September 30, 2013 … Preparing for the Launch

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 273

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Sara Groves, entitled It’s Going To Be Alright, reminding all Christians that no matter what we’re going through, God is putting us through His preparation for Him to launch us into His purposes for our lives.

Highlight meditation passage – Joshua 1: 1-2 : [God launches Joshua.] …  
1 After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses, My servant, is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.
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Highlight reading study of Joshua, Chapter 1, Verses 1-9: Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage #1: Philippians 1: 6 [God puts us all through a staging process before launching us for His purposes.] … [NLT] …  
6 And I am certain that God, Who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Reference Passage #2: Romans 8: 28 [Life itself, many times, is God’s preparation for life itself.] … [NKJV] …
28 All things work together for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.

 
My Journal for Today: Have you ever noticed how much meticulous preparation it takes to launch one of those heavily loaded shuttles into space? When we see the spectacular launch [photo attached], it likely has been years of preparation which has allowed that launch to take place. And it is said that well over 70 percent of the fuel in the staging rockets to get that shuttle into space to do it’s designed functions is expended just to get the shuttle to go five feet off the launching pad. And I’m hoping that this word picture will show all of us Christians that it takes a whole lot of prep-time by God and a whole lot of our energy to just get us off the ground to launch us into the life God has purposed for our lives as His servants.

That was Joshua’s situation at the outset of the account of going into the Promised Land, wasn’t it? Think of all those years, serving God and Moses diligently as Moses’ right-hand man; and then, when Moses died, it was time for Joshua’s launching-pad experience. And in Joshua, Chapter 1, linked above, we read God’s pep-talk to Joshua just before God’s rocket-man was to be launched from the preparation phase of his life into God’s Promised Land. And it was hard for Joshua to go from prep-mode to launch-mode, wasn’t it? Here were over 2 million of God’s people who had been through over 40 years wandering in the wilderness, in preparation, for this moment; and now, Moses wasn’t here to lead them. Joshua had to have faith that God had prepared him – through all those years – for this to be his launching pad moment.

Have you been through a lot in your life? When I think back to all those years which I wandered in the wilderness of life, going through the pain and agony I put myself through, it was impossible back then for me to see that God was preparing to launch me into where I am serving Him today. But all of those years were God’s way, in His timing, to get me ready for His launching me into what I now see as the years of what I was designed to do in His service.

The question, as we’re going through some agonizing experience in our lives, is do we believe God’s promising exhortation through the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1: 6 and Romans 8: 28, copied above? Because if we do, we’ll realize that if we don’t see ourselves doing what God has launched us to do for His glory, then He’s likely preparing us for that launch. And anything we’re going through – no matter how agonizingly long it is - is for our good, as His disciples, and for His glory as our Lord/Savior.

So, I pray this day that we all see ourselves, either being prepared for God’s launch, or maybe, having been launched, floating in the space of His purpose for our lives. And just think where our ship is headed [?] … for a space life we can’t even imagine.

My Prayer for Today … You have launched me, Lord, and now I travel toward Your purpose … for Your glory. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 29, 2013 … Supernatural Intervention

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 272

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Nicole C Mullen, entitled Just One Touch, reminding all that what we need is just one supernatural touch from God’s Spirit to turn our lives around or to stop the bleeding from the hurts in our life. >>>  And then GO TO THIS LINK  and hear The Gaither Vocal Band singing Bill Gaither’s classic song, He Touched Me, reminding us that Jesus waits to intervene and touch our lives in a special and very personal way.

Highlight meditation passage – Acts 2: 17 : [Peter preaching on Pentecost, quotes from the Prophet Joel.] … ”… 
 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. … “
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Highlight reading study of Acts, Chapter 2: Go to this link … 
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Highlight reading study of Joel 2: 28-32: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Revelation 3: 20 [He’s knocking. All we have to do is to let Him in. ] … [NLT] … 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends….”

Reference Passage #2: Luke 8: 40-55 ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   [Jesus wants to intervene in our lives … to pour His healing and transforming grace into our lives.] … [NLT] …

My Journal for Today: Today, in his devotional blog, Os Hillman took his readers back to the big day of Spiritual intervention, … Pentecost …, when Peter preached that wondrous message, quoting from the Prophet Joel, who had predicted, over eight hundred years earlier, that God would send His Spirit upon His people to give them His outpouring of salvation. And on that day, Pentecost, several thousand were saved eternally as God carried out this promised intervention, with Jesus, as Peter preached that day, being the power behind the intervention.

Perhaps you need an intervention from God today, maybe like that one at Pentecost, where you need to receive the Spirit of the Lord, saving your soul for eternity. But then again, perhaps you’re already saved and you just need to do what Jesus is calling all Christians to do (see Rev. 3: 20); and that is to hear Him knocking on the door of our lives and for us, His disciples, to simply open the door and let Him in so that He can be closer to us, … so that He can intervene and touch our lives with His power.

Photo of painting found in the catacombs of Rome or the woman touching Jesus’ garment

Or perhaps some of us need a touch of God’s Spirit from our faith where Jesus can allow His healing power to flow into our lives as He did for the woman who was dying from a bleeding disorder (see the Luke 8 passage linked above as well as the picture found in the catacombs of Rome). That’s what Nicole C Mullen sang about in the first devotional song to which I’ve linked above for you to meditate today. Please take the time to hear Nicole sing of God desiring to let His grace flow into the lives of those who need His touch today; and then take in Bill Gaither’s classic, He Touched Me. And then maybe those of us who need a special, and very personal, intervention from God can open the door to Jesus’ knocking and let Him in so that He can touch us with His healing grace today.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, everyday I need Your touch. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 28, 2013 … Coming to Our Father

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 271

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Chris Rice, entitled Come To Jesus, exhorting all Christians to come to Jesus like a little child comes to his Daddy for healing from some of life’s booboos.

Highlight meditation passage – 1st John 3: 1 : [God = Our Heavenly Father!] …
1 See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! But the people who belong to this world don’t know God, so they don’t understand that we are his children.
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Highlight reading study of 1st John, Chapter 3: Go to this link …

Reference Passage #1: 1st Peter 5: 6-7 [But do we?] … [NLT] …
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in His good time He will honor you. 
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.

Reference Passage #2: 1st Thessalonians 5: 16-18 [But do we? … Will we? ] … [NLT] …
16 Always be joyful. 17 Keep on praying. 18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 

My Journal for Today: Today, from my devotional passage from Os Hillman in u>1st John 3, which reminded me of a wonderful song by Christ Rice (both linked above), I was taken to the photo attached of Jesus caring for the little child; and it’s an image which I needed today. And all of these sources of joy were needed because come cares from my world and times have been weighing pretty heavy on me. And I needed to be reminded that I can “Come To Jesus” with all my cares – any care … anytime; and I can be thankful, as it says in His word [1st Peter 5:7 and 1st Thess. 5: 17] that my Heavenly Father, … my Savior, ALWAYS cares and will ALWAYS take in my concerns with the Love of MY Father.

 Did you ever have a time, when you were a child; and you came running – maybe in tears – to your Daddy and His smile was there to assure you that He was there for you … just as Jesus’ smile is there for the little one in the photo. And as Chris Rice sings in the song this AM, we can “come to Jesus” anytime, knowing that He’ll be the loving arms of the Savior for any care we might bring to Him.

 So, I don’t know where you are right now or what your life concerns might be; but I would hope that you’ve taken in the song and God’s truth above, recognizing that you – like me here today – can feel the loving arms of a Heavenly Father anytime we run to Jesus. And that’s all I really have to write here today.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for being my loving Father. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 27, 2013 … But Do We Really Believe?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 270

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Kristyn Getty, entitled By Faith, reminding Christians that we walk by faith in God’s promises.

Highlight meditation passage – John 3: 16 : [I think you know this one; but focus on the phrase, “… whoever believes in Him …”] …
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Highlight reading study of Hebrews, Chapter 11: Go to this link for the great FAITH chapter, retelling of all those who lived by faith and not by sight … 

Reference Passage #1: 2nd Corinthians 5: 7 [As BELIEVERS we must live by faith and not by sight] … [NLT] …  
7 For we live by believing [i.e., faith] and not by seeing.

Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [WARNING – Avoid seeing life though our own, very deceivable eyes.] … [NKJV] …
5  Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him; and He will direct your paths. 

My Journal for Today: ... Ugh! … Today’s Os Hillman devotional journal entry hits me where it hurts … right in the reality bread-basket. And he begins by quoting, as a highlight passage, probably the most memorized verse in all of the NT, John 3: 16. And I’d almost bet that any reading here are quoting it off from memory right now.

And the phrase which emboldened itself into my heart from Hillman’s devotional blog today was the passage, whomever [in some translations “whosoever”] believes in Him, which raises the question – at least for me! - of whether we really believe in His saving grace for our salvation or not; and then whether we continue to believe in His sanctifying grace after we were born-again … just as John 3:16 pointedly alludes.

Today, my memory of Scripture and Christian music took me back to the famous “HALL OF FAITH CHAPTER” in the book of Hebrews – i.e., Hebrews, Chapter 11 [linked above] – and to a wonderful song written by Keith Getty, linked and performed above by his wife, Kristyn, entitled, By Faith. Hebrews 11 brings out the reality that we must live by faith in this life, not by sight (as the Apostle Paul taught in 2nd Cor. 5: 7, copied above). Hence the warning to believers from a passage I quote in my daily devotionals probably more than any other; and that is Prov. 3: 5-6 (which is copied above but I hope you have memorized by now!).

And why does this hit me in my soft spot today? Well, it’s hard for me to read “whosoever BELIEVES in Him” and meditate on a passage like Hebrews 11: 6 and not have to confess and repent of my own lack of faith, which at times causes me to wallow in self pity or to ask of God, “Why me, Lord!”

And so I go right to my prayer this morning.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, forgive me for my wayward faith at times. Gird me in Your truth – here day-by-day – that I might have the faith of those listed in Hebrews 11, … or following the exhortation of the Apostle Paul, … walking by faith and not by sight. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 26, 2013 … Situational Ethics

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 269

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Kathy Trocolli, entitled I Will Choose Christ, declaring the commitment to Christ to which all Christians should strive.

Highlight meditation passage – Psalm 15: 1-2 [NLT]: …  
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 
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 Highlight reading study of Psalms, Chapter 15: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Psalm 51 Go to this link ...  [Yes, this is the same man who wrote Psalm 15] … [NLT] …

Reference Passage #1: Romans, Chapters 7-8 ...  Go to this link ... [Yes, the same Christian wrote both of these chapters!] … [NLT] …

Reference Passage #3: Hebrews 4: 15 [In the context of verses 14-16] … [NLT] …  
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. 

My Journal for Today: The concept of ”Situational Ethics” has become a much discussed topic in this so-called “post-modern” era where we find non-Christians, especially political leaders, making decisions and establishing policy or laws based on the current tides of opinion and the pressures of ongoing circumstances. Yes, most would agree that the world is coming to the standard that there are no absolute standards or values. However, Christians should see where situational ethics will always lead mankind; and this is so because we humans have hearts tinged by the deceptive nature we read about in Jeremiah 17:9 (I hope you know that one by now – if not please look it up!). We’ll always have the tendency to make decisions which cop-out to our base nature, not being willing to follow God’s way and His will, which we can ALWAYS find in His word.

So, our world is so overtaken by the situational ethics of the day; and it looks like it’s going to take Jesus returning to bring us back to the truth of our highlight passage from Psalm 15 (and please go back and meditate not only on the first two verses but all of the short Psalm, linked for you above). But it’s of interest to note that the man, King David, who wrote Psalm 15 is the same “man after God’s own heart” who wrote Psalm 51, also linked for your review. Yes, David, at one point in his life, fell pray to his own inability to follow God’s absolute standard in a moment of weakness where his situational ethics led him to go into a spiral of bad choices. He went from Psalm 15 thinking to Psalm 51 thinking because of his inability to overcome his own situational ethics.

It’s always been interesting to me to know that the same man, the Apostle Paul, who wrote the story of his own failure to make Godly decisions in Romans 7 also wrote the inerrant truth of our victory as Christians when we surrender to the reality of what he wrote in Romans 8. And are not we blessed by the reality of what the author of Hebrews 4: 15 declared to be true, … i.e., that we have a Savior who was tempted in all things, such as we are in the situations of life; but He, Christ, modeled what we can do as His disciples and that is to make decisions and make choices based on His life and the commands that He left for us, through His Spirit, Who authored all of the truth in His word, giving us a Spirit-devised “GPS” to walk in the truth and not having to decide where to walk based on situational ethics. [And go back and meditate on the tried-and-truth of Proverbs 3: 5-6, which, if you’ve followed my blogs, should be deeply engraved in your consciousness.]

So, today, how will we walk, making decisions based on the situation of the day and our selfish desires; … or … will we recognize and follow the absolute ways of the Lord which we will always be able to find in His word?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, as Kathy Trocolli sings for me today, “I WILL CHOOSE CHRIST!” … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 25, 2013 … The Shoe Salesman

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 268

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by a group of worshippers, entitled Here I Am, Lord, declaring the commitment to God’s calling to use any of His children for His glory … if … we’ll just answer His call.

Highlight meditation passage – Matthew 19: 26 [NLT]: …  
26 Jesus looked at them [His disciples] intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
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Highlight reading study of Matthew, Chapter 19, Verses 23-30: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 6: 8 [God can use anyone who is willing to be used by Him. But when called are we willing to go.] … [NLT] …
8 Then I [Isaiah] heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” … I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Reference Passage #2: Matthew 28: 19:20 and Acts 1: 8 [The Great Commission and Christ’s last earthly calling of His disciples charges ALL Christians to “go” and be His witness in the world. The question becomes, “Are we willing to respond and go in His Name?” ] … [NLT] …  
Matt. 28:19-20… “… 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.”  
Acts 1: 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.”

Reference Passage #3: Revelation 3: 20 [Jesus, through His Spirit, is always knocking on the door of our hearts, desiring to relate to His called ones; but are we willing to open the door?] … [NLT]  
20 “… Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

My Journal for Today: My devotional this morning by Os Hillman rips at me once again with the calling of Christ’s great commission and His charge to be His witness as His disciple in this world [see Matt. 28: 19-20 and Acts 1: 8 quoted above]. The question and the conviction is not that I don’t understand the calling. No, the question is … “am I willing to come and respond to His call?” And when we become born-again as Christians, as Rev. 3: 20 declares, that calling is relentless for our Lord to be in close relationship with His called ones and to use us as His witnesses in this world of lost souls.

And today, Hillman reminds his readers (that’s me!) of the story of Dwight L. Moody, an uneducated shoe salesman in Chicago, who heard a rather common preacher from England, Charles Spurgeon, share the Gospel; and he was overwhelmed at the response to this man’s preaching, realizing that it was God working through Spurgeon and no special greatness in Spurgeon himself which brought about the response to this man’s preaching.

So, Moody took God’s calling seriously, believing the truth of today’s highlight verse (i.e., Matt. 19: 26) … that with God, all things are possible. And we know what became of this common, uneducated shoe salesman, whom God used mightily as an evangelist with millions saved from his preaching. And now there’s a Christian seminary named after Moody as well as a radio network which carries the gospel all over the world.

Yes, this common shoe salesman believed God’s word and seriously responded to God’s calling for his life; and we see the result of this calling and conviction. And you may be thinking, as was I this morning, from our historical knowledge of Scripture of so many others who responded to God’s calling on their lives, … as did Isaiah who was the inspiration for the worship song I heard and to which I linked any readers here with me today. And there were so many other stories of common believers responding to God’s calling in faith … such as Abraham, Moses, all of the Prophets, … and then there were all of the commoner Disciples, including the later one, Paul, all of whom really took the Great Commission to heart and seriously followed Jesus’ charge to be His witnesses. It cost most all of them their lives; but they went in Christ’s Name anyway.

 So, do you feel the calling today? And in the calling are we willing to go? I’ve made my decision; … what about you?

My Prayer for Today … Here I am, Lord! Use me today?… Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 24, 2013 … The Messengers In Our Lives

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 267

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Laura Story, entitled Grace, where the song-writer/singer opens our eyes to God’s ever sufficient grace, which our God provides for us in such abundance; … or … going to this link  in her powerful song, Blessings, where Laura’s very personal experience revealed to herself and to us, through her song, the nature of tough things coming into our lives revealing the very love of God.

Highlight meditation passage – Amos 3: 6-7 [NLT]: …
6 When the ram’s horn blows a warning, shouldn’t the people be alarmed? Does disaster come to a city unless the LORD has planned it? 7 Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.
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 Highlight reading study of Amos, Chapter 3: Go to this link …

Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 55: 11 [Certainly God speaks into our lives through His purposeful and powerful word.] … [NLT] …  
11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Reference Passage #2: Luke 24: 13-34 [God sent Jesus into the lives of His disciples to be living truth and show them the reality of God’s love.] … [NLT] … Use this link ...

My Journal for Today: Ever had someone come into your life and at exactly the right moment give you message or speak truth into your life to redirect the course of your walk, and change the essence of how you look at life? … I have; and I’m a changed man because of several messengers whom God has used to give me course corrections along my journey in this life.

Think of the events or people in Scripture which became God’s messengers for truth and radical change. Perhaps you’re thinking of the burning bush changing the life and direction of Moses. Or think of how God sent an angel to intervene in the life of Gideon, radically changing the course of his walk. Or one of my favorites was how Jesus came to the two men walking to Emmaus from Jerusalem shortly after Christ’s crucifixion; and He, the Lord Himself, became a messenger of God’s post-resurrection love to these men (see the link to this story in Luke 24 above).

 But perhaps you’re thinking of some messengers who came into your own life, either pointing you to God’s truth from His word (as Isaiah wrote about in Isaiah 55: 11, copied above) or maybe bringing a message from God’s Spirit just for you Certainly God’s word is His messenger of truth for all of us; but God also uses key people or living circumstances at fulcrum moments in our lives, revealing His love for us or showing us the direction He desires we walk.

Certainly that happened for Laura Story, the singer to whom I link you above, whose husband and his brain cancer became a message for Laura about God’s love; and then her songs, as the two to which I’ve linked you to above, become messengers to/for us, giving us the powerful reality that God many times reveals His blessings and His love through the challenges we face in life.

But now, very personally, I’m thinking about a messenger God used a number of years ago to inspire and redirect my devotional life, giving me a charge which changed my life. It was a younger man whom I was mentoring who clearly had been given a big dose of God’s gift of spiritual discernment, the Spirit-given gift of prophesy; and DAVID (not his real name) spoke God’s redirection into my devotional life, which is now being reflected in how I’m writing this devotional journal entry today. This mentee of mine told me that I really ought to consider journaling my daily devotions; and he suggested a way to write my blogs which was entirely different than the way I was journaling at the time.

 “David” told me that I ought to think of writing down my daily journal entries, imagining that someone else might be reading what I write. He was saying that I would be writing not only for the application of God’s truth in my own life; but I would be using my Spirit-imparted gifts of teaching and encouragement to journal for others in my daily quiet-time with God. And years later, every day, I’m here blogging away what God has given me to reshape, not only my own life, but for passing along His transformational truths to others – maybe even you (whomever you are!), reading here today.

I hope you’ve had some powerful messengers in your life. Certainly some of the songs I post here daily are messengers for me; and I would pray that something I might write – maybe even here today – might allow my thoughts to be one of those messengers for you. But be alert!! … God may send you His message of truth to you through His word today, or maybe in a song, or even maybe from a friend who cares enough to speak truth into your life, sharing God’s love for you.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I so personally thank You for sending me Your messages every day here in this place as I spend time with You. And perhaps You’ll let me be one of your messengers to others. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 23, 2013 … Our Works May Not Be Our Work

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 266

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by The Maranatha Singers, entitled To Be Pleasing You, reminding Christians that we are to be vessels in service for our Lord, doing all we can with our life to please and glorify Him.

Highlight meditation passage – Romans 11: 29 [NLT]: …  
29 For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.
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Highlight reading study of Romans: 11: 25-36: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Romans 12: 1 [Our lives – a “living sacrifice” in worship … to Him.] … [NLT] …  
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.

Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 6-8 [God gives all Christians at least one gift – or maybe more – to serve Him.] … [NLT] … Go to this link ... 

 Reference Passage #3: Ephesians 2: 8-10 [Saved BY grace THROUGH faith UNTO good works.] … [NLT] …
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things [i.e., works] He planned for us long ago.  

My Journal for Today: Today, Os Hillman, in his workplace devotional blog, warns his readers (i.e., yours truly) that we must beware not to get so wrapped up in our “job” to think that this is our absolute calling and find all our identity in service to God being our vocation. Yes, it is true that we should serve God on the job, using the gifts/talents He has imparted to us where we’ve been vocationally planted; but we must beware of thinking that ALL of whom we are is imparted for God where we work (i.e., our vocation or career).

Yes, as Christians, we all have a calling, a God-directed purpose, and much of that will be focused in living our lives to please our Lord, as the Maranatha Singers relate in the song to which I’ve linked you today. However, if we think that our JOB or CAREER is our ALL-IN-ALL for God’s service, we could miss much of where God is leading us to please Him today.

Christians can get so wrapped up in their careers that we may miss our “calling” as a Christian spouse or parent, devoting far too much of who we are – IN CHRIST – for our jobs and being distracted from using God’s gifts and talents (see Romans 12: 6-8 linked above) as part of our calling to please our Lord day-by-day.

So, as the Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Romans (see the reading above from Romans 11: 36 – 12: 1), all of whom we were created to be is to be for God’s glory; and we’re to become “living sacrifices,” with all of whom we are and what we do being our worship of the Living God. And so, for Christians, when we surrender our lives in faith, receiving God’s saving and sanctifying grace, we become HIS workmanship, … living sacrifices in worship of the One Who created us (see Ephesians 2: 8-10, copied above).

 So, we must beware to think that our JOB is the all-in-all to where God has led us to serve and please Him. Because our God-led and God-purposed roles in marriage, in parenting or grand-parenting, or in our church may be just as important for God’s service as our jobs or careers. So, as we go forth today, wherever God has led us,… let our works, … all our works, … be a living sacrifice as a pleasing witness and our living worship for God’s glory.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, let my life be a pleasure in Your eyes and for Your glory … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 22, 2013 … Our perception or God's reality?!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 265

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Morgan Cryar, entitled What Sin?, reminding Christians that can’t let our perception of our sinfulness or weakness cloud us from seeing the reality that WE ARE SAVED; and God sees only the blood of His Son covering our sins.

Highlight meditation passage – 1st Kings 19: 3-4 [NLT]: …  
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
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 Highlight reading study of 1st Kings, Chapters 19`: Go to this link …

Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [Beware of our own perceptions!] … [NLT] …  
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

Reference Passage #2: Jeremiah 17: 9 [Remember, what our senses feel may be deceiving us from the truth.] … [NLT] …  
9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? ..." 

Reference Passage #3: 1st John 1: 9 [Confession and repentance can make a new reality by God’s cleansing of our sin.] … [NLT] …  
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Reference Passage #4: John 8: 31-32 [God’s reality!] … [NLT] …  
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. 32 And you will know The Truth, and The Truth will set you free.”

My Journal for Today: It is not uncommon for believers – i.e., born-again, saved Christians – to become so blinded by their own weakness and their feelings of self-pity that they can’t see reality in the fog of their own perceptions. That was the case for the great Prophet Elijah just after he had brought down fire and rain from heaven with his prayers. Yet, in today’s highlight reading passage, from 1st Kings, Chapter 19 linked above, Elijah had gotten so tired and confused from trying to escape Jezebel, who was pursuing him, that he just wanted to die.

And so, here was the anointed one, Elijah, exhausted, sitting under a broom tree, so discouraged and depressed in his self-pity that his faith was gone in the very God Who had just delivered him with fire and rain. And his self-pity was so great in that moment of misperceived weakness that he, Elijah, just wanted to die to escape the pain of Jezebel’s wrath and his exhaustion. And if you read in today’s highlight passage, copied above, Elijah, in his self-pity, cries out for God to take his life. But God is having none of Elijah’s confused perceptions and feelings; and the Lord delivers Elijah back into the reality of The Truth of Whom God really is for His children; and that is our deliverer, … our redeemer, … our Savior.

And my friend, that is the also the message of the song to which I’ve linked any reader here with me today. We can, in our humanness and personal weakness, especially after we’ve experienced some spiritual high, get our human perceptions distorted by our pride or sometimes from the physical exhaustion of going through some great and wonderful spiritual experience. In other words, beware of our feelings and perceptions when we’ve gone through some mountain-top spiritual experience.

Satan, knows that we’re vulnerable when we’re feeling prideful or when we’re physically or emotionally exhausted; and he will do all he can to get us to feel like we’re weak or unworthy, fogging us from the truth of 1st John 1: 7-9, also copied above. And as Morgan Cryar sings in today’s devotional song, when we confess our sins of pride or anxiety before God, He will say, “What sin?” And like Elijah we will be healed and brought back to reality – the reality of God’s cleansing blood.

 So, my fellow Christian, if today I’ve happened to catch you in the midst of some self-perceived unworthiness or a pity-party brought on by emotional exhaustion, … take a step back and meditate on the truth Morgan Cryar sings about in his song; or … languish in the healing truth of the 1st John passage above. Because, you may now be having trouble seeing or feeling the truth; but God’s truth, i.e., His promise, is THE ONLY REALITY; and when we know and can see The Truth, He will set us free [see John 8: 32].

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for taking me out from the darkness of my self-perceptions into the reality of Your Truth. … Amen
 
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 21, 2013 … A Problem Or A Calling?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 264

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  If you were with me yesterday, you’ll notice that this powerful song, sung by Avalon, Everything To Me, is the same one I was led to in my devotional blog, reminding us that, no matter what circumstances or challenges we have in life, God must be ALL … EVERYTHING to us. And then, also yesterday, I asked those following my blog to go to this link and take in this God Tube video piece asking us if God is truly EVERYTHING in our lives.

Highlight meditation passage – 1st Samuel 9: 20 [with verses 18-20] [NLT]: …  
18 Just then Saul approached Samuel at the gateway and asked, “Can you please tell me where the seer’s house is?” 19 “I am the seer!” Samuel replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way. 20 And don’t worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel’s hopes.”  
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 Highlight reading study of 1st Samuel, Chapters 9`: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [God moves; we follow = wisdom!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

  Reference Passage #2: Romans 8: 28 [Yes, even the mundane problems we’re going through are ALWAYS for our good as Christians.] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Reference Passage #3: Matthew 6: 33 [in context with verses 31-33 [If we’re seeking God’s way, He’ll show us the right way; and many times we find the right way in dealing with the problems of life.] … [NLT] …  
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. …"

Reference Passage #4: Psalm 119: 105 [God’s word is the best place to go to seek God’s will and His ways in the midst of the confusions of life.] … [NLT] …
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 

My Journal for Today: Have you ever noticed how the problems or the challenges of life can divert our attention away from what should be our primary focus – and that, as a Christian, is, of course, our relationship with Christ. We, as faulty, pride-oriented humans, are so very vulnerable to the desires of our deceit-ridden flesh (see an old reminder in Jeremiah 17: 9, which you would have internalized long ago if you’ve been following my blogs).

In following my Os Hillman devotional today, he directed his readers (yes, moi) back to the very pertinent story of when Saul, serving his father’s wishes and seeking after a few donkeys, was led by this search to the Prophet Samuel, who God was also being led by God to meet Saul to anoint him as the first king of God’s peoples. And in their meeting, [see the story in the highlight passage, linked above] Samuel, prophetically tells Saul to quit worrying about the donkeys and focus on his future with God. And that had to have impressed Saul, seeing that Samuel knew about the donkey search without Saul having said anything to Samuel about this mundane problem in Saul’s life.

Sometimes, when we’re immersed in the midst of some mundane issue, we have trouble seeing that what we’re going through, no matter how problematic, is for our good and can be a calling from God to bigger, God-honoring, issues in life (see the reminder of Romans 8: 28 above). Yes, as Christ Himself reminded His followers in Matthew 6: 33 (and that’s you and me as Christians), we’re not to get wrapped up in the mundane, selfish issues involving God’s providence. Because if we truly believe Romans 8: 28 and Matthew 6: 33, we’ll not worry about issues involving lost donkeys; and we’ll – in faith – focus on trusting God [see Prov. 3: 5-6] to use the problems in life to show us more of His will and His way.

And how do we focus on God’s will instead of getting wrapped up in selfish desires? Well, I’ve discovered that – at least for this humble Christian - it’s important for me to stay focused on His word, so that my seeking God first and His righteous ways through His word will lead me to stay on His path in life rather than getting blinded or diverted by my own selfish heart (again, Jer. 17:9).

 Hence, tomorrow – God willing - you’ll find me here, seeking God’s will and His ways again … by digging deeply into His word (see Psalm 119: 105 referenced above). …

How about you?

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for showing my Your path by being in Your word … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

September 20, 2013 … Everything? … REALLY!!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 263

  Devotional Song: Go to this link -  PLEASE, before you read below, meditate on the call of this powerful song, sung by Avalon, Everything To Me, reminding us that God must be ALL … EVERYTHING to us; and then go to this link and take in this God Tube video piece asking us if God is truly EVERYTHING in our lives.

Highlight meditation passage – Isaiah 55: 6-7 [NLT]: …  
6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.
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Highlight reading study of Isaiah, Chapters 55`: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Romans 12: 1-2 [Living and holy sacrifice? … Really!] … [NLT] …  
5 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of ALL He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 

Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [“ALL?” Really!!] … [NLT] …
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.

 Reference Passage #3: Luke 9: 23 [Are we really committed to being “ALL IN” followers of Christ?] … [NLT] …  
23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me...."

My Journal for Today: Right now, as God’s Spirit – I believe – has led me to meditate on the passages from Scripture copied above, some oldies, but all goodies, … the Lord also led me to the video links which I’ve provided above. And today, in this quiet time with God, I’m remembering the topic of the current sermon series our Pastor is preaching during this last few weeks. It’s entitled “All In?;” and it deals with just how committed we Christians are to the One Who gave EVERYTHING for us. And in the series, Pastor Matt, is asking “Are we really ALL IN and giving EVERYTHING in our lives to and for Jesus?”

And that’s my application question this morning as I write this. If you were to ask me if I were a fully-committed DISCIPLE of Christ, I would declare a resounding “YES!!” But then the reference passages, some I’ve copied or quoted many, many times in my devotional journal entries, bubbled up from my consciousness, convicting me, and asking my “heart,” as a Christian, whether I’m really “ALL IN” for Christ or not. In other words, is Christ really my EVERYTHING or does my heart, which is so vulnerable to self-deceit or Satan’s ploys (see Jeremiah 17: 9, con me into saying that Jesus is EVERYTHING to me; but in reality I’m not really ALL IN for Him.

Well, that’s the matter of the second video link which I was led to take in and meditate on this morning; and It’s really caused me to go deeper in prayer than usual, pleading that God’s Spirit will take me deeper than ever before in my desire to have Christ be my EVERYTHING. And I pray that for you as well.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, take all who are here reading today; and most personally take me to become 100% … ALL IN … for You. … Amen

September 19, 2013 … When things get tough …

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 262

Devotional Song:    Go to this link -  Please meditate on the call of this purposeful and powerful song, It’s Going To Be Alright, sung by Sara Groves with some powerful God Tube images, … reminding us that when things get tough our belief and faith are the only things which bring us through the troubles.

Highlight meditation passage – Philippians 4: 6-7 [NLT]: … Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 
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Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 26: 3 [Yeah, … peace, that’s what I’m looking for.] … [NLT] …  
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!

Reference Passage #2: Hebrews 11: 6 [No matter what; we must believe in Him.] … [NLT] …  
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.

Reference Passage #3: Romans 8: 28 [It’s true; but do we believe it?] … [NLT] …
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

 Reference Passage #4: 1st Corinthians 10: 13 [He will bring us through! … Yes He will! … But do we believe it?] … [NLT] …  
13 The temptations [tests, trials, tribulations, or troubles] in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Reference Passage #5: 1st Peter 5: 7 [God wants us to come to Him; … but do we humble ourselves and take our trials to Him?] … [NLT] …  
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

My Journal for Today: If you’re reading here along with me, can I assume that you know that we’re going to face trials or troubles in our lives, some of which may be overwhelming? Today my Os Hillman devotional reminded me that, all too often, our reflexive, almost knee-jerk, reaction, even as Christians, is to go into worry mode … or maybe even into a pity-party.

Yeah, that was my M.O. when troubles came my way many years ago; but I had a mentor who helped me see that there was a better way to handle my mental turmoil in the face of life’s challenges. He taught me to take my feelings of anguish and anxiety to God, using God’s own words in prayer to give me the peace promised in Philippians 4: 6-7 to deal with my feelings. And he also taught me a fool-proof prescription for my self-activated worries; and that was to memorize and internalize certain Scriptures which I could bubble up out of my consciousness when I was anxious about something in my life.

This morning after I was led to use the Philippians 4 passage as my highlight passage in this blog, like a flood of faith from God, the other five passage which I copied above bubbled up from my memory bank. And these are some of the ones which I now go to in prayer, verbalizing them back to God, and committing myself to their truth, which belays my fears and reduces – if not eliminates – my anxiety.

So, if you’re reading here and you have some anxiety about something in your life, I would challenge you to take the time and faith-building energy to memorize, contextualize, and internalize at least three of the Scriptures above. Then, … when you’re confronted with some life-testing trial or tribulation, take these Scriptures to God in prayer.

My anxiety-reducing exercise is to pray first to God, the Father, thanking Him for the blessing of life and yes, even for the blessing of the trials in my life. Then I recite, openly and verbally several of the scriptures above. … Secondly, I pray to God, The Son, thanking Him for saving me to live for Him; and I recite the same scriptures a second time. … And then, finally, I pray to God, the Holy Spirit, thanking Him for being in me and with me in the face of my trials, … once again reciting those verses a third time.

And I challenge you to take my prescription for worry and my anxiety reducing exercise above to heart and use it the next time you’re worrying about something deeply. My friend, my experience has been that this technique will always work to effectively reduce your anxiety; and if you really do this and it doesn’t seem to reduce your anxiety, I want to know about it. Email me @ billb13@bellsouth.net and tell me of your trials and how you used my worry reducing prescription.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for a way to take away my worries when I use the technique You gave me years ago. And I praise You because it only works because of You. … Amen

September 18, 2013 … Craftsmanship for Christ

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 261

Devotional Song: Go to this link ...  Please meditate on the call of this poignant and powerful song, To Be Pleasing You, sung by The Maranatha Singers, … reminding us our lives, wherever God has planted us, are to be lived to please and glorify our Lord.

Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 31: 1-5 [NLT]: …  
1 The LORD also said to Moses,  2 “Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood. Yes, he is a master at every craft! 
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Highlight meditation passage # 2 – Exodus 36: 1 [NLT]: …  
1 “Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other craftsmen whom the LORD has gifted with wisdom, skill, and intelligence will construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the LORD has commanded.”
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Reference Passage #1: Matthew 25: 14-30 [NLT] … Go to this link … [God will reward His faithful disciples.] …

Reference Passage #2: Hebrews 11: 6 [Serving God takes faith.] … [NLT] …  
6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. 

Reference Passage #3: Romans 12: 1-2 … Go to this link … [Using our gifts and talents so serve God in the workplace is our living sacrifice and worship of our Lord.] … [NLT] …

 My Journal for Today: Os Hillman in his Workplace Ministries devotional today uses a biblical example from the Old Testament to illustrate a point that I’ve made often in this year of daily blogs; and that is the truth that GOD’S CALLING IS HIS ENABLEMENT. Hillman cites the example from Exodus, Chapters 31 and 36of the craftsman, Bezalel, who served God faithfully by using his skills as a craftsman when God called His servants to build His Tabernacle.

I don’t think it’s a stretch to speculate that most – if not all – born-again Christians desire to faithfully please God [see Hebrews 11: 6, cited above]. Don’t you, when you’re in the presence of the Lord in glory want to hear Him say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!” …

Of course we do!!

Jesus, in His parable of the talents (see Matthew 25: 14-30 linked above) tells the story, on His way to the cross and Jerusalem, that those who use who they are and what God has given them to serve the Master faithfully will be rewarded for their faithful service. But all too often we are conned by our spiritual enemies to believe the lies that we are worthless where we’ve been planted or that we should be somewhere else doing something more “spiritual” or more “sophisticated” to serve our God.

Os Hillman today, from his testimony, related the story of Os believing that he needed to drop out of the workplace and serve God in ministry by going to seminary to become a “full-time” pastor. But a set of financial circumstances took Hillman back into the workplace where he learned that he was being a “full-time pastor,” serving His Lord faithfully with the skills and gifting God had given him right there in the workplace.

That’s what the Maranatha Singers are singing about in today’s devotional song, linked for your mediation above. We will be pleasing to God and our lives will be a living sacrifice to/for the Lord (see Romans 12: 1-2 linked above) when we resign ourselves that using all God has given us and using in where He has planted us will allow us to one day – in glory – hear the Master say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!” 

My Prayer for Today … Lord, use me today, as You’ve gifted me, for Your glory! … Amen

September 17, 2013 … Self-help or Savior-help?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 260

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please meditate on the call of this poignant, personal, and powerful new version of the old hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, sung by Nichole Nordeman, singing, … Look Up, reminding us that seeking to see and follow Jesus’ way is really the only way to walk in this life.

Highlight meditation passage – Zechariah 4: 5-6 [NLT]: …  
5 “Don’t you know?” the angel asked. … “No, my lord,” I replied. … 6 Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. 
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Highlight reading study of Zechariah, Chapters 4`: Go to this link …

Reference Passage #1: Hosea 1: 7 … [NLT] … [God is always in control.] …  
7 “… But I, the LORD their God, will show love to the people of Judah. I will personally free them from their enemies without any help from weapons or armies.”

Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [God moves; we follow = wisdom!] … [NLT] …  
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths. 

Reference Passage #3: Proverbs 19: 21 [When Our plans = God’s plans; HE holds our destiny!] … [NLT] …  
21 You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. 

Reference Passage #4: Luke 9: 23 [Self help or Savior help; which is the best according to Jesus?] … [NLT] …  
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow Me. ..."

My Journal for Today: If you’re reading along with me today, I hope you’ve felt compelled to do what I suggest above … i.e., to listen and meditate on the song to which I’ve linked you … and then to study and meditate on the scriptures which either Os Hillman or my own Spirit-led memory brought to me today. And if you’ve done that, I really don’t think I need to add very much to the powerful message which, I believe God’s Spirit is trying to get us to recognize and follow.

However, I will add a little bit of where God is leading this humble servant this morning.

Last Sunday our Pastor asked the congregation to hold up our hands if any of us had ever lost our keys. It appeared that 100% held up our hands. Then he asked how many of us had, at any time in our adult lives, lost our cars, at least temporarily, in a parking lot. Certainly at least 90% of the audience held up our hands. And then he said, “Is it any wonder that the self-help section is the largest section of books in any book store?” And then he made his point for his sermon by saying [my paraphrase], “If we’re really Christians, believing that God will show us HIS way, why do we, who lose our keys and our cars, feel that we know the way in life better than God, … i.e., better than the One Who so desires that we follow Him in this world?”  

So, which is the better way … SELF help or SAVIOR help? … DUH!!! …

My Prayer for Today … I get it, Lord! … Amen

September 16, 2013 … Freed To Bless Others

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 259

Devotional Song: Go to this link ...  Please take in this poignant, personal, and powerful song, sung by Wayne Watson, singing, … Friend Of A Wounded Heart, reminding us that Jesus always meets us where we are and heals our secret scars.

Highlight meditation passage – 1st Chronicles 14: 2 [NLT]: …  
2 And David realized that the LORD had made him king over Israel and had made his kingdom very great for the sake of his people Israel.
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Highlight reading study of 1st Chronicles, Chapters 14`: Go to this link …

Reference Passage #1: Psalm 51 … [NLT] … Go to this link …

Reference Passage #2: Psalm 32 … [NLT] … Go to this link …

Reference Passage #3: 1st John 1: 9 [His cleansing grace to free us to bless others.] … [NKJV] …  
9 If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman led me to King David’s realization (cited above in 1st Chronicles 14: 2) that he had been blessed with God’s anointing and special grace so that he, David, could be a blessing in leading God’s chosen people as King. And we know that David was a “man after God’s own heart.”

But we also know from history and biblical study that David was also, like all of us, vulnerable to his own fleshly weaknesses. In today’s highlight chapter in 1st Chronicles, we read of David, falling prey to the world’s practices of kings taking many wives and concubines, which was not God’s prime design for marriage; and later we know of David’s fall into sin and cover-up with Bathsheba. Our free will and vulnerable hearts (see Jeremiah 17: 9) make us so vulnerable to being tripped into the world’s traps of sin.

And in both Psalms 51 and 32 (written BTW in that historical order), we read of David’s confession, repentance, and cleansing from the sin which had captured his heart and caused him to be powerless to be the blessing God intended him to be to God’s people as their leader.

Where do we go when we’re wrapped up, encumbered, or even imprisoned by our own sin; … i.e, when we realize that we can’t bless others because of unconfessed sin? That’s when we need to recognize what Wayne Watson is singing about in the song I used in meditation today and to which I’ve linked you to share today. We are blessed, as New Covenant Christians, to have THE Friend of a wounded heart to take our sins as we confess them, and to cleanse us completely and forever [see 1st John 1: 9].

Yes, my fellow Christian, we do have a Friend, … no, THE FRIEND, of a wounded heart! And on the cross He has cleansed us from ALL past, present, and future sins; and from our faith in Him as Lord and Savior, He has given us the cleansing grace anytime we can and do confess of any sin, repent of it, and do all we can to walk on to become the blessing to others as we were anointed to be.

It’s the lesson King David had to learn the hard way. I pray that we can learn it from biblical truth, apply it to our lives, and let the Friend of a wounded heart cleanse us from our confessed sin, allowing us the cleansing and anointing our Lord is so willing to provide so that we can reach out with God’s love and grace to bless others.
  
My Prayer for Today … Lord, I’m cleansed by Your grace here today as I confess and repent of all the sins You reveal to me by conviction. … Amen

September 15, 2013 … Tooled-up for service

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 258

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take in this poignant, personal, and powerful song, sung by Daniel O’Donnell, singing, … Here I Am, Lord, reminding us that God will call us for His service; but we must answer.

Highlight meditation passage – Judges 6: 20-21 [NLT]: …  
20 The angel of God said to him, “Place the meat and the unleavened bread on this rock, and pour the broth over it.” And Gideon did as he was told. 21 Then the angel of the LORD touched the meat and bread with the tip of the staff in his hand, and fire flamed up from the rock and consumed all he had brought. And the angel of the LORD disappeared.
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Highlight reading study of Judges, Chapters 6`: Go to this link …

Reference Passage #1: Matthew 4: 18-20 [God often calls us right from where we are.] … [NLT] …  18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed Him.

Reference Passage #2: Romans 12: 6-8 [Whatever God gives us to serve Him, we are to use His gifts, tools, or talents for His glory.] … [NLT] …
6 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. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

  Reference Passage #3: Acts 1: 8 [When God calls us, He gives us the power to serve Him.] … [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.”

My Journal for Today: Os Hillman, in writing his devotional blogs, primarily for workplace believers, reminds his readers that God so often, in scriptural teaching, called His servants right from their workplace; and He always gave them what it took to get the job done for God.

In today’s highlight example we see God calling Gideon away from his wheat thrashing, and calling this young man, whom God dubbed “a mighty warrior,” to come out and be much more than Gideon ever imagined he could be for God. And, as you can read in Judges, Chapter 6 linked above, Gideon had trouble seeing himself as God saw him; and he first balked at doing what God was calling him to do. That’s a pattern which we so often see as God calls His servants.

Moses was called from his shepherding and given a staff to serve God; but Moses, like Gideon, had trouble with the calling at the outset. Think of others, like Nehemiah being called to build the walls in Jerusalem, God calling him away from his job as cup bearer for the king in Persia. And you remember how difficult it was for many of the twelve Disciples in following Jesus, even though they might have followed Him when called them from their work. Notice (in Matthew 4: 18-20) how Jesus called these servants away from their life-long work sites; giving them the charge to follow and serve Him. The did follow; but later they often balked at what God called them to do.

It’s often difficult in our work-a-day world to hear and receive God’s calling to serve Him, even if He’s just calling us to serve right there in our work-a-day world. But remember, (see Romans 12: 6-8, passage copied above), when God calls us to serve Him, He gives us the tools (i.e., His talents and gift[s]) to serve Him. And as is revealed in Acts 1: 8 (cited above), God will always be there enabling and empowering us to witness for Him, either on our worksite or in some special calling which He has for our future.

If you take the time to listen to Daniel O’Donnell singing today’s devotional song [linked above] and then to take in and meditate on the scriptures provided for today’s study, you’ll likely come away from this blog, as I have, with the realization that we’re called and gifted, very personally, to serve God; and most often, God’s calling us to serve right where He’s placed us to be His servants. But if the Lord calls us away from our work-site in service to Him, He’ll give us whatever it takes to be His servant.

So, … let’s go serve Him today!

My Prayer for Today … Here I am, Lord; … use me! … Amen

September 14, 2013 … He knows my name!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 257

Devotional Song: Go to this link ...  Please take in this poignant and powerful meditation on the Name of “Jesus”, including the song, … There’s Just Something About That Name.

Highlight meditation passage – Matthew 10: 30 [with verses 29-31 [NLT]: …  
29 Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30 And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
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 Highlight reading study of Matthew, Chapters 10`: Go to this link …

Reference Passage #1: Genesis 36: 15-16 [Challenges come into our lives to develop our wings so that we can fly alone in this world.] … [NLT] …  
15 These are the descendants of Esau who became the leaders of various clans: The descendants of Esau’s oldest son, Eliphaz, became the leaders of the clans of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the clan leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Eliphaz. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.

Reference study of Ephesians, Chapters 6: 10-18`: Go to this link … 

My Journal for Today: Names are important in the Bible. People were named by their parents and sometimes later changed by others to designate their character and who they were in God’s grand scheme. Maybe you’ve done some study on this, … such as Abram’s name being changed to Abraham. Moses changed Hoshea’s name to “Joshua;” and we know that this name, which is the same one for “Yeshua” or “Jesus” in Hebrew, means “The Lord Who Saves.” That’s sort of meaningful, wouldn’t you say?

Of course, we know that God Himself instructed Jesus’ parents to name Him “Yeshua,” or in English translated “Jesus;” and He certainly was appropriately named to become the One Who would save all of mankind. I hope you’ve taken the time to take in this morning’s meditation and devotional song, which tells the story of some in the Bible who came into contact with the God-man, “Yeshua,” Who was also “Yeshua HaMashiach,” … or … Jesus, The Messiah.

Yes, names are important. … Os Hillman, the author/editor of the daily devotionals which I’m using as the framework of my daily quiet-times with God this year, later in life discovered that his actual, given first name, “Omar,” was a name from the Bible. As you can read above in Genesis, Chapter 36, “Omar” was one of the sons of Esau; and Hillman discovered that the name in Arabic meant “disciple” and in Hebrew it meant, “famous speaker/teacher.” Well, as it turns out, Omar Smallwood (or “Os”) Hillman did become a rather famous disciple of Christ and teacher of those in the workplace as to how to apply Christ to their lives on the job.

 So, does God really know our name? … Does He really care about our identity? … Well, later in my life, after I became a Christian, I discovered that my name, “William,” actually means “helmeted warrior;” and go figure, after being an atheist warrior against Christians for many years, I later became the Director of a ministry right on the front lines of spiritual warfare [see this link for Battle Plan Ministry], becoming a warrior, helmeted by salvation (see Ephesians 6: 10-18 linked above) to fight FOR Jesus and not against Him. But in both cases, my name “William” fit my character; and God knew all along that I would one day come from fighting AGAINST Him to being on the frontlines of battle FOR Him.

Yes, as our highlight passage above (from Matthew 10) tells us, we are not only known by God, even to each hair on our heads; but either in this life or in the next, God is going to give us a name which absolutely fits the character we’ll have in our eternal relationship with our Lord. Jesus changed Simon’s name to “Peter;” and Jesus has a name which will fit you and me for eternity.

But for now, all we need to do is focus our attention on the Name of “Jesus,”: and as the devotional song above sings, “There’s Just Something About that Name!”

My Prayer for Today … Oh yes, dear Lord, JESUS, … Your Name is wonderful!! … Amen

September 13, 2013 - The Chrysalis Experience

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 256

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take in this poignant and powerful song, sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean , … singing He’ll Do Whatever It Takes, reminding Christians that God often allows great challenge in our life to develop our strength and Christlikeness.

Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 14: 5-6 [NLT]: …  
5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. 6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops. 
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Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 14`: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Romans 8: 28 [Challenges come into our lives to develop our wings so that we can fly alone in this world.] … [NLT] …  
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[a] for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose for them.

Reference Passage #2: Luke 24: 13-34 [Jesus carefully using the “Butterfly Principle” to let the wings of two disciples grow in strength after they experienced the cross.] … [NLT] …Go to this link ...

My Journal for Today: Today Os Hillman, in his devotional blog, which I’m using this year to guide me in my daily quiet times with God, uses “the butterfly principle” to illustrate the challenges God often puts His children through to develop their wings to fly independently in this very cruel world. And to highlight this principle, he used the story of what God put His freed people through before He set them free by taking them through the Red Sea. In Exodus, Chapter 14, linked above, we read about Pharaoh backing the Israelites up against the sea, challenging the faith of the people and developing that faith, before He set them free and allowed them to walk on their own through the parted waters.

It’s like the principle God uses to develop the wings of a butterfly in a chrysalis before it’s transformed and is able to fly free on its own. We know that if God doesn’t put the butterfly through its chrysalis, it will never have wings strong enough to fly independently. And to illustrate this, I think of one New Testament story where Jesus used that principle to allow the wings of two disciples to grow strong enough to fly on their own. It’s the story to which I’ve linked any followers here with me today in Luke 24: 13-34, the story of the men walking to Emmaus just after they had witnessed the crucifixion in Jerusalem.

Jesus encountered the men in a post-resurrection form that the men on the road to Emmaus could not recognize the Lord. And then Jesus carefully allowed them to experience and deal with their grief and agony, sensitively allowing their wings to strengthen before He revealed Himself to them when they were ready to walk on their own as His disciples.

And that’s the butterfly principle which God almost always uses with His followers, doesn’t He? And I’ll bet, right now, you’re remembering some incident or occurrence in your life where God allowed you to go through a Romans 8: 28 episode to strengthen your wings so that you could be able to fly more freely on your own in this tough world. And wouldn’t you agree, that it’s always the toughest times which grow us the strongest and help us to develop our wings of Christlikeness the best?

So, if right now your recalling one of those wing-testing times; or maybe you’re going through one of those times right now, just know that, as today’s devotional song, linked above, presents for us, God will “do whatever it takes” to help us grow and develop our wings to be able to fly free in the world.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, thank You for Your patience, mercy, and grace in doing what it takes to allow my wings to grow strong enough to fly free in my world. … Amen

September 12, 2013 … Will We Be Faithful?

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 255

 Devotional Song: Go to this link ...  Please take in this poignant and powerful call, sung by Steve Gree , … singing Find Us Faithful, where he reminds all Christians we’re in this life – all in for Christ – with a desire that He finds us faithful to carry out His will for us.

 Click on picture of promised land for a larger viewing

Highlight meditation passage – Numbers 20: 11-12 [NLT]: …  
11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So all the people and their livestock drank their fill. 12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
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 Highlight reading study of Numbers, Chapters 20`: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Deuteronomy 34: 1-4 [The tragic sight of the Promised Land God gave to Moses, who was not allowed to enter therein because of his unfaithfulness. See attached foto.] … [NLT] …
  1 Then Moses went to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2 all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea; 3 the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho—the city of palms—as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I told them I would give it to their descendants. I have now allowed you to see it, but you will not enter the land.” 

Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [In seeking the Lord’s presence we must trust that He will lead us.] … [NLT] …  
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

My Journal for Today: I took the picture above from Mount Nebo in what is now Jordan. But this was the land of Moab in Moses’ day; and it is from this very place, documented in Deut. 34 that Moses, just before he died, was allowed to see the Promised Land which God had promised for His people; but as we know from today’s highlight passage in Numbers 20, Moses was not allowed to be the one to lead God’s people into the land because he had openly rebelled against God’s “Plan A” when he struck the rock with the rod of his staff instead of following God’s instructions.

Having been there to take the photo above, the view of the Promised Land on a clear day from Mount Nebo is beautiful; but it had to be a tragic viewing for Moses as he realized that it was his own selfishness and disobedience that kept him from being able to enter the Land toward which he had led the people for 40 years in the wilderness. Certainly God had a “Plan B” to take the people into that Promised Land; and Joshua would be the agent of God’s promise in “Plan B.” But Moses could have been there for “Plan A” save his one moment of disobedience, pride, and selfishness.

Sin always has consequences in our life, doesn’t it?

But when I think about my personal application of this story today, I have to ask myself the question which comes out of the song sung by Steve Green to which I link us today; and that question is … “Will God find us faithful as we walk God’s narrow road?” And once you listen to the song and take in the Scriptures today, I’ll leave that question to lead you as it is leading me today.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I pray that I am being faithful as I walk Your pathway today. … Amen

September 11, 2013 … Seeking God's Presence

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 254

Devotional Song: Go to this link ,,,  Please take in this poignant and powerful call, sung by my friend Clay Crosse and his friends Bob Carlisle and Bebe Winans, … singing I Will Follow Christ, reminding all Christians that following Christ is the only way to walk through this life.

Highlight meditation passage – Exodus 33: 15-16 [NLT]: …  
15 Then Moses said, “If you don’t go with us personally, don’t let us move a step from this place. 16 If you don’t go with us, how will anyone ever know that your people and I have found favor with you? How else will they know we are special and distinct from all other people on the earth?”
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Highlight reading study of Exodus, Chapters 33`: Go to this link … 

Reference Passage #1: Isaiah 55: 6 [We must intentionally seek the Lord for His presence and power to be found in our lives.] … [NLT] …  
6 Seek the LORD while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. 

 Reference Passage #2: Proverbs 3: 5-6 [In seeking the Lord’s presence we must trust that He will lead us.] … [NLT] …  
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

  Reference Passage #3: Matthew 28: 18-20 [He calls us lead others on the way of life; but He promises to always be with us.] … [NLT] …  
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.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.”

My Journal for Today: In today’s highlight reading/study passage, in this case Exodus, Chapter 33, which you can read above with the link provided, Moses was in a tough place, recognizing that he was going to have to lead a rag-tag group of recalcitrant people to God’s Promised Land. So Moses knew that he was going to need the presence of the Lord to be with him as he led the people through the wilderness.

My friends, we’re no different that those wayward, willful people who were following God and Moses in the wilderness. Yes, we seek God’s Promised Land just like they did; but like them (and Moses) we need to do what today’s song proclaims. As we trek through this life, on the way to the next (i.e., the Promised Land), we need the presence of the Lord to lead us as we follow Him.

Hence our desire should be the same a Moses as he was leading God’s people in the wilderness; and that is to seek God’s presence and then to follow Him as He calls us to do in the New Covenant Great Commission (see Matt. 28: 19-20 above). We must trust that seeking God’s presence (as is promised in Prov. 3: 5-6 and Isaiah 55: 6) will lead us where God wants us to go.

 And without seeking His presence and His power in our trek through this life, on the way to the next, we’ll be on our own; and very personally, my friend, that’s not a place I want to be. So, I will pray for us here that we all seek His presence, as did Moses, and follow Him closely as our song for today calls us to do.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, as Your willful people, like me, travel on the roads of life toward Your promises, we seek Your presence and even more so, Your power, to lead us were we need to go in Your Name.… Amen