April 23, 2022 … Serving As One in Christ

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 113 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Mike Donehey singing  … Unity Hymn … poignantly singing.of how we, as individual’s surrendered to Christ as Lord and Savior should come TOGETHER to serve Him - and one another - in the unity of His Spirit.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Romans 14:19 [NLT] …  

19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.  

… The Apostle Paul was focused on fellow Christians setting aside their (our) differences and coming together to lift one another up in Christian unity.                    

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Romans 14:13-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul, inspired by God’s Spirit, exhorts fellow Christians to exercise the power found in Christian unity.                                                                        

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 133:1 [NLT] … 

1  How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.     

… King David recognized and sang of believers coming together to live in harmony with one another.   

Reference Passage: … John 17:21 [NLT] … 

21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.    </i>

… Jesus prayed that all who love and follow Him as disciples would live together in unity just as the Holy Trinity lives in unity.   

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:10, 12:12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Paul pleads with fellow Christians to come together in unity aa the body of Christ.                   

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:3-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Paul also pleaded with fellow Christians to come together by taking on the attitude of Christ to look out for the interests of others and go beyond our own individual desires.                                                                        

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kirsten Holmberg … AT THIS LINK … wrote about a friend who was asked by a fellow Christian what political party to which she was affiliated; … to which the friend responded, promoting Christians unity, …“Since we’re both believers, I’d rather focus on our unity in Christ.”

And the ODB Author’s friend obviously grasped the importance of the Scriptures above where the Apostle Paul, in the New Testament, repeatedly (see Pauline passages above) urged - and even begged - fellow Christians to take on the attitude or Christ and look beyond their own, individual, desires to come together as the Body of Christ to help one another and lift each other up. 

So the ODB entry today asks us to come together in harmony (see photo) and do what we can - even today - to live as Jesus prayed (and still is praying - see John 17:21) for His disciples [and that’s us today as well] … to reach out in the unity of HIs Spirit to help one another.  And that’s what I’m going to try my best to do today.  How about you?                

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your call thru Your word to be - or become - one in Christ today.  .          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to surrender in harmony to serve You, Lord, 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 u can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

April 22, 2022 … Caring For Creation

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 112 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Brian Doerksen singing  … Creation Calls … poignantly singing.of how we, God’s greatest creation, are called to carry for His creation.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Genesis 2:15 [NLT] …  

15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.  

… God creates a special place - a garden full of life - for the man and the woman and charged them to watch over His creation.                    

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Genesis 2:4-10, 15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s account of His creation of a garden of life for His greatest creation, . mankind.                ===============      

Reference Passage: … Psalm 19:1, 24:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David in song helps see that God shows us His glory thru His creation.    

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 2:7 [NLT] … 

7  “And when I brought you into a fruitful land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, but you defiled my land and corrupted the possession I had promised you.     

… God, thru Jeremiah, rebukes His chosen people for defiling the promised land He gave them to share in its bounty. 

Reference Passage: … John 1:3 [NLT] … 

3  God created everything through Him and nothing was created except through Him.    

… God’s word, thru John, helps us realize and remember that God created all we see around us … for us and for His glory.                   

Reference Passage … Romans 1:20 [NLT] … 

20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.    

… God’s creation has always shown us of His glory; and so no one can claim to have never seen God’s glory.                                                                       

 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Lisa M Samra … AT THIS LINK …  wrote of our government setting aside a day each year - on April 22nd here in the USA - to remember and take acton to protect the planet that we see gloriously displayed all around us (see photo).   

And if my readers today have taken in the linked song and meditated on God’s word above, I think we’d all agree that God has give mankind, thru creation, His charge to tend and take care of this planet.  So, I’m sure God would smile and agree with all that “Earth Day” reminds us.  

Because, from Adan and Eve in the garden (see highlight passage), right thru all of history, our Lord has shown His glory thru creation and desires that we honor Him by taking care of His creation.  So, we are charged by this ODB entry to ask what we can do today - on this Earth Day - and hereafter as well, to glorify our God by caring for His planet.                

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your creation which displays Your glory today and hereafter.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to remember today to do all we can, Lord, to honor You by caring for Your creation.…   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.

April 21, 2022 … Forever Alive

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 111 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group The Afters singing  … Live On Forever … poignantly singing.of how one day, we, who are in Christ, will live forever with Him in glory.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Revelation 21:4 [NLT] …  

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”  

… Jesus declares, to John (and to us) that in our heavenly home there will be no more death or sorrow or pain, … truly alive forever with our God.                   

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Revelation 21:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus reveals His living presence and the new Heaven where those of us who believe in Him as Lord will be for eternity, … home and alive with Him.                                                                  ===============     

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 65:17 [NLT] … 

17 “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore. 

… God’s promise and prophesy that He will create a new heavenly home for His beloved and faithful believers.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:19-21 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus preaches truth about preparing our hearts for our eternal home in heaven.  

Reference Passage: … John 14:1-4 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus promises His 12 disciples that after He leaves them, He will return for them - and all who believe in Him - to take them (and us) to our heavenly home to live with Him forever.                

Reference Passage: … Philippians 3:20-21 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to live lives in preparation for our eternal home with God.                                                                     

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Winn Collier … AT THIS LINK …   wrote about his 5 year old son, in the back seat of the car on the week following Easter asking, “Daddy, … When Jesus brings us back to life, are we going to be really alive—or just alive in our heads?”

Good question from such a young mind, don’t ya think?  And if you believe in the Bible as absolutely true, the answer to the young boy’s question is found in the Scriptures cited above.  So if my fellow Christian readers meditate on these truths and take in the linked song, I know you’ll be uplifted by God’s promises to take home to heaven all who believe on our King Jesus as Lord and Savior; … and to live gloriously and pain free in heaven with our Lord forever.  

And that’s a promise I for one revel in today.  How about you?               

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … Your promise to bring me home one day to live with Your forever.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to prepare ourselves to be with You in heaven, Lord, … living with no sorrow and no pain FOREVER!! …   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.

April 20, 2022 …Obeying Is Loving God

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 110 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the Maranatha Singers, worshipping God and singing  … I Love You Lord … poignantly singing.of the desire all true Christians should have that our Lord will see the way we live as a joyful love song in His ears.. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  John 14:15 [NLT] … 

15 If you love me, obey my commandments.   

… Jesus command to His disciples in the upper room, to show their love - for the rest of their lives - by obeying His commands.                    

Highlight Passage [Context]: … John 14:15-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus commands His 12 disciples (and us now) to obey His commands IF we love Him as our Lord and Messiah.                                                                    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:1-8 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of his desire for God’s blessing by obeying God’s word.  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 7:21 [NLT] … 

21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. …”   

… Jesus teaches that only those who obey and do the will of God will enter glory with Him.

Reference Passage: … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 

23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.  

… Jesus commands that if we are to call ourselves DISCIPLES of His, we must deny our selfish motives and obey Him in dealing with the daily challenges in life.                 

Reference Passage: … Luke 11:28 [NLT] … 

28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.” 

… Jesus pronounces blessing on any/all who hear God’s word the follow It obediently.                                                                     

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon … AT THIS LINK … wrote about mourning the loss of a dear friend to mutual differences, but was reminded, by a book by C.S. Lewis, of Jesus being willing to forgive and restore Peter with love and grace even after Peter had denied His Lord three times [on your own see John 21:15-19]..    

The point being made by the ODB entry is that loving something or someone dearly is risky business; and only when someone is willing to forgive and let go of past misgivings can one hold onto the love in a relationship.  Jesus was (and is) willing to forgive our failings.  Are we willing to follow Him as as loving disciple, … willing to do all we can to obey and follow Him (see Scriptures above).  

I know it’s risky.  But I’m willing today to do all I can to deny myself and follow Him (see Luke 9:23.  How about you?               

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … being willing to forgive my past disobedience.         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can today, Lord, … to obey Your word and follow You.       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.

April 19, 2022 … It’s Time to Worship

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 109 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from an anonymous soloist worshipping and singing  … We Gather Together … poignantly singing.the 16th century hymn about calling Christians to gather in public worship, singing praises to our Lord. 

Gathering to worship ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Deuteronomy 31:12 [NLT] …  

12 Call them all together—men, women, children, and the foreigners living in your towns—so they may hear this Book of Instruction and learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully obey all the terms of these instructions.   

… God’s call, thru Moses, for His people to come together and worship The Lord by obeying God’s word.                  

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Deuteronomy 31:9-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Moses gives the Priests instruction on how God’s people should come together to gather in worship under God’s word and singing praises.                                                                  

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Reference Passage: … John 4:23-24 [NLT] … 

23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”. 

… Jesus instructs the woman at the well about how the time had come when all would gather to worship the Messiah in Spirit and in truth. 

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Romans 12:1-2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …

… Paul instructs fellow Christians (and us) that we must come together and become living sacrifices of worship to/for our Lord, avoiding the ways of the world.                  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:16 [NLT] … 

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 

… Paul admonishes Christians to come together to worship by teaching each other His word and singing praises to His Name.                                                                     

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

… God’s word in Hebrews about coming together to lift one another up in worship by the way we encourage one another and worship the Lord TOGETHER>   

 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pie … AT THIS LINK …  wrote about a mother in a church worship service trying to shepherd a baby and two others (see photo) and being helped by others in the congregation so that the mother could relax and worship.    

And this ODB scenario is an apt picture and what the scriptures above teach; … that we in the body of Christ are to come together to worship our Lord, ,,, yes, with communal praises and singing (see linked song); … BUT … our worship is to be more than just singing!  It is to be coming together to help each other worship our God, … by encouraging and helping one another, … to become living sacrifices of worship by the way we live, … and to ALWAYS worship our Lord TOGETHER … in Spirit and in truth.  

And I’m praying that all reading with me here experienced that communal worship last Sunday, which was Easter Sunday; but also by the way we come together as Christians … 24/7 - day by day -  to live and love each other … EVERY DAY… just as Christ lived and loved in sacrifice for us.              

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to be your living sacrifice of praise and worship today.         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can today to come together as Your body, Lord, and to worship you in service to one another.      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.

April 18, 2022 … Workplace Witness

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 108 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the Maranatha Singers singing  … Shine Jesus Shine … poignantly singing.about shining the light of Christ in our very dark world.  

Shining Christ's light in the way we live ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Peter 2:19-20 [NLT] …  

19 For God is pleased when, conscious of His will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

… Peter  helps Christians who are being persecuted with encouragement to help them deal with oppressive conditions as Christians.                 

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Peter 2:11-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…Peter instructing oppressed/persecuted Christians how to witness and live to witness for Christ under the pressures of everyday life.                                                                  

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:14-16 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …

… Jesus exhorts those who follow Him to shine His light for all to see His works and glorify His Father. 

Reference Passage: … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”.  

… Jesus commands all His disciples and followers to be lights of witness for Him … EVERYWHERE we live and work.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 13:12-14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul instructs and exhorts Christians, living under darkness and oppression, to put on the witness of Christlikeness to honor God by shining His light in the darkness of this world   

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:14-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul instructs and exhorts Christians, in this dark world, to shine Christlike lives as a witness to God’s glory.  

Reference Passage: … 1Thessalonians 4:11-12 [NLT] … 

11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. 

… Again Paul helping fellow Christians with instruction how to live when being observed by and working for, unbelievers.     

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Winn Collier … AT THIS LINK …   wrote about Evelyn, who was frustrated at work and disagreed with the working conditions imposed by her supervisor, … yet Evelyn was determined to do the best she could under the circumstances.  

And that’s what Peter and Paul, were instructing followers of Christ to do under dark - and even the oppressive - conditions imposed by unbelievers in their lives.  Being a Christian in those dark, first century, days had to have been very frustrating; just as it can be frustrating for us who follow Christ now.  But God’s word on being witnesses for our Lord is strong and clear, isn’t it (see exhortations from Paul and Peter above); and especially from Jesus Himself (see Matt 5 and Acts 1), charging all Christians to be - or become - Christlike lights as we work in this world of darkness.  

Oh, that is my prayer for all of us as i share these words of truth today.             

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for being our model of light in these dark times.         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can today to shine Your light for all to see You thru the way we live in these dark times.       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.

April 17, 2022 … Everything Changed

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 107 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Dolly Parton singing  … He’s Alive… poignantly singing. about Jesus’ victory over death as He came out of His grave on that glorious Easter morning, changing everything in human history.  

And everything changed ... FOREVER ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Corinthians 15:14 [NLT] …  

14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless..   

… Paul preaches that If Christ was not resurrected from the grave, then all we old dear as Christians is meaningless. .                 

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Corinthians 15:12-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul preaches truth about the importance to Christ’s resurrection to our hope of eternal life.    

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Reference Passage: … John 11:25 [NLT] …

40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”  

… God’s promise, thru Jesus, that ALL who believe in the risen Lord will also be raised to be with Him forever in heaven.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 6:4 [NLT] … 

4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 

… Paul again preached the truth about our resurrection, as believers in Christ, to be with our resurrected and ascended Lord in heaven.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:11 [NLT] … 

11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

… Paul also teaches that that same power Who raised our Lord, Jesus, from the dead dwells in us and well raise us to be with Him in glory.. 

Reference Passage: … 1Thessalonians 4:14 [NLT] … 

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. 

… Paul reinforces, for fellow Christians, that all who believe that Jesus died for our forgiveness will be raised again to be with Him in Heaven.     

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Winn Collier … AT THIS LINK … writes about Jaroslav Pelikan, an award winning professor at Yale and recognized expert on Christian history, who was quoted to have said on his deathbed,  “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not—nothing else matters.” 

And that’s essentially the same thing that the Apostle Paul was preaching (see Highlight passage) to fellow Christians to assure them (and us, too!) of the importance of believing on the reality of the resurrection to support our hope of heaven thru our belief in Christ’s resurrection. 

Today is Easter; and we, who have put our hope of heaven in the reality of that empty tomb <b>(see photo)</b>, celebrate that day when all history changed because our Lord, The Christ, Who came out of His grave to show all mankind that our eternal life was sealed in our belief in the resurrection of our Lord, … King Jesus, … our Messiah  

And so on this Easter, will you share a glorious “Hallelujah” with me?!           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your promise that I will be resurrected to be with You in glory.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to share a robust HALLELUJAH as we celebrate Your being alive today and forever.        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.