Mar 24, 2021 … Working TOGETHER …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 83 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Casting Crowns singing… If We Are The Body…  powerfully singing of how we Christians, as His Body, must work TOGETHER to build His kingdom.  

Working TOGETHER in God's garden ... 

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Highlight Passage:  1Corinthians 3:9 [ESV] ... 

9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 

… Paul shows us that, as Christ’s Body, we work His field TOGETHER.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  1Corinthians 3:5-9 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows fellow Christians that we must work together tending God’s field of souls.   

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 27:17 [ESV] …  

17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another 

…  God, thru Solomon, shows us that two working TOGETHER is always more powerful than one working alone. 

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, again thru Solomon, shows how two working TOGETHER are always better than one working alone. 

 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 18:19-20 [ESV] …  

19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”  

…  Jesus shows that God, the Father, works in/thru believers who come TOGETHER to work in His Name and for His glory 

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 10:24-25 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …  

…  God, thru the Author of Hebrews, shows us how we must work TOGETHER as Christ’s body to do HIS work in HIS kingdom.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, AT THIS LINK …   showed how a community of volunteers worked together to move all the books in a bookstore from one location to another, demonstrating the value of people working TOGETHER to get a task accomplished so much more effectively than one doing the job alone. 

God’s word (see Scriptures above) often demonstrates the power of the Body of Christ coming TOGETHER to work in God’s kingdom.  Paul, in the highlight passage, uses the word picture of many coming TOGETHER in a garden (see photo) to plant and water and harvest as Christ’s Body (His church) should do in God’s field of souls.  And that’s what the group Casting Crowns pleas in the linked song … for us to come TOGETHER, as the Body of Christ, to do HIS work in HIS field [i.e., HIs Kingdom]. 

And I pray we do just that today, … because as you can see above, the operant word is ”TOGETHER;” and it’s God’s promise that anytime we gather TOGETHER … to work TOGETHER in HIS Name and for HIS glory, we’ll be able to do so much more than we can do on our own.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving me a job to do in Your garden today, working TOGETHER with fellow Christians, for Your glory.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … with fellow Christians today … to work TOGETHER in Your field of souls.  

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

Mar 23, 2021 … Time to Rest …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 82 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kari Jobe singing… Be Still My Soul …  poignantly singing of how God invites His chosen to be still and rest in His love/grace. 

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Highlight Passage:  Ecclesiastes 2:20-21 [ESV] ... 

20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21 because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. 

… Solomon proclaims - from his experience - the vanity of laboring diligently with no rest.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… From life experience Solomon teaches on the value of rest when compulsive and vane work has overtaken one’s life.    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 46:10, 127:2 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  The psalmists sing of the vanity of all work and the value of taking time to rest in the Lord. 

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

… Jesus invites any/all Christians to yoke ourselves to Him to use His strength to bolster our weakness in the tolls of life.  

 

Reference Passage: … Mark 6:31 [ESV] …  

30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”    

…  Jesus invites His disciples to come away from their labors and rest awhile.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6-7 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …  

…  Paul exclaims how one can rest in God’s peace when he/she is willing to take our anxieties to Him thankfully in prayer. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kirsten Holmberg, AT THIS LINK …   summarized a study done in Finland which compared men who labored with and without vacation breaks.  The findings were reviewed by the ODB author:    The scientists discovered something they hadn’t been looking for in their original findings: the death rate was lower among those who had taken time off for vacations. 

Well, those research findings would not have been a surprise to Solomon, who, in the highlight passage above taught fellow believers the truth behind the old saying, “All work and no play make ________ a dull [boy/girl].”   And what about you?  Are you one who might fill your name in the blank above, … never resting and putting your health and mental well-being in danger by refusing to take time to rest. 

Personally, … I find Jesus’ invitation to rest [in the photo] a most welcome truth … as well as Solomon in Ecclesiastes 2, who reported that “all work and no play” is VANITY.  So, I pray we all get some rest in the midst of our working for God’s kingdom.  Perhaps, … as in the photo, … we can find a little beach time or a secluded/quiet place to take God up on His offer to give use some rest and peace to quiet our hearts and keep us healthy as we follow our Lord thru the tasks of life. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for taking me here … to a quiet place each morning to rest in You.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to find time to rest in the Lord as we take up His charge to work for His kingdom.  … Amen 

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

Mar 22, 2021 … God’s Word = My “GPS”

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 81 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from The Gettys singing… Speak O Lord…  poignantly singing of how God speaks and leads us thru His word. 

The Power of God's word to lead us in life ... 

 

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Highlight Passage:  Psalm 119:105 [ESV] ... 

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

… Relying on God’s word is a powerful lamp leading us out of life’s darkness into God’s light.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Psalm 119:97-105 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Psalmist shows the power of God’s word to lead us thru life.    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:9-11 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  If we desire to avoid sin in our lives, memorizing God’s word is God’s prescription for power. 

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

16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

…  For all Christians, The Gospel (i.e., God’s word) is the power of God for salvation.  

 

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 3:16-17  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …  

…  God, thru Paul, teaches about the God’s inspired power of God’s word to equip us to deal with all of life. 

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:12 [ESV] …  

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

…  God, thru Paul, teaches of the power of God’s word being a powerful sword, able to cut thru the burdens of life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pye, AT THIS LINK …   wrote of how Dwight Moody decided to rely on the power of God’s word to help him preach on God’s revival power during the Chicago’s World’s Fair in 1893.  And as it turned out,  Moody’s preaching and the power of God’s word was a rousing success in spite of the competition of the popular World’s Fair.  

If any reader has taken any time during the past 12 years that I’ve been coming here daily to dig into and journal from God’s word, you would’ve seen that I often use the word picture of God’s word being my “GPS” for life.  In my maturation as a Christian, I’ve come to realize the reality and truth of how King David wrote of relying on God’s word [see Psalm 119] to lead him (and us) thru life.  

As The Getty’s sing in the linked song, God’s word shows us the way in life.  It is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16).  It is our sharp sword in spiritual warfare (Heb 4:12).  And God’s word equips us to deal with all the challenges of life (2Tim 3:16-17).  

So, … I pray that all reading here with me today are becoming as addicted to being in God’s word as I have … to let it be our “GPS” (God’s Positioning System) for life.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving me Your GPS to lead me out of the darkness and into Your light.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to use God’s GPS every day to lead us by your light of truth, Lord, … out of the darkness of this world.  … Amen 

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

Mar 21, 2021 … Working In/Thru Us

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 80 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing… How Great Is Our God…  poignantly singing of how great is our God’s work in/thru us. 

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Highlight Passage:  Matthew 27:54 [ESV] ... 

54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” 

… The Roman Centurion guarding at the crucifixion saw God’s works after Christ’s death, he recognized and declared that Jesus was truly the Son of God.    

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Matthew 27:50-54 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The scene at the crucifixion when the Roman soldier saw the reality of Christ’s divinity because of the events following the Lord’s death.    

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Reference Passage</u>: … Romans 8:28 [ESV] …  

28 And we know that for those who love God ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. 

…  Paul reminds fellow Christians (and us) that ALL THINGS in the lives of Christians are for our good and God’s glory.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 10:31 [ESV] …  

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 

…  EVERYTHING we do should be to honor the glory of everything our Lord has done for us. 

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:10 [ESV] …  

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

…  God, thru Paul, reminds us that we were saved by His works to be His workmanship.   

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:23-24  [ESV] …  

23  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  

…  Because of His works, for us, all our works should be done thru and for the Lord. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Arthur Jackson, AT THIS LINK …   tells of a father/daughter standing in a very hard rain (see photo), contemplating all the racial atrocities in our history, … recognizing and realizing that all things are from and thru God’s plan for us.  And the young daughter seeing the rain as God’s tears for the sins of mankind. 

The Apostle Paul came to realize and teach fellow Christians (see Pauline Scriptures above) that all things in our lives are from and thru the purposes of God and are for the good of God’s chosen and are part of HIS plan for HIS glory.   

So, today, … as we go about our lives, … may we do ALL THINGS that we choose to do for our Lord; and recognize what Chris Tomlin sings in the linked song … that our God is a great and good God who died as the Son of God FOR US to become HIS workmanship on this earth. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving me the honor of working for Your glory today. 

My Prayer Today:Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to do all that we do - even as the rain falls in our lives - for the glory of our great God.  … Amen 

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

Mar 20, 2021 … Corrected With Love

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 79 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing… I Will Follow Christ…  powerfully singing of how we Christians must follow the loving direction and correction of Christ … NO MATTER WHAT! 

Editorial Correction ... 

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Highlight Passage:  Luke 10:41-42 [ESV] ... 

41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” 

… The Apostle Paul pleads for prayer support from fellow Christians.    

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Luke 10:38-42 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus corrects Martha for her criticism of her sister, Mary’s, devotion.   

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 12:1, 15:32  [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God’s word, thru Solomon, on the wisdom of those who’re willing to take correction.   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 16:21-23 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Jesus, lovingly - but sternly - rebukes and corrects Peter for his misdirected remarks about Jesus’ sacrifice.   

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 3:16-17 [ESV] …  

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

…  Paul instructs Timothy (and us) on how God’s inspired word is our source of correction and direction in life.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 12:11 [ESV] …  

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 

…  God, to the Hebrews (and to us) on how His disciple yields fruitfulness.    

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Cindy Hess Kasper, AT THIS LINK … tells of an editor in a publishing house who chose house a GREEN PEN, instead of the usual RED PEN of correction (see photo), because she felt it might be less of a discouraging rebuke to novice writers. 

Getting a rebuke from a parent, a teacher, or a supervisor can be a jolt to our ego, can it not?  And certainly we see Jesus having to lovingly, … yet often sternly, … rebuke or correct those around Him. In the highlight passage, we read of Jesus lovingly rebuking Martha for Martha’s criticism of her sister, Mary.  In Matthew 16 Jesus sternly rebuked Peter; and Solomon in Proverbs (see above) shared God’s wisdom about those who’re not willing to take Godly discipline or correction. 

And one of the main reasons any fellow reader finds me here every day, … digging into God’s word, … is because I believe the truth of 2Tim 3:16-17 and Heb 12:11 … that God’s word is our perfect source of correction and direction in life.  And I know that starting my day with God’s word as my “GPS” (God’s Positioning System), helps me to follow God’s way and also helps me to avoid the misdirection of taking my own way.  And that’s what my friend, Clay Crosse, and two of his friends sing about in the linked song above.   

How about you, fellow Christian?!   How well do you take Godly direction and, …  if necessary, … Godly correction?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for the loving correction that I get from Your word to stay on Your path. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to use God’s GPS, … Your word, … as our source of direction and correction in life.  … Amen 

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

Mar 19, 2021 … Needing Prayer

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 78 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   … Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Alisa Turner singing… My Prayer For You…  poignantly singing of how we Christians can lift up and support fellow Christians with prayer.  

Purple prayer shawl ... gives peace from prayer support ... 

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Highlight Passage:  Romans 15:30 [ESV] ... 

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, …  

… The Apostle Paul pleads for prayer support from fellow Christians.    

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Romans 15:23-33 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul, to fellow Christians in Rome, pleads for their prayer support in his desire to come to them from Jerusalem to Rome.  

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 26:41 [ESV] …  

41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 

…  Jesus, needing prayer support from 3 disciples in the garden of Gethsemane … 

Reference Passage: … Mark 11:24 [ESV] …  

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  

…  Jesus’ promise of the power of prayer when we are in tune with God’s Spirit. </i>   

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6 [ESV] …  

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. </i> 

…  God, thru Paul, shows Christians the importance and value of taking our prayers to God when we’re anxious, especially to help others.    

Reference Passage: … James 5:16 [ESV] …  

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.   

…  James shows Christians the value of a righteous person praying for another, especially those who need healing or support.    

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon, AT THIS LINK …  wrote of how much emotional support she got, while caretaking for her mother, that a hand-knit purple prayer shawl (see photo) was for her, … knowing that the friend who made the warm scarf was praying for her. 

About 10 years ago a group of Christian brothers who had been helped by the discipleship of a ministry I was called to found and lead … SEE THIS LINK  …  gave me a replica of a Roman Sword to remind me that they would be praying for God’s word to be the sword of the Spirit for me as I did battle in ministry.  That sword hangs on the wall in my ministry office and reminds me that I have brothers praying for my Spiritual protection every day.  And if you’ve gone to the link above, you’ll see why I need that prayer. 

We all need the support of prayer at times, don’t we?  Jesus needed prayer support in the garden of Gethsemane, didn’t He (see  Matt 26:41 )?   And the Apostle Paul showed fellow Christians his need of prayer in the highlight passage.  And Jesus’ brother, James, showed that when we have others who need healing or supporting prayer, … that prayer is effective when coming from righteous prayer warriors (see James 5:16). 

So, I pray that we all recognize Jesus’ promise of the power of prayer (see Mark 11:24) … and that we all be in prayer today for anyone in our lives who needs our intercessory prayers.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for the prayers of others in my life.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to pray for those who need God’s grace which is called down from our prayers for them today.  … Amen 

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

Mar 18, 2021 ... Wee Warriors

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 77 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Maranatha Singers singing… The Battle Belongs to the Lord…  poignantly singing of how God gives us His strength to fight for His kingdom. 

Wee desert warrior kills and consumes scorpions ... 

 

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Highlight Passage:  Ephesians 2:10 [ESV] ... 

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. 

… We are God’s workmanship, created to do His handiwork on earth.     

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Ephesians 2:4-10 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Paul, shows that His grace gives us His strength to do His workmanship.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 139:14 [ESV] …      

14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

…  David declares that he (and we) are fearfully made by God’s grace for His glory. 

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

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

…  We need not fear in the battles of life, because, as the linked song sings, “The Battle Belongs to the Lord!”   

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 12:9 [ESV] …  

9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  

… God, thru Paul, shows us God’s promise that His grace is available to us to be able to overcome our weaknesses.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:7 [ESV] …  

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 

…  Each born-again Christian is given special gifts by God’s grace to do His will in this life.   

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Monica La Rose, AT THIS LINK …   shows the power of the mighty little grasshopper mouse in the desert, who was specially gifted by God to defeat and consume scorpions (see photo), … illustrating how God gifts us, by His grace, to be His mighty warriors and to do battle in His Kingdom for His glory.  

And the Scriptures above as well as the linked song declare that reality.  We may be “wee warriors” in God’s grand and glorious scheme and in His kingdom; but we, as Christ’s disciples, have been uniquely gifted and strengthened to be His warriors against the enemies of God. 

And so, I pray we all go forth, using our grace-designed gifts, to be God’s warriors, doing battle today in His Name and for His glory. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving wee me the strength to do Your battles. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to Your grace and strength to do battle in Your Name today. … Amen 

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