June 30, 2016: That Special Name

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 182 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Alan Jackson singing … What A Friend We Have In Jesus, poignantly declaring what all Christians should realize ... That "Jesus," the One with the Name above all names ... Calls us "FRIEND!"

Highlight Passage: John 10: 3 [NKJV] …
3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
… So cool that My Good Shepherd and Lord knows MY NAME.
==========
Highlight Context – John 10:1-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
 … Jesus, the One with the Name above all names, as my Good Shepherd, knows my name ... And how cool is that !!!
===========

Reference Passage #1 … Philippians 2:9-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… "Jesus" - His Name is "Yahweh," the Name above all names.

Reference Passage #2 ... John 15:15 ... 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
... Jesus call His disciples "FRIEND" ... Hey, that's me too!!!

My Journal for Today: … Our Daily Bread author, Dave Branon, taught today about how special we feel when a teacher, or any important person in our lives, knows our name. He wrote: When I first meet a new group of students in the college composition class I teach, I already know their names. I take the time to familiarize myself with their names and photos on my student roster, so when they walk into my classroom I can say, “Hello, Jessica,” or “Welcome, Trevor.” I do this because I know how meaningful it is when someone knows and calls us by name. 

And I would predict that all reading here identify with the ODB author in this point, .... Don't we?! And to think that the One with the Name above all names ... "Jesus" ... My Lord and Savior ... The Good Shepherd, as it says in today's highlight passage, actually knows my name, and as it says in John 15:15, He calls me His friend too; ... And you too if you're one of His disciples.

And isn't it so great to know that we have a friend in Jesus (as is sung by Alan Jackson linked above).

My Prayer Today: O, Heavenly Father, … thank You for being my friend. Amen

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 29, 2016: Transformed Living

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 181

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of friends, Clay Crosse, Bebe Wynans, and Bob Carlisle singing … I Will Follow Christ, powerfully declaring what all Christians should proclaim … that we will live lives which follow Christ and declare His glory.

Highlight Passage:  Ephesians 2:10 [NKJV] …
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 
…Saved to live a new life in Christ.
===========
Highlight Context – Ephesians 2:1-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul exhorts Christians to live the transformed life Christ gives us to live for Him.
===========     

Reference Passage #1 … 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… A complete make-over in Christ produces a new Christian.

Reference Passage #2 … Ephesians 4:1 [NKJV] …
  1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, … 
… Living a life worthy of our calling as “Christians.”

Reference Passage #3 … Philippians 1:6 [NKJV] …
6 …  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; … 
… Once one is converted in Christ the make-over begins and will be completed in glory.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, David McCasland, taught today about living the Christian life as a disciples of our Lord. He wrote: I was struck by a phrase I heard quoted from a contemporary Bible translation. When I Googled the phrase “our way of life” to locate the passage, many of the results focused on things people felt were threatening their expected way of living. Prominent among the perceived threats were climate change, terrorism, and government policies. What really is our way of life as followers of Jesus? I wondered. Is it what makes us comfortable, secure, and happy, or is it something more? 

Well if you go back (USE THIS LINK) and read my devotional blog from yesterday, you’ll see that we’re being reshaped in this life into the image of Christ … to live a life IN and FOR Him; and when we do, issues like terrorism, discomfort, and tribulation take on a whole new meaning, don’t they?

 I won’t write much today; but this ODB entry helped me to realize that whatever comes my way today is part of the Romans 8:28 life my Lord has for me to live out … for my good and His glory.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … use me today, Lord to be a vessel of Your purpose.    Amen  

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 28, 2016: Miraculous Make-Over

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 180  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Daniel O’Donnell singing … There Is No Secret, poignantly declaring the truth that Christ can/will transform the life of any surrendered disciple.

Highlight Passage:  2nd Corinthians 5:17 [NKJV] …    
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 
… A total makeover into Christ’s image.
===========
Highlight Context – 2nd Corinthians 5: 12-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul declaring God’s promise of His ministry of reconciliation and reconstruction by His Spirit. 
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … 1st Corinthians 6:9-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… A complete make-over in Christ.

Reference Passage #2 … Galatians 5:22-23 [NKJV] …  
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. 
 … The make-over is completed when we see the character of Christ in His disciple.

Reference Passage #3 … Philippians 1:6 [NKJV] …  
6 …  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; … 
… Once one is converted in Christ the make-over begins and will be completed in glory.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, uses a true story of a tattoo artist who helps former gang members and victims of sex trafficking by making tattoos they have received in their former life into new and beautiful tattoos depicting their dreams for the future [see attached photo].

And that’s an interesting life picture of what happens when one comes to Christ for His promised and perfected make-over by His Spirit. And I should know; … because when it comes to the reality of the highlight passage from ODB today, I’m a living poster boy for 2nd Corinthians 5:17.

God took this former sex-addict and angry atheist and has already reshaped me into an ordained minister of His Gospel, doing all I can daily to bring the truth of the reference promises above to others. In essence, I’m sort of a spiritual version of the tattoo artist our ODB author wrote about today. I take broken and beleaguered disciples of Christ and show them the make-over God has waiting for them when they surrender and truly make Christ the LORD of their lives. Because, He truly will do a make-over which reshapes them into His own image (see Phil. 1:6 and Gal. 5:22-23 above).

I pray that all who come here with me are allowing the great make-over artist, Who is our Lord, to make us over into His image … today and into the future.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … make us over into Your image, Lord.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 27, 2016: My Anchor Holds

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 179  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Ray Boltz singing … The Anchor Holds, poignantly declaring the truth that our faith, when anchored to God’s truth, will always hold.

 
Highlight Passage:  Hebrews 2:1 [NKJV] …    
4:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. …
… We must anchor our faith to the Rock of Truth, Who is Christ!
===========
Highlight Context – Hebrews 2:1-4; 6:19-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …    … Our lives will not drift in the darkness or the storms of life, … IF … we affix our anchor of faith to the Rock of Christ.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Luke 9: 23 [NKJV] …   23 Then He said to them all (His followers), … “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross DAILY, and follow Me.” … Staying true DAILY with our faith affixed to and following Jesus.

Reference Passage #2 … John 14:21 [NKJV] …  
21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. 
… Jesus, our Rock, on how He manifests Himself to the faithful.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Lawrence Darmani, reflected on seeing a boat in a harbor drifting out to sea because it was not properly anchored in the harbor. The ODB author then offered this observation for his readers (me): Drifting in our relationship with God is hardly noticeable at first; it happens gradually. However, spending time talking with Him in prayer and reading His Word, confessing our wrongs to Him, and interacting with other followers of Jesus can help us stay anchored in Him. As we connect with the Lord regularly, He will be faithful to sustain us, and we can avoid drifting away. 

Long ago, with the help of a mentor, I learned that it’s easy for me to pull up the anchor of my faith into into selfish pursuits and drift out into the storms of life. So, I learned to discipline myself to start each day, setting my anchor deeply into the Rock of my faith and affixing it to God’s truth. That’s why you find me coming here DAILY and and setting my anchor of faith strongly into God’s truth (see attached photo).

I pray we all avoid drifting out into the storms of life by setting our anchor of faith into the Strong Rock, Who is our Savior and Lord. It takes a Decision - Daily - and then the Discipline and Determination to set our anchor of faith in God’s Rock of Truth.

And I’m here - AGAIN TODAY - to do just that.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, You are my Rock; and I come here daily to set my anchor of faith strongly in Your truth.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 26, 2016: Humble Prayer

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 178  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Bebo Norman singing … I Will Lift My Eyes, expressing the need of all Christians to come our Lord with a pure heart in prayer. … AND ON TO THIS LINK to hear a chorus singing … Surely The Presence of The Lord Is In This Place.

Highlight Passage:  1st Peter 3:12 [NKJV] …    
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 
… Peter quotes from Psalm 34:15-16 as to coming to our God, seeking His peace with a pure heart. 
===========
Highlight Context – 1st Peter 3:7-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s, thru Peter, for Christians to come to God, seeking His peace with a purified heart. 
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Isaiah 26: 3 [NKJV] …  
3 You [God] will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you. 
… We can’t expect peace when we’re focusing on self rather than on the Savior.

Reference Passage #2 – Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… When we come to God seeking His peace, we must have a heart, purified with humble thanksgiving.

Reference Passage #3 … 1st John 1:9 [NKJV] …  
9 If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
… A good strategy before we pray to cleanse our hearts of unresolved sin.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson, used a somewhat humorous illustration to teach on how we must come to God in prayer with a purified heart. The ODB author wrote: When the minister asked one of his elders to lead the congregation in prayer, the man shocked everyone. “I’m sorry, Pastor,” he said, “but I’ve been arguing with my wife all the way to church, and I’m in no condition to pray.” The next moment was awkward. The minister prayed. The service moved on. Later, the pastor vowed never to ask anyone to pray publicly without first asking privately. 

Many of us can probably identify with that church elder, can’t we? Yeah, I’ve been there, haven’t you, … trying to pray to God, sometimes seeking His peace with a heart full of unrighteous turmoil, … maybe even unresolved sin? Does’t work, does it?

No, as Bebo Normon sings in the linked song above, we need to lift our eyes to God with a purified heart. And sometimes, that means being cleansed by confession (see 1st John 1:9); … or it may mean recognizing and acknowledging our thankfulness (see Phil. 4:6-7; … or merely focusing on God’s essence rather than on our own selfish desires (see Isaiah 26:3).

Today, as I come here, seeking His peace again today, I am praying with a deeply thankful heart, cleansed by confession of my sinfulness, and entirely seeking my Lord’s way rather than mine; … and, as the chorus sings in the 2nd linked song, I feel His presence in this place. How about you where you are as you read this? Perhaps you need some cleansing … as you join me and come to Jesus today, seeking His peace.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, it is with a cleansed and grateful heart that I come here today, seeking Your peace. And I feel Your presence in this place as the song linked above declares.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 25, 2016: On Solid Ground

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 177  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of an anonymous praise group singing … On Christ The Solid Rock, poignantly expressing the need of all Christians to affix our anchor of faith to THE solid Rock, … our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 
Highlight Passage:  Psalm 40:2 [NKJV] …    
5 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, … out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 
… That’s David writing about himself; … but also about me!
===========
Highlight Context – Psalm 40:1-5[NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s promise of His immutability and stability … that He’ll never change and will always be there for us.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 – Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s solid path is established when we trust in His way … and HIS WAY only!!

Reference Passage #2 … Isaiah 26:3 [NKJV] …  
3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 
… Keeping focused on God’s ever-present spirit is where we find our way to walk on solid ground.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Bill Crowder, used a very clear illustration to teach on how we must trust in our Lord’s way and walk only in it. The ODB author wrote: The historic riverwalk area of Savannah, Georgia [see attached photo], is paved with mismatched cobblestones. Local residents say that centuries ago the stones provided ballast for ships as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. When cargo was loaded in Georgia, the ballast stones were no longer needed, so they were used to pave the streets near the docks. Those stones had accomplished their primary job—stabilizing the ship through dangerous waters. 

I think we’d all agree that we want to walk on solid ground in this life; but so often - especially these days - the way ahead seems to be like trudging in quicksand. King David, in today’s highlight passage from Psalm 40 [see above] wrote this song, likely at a time when we was in one of the notable trials in his life [he had several biggies, didn’t he?]. And as with the more current song linked above for our meditation today, we need to realize that we’ll only have God’s peace when we trust in our God and let Him lead our steps in life.

My prayer today is that all who read here join me to affix our anchor of faith to the only solid Rock; and He is our Lord, Jesus!!!

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, it is on You, and You alone, that we come today to anchor our faith. You are our Rock, and in You we walk on solid ground.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 24, 2016: God’s Presence Is Peace

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 176  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Don Moen singing … Wonderful Peace, poignantly expressing the need of all Christians receive the grace of peace that only God can provide to His faithful family.

Highlight Passage:  Hebrews: 13:5 [NKJV] …    
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”[Deut. 31:6, 8 - Joshua 1:5] 
… God reiterates His promise of being with the believer always and forever.
===========
Highlight Context – Hebrews 13:1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s promise of His immutability and stability … that He’ll never change and will always be there for us.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 – Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s promise, thru Moses, to his people that their LORD would ALWAYS be with them. [Restated again in the NT by the Author of Hebrews in Chapter 13 - see above.]

Reference Passage #2 … Isaiah 26:3 [NKJV] …  
3 You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 
… Keeping focused on God’s ever-present spirit is where we find our peace.

Reference Passage #3 … Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 
… God’s peace is there for the faithful who’re willing to come to Him with a thankful heart and bring their burdens to Him.

Reference Passage #4 … Hebrews 4:14-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 
… We serve an ever-present, ever-compassionate God - ALWAYS!!!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Joe Stowell, reflected on a personal story about how just being there for a hurting friend can - and usually does - bring peace to the loved one. The ODB author wrote: Our hearts sank when we learned that our good friend Cindy had been diagnosed with cancer. Cindy was a vibrant person whose life blessed all who crossed her path. My wife and I rejoiced when she went into remission, but a few months later her cancer returned with a vengeance. In our minds she was too young to die. Her husband told me about her last hours. When she was weak and hardly able to talk, Cindy whispered to him, “Just be with me.” What she wanted more than anything in those dark moments was his loving presence. I

sn’t that what we want from our God; … i.e., for Him to always be there, especially when we are hurting or confused and need to sense His presence, … His grace, … His love? Of course, we do!! And it’s only when we can focus, in faith, on His presence, in humble thankfulness, that we can receive His peace (see Isiah 26:3 and Philippians 4:6,7).

Perhaps, dear one, you’re in a place today where you just need to know that your Savior is there for you; … that He’s even going ahead of you … to pave the way for your peace (see Deut. 31:8 and Hebrews 4:15). Well, … until we KNOW - in faith - that our God will ALWAYS be there for us, as He ALWAYS has and ALWAYS will be [see Hebrews 13:8], we will not find that glorious peace which only He can provide (see Phil. 4:6-7).

So, my fellow Christian, I plan to lean HEAVILY on my ever-present Lord today and get as much of His peace as I can. How about you?!

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, I’m selfish, but thankfully and gratefully so! I want more of Your peace today. So, I come to You as I do here everyday, … for Your mercy and grace. More please!!    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 23, 2016: Slaves? … Really?!

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 175  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Brian Littrell singing … I Surrender ALL, poignantly expressing the need of all Christians to surrender and follow our Lord, King Jesus, with complete devotion. … But do we?!

 
Highlight Passage:  Ephesians 6:5 [NKJV] …  
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; … 
… We are to serve our earthly superiors (i.e., masters) as we would bondservants to Christ. 
===========
Highlight Context – Ephesians 6:5-9 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul exhorts Christians to serve our Lord in total surrender to Him - as slaves to King Jesus! 
===========      

Reference Passage #1 – Romans 12:1-2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Paul exhorted nothing less than total surrender of our bodies as living sacrifices to our King Jesus!

Reference Passage #2 … Ephesians 4: 1 [NKJV] …  
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, … 
… The Apostle didn’t exhort any to be anything he didn’t consider himself, … i.e., a slave (i.e., prisoner).  

Reference Passage #3 … Colossians 3: 17 [NKJV] …  
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 
… Total surrender?!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Keila Ochoa, reflected on the strong teaching of the Apostle Paul in her teaching today on our becoming bond slaves to our King Jesus. The ODB author wrote: In Ephesians 6, Paul talks to servants and masters. He reminds both groups that we serve one Master who is in heaven. So we need to do everything with sincerity of heart, integrity, and respect because we are serving and working for Christ Himself. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Eph. 6:7). What a privilege to serve God in everything we do, whether answering a phone or driving a car or doing housework or running a business. Let us work with a smile today, remembering that no matter what we are doing, we are serving God. 

 If there is one powerful - and personally pertinent - recurring theme from the Apostle Paul after his conversion on that road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1-9), it is his absolute surrender and devotion to his King, Jesus. And that’s what he expected and exhorted of other Christians [like me] as well … i.e., for us to become bondservants of our Lord [see the highlight and reference Scriptures above].

I don’t know about other readers here with me, but taking in Brian Littrell’s song and meditating on Paul’s exhortations above, I realize that, though my attitude is one of being a slave to Christ, my actions still have a way to go for me to be able to truthfully sing “I Surrender ALL.”

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, give me more of Your empowering grace for me to be able to follow Your command from Luke 9:23 to deny myself and completely follow You.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 22, 2016: God Is Our Provider

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 174  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group, Hillsong, leading in worship and singing … Jesus, You’re All I Need, poignantly expressing the truth that our Lord is the provider of all we need. … AND ON TO THIS LINK for Chris Tomlin singing Lord I Need You also expressing our need for God, Our Provider.

 
Highlight Passage:  Mark 6:34 [NKJV] …  
34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. 
… And seeing that they were hungry, He used as few loaves and fishes to feed several thousand. 
===========
Highlight Context – Mark 6:31-44 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus compassionately providing for thousands in a remote location - also found in Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:5-15.
===========      

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 3: 5-6 [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. 
… We probably know that one by heart … but do really believe it … and live by it?

Reference Passage #2 … Philippians 4:19 [NKJV] …  
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
… But do we trust Him to do so?

  Reference Passage #3 … 1st Peter 5:7 [NKJV] …  
7 … casting all your care on Him because He cares for you. 
… Really? … Yes, really!!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Schudt, used an illustration to remind her readers (me) of our need to trust in God’s provision. The ODB author wrote: Tristan da Cunha Island is famous for its isolation. [See attached photo] It is the most remote inhabited island in the world, thanks to the 288 people who call it home. The island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, 1,750 miles from South Africa—the nearest mainland. Anyone who might want to drop by for a visit has to travel by boat for seven days because the island has no airstrip. 

The few people on this remote island are dependent on the provisions of others for their needs; and this was the lesson Jesus tried to show His followers in another remote location when He fed several thousand hungry followers, as related in today’s highlight passage. Unfortunately, sometimes God has to lead us or allow us into circumstances in our lives to show us, as the group Hillsong sings in the linked song, that He’s all we need.

I will pray this morning that we recognize the lesson of Phil. 4:19; and we trust our Lord to be our provider and Good Shepherd in all circumstances (see Prov. 3:5-6 and 1st Pet. 5:7), … yes, even when we’re feeling isolated and all alone.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, we trust You to provide for all we need.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 21, 2016: Love, Sweet Love

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 173  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Dionne Warwick singing Bert Bacharach’s hit from the 60s, … What the World Needs Now, poignantly expressing what the world always needs more of … God’s love through Christ.

Highlight Passage:  1st Corinthians 14:1a [NKJV] …  
19 Pursue love … 
… After the exhortation of love in Chapter 13, God’s command is to pursue His love above all His attributes …
===========
Highlight Context – 1st Corinthians 13 - 14:1 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God's love, sweet love, ... that's just what we need.          
============      

Reference Passage #1 … John 14 21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Our willingness to follow Christ’s commands is His way of knowing whether we truly love Him.

Reference Passage #2 … 1st John 4:7-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s love is manifest in us when we love others.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Poh Fang Chia, teaches today what Jackie DeShannon and Dionne Warwick, both having hit songs back in the 1960s, taught with Bert Bacharach’s famous song, ”What The World Needs Now” [Is love Sweet Love].

And … our 21st century world got another big reminder of that truth this past week when there was another mass shooting, … a long serial line of tragic and senseless killings at the hands of a people filled with anger and hatred. And predictably this most recent massacre set off a debate of how we can DO SOMETHING to make these senseless episodes of hatred go away; but all the debates over political solutions will not solve the problem; because our Lord in His truth has given the solution; … and we, … many of whom claim to be His followers, are unwilling to do what His says in the passages offered above with God’s solutions.

Duh! … If we truly love God, … we do what He says; and when we do, we’ll love others the way He loved us; and love will win … as God says it will in the end, my friend. … And BTW, … the reason why you find me here every day, posting of my time in God’s word, is because everyday, I need this time to be hugged by my Lord by His loving truth. It’s my “hug fix” to start each day; and then I do my best to take that love and share it with others.

Do you need a bit of love from God today? Well, glean it here from His word; … and then go out and share it with someone else!

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, lead me to someone who needs a love hug today which only I can pass along from You.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 20, 2016: Selah: Pause and Remember

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 172  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Jordan Smith on the Voice competition singing, … Great is Thy Faithfulness, beautifully expressing what we should pause to remember EVERY DAY.

Highlight Passage:  Psalm 68:19 [NKJV] …  
19 Blessed by the LORD, Who daily loads us with benefits, … the God of our Salvation!  Selah 
 … We need to take time to reflect upon the greatness of our saving God.
===========
Highlight Context – Psalm 68:7-10, 19-20 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …   https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalms+68%3A7-10%2C+19-20&version=NKJV
… “Salah” … pause and reflect on the greatness of our God!!
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… How great is our God!!!

Reference Passage #3 … 2nd Corinthians 12: 9 [NKJV] …  
9 … [Jesus] … “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in [your] weakness.
… In moments of our weakness, we can rely on God’s grace.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Dave Roper, tells a personal story of the meaning behind the Army term, “Hoo-ah,” which soldiers use to encourage other soldiers in moments of challenge. Apparently, the ODB author was in a Bible study with a number of old Army buddies later in life; and these old soldiers would substitute the term “Hoo-ah” every time they read the term “Selah,” in the Psalms.

And really, … that’s not a bad substitution; because the Hebrew term “selah” was a musical interlude or pause during one of those Jewish songs for the hearer to reflect on God and what was being said about the Lord in the psalm. For example, in today’s ODB highlight passage the psalmist was singing about the greatness of his God, Whom the psalmist sung brings salvation and goodness into the lives of believers every day [see Psalm 68:19]. And wanting his listeners to reflect on that truth, we read “Selah,” to pause and reflect on the greatness of our God. And really, that’s what Jesus wanted the Apostle Paul to do in a moment of reflection and pain when, in 2nd Cor. 12: 9, we read of Paul stopping to reflect and remembering the words of Jesus for him (and us) to remember that the Lord’s grace and strength is always there to replace our weakness.

My friend, do we need a “selah” here in this moment … a time to stop and remember, as Jordan Smith sings about as linked above, … “How Great Is our God!” I needed that today; and I’m glad my devotional time here today gave me a “selah” to reflect on my Lord.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, You are so great; and I thank You for stopping by in your word to remind me today.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 19, 2016: Papa God Always There

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 171  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Avalon singing, … Orphans of God, expressing the reality that all Christians are adopted into the family of God, therefore, in Christ, we become children of God … FOREVER!!

Highlight Passage:  Romans 8:15-16a [NKJV] …  
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, … 
… It is God’s Spirit in us which allows us to bear witness to our Lord as “Papa God.”
===========
Highlight Context – Romans 8:12-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… With God’s Spirit in our hearts, we can now cry, “Abba Father!”
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Psalm 68: 4 [NKJV] …  
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. 
… Any Christian always has a Father, who is our loving Daddy in heaven.

Reference Passage #2 … Galatians 4:4-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… In Christ we become heirs to Christ’s throne; and thereby we can always cry out, “Abba Father!” to our God.

Reference Passage #3 … Hebrews 13:5b [NKJV] …  
5b … For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 
… So, we can alway go to our Abba Father.

Reference Passage #4 … 1st Peter 5:7 [NKJV] …  
7 … casting all your cares on Him (our Abba Father), Who ALWAYS cares for us. 
… Yes, He’s our “Papa, God!”

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson, tells a cute story about a loving father mowing his yard on a riding mower with his young son being towed behind him in a little red wagon. The story was to illustrate how we always have a loving, “Abba Father,” who has us in tow as our Heavenly Father, … Whom we can come to anytime with our concerns [see highlight and reference Scriptures above].

Unfortunately, not all of us had an earthly “daddy,” who was always there for us, encouraging us, and guiding us forward in life. And quite often we get our attitude toward our Heavenly Father through our past interaction with our earthly father. So, … when we come to a saving relationship with Christ, we need to come to the faith that our Heavenly Father is as the Bible describes Him to be “Abba Father,” which is lovingly translated, “Papa God.”

 This morning I pray that any reading here know their Heavenly Father in that loving way; and you know that as His children, we can carry any and/or all cares to Him - ANYTIME - because He’s our “Papa God!” So, on this Father’s Day, let’s go (in love); and jump in Papa God’s lap, and get a big hug from the Father who’ll always be there for us (see Hebrews 13:5 and 1Pet. 5:7 above).

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Hey, Lord, I miss my dad; and I need a hug today from my Abba Father!! Thanks for always being there for me.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 18, 2016: Victory In Jesus

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 170  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of a Gaither Family Gathering singing, … Victory In Jesus, joyfully singing of the victory any/all can have in receiving the saving grace from the cleansing blood of Christ.

Highlight Passage:  1st John 5:4-5 [NKJV] …  
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 
 … Our victory over sin and self and the world comes from our faith in Christ.
===========
Highlight Context – 1st John, Chapter 5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… The beloved Apostle John writes of the victory all Christians have in the belief of Jesus being the Son of God and shedding His blood to save us on Calvary.
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Romans 8: 37-39 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… In Christ, we are more than conquerors.

Reference Passage #2 … 1st Corinthians 15:56-57 [NKJV] …  
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
… Jesus is victory over death and sin.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, David McCasland, explained the origin of the term, “to meet your Waterloo,” which, of course, comes from the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 at Waterloo. He wrote about us all coming to “Waterloo” moments in our lives where we’re overwhelmed by life and how the Apostle John wrote about becoming overcomers in Christ. 

McCasland wrote: When it comes to our spiritual lives, some people feel that ultimate failure is inevitable and it’s only a matter of time until each of us will “meet our Waterloo.” But John refuted that pessimistic view when he wrote to followers of Jesus: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

And the Apostle Paul joined John in writing that nothing can separate the born-again Christian, even “Waterloo” moments, from Jesus’ love and His saving grace (see the Romans 8 and 1st Corinthians 15 passages linked/copied above). In Christ, we Christians becomes overcomers of self and the world by our belief in our Lord and Savior and His finished work on the cross.

So, whatever your “Waterloo” might be, just surrender it to Jesus and walk in His victory today.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Your blood is my victory, Lord Jesus!!    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 17, 2016: Rebuilding With His Word

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 169  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Kristyn and Keith Getty singing, … Speak, O Lord, expressing the need of all believers to live out the truth in God’s word.

Highlight Passage:  Nehemiah 1:8 [NKJV] …  
7 … the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. 
… God’s people rose to their feet to honor God in the reading and teaching of God’s truth. 
===========
Highlight Context – Nehemiah 8:1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… After rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem and beginning to rebuild God’s Temple, Ezra and the Priests gathered the remnant of believers at the Water Gate of the city and read God’s Law to the people, who rallied in revival around God’s truth.
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Psalm 119:11, 105 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s word, buried deeply in my mind/heart, has become the light for my path - EVERYDAY!

Reference Passage #2 … Isaiah 55:11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s word always goes forth with His power when it goes out for His purposes.

Reference Passage #3 … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NKJV] …  
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 
… ALL SCRIPTURE is God breathed; and the more I know of it, the more I can rebuild my life for God’s glory.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Dave Branon, taught today about the power of God’s word to spark revival amongst His people by relating the true story of Ezra and the Levites reading the Pentateuch to the Jerusalem remnant after the rebuilding of the walls (see Nehemiah 8). Branon wrote: When the sun came up on the first day of the seventh month in 444 bc, Ezra started reading the law of Moses (what we know as the first five books of the Bible). Standing on a platform in front of the people in Jerusalem, he read it straight through for the next six hours.  … Men, women, and children had gathered at the entrance to the city known as the Water Gate to observe the Festival of Trumpets—one of the feasts prescribed for them by God. As they listened, four reactions stand out. 

As Isaiah prophesied [see Isaiah 55:11], God’s word always goes forth with power when it is used for God’s glory and HIS purposes; and that’s exactly what happened when its reading by Ezra sparked revival and renewal of faith after God’s remnant had, under Nehemiah’s leadership, rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem.

Perhaps there are readers here who are in rebuilding projects in their own lives; and you need more power and purpose, … perhaps your own personal revival. Well, digging deeper, and with discipline, into God’s word, as Ezra and Nehemiah did with God’s remnant, is a good place to start your personal rebuilding project.

When I needed renewal and restoration in my life, years ago, that’s exactly what a mentor did for me. He led me in a project highlighted by the strategy of Psalm 119: 11, 105; and taking God’s word into my mind/heart changed me; and it’s why I come here every morning to keep that project alive. God’s inspired word - all of it! - can/will rebuild the walls of your life too; but you’ve got to decide to take it in and use it with discipline. That’s my prayer today.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … I pray that all who read here today are into Your truth daily and using it to rebuild their lives.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 16, 2016: “Some Assembly Required”

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 168  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Queen Latifah singing, … Fix Me, Jesus, expressing the need of all Christians to receive God's redeeming and restoring grace.

 
Highlight Passage:  Judges 2:18 [NKJV] …  
18 And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. 
… God’s people required His restoration repetitively during the years of the judges.
===========
Highlight Context – Judges 2:7-19 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s people required fixing by God … over and over again!
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Fortunately for mankind, God’s restorative mercies are new every morning.

Reference Passage #2 … John 14:21 [NKJV] …
  21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 
… God’s redemption and restoration is available to anyone who truly loves Him.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Randy Kilgore, told a personal story in his ODB devotional today which reminded me of a terror which recurred at Christmases when our kids were growing up. The fear came with any toy purchased which had a tag which read, “Some Assembly Required.” When my wife saw that, she would grown because she knew I’d likely try to put that item together without using the instructions; and invariably, I’d have trouble putting the item together the night before Christmas.

And the Bible illustrates over and over how mankind is that way about life, … given to Adam & Eve in such a beautiful, perfect package in the garden; but they messed up because they wouldn't follow God’s instructions. And in the book of Judges [see highlight passage above] we read of how God had to bail out His chosen ones over and over and over again with judges when they failed to follow His perfect instructions (see those commandments in Exodus, Chapter 20).

So often we allow our lives to get out of order because we’re simply not willing to follow God’s instruction manual. We are certainly God’s package which requires some fixing; and God is willing (and most able) to do the fixing if we’re willing to use His instructions.

So, I pray all will take in Queen Latifah’s poignant - and very pertinent - plea in the linked song above; and then by taking in - and following - the instructions in the Scriptures above, perhaps we will finally let God use His instructions to fix us the way we need fixing.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Fix me, Jesus, … fix me!!!    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 15, 2016: Understanding God’s Truth

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 167  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Krystyn Getty singing, … Speak, O Lord, expressing the need of all Christians to receive God’s truth through His word.

 
Highlight Passage:  Acts 2:5-6 [NKJV] …  
5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 
… God’s Spirit descended on believer’s hearts at Pentecost, giving them the ability to hear and understand God’s truth.
===========
Highlight Context – Acts 2:1-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s Spirit speaking to the hearts of true believers.
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Psalm 119 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… When God’s word transforms a true believer.

Reference Passage #2 … Isiah 55:11 [NKJV] …  
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; … it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 
… God will communicate most powerfully through His word.

Reference Passage #3 … 2nd Timothy 3: 16-17 [NKJV] …  
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 
… God’s word is the heartbeat of life from Him to born-again believers.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Amy Pye,reflected on what it must’ve been like on Pentecost when God’s Spirit descended upon the gathering of Christ followers and He led them to speak in tongues. In today’s ODB entry, Pye wrote, I sometimes reflect on how wonderful it must have been on the day of Pentecost when people of many nations could understand what the disciples were saying. … On that day, pilgrims gathered together in Jerusalem to celebrate the festival of the harvest. The Holy Spirit rested on the believers so that when they spoke, the hearers (who had come from all over the known world) could understand them in their own languages (Acts 2:5–6). What a miracle that these strangers from different lands could understand the praises to God in their own tongues! Many were spurred on to find out more about Jesus. 

Well, though I don’t believe that God’s Spirit uses mass speaking in tongues in this church age to speak to corporate worship, I do think God’s Spirit has given us God’s primary way of communicating directly with believers; and that is through His canonized and written word. His word, our Bible, is God’s language of love that speaks ever so forcefully and clearly in our chaotic multi-linguistic and self-driven world (see attached photo).

So, join me in taking in the song above which reflects on the reality of God speaking to us through His word; and then join me to consume God’s communication of love through His word here daily. I’ll be here tomorrow - as all days - reflecting on God’s truth thru His word. And any who’re with me can join me in the reality of the truth of those Scriptures shared above.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … As Kristyn Getty sings, Lord, … thank You for speaking to me so clearly through Your word.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 14, 2016: Stop and Smell the Roses

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 166  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Gordon Mote singing, … Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory, expressing the need of all Christians take the time to observe God’s glory which shows up all around us.

 
Highlight Passage:  Genesis 17:1-2 [NKJV] …   1
 … “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 
… God’s glory being promised to Abram at such an old age.
===========
Highlight Context – Genesis 12:1-4, 17:1-2 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s remarkable covenant with Abram.
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 3:5-6 [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. 
… Solomon’s advice about using our words.

Reference Passage #2 … Romans 8:28 [NKJV] …  
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 
… Yes, … even the little, seemingly insignificant things are for our good and evidence of God’s glory.

Reference Passage #3 … 1st Corinthians 10:13 [NKJV] …  
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 
… Yes, even the tough times are evidence of God’s glory.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Joe Stowell,reminded his readers [me] today of a truth we should not forget. And it helped me remember and focus on a true, old saying, “Stop and smell the roses.”

And in the attached photo you will see something my wife and I see each year … the beauty of a rose bush sprouting God’s glory in the blossoms of faux roses just outside our window. And sometimes when we read God’s glorious promises and interaction with those in the Bible like Abram, as with that of the highlight passages above, we can tend to think, “God, … why don’t you show up in my life with such wonders?”

But He does; … and as Gordon Mote sings in the linked song above, we should be praying to our God, “Lord, don’t let me miss the glory?” And I contend that every day, in so many ways, like stopping to take in the beauty of some roses, or seeing the love of a grandkid in his/her eyes, or … _____________ … well you fill in the blank.

 Let’s take time today to keep our senses open to take in some little glimpses of God’s glory and His promise of so much more to come in heaven.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … show me Your glory today, Lord, maybe in the beauty of a rose or whatever You decide to share with me; and help me to recognize Your presence there.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 13, 2016: Tongue Lashing

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 165  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the group Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing, … Let My Words Be Few, expressing the need of all Christians … to listen more (to God) and speak less from our Jeremiah 17:9 hearts.

Highlight Passage:  Psalm 141:3 [NKJV] …  
12 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. 
… In rebuilding God’s Temple, some cried in remembrance of the old Temple; but others shouted for joy at the rebuilding of the new structure to honor God.
===========
Highlight Context – Psalm 141 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… David’s song warning the wicked.
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Proverbs 17:28 [NKJV] …  
28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; … when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. 
… Solomon’s advice about using our words.

Reference Passage #2 … Ephesians 4:29 [NKJV] …  
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 
… Paul’s exhortation as to our speech.

Reference Passage #3 … James 3:8 [NKJV] …  
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 
… WARNING about the tongue!!!

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Anne Cetas, gave me a good “tongue lashing” in her devotional entry today, … which occasionally I need, being the wordy sort I am.

I don’t know about you, fellow Christian; … but I’m one who has a tendency to let my tongue, or these days - my keyboard online, go a bit wild and show off my Jeremiah 17:9 heart [look that one up!]. I can sort of be like the Apostle Peter, who often let his “foot-in-mouth” disorder trip him up. … Me too, I’m afraid!! … And so it’s good for me to get an effective “tongue lashing” occasionally (see attached photo) to remind me to reign in my words and do what the song, linked above, teaches - to “Let My Words Be Few.”

So, I’ll try to exercise this truth; and reign in my keyboard here today, … simply encouraging you to use the link below and read the ODB entry and to take in God’s word on the matter above. And then, let’s all beware of the power of our words today to bless or curse others.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … as the song sings, Lord, I do need to let my words be few … to show how much I love You and others.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 12, 2016: Joy and Sadness

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 164  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of anonymous group singing, … Joy Down In My heart, expressing the joy of realizing what Jesus has done in my heart by dying for me on the cross … AND THEN ON TO THIS LINK with the song People Need the Lord, expressing the sad reality of how many lost souls I may pass today, even on this Sunday in church, who may not have that love yet in their hearts.

Highlight Passage:  Ezra 3:12-13 [NKJV] …  
12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard afar off. 
 … In rebuilding God’s Temple, some cried in remembrance of the old Temple; but others shouted for joy at the rebuilding of the new structure to honor God.
===========
Highlight Context – Ezra 3:7-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… God’s people were given the opportunity to return to Jerusalem from Babylon to rebuild His temple, which they did with mixed emotions.
============      

Reference Passage #1 … John 3:16-17 [NKJV] …  
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 
… Shouldn’t we have joy imaginable because of this truth.

Reference Passage #2 … 1st Corinthians 6:19 [NKJV] …  
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 
… Realizing, with some degree of terror, the task of rebuilding God’s temple from the brokenness of our sin nature.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Keila Ochoa, used the biblical scenario, from the books of Ezra, to help her readers (me) to remember the mixed emotions of Christianity … JOY and SADNESS.

God’s people, being freed from their bondage in Babylon and returning to rebuild God’s Temple in Jerusalem (see highlight passage above) had mixed emotions. Some old priests were sad, remembering Solomon’s great temple which had been destroyed; but others, likely the younger remnant of believers, were overjoyed with the reality that they could rebuild God’s temple for His glory.

And please know, today, I will be walking into my local church with the same kind of mixed emotions. As the first song linked above relates, … there will be JOY, JOY, JOY down in my heart, being able to worship my Lord, Who died on the cross to save me from my sins and my brokenness (see John 3:16-17). But at the same time I will grieve, knowing that many, who are there in church today, desperately need God’s saving grace, being lost, even though declaring that they are “christians.” Oh, so many who think they are saved are living in broken temples (see 1st Cor. 6:19, not realizing that they need to rebuild themselves in the love of God.

Please join me … with joy … that God saves and helps us rebuild for His glory; but pray with me that many, even some we may know, who are living in brokenness, may receive God’s love and rebuild for His glory.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, my joy is overwhelming for Your saving grace; but my grief compels me to pray for the lost today.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 11, 2016: Our Safety Net

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 163  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of Dennis Jernigan and Annie Herring singing Dennis’ song, … Faithful and True, expressing the truth that our God is always there to catch us when we fall.

Highlight Passage:  Matthew 5:48 [NKJV] …  
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. 
 … No way, Lord, … without You to catch us when we fall.
===========
Highlight Context – Matthew 5:43-48 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… Jesus’ sermon on the mount showed us that no one can live up to the revealed Lord. Hence we’ll always need HIM as our safety net.
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Psalm 91:2 [NKJV] …  
5 I will say of the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection; … My God, in Him will I trust.”
… When we need a safety net, HE is it!!

Reference Passage #2 … Romans 3:23, 10:8-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… EVERYONE needs a Savior.

Reference Passage #3 … Hebrews 13:5 [NKJV] …  
5 I will never leave you, nor forsake you. 
… He’s always our safety net.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Phillip Yancey, teaching on the meaning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mounty, wrote: For years I thought of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7) as a blueprint for human behavior, a standard no one could possibly meet. How could I have missed the true meaning? Jesus spoke these words not to frustrate us, but to tell us what God is like . … Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7) not only to explain God’s ideal toward which we should never stop striving but also to show that in this life none of us will ever reach that ideal. 

To me, Jesus’ sermon was the New Covenant version of God giving the 10 Commandments to His people. On that mountain side, Jesus taught the people (that’s you and me too!) about God and His kingdom, revealing just how much we all fall short (see Romans 3:23); and revealing just how much we all need God’s safety net of a Savior to catch us in our fall.

 I pray that all reading with me here today have fulfilled the truth of Romans 10:8-13, realizing the reality of what Dennis Jernigan wrote in his song (linked above) … that God is forever “Faithful and True” to be there and catch all who fall into His saving net of grace by repenting and receiving that grace. Have you been caught in the net of salvation by our Savior?

 Please take in the song and Scriptures above and then revel with me in the glory of Jesus being our safety net.

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, you caught me in my free fall of sin; and today I rest safely in You.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 10, 2016: My New Name

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2016 - Day 162  

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a You Tube video of the Maranatha Singers singing, … There’s Something About That Name, expressing the glory of the Name of our Lord … Jesus! … At the Name of Jesus, wonders never cease, as expressed by the Gospel of Christ and the reality of just WHOM the Name of “Jesus” signifies.

 
Highlight Passage:  Revelation 2:17 [NKJV] …  
17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ 
 … Jesus provides the true believer with a new name in Heaven.
===========
Highlight Context – Revelation 2:12-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …    … Jesus’ letter to the church in Pergamum, He promises to give them a new name to signify their Christlikeness in glory. 
============      

Reference Passage #1 … Luke 9:23 [NKJV] …  
6 If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
… Yeah, … that’s me!

Reference Passage #2 … Romans 10:8-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
… And from that truth, I qualify for glory.

Reference Passage #3 … Philippians 2:9-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …  
 … His Name is “Lord” … the Name above all other names … and the Name before Whom all will bend the knee in adoration or terror in Heaven.

My Journal for Today:  … Our Daily Bread author, Amy Pye, related a story to illustrate her teaching about transformation in Christ. The author wrote: She called herself a worrier, but when her child was hurt in an accident, she learned how to escape that restricting label. As her child was recovering, she met each week with friends to talk and pray, asking God for help and healing. Through the months as she turned her fears and concerns into prayer, she realized that she was changing from being a worrier to a prayer warrior. She sensed that the Lord was giving her a new name. Her identity in Christ was deepening through the struggle of unwanted heartache. 

The Apostle John, writing for Jesus, inspired by God’s Spirit, wrote to the Churches in Asia-Minor in the first few books of the Revelation; and in Revelation 2:17, Christ declares that He will give a new identity name to all true believers in glory. … In the first century, the era in which John was writing The Revelation and in which Jesus walked the earth and His Apostle spread the Good News of the Gospel, names really meant a lot. And when Jesus declares to His Bride that He will give her (that’s you and me as Christians) a new name in Glory, our Lord is saying that He’s going to label us with the individual identity we have taken on through our faith in His finished work on the cross and whom we’ve become, having been sanctified by His Spirit.

 I think of how my identity - my very self - has changed since I came to receive Christ as my Lord; and I think of my given earthly name, “William.” … Before Christ, I was a victim of my selfishness, a captive to my own sin nature. And now, in Christ, I’ve become a “victor,” … a soldier for Christ. So, since the name “William” actually means “helmeted warrior” from its origin, perhaps Jesus will call me “William, the Conquerer,” when I get to glory.

What do you think your Heavenly name will be?

My Prayer Today:  O, Heavenly Father, … Lord, no matter what You will call me in Heaven, I will gladly assume that name because YOU will give it to me.    Amen    

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.