July 13 2026 … Receiving God’s Love

July 13 2026 … Receiving God’s Love

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Cory Asbury singing … Reckless Love … Calling on Christians to receive God’s drastic/reckless love.  

King David's prayer for God's love ... 

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Highlight Passage: … John 3:16  [NLT]

…  16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that <u>everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. … “    

… Jesus relates to Nicodemus of the extent of God’s offering of His drastic - covenant - love for mankind by being willing to offer up His only Son to save mankind from their (our) sin.

Reference Passage: …  John 3:16-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus shares of the extent of God’s love with Nicodemus.    

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Reference Passage: …  Deuteronomy 7:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  Moses relates with God’s people of God’s unfailing love which is extended to His chosen people for a thousand generations (i.e, “forever”). 

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 86:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                         

…  King David sings of God’s unfailing love.

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:5, 8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul - to fellow Christians - defines the extent of God’a love for His chosen people, who were sinners.    

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul also testifies that God’s love will ALWAYS be there for His servants.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 13:4-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Finally, the Apostle Paul teaches truth to His fellow Christians about the extent of God’s unfailing love.

Reference Passage: …  1John 4:8, 16-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle John testifies to the extent of God’s love for those who choose to follow Him in faith.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from John Blase  …  USE THIS LINK           told of Daniel, raised for his first seven years in a Romanian orphanage.  And when he was adopted by a Christian couple, he had severe attachment  behavioral symptoms.  But the couple persisted to show God’s love to Daniel; and finally after several years, Daniel declared to his adopted parents the he loved them.   

God’s love, which, as Cory Asbury sings in the linked song, is, most definitely a “reckless love,’’ can be hard to accept in faith for some.  I am one who took the first four decades of my life, getting to know the extent of God’s love.  But when I did recognize The Lord’s drastic and free gift of HIs love, as shared in the Scriptures above, I was able to receive God’s love; and now I will lavish in that reckless love for the rest of my life … and for eternity.  Oh, how I pray that all reading here with me have received God’s drastic, … free … offering of His love.

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for pursuing me with Your drastic love until I was able to receive it. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your steadfast love which is there for any/all who will receive it in faith.  … 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.

July 12 2026 … Acting On God’s Promises

July 12 2026… Acting On God’s Promises 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Charity Gayle singing … You Keep Your Promises … declaring God keeps His promises from generation to generation.  

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Highlight Passage: … Genesis 50:25  [NLT]

…  25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.”   

… Joseph made God’s people swear an oath to bring his bones into God’s promised land.

Reference Passage: …  Genesis 50:22-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …     

…  Before Joseph died he made his son promise to carry his bones into the promised land.   

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Reference Passage: …  Joshua 1:9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  God’s promised Joshua to be faithful and keep His promises to His people … ALWAYS.

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

…  Solomon declares God’s promise to lead His people who trust in Him with ALL their heart.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …          

…  God promises, thru Isaiah, to protect His faithful servants.    

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul testifies that God’s love will ALWAYS be with His chosen.

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

… Once again the Apostle Paul testifies to trusting God for His strength and providing HIs peace to those who faithfully follow and pray to Him with thankful hearts.

Reference Passage: …  1John 5:14 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle John testifies to God hearing all prayers from those who have faith in His promises.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Karen Huang  …  USE THIS LINK          told of a Christian friend, named Pieter, who faithfully kissed a picture of his parents nightly for years after their death.  When Pieter was young his parents had rejected him when he trusted and followed Christ as Lord.  But Pieter held onto to his faith and trusted in Christ, holding on his love for His parents and God’s promises all of his life.    

I pray that all reading here with me have deeply taken in the linked song and meditated on the Scriptures shared above, and will join me in witness with a declaration of our faith in God’s promises for His chosen, … trusting that God will carry all those who trust in Him to glory to be with our Lord forever.  That’s where I’m headed; … how about you?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your promises to bring this old sinner to be with You in glory because of my faith in You as my Lord and Savior.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for Your faithful promises.  … 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, youcan read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

July 11, 2026 ... Sorry ... No Post Today

  July 11 ... Today, ... My church ... Central Church in Collierville, TN  is beginning a monthly series of men's breakfast meetings on Saturday mornings, attempting to enhance the discipleship of the men in  our church.  

As an Elder Emiritus at Central Church, I feel compelled to attend these men's events; ...  and therefore, I will not have the time to prepare and post my usual devotional blog today.

David ... (aka - "Chad") ... I know that you will likely come to this site to post your response to my blog; and I'm sorry that there will be no devotional entry today.   However, I would relish any comments or insights you might want to post here today.   

David, ... Your presence and your feedback as I posst my "journal entries" mean more that you'll ever know.  So, on these Saturday's in future months when we hold our men's breakfast meetings, ... please understand my absence in posting my blog on these monthly intervals.  

Pastor Bill Berry 

July 10 2026 …God’s Protection

July 10 2026 …God’s Protection 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing … He Will Hold Me Fast … declaring God’s promise to watch over and protect His chosen children.

Angel paintings on the walls of the Old North Church 

  

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Highlight Passage: … 2Kings 6:16  [NLT]

…  16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”    

… Elisha shows his servant of God’s army ready to protect His faithful people.

Reference Passage: …  2Kings 6:9-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …          

…  Elisha shows his servant of God’s army waiting to protect God’s servants.   

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Reference Passage: …  Deuteronomy 31:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  God’s promise, thru Moses, to ALWAYS protect His people.

Reference Passage: …  Psalms 91:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  A song of Moses about trusting in God’s protection.

Reference Passage:…  Proverbs 18:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Solomon writes of God being a strong tower where the godly can run for protection.

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10,  54:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …                   

…  God promises to protect His faithful servants.    

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… The Apostle Paul testifies to trusting God for protection.

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

… Once again the Apostle Paul testifies to trusting God for His strength to cover him in times of weakness.   

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from James Banks  …  USE THIS LINK         told of a reconstruction project in the historic Old North Church in Boston, where the restoration workers discovered paintings of Angels on the walls … (see photo) … that had been covered with paint in the 18th century.     

The discovery apparently triggered the ODB author to remember the story of Elisha helping his servant to see the angels of God (see Highlight passage) who were poised to protect God’s people.   And if my readers have taken in the linked song and the Scriptures I’ve shared above, I pray you feel as confident as I do, to place our trust in God for His protection … ALWAYS!!  Are you with me?

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your eternal protection.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for ALWAYS being there to protect Your faithful followers.   … 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. 

July 9 2026 …Using our Gifts

July 9 2026 …Using our Gifts 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Chris Tomlin and Chris Lane singing … Gifts From God … calling on Christians to use the gift(s) God has given them (us) for God’s glory.

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 26:27-28  [NLT]

…  27 In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.  

… Paul teaching truth to fellow Christians about using the gifts God has given them (us) for His glory.

Reference Passage: …  Romans 12:3-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostle Paul, exhorting fellow Christians to use the gifting that God’s Spirit has imparted in them to serve the Lord in this world.   

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Reference Passage: …  Acts 1:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus, just before He ascended into Heaven after the resurrection, tells His disciples and witnesses that they will receive power from God’s Spirit to be His witnesses in he world. 

Reference Passage: …  1Corinthians 12:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul teaches fellow Christians that each of them (us) has been given at least one gift from God’s Spirit to be able to help one another.

Reference Passage: …  Galatians 5:22-23[NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul also teaches truth to fellow Christians about the fruit of God’s Spirit which is found in ALL Christians.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:11-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to use the gifts given to them (us) to equip them (us) to work for His glory.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… Again, … Paul exhorts fellow Christians to use the power given to them (us) for God’s glory in this world.

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Peter calls on oppressed Christians to use the gift(s) God has given them (us) to serve the Lord and each other.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Nancy Gavilanes  …  USE THIS LINK        wrote about complimenting a new friend at church on his guitar playing ability; and the friend responded, “Thanks, … it’s my ministry.”  And that response caused the ODB author to question what gifting God had imparted to her to serve Him in “ministry’ for God’s glory.  Later she learned that it was “encouragement,” which she found helpful in leading a small group at her church.  

Years ago, I learned that TEACHING and EXHORTATION were my Spiritual gifts; and I’ve been using them for decades, leading a men’s discipleship ministry at my church.  As you can read in the Scriptures I’ve shared above and by hearing the linked song, we all, as Christians, have been gifted by God’s Spirit to make us more effective in serving the Lord and His church.  What’s your gift; and how are you using your gifting for His glory? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your gifting, which I use to serve You.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us Your power and Your gifts to serve You in our lives everyday.    … 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.

July 8 2026 …The Bread and the Cup

July 8 2026 …The Bread and the Cup

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...        and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Lydia Walker  singing … Communion … sharing the significance of Christians taking communion to remember the sacrifice of Christ for our sins.

The Communion Elements ... 

 

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Highlight Passage: … Matthew 26:27-28  [NLT]

… 27 And He took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.   

… Jesus institutes the “last supper,” charging His disciples to remember Jesus’ death and sacrifice to save mankind from their (our) sin.

Highlight Passage: … Matthew 26:20-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Matthew’s account of Jesus taking His last supper with His Disciples the night He would be betrayed and ultimately die on the cross.     

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Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 53:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Isaiah prophesies the sacrifice of The Messiah for the sins of mankind. 

Reference Passage: …  Mark 14:22-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  John Mark remembers and shares about Jesus’ last supper, at Passover, the night before His death. 

Reference Passage: …  Luke 22:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Luke’s account of Jesus sharing the bread and the wine at a last supper with HIs disciples the night before His death to save mankind from their (our) sins.

Reference Passage: … John 6:53-58 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John relates Jesus’ teaching about being willing to partake of His body and share in the sacrifice of His blood, remembering His sacrifice as the Lamb of God for the sins of mankind.  

Reference Passage: … Acts 2:42 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… The early church of surrendered followers of Jesus as the Christ formed a community and shared meals regularly, including the Lord’s suppers. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 11:23-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians about Christ establishing the celebration of Communion … to remember the sacrifice of Christ, as the Lamb of God, for the sins of the world.

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Bill Crowder  …  USE THIS LINK       wrote of the fascination our literature and entertainment industry has had about the so-called “Holy Grail,” or the cup Jesus took at His last supper with His disciples the night before His death as the Lamb of God as a blood sacrifice for the sins of Mankind.  

As depicted in the attached photo, the elements my church consumes during our regular Holy Communion celebration, which are taken regularly to remember Christ’s sacrifice, don’t glamorize the elements.  They merely help my brothers and sisters in Christ to remember how Christ shed His broken body and His blood on that cross to become the Lamb of God, who died to take away the sins of those who believe in Him as our Messiah and Lord.  Yes, it is a holy service to remember the sacrifice of our Lord; and I pray all who read here with me take in those elements regularly … to honor and remember the sacrifice our Lord took on the Cross to save us from our sins. 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for Your Your sacrifice as the Lamb of God to save me from my sins.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for giving Your Church a way to honor and celebrate what You did, as the Lamb of God, in shedding Your blood for our sins.     … 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.