June 20, 2023 … W.W.J.D.?? …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 171 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kristian Stanfill singing … More Like Jesus … Poignantly, yet powerfully, singing of how we must surrender to follow Christ and give our everything to become more like Jesus.

============        

Highlight Passage: … James 1:27 [NLT] … 

27  Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. 

… James teaches fellow Christians what true “religion” is all about, i.e., sharing the love of Christ with others who need it.                         

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): …James 1:19-27 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… James, the brother of Jesus, instructs fellow Christians on how to live to honor The Lord with Christlike behavior. .                                                    .                     

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:29 [NLT] … 

29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls..   

… Jesus describes Himself for Christians to become more like Him.    

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

… Paul teaches that we Christians are to become living lives of living sacrifice to/for our Lord, avoiding become like the world.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:1-2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul also strongly exhorts fellow Christians to be like Christ, always being humble and gentle, and living lives worthy of the calling of being a born-again Christian.  

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

… Paul called fellow Christians to take on the attitude of Christ, being humble and reaching out in love to help others, like Christ would do for us.       

     

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:10 [NLT] … 

10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.   

… Paul exhorts Christians to put on the new nature, being renewed to become like Christ in all we think, say, and do.   

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Katara Patton…  AT THIS LINK … wrote about how impressed she was, in the author’s college days, how fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters grieved deeply the loss of a fellow classmate; … and for years watched out and took care of the needs of the family of their lost classmate, … living out the definition of “true religion,” which James, called on all Christians in the highlight passage to exercise in their (our) lives.      

You know, … back in the 1960s, in my college days, there was a Jesus movement in the USA which took on the insignia - W.W.J.D. - which called on others to live out the answer to he question  “What Would Jesus Do?” [see photo]   Some Christians back then wore bracelets with the insignia on them.  And really, … when you think about it, … that’s an eternally true biblical call (see Scriptures above), isn’t it?   All of us, who call ourselves “Christians” are  to live as Christ lived and to let our lives honor our Lord by becoming more like Him … and by becoming living sacrifices to honor the way He lived and died for us.  

So, today I’m challenged by the linked song and God’s word above to do a WWJD inventory and do all I can to honor my King Jesus by living the way He lived and loving others the way He loved us.  How about you?           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me today - and tomorrow - to honor You, Lord, by the way I think and live like You. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to become more of a living sacrifice to You, … dear Lord, … to the way You loved us and lived, … and died, … for us.  … 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. 

June 19, 2023 … Free Indeed!! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 170 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Austin French singing … Freedom Hymn … Powerfully singing of how we find freedom from ourselves by being slaves to Christ’s love and grace. 

============        

Highlight Passage: … Galatians 5:1 [NLT] … 

1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.. . 

… Paul shows that Christ has set us free to be slaves of God’s law of love.                        

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): …Galatians 5:1-7, 13-15 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul describes how born-again Christians live free from the requirements of the law by being slaves to follow Christ in obedience to His law of love.                                                    .               

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 61:1 [NLT] … 

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted  and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed..  

… God, thru Isaiah, promises freedom for all who believe in and follow The Messiah.    

Reference Passage: … John 8:34-36 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus proclaims that anyone who becomes a slave of the Son of God will become truly free.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:1-2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches fellow Christians how when we become slavs to God’s Spirit Christ frees us to obey and follow His law of love. 

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 3:17 [NLT] … 

17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.   

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to live following God’s Spirit, which sets us free from following our own flesh.        

     

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:16 [NLT] … 

16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.  

… Peter teaches fellow Christians that the freedom which comes from our slavery to God’s Spirit never gives us the license to follow the flesh. 

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Lisa M Samoa… AT THIS LINK …  wrote how this date - June 19th - often referred to as “Juneteenth” by African-Americans - the day all slaves were set free by President Lincoln in 1865.   However, … the fact was, in the ODB author’s home state of Texas, many slaves didn’t know they were free for at least two years after “Juneteenth.”    

Well, … to all my fellow Christian readers, I pray we know personally what you will hear and read in the linked song and the truth of the Scriptures above, … that when we believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection to break the chains of death, WE ARE FREE forever as we become slaves to God’s Spirit, which leads us to freedom from our own chains of sin (see photo) by following God’s law of love.  

Yes, we are free in Christ; … <b><i>free indeed!!</b></i>         

My THANKFULNESS ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me my freedom from myself in my relationship with You.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to walk in freedom today from the slavery of sin by surrendering to follow You, Lord. … 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.

June 18, 2023 … Found Again Today …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 169 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Natalie Grant and Cory Asbury singing … Your Will Be Found … Poignantly, yet powerfully, singing of how, when we feel alone, we are always found in our relationship with Christ.  

Father and Son bonding by repairing a go-kart TOGETHER ... 

============        

Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 2:14-15 [NLT] … </b>

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 

… Paul gives His fellow Christians the reason anyone who believes in Christ as Lord is now reconciled to be in God’s family FOREVER.                      

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … Ephesians 2:12-19 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul describes how Christ brought peace to the mankind - both the Jews and the Gentiles - by his shed blood on the cross.                                                     .                     

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Acts 3:19 [NLT] … 

19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.  

… Peter preaches at Pentecost on how anyone can repent of their (our) sins and be reconciled to a saving relationship with the LORD.    

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:1, 10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches anyone willing to believe in God’s saving grace thru Jesus dying for mankind on the cross can be - and will be - reconciled to a saving relationship with Christ. 

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 5:18 [NLT] … 

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to Him.  

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians who’ve been reconciled to a relationship with Christ by His shed blood and His saving grace, will have his peace forever.         

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:20, 3:13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches fellow Christians how we need to forgive others, as Christ has forgiven and reconciled us, with His shed blood on the cross to save mankind from their (our) sins.      

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:8 [NLT] … 

8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.  

… Peter exhorts fellow Christians to show the love of God thru forgiveness … just as He has forgiven all who believe in His Son, King Jesus, and His shed blood on the cross to save mankind.  

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey … AT THIS LINK …  wrote about how his dad would work with him in his youth to repair an old go-kart they had found (see photo), creating a lasting and unforgettable memory and bond.  

Perhaps my readers, as I do, have memories of how God, thru His love and grace, reached out to extend the Lord’s forgiving and saving grace and to work with us to be reconciled to a saving and eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father.  Perhaps there is something we need to do ASAP to reach out and share that story with others, showing others how our loving, heavenly, Father loved us enough to ALWAYS be there for us, … just as we hear in the linked song and the Scriptures above.          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for relentless coming after me to offer - and provide - Your reconciling and saving grace to me.     

My Prayer Toda: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to receive Your saving and sanctifying grace, Lord, 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.

June 17, 2023 …Heneni, Lord; send me!! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 168 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Marty Goetz singing … Heneni … Poignantly, yet powerfully, singing of how we respond to God’s call to follow and serve Him.  

============        

Highlight Passage: … Jeremiah 1:9 [NLT] … 

9 Then the LORD reached out and touched my mouth and said, ”Look, I have put my words in your mouth! … ! 

… God enables and encourages a reluctant prophet, in Jeremiah, to be the Lord’s mouth to His people.                      

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … Jeremiah 1:4-10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… God calls Jeremiah to be Yahweh’s voice to God’s people in their time of rebellion and sin.     

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Exodus 4:10-12 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God calls Moses to be His voice and Moses balks; but God shows Moses that the LORD, God, will be Moses’ voice to the people.  

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

… God promises His power when we’re willing to trust Him with ALL our hearts.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 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 Isaiah, of His strength when we, as His faithful followers are surrendered to follow Him, no matter what we face.       

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

… Jesus’s “Great Commission” to Christians and His promise to ALWAYS be with those who are so called to serve the Lord.       

Reference Passage: … Galatians 1:15-16 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul testifies to His calling to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles and his willingness to surrender to the calling.  

                                                                                                                                  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kimya Loder … AT THIS LINK …  wrote about great orators in history, like Frederick Douglass, who felt called to be a voice for a great cause to change the world’s direction, … using God’s words for His glory.  

And right now, inspired by this ODB entry today, which caused me to recall a saying that I often heard a mentor of mine voice often years ago, when he  would say, ”God’s calling is His enablement!”  And I’m stopping to pray right now that all of my readers take in the linked song and the Scriptures above, which show that all REAL believers, when God calls us to be HIS voice or to serve our LORD, … HE will provide the direction and give us His words and power to be HIS servants to carry out God’s calling on our lives.  

And as the photo depicts,  … Our Lord is calling us today!  … ”Will we answer the call, as Marty Goetz sings, … with a strong … HENENI !! ”         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me and giving my Your power to serve You today.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to thank you, Lord, for Your calling us to serve You again today.  Here we are, Lord, send us!  … 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.

June 16, 2023 … He Never Forgets …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023</u> - Day 167 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Gary Levox singing … Never Forget … powerfully singing of how we Christians, are given the grace to remember God’s unfailing love and mercy when we encounter trials in our lives. 

============        

Highlight Passage: … Isaiah 49:15 [NLT] … 

15 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?  But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! 

… God, thru Isaiah, compares the Lord’s unfailing love to a mothers faithful memory to nurse her child.                      

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … Isaiah 49:8-16 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, that the Lord will never forget or abandon His people even when they (we) are suffering.                                                  .                     

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11 [NLT] … 

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.   

… God’s promise, thru Jeremiah, that God will always have glorious plans for good for His chosen, covenant, people. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 18:14 [NLT] … 

14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish. 

… Jesus promises eternal life for all His children.     

Reference Passage: … John 14:2 [NLT] … 

2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 

… Jesus promises His disciples in the upper room that He will never abandon them and will prepare a place for them (and all faithful believers) in glory.      

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. 

… Paul declares and teaches fellow Christians that all things in the lives of faithful believers are for their (our) good and His glory.    

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 6:10 [NLT] … 

10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do.. 

… God’s word promises that the Lord will never forget those who serve Him faithfully by reaching out to help others in need of God’s love and grace.                

                                                                                                                          

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Winn Collier … AT THIS LINK … wrote about a young man who was desperate to remember the password to his BITCOIN account (see photo), which contained a fortune of over 400 million dollars but was unavailable if he couldn’t remember his online Bitcoin password.    

But we, who are born-again in Christ, don’t have such worries about accessing our eternal account with God, do we?   NO!!!  If you’ve taken in the linked song and the truth of God’s word in the Scriptures above, we, who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, have a FOREVER confidence that our Lord has prepared a place for His disciples and all born-again believers which will always be there for us thru our faith in the finished work of our Lord, King Jesus, on the cross.  Our eternal account will always be there for us thru our relationship with our Lord.  And for that confidence, I will forever praise my King Jesus.   

Will you join me?!!       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for never forgetting those who love You and are surrendered to follow You, Lord.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love and grace.  … 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.