July 15 2026 …ALWAYS Grateful

July 15 2026 …ALWAYS Grateful 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …       and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Brandon Lake singing … Gratitude … Calling all Christians to live with a heart of gratitude … ALWAYS. 

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Highlight Passage: … Ephesians 5:20  [NLT]

…  20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

… The Apostle Paul calls ALL fellow Christians to give thanks to God with our lives.

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 5:15-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul exhorts fellow Christians to live their (our) lives as thanks to God for everything.    

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Reference Passage: …  Psalms 100:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …      

…  God’s Spirit, thru His Psalmist, calls all believers to come into the presence of God with a thankful heart.

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

…  The Apostle Paul calls ALL fellow Christians to pray to God with a thankful heart.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …        

…  The Apostle Paul exhorts all believers to live our lives giving thanks and praising God for all He has done for us.  

Reference Passage: … 1Thessalonians 5:18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul repetitively calls for all fellow Christians to be thankful in ALL circumstances.  

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Author of Hebrews calls all Christians to offer continual praise to God for all He has done for them (us).

Reference Passage: …  James 1:17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus’ brother, James, calls on all fellow believers to offer thanks to God for all He has done for His faithful chosen ones. 

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Winn Collier  …  USE THIS LINK      related a true story about four divers going into the depths of the Pacific, off California, to cut the crab lines which had entrapped a 50-ton humpback whale.  When the whale was freed, rather than swimming off to freedom, the whale gently swam to touch each of the divers individually.  One diver said, ”It felt to me like she was thanking us.” 

And the ODB author, Winn Collier, reported the incident to highlight God’s call (see the Scriptures shared above) for all believers in Christ as Lord to live lives which express gratitude to God, … as Brandon Lake sings in one of my favorite Christian songs, linked above.  And as I read the ODB entry today, I had to ask myself if I’m truly grateful for every day God gives me to live for and serve Him.   How about you? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling me to serve You every day, Lord, with a heart of gratitude.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for EVERYTHING!!!   … 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 14 2026 … God Is At Work

July 14 2026 … God Is At Work 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK …    and PLEASE take the time to listen to music and lyrics from Deon Kipping singing … God Is Working … Showing Christians that God is working behind the scenes of our lives.

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Highlight Passage: … Judges 6:17  [NLT]

…  17 Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me. ..."  

… Gideon prays for God to show His work to Gideon to save God’s people from their enemies.

Reference Passage: …  Judges 6:17, 36-40 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

…  God works through Gideon to show The Lord’s power through His faithful servants.    

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Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 55:8-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

…  God, thru Isaiah, declares that the ways of the Lord are way beyond the reasoning of man.

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

…  Jesus commissions His Disciples to go into all the world and make disciples; and The Lord promises to be with them ALWAYS, wherever they go.

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …           

…  The Apostle Paul - to fellow Christians - promises that ALL THINGS  work together for their (our) good and His glory.    

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul also teaches truth that his fellow Christians become God’s workmanship on earth, working for God’s purposes and with His power.

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul assures His fellow Christians that God is at work in them, transforming them into he image of Christ..

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

…  Finally, Paul assures fellow Christians that God is at work in and through them, working for God’s good purposes.  

My Devotional Journal: Today’s Our Daily Bread from Tim Gustafson  …  USE THIS LINK     related a true story about a young man, named Jay, who had owned and read a Gideon’s Bible but had trouble believing in the wondrous miracles related in that Bible.  So Jay prayed a challenge to God, saying, “If you want me to believe in You, then do something I can’t explain.”  Well, as Jay went to his teaching job at the University of Zurich, … when he got out of the car he saw another Gideon Bible on the wet pavement during a rain; but the bible was dry, … an event he couldn’t explain which God used to show His works to Jay.

And that story was much like the true story of Gideon in Judges, where Gideon is called by God and shown a number of wondrous events to give Gideon a call to do God’s work in saving His people from Israel’s enemies (see Highlight passages).   And we need to trust that God will show us how He desires to work through us, as God’s word promises and shows in the Scriptures shared above, to achieve our working for God’s glory.  That’s what I will do my best to do today.  Are you with me? 

My Thanksgiving: … Oh, King Jesus, thank You … for calling me to be like Gideon, doing Your work thru me. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, … thank You, Lord, … for calling and allowing Your faithful followers to work for Your glory.  … 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 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.