March 12, 2018 … Joy - A Choice

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 71 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Sara Groves singing her song … Joy In Our Hearts … poignantly singing of how we find joy only from our relationship with Christ and our reliance on Him.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Habakkuk 3:18 [NLT] … 18  …YET I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 
… In spite of all his troubles and trials, Habakkuk learned that He could choose joy in His faith in God.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Habakkuk 3:17-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In the midst of pain/confusion, the Prophet learns that God is in control.
=============

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… To know our way in life we must trust God … not ourselves.

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 
… We will only have God’s peace when we focus on Him … rather than ourselves.

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. 
… It’s true … but do we believe it?

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Why worry?!! God is in control!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a self description of our her general attitude to illustrate how we all can get down on life. The ODB author wrote: With a tendency toward pessimism, I quickly jump to negative conclusions about how situations in my life will play out. If I’m thwarted in my efforts on a work project, I’m easily convinced none of my other projects will be successful either, and—even though utterly unrelated—I will probably never be able to touch my toes comfortably. And, woe is me, I’m an awful mother who can’t do anything right. Defeat in one area unnecessarily affects my feelings in many. 

Somehow I sort of doubt that this Christian author is that negative; but I think we can all identify with having times of confusion, self-doubt, or stress … when we wonder if God has forgotten we’re even here. Ever been there? I sure have.

And if you read the journal of the Prophet Habakkuk, you’ll see that he came to God in times of terrible disarray and trial in Judah in the troubled times of Jeremiah, whom we often refer to as the “weeping Prophet.” And Habakkuk was terribly confused as to why God was allowing His people in Judah to be so faithless and disobedient. And in all this confusion, Habakkuk had seemingly fallen into despair. But reading on in his little book we see how God comes to this confused Prophet and tells him that he should sit back and watch as He, God, allows things to get even worse.

But finally in the highlight passage in Habakkuk 3, we see that the Prophet had come to the realization that joy was a choice and not dependent on his circumstances or feelings. And it’s this truth that we all need to recognize and claim, which the reference scriptures above reveal.

The question is … do we believe this truth; … AND … do we live it?

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there for us … especially in times of trial.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to overcome my own self-doubt with faith that You are ALWAYS in control. … 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.

March 11, 2018 … A Jesus Fan

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 70 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics from John Waller singing … As For Me and My House … poignantly singing of our need to loyally serve our God, tearing down worthless idols in our lives.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 61:1 [NLT] … 1  I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. … David, even when threatened was loyal to his God.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Psalms 34:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David, even when he was being pursued by Saul, held on to the hope he had in His God. 
=============

Reference Passage : … Joshua 24:15 [NLT] … 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
… Joshua charged God’s people to choose whom they would serve; but Joshua made it clear that he and his family would be loyal to God. {Hear today’s linked song!!)

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon telling his son Whom to trust with his loyalty.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Our loyalty must always hold true to our God … even in times of worry and fear.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, used an illustration of our human tendency to be loyal to sports teams, often in lieu of our loyalty to God. The ODB author wrote: Sports fans love to sing their teams’ praises. By wearing logos, posting notes on Facebook about their beloved teams, or talking about them with friends, fans leave no doubt where their loyalty stands. My own Detroit Tigers caps, shirts, and conversations indicate that I am right there with those who do this. [See photo] 
 Our sports loyalties can remind us that our truest and greatest loyalty must be to our Lord. 

Isn’t it interesting how so many will openly and enthusiastically be loyal fans of a sports team, as in the attached photo; but those same people, many of whom will declare that they are “CHRISTIANS,” will show more loyalty and enthusiasm about their favorite team then they do for the God of the Universe? … Go figure!!

Young David, being pursued by King Saul, showed his loyalty to God in the song he wrote in today’s highlight passage (Psalm 34), worshipping and thanking God even when his life was threatened. Joshua, tho surrounded by idol worshipping people, declared openly that he and his household would be loyal to the one true God [see Joshua 24:15].

The question for all of us from today’s ODB entry is whether we’re letting worthless idols take us away from our loyalty to serve our Lord

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there for us and pursuing our love and loyalty.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As for me and my house, we will ALWAYS 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.

March 10, 2018 … Rock of Ages

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 69 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with hymn and lyrics from Amy Grant and Vince Gill singing … Rock of Ages … poignantly singing of our need as Christians to find and hide under THE ROCK of Ages … our abiding relationship with Jesus.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 61:2-3 [NLT] … 2  From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3 for you are my safe refuge,  a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 
… David when frustrated and oppressed immediately sought out “The Rock of Ages” 
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Psalms 61 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… King David knew where to go when he was oppressed or depressed.
=============

Reference Passage : … Psalm 142 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… David always knew where to turn when he was in trouble … to God, his ROCK …

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 
… The Prophet knew how to find the peace of God.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul knew exactly where to go and to Whom he should take his worries.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Taking our cares to a caring God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Linda Washington, used a personal story and a familiar biblical character to point to where we should go when we’re feeling oppressed or frustrated. The ODB author wrote: David, Israel’s second king, wrote psalms to express his anger and frustration to God. But David knew that God not only listened, He could also do something about his pain. In Psalm 61, he writes, “I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (v. 2). God was his “refuge” (v. 3)—the “rock” to which David ran. 
When we’re in pain, or come in contact with someone in pain, David’s example is a good one to follow. We can head to “the rock that is higher” or lead someone there.

Today all any reader needs to do is hear the linked song by Amy Grant and her husband, Vince Gill, and then meditate on the reference scriptures above. If we do that, as I have this morning, I think we’ll all realize why David, when he was feeling oppressed and frustrated, sought to hide under “The Rock of Ages” (see photo).

And maybe we all should be trying to seek to hide under “The Rock” as we face our trials and troubles in life.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for being our Rock of Ages. 
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Shine Your light on my path as I seek to hide under The Rock of Ages 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.

March 9, 2018 … Following The Message

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 68 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group, 4Him, singing … The Message … poignantly singing of our need as Christians to follow THE MESSAGE which our Lord has left for us to follow Him and to become His message thru us.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Kings 12:13 [NLT] … 3 That same day the man of God gave a sign to prove his message. He said, “The Lord has promised to give this sign: This altar will split apart, and its ashes will be poured out on the ground.” 
… A man of God came with a message of God to Jeroboam, a message which he must heed to follow God.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Kings 13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… King Jeroboam was faced with a message from God which he was to follow. But he turned away from the message and continued in his evil ways.
=============

Reference Passage : … Psalm 119:105 [NLT] … 105  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 
… God’s word is the light we must follow out of the darkness in this life.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… To follow God closely we must trust in Him to show us His way … THE WAY!

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … … Paul, teaching Timothy (and us) that God’s word is God’s message for us to follow in Life; but we must choose to use it as our Spirit-led “GPS.”

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a personal story to illustrate how we must discern the right messages in life in order to follow our Lord’s will. The ODB author wrote: My second child was eager to sleep in a “big-girl bed” in her sister’s room. Each night I tucked Britta under the covers, issuing strict instructions to stay in bed, warning her I’d return her to the crib if she didn’t. Night after night, I found her in the hallway and had to escort my discouraged darling back to her crib. Years later I learned her customarily-sweet older sister wasn’t excited about having a roommate and repeatedly told Britta that she’d heard me calling for her. Britta heeded her sister’s words, went to look for me, and thus landed herself back in the crib [see photo]. 
Listening to the wrong voice can have consequences for us all. 

When we take in the highlight passage about King Jeroboam in ancient Israel who would not listen to clear messages from God and chose to rebel against the Lord, I see too much of myself earlier in my life, selfishly ignoring clear messages from God as He pursued me. But now, prayerfully I know better; and I’ve learned, as I pray all readers here have, to use His word as His clear message to follow Christ in life.

I hope we all are living to become His message to the world (see linked song); and I pray that we’re all using HIS MESSAGE, i.e. God’s word, as our illumination from God’s Spirit as our “GPS” (God’s positioning system) in life. Oh how I prayer that we closely follow our Lord as He commanded in Luke 9:23 … which I quote so often. So, … I hope all of my readers, especially you who follow me here, have that message memorized.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for “message” to me and all who would follow You.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to listen for Your “messages” every day from Your word and then to follow them closely. … 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.

March 8, 2018 … Wise Counsel

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 67 

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 … Be Thou My Vision … poignantly singing of the reality we have in following our Lord as our ultimate source of wisdom.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Kings 12:13 [NLT] … 13 And the king [Rehoboam] was hard in his answer to them. For he turned away from the wise words the leaders had given him. 
… A young king ignoring the wisdom of his elders.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Kings 12:1-7, 12-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Young king Rehoboam, after the death of Solomon, ignored the wisdom of the elders and it cost him his kingdom.
=============

Reference Passage : … Job 12:12 [NLT] … 12  Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. 
… Generally, we can seek Godly wisdom from Godly elders.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 1:5, 12;15, 15:22 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Solomon, shows believers how we must seek counsel from those wiser (and generally elder) to us.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:1-5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Peter, teaches on how the elders should lead wisely in the church and the youth should follow the wisdom of the elders.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, used a newspaper reference from his country, to teach on using the wisdom of those older and more experienced than we to seek guidance and direction. The ODB author wrote: In 2010, a newspaper in Singapore published a special report that contained life lessons gleaned from eight senior citizens. It opened with these words: “While aging brings challenges to mind and body, it can also lead to an expansion in other realms. There is an abundance of emotional and social knowledge; qualities which scientists are beginning to define as wisdom . . . the wisdom of elders.” 

And in today’s ODB highlight passage we read of Solomon’s young son, Rehoboam, who became king after his father died, ignoring the counsel of the elders in Jerusalem which ultimately led to his demise as king.

Personally, … I think - too often - in this “post-modern” era, especially the younger ones in our world, totally ignore any wisdom which might come from an older generation. The so-called “millennials” or those even younger from “Gen-Z,” … yes, even younger Christians … ignore God’s wisdom from the reference passages above. They want to get their wisdom from each other via social media and the flood of information from the Web; and all we have to do is look at the headlines and see the results of this cultural era of entitlement.

I pray today that all who read with me, will take to heart the wisdom from God’s truth in the Scriptures above and actively seek wisdom from Godly elders who’ve been there, … done it all, … and are so willing to give us their Godly “GPS” from His truth.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for my elders who’re willing to impart Your wisdom to me.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to listen to those older than I, who’re so willing to provide counsel and direction for 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.

March 7, 2018 … Eternal Hope!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 66 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics from the group, Mercy Me, singing … I Can Only Imagine … poignantly singing of the reality and hope we have to spend eternity with Jesus.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-14 [NLT] … 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 
… Our assurance from God’s word that death is not the end for those who are in Christ. 
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, gives Christians the hope we have in Christ that those we love will be resurrected to be with Jesus forever.
=============

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s promise, thru Paul, that after death, those who are in Christ, will be presented to Him for eternity.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 1:3 [NLT] … 3 Let us thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His loving-kindness that we were born again to a new life and have a hope that never dies. This hope is ours because Jesus was raised from the dead. 
… Our eternal hope, after death, is to be with Jesus, … a hope we have because of His resurrection.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Cindy Hess Kasper, used a personal story of saying temporary goodbyes to a loved one. The ODB author wrote: My granddaughter Allyssa and I have a regular routine we go through when we say goodbye. We wrap our arms around each other [see photo] and begin to loudly wail with dramatic sobs for about twenty seconds. Then we step back and casually say, “See ya,” and turn away. Despite our silly practice, we always expect that we will see each other again—soon. 

Saying “goodbye” to a loved one whom we’ll see again is one thing; but the goodbyes we feel when a loved one dies is another kind of “goodbye,” isn’t it? And the latter can hurt deeply, … because the longing to share life with the loved-one is now gone. However, … for the Christian, … we can be uplifted in the passing of a loved-one who is in Christ whom we know - beyond doubt - will be with Jesus and is in heaven with Him for eternity [see Scriptures above].

As Mercy Me sings in the linked song, “I Can Only Imagine!” But that imagination is enough for me, … because of the hope we have as Christians to be with Jesus when He calls us home to be with Him for eternity. And any loved-one who has gone on before us will be there too.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for this life now, but even more for the eternal life we have with You in glory.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Oh Lord, … I long to be with You in 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.

March 6, 2018 … Dancin in Heaven

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 65 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics from the Gordon Mote singing his song … Wake Up Dancing … poignantly singing of the reality and joy of our faith and hope to be with Jesus in glory.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 10:15 [NLT] … 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
 … Jesus on the faith it takes to end up with Him in heaven.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 10:13-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus demands that His disciples have a childlike faith. [See also Matt. 19:13-14]
=============

Reference Passage : … Matthew 18:3 [NLT] … 3 Then He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
… Jesus makes it clear the faith it takes to be heaven bound by pointing to the faith of a child.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tells His followers how they must deny their own selfish cares and have enough faith to follow Him just as the children did in His day.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Alyson Kieda, used a story of childlike faith to illustrate the faith we need to be with Jesus in His kingdom. The ODB author wrote: The little girl moved joyfully and gracefully to the music of praise. She was the only one in the aisle but that didn’t keep her from spinning and waving her arms and lifting her feet to the music. Her mother, a smile on her lips, didn’t try to stop her. 
My heart lifted as I watched, and I longed to join her—but didn’t. I’d long ago lost the unselfconscious expression of joy and wonder of my childhood. Even though we are meant to grow and mature and put childish ways behind us, we were never meant to lose the joy and wonder, especially in our relationship with God. 

How often do we let the cares of this world or our personal pain get in the way of our faith? I love the story in today’s linked song, where Gordon Mote sings of a young child hearing his dying grandfather telling the young boy not to worry when granddad is gone because the old man will be dancing forever with Jesus.

Well, … in my old age I’m coming closer to that kind of faith, which really is the faith Jesus called on His followers to have … the faith of a little child (see photo). And when we have that kind of faith in following our Lord, … the faith to follow Him no matter what, we will one day, as the song sings, dance with Jesus in heaven.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for calling us like a father would call his little child.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, … I so want to dance with You in 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.

March 5, 2018 … Meekness and Majesty

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 64 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the Maranatha singers singing … Meekness and Majesty … poignantly singing of the character traits of Jesus which we should emulate in our lives as His disciples.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 13;11 [NLT] … 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.
… Abram was the meek one, choosing to allow Lot to choose which land he would take. 
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 13:1-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God gave Abram the choice of land in which he would settler; and meekly he let Lot choose first; and we know how God rewarded Abram for being meek in his choice.
=============

Reference Passage : … Matthew 11:29 [NLT] … 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle [i.e, “meek”] at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
… Jesus describes Himself with two qualities we should emulate if we’re to be like Him.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tells His followers how a true disciple should/would follow Him … by denying himself.

Reference Passage : … John 13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus washed the feet of His Disciples to show them humility and meekness in Him as their Messiah.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David Roper, used a personal story to illustrate how the Christlike character trait of “meekness” is difficult at times to emulate. The ODB author wrote: My friend Archie came home from vacation to find his neighbor had erected a wooden fence five feet inside his property line [see photo]. Several weeks went by during which Archie tried to work with his neighbor to remove the fence. He offered to help and to split the cost of the work, but to no avail. Archie could have appealed to civil authorities, but he chose to forgo that right in this instance and allow the fence to stand—to show his neighbor something of the grace of God. 
“Archie is a wimp!” you say. No, he was man of towering strength, but he chose grace over a patch of grass. 

Meekness was the character trait which Archie exhibited in this story; but in our western culture, “meekness” (or power under control) is often seen as weakness; and it’s not valued as highly as taking charge or control. Therefore, in most scenarios as this one, we’d see Archie suing his neighbor or even trying to bully him into taking down the fence.

As Christians, would you readers say that we’re to be like Christ? Of course we are! So, where do we start in emulating our Savior? Well, a good place might be to look to see how Jesus described Himself; and only in one place in the NT do we find Jesus using adjectives to describe Himself and that is Matt. 11:29 [see above]. Our Lord also illustrated these qualities of humility and meekness when He washed the feet of His Disciples (see John 13).

So, from today’s ODB and my self study of the scriptures highlighted, I’m asking myself if I need to attend to my pursuit of Christlikeness more attentively, asking myself if I’m actually being humble and gentle in my relations with others and thereby actually being like Jesus as the Maranatha singers describe Him in the linked song.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for showing us the way by the way You lived.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, … give me Your grace to become more like You by being humbles and gentle with others, especially those whom I love the most. … 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.

March 4, 2018 … Loneliness Defeated

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 63 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Crowder singing … All My Hope … poignantly singing of how Christ’s blood has washed away our shackles, freeing us forever from selfishness and loneliness.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 16:9, 11 [NLT] … 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. … 11  You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever 
… Our life is ALWAYS secure in the powerful and personal presence of God.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 16:5-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist expresses his living joy and safety found in his relationship with God. 
=============

Reference Passage : … John 15:9-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus promises His love always and forever … IF … we abide in Him.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NLT] … 5 … For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 
… God’s promise (quoted from Deut. 31:6) that He will never abandon us. So, we never need to be lonely in our relationship with Christ.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 
… Worry and despair are gone in an abiding relationship with Christ. My 

Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Adam Holz, used a personal story of his loneliness to show us that we’re never alone in our relationship with Christ. The ODB author wrote: One night, I sat at home with my back against the wall. I opened my Bible and stumbled onto Psalm 16, where verse 11 promises God will fill us. 
 “Lord,” I prayed, “I thought this job was the right thing, but I feel so alone. Please fill me with a sense of Your nearness.” I offered variants of that plaintive plea for weeks. Some nights, my sense of loneliness eased, and I had a deep experience of God’s presence. Other nights, I still felt achingly isolated. 
But as I returned to that verse, anchoring my heart in it night by night, God gradually deepened my faith. I experienced His faithfulness in a way I never had before. And I learned that my job was simply to pour out my heart to Him . . . and humbly await His faithful response, trusting His promise to fill us with His Spirit. 

I would bet that all reading here with me have felt alone, isolated, and/or insecure in our selves, haven’t we? But in Christ that’s a needless emotion, … one which Satan loves to promote and use to get us to live in the lie of loneliness. But the more abiding and intimate our relationship with Christ, the less loneliness can occupy our mindset.

Because, as Crowder sings in the linked song, … all our hope is in Jesus, and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (see Deut. 31:6 and Heb. 13:5). Therefore, loneliness is defeated in an abiding relationship with Christ; and we can ALWAYS give ALL our cares to a God Who cares deeply for us (see 1Pet. 5:7).

Right now, … here, … as I write this, He is with me; and He’ll never leave me.

So, … lonely? … NEVER!

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being here with me. 
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, … let’s do Your work … TOGETHER … 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.

March 3, 2018 … His Love IS Our Love

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 62 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Wayne Watson singing … Love Found A Way … poignantly singing of how God’s love found a way for us to be freed from self in the Savior so that we could, in turn, show His love to others.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 1:27 [NLT] … 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. 
… We were (are) created in God’s image; and so we were [are] created to be in relationship with others and since God is love, we were [are] created to be His love for others.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 1:26-31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God created us to be like Him … and His is LOVE!
=============

Reference Passage : … John 3:16 [NLT] … I think you know it, don’t you?! 
 … His love was complete and perfect in His Son; and it now gives us the grace to share that love with others.

Reference Passage : … 1 John 4:7-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We can - and should - love others because God first loved us; and since His love brought us a Savior, we have the capability to be as we were created - to love others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, used a story of a street violinist to show us how we should look beyond externals and show God’s love to others. The ODB author wrote: His name was David, but most just called him “the street fiddler.” David was a disheveled, older man who was a regular fixture in popular places in our city, serenading passers-by with unusual skill at his violin [see photo]. In exchange for his music, listeners would sometimes place a dollar in the open instrument case before them on the sidewalk. David would smile and nod his head in thanks as he continued to play. 
When David died recently and his obituary appeared in a local paper, it was revealed that he spoke several languages, was the graduate of a prestigious university, and had even run for the state senate years ago. Some expressed surprise at the extent of his accomplishments, having assessed him on the basis of appearance alone. 

All too often, I’m afraid, we Christians let outward appearances or external perceptions get in the way of us being what God created us to be [see Scriptures above] … and that is, ... like Him … expressions of love for others.

Dear one, are we thankful enough that God created us in His image and loved us enough to send us His Son to die on a cross that we might be freed to be His expression of love in this world to others?

I don’t know about you, but todays ODB - and the song - and well known Scriptures like John 3:16 and 1st John 4:11 point me to move beyond myself and to share my Lord’s love with others today. 

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to die for me. 
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As You have first loved us, let us show that love to others 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.

March 2, 2018 … Always There

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 61 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Twila Paris and Dennis Jernigan singing his song … On My Knees … poignantly singing of how we who are in Christ need to bring all our needs and cares to our Lord in prayer.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 [NLT] … 17 Never stop praying. 
… Paul challenging Christians to have a continual communal relationship with God with prayer being the constant connection with Him.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts Christians to have a continuous attitude of connection with God via prayer. 
=============

Reference Passage : … Psalm 116:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God wants to hear our prayers.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 3:12 [NLT] … 12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 
… Paul assures believers we can come to our Lord with anything, anytime.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 4:14-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We can - and should - come boldly to His throne of grace … ANYTIME, ANYWHERE … to bring our cares and concerns to our God.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… And prayer is the main vehicle we have to bring our cares to God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, uses a modern day safety problem to illustrate our desire for connection with others … even when it’s terribly risky. The ODB author wrote: One of the benefits of cell phones is that we now have virtually unlimited access to others. As a result, many people talk on the phone or text even while driving [see photo] —sometimes resulting in terrible car crashes. To avoid such disasters, many areas of the world have made distracted driving illegal. In the United States, highway signs are popping up to remind drivers of special cell phone zones where they can pull off the road to safely talk and text to their heart’s delight. 

Who doesn’t know the risks of texting while driving? Yet, … many, MANY … still do it. Why? Because apparently we humans have a driven, maybe even addictive, drive to be “connected.” I, personally, think that “drive” for connection was placed in us by God to draw us to Himself, … just as Paul exhorted believers in today’s highlight text.

God wants us to come to Him in prayer. He’s even promised to bend down and hear us (Ps. 116:1-2); and in the reference verses above, we read from His word His promises that we can come to Him with our cares anytime and anywhere. And unlike texting while driving, there’s absolutely NO RISK involved. God’s Spirit is ALWAYS THERE, ALWAYS LISTENING, ALWAYS CARING!!!

So, why don’t we just stop right here, … RIGHT NOW, … and take our cares to Him?!! 

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there toto hear me. 
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As she song sings, Lord, when I really need You, as I do now, I get on my knees. … 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.

March 1, 2018 … Bent, Not Broken

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 60 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Laura Story singing her song … Grace Abounds … poignantly singing of how God’s grace is there to give us His strength when we know what we must trust and depend on Him in the trial of life.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 6:17, 33 [NLT] … 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? …33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 
 … Jesus shows that all our worries are for naught; and we should always come to Him first when we’re needy.?
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 6:19-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that we must trust the Lord always, especially when things seem beyond our ability to cope.
=============

Reference Passage : … Psalm 23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… But do we really trust Him to be our Good Shepherd, following Him out of the valley into His pasture.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 11:28-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus clearly tells us to bring our worries, trials, and troubles to Him and let Him help us carry them.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 
… We need to trust that God will ALWAYS supply what we need.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… God, thru Peter, shows us where we should take our worries.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, uses a botanical word picture to teach on how we can be bent by our troubles, but still not broken. The ODB author wrote: As a native Californian and lover of all things sunny, I shy away from all things cold. I do, however, enjoy beautiful photos of snow. So I couldn’t help but smile when my friend from Illinois shared a winter picture of a sapling outside her window. Admiration turned to sadness when I noticed its bare, knotted branches bowing under the heavy fringe of sparkling icicles [see photo]. 
How long could those bending boughs endure before breaking under their icy burdens? The heaviness threatening to crack the tree’s limbs reminded me of my shoulders, hunched beneath the weight of worries. 

I would guess that any reader here has been in a place of trial where they felt very bent over and maybe even close to breaking. Maybe you’re feeling that way now. Well, that’s probably where a lot of those followers of Jesus felt when they heard Him preach that Sermon on the Mount, where He was telling them (and us) where to take our worries [see highlight verses].

And I’m hoping that my fellow Christians here, who may feel bent and close to breaking right now, would hear the messages of the linked song and from Jesus’ own words, as well as the God’s leading from Solomon, Paul, and Peter in the reference Scriptures above. Because they’re all telling us to take our brokenness right to Jesus, who will help us carry our burdens (specifically Matt. 11:28-30).

So often I feel compelled, mostly by ego and pride, to want to show others, and even God, that I can handle all my trials; but today I’m not going to do that. I’m taking them to my Lord. How about you? 

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there to help me carry my burdens.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me use Your empowering grace, as Laura Story sings, to give me Your strength today to carry my burdens. … 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.

February 28, 2018 … Lost Lamb

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 59 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Gospel text, images, and lyrics from Judy Collins’ popular version of the most recorded Christian hymn,… Amazing Grace … powerfully singing of how Jesus, The Good Shepherd, will come after any lost lamb who is willing to come to and follow Him.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 15:6 [NLT] … 6 When He arrives, He will call together His friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with Me because I have found My lost sheep.’ 
… Jesus seeks out any lost lamb to bring that one back to the flock.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 15:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep.
=============

Reference Passage : … Psalm 23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… And my Good Shepherd has led me from that valley of death to drink from His living waters.

Reference Passage : … John 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God sent His Son, His Good Shepherd, into the world to save all those who would deny themselves and follow Him (see Luke 9;23).

Reference Passage : … 2 Peter 3:9 [NLT] … 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 
… The Good Shepherd doesn’t want any from His flock to perish.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Leslie Koh, uses a very personal story to illustrate just how our Good Shepherd searches for His lost lambs. The ODB author wrote: When we discovered that my mother-in-law had gone missing while shopping with a relative, my wife and I were frantic. Mom suffered from memory loss and confusion, and there was no telling what she might do. Would she wander the area, or hop onto any bus thinking it would take her home? Worst-case scenarios spun through our minds as we began to search for her, crying out to God, “Please find her.” 
Hours later, my mother-in-law was spotted stumbling along a road, miles away. How God blessed us in being able to find her. Several months later, He blessed her: at eighty years of age, my mother-in-law turned to Jesus Christ for salvation. 

A little over 35 years ago, I was almost 40 and one of God’s lost lambs. But He, … my Good Shepherd, … came after me and led me from that valley of the shadow of death [see Ps. 23] into His lush pastures of life. And for all those years thereafter, He has been leading me to drink of His living waters ever since. Every day, when I’m here, being embraced by Him by His living word, I feel like that little lamb in the attached photo.

And … as the linked long so poignantly sings, “I once was lost but now I’m found, … was blind but now I see.” And I can only pray today that all who read this are His foundlings, being led in the pastures of life by our Good Shepherd.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for coming after me.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to seek after any who might be lost and need to feel Your love, thru me, and to come to You as their Good Shepherd. … 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.

February 27, 2018 … Letting Fear Go

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 58 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images from Ryan Stevenson singing… In The Eye of the Storm … powerfully singing of how we can know that God is in control not matter what storm we may face.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 6:49=50 [NLT] … 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him. 
… The fear of death and the unknown gripped the disciples in the storm.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 6:45-53 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The disciples fear Jesus is a ghost as He walks to them on water in the midst of the storm. 
=============

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 26:3, 40:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s promise of His peace and strength to lift us out of our fears.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ promise that His grace will ALWAYS be sufficient to give us the strength when we’re feeling weak.

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 1:7 [NKJV] … 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 
… We need not fear!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, teaches on a feeling we all experience, … fear. The ODB author wrote: Our bodies react to our feelings of dread and fear. A weight in the pit of our stomachs, along with our hearts pounding as we gulp for breath, signal our sense of anxiety. Our physical nature keeps us from ignoring these feelings of unease. 
The disciples felt shockwaves of fear one night after Jesus had performed the miracle of feeding more than five thousand people. The Lord had sent them ahead to Bethsaida so He could be alone to pray. During the night, they were rowing against the wind when suddenly they saw Him walking on the water. Thinking He was a ghost, they were terrified (Mark 6:49–50). 

Sometime, … somewhere, … we all will have to deal with the fear of the unknown, or in our feelings of weakness, … or when we face death. That’s why I so identify with the true story of Jesus’ disciples out in that boat in a terrifying storm. And then they saw something even more frightening, … Jesus walking on the churning waters of the Sea of Galilee [see photo and the highlight passage].

But when they realized it was their Rabbi, Jesus, Whom they had just seen feed thousands with so little food; and they saw the wind calm when He stepped in the boat, their fears were replaced by faith. But, later, when Jesus was taken to be crucified, they again let their fears overwhelm them, which is so like most, if not all, of us when we’re confronting with the unknown or fear of death. 

So, … when will get it… as Ryan Stevenson sings in the linked song, … “In The Eye of the Storm,” … that our King Jesus is in control? And the sooner we can anchor our faith to The Rock in our storms, the sooner our fears will be replaced by God’s peace [as all the Scriptures above attest]. 

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your empowering grace to lift me up in my storms.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to feel Your strength as I weather this storm 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.

February 26, 2018 … Sharing Joyously

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 57 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics with Ray Bolz singing… Thank You For Giving to the Lord … poignantly singing of how we Christians give from our time, talents, and treasures back to our Lord Who has given His all for us.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Malachi 3:10 [NKJV] … 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 
… Thru the Prophet God challenges His people to give to bring their tithes and offerings into His storehouse to do His work for His people.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Malachi 3:6-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Malachi, lays out the principle of giving back the Lord’s kingdom.
=============

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:9-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...  
… Solomon shows how we should honor the Lord with the “first fruits” of His providence when we give back to Him in worship.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 6:19-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...   
… Jesus teaches on Kingdom living with regard to money and possessions.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… Paul exhorts the church to help God, thru His church, to take care of those in need by giving regularly, really weekly, to the Church to carry out His kingdom work.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...   
… Paul teaches on the attitude all Christians should have in sharing their time, talents, and treasures for God’s kingdom.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, used a story about her boy sharing his toys to illustrate how Christians should share our time, talents, and treasures by giving to the Lord’s work. The ODB author wrote: When my son Xavier was six years old, a friend brought her toddler to visit and Xavier wanted to give him a few toys. I delighted in our little giver’s generosity, until he offered a stuffed animal my husband had searched several stores in different cities to find. Recognizing the high-demand toy, my friend tried to politely decline. Still, Xavier placed his gift into her son’s hands and said, “My daddy gives me lots of toys to share.” 
Though I’d like to say Xavier learned his confident giving from me, I’ve often withheld my resources from God and others. But when I remember that my heavenly Father gives me everything I have and need, it’s easier to share. 

Well, once again, if you’ve taken the time to read this ODB entry, hear the linked song, and meditate on the Scriptures above, the message of this blog is obvious, any reader will either we’re uplifted that we’ve been giving what we should to God’s kingdom work, thru the Church; or, we’re convicted that we should be giving more of God’s providence back to Him in worship so that God’s Church can do God’s work on earth.

I’ve heard it said that one can tell where a person’s heart is (see Jesus’ teaching in Matt. 6:19-21) by looking at his calendar and his bank statements. Because… how we use our time and treasures (i.e., finances) will reflect what is in our hearts and how were sharing of our lives for God’s glory.

 ’ll leave it to any reader here to decide - with the Spirit’s guidance - how we’re doing. 

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your providence.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … May the time, talents, and treasures You give us be used, thru our worship of giving, for Your kingdom and 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.

February 25, 2018 … Solid Rock

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 56 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with an unidentified group singing the old hymn … On Solid Ground … powerfully declaring that we Christians must build our lives on the solid rock of our relationship with Christ.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 33:6 [NKJV] … 6  In that day He [The Lord] will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. 
… The Lord should alway be the foundation of any who believe and serve Him.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 33:2-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Isaiah shows His people how they must lay the foundation of their lives - ON HIM! 
=============

Reference Passage : … Matthew 7:24-25 [NLT] … 24 “Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. …”
 … Jesus taught His followers that their lives must be built on solid rock; … and that Rock, of course, was HIM!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, uses a botanical word picture to show that we Christians should bloom where God plants us. The ODB author wrote: For many years, people in our city built and bought homes in areas subject to landslides [see photo]. Some knew about the risk of the unstable land, while others were not told. “Forty years of warnings from geologists and city regulations created to ensure safe homebuilding” were unexplained or ignored (The Gazette, Colorado Springs, April 27, 2016). The view from many of those homes was magnificent, but the ground beneath them was a disaster in the making.

When you hear the linked song and meditate on the Scriptures above; and then we read the ODB entry for today, I think the message is quite apparent, isn’t it? And it begs the obvious question: Are we building our lives on our relationship with Christ? … If so, gleaning our wisdom and guidance from His word, communing with our Lord continually in prayer, and having our faith anchored deeply in the Rock of that relationship, … we will find that we can withstand the severe storms which will come our way.

However, if we don’t … well the result will be obvious, won’t it?

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for being my Rock.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Hold be steadfast in the anchor of my faith. … 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.

February 24, 2018 … Right Place - Right Time!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 55 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with an unidentified group singing… Here I Am Lord … poignantly singing of how we should respond to God’s call to service and action.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Samuel 20:13 [NKJV] … 13 … But if it pleases my father to do you evil, then I will report it to you and send you away, that you may go in safety. And the Lord be with you as He has been with my father. 
 … Jonathan’s commitment to David, giving up his right to succeed to the throne of Saul and risking his very life for David.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Samuel 20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jonathan came into a covenant friendship with David at exactly the right time because of the jealousy of Saul for David.
=============

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 6:8 [NKJV] … 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” … Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” 
… Isaiah responded to God’s call with surrender and commitment exactly at the time of God’s calling. But do we bloom where God plants us.

Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NKJV] … 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 
… Any born-again Christian is always at the right place, at the right time, to witness Christ’s love and grace to others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses a botanical word picture to show that we Christians should bloom where God plants us. The ODB author wrote: “A weed is any plant that grows where you don’t want it,” [see photo] my father said, handing me the hoe. I wanted to leave the corn plant that had “volunteered” among the peas. But Dad, who had grown up on a farm, instructed me to pull it out. That lone cornstalk would do nothing but choke the peas and rob them of nutrients. 

Then, in the “Insight” addendum to the ODB entry today, Mart DeHaan, another ODB author, wrote, giving insight into the highlight passage about David and Jonathan: Do you ever wonder whether you are in the place God wants you to be? David and Jonathan help us ask a different question. When combined with the story of Jonathan’s father, Saul, they give us reason to ask not about our place in life but about the condition of our hearts. 

And I’m somewhat convicted - or at least challenged - by these images and questions from God’s word today. I’m asking myself: “Am I responding as did Isaiah when he was called by God to go and share His message with the world?” [see Is. 6:8] … Even more I’m asking myself: “Am I blooming where I’m planted as Jesus called Christians to be as His witnesses wherever they happened to be?” [See Acts 1:8]

I’ll let you wrestle with those thoughts after you listen to the linked song and meditate on the Scriptures above. Personally, in conviction, God has me pinned to the mat here this morning as I’ve been with Him.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your Spirit and the charge to be Your witness wherever You have me today.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to go forth in Your Name - even today - 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.

February 23, 2018 … Mercy Me!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 54 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Gordon Mote singing his song… Mercy Walked In … poignantly singing of how Jesus and His mercy pleads our case before the Father and how we are forgiven by His grace.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 4:16 [NKJV] … 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 
 … Mercy must always prevail in the hearts of true believers over judgment and favoritism. 
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: James 2:1-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… James, showing his flock how they must avoid favoritism and show the same mercy shown to us by our Lord.
=============

Reference Passage : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NKJV] … 22  Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 
 … God’s mercies are never ending and always available to the humble believer.

Reference Passage : … Romans 5:8 [NKJV] … 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
 … And is that how we must love others … ALL OTHERS?

Reference Passage : … James 4:6 [NKJV] … 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 
… Quoting Prov. 3:34, James exhorts Christians to remain humble and receive God’s grace to allow us to be graceful to others.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 7:1-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus’ strong “judge not” command to His followers.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, uses a personal family story to illustrate how we must avoid bias and favoritism and show mercy to others as Christ has shown His mercy to us. The ODB author wrote: When my children were squabbling and came to me to tattle on one another, I took each child aside separately to hear their account of the problem. Since both were guilty, at the end of our chat I asked them each what they felt would be an appropriate, fair consequence for their sibling’s actions. Both suggested swift punishment for the other. To their surprise, I instead gave them each the consequence they had intended for their sibling. Suddenly, each child lamented how “unfair” the sentence seemed now that it was visited upon them—despite having deemed it appropriate when it was intended for the other. 

That’s good parental teaching lesson for the children, isn’t it? But, really, … we all need that lesson don’t we, because we have such a strong “natural” tendency to judge others on superficial characteristics and favor those who are just like we are. Common, … admit it!

Showing love, mercy, and grace like Jesus has shown to us - as sinners (remember Rom. 5:8?) - is way tough, isn’t it? But that’s what Jesus’ brother, James, was writing to his fellow Christians about in the highlight passage. And his truth should be our life’s aspiration … that is, to love and show mercy to ALL just as our Lord has done for us.

I don’t know about my fellow readers here; but those shoes are WAY BIG for me to step into; and I’ve still got some growing ahead to be able to walk in them comfortably.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your mercy, love, and grace … always there for me when I’m humble enough to receive them.
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to dole out Your mercies to someone else today; … even if it’s just a smile to someone who looks very unappealing to 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.

February 22, 2018 … Buckle Up!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 53 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics with Crowder and Tauren Wells singing … All My Hope … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, have all our hope in Jesus, Who has washed us with His blood.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 4:16 [NKJV] … 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 
 … Because Jesus is our Heavenly High Priest, we can bring all our cares to Him as He intercedes to the Father for us.
==============
Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 4:11-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God promises that we can come BOLDLY to Him as our High Priest Who has even experienced all our trials/temptations, … yet can, in His sinlessness, cover our sin with His blood. 
=============

Reference Passage : … Psalm 145:14-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… David, under threat of his life from Saul, took his cares to God Whom he knew would protect him.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NKJV] … 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 
 … Paul learned, as should we, that our spiritual well-being, all our hope, and our strength ONLY comes from His grace.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NKJV] … 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
 … God’s promise of His presence and protection, … no matter what!!

Reference Passage : … 1st Peter 5:5-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter exhorts us to humbly seek the protection of our Lord, Who cares for our every need.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, uses a very common airline illustration to show how we need to buckle ourselves to the Lord Who will help take us thru any storm. The ODB author wrote: “The captain has turned on the seat belt sign, indicating that we are entering an area of turbulence. Please return to your seats immediately and securely fasten your seat belt.” Flight attendants give that warning when necessary because, in rough air, unbuckled passengers can be injured. Secured in their seats, they can safely ride out the turbulence. 
Most of the time, life doesn’t warn us of the unsettling experiences coming our way. But our loving Father knows and cares about our struggles, and He invites us to bring our cares, hurts, and fears to Him. 

I don’t need to write much here to add to that, do I? … Question is … have we buckled ourselves securely to our relationship with Christ? Because if we have, WE’RE SAFE, … no matter what storm we may encounter in life.

Please take in the linked song and meditate on today’s Scriptures above; and then if you, like me, are riding thru a storm today, BUCKLE UP!! … God will carry us thru the storm.

=============
My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for being my seat belt in the storm. 
=============

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … I’m riding out the storm with Your angels carrying me thru it 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.