March 31, 2017 ... I’m Invited !!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 90 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of lyrics from the group Hlllsong singing their song … Here I Am To Worship … gloriously singing of the worship anyone can have with King Jesus any day … anywhere. All we have to do is accept His invitation to come in and share in His feast of love.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 55:1 … [NLT] … 
1 “Is anyone thirsty? … Come and drink - even if you have no money! Come take your choice of wine or milk - it’s all free! 
… God’s greatest invitation.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 55:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s invitation to come dine with Him … FOREVER!
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Revelation 3:20 [NKJV] … 
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. 
… Jesus’ invitation to open the door of sanctification … to let Him in to wine/dine with us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, used a personal illustration to teach about God’s greatest invitation. The ODB author wrote: During a recent week, I received several invitations in the mail. Those inviting me to attend “free” seminars on retirement, real estate, and life insurance were immediately thrown away. But the invitation to a gathering honoring a longtime friend caused me to reply immediately, “Yes! I accept.” Invitation + Desire = Acceptance. 

And that’s the spiritual formula for the greatest invitation of all; … the invite to God’s grandest banquet … at the wedding feast of the Lamb, when Christ gathers His bride to Himself for the greatest celebration of eternity.

And my friends, I’m invited! … Are you?

But I don’t have to wait until I die to have my Savior dine with me. I dine with Him every day after I accepted His invitation to salvation well over 30 years ago. And now, He knocks at the door of my heart every day - really, every moment; … and all I have to do is open the door and let Him in (see Rev. 3:20).

And that’s why you find me - readily and eagerly - coming here each morning to let my Lord, King Jesus, come in a give me His bread of life and His living waters; and it’s so sweet to have Him dine with me here each day.

Oh, how I pray you’ve accepted His invite to come in and dine with Him. Join me as we accept His invitation … right here … right now! And let’s worship Him.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … LORD, … Come on in; and as Hillsong sings, … “Here I am to worship!” … 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 blo

March 30, 2017 ... Death Forever Defeated

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 89 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of lyrics from the duo of Michael W Smith and Carrie Underwood singing … All Is Well … poignantly singing of the truth that all will be well FOREVER for all who know Christ as Lord and Savior.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 50:24… [NLT] … 
24 “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. … 
… Dying, Joseph saw God’s deliverance of His people.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 50:22-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… At the time of Joseph’s death, he was looking ahead for God’s people.
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 14:1-2 [NLT] … 
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 
… Jesus’ promise to prepare a place for all His disciples, … i.e., those who know Him as Lord and Savior.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Romans 8:39 [NLT] … 
39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
 … God’s promise, thru Paul, that NOTHING, … no, not even death, can separate a Christians from the love of God.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 2nd Corinthians 5:7-8 [NKJV] … 
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 
… We can be confident of where we will be in death.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Hebrews 13:5 [NKJV] … 
5 … For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 
… God’s promise is never to abandon a Christian … in life or death.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, used a personal story to illustrate our hope of heaven as Christians. The ODB author wrote: I will never forget sitting at the bedside of my friend’s brother when he died; the scene was one of the ordinary visited by the extraordinary. Three of us were talking quietly when we realized that Richard’s breathing was becoming more labored. We gathered around him, watching, waiting, and praying. When he took his last breath, it felt like a holy moment; the presence of God enveloped us in the midst of our tears over a wonderful man dying in his forties. 

Death can seem so final for the living, can’t it? But, as Christians, born again in Christ, we know it’s not, don’t we?

In the OT, [see the highlight passage] Joseph, a patriarch of God’s people, enslaved in Egypt, looked ahead in faith, knowing that God would fulfill His promise to deliver the Jews from captivity into freedom. And in the NT, Jesus has promised to prepare a place for all who know Him as Lord (see John 14:1-2). And it is God’s promise never to forsake us (Hebrews 13:5); and as well, He promises (thru Paul) that nothing can separate us from His love (see Rom. 8:39 and 2nd Cor. 5:8) … no, NOT EVEN DEATH!!

So, as today’s linked song shows us … ALL IS WELL … forever; … yes, even in death … for those who love God and are the called to His eternal purpose.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … LORD, … we, who know You, will be with you in glory. … 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.

March 29, 2017 ... Holding On To Joy

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 88 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Chris McClarney singing… Beauty For Ashes … poignantly singing of God’s promise to bring beauty from the ashes of devastation in our lives.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: James 1:12 [NKJV] … 
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 
… God’s promise of reward for those who endure trials/temptations.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: James 1:1-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
... God, thru James, exhorts Christians to hold onto our joy in spite of our trials.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … Habakkuk 3:17-18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God shows the disgruntled Prophet how to hold onto his joy in the midst of devastation.

Reference Passage #2 : … John 16:33 [NKJV] … 
33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” 
… Jesus is our ticket to joy in the midst of tribulations.

Reference Passage #3 : … 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, ALL things!!

Reference Passage #3 : … 1st John 4:4 [NKJV] … 
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them [i.e., evil spirits of this world], because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 
… Our God is WAY BIGGER than our circumstances.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Peterson, used a nature reference to teach on holding onto joy in the midst of trials. The ODB author wrote: Last winter while visiting a natural history museum in Colorado, I learned some remarkable facts about the aspen tree. An entire grove of slender, white-trunked aspens can grow from a single seed and share the same root system. These root systems can exist for thousands of years whether or not they produce trees. They sleep underground, waiting for fire, flood, or avalanche to clear a space for them in the shady forest. After a natural disaster has cleared the land, aspen roots can sense the sun at last. The roots send up saplings, which become trees. 

Perhaps you’ve seen this botanical wonder after a forrest fire (again, see photo); and it’s nature’s picture of how God can - and will - restore lives after the fiery devastation of some set of dire circumstances which Christians are called on to endure.

Yes, becoming a Christian doesn’t shield us from trials. In fact, Jesus promised His disciples that they (we) would endure trials/troubles; but He also declared that HE had overcome the tribulations of this world (see John 16:33). The question is … do we believe Him, along with God thru Paul, who wrote that ALL THINGS work together for the good of any/all Christians [yeah, Rom. 8:28]?

That’s a hard pill of truth to swallow sometimes, isn’t it? And the Prophet Habakkuk in his OT journal, wrote of questioning God in the midst of the fires of his life. And God set him aside and showed him that he need not lose his joy in the trials of this life (see Habakkuk 3:17-18).

And if we do hold onto our joy in the forrest fires of life, God promises to bless us, … possibly in this life, … but certainly in the next (see highlight passages above).

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … Things are tough; but You are tougher … as I read and believe from 1st John 4:4. … 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.

March 28, 2017 ... Fruitful From God’s Word

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 87 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Kim Hill singing the psalm … Psalm One … poignantly singing of God’s promise to bless the believer who meditates on God’s word to be fruitful.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 1:3 [NLT] … 
2 But they (true believers) delight in the law of the Lord (i.e., God’s word), meditating in it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 
… God’s prescription for fruitfulness … i.e., meditating in God’s word daily.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm One [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... David recognized and sung about the “secret” of spiritual fruitfulness.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … Psalm 119:28, 98, 111, 144, 165 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist knew that being in God’s word was the key to a productive and prosperous life.

Reference Passage #2 : … John 15:4 [NLT] … 
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 
… Jesus taught His disciples that they had to abide (remain) in Him to be fruitful; and the best way to do that is to abide in His word.

Reference Passage #3 : … Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] … 
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 
… When we’re fruitful in Christ, these are the fruit which mature in their abundance and sweetness.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Peter Chin, used two biblical references to teach on Christian fruitfulness. The ODB author wrote: Just as a bountiful harvest depends on a source of clean water, the quality of the “fruit” in my life—my words, actions, and attitude—depends on my spiritual nourishment. The psalmist describes this in Psalm 1: The person “whose delight is in the law of the Lord . . . is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season” (vv. 1–3). And Paul writes in Galatians 5 that those who walk in step with the Spirit are marked by “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (vv. 22–23). 

If I were to ask my Christian readers if they (we) want to be more fruitful for Christ, I’m pretty sure I’d get a consensus “AMEN,” wouldn’t I? Of course, … when we read the list of the “fruit of the Spirit” in Gal. 5:22-23, we’d all like to mature in all of those character qualities, wouldn’t we? But then the question immediately rises; … and that is … “HOW?”

Well, this Sunday in my church we had a guest preacher, Robert J. Morgan, who had written a new book entitled “Recovering the Lost Art of Biblical Meditation;” and he preached on this vital topic. And if you’d like to take the time (40 min) to see/hear his message, you can USE THIS LINK .

And Pastor Morgan’s premise was simple, but powerful, … that God’s word tells us clearly that we must exercise the faith discipline of biblical meditation to be able to mature and grow in fruitfulness. That’s the message of Psalm 1 by King David (see Ps. 1:2-3) and almost all of Psalm 119 - select verses linked above).

And Jesus taught His disciples [see John 15:4] that to be fruitful they [we] must abide (i.e., remain steadfast) in Him; and we know that the best way to do that is to abide in His word as Psalm 1 sung about. And those who know me would likely recognize that the reason I’m here every day, doing all I can to get into Gods’ word deeply embedded in my mind/heart, is to become as fruitful in/for Christ as I can.

So, as I write this, I pray my commitment level to meditate in God’s word EVERY DAY leads me to mature greatly in the fruit God’s Spirit has planted in me.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … I meditate on/in Your word daily. Help me to grow in Your fruitfulness. … 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.

March 27, 2017 ... The Real Me

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 86 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing there song … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes … poignantly singing God’s promise to finish transforming us in to His images.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 43:4 [NLT] … 
4  Others were given in exchange for you (Israel). I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to Me. You are honored and I love you. 
… God’s declaration of love for Israel … in spite of their disobedience.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 43:1-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... God declares His love for recalcitrant Israel.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … Lamentation 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In spite of whom we really are, God loves us and is willing to extend His faithful mercies to us, His chosen ones.

Reference Passage #2 : … Romans 8:35-37 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul declares the truth about nothing - even our own selves - can separate us from the love of God.

Reference Passage #3 : … Philippians 1:6 [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. 
… As in the linked song, God is going to do whatever it takes, in spite of our selves, to transform His repentant children into His image.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Sheridan Voysey, used a historical reference to illustrate how we need to be transparent and vulnerable as witness to/for Christ. The ODB author wrote: To celebrate Winston Churchill’s eightieth birthday, the British parliament commissioned artist Graham Sutherland to paint a portrait of the celebrated statesman. “How are you going to paint me?” Churchill reportedly asked the artist: “As a cherub, or the Bulldog?” Churchill liked these two popular perceptions of him. Sutherland, however, said he would paint what he saw. Churchill was not happy with the results. Sutherland’s portrait had Churchill slumped in a chair wearing his trademark scowl—true to reality, but hardly flattering [see photo]. After its official unveiling, Churchill hid the painting in his cellar. It was later secretly destroyed. 

We’re not that much different from Churchill, are we? At times most of us - if not all - have our ego-driven desires to wear masks, … to hide our real faces, … or to appear better to others than we really are. Christlike humility, transparency, and vulnerability are just not clarion character traits for most Christians, are they? And yet, God still shows his love, mercy, and grace to those of us who’ve been chosen by our Lord for glory, … just as he declared for Israel (see highlight passages above). Israel continually was like a recalcitrant child, … revealing and hiding behind worldly idols and personal desires.

And yet, as Isaiah declared, God still loved them; and He will fulfill His promise to Israel in glory. And the Apostle Paul, in Romans 8:35-37 and Philippians 1:6 declared that, even though Christians have so much trouble being honest, real, and transparent to God and others, … He is still ALWAYS william to provide His mercies and love to His repentant children (see also Lam. 3:22-23).

So, my fellow Christians, let’s get real for God today!!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, …Help me to take off the masks and be real in witnessing for You 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.

March 26, 2017 ... God’s Perspective

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 85 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of lyrics from Kathy Trocolli singing her song … I Will Choose Christ … poignantly singing of our need, as Christians, to God’s way and follow Him not matter the circumstances of life.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Habakkuk 3:17-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Once Habakkuk saw life Gods’ way, he was able to find joy in the midst of personal sorrow. 
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Habakkuk 1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... The Prophet finally came around to seeing life God’s way.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 
23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. … “ 
… Being a disciple of Christ means seeing and following HIS WAY, not our own.

Reference Passage #1 : … Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] … 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 
 … “Joy” is a fruit of the Spirit and any Christian can choose to partake of it, along with all the other Spirit-given fruit.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Mart DeHaan, used a personal experience to help me see things God’s way this morning. The ODB author wrote: When students from Southeast Asia met a teacher from North America, the visiting instructor learned a lesson. After giving his class their first multiple-choice test, he was surprised to find many questions left unanswered. While handing back the corrected papers, he suggested that, next time, instead of leaving answers blank they should take a guess. Surprised, one of the students raised their hand and asked, “What if I accidentally get the answer right? I would be implying that I knew the answer when I didn’t.” The student and teacher had a different PERSPECTIVE and practice. 

It was the word “PERSPECTIVE” [in all caps above] which grabbed my mind today; and God’s Spirit took me in a different direction than that taught by the OBD entry. So, go with me, please. 

“Perspective” refers to the way we see things, doesn’t it? Well, recently I’ve been seeing things in my life thru some pretty dark glasses, … leading my heart to some pretty dismal thoughts. Ever been there? Well, my “perspective” had gotten skewed to take my mind inward, rather than seeking God’s UPWARD perspective. I had lost my joy by a selfish perspective rather than a Godly perspective. 

Then, this morning, in my time alone with God on His day, I remembered the struggle the Prophet Habakkuk had in a time when the circumstances of life led him into a joyless pit of despair [see link to His book above]. But God took the Prophet aside and showed him the Lord’s way; and Habakkuk found God’s joy by seeing life God’s way (especially note Hab. 3:17-18).

My friends, joy is a choice; … not a feeling; and this morning I’ve been led to remember that I can choose to take in the sweetness of Gods’ fruit of joy … even when life is pretty sour.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, …You are so, so sweet to bring my Your joy in some pretty sour times. … 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.

March 25, 2017 ... Doing It His Way

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 84 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of lyrics from Sara Groves singing her song … I’ll Wait … poignantly singing of our need, as Christians, to wait on God to show us HIS way and will.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Chronicles 17:4, 23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David surrenders to God’s will … rather than going ahead and building the Temple on his own. 
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Chronicles 17:1-4, 16-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … David was not allowed to build God’s Temple because of his previous sins; but the promise was for Solomon, his son, to be the builder with David preparing the way.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … Deuteronomy 32:48-52 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God didn’t allow Moses to lead His people into the promised land because of Moses’ past sins; but Moses, in obedience, gladly turned that blessing over to Joshua.

Reference Passage #2 : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 
23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. … “ 
… Being a disciple of Christ means doing life HIS WAY, ... not our own way.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, used a biblical example to illustrate our need to let God lead and do life His way, … not getting ahead of Him with our own free will. The ODB author wrote: David had drawn up the plans. He designed the furniture. He collected the materials. He made all the arrangements (see 1 Chron. 28:11–19). But the first temple built in Jerusalem is known as Solomon’s Temple, not David’s. For God had said, “You are not the one” (1 Chron. 17:4). 
God had chosen David’s son Solomon to build the temple. David’s response to this denial was exemplary. He focused on what God would do, instead of what he himself could not do (vv. 16–25). He maintained a thankful spirit. He did everything he could and rallied capable men to assist Solomon in building the temple (see 1 Chron. 22). 

David had free will, just like we do. But when it came time to build a Temple to God, rather than defaulting to his own desire to be the one to build the Temple, he surrendered to God’s will that Solomon, his son, be the one to build God’s house [see photo and highlight passages].

Similarly, when God’s people were to be led into the promised land, Moses, deferred to God’s will not to be the one to lead Gods’ people into the land God had promised. Instead, Moses yielded to God’s will to have Joshua lead God’s chosen [see Deut. 32 link above].

Often we Christians may feel that we have the ability and the direction to get something done for God and His Kingdom; but then we’re confronted with God saying, … “WAIT.” And rather than get ahead of God’s will, we must do what Sara Groves sings in the linked song above. We must wait on Him and do life His way. Need I write any more? If you’re as convicted by this truth as am I, … I think not!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … I’ll wait on 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.

March 24, 2017 ... Seeking His Face

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 83 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Alan Jackson singing the old hymn … Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus … poignantly singing of our need to continually see the face of our Lord, Jesus.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Chronicles 16:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 
13 Search for the Lord and His strength; … continually seek Him. 
… David’s song honors God’s Name by calling on His people to seek His face ALWAYS! This exhortation is also sung in Psalm 105:4.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Chronicles 16:8-27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... Upon the return of the Ark of the Covenant to the Temple in Jerusalem, King David writes a song to honor the Name of God.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … John 14:8-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus made it clear (to Philip and to us) that to see His face, i.e., the face of God’s Son, was to see the face of God, the Father.

Reference Passage #2 : … Philippians 2:5-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, strongly exhorted Christians to seek God’s face by taking on the attitude and character of Jesus.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Peterson, used a personal story to illustrate our need to focus on seeking the face of God. The ODB author wrote: My four-year-old son is full of questions, and chatters constantly. I love talking with him, but he’s developed an unfortunate habit of talking to me even when his back is turned. I often find myself saying, “I can’t hear you—please look at me when you’re talking.” 
Sometimes I think God wants to say the same thing to us—not because He can’t hear us, but because we can tend to talk to Him without really “looking” at Him. We pray, but we remain caught up in our own questions and focused on ourselves, forgetting the character of the One we’re praying to. Like my son, we ask questions without paying attention to the person we’re talking to. 

My fellow Christians, … if you read with me here EVERY DAY, I hope you know that I’m here in this quiet place each morning, seeking the “FACE” of my Lord. As the attached photo depicts, I come here and delve into God’s word, with the help of the ODB devotionals, seeking to know my God’s character and to become more like Him. And that, my friends, is what “seeking God’s face” is all about.

The “face of God” in Scripture refers to God’s character; and Jesus was very clear to His disciples (tho they didn’t quite get it!) that, as He said to Philip in the upper room, … to see His face (i.e., His character) was to see the face of His Father (see John 14:8-11). And Paul exhorted his fellow Christians (i.e., you and me) to seek to become just like the character of The Christ (see Phil. 2:5-11), Who was willing to set aside His glory/majesty, humbling Himself to become a man and to die on a cross that we might live with Him in eternity.

So, is it too much to ask, as King David did in His song (see highlight passage), to continually seek God’s face? … I think not!! … Personally, I’m touched to the core of conviction with Alan Jackson’s version of the old hymn [linked above]; … and so driven to come here, as I am today, deeply delving into God’s word to seek His face and become more like my Savior … day-by-day-by day.

What could each/all of us do today to seek His face?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … King Jesus, help me to seek Your face and become more like You today than yesterday; … and even more tomorrow than 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.

March 23, 2017 ... In His Arms

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 82 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Fernando Ortega singing the old hymn … I Need They Every Hour … poignantly singing of the reality of our need to come to the Lord in our need of comfort or His grace.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 66:13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 
13 I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child. 
… Yes, … even Moses in the OT was following Jesus.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 66:12-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… God’s word, thru Isaiah, to His people warning of the coming judgment … but His comfort to the remnant obedient believers.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … Isaiah 23:6 [NLT] … 
6 You (Lord) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, … all whose thoughts are fixed on You.
… God’s promise of peace to those who focus on His love/mercy/grace.

Reference Passage #2 : … Philippians 4:11-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… Paul learned that, no matter the circumstances, he found his strength from Christ.

Reference Passage #3 : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Peter had learned to find his comfort in Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a personal story to illustrate our need to run into the arms of our Lord when we’re in need of His comfort/grace. The ODB author wrote: My friend entrusted me with the privilege of holding her precious, four-day-old daughter. Not long after I took the baby into my arms, she started to fuss. I hugged her closer, my cheek pressed against her head, and began to sway and hum in a gentle rhythm to soothe her. Despite these earnest attempts, and my decade and a half of parenting experience, I couldn’t pacify her. She became increasingly upset until I placed her back into the crook of her mother’s eager arm. Peace washed over her almost instantaneously; her cries subsided and her newborn frame relaxed into the safety she already trusted. My friend knew precisely how to hold and pat her daughter to alleviate her distress. 

Ever felt like you needed what God promised to His people, thru Isaiah [see highlight passages], in their time of trial? I sure have recently. Diagnosed with clinical depression, I have found myself coming here - to my quiet place - each morning and essentially cuddling my heart in the spiritual arms of my Lord, and receiving His closeness, His love, and His grace. And like the closeness of a mother to her child (see photo), I’ve felt all the protective love which God promised to His children, thru Isaiah in the time of their captivity [see highlight verse], as well as the strength God promised to us, thru Paul in Phil. 4:11-13.

Do you need that kind of comfort or strength today? If so, follow Peter’s lead and bring your cares to our God, … for He truly cares for us (see 1st Peter 5:7).

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … As Fernando Ortega sings today, “I need thee every hour, most gracious 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.

March 22, 2017 ... Following In Faith

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 81 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Jeremy Camp singing his song … Walk By Faith … poignantly singing of how we Christians must walk by faith, following only those who follow Christ. … AND THEN ON TO THIS LINK  for Steve Green singing People Need The Lord

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 11:26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 
26 He [Moses] thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. 
… Yes, … even Moses in the OT was following Jesus.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 11:23-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... God reminds us, thru the author of Hebrews, of Moses leading the faithful out of Egypt, thru the wilderness, and giving them the Law to follow.
=============

Reference Passage #1 : … Luke 9: 23 [NLT] … 
23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow Me. 
… Jesus made it clear to deny self and follow Him.

Reference Passage #2 : … John 14:6 [NLT] … 
6 Jesus told him [Thomas], “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 
… So, it’s clear Whom we must follow.

Reference Passage #3 : … 1st Corinthians 11:1 [NLT] … 
1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 
… Paul confidently told his followers to follow him because he knew Whom he was following.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, C.P. Hia, used an historical illustration to show how we must follow Christ and help others to follow us to Him. The ODB author wrote: A memorial stone stands in the grounds of a former Japanese prison camp in China where a man died in 1945. It reads, “Eric Liddell was born in Tianjin of Scottish parents in 1902. His career reached its peak with his gold medal victory in the 400 metres event at the 1924 Olympic Games. He returned to China to work in Tianjin as a teacher. . . . His whole life was spent encouraging young people to make their best contributions to the betterment of mankind.” 
In the eyes of many, Eric’s greatest achievement was on the sports field. But he is also remembered for his contribution to the youth of Tianjin in China, the country where he was born and that he loved. He lived and served by faith. 
What will we be remembered for? Our academic achievements, job position, or financial success may get us recognized by others. But it is the quiet work we do in the lives of people that will live long after we are gone. 

Yes, our legacy should be to follow Jesus and then do all we can to lead others to Him. As from the highlight passage above, Moses, first hesitantly and then later confidently, led God’s people to follow The Lord; and those who followed Moses were blessed. Then came Jesus, Himself, commanding His followers to deny themselves and follow Him as “the way, the truth, the life;” (see Luke 9:23 and John 14:6); and some did and others didn’t. And then the Apostles were charged to lead others to our Lord (see the Great Commission); … and they did, … as did Paul, confidently telling others to follow him because he was following Christ (see 1 Cor. 11:1).

Today there are many social gurus in our culture who, like the Osteens and Oprahs, are like Genies, promising much but leading untold thousands to disaster. But we, who have truly claimed Christ as Lord, must do all we can to, as Jeremy Camp sings, to “Walk By Faith,” and do all we can to lead others to or toward our Savior.

So, my friends, be wary of whom you follow out there; and let’s do all we can today to walk by faith and follow our Lord, leading others to Him; … because … as Steve Green sings in the 2nd linked song, … “People Need the Lord!” 

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … As Steve Green sings, I so desire to follow You in faith and to lead others to You … even today if it be Your will. … 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.

March 21, 2017 ... The Blooming of His Grace

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 80 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Steve Green singing … Find Us Faithful … poignantly singing of lives in faithfulness to an ever faithful God, who love sustains us day-by-day, … FOREVER!

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Hosea 6:3 [NLT] … 
3  Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of the dawn or the coming of rains in early spring. 
… To know God is to love Him for His always faithful grace.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Hosea 6:1-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… Hosea’s love for his unfaithful wife, Gomer, is a picture of God’s love for His unfaithful people. 
=============

Reference Passage #1: … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… His faithfulness and love are seen - always for His faithful ones - being new every morning.

Reference Passage #2 : … John 3:16 [NLT] … 
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. …” 
… God’s love is eternal … once given, it never dies.

Reference Passage #2 : … John 3:16 [NLT] … 
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. 
… God’s faithfulness will ALWAYS cleanse the hearts of the repentant faithful.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, used a personal reference to teach on our faithfulness to God’s unrelenting love. The ODB author wrote: Needing a break, I went for a walk in the nearby park. As I headed down the path, a burst of green caught my attention. Out of the mud appeared shoots of life that in a few weeks would be cheerful daffodils, heralding spring and the warmth to come. We had made it through another winter! 
As we read through the book of Hosea, it can feel, in parts, like an unrelenting winter. For the Lord gave this prophet the unenviable task of marrying an unfaithful woman as a picture of the Creator’s love for His people, Israel (1:2–3). Hosea’s wife, Gomer, broke their wedding vows, but Hosea welcomed her back, yearning that she would love him devotedly (3:1–3). So too the Lord desires that we love Him with a strength and commitment that won’t evaporate like the morning mist. 

The OT book of Hosea is a poignant and powerful testament and picture of God’s faithfulness and His love for a people, who, throughout history, have been unfaithful in our love and devotion to Him. Do any of you, who read here with me, find yourself to be more like Gomer than Hosea? But our God is forever the Hosea in our lives, isn’t He?

As Jeremiah testified (in Lam. 3:22-23), His mercies of forgiveness are new every morning; and His love (as Jesus testified in John 3:16) is eternal. …

And like the daffodils bloom each spring after the winter [see photo], God’s love blooms in the hearts of any/all who come to Him, repenting of our sin, to be cleansed by His blood (see 1st John 1:9). May His grace bloom in our hearts today!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … As Steve Green sings, let my love be ever faithful to Your grace, … which blooms in our hearts as does the beauty of the daffodils. … 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.

March 20, 2017 ... My Resting Place

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 79 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the Vineyard group leading gin worship and singing … Resting Place … poignantly singing of resting in our Lord to gain His strength to cover our weakness.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 6:31, 46 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
 … Jesus took His time to rest as well as exhorting His followers to do the same.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 6:30-46 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... Jesus exhorted His disciples to take time to rest; and even the God-Man took His time away from the crowds to be alone and rest with His Father in prayer.
=============

Reference Passage #1: … Isaiah 40:29-31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Our refuge and strength is in The LORD.

Reference Passage #2 : … Matthew 11:28 [NLT] … 
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. …” 
… Our rest is in the One Who gives us His strength.

  Reference Passage #3: … 2nd Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … 
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
… Resting and trusting in the Lord brings us His empowering grace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, used a sports reference to teach on our need to take our rest in The Lord. The ODB author wrote: The headline caught my eye: “Rest Days Important for Runners.” In Tommy Manning’s article, the former member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team emphasized a principle that dedicated athletes sometimes ignore—the body needs time to rest and rebuild after exercise. “Physiologically, the adaptations that occur as a result of training only happen during rest,” Manning wrote. “This means rest is as important as workouts.” 

Ever been in a place where you felt you had almost no strength to go on? When a marathon runner gets toward the end of his/her 26+ mile trek, it is said the runner will “hit the wall,” with the body rebelling against the will to finish the race. Well, … recently I was experiencing severe hyper-fatigue symptoms; and I had multiple MDs diagnose that I was in the throws of a type of clinical depression. I was prescribed a medication, which helped; but I was also advised to begin shedding some of the most stress-producing elements in my life. So, I began saying “NO” to a number of the good things I was doing, … the biggest stressors in my life.

I also was led to add some rigor and discipline to my devotional life at the same time, praying more in the mornings and seeking to go deeper into God’s word than ever before. And the results have been significant, … even measurable. My blood sugars have come down (I’m diabetic). The bouts of hyper-fatigue have disappeared. And I’ve had some of the “sweetest” times with my Lord than ever before. As you may know, I have been coming here for years to be alone, resting in my Lord. And quite recently I’ve found more of His grace to give me strength than ever before.

I hope that any readers here with me today, especially those who’re dealing with depression or stress-related fatigue, can take in today’s linked song; and find the truth from the Scriptures above … that God can - and will - be your resting place. And He’s always there to provide us with His enabling/empowering grace to give us strength to cover our weakness.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … I come here today, Lord, … to rest in You and receive as much of Your grace as You can pour into my heart. … 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.

March 19, 2017 ... Words Like Wildfire

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 78 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the BeeGees sining their hit song… Words … and you can imagine Jesus singing those lyrics to any/all who read or hear His words being spoken to them (us).

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: James 3:5 [NLT] … 
5 In the same way the tongue is a small thing which makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a forest on fire. 
… The tongue may be a small organ; but it can do great damage if not bridled.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: James 3:1-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... Jesus’ brother, James, teaches on how powerful is the tongue to do damage in our lives. 
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 16:24, 27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon tells how words can be sweet like honey or destructive like a fire. We choose which.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Ephesians 4:29 [NLT] …  
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 
… If one can’t say something which brings God’s grace and love to someone else, it’s best not said at all.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, used an historical reference to illustrate the power of the tongue. The ODB author wrote: It was a Sunday night in September and most people were sleeping when a small fire broke out in Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane. Soon the flames spread from house to house and London was engulfed in the Great Fire of 1666. Over 70,000 people were left homeless by the blaze that leveled four-fifths of the city. So much destruction from such a small fire! 

Most biblically astute Christians are familiar with Jesus’ brother, James, preaching [in James 3] on the inordinate power of the very small organ - the tongue - when it is used either for good or for evil. And if used for the latter, it can create a wildfire out of a small spark which can burn down marriages, churches, or whole nations … just like that fire in London, which started from a small house fire, and almost burned down the entire city (see photo).

God, thru the Apostle Paul, taught us how to use our words, telling us (in Eph. 4:29 that we must avoid using emotionally inflammatory words, … using them only to build up others or give them God’s grace.

I pray today that we’ll only use our tongues for God’s glory and not to start a fire in someone else’s life.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, …Help me to use my words for Your glory. … 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.

March 18, 2017 ... Words To Pray?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 77 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Sara Groves singing her song … It’s Going To Be Alright … poignantly singing of the trust we have in a caring God to bring us thru times of desperation.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 34:18 [NLT] … 
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and He rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 
… David knew to Whom he must turn when he was brokenhearted.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David, on the run from King Saul, writes of turning to God in a time of desperation [see also 1Sam. 21 below).
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … 1st Samuel 21:10-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David, so desperate that he would feign lunacy to save his life. This was the scene he wrote about in Psalm 34.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Romans 8:26-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... There are times when we know not what to pray; but we can always know God’s Spirit will intervene for us.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… No worries … just prayers!

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Simple command; but do we follow it?

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Jolene Philo, told a personal story to illustrate praying in our times of brokenness and worry. The ODB author wrote: The morning after our son, Allen, was born, the doctor sat down in a chair near the foot of my bed and said, “Something’s wrong.” Our son, so perfect on the outside, had a life-threatening birth defect and needed to be flown to a hospital 700 miles away for immediate surgery. When the doctor tells you something is wrong with your child, your life changes. Fear of what lies ahead can crush your spirit and you stumble along, desperate for a God who will strengthen you so you can support your child. [see photo] … 
Then my husband, Hiram, arrived and heard the news. After the doctor left, Hiram said, “Jolene, let’s pray.” I nodded and he took my hand. “Thank You, Father, for giving Allen to us. He’s Yours, God, not ours. You loved him before we knew him, and he belongs to You. Be with him when we can’t.  Amen.” 

We all have times, when we feel pretty desperate, don’t we[?] … even tho we trust in a God Who cares for us (see 1st Peter 5:7). And in those times, all we can do is pray (see Phil. 4:6-7). But there are times, as in the scenario above, when it’s even difficult to do that, not finding the words to pray (see Romans 8:26-28).

Young David, desperate and on the run from King Saul, was in a place [see highlight passage] where he was compelled to even feign lunacy to save his life (see 1Samuel 21:10-15); but he knew that God watches over the lives/hearts of the brokenhearted (see Psalm 34:18); and so he ultimately took his anxieties to God in prayer/song.

And since we know and believe in reference passages 2-4 above (well , don’t we?!!), we know that God is always close and wouldn’t do, or allow, anything that was not for His glory and our good as Christians! So, why should we not take our desperation to Him? And even if we know not what to pray, we can rely on God’s Spirit to pray for us (see Rom. 8:26-28).

So, anybody feeling anxious or down today? … Listen to the song linked above; and let’s take it to God!!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, …Pray for me, Lord! I need Your help 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.

March 17, 2017 ... His Way First!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 76 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from friends, Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans, and Bob Carlisle singing … I Will Follow Christ … gloriously singing of our choices, as Christians, to honor God by following Christ and seeking His road when we walk the road of life.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 13:8-9 [NLT] … 
8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” 
… Abram could’ve had the first choice; but he yielded first to Lot, honoring God with his choice. 
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 13:1-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Abram defers to Lot the choice of which land to claim.
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 
23 … “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
… As His disciples, we are to always deny self and follow Him, and this generally means yielding to others before self.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Philippians 2:3-4 [NLT] … 
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 
 … Others before self is usually God’s way.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, made a biblical reference to Abram and Lot to illustrate how we need to make choices in our lives which affect others. The ODB author wrote: In some cultures a younger person is expected to permit his elder to enter a room first. In others, the most important or highest ranking individual enters first. No matter what our traditions, there are times when we find it difficult to allow someone to choose first on important matters, especially when that privilege rightfully belongs to us.   
Abram (later called Abraham) and his nephew Lot had so many flocks, herds, and tents that the land could not support both of them as they traveled together. To avoid conflict, Abram suggested they part company and generously gave Lot first choice of the land. His nephew took the fertile Jordan Valley, leaving Abram with the less desirable land. 

Choices! … As we walk the roads of life, we have to make them everyday, don’t we? And often they involve others as we choose to go one way or another in life. I call them “crossroads choices” (see photo). And I think they are God’s way of testing our obedience and our loyalty to Jesus’ command of discipleship in Luke 9:23.

Abram, when he came to faith in God, was given such a choice with regard to his family in deciding which way to go in life [see highlight passage]. And he chose to honor God with his choice and give first dibs to Lot. The Apostle Paul taught about this to fellow Christians in the Phil. 2 passage above. And when we choose to allow others go ahead of us, especially those who are part of the family of God, we’re often making the choice which honors God the most.

Up ahead, … which road will we take?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … My LORD, …King Jesus, …Shine a light on my way so that I can help others to see Your way. … 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.

March 16, 2017 ... He’s All I Need!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 75 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of lyrics from the group Hlllsong singing their song … Jesus You’re All I Need … gloriously singing of the reality of all we need in life … and that is our relationship with our Lord and Savior, … and to serve our King Jesus.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Isaiah 40:12a [NLT] … 
12a Who els (but God) has held the oceans in His hands? … Who has measured off the heavens with His fingers? … 
… REALITY - we can’t handle this world … but GOD can!!
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Isaiah 40:9-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Our God is the only One Who can handle the overwhelming problems of this world. 
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon knew that the only way we can find our way thru life is to surrender, completely, to the One, … the ONLY ONE … to show us the way … His way!

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 
3 You (Lord) keep in perfect peach all who trust in You, … all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 
… God, thru Isaiah, gives His people (you and me) His prescription for prioritizing the difficulties of life … i.e., focusing on our relationship with Christ.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … John 16:33 [NLT] … 
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 
… Jesus is the ONLY ONE Who can handle the challenges of this world.

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul shows Christians how to handle life when things become overwhelming, producing anxiety, stress, or depression.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used an illustration of the sometimes overwhelming stress we undergo in life and how we must handle it. The ODB author wrote: After I clumsily knocked over my glass on the restaurant counter, the spilled beverage began to cascade over the edge and onto the floor. Out of sheer embarrassment, I tried to catch the waterfall with cupped hands. My efforts were largely unsuccessful; most of my beverage rushed through my fingers. In the end, my upturned palms held little more than a meager tablespoon each, while my feet stood in puddles. 
My life feels similar on many days. I find myself scrambling to solve problems, oversee details, and control circumstances. No matter how hard I try, my feeble hands are incapable of managing all the pieces and parts. Something invariably slips through my fingers and pools on the floor at my feet, leaving me feeling overwhelmed. No amount of contorting my hands or squeezing my fingers more tightly together makes me able to handle it all [see photo]. 

Fellow Christian, … have you ever felt overwhelmed by the challenges of this life? I think I sense a consensus of … “Been there, … got that T-shirt!” … Yeah, … we’ve all been there, haven’t we? 

Recently, I seemed to have so many things that were slipping thru my grasp, much like trying to keep the water in my hands from an overwhelming cascade of challenges (again, as in the photo). And my inability to prioritize and handle it all actually had caused me to be diagnosed with clinical depression; and it was affecting my blood sugar (I’m diabetic) and causing bouts of hyper-fatigue. 

Well, ... three physicians helped me with some medication and the recommendation to begin pairing some of the lower prioritized, highly stress producing, choices from my life. But the thing that helped me most was focusing on my relationship with my Lord; and looking to Him to help me set my priorities on those things HE wanted me to focus on most in my life. [see the reference Scriptures above]

And it’s working! ... My blood sugar measures are within normal limits. The episodes of hyper-fatigue have disappeared; and my quiet times with God - like right now - have become sweeter than ever. So, my friends, if you’re looking for more peace and less stress, … take the advice, from Gods’ truth above; and let the guidance of Hillsong in the linked song guide your life.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … My LORD, …King Jesus, …You’re all I need. You have overcome the world; and I look to You for THE way! … 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.

March 15, 2017 ... A Gospel Legacy

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 74 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Joy Williams singing her song … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly singing of what should be the desire of all Christians … for others to see Jesus in the way we live, leaving a legacy of Christ when we leave this world.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: 2Timothy 1:5 [NLT] … 
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 
… Paul had left a legacy of the Gospel in Timothy’s life to be passed on to others.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: 2Timothy 1:1-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul writes of the legacy of Christ left in Timothy by his family and thru Paul’s mentoring. 
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Deuteronomy 6:4-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God charges all believers in Him to pass along His legacy to our family and others in every opportunity we have.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon knew that the only way we can find our way thru life is to surrender, completely, to the One to show us the way … His way!

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Matthew 28:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Christ’s “Great Commission” to Christians to GO and do all we can to make other disciples in His Name and for His glory.

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 
23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. …” 
… As we walk thru life, following Jesus, do others see Jesus in the way we live.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, used a personal story to illustrate how we Christians must live in order to pass along a legacy of Christ to those who come after us. The ODB author wrote: Grandpa and Grandma Harris didn’t have a lot of money, yet they managed to make each Christmas memorable for my cousins and me. There was always plenty of food, fun, and love. And from an early age we learned that it was Christ who made this celebration possible. We want to leave the same legacy to our children. When we got together last December to share Christmas with family, we realized this wonderful tradition had started with Grandpa and Grandma. They couldn’t leave us a monetary inheritance, but they were careful to plant the seeds of love, respect, and faith so that we—their children’s children—might imitate their example.

Fellow Christian, … do you have such a family legacy of Christmas and Christ in your life? I did not. … It was a mentor, later in my life, … much like the Apostle Paul was to Timothy [see the highlight passage], … who began to instill in me the legacy written about in the OT (see Deut. 6:4-7) and in the NT where Jesus commanded His disciples to follow Him and to lead others to Him (see Luke 9:23 and Matthew 28:19-20 ).

And the roaring question which resounds from today’s ODB entry for me is … Am I doing all I can to leave a legacy of Christlikeness in the way I think, the way I walk, and the way I lead others to Christ?”

What are we doing in our lives to show others, … our family, our friends, and others, the way to the Lord and in leading others to follow His way of living. Paul did that for Timothy. Are we doing it for others?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … LORD, … As Joy Williams sings in the linked song, … I so want others to see You in 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.

March 14, 2017 ... Falling Into His Arms

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 73 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Selah singing a contemporary arrangement of the old hymn … Do How Deep the Father’s Love For Us … poignantly singing of the vast expansive and open arms of love of our Savior.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 139:23 [NLT] … 
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; … test me and know my anxious thoughts. 
… When anxiety strikes, ... so what David did!
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 139:17-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David knew where to go when he felt lost, alone, and weak.
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon knew that the only way we can find our way thru life is to surrender, completely, to the One to show us the way … His way!

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 2nd Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … 
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
… When our strength runs out, we need to fall into the arms of the One who will give us His strength.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … 
6 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. 
… When we’re anxious, afraid, or feeling lost, … there’s only one place to go!

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Peter also knew where to go when he had burdens too heavy for himself to bare.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Shelly Beach, used a personal story to illustrate how we Christians must rely on God’s love to fuel us when we run out of human strength. The ODB author wrote: The day my husband, Dan, and I began our caregiving journey with our aging parents, we linked arms and felt as if we were plunging off a cliff. We didn’t know that in the process of caregiving the hardest task we would face would be to allow our hearts to be searched and molded and to allow God to use this special time to make us like Him in new ways. 
On days when I felt I was plunging toward earth in an out-of-control free-fall, God showed me my agendas, my reservations, my fears, my pride, and my selfishness. He used my broken places to show me His love and forgiveness. 

Do I sense any readers with me here, saying … “Yeah, been there … got that t-shirt!” … Well, maybe not with the caregiving of aging parents; but having been in situations where we felt lost, afraid, or helpless, … I’d bet there aren’t any of us who haven’t been there.

So, what does one do; … where does one go? Well today’s photo and song tell us. … We run into the arms of love of a Savior who knows exactly where we are and what we need. And as He promised David in Psalm 139 … or Paul 2nd Cor. 12:9, … our Lord’s love and enabling grace will always be there for us.

So, if any of us are feeling weak or anxious today, let’s do what Paul and Peter exhorted in Phil. 4:6-7 and 1Peter 5:7; … let’s take our cares to Jesus!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … LORD, … I come running to 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.

March 13, 2017 ... This Is My Story…!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 72 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of lyrics from the group Third Day singing a contemporary arrangement of the old hymn … Blessed Assurance … powerfully singing of the power of sharing one’s story of how God’s love changes lives.

=============
Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 9:19b-21 [NLT] … 
19b Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 21 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” 21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?” 
… After Saul’s conversation, he became the Apostle Paul, sharing his testimony and preaching the Gospel wherever he went; and many came to faith in Christ thru his story.
=============
Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 9:1-31, 26:1-32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul openly and strategically used his testimony to show the power of God to change a life. 
=============

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Luke 4:14-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus shared the prophesy of His story (prophesied by Isaiah - Is. 61:1-2) in His synagogue; and revealed that He was the Messiah. It was to become Jesus’ story and His life, death, and resurrection - i.e., His Gospel of deliverance.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Acts 1:8 [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.” 
… Jesus’ command for us to go forth and share our testimony (i.e., witness) with anyone and everyone we can.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Mart DeHaan, opened today’s entry with a personal story to illustrate how a story can impact the lives of others. And then the ODB author went on to show how the Apostle Paul’s conversion story was so influential in showing how Christ changes lives thru the witness of others [see highlight passages].

And the ODB entry today reminded me of how powerful our witness, thru testimony, can be to show others how the Gospel can (and will) change lives. And really, that’s Jesus’ command to all of us, isn’t it? [see Acts 1:8]

And an illustration of this is the sharing of “cardboard testimonies.” Some time ago in my church, a group of our partitioners came on stage during a Sunday service, carrying cardboard signs. On one side was a brief testimony of what our lives were like BEFORE Christ; and on the other side was our declaration of how becoming a Christian [i.e., AFTER Christ] had changed us (see photo). My “before” card read, “Addicted to PORN!” … and the “after” side read, “Addicted to God’s word!”; … a pretty obvious witness of how Christ changed my life, right?! If you did a cardboard testimony today, what would yours read?

And how many of us have shared our testimony with anybody recently? Perhaps, if we prayed for the opportunity, today might be our chance to show others how Jesus has changed our life.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … LORD, … Have testimony, will travel and share ANYWHERE!! … 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.