August 25, 2022 … Need Help?! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 237 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing … My Help … powerfully singing of how we get our help from The Lord, who lifts us up in times of need.  

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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 121:2 [NLT] …  

2 My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth! 

… The Psalmist sings of hie help in life coming from the Lord.    

Highlight Passage (Context): … Psalm 121 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God’s psalmist sings of thanks to God for His help.                                                                   

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 55:22 [NLT] …  

22 Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the Godly to slip and fall. 

… God’s psalmist sings of the safety and refuge we have in our LORD.  

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … </b>

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=NLT

… Solomon shows God’s people to trust and follow God wherever the Lord may lead them (us) and to avoid following our own ways.  

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

… Jesus invites His disciples (that’s us too) to let Him help us carry our burdens in life. 

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.  

… Paul shows fellow Christians that our God will supply all our needs from His glorious riches.     

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:7 [NLT] …  

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 

… Peter exhorts fellow Christians to give our cares to God because He, the LORD, cares for His children.      

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Karen Huang … AT THIS LINK …  writes about a friend who had lost his job during the COVID pandemic and was wrapped up in fear, … wondering, … I need to support my family? …  Where can I go for help?

Fear and doubt in the face of oppression or deprivation are completely natural reactions, aren’t they?  But when we Christians reflexively wonder where to go in times of trial, the answer comes from the truth of the song linked above where the Brooklyn Tab sings from God’s word in Psalm 121; … and also from the Scriptures above, where God promises to provide what we need, … yes, even in times of deep trial or trouble.     

And if any of my readers today are dealing with doubts or fears in a time of trouble, i pray that we all take heed from Jesus’ invitation (in Matthew 22:28-30) to let Him help us carry our load.   And He will !!! 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your promise to care for me in this time of trial.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to let You, Lord, help us tackle our problems today and then again tomorrow.    … 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.

August 24, 2022… Landing Safely …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021- Day 236 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from David Crowder and Tauren Wells singing … All My Hope … powerfully singing of the confident hope we have in our eternal relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Messiah.   

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Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 5:6-7 [NLT] …  

6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing.  

… The Apostle Paul shows his confident and eternal hope in our relationship with our Savior.  

Highlight Passage (Context): … 2Corinthians 5:6-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Paul helps fellow Christians to have hope and faith that one day we will be with our Lord, King Jesus forever.                                                                                                                           

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 118:8 [NLT] …  

8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust man.  

… God’s psalmist sings of the safety and refuge we have in our LORD.  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …

… Solomon shows God’s people to trust and follow God wherever the Lord may lead them (us) and to avoid following our own ways.  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 14:26 [NLT] …  

8 Those who fear the LORD are secure; He will be a refuge for their children.  

… Solomon shows believers that we are secure in our faith and trust in the LORD.    

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

… Paul shows fellow Christians that when we surrender to sacrifice self to the Savior and avoid following the world’s ways, the Lord will lift us up and show us the way to go in life. 

Reference Passage: … James 1:2, 4:10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… James shows fellow Christians that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will bring us joy even during trying times.     

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Bill Crowder … AT THIS LINK … shows that an impala, who can leap over seven feet the air (see photo) will not jump over a three foot fence in a zoo if it cannot see where it will land. 

And the ODB author shows readers that we’ humans are all that way too, fearful and not wanting to go into the unknown.  But the linked song and the Scriptures above show us that we, who really believe that Jesus is our Lord and our Messiah, must trust and believe that our King Jesus will - in reality - take those of us who believe on Him as our Lord to be with Him in heaven forever.

And no matter what we face in life, we Christians must leap to follow our Lord no matter how high the fences of life seem to us.     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … your promise to take me Home to be with You forever.      

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to trust and obey You, Lord, no matter what fences we encounter 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.

August 23, 2022 … Our Life Course …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 235 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Candy Pearson Shelton singing … He Leadeth Me… poignantly singing the old hymn showing our commitment as Christians to seek and follow the will and ways of our Lord in life.   

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Highlight Passage: … 2Chronicles 24;2 [NLT] …  

2 Joash did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.  

… Jehoida, God’s high priest, during the reign of young king, Joash, leads God’s people to follow the word and will of God.   

Highlight Passage (Context): … 2Chronicles 24:2, 13-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Joash, the young King of Judah, follows the lead of God’s Priest, Jehoida, to lead God’s people toward God’s will and to follow the ways of the Lord.                                                           

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Reference Passage: … Leviticus 26:3-4, 14-16 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Moses, clearly shows the need for following God’s will and His ways.  

Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:105-106 [NLT] …  

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again; … I will obey your righteous regulations. 

… King David sings of his commitment to follow God’s ways by following the light of God’s word. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon shows God’s people to trust and follow God wherever the Lord may lead them (us) and to avoid following our own ways.      

Reference Passage: … John 14:21 [NLT] …  

21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” 

… Jesus shows His disciples that only those who follow His commandments (i.e. His word) are able to follow His ways and capture His enabling grace.     

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson … AT THIS LINK …  writes about a song writer, Linford Detweiler, when asked what one must do in the music industry to become famous, replied with advice to avoid “… all manner of destructive forces from both within and without.”

Good advice, wouldn’t you say, for anyone these days who desires to be successful in life; but especially for us Christians who desire to be successful in following God’s will   And that’s what the linked song and the Scriptures above teach, don’t they?  

Bottom line - if we choose to seek out and follow God’s will and His ways, especially by using God’s word as our “GPS” (i.e., “God’s Positioning System”), God will reward us by leading us to His victory and His promised land.  And I pray that all reading here will join me to be those who seek to follow our Lord all the way to our home in glory.    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me to follow Your ways by following Your truth in Your word.      

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to use Your word again today, Lord, as our GPS in order to follow Your ways more clearly.       … 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.

August 22, 2022 … Sharing God’s Greatness …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 234 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Nichole Nordeman singing … Legacy … poignantly singing of how God’s children should want to live lives that live a legacy of love and Christlikeness for generations to see in those of us who follow Christ.   

Transmitting God's truth ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Deuteronomy 4:9 [NLT] … 

9 “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. 

… God charges His people to transmit the truth of God’s deeds to their children and grandchildren.    

Highlight Passage (Context): … Deuteronomy 4:9-14, 6:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God, thru Moses, charges God’s chosen people to transmit the truth of God’s deeds and His truth to the coming generations.                                                                                                       

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 78:4, 100:5, 145:4 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Psalmists sing over and over of God’s desire that all generations hear of the Lord’s mighty works and deeds so that they might believe on Him.

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 4:10-13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Solomon charging his son (and us too) to listen and follow his words of truth to help his son follow God’s will and His ways in life.      

Reference Passage: … Luke 1:50 [NLT] …  

50 He (the LORD) shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him. 

… Luke records Mary’s song of praise to the greatness of God which extends from generation to generation to those who fear and follow The Lord.   

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:1-3 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians (and us) to lead lives worthy of our calling as Christians.         

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kirsten Holmberg … AT THIS LINK …  writes about how grandparents developed internet skills during the COVID pandemic to remain connected and influential to their children and grandchildren, … not wanting to lose touch with their legacy of love.   

And the isolation produced by COVID certainly showed many of us - certainly it did for me - that we must not let the world or dire circumstances impede our desire - and God’s charge - to transmit the truth of God’s word to others, … especially to our children and grandchildren.  I know that’s one of the reasons why I’m here everyday, … writing about the glorious and powerful truths which impact me from God’s word.  I so desire for others to learn of God’s truths and to learn to live by them as I am day-by-day. 

So, what can we all - what can you - do today to be a transmitter of God’s truth (see photo) to someone we know or especially someone we love?   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me to be a transmitter of Your truth today and then again tomorrow.      

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to share of Your wonderful truths with our legacy on into the future.       … 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.

August 21, 2022 … Choosing To Build …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 233 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Kids Under Construction singing … Building On the Rock … joyfully singing of how we Christians must choose to build our lives on the Rock of Ages, … on the solid ground of God’s word and teachings.  

Building on the Rock of God's truth ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 7:24 [NLT] …  

24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock 

… Jesus charges His followers to build their [our] lives on the solid ground of His teaching.   

Highlight Passage (Context): … Matthew 7:24-27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Jesus shows that building our lives by following His teachings is like building a house on rock rather than on sand.                                                                                                                         

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 18:2, 62:2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of his God being his (and our) refuge and strength in the storms of life.    

Reference Passage: … Ezekiel 13:10-14 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Ezekiel, shows what happens that a wall which is built poorly and then whitewashed to look strong will not last when God brings His storms of destruction. 

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:47-49 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Luke’s account of Jesus teaching on the wisdom of Christians building their (our) lives on the solid rock of God’s teachings.    

Reference Passage: …Philippians 4:13 [NLT] …  

13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

… Paul expresses his confidence in the strength Christ gives him to live his life.           

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams … AT THIS LINK … writes about engineers testing out building codes for houses by subjecting houses to giant fans, producing winds equivalent to Category 3 hurricanes.  Predictively, the house built according to hurricane safety codes where the only houses to withstand the testing. 

If my readers have taken in the children singing the cute, but pertinent, song and meditated and studied the Scriptures above, you can see the message of stability taught by God’s word that we must build our lives on the strength and fortification of God’s truth, … i.e., HIs word.  Because if we don’t, our lives will crumble when exposed to the storms of life.  

Only when we build our lives on the Rock of Ages … our Lord, Jesus Christ, … will we be able to withstand the strong winds which come when the trials of life come our way.  That’s why you find me here, … EVERY DAY, … building my house (i.e., my life) on the solid rock of God’s word (see photo).  How about you?   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me to build my life on Your solid and protective word. Lord.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to build our lives on the solid rock of Your truth, Lord.      … 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.

August 20, 2022 … Radiating HIs Light …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 232 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Revival Worship singing … Shine Your Light … powerfully singing of how we pray for God to shine His light thru His people, changing the word for His glory. 

Surfing in the red tide ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Philippians 3:16 [NLT] …  

<i>  16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. </i> 

… Paul calling fellow Christians to hold on and live in the light of the sanctification they (we) have achieved thru Christ.   

Highlight Passage (Context): … Philippians 3:10-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Paul calls for fellow Christians to possess and live the perfection of Christ’s glory in their 

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

… Jesus calls on His followers to shine His light for all to see Him in this dark world. 

Reference Passage: … John 8:12 [NLT] …  

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

… Jesus shows that those who follow His will and ways will shine His light as they (we) walk in the world, darkened by sin.     

Reference Passage: …Ephesians 5:8 [NLT] …  

8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 

… Paul exhorts born-again Christians to walk in His light having been brought out of the darkest of sin into the Light of Christ.   

Reference Passage: … 1John 1:5 [NLT] …  

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all..  

… John sharing the desire of Jesus for born-again Christians to revel in the light He offers to those who surrender their (our) lives to Him.       

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon … AT THIS LINK …   … writes about the curious phenomenon of surfers being able to surf in the light created by luminescent microscopic algae in the water which radiates light at night from sunlight captured in the cells of the algae during the day (see photo). 

And the ODB author uses this curious life picture to illustrate God’s call for His children to radiate the “Light of the World,” … Jesus Christ, … into a very dark world by the way we live and move and have our being as surrendered and born-again believers.  And perhaps my readers are convicted, as am I, to go forward, as Jesus calls us in Matthew 5:14-16 and John 5:12, radiating His light into an ever darkening world. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your light, Lord, to shine thru my life again today.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to shine Your light into this dark world by the way we live for 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 you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 19, 2022 … Strong As Steel …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 231 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … His Strength Is Perfect … poignantly singing of how our God provides His strength to cover our weakness.  

The diabolical ironclad beetle ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Jeremiah 1:18a [NLT] …  

18 For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, . like an iron pillar or a bronze wall … <

… God declares that one day the Lord will make His people to be strong like a steel fortress.  

Highlight Passage (Context): … Jeremiah 1:14-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God, thru Jeremiah, promises His people in Judah that He will make them strong as iron and impervious to their enemies.                                                                                                            

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Reference Passage: … Isiah 41:10 [NLT] …  

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  

… God’s promise, thru the Prophet Isaiah, to lift up His people and give them (us) strength in times of trial.

Reference Passage: … John 16:33 [NLT] …  

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  

… Jesus declares to his anxious disciples that they (we) will face trials from the world; … BUT that HE, … KING JESUS, … had overcome the world.     

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

9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  

… Jesus showed Paul (and all born-again believers) that His empowering grace and strength was available to cover us in our times of weakness. 

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:11-13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul teaches truth that God will provide His strength in all circumstances.   

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

… Paul shows fellow Christians that they (we) need not fear because God’s Spirit is there to give us His love and power.       

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Breadauthor, Jennifer Benson Schuldt … AT THIS LINK …  writes about the diabolical ironclad beetle (see photo), which has an exoskeleton with the strength to endure 38,000 times its weight.   

And that beetle’s skeleton illustrates what the linked song and the Scriptures above describe; … that God provides HIS strength and HIS empowering grace to protect and provide strength for HIS chosen believers, no matter what the situation.  And God’s strength makes us believers STRONG AS STEEL.    

And I am certainly one who needs my Lord’s strength to cover me in times when I’m feeling weak or in times of trial or trouble.  How about you?        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me your strength of Spirit when I’m feeling weak - like today!    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to use Your strength today, Lord, to cover our weakness.     … 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.