can we play soccer?” I just wanted to sit down. And even though part of me really wanted to be a good dad, I didn’t feel like serving my family’s needs. That’s when I saw it: a thank-you card my wife had received from someone at church. 
It pictured a bowl of water, a towel, and dirty sandals. [See photo] And across the bottom were these words from Luke 22:27: “I am among you as one who serves.” 

If I were to ask you, fellow Christian, “Do you want to be like Jesus; and do you want others to see (as Joy Williams sings) Jesus in you?” My prediction would be that you would respond affirmatively. 

Well, if I’m to be like Jesus and for others to see Jesus in me, what does that look like? And as you can read in all four of the Gospels [see the reference passages above], Jesus made it clear that for others to be like Him they had to be a servant to/for others just as He had come to serve mankind as a slave to the His Father in Heaven. He even washed their feet [see John 13], which culturally in that time was an amazing demonstration of being like a slave.

If we want others to see Jesus in us, we need to be like the ODB author and be willing to serve, even if, … and especially when, … we don’t feel like serving. Because when we do serve others - no matter how we feel - Jesus shows up in us to serve those who need His service.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for coming to serve me. … Yes, ME!
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give me the grace I need to serve others today so that they see You in 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.

January 9, 2018 … Precious Memories

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 9 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images from the group, Statler Brothers, singing the gospel classic … Precious Memories … Poignantly singing of the memories God gives us to keep us close to Him … especially in times of trial.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Joshua 4:6-7 [NLT] … 6 We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” 
… An altar to remember what God had done for His people.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Joshua 3:14-4:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… After God leads His people over the Jordan river, Joshua orders a stone altar built to remind the people what happened as God brought His people into the Promised Land as The Lord had promised. 
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … 5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. 
… Doing all we can to remember our Lord’s goodness and mercy and grace.

Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 
… When Jesus was raised into Heaven His promise was of the Holy Spirit to help His faithful remember Him and to be led by Him into witness to Christ’s glory.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … 9 Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
… Paul needed a painful thorn in the flesh to remind him continually of God’s grace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Peterson, wrote of things in her life, especially in trying times which helped her remember the grace of God. The ODB author wrote: Some mornings when I go online, Facebook shows me “memories”—things I’ve posted on that day in previous years. These memories, such as photos from my brother’s wedding or a video of my daughter playing with my grandmother, usually make me smile. But sometimes they have a more profound emotional effect. When I see a note about a visit to my brother-in-law during his chemotherapy or a picture of the staples across my mother’s scalp after her brain surgery three years ago, I am reminded of God’s faithful presence during difficult circumstances. These Facebook memories nudge me towards prayer and gratitude. 
All of us are prone to forget the things God has done for us. We need reminders. 

That’s true, isn’t it? We do have a tendency - a very human tendency - especially in times of trouble or pain, to forget what God has done and what promises He has given us as He leads us into His promised land and our glory.

 Knowing this, Joshua, had the 12 tribes erect a special alter of stones (see photo and the highlight passage) to help anyone who saw the alter to remember what had happened as God parted the Jordan river at flood stage and led His people into His promised land. Perhaps you have life remembrances to help you to hold onto the trust we need when things go bad in our lives. Maybe you have family pictures or some momentums to remind your of precious memories of our Lord and His faithfulness. 

The Statler Brothers sing about precious memories which help us look back at God’s grace and mercy so that we can move forward toward His promises of glory and be the witnesses He calls us to be (see Acts 1:8). And I hope that we all have some altar of purpose to help us remember that our Lord will always be there to lead us into His promised land no matter how difficult life becomes.

 And really that’s why I come here everyday to be in God’s word and to remember that my anchor of faith is attached to my Lord, … my ROCK of promise.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, everyday I’m surrounded by altars of remembrance for what You’ve done in my life.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … May I remember You today and hold on, with faith and trust, to Your promises. … 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.

January 8, 2018 … From East to West

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 8 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images from the group, Casting Crowns, singing their song … East To West … Poignantly singing of the state of our sin debt, … PAID IN FULL … by our Savior on the cross. … Yes … “It is finished!”

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 103:11-12 [NLT] … 11 For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12  He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 
…Sins COMPLETELY forgiving!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 103:1-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David is so thankful for God’s forgiveness … seeing his sins erased as far as the east is from the west.
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Reference Passage : … Micah 7:19 [NLT] … 19  Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! 
… God’s forgiveness is so great our sins are cast into his sea of forgetfulness.

Reference Passage : … John 19:30 [NLT] … When Jesus had tasted it, He said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. 
… When Jesus died on the cross all the sins of mankind were forgiven and forgotten in those who believe on Him.

Reference Passage : … Romans 10:13 [NLT] … 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [from Joel 2:32] 
… Paul declares that anyone who declares from their heart that Jesus is LORD will be forgiven and saved from their (our) sins.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, wrote of how some famous characters in history only need one name to command respect and honor. The ODB author wrote: I blinked back tears as I reviewed my medical bill. Considering my husband’s severe cut in salary after a lengthy unemployment, even paying half of the balance would require years of small monthly installments. I prayed before calling the doctor’s office to explain our situation and request a payment plan. After leaving me on hold for a short time, the receptionist informed me the doctor had zeroed out our account. 
I sobbed a thank you. The generous gift overwhelmed me with gratitude. Hanging up the phone, I praised God. I considered saving the bill, not as a reminder of what I used to owe but as a reminder of what God had done. 
My physician’s choice to pardon my debt brought to mind God’s choice to forgive the insurmountable debt of my sins. 

I really don’t need to add that much to the ODB entry today, do I, … except maybe a prayer that we all really realize the extent fo what happened on the cross the moment Jesus said ”It is finished!” (see John 19:30)

And I’m asking myself this morning if I’m really grasping just how thankful I should be (and hope I am) for Jesus being willing to cast my sin, as Casting Crowns sings, as far is as the east is from the west … or as the Prophet Micah declared that our sins would be cast by Messiah into His sea of forgetfulness (see Micah 7:19).

But it’s true and I duly pause here to acknowledge the wonder of God’s saving grace. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your willingness to completely erase my sin as I believed on You as my LORD and Savior.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … May all who come here acknowledge Your gift of forgetfulness. … 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.

January 7, 2018 … Name Above All Names

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 7 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics with the Australian group, Hillsong, leading in worship and singing their song … What A Beautiful Name … Powerfully singing and leading in worship of how the Name of “Jesus” is the Name above all other names.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Philippians 2:9-11 [NLT] … 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father. 
…”JESUS” … on earth, His is the Name above all other names; … and in Heaven, His name “Lord” [Yahweh] is lifted above all other heavenly names.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Philippians 2:5-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus is given that Name, in heaven, that is above all other names ... And that is "LORD!"
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 1:21 [NLT] … 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!” 
… The Angel, Gabriel, tells Mary of the Name her son will carry, … the name of “Jesus!”

Reference Passage : … Luke 1:31-33 [NLT] … 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 
… Joseph given instruction from God’s angel to name the boy, “Jesus,” which means THE LORD WILL SAVE.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, wrote of how some famous characters in history only need one name to command respect and honor. The ODB author wrote: Cleopatra, Galileo, Shakespeare, Elvis, Pelé. They are all so well known that they need only one name to be recognized. They have remained prominent in history because of who they were and what they did. But there is another name that stands far above these or any other name! 

But as the Australian group, Hillsong, sings (linked above) there is one name which stands in power, authority, and reverence above all other names. Say it with me! It is … ”JESUS!”

And the Angel, Gabriel, messenger angel from God, came to both Mary and Joseph (see reference passages above) before the conception of the God-Child and made sure that the Boy’s name would be “Jesus,” which means “The Lord Saves.”

And as the Apostle Paul would later write (in the highlight passage), the Name of JESUS would be, on earth, the Name above all other names. And when Jesus, the Christ, was re-established to His rightful place in Heaven after the resurrection, at the right hand of God, as it says in Phil. 2:10, Jesus was given His rightful Name of “Yahweh” (and that is translated in English “LORD”), … because that is His heavenly Name … which is most certainly the Name of all other names in Heaven, let alone on earth.

So, … how can we honor that beautiful Name today?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for coming to us to save us. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … May all that I think, say, and do honor Your Name. … 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.

January 6, 2018 … My Gift Is My Life

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 6 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Jeremy Camp singing … Here I Am To Worship … Powerfully singing of how we must come with our lives to worship King Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 2:2 [NLT] … 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 
… The mission of the Magi was to find the New King and worship Him.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 2:1-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Magi traveled from the East to find The new King; and they brought precious gifts to WORSHIP Him.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 63:1-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… How much do we really desire to worship our King by searching for Him and bringing Him praises with the way we love Him and serve Him.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We worship the king, trusting Him to lead us from darkness into the light, HIS LIGHT.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. … “ 
… Following Jesus is a trek of worship.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Mart DeHaan, made reference to an old O. Henry short story to teach on how we should bring our gifts of worship to King Jesus every day. The ODB author wrote: A young married couple had more love than money. As Christmas neared, both struggled to find a gift that would show how much they cared for the other. Finally, on Christmas Eve, Della sold her long, knee-length hair to buy Jim a platinum chain for the watch he’d inherited from his father and grandfather. Jim, however, had just sold the watch to buy a set of expensive combs for Della’s hair. 
Author O. Henry called the couple’s story The Gift of the Magi. His creation suggests that even though their gifts became useless and may have caused them to look foolish on Christmas morning, their love made them among the wisest of those who give gifts. 

When the Magi came to bring their gifts to the New King of the Jews [see highlight passage], their best gift was their travel to search for King Jesus and their desire to worship Him. How arduous is our search to know King Jesus; and how much do we bring to Him to worship the King?

Really, worship is much more that coming to church on Sunday morning and praising him in song and fellowship, … tho that is important. No, … our worship is the way we live on Monday - Saturday as well; and our worship becomes our gift back to the King for the infinitely precious gift He has give to us by coming to us, living among us, and dying for our sins.

 So, dear one, how hard will we search for our King today? And how precious will our gift of life and service be to our Savior.?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, thank You for Your gift.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … I come today, dear King, bearing my gifts of living for 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.

January 5, 2018 … Becoming Just Like Him

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 5 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing their song … I Want To Be Just You … Poignantly singing of a desire all Christians should pursue … to become just like our Lord.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Peter 5:10 [NLT] … 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 
… God’s calling is for all of His children - i.e., born again in Christ - to become just like Christ, Who was/is just like His Heavenly Father.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Peter 5:8-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter encouraging oppressed/struggling Christians to keep on keeping on in their faith.
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Reference Passage : … John 17:17-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus prays to the Father that all whom He has given to Christ would made Holy.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. … “ 
… If Christians are willing to surrender to Christ's Lordship, He will lead them to become like Him.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
… We become His disciples and are freed from our sin nature when we are true and follow His teachings (in His word).

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 1:16 [NLT] … 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” [Lev. 20:7] 
… God’s calling for all His children … to become as He is … HOLY!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David Roper, uses a personal recollection to give us confidence in our Heavenly Father and His plan to make us like Himself thru Christ. The ODB author wrote: My father’s dusty, heeled-over, cowboy boots rest on the floor of my study [see photo], daily reminders of the kind of man he was. Among other things, he raised and trained cutting horses—equine athletes that move like quicksilver. I loved to watch him at work, marveling that he could stay astride. 
As a boy, growing up, I wanted to be just like him. I’m in my eighties, and his boots are still too large for me to fill. My father’s in heaven now, but I have another Father to emulate. [And] I want to be just like Him … 

Unfortunately not all sons [or daughters] have earthly fathers whom they look upon with the desires of our ODB author … to grow up and become just like their dad. But as the linked song relates, as well as today’s scriptures, we do have a Heavenly Father Who sent His only Son in His place so that we could relate to Him, and seek to become Holy just as He is holy.

And, in fact, that’s Jesus’ prayer for us (see John 17:17-19). And so, if we’re willing, as disciples of Christ, to surrender to His calling [see Luke 9:23], He will reshape us and complete us into the very image of holiness, just like our Heavenly Father [see Phil. 1:6].

That’s why you find me here every day, seeking His holiness thru His word and doing all I can to know my Heavenly Father more intimately; … so that thru His Son He can do His work of reforming me into His image. And I hope (and pray) that’s the goal of all who read here with me today. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, thank You for Your word, which shows me the way to become holy just like You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … I want to be just like 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.

January 4, 2018 … Absolutely True!!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 4 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from The Gettys singing their song … Speak, O Lord … Poignantly and powerfully singing of reality of living our lives in accord with God’s truth from His word.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 5:39-40 [NLT] … 39 “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to Me to receive this life. ..."
… Jesus couldn’t be any clearer in declaring that He was The Christ, The Son of God, … The Messiah.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 5:31-40 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus openly declares to all, including the Jewish religious leaders that He is the Son of God.
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Reference Passage : … Numbers 23:19 [NLT] … 19  God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change his mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? 
 … God ALWAYS speaks truth thru His word.

Reference Passage : … John 1:1-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus was/is the LIVING WORD.

Reference Passage : … John 8:31-32 [NLT] … 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, ”You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 
… We become His disciples and are freed from our sin nature when we are true and follow His teachings (in His word).

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Scripture - i.e., God’s word - gives Christians EVERYTHING WE NEED to follow and serve our Lord.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, points out that many who are considered “experts” so often get things wrong. The ODB author wrote: Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby writes of the “uncanny ability of experts to get things hopelessly, cataclysmically wrong.” A quick glance at recent history shows he’s right. The great inventor Thomas Edison, for instance, once declared that talking movies would never replace silent films. And in 1928, Henry Ford declared, “People are becoming too intelligent ever to have another war.” Countless other predictions by “experts” have missed the mark badly. Genius obviously has its limits. 

This week many football gurus will be spouting their predictions on who will win the NCAA national football title and why. And some may get it right; but MANY will not. In Jesus’ day, the the Pharisees were the religious “experts.” And when it came to being able to identify Jesus as the Messiah, they really got it wrong, didn’t they?

Jesus clearly told them (see the highlight passage) that He was the Son of God, … their Messiah; but in spite of knowing the Old Testament and declaring to believe in it as absolute truth, almost all of these religious leaders were seemingly blind to the FACT that Jesus fulfilled over 300 of the Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah. And even today, many orthodox Jewish leaders with all the facts about Jesus’ life, get it wrong and are still looking for “their messiah” to come.

My friends, our Messiah has come; and He will come again to rule His kingdom forever. And He has given us His New Covenant (the New Testament), along with the Old Testament to be our ultimate guide book for life until He comes again. And as the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy [and us in 2Tim. 3:16-17], God’s word is absolute truth and provides us, as Jesus said [John 8:31-32], with all we need to be free from our selves and to follow Him.

And that’s why you find me here DAILY, investing time to be in God’s word, searching out more of His truth; … so that I can be free and follow Him out of myself and into His plan for my life. He is, as He declared, the “Living Word,” my friends. So, let’s follow Him into His truth every day and live according to His precepts.

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My THANKFULNESS: Oh Lord, thank You for Your word, which is Your absolutely accurate “GPS” for my life.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to stay true to Your living precepts from Your word so that I can do all I can to avoid myself and to serve 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.

January 3, 2018 … Temple Worship!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 3 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Carrie Underwood singing the old Gospel classic … Carrie Underwood … Poignantly and powerfully singing of the great God we serve and the greatness of His glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Chronicles 29:11 [NLT] … 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. 
… David prays before the greatness of the ONE TRUE GOD!
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1Chronicles 29:10-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… King David prays to the Great God of His people, expressing how those who believe on Him must reverence Him above all else.
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Reference Passage : … Luke 9:35 [NLT] … 35 Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to Him.” 
… On the mount of transfiguration, God, the Father, declares to Peter, James, and John exactly Whom they were with … “His beloved Son, The Christ” !!

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
…God, thru Paul, teaches us on the importance of honoring God with our bodies as they are the residence (i.e., Temple) of the Holy Spirit.

Reference Passage : … Colossians 1:15-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul prays to the God of his life (and ours) honoring the greatness and glory of our God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, creates a word picture to help us reverence God for Whom He really is. The ODB author wrote: One of the pleasures of a trip to Europe is visiting the grand cathedrals that dot the landscape. They are breathtakingly beautiful as they soar toward the heavens. The architecture, art, and symbolism found in these amazing buildings present a spellbinding experience of wonder and magnificence. 
As I thought about the fact that these structures were built to reflect God’s magnificence and His all-surpassing splendor, I wondered how we could possibly recapture in our hearts and minds a similar feeling of God’s grandeur and be reminded again of His greatness. 

My wife and I have been in Europe and have seen those magnificent structures, as the Sacre Coeur in France [see photo]. And all of these “churches” were built to reverence the greatness of God with the greatness of the places where God was to be worshiped. That’s what King David was praying for as God’s People came together to rebuild His Temple in Jerusalem (see highlight passage).

Now, unfortunately, most of the great temples of worship [i.e., churches] are only tourist attractions in Europe, … empty of worship and reverence to the God they were built to glorify.

My friend, do we realize what Carrie Underwood sings in the linked song; … i.e., that our God is GREAT and WORTHY of our worship? Unfortunately, I think our worship of the One our Abba Father declared was His beloved Son … to be worshipped above all (see Luke 9:35 and Col. 1:15-17) … is as empty as those churches in Europe.

And I’m convicted this day that I’ve been treating God’s primary Temple, i.e, my body (see 1Cor. 6:19), with empty disrespect. My eating and body restoration habits do not reflect the honor and glory and worship I should be giving to my LORD; and so, I need to clean up His Temple and worship Him with reverence with my body. And to this end I pray today.

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My THANKFULNESS: Oh Lord, thank You for the health and well being I still have in the body You’ve given me [as Your Temple] to worship You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give me the empowering grace to clean up Your temple and make my body a place of worship today and all days. … 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.

January 2, 2018 … Keep On Keeping On!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 2 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group Selah singing their song … Press On … Poignantly singing of our ability as Christians to press on thru the challenges of life, finding our strength from God’s empowering grace.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Philippians 3:14 [NLT] … 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 
… Our goal in life of Christlikeness and to glorify Him is out ahead of us; … so, we press on! 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Philippians 3:7-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts Christians to “press on” thru the pressures and problems of life, gleaning the strength from God’s enabling grace.
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Reference Passage : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jeremiah pushed past troubles and heartaches to serve God … no matter what challenges he faced.

Reference Passage : … John 15:4, 7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus on how we can keep on keeping on … even when things are really tough … by ABIDING in Him.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The obstacles Paul face - and overcame - in his calling in life to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … 9 Each time He [Jesus] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I [Paul] am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
… Paul learned that God’s grace is ALWAYS sufficient to all us to press on thru our challenges.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 3:14 [NLT] … 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 
… Faithfulness is the key to perseverance.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lawrence Darmani, uses a picture of nature thriving in the midst of obstacles to illustrate how our faith can help us to keep on keeping on in life.. The ODB author wrote: As I walked past an outside wall of the office building where I work, I was amazed to see a beautiful flower growing up through a crack between concrete slabs covering the ground. Despite its deprived circumstance, the plant had found a foothold, rooted itself in the dry crevice, and was flourishing. Later, I noticed that an air-conditioning unit located directly above the plant dropped water on it throughout the day. While its surroundings were hostile, the plant received the help it needed from the water above. 

In this new year we face ahead of us, we know that we’re going to encounter many, if not severe, obstacles or challenges. That’s a given, isn’t it?

So, knowing that is ahead, how can we insure that we can keep on keeping on in spite of the obstacles we will face? Well, that’s what the Apostle Paul addressed to his Christian friends (and us) in the highlight passage today.

And Paul had certainly faced some very challenging obstacles to his mission of spreading the Gospel (see 2Cor. 11:22-33). But he learned - and shared in the 2Cor. 12:9 and Phil. 3:14 passages - that we can, thru faith and God’s grace, press on toward the goal of glorifying God thru our struggles … just as the group Selah sings in the linked song.

So, that’s my prayer today … that we keep on keeping on in Christ … no matter what we face in 2018.

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My THANKFULNESS: Oh Lord, thank You for covering my weaknesses with Your grace as I press on into 2018
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give us Your enabling and empowering grace to meet the challenges of this new year. … 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.

January 1, 2018 … New Beginnings

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 1 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group Unspoken singing their song … Call It Grace … powerfully singing of the grace from God which gives all Christians a make-over/do-over in Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ezra 1:5 [NLT] … 5 Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.
… God gives His people a new beginning!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ezra 1:1-11[NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s people get a re-start from the Persian King, Cyrus, … to go back from exile to Jerusalem and rebuild God’s Temple.
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Reference Passage : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jeremiah puts past troubles and heartaches in the past; but then reflects on the hope he has and holds onto in his relationship with his God.

Reference Passage : … 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.
… No matter what we’ve gone thru, what we’re going thru, or what we will go thru, in Christ, it’s all for our good. … Yes, ALL OF IT !!

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … 9 Each time He [Jesus] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I [Paul] am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
… God’s grace is ALWAYS sufficient to cover our weaknesses.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5, 8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We can rely and hope in Christ because He never changes. He will never leave us or forsake us.

Reference Passage : … 1 John 1:9 [NLT] … 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 
… A confession and repentance ALWAYS gives us a cleansing and a “do-over!”

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, reflects on going from the Advent Season into a New Year with the promise of a fresh start. The ODB author wrote: After Christmas festivities conclude at the end of December, my thoughts often turn to the coming year. While my children are out of school and our daily rhythms are slow, I reflect on where the last year has brought me and where I hope the next will take me. Those reflections sometimes come with pain and regret over the mistakes I’ve made. Yet the prospect of starting a new year fills me with hope and expectancy. I feel I have the opportunity to begin again with a fresh start, no matter what the last year held. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, dear one! …

Yes, it’s a new year today; and like the ODB author, New Year’s Day always causes me to reflect on the past year and look forward to a fresh start into the new year. And each year my computer reminds me to read a hope-filled poem, written by the strong Bible teacher, Woodrow Kroll, entitled Start Over,, which helps me to meditate on what lies ahead and how God gives all Christians, who desire to humbly follow Him, a “DO-OVER!” If you’d like to read the poem, HERE’S A LINK  to a pdf file which you can print out for your study.

And I do pray that any reader here with me on New Year’s Day will take the time to meditate on the poem and the scriptures above, … as well as let God’s grace encourage you in the linked song. Those of us who’re in Christ, need to realize that our Lord desires for us to set aside past failures and look forward to new beginnings, which He will bring our way … IF … we’re willing to humbly and obediently follow Him.

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My THANKFULNESS: Oh Lord, thank You for giving me this new year!!
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … I look forward to all You will do with/thru me - for Your glory - in 2018. … 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.

December 31, 2017 … Memories and Hopes

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 365 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Alan Jackson singing the old gospel song … Precious Memories … reflecting on the memories past which kindle our hope for the future in Christ … AND THEN ON TO THIS LINK with Chris Rice singing from Lam. 3:22-23, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, reflecting on just how we can rely on God from memories past, present challenges, and on into an unknown future.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Lamentations 3:23-24 [NLT] … 23  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. 24  I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” 
… God’s truth, thru His Prophet that God’s mercies never end and we can look forward to them tomorrow no matter what our past or present troubles.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Lamentations 3:19-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jeremiah reflects on his past troubles and heartaches; but then reflects on the hope he has and holds onto in his relationship with his God.
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Reference Passage : … 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.
… No matter what we’ve gone thru or what we’re going thru, in Christ, it’s all for our good. … Yes, ALL OF IT !!

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:8 [NLT] … 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 
 .. We can rely and hope in Christ because He never changes.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, wrote of a New Year’s Eve where many memories caused her to reflect on the hope she held - and still holds - in her relationship with Christ, the One Who never changes in His willingness to provide us with His grace and mercies. The ODB author wrote: As I stepped into the music-filled sanctuary, I looked around at the crowd that had gathered for a New Year’s Eve party. Joy lifted my heart with hope, as I recalled the prayers of the previous year. Our congregation had collectively grieved over wayward children, deaths of loved ones, job losses, and broken relationships. But we’d also experienced God’s grace as we recalled changed hearts and healed personal connections. We’d celebrated victories, weddings, graduations, and baptisms into God’s family. We’d welcomed children born, adopted, or dedicated to the Lord, and more—so much more. 

Today is 2017. Tomorrow will be 2018; and like the ODB author, any of us can reflect on many things that have happened in the past, … many of which may have been painful or troubling. But perhaps we also have memories which are endearing and hopeful.

But like the Prophet Jeremiah as he wrote of his relationship with his God, we can rely - totally and completely - on a God, our Lord Jesus, Who never changes [see Heb. 13:8]. As the Prophet reflected on his past trials in the highlight passage, we can know - with confidence - that our God is ALWAYS greater than our challenges and His mercies truly are new every morning.

So, as we reflect on 2017 (or further into our past), know that God’s grace and His mercies will be there for us in 2018; and our hope is ALWAYS in our Lord and Savior, Who is leading us homeward to be with Him forever.

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My THANKFULNESS: Oh Lord, I rest in the hope that is YOU!
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … I know Your mercies are there for me tomorrow just as they are 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.

December 30, 2017 … His Work Getting Done

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 364 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group Casting Crowns singing their song … If We Are The Body … expressing in song how we, as the Body of Christ, must keeping moving forward as His body to carry out His mission on this earth.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 14:26 [NLT] … 26 Finally, they [Paul and Barnabas] returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.
… The two missionaries for Christ, no matter how difficult their mission, we so grateful for what was being done for Christ and faithfully what would continue to be done for His glory. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 14:21-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul and Barnabas didn’t focus on the challenges they had faced; … they simply were grateful for what had been done in the past for Christ and what would be done in the future for His glory. 
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 150:2 [NLT] … 2  Praise him for His mighty works; praise His unequaled greatness! 
… We ALWAYS must praise our Lord for what He has done thru us … what He is doing … and what He will do for His glory.

Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  
… Jesus put the task out in front of us. And we must continue to move forward to witness in His Name.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 5:16 [NLT] … 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 
 … No matter what happens, we, as did Paul, must simply keep moving forward to witness for Him and serve His kingdom.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, tries to help us realize what God has done, is doing, and what He will do for His glory as we close out 2017. The ODB author wrote: At the end of the year, the burden of uncompleted tasks can weigh us down. Responsibilities at home and work may seem never-ending, and those unfinished today roll into tomorrow. But there are times in our journey of faith when we should pause and celebrate God’s faithfulness and the tasks completed. 

My friends, that’s good advice, isn’t it? Sometimes, as Christians, especially as we look ahead into the New Year, it’s easy to focus on all the troubles in the world and also what may not have gotten done in the past year. But as the ODB author exhorts, we should also stop and take note of the check-offs on our TO-DO list for 2017 (see photo).

And then, thanking God for these accomplishments as we witness for Him (see Acts 1:8), we then can pray that He continues to give us His grace and use us in His kingdom service in 2018 and beyond.

That’s what Paul and Barnabas were doing in today’s highlight passage. They had faced many negative challenges in their first missionary journey; but they were grateful for what God had done thru them and focusing forward on what He would continue to do as they witnessed for Him.

And that’s a good model for us all … to do what Paul wrote about in Eph. 5:16 … to make the most of every opportunity in these evil days … and just keep on keeping on in Christ’s Name and for His glory.

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My THANKFULNESS: Oh Lord, I’m so thankful for what You’ve done thru our Battle Plan Ministry efforts in 2017 and looking forward to what You will do thru us in 2018.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Seeing the check marks of Your grace this past year, I’m excited to anticipate what You’re going to do into the new year and beyond. … 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.

December 29, 2017 … Seeing God in Creation

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 363 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with glorious images from Gordon Mote, blind Christian artist, singing his song … Don’t Let Me Miss The Glory … lovingly and poignantly declaring the truth of our ability to see God’s glory in His creation.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 104:24 [NLT] … 24  O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. 
… Look around and see the glory created by God
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 104:24-35 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist declares the glory and wonder He sees created by God in all of His creation. 
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 19:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... King David declares the glories of God are so obvious in His creation. All one has to do is look around to see the glory of God.

Reference Passage : … Romans 1:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... Really mankind cannot deny God’s existence because of His creation.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 11:6 [NLT] … 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 
 … We cannot come into a relationship with God unless we believe He exists; and all one has to do to have this belief is to look around at creation. So we have no excuse when it comes to knowing God exists.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, illustrated the glory and grandeur of our God by looking at a simple hummingbird The ODB author wrote: The hummingbird gets its English name from the hum made by its rapidly beating wings. In other languages, it is known as the “flower-kisser” (Portuguese) or “flying jewels” (Spanish). One of my favorite names for this bird is biulu, “what remains in the eye” (Mexican Zapotec). In other words, once you see a hummingbird, you’ll never forget it. 

For years, after my college years, when I tried to deny the existence of God, thinking of myself as an “atheist,” the one thing I could not deny, when believers would argue the reality of God, was the wonder of creation all around me. I just couldn’t say with any confidence that all the glory I saw around me happened by accident or some random set of biological circumstances.

And seeing a hummingbird fly, as the ODB author writes, and the attached photo, is really enough to see God’s glory, isn’t it? And for us, as Christians, it’s certainly enough to have eternal confidence that our God exists. Wow, think of it! A hummingbird flies and probes a flower with it’s wings propelling the little bird at 100-200 times per second. That kind of intricate aeronautic design simply could not have happened by some random collection of cells in the cosmos.

So, as the scriptures above declare, we can have confidence that our God exists; and in seeing His creation, we can have confidence that such a God could - and did - create me with my desire to know Him more everyday by getting to know the One Who created it all, … my Savior, King Jesus. And in that, I desire to seek out my God everyday, not wanting to miss His glory … just as Gordon Mote sings in his powerful song, linked above.

Take in the song; and then, … look around with me today and take in God’s glory.

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My THANKFULNESS: Oh Lord, I’m so thankful that You do a glorious show-n-tell everyday as I see Your handiwork thru Your creation.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Don’t let me miss Your glory 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.

December 28, 2017 … Sharing A Smile

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 362 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics from Nat King Cole singing his classic hit … Smile … lovingly declaring the truth of the effect a simple smile can/will have on others.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Proverbs 15:13 [NLT] … 13  A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. 
… If we can, we need to overcome our natural bent toward sorrow and choose to share as much joy as we can with others.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Proverbs 15:13-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+15%3A13-15&version=NLT … Yes, life at times sucks! But a smile from a loved one can bring a lot of healing, can’t it? 
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Reference Passage : … Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … There’s a time under heaven for everything … a time to laugh and a time to cry!


Reference Passage : … 1st Thessalonians 5:10-11 [NLT] … 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 
… No matter how much pain we feel, it’s always best to lift someone else up who’s feeling their pain.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Elisa Morgan, shared a personal moment to illustrate just how contagious and uplifting a smile can be in trying moments in life. The ODB author wrote: I piled groceries in my car and carefully exited my parking spot. Suddenly a man darted across the pavement just in front of me, not noticing my approach. I slammed on my brakes, just missing him. Startled, he looked up and met my gaze. In that moment, I knew I had a choice: respond with rolled-eye frustration or offer a smiling forgiveness. 
I smiled. 
Relief flickered across his face, raising the edges of his own lips in gratefulness. 

Hey, fellow Christian, I’m sure you’ve had a time when you didn’t feel so joyful; but sensing someone else’s pain, you chose to smile anyway. And what was the result? Almost always it’s as if it was in the ODB’s author’s experience. Smiles are contagious, aren’t they?

Oh sure, Solomon’s teaching in Ecclesiastes 3 is true, … that there’s a time for everything … a time to laugh and a time to cry. But his teaching in the highlight proverbs above is also truth, … that we can choose joy over sorrow and share it to help others in sorrow be lifted up.

It’s a hard lesson sometimes when we don’t feel good … that joy is a choice not a feeling; and that we can choose to smile, even when we don’t feel like it. And when we do, because a smile is so contagious (see photo), we can be an agent of joy for others, … just as Nat King Cole sang in his classic hit song (linked above). So, … today I’m going to try my best to infect someone with my smile … and do my best to do as Paul taught in 1Thess. 5:11. How about you?

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My THANKFULNESS: : In spite of my physical pain today, I’m so grateful for the hope of You coming to take me home some day!
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to share some smiles today even tho I don’t feel like smiling. … 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.