September 30, 2017 … Made Over In Christ

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 273 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from the group Hillsong leading in worship and singing… All Things New … poignantly declaring in song that God makes all things new in Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 3:3 [NLT] … 3 Jesus replied [to Nicodemus], “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 
… Without God’s transforming grace, no one enters the kingdom of God.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 3:1-8, 13-16, 19-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus explains the transforming grace which changes born-again Christians, bringing them (us) from the darkness into the light.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … John 6:45 [NLT] … 45 As it is written in the Scriptures, [Isaiah 54:13] ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. 
 … Jesus quotes from Isaiah that He came to teach the people the truth abut God’s transforming grace.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NLT] … 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 
… Paul had experienced God’s transforming, sanctifying grace; and he wanted others to know about it.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, teaches about the transformation which takes place in the life of the born-again Christian. The ODB author wrote: A few years ago a publisher made a big mistake. A book had been on the market for several years, so it was time for a makeover. The author rewrote the book to bring it up to date. But when the revision was published, there was a problem. The publisher gave the book a nice new cover but printed the old book inside. The exterior was fresh and new, but the interior was old and out of date. This “reprint” was not really new at all. 
Sometimes that kind of thing happens with people. They realize a change needs to be made in life. Things are heading in the wrong direction. So they may put on a new exterior without making a vital change in their heart. They may change a behavior on the outside but may not realize that it is only God who can change us on the inside. 

And I’m one of those, who, like the Apostle Paul, experienced God’s big time make-over when I came to know Christ as my Lord and Savior. And unfortunately there are some - if not many - who claim to be a “christian,” but who are doing so with exterior masks rather than surrendering internally and humbly, in repentance, as did Saul of Tarsus to become the Apostle Paul. And Jesus stated this process of internal change when He told Nicodemus in the garden that no one would enter God’s kingdom without being made-over by the transforming grace of God [see highlight passages].

I pray that any reading here have experienced the newness written about by Paul in 2Cor. 5:17; because if you haven’t, I stand ready, with anticipation, to be used by God’s Spirit to shepherd you into God’s kingdom. Just email me [@ billb13@bellsouth.net]; and God will make it happen!!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … if there are any reading my prayer today, who need Your make-over, send them my 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.

September 29, 2017 … Eyes of Faith

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 272 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from Krristyn Getty singing her husband, Keith’s, song … By Faith … poignantly declaring that it is our faith in Christ which moves us forward to accomplish God’s plan for the Church.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 20:29 [NLT] … 
29 Then Jesus told him [Thomas], “You believe because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” 
… Some question; but there are those who merely believe without seeing.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 20:24-29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Thomas doubted; … but his cynicism was answered when he saw the risen Christ … and his damaged faith came alive again.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Deuteronomy 31:6 [NLT] … 6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” 
… God’s promise is His reality! He will never fail the faithful.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 1st Corinthians 1:9 [NLT] … 9 God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 … God will never lie to us (see also Num. 23:19)

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 10:23 [NLT] … 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 
 … We can hold on faithfully to God’s promises.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 11:1 [NLT] … 1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 
… Faith sees things our eyes can never see.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, used a very personal example to illustrate how God often comes thru when we cannot see - or even imagine - Him. The ODB author wrote: When our son was struggling with heroin addiction, if you had told me God would one day use our experience to encourage other families who face these kinds of battles, I would have had trouble believing it. God has a way of bringing good out of difficult circumstances that isn’t always easy to see when you are going through them. 

I’m sure all readers have had a time in life when it was difficult to see the road ahead God was leading us to find and walk. So, how do we walk when we can’t see the way ahead? … Well, the answer is found in the truths found in the song linked above. We walk BY FAITH, and not be sight! 

Easy … ABSOLUTELY NOT!! … But necessary for us as surrendered believers in the resurrected Christ [?] … ABSOLUTELY!!

That was the dilemma Thomas faced when His Lord had died on the cross and the other Apostles said they had seen Jesus alive [see highlight passage]? But Jesus appeared to Thomas and he had a fresh faith. And we can have our faith come alive too, … IF … we’re willing to seek Jesus through His word and His Spirit. Because if we do, He will ALWAYS lead us down His path … for His glory!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I’m walking with fresh faith today because You let me find you … AGAIN … thru 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.

September 28, 2017 … When We Can’t Pray, He Will !!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 271 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from anonymous group of children singing … Standing In the Need of Prayer … poignantly declaring that, as Christians, we all need prayer at times.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 8:26 [NLT] … 
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 
… What a comfort to know - and believe - this truth when we’re so out-of-it that we don’t know what to pray.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 8:22-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, Who will go before God and pray even when we can’t.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Galatians 6:2 [NLT] … 
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 
… We’re exhorted - by God thru Paul - to share the prayer needs of others to God, which is obeying Christ’s law of love.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … James 5:16 [NLT] … 
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 
 … And when other Christians bring there prayer needs to us in need of healing prayer, I’m sure we’re more than glad to take their needs to God. And when He senses the prayers of the faithful, He will pour His grace out to the one in need.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Randy Kilgore, used a very personal story to illustrate how there are times when, as Christians, that we simply can’t pray. The ODB author wrote: In November 2015, I learned I needed open-heart surgery. Surprised and a little shaken, I was naturally drawn to think about the possibility of death. Were there relationships I needed to mend? Were there financial matters I needed to attend to for my family? Was there work that could be done ahead of time? And what about work that couldn’t wait; who should I hand that off to? It was a time to both act and pray. 
Except I couldn’t do either. 
My body was so weary and my mind so fatigued that even the simplest of tasks seemed beyond my strength. Perhaps most surprising, when I tried to pray, my thoughts would drift to the discomfort, or the shallow breathing caused by the damaged heart made me fall asleep. It was frustrating. I couldn’t work and I couldn’t even ask God to let me live so I could spend more time with my family! 

If I poled my readers today, I would probably read of many of you thinking … “Yeah, been there … got that T-shirt!” We’ve all had times, as disciples of Christ, when life was just so overwhelming or so exhausting that we couldn’t concentrate enough to bring our thoughts to God, haven’t we? But then, if we’ve known our Lord well enough, we remember, and believe, that we have an Advocate, the Holy Spirit, Who goes before God’s throne of grace FOR US in times like these and brings exactly what we need to pray to our Lord (see the highlight passages above).

But not only should we be comforted by the truth that our Holy Spirit will - and does - pray for us before God when it’s difficult for us to pray for ourselves; but I’m sure all of us Christians have had times when a brother or sister in Christ has asked us to pray for them. And when that happens, I’m sure we all feel honored and humbled to do so. And it doesn’t take much imagination to just KNOW that our God must love to hear His children praying for the needs of others (see Gal. 6:2 and James 5:16).

So, if we have others who need prayer today, let’s join the Holy Spirit and lift those anointed prayers to our Lord.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I’m here again today, praying for dear ones who need You; and I’m feeling so grateful that others are praying for me, … especially You, Holy Spirit. … 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.

September 27, 2017 … Dressed for Success

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 270 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly declaring that, as Christians, we want others to see us clothed in Christlikeness.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Colossians 3: 12, … 14 [NLT] … 
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. … 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 
… When we’re clothed with Christlikeness, others will see Jesus in us rather than us in us. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Colossians 3:7-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul teaches on how we must, as Christians, dress ourselves in the garments of Christlikeness. 
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … 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! 
 … Paul lists the Spirit-endowed characteristics of Christlikeness. When others see us wearing these, they see Christ in us.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 2:5 [NLT] … 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 
 … When we take on the attitude of Jesus, others see Christ in the choices we make.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, used a “dressed for success” word picture to show how Christians should be dressed in the clothing of Christlikeness to be successful as His witnesses in this life. The ODB author wrote: While removing the price tag from an item of winter clothing I had purchased, I smiled at these words on the back: “WARNING: This innovative product will make you want to go outdoors and stay there.”  When properly clothed for the climate, a person can survive and even thrive in harsh and changing weather conditions [see photo]. The same principle is true in our spiritual lives. As followers of Jesus, our all-weather spiritual wardrobe has been prescribed by the Lord in His Word. 

I’ve always liked the “dressed for success” word picture from Colossians 3 when it comes to our success as witnesses for Christ; because, if others see me “clothed” in my REAL ME clothing they will not see very much of Christ in me. No … I have to PUT ON or wear the robes of righteousness which my Lord has for me to wear so that others will see Christ in me, rather than me in me.

I know, that’s rather awkward wording; … but as I mature as a Christian, being a disciple and exhibiting the very nature of Christ (found in the various passages above), I will actually be putting on the clothing of Christlikeness. And when I do, I will be completely “dressed for success” as a witness for my Lord.

Today, I plan to take on as much of the clothing of Christlikeness as I can; and to do all I can to have other see Him in the way I live.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I”m putting you on today; so let anyone who sees me …. see 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.

September 26, 2017 … God, Our Provider

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 269 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing … More Than Enough … poignantly declaring that our God is Jehovah Jireh, … our provider and He’s more than enough to provide our needs.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Kings 4:7 [NLT] … 
7 When she [the widow] told the man of God [Elisha] what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” 
… The widow (and all of us) see that God can/will provide our needs … ALWAYS! 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Kings 4:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Elisha helps a poor widow see how God provides our needs.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Genesis 22:13-14 [NLT] … 
13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (or, “Jehovah-Jireh,” which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 
… God confirms Abraham’s faith in God’s promises and His covenant to provide all the needs of His obedient people.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Romans 8:28 [NLT] … 
28 And we know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 
 … I tough truth to see/believe at times; but TRUTH IS TRUTH and ALL THINGS do work together for the good of any/all who are born-again in Christ.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 4:18-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle Paul relates how God often uses others to help provide our needs for His glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used an old children’s tale to illustrate how God is our Provider. The ODB author wrote: A popular children’s book tells the story of a poor, country boy who took off his cap to honor the king. An identical hat appeared instantly in its place on his head, inciting the king’s anger for what appeared to be disrespect. Bartholomew removed hat after hat while being escorted to the palace for punishment. Each time, a new one appeared in its place. The hats grew increasingly fancy, bearing precious jewels and feather plumes. The 500th hat was the envy of King Derwin, who pardoned Bartholomew and purchased the hat for 500 pieces of gold. At last, Bartholomew’s head was bare; he walked home with freedom and money to support his family. 

This ODB story may be a bit quirky; but it does illustrate how often, in the midst of trying circumstances, it can take sometime for us to see how God will provide what we need … and even, at times, in abundance. Perhaps you can recall a time when you may not have deserved our Lord being our Provider; but He may have come thru for you, showing that He truly is Jehovah-Jireh, the One who can/will provide our needs.

I certainly remember the day when God, Who had been pursuing me in my spiritual blindness for some years, showed up in a very clear way and broke me to a place where I couldn’t help but see that He wanted me for His own; and I surrendered to my Jehovah-Jireh! … And He’s been providing my needs for me from then on.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I pray that we all know You as our Provider. … 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.

September 25, 2017 … Always There!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 268 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from the group Avalon singing their song … Orphans of God … poignantly declaring that the truth that true children of God can know that there are no orphans in the family of God.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 20:32 [NLT] … 
2 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself. … “ 
… Paul leaves his dear fellow Christians in Ephesus to return to Jerusalem; but he knows they will be able to be protected by God’s Spirit and His promises which the Ephesians inherited from Paul’s teaching/shepherding.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 20:17-20, 32-38 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul says a fond good-bye to his spiritual children in Ephesus, leaving them under the watch-care of God’s Spirit and His uplifting word.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … 
10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 
… The Prophet speaks God’s promise to His family that He’d alway be there to watch over us.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … John 14:15-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tells His Disciples that He will be leaving them but will never abandon them by sending His Spirit to live in their hearts forever.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Romans 8:31-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul shows all Christians that fellow born-again believers cannot and will never be separated from God’s love.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, used a personal family reference to teach on where our real home will be in glory. The ODB author wrote: I had a lump in my throat as I said good-bye to my niece on the eve of her move to Massachusetts to attend graduate school at Boston University. Though she had been away four years as an undergraduate, she hadn’t left our state. A two and a one-half-hour drive easily reunited us. Now she would be more than 800 miles away. No longer would we meet regularly to talk. I had to trust that God would take care of her. … 
Whether it’s children we launch from the nest or other family and friends who move away—saying good-bye can be very difficult [see photo]. They move beyond our influence and into their new lives. When we let go of their hands, we can trust that God has them in His. He can continue to shape their lives and meet their real needs—more than we ever could. 

Sure, … we all likely have had to say a fond good-bye to a dear one, haven’t we; … whether it’s at their funeral or when they go off from our watch-care to go it on their own? But for us Christians, as Paul felt for his beloved Ephesian friends (see highlight passages) , it’s uplifting to know that when we have loved ones who’re in the family of God, they will ALWAYS be under the watch-care of a loving Father, with His Spirit living in them.

As Jesus promised never to leave us alone (see in John 14) and Paul encouraged us that in our relationship with Christ we can NEVER be separated from God’s love (see in Romans 8), … as the group Avalon sings, “There are no orphans” in God’s family; and we will always be under His caring hand when we are in surrender to His Spirit [see Isaiah 41:10].

I pray that we all know and feel His love today.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I thank You … right now … because I know that I'm headed toward home with You, dear Father. 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.

September 24, 2017 … Longing for Home!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 267 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of image and lyrics from the group Highlands leading in worship … A Place Of Freedom … poignantly declaring that our ultimate home with Christ is a place of ultimate freedom and security.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 12:8 [NLT] … 
8 After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord. 
… Every day we “pitch our tents” (i.e., make decisions) which worship something … self, Satan, or the Savior. Which is it?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 12: 1-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Abram was called by God to uproot his family and move to an unknown land where God’s promises were to be his; and in faith, to worship of His new God, Abram went to “pitch his tent” in a new land.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 11:8-10, 11-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… From the “Hall of Faith” chapter in Hebrews, we read of Abram become Abraham and following God to a distant unknown land, where’s God’s promises were to be his.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, used a personal camping reference to teach on where our real home will be in glory. The ODB author wrote: Growing up in Minnesota, a place known for its many beautiful lakes, I loved to go camping to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation. But sleeping in a flimsy tent wasn’t my favorite part of the experience—especially when a rainy night and a leaky tent resulted in a soggy sleeping bag. 
I marvel to think that one of the heroes of our faith spent a hundred years in tents. 

In the highlight passage, as well as the well-known “hall of faith” chapter in Hebrews 11, we read of Abram’s trek of faith into an unknown land where he would “pitch his tent” of faith in the place his new God, Yahweh, had led him. Many of us have “homes” of stable, maybe brick, structures; but all Abram and his family had were tents; and when God called Abram to follow Him to a new place, … He simply struck his tents and followed in faith.

I don’t know about any readers here; but I’m pretty attached - or maybe even addicted - to the security of the domicile where we currently dwell, … our very stable “tent.” So, if God called me to pick up and go to a place where I was going to have to live in tents and trust my Lord - and Him alone - for safety and security and our well being, … well, I’m not sure I could have the faith of an Abram. I hope I could; because I do know that where we dwell now is not our real home.

And I, for one, long for and look for our new home in glory. How about you?

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … with all that is taking place, earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, and the human upheaval in this world, I long to be with You in our eternal home 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.

September 23, 2017 … Simon Says: “I Will”

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 266 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin, leading in worship, and singing … Here I Am To Worship … poignantly declaring our surrender and trust in God to make our lives a living worship of Jesus as our LORD!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 5:5 [NLT] … 
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 
… Simon, to become “Peter” later, trusted his “Master” enough to do what he thought was foolish; and in doing so, he found out that this Rabbi was His Lord (see verse 8).
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 5:1-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus calls Simon out ... to cast his nets when it made no sense to do so to the fisherman ... but Simon decided to do what the Rabbi told him to do ... and in doing so he found His "Lord" in this Man.  
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… If we can trust the Lord, without questioning Him, we will be blessed.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 
23 Then He [Jesus] 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 Christ’s disciple requires being sold out to Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, used personal observation to illustrate how we must trust our Lord even when human logic says something different. The ODB author wrote: A man named Refuge Rabindranath has been a youth worker in Sri Lanka for more than ten years. He often interacts with the youth late into the night—playing with them, listening to them, counseling and teaching them. He enjoys working with the young people, but it can be disheartening when promising students sometimes walk away from the faith. Some days he feels a bit like Simon Peter in Luke 5. 

My guess is that anyone reading here can recall a time when following Jesus was really tough because our human logic or fleshly feelings just seemed to be 180 degrees in the other direction of what God seemed to be calling us to do. Perhaps you’re there now, … about where Simon was when Jesus told him to cast his nets out where the fisherman just knew it made no sense to do so.

But what Simon said, in Luke 5:5, showed a remarkable degree of trust in this Man, whom he knew as a “Rabbi,” not a fisherman; … and the One who was calling him to cast out the nets [See photo]. And by following thru with that trust, even tho it didn’t make much sense from a fisherman’s logic, Simon found out that this Man was no ordinary man, but rather the Man Simon, from thereon, would designate to be his “Lord” (see verse 8).

And this OBD entry asks us if we know Jesus as “LORD” and our “KING JESUS,” … the Christ?! And are we willing to trust Him and follow His will, even when logic - or human feelings - make it difficult to do so? Are we willing to trust Him enough to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Him.?

I pray so!!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … here I am to worship You as my 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.

September 22, 2017 … Sweetness in the Sourness

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 265 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Hilary Weeks singing her song … Beautiful Heartbreak … poignantly singing the reality that many of our life transforming times come from the trials of life. … AND THEN TO THIS LINK ...  with Laura Story singing her song Blessings also relating that many of God’s blessings are disguised as heartaches.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Job 2:10b [NLT] … 10b “…  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” 
… Job, in the midst of his pain and privation accepts God's trial.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Job 2:1-10, 23:10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Job’s faithfulness and trust in God during extreme trials.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Habakkuk 3:17-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Praying for our kids shows them that we love them and God loves them even more.

Reference Passage [NLT] : …1st Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … 13 No temptation [can also be translated “testing” or “trial”] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted [tested] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted [or tested], he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 
… God promises His faithfulness and help in the midst of trials.

  Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NLT] … 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 
… Paul, encountering extreme pain, remembers Jesus’ promise of grace to handle the pain.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
… Prayer is an antidote in the midst of pain and privation to produce peace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, uses a personal story of her child desiring and eating lemons to illustrate that we can actually find joy in the midst of bitterness and testing. The ODB author wrote: When our toddler first bit into a lemon wedge, he wrinkled his nose, stuck out his tongue, and squeezed his eyes shut. “Sow-wah,” he said (sour). [See photo] 
I chuckled as I reached for the piece of fruit, intending to toss it into the trash. “No!” Xavier scampered across the kitchen to get away from me. “Moe-wah!” (more). 
His lips puckered with every juice-squirting bite [again, see photo].  I winced when he finally handed me the rind and walked away. 

Our girls used to do that too. We first thought there would be no way they’d want to eat a lemon; but they would chow down on as many pieces as we gave them, wincing at the sourness each time they ate a slice. And that’s the message of today’s ODB illustration, isn’t it; … that, as Christians, who believe in the redeeming/restoring grace of Christ, we can, as did Job, be able to find joy, and even satisfaction, in the midst of the trails or temptations of life (see highlight passages)?

I love the two songs linked above by Hilary Weeks and Laura Story, both of which convey the message that many of God’s greatest blessings and life lessons come from the darkest and most painful times in our lives.

That was the lesson Job and Habakkuk realized in the OT [scriptures above]. And it was the NT message brought by the Apostle Paul in the reference Scriptures, also above. And I only pray that we have learned that lesson and apply it in our lives when we’re tested by the trials of life.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … help me to find the sweetness of Your love and grace in the midst of the sour times of life. … 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.

September 21, 2017 … A Mother’s Prayer

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 264 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video and lyrics of Jaci Valesquez singing Dennis Jernigan’s song … On My Knees … poignantly singing of our need as Christians to get on our knees and pray for our needs.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ephesians 6:18 [NLT] … 
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 
… God, thru Paul, commands us to pray in the Spirit for our fellow Christians.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ephesians 6:18-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts Christians to pray in the Spirit for others.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 22:6 [NLT] … 6 Start children off on the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it. 
… Praying for our kids shows them that we love them and God loves them even more.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … John 15:7 [NLT] … 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 
 … Jesus exclaims the power of prayer when we’re obedient and faithful to His Name and for His glory.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
… Prayer for our kids can reduce the anxiety of being a parent.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2 Timothy 1:5 [NLT] … 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 
… Paul recalled how Timothy’s mother and grandmother led him in the faith.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … James 5:16b [NLT] … 16 … The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 
… James tells of the power of prayer from a righteous Christian.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Cindy Hess Kasper, uses a story of a mother praying for her son every morning and the effect it had on his faith. The ODB author wrote: Singer/songwriter Robert Hamlet wrote “Lady Who Prays for Me” as a tribute to his mother who made a point of praying for her boys each morning before they went to the bus stop. After a young mom heard Hamlet sing his song, she committed to praying with her own little boy. The result was heartwarming! Just before her son went out the door, his mother prayed for him. Five minutes later he returned—bringing kids from the bus stop with him! His mom was taken aback and asked what was going on. The boy responded, “Their moms didn’t pray with them.” 

We can see, in today’s ODB story, the effect of a parent praying with her boy has on the development of that child’s faith. Certainly the Scriptures provided today (above) attest to this truth. If any reader here had a parent who prayed intimately and regularly with him/her at a very young age, I would wager to say that you were well-grounded early in the faith. Oh, you may have wandered away; but it’s very likely that you came back to the Lord to Whom your parent(s) prayed with you at that early age.

I was not one of those. My parents never prayed with/for me as a young boy; but I did have a Heavenly Father Who pursued me to bring me to Himself at age 39. And now I often wonder what my earlier life might have been like if I had had parents with me as the mother in the ODB story. But it is what it is … and now I have the ultimate praying Parent, my Abba Father, praying for me every day.

PTL!!! And HALLELUJAH!!! for that; but if any reader here is a parent or grandparent, I’d exhort you to be praying with/for your kiddos openly, verbally, and regularly because it’s never too late to show them a Godly loved one who lifts them up in prayer (again, see all the reference passages above) .

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … thank You for for being my loving Abba Father Who prays for me every day. … 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.

September 20, 2017 … No Lone Rangers

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 263 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video and lyrics of the group Casting Crowns singing their song … Broken Together … poignantly singing of the truth that we’re broken and, as Christians, we need to live this life as BROKEN TOGETHER!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ecclesiastes 4:9a, 10 [NLT] … 9a … Two are better than one, … 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. 
… Running in life TOGETHER!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon, after faltering in life and trying to do life on his own, shares the truth that we must do life TOGETHER … no Lone Ranger Christians!!
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on our own understanding; 6 In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. 
… Solomon - way before he penned Ecclesiastes - gives his son good advice about trusting God to lead him thru life.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 2:3-4 [NLT] … 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 
 … Paul exhorts us, as Christians, to look to help others as well as to run the race ourselves.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 10:23-24 [NLT] … 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, … 
… God gives us His advice on how we must live a life faithful to Him … by spurring each other onward, as Christians, toward love and good works.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, uses a story from sports history to illustrate how we must lift one another up in this Christian life. The ODB author wrote: In the 2016 Rio Olympics, two athletes in the 5,000-meter race caught the world’s attention. About 3,200 meters into the race, New Zealander Nikki Hamblin and American Abbey D’Agostino collided and fell [see photo]. Abbey was quickly up on her feet, but stopped to help Nikki. Moments after the two athletes had started running again, Abbey began faltering, her right leg injured as a result of the fall. It was now Nikki’s turn to stop and encourage her fellow athlete to finish the race. When Abbey eventually stumbled across the finish line, Nikki was waiting to embrace her. What a beautiful picture of mutual encouragement! 

It’s an apt picture of running the race of life as Christians, isn’t it? We humans are, by nature, selfish, self-controlling, creatures with a desire to run thru life on our own, … with a natural desire to control things - on our own!

But the Christian life is not for Lone Rangers! … Yes, we’re broken, with a selfish sin nature; but in Christ we have the choice to break free from our selves and surrender to our Savior. And when we do, He gives us the enabling/empowering grace to run the race of life TOGETHER! And after failing his God in life for many years as a king, Solomon discovered that life is not meant to be controlled on our own, and especially without God. So, in today’s highlight passage, we read of King Solomon, exhorting all who would come after him, to live as the group Casting Crowns sings in the linked song … being BROKEN TOGETHER.

So, are we trying to run our race thru life on our own; or have we been been able to repent of our selfishness and reach out, as exhorted in the reference scriptures, and do the Christian life TOGETHER with our fellow Christians? And I pray the latter for us all today.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … thank You for showing me that I need to reach out for help in running this race called life; and I pray that reality for any reading here 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.

September 19, 2017 … Everything To Me

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 262 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video and lyrics of the group Avalon singing their song … Everything To Me … poignantly sings of the reality which all Christians should claim … that we have EVERYTHING when we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 73:26 [NLT] … 26 … My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but my God remains the strength of my heart; … He is mine forever! 
… Our God is all we need!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalms 73:21-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist helps us realize that our relationship with the living God is EVERYTHING!
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Psalm 119:57-58 [NLT] … 57 Lord, You are mine! I promise to obey Your words! 58 With all my heart I want Your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. 
… The Psalmist realized that the sweetness from God’s truth is all he needed to be blessed in life.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Habakkuk 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  ... 
… The Prophet learned that He could find joy and sweetness in life even when everything else had gone sour.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 4:11-13, 19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… Paul shows us that when we have Christ in our lives, we can be content no matter the circumstances or trials; … and that He always will supply all our needs.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, uses a good word picture to show that our relationship with Christ is the biggest and sweetest piece of the pie of life. The ODB author wrote: “His piece is bigger than mine!” … 
 When I was a boy my brothers and I would sometimes bicker about the size of the piece of homemade pie mom served us. One day Dad observed our antics with a lifted eyebrow, and smiled at Mom as he lifted his plate: “Please just give me a piece as big as your heart.”  My brothers and I watched in stunned silence as Mom laughed and offered him the largest portion of all [see photo]. 
If we focus on others’ possessions, jealousy too often results. Yet God’s Word lifts our eyes to something of far greater worth than earthly possessions. 

When we realize just how much the Apostle Paul had gone thru as a disciple of Christ (see 2Cor. 11:23-27), one could wonder how he had the attitude he wrote about in Philippians 4:11-13. But we read that he had learned to be content in all circumstances; because He realized that when He had Jesus, like the group Avalon sings, he had EVERYTHING!

In the Old Testament, I love the story of the Prophet Habakkuk, who came to God very confused and disconsolate. Yet, in Hab. 3:17-18, we read that God had shown him that he could choose joy over sorrow no matter what trials may come his way.

So, we ask ourselves today: Is that our attitude? Do we feel that we have the biggest, sweetest piece of the pie of life because we have Jesus in our lives? … If not, I think it’s time we do an attitude inventory. And that’s why you see me coming here EVERY morning to start my day by having my God cut me a WAY BIG slice of His pie of truth … from His word (see Ps. 119:57-58).

 … And oh how sweet it is!!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … Your word and my times with You each morning are so, SO sweet. … 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.

September 18, 2017 … No Turning Back!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 261 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Katheryn Scott leading an audience in worship and singing the old hymn … I Have Decided to Follow Jesus … worshipping the Lord Who has called all of His disciples to follow Him

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Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 12:1b-2a [NLT] … 1b … And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2a We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. … 
… God, thru the author of Hebrews, shows all disciples of Christ how to run the race of life … but following our Messiah as He leads us home.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 12:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… After laying out all of God’s faithful followers in Hebrews 11, God calls us to faithfully follow Jesus, … the Author of our faith.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… If we trust our Lord completely, He will lead us where we need to go.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 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.” 
… The only way to be Jesus’ witness is to know Him and follow Him.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Matthew 28:19-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
... Calling us to go and make disciples of others, Christ declares He’ll be with us to the end of the age when He comes back for His Bride.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 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 clearly lays out the command for His disciples to follow Him

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, shows how the famous violinist, Joshua Bell, leads an orchestra while he’s also playing his instrument, … showing us that being in the orchestra, each member must follow the conductor. The ODB author wrote: World-renowned violinist, Joshua Bell, has an unusual way of leading the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a forty-four-member chamber orchestra. Instead of waving a baton he directs while playing his Stradivarius with the other violinists [see photo]. 
Bell told Colorado Public Radio, “Even while I’m playing I can give them all kinds of direction and signals that I think only they would understand at this point. They know by every little dip in my violin, or raise in my eyebrow, or the way I draw the bow. They know the sound I’m looking for from the entire orchestra.” 

A symphonic orchestra is made up of many members, each playing different instruments, … all following a conductor, who leads them to play harmoniously together. And it doesn’t take a PhD in musicology or philosophy to see the need for the orchestra of Christ, i.e., the CHURCH, to follow our Conductor, … our Lord and Messiah, King Jesus.

The question is not, “should we follow Jesus [?].” He certainly made that clear to His disciples (see the reference scriptures above). No, the question clearly becomes, “WILL WE follow our Lord [?].” And I would pray today that all who read here with me are doing what Kathryn Scott sings in the link song, … deciding to follow Jesus … and NO TURNING BACK!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I’m here, as I am every morning, Lord, to follow You out of my quiet time and into the noisy times of life. You show me Your way; and I will 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.

September 17, 2017 …Don’t Look Back!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 260 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Sara Groves singing here song … Eyes On the Prize … poignantly singing of how we Christians need to keep our eyes ahead on the prize of salvation as we move forward in life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Philemon 1:15-16 [NLT] … 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. 
… Paul, pleading to Onesimus’ former master to free him as Christ had freed him, explains how belief in Christ had changed Onesimus and allowed him to move forward.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Philemon 1:8-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul pleads for a fellow prisoner who was released to return to his former slave master, pleading for this new brother in Christ because of the change which had taken place in the heart of this man, Onesimus.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 5:17 [NLT] … 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 
… When we surrender to Christ, we’re set free and don’t need to look back, moving forward as a new creation in Christ.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Philippians 3:13-14 [NLT] … 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 
… Paul exhorts fellow Christians (you and me too!) to look forward with hope to the prize which awaits us as we travel down His road to glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Karen Wolfe, told a personal story of trying to help a newly released prisoner to see the road ahead and not look back. The ODB author wrote: I saw Mary every Tuesday when I visited “the House”—a home that helps former prisoners reintegrate into society. My life looked different from hers: fresh out of jail, fighting addictions, separated from her son. You might say she lived on the edge of society. … 
 It’s easy to allow the walls of socio-economic status, class, or cultural differences to separate us. The gospel of Christ removes those barriers, changing our lives and our relationships forever. 

And the story in today’s highlight passage illustrates this in Scripture, doesn’t it? It’s the story of Paul intervening on behalf of Onesimus, a fellow prisoner he had led to Christ, shared in a letter to his former owner, Philemon, pleading for the freedom and life of this new Christian, because Paul knew personally of how different Onesimus would be having been saved by God’s grace.

There’s a word picture which I often use to help those I’m discipling to help them see that in Christ we’ve been set free from the past, … that we’re radically new creations (see 2Cor. 5:17); and we can move forward toward the prize of glory Christ has set before us (see Phil. 3:13-14). And so the images I tell them is that one can’t drive a car effectively toward their destination if they only use the rear-view mirror.

But all too often we, who’ve been set free in Christ, have the very human tendency to carry the baggage from our past into the future, focusing on our past rather than our future, driving our vehicle in life using only the rear-view mirror.

So, today I’m hoping - and praying - that any and all who read here can do what Sara Groves sings in her touching song (linked above) … and keep our eyes on the prize God’s grace has given us … and move on toward glory.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I pray that all of us look ahead to the glorious vistas ahead .. on the road You’ve called us to travel. … 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.

September 16, 2017 … Anger Is A Heart Fire

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 259 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Don Moen singing the old hymn … Wonderful Peace … poignantly singing of how God’s peace is His promise to replace the fires of anger in our hearts.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ephesians 4:31-32 [NLT] … 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 
… if we take Paul’s advice, we can avoid the bitterness which is inflamed by our anger. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ephesians 4:15, 26-32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul is trying to get fellow Christians to avoid the confrontational fires of anger by exhorting them to confront their anger with love and God’s grace.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all those whose thoughts are fixed on You! 
… When we fix the eyes of our heart on our Lord, we cannot avoid His peace. But when our hearts burn with anger we can avoid the fires of bitterness.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 12:9a [NLT] … 9 Each time He [Jesus] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 
… Jesus told Paul (and us) that He grace was sufficient to overcome our weakness; and this works to quell our anger as well as to deal with pain.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Hebrews 12:14-15 [NLT] … 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 
… Paul trying to help fellow Christians avoid angry root of bitterness, which is a fire which often rages out of control when lit in ones heart.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Linda Washington, uses a personal story to illustrate how anger can lead confrontational anger can lead to bitterness. The ODB author wrote: As I had dinner with a friend, she expressed how fed up she was with a particular family member. But she was reluctant to say anything to him about his annoying habit of ignoring or mocking her. When she did try to confront him about the problem, he responded with sarcastic remarks. She exploded in anger at him. Both parties wound up digging in their heels, and the family rift widened. 

What is our natural reaction when someone wrongs us? To get angry, right? And where then does the anger lead when we don’t confront it in the way the Apostle Paul was trying to instruct his fellow Christians in the highlight passage. It often leads to bitterness, doesn’t it? And when our hearts burn with bitterness (see photo), it becomes very difficult - and often improbable - to let the fires burn out and find the peace promised by Isaiah 26:3 when we’re able to focus on God’s will/way rather than our own.

Dear one, maybe you're thinking of someone in your past, or perhaps right now, whom you’ve let the fires of anger burn way too long. Well, if so, why don’t you set your heart in motion to get with that person and - with God’s peace in your heart - tell them how you feel and that you want to douse the fires of anger by doing all you can to explain your feelings, pursuing Christ’s love rather than letting the fires of anger burn into the hell-hole of bitterness.

Trust me, friend, … you’ll never be able to let God’s grace quell any bitterness you hold onto if the fires of anger continue to burn in your heart! So, let’s take in the Don Moen song linked above and then go out and pursue God’s peace to put out any fires that burn in our hearts today.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … Your love and peace quells all the fires of anger in my life. … 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.

September 15, 2017 … God IS My Father!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 258 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing their song … I Want To Be Jesus Like You … poignantly singing of how we need to see God as our true Father and follow the example of Him in His Son, Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 8:42 [NLT] … 
42 Jesus told them [the Jewish leaders], “If God were your Father, you would love Me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on My own, but He sent Me. ..." 
… Jesus points the Jews to their real Father in heaven.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 8:39-47 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus chides the Jewish leaders of their day, who held up Abraham as their “father,” telling them that they should honor the God Abraham served/followed as their true Father.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … John 1:12 [NLT] … 12 But to all who believed Him [Jesus] and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 
… We become a son or daughter of the living God when we believe Him and receive Him as our Lord.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Romans 8:14-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… When God imparts His Spirit into the hearts of those born again in Him, we become children of the Living God.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 2nd Corinthians 6:18 [NLT] … 18 “ … And I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 
… Paul quotes the Prophet Nathan [see 2Sam. 7:14] that the Lord Almighty (i.e., Jehovah) is our real Father.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, relates how some cultures honor their human ancestry more than others The ODB author wrote: When I went to buy a cell phone in the Middle East, I was asked the typical questions: name, nationality, address. But then as the clerk was filling out the form, he asked, “What’s your father’s name?” That question surprised me, and I wondered why it was important. Knowing my father’s name would not be important in my culture, but here it was necessary in order to establish my identity. In some cultures, ancestry is important. 

All too often I think we Christians lock into our image of God from our relationship with our earthy ancestors, especially from our ties to our earthly fathers. You probably know of someone who has a distorted image of God because of an abusive or absent earthly dad. Perhaps this speaks way close to your own relationship with our Abba Father.

But when we can clearly see God as our true FATHER; and we pattern our earthly lives from His earthly image, His Son, Jesus, we will do all we can to do - or be - what Phillips, Craig, and Dean sing about in the linked song … to be just like Him … our Heavenly Father.

Oh, how I pray today that all reading this are pursuing a deeper and more abiding relationship with our Heavenly Father thru the intimacy of our relationship with Jesus. Because if we do, we will see our earthly character growing out of our Lord’s eternal character.

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … I want to be just like 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.

September 14, 2017 … Following King Jesus!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 257 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from three friends, Clay Crosse, Bebe Winans, and Bob Carlisle singing … I Will Follow Christ … powerfully singing our decision to follow Christ, our King Jesus, not matter what the cost.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Judges 21:25 [NLT] … 
25 In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. 
… God created us to worship Him; but He also gave us free will. And our human default, when we see no King to serve is to worship self or Satan. That was the case in the days of the Judges. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Judges 2:11-23, 21:25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In the days following Joshua’s death, God’s people rebelled, having no king to serve.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Isaiah 53: 6 [NLT] … 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all. 
… God’s amazing grace … when we’re willing to surrender to King Jesus.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. 
… God’s amazing grace … when we’re willing to surrender to King Jesus.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 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 demands His disciples follow Him and not our selves.

Reference Passage [NLT] : … 1st John 1:9 [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. 
 … Even when we’ve been serving self, rather than the Savior, God is willing to forgive us and cleanse us of our selfishness and sin.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, relates a personal story about a time when she rebelled in selfishness and sin. The ODB author wrote: After attacking my husband with hurtful words when a situation didn’t go my way, I snubbed the Holy Spirit’s authority as He reminded me of Bible verses that revealed my sinful attitudes. Was nursing my stubborn pride worth the collateral damage in my marriage or being disobedient to God? Absolutely not. But by the time I asked for forgiveness from the Lord and my spouse, I’d left a wake of wounds behind me—the result of ignoring wise counsel and living as if I didn’t have to answer to anyone but myself.

I, for one, can really identify with the ODB author’s testimony of selfishness and rebellion. And she used this to illustrate our human tendency to default to the worship of self rather than the One God created us to worship .. i.e., HIMSELF! That’s what happened to God’s people in the days of the Judges when they had no King to follow [see highlight passages]. While they had the Judges God sent them, they surrendered to worship Him; but when there were no judges, they rebelled into selfishness and worshipped idols.

Do we see the pattern here? If we don’t, we’re blinded and tend to follow our selves rather than King Jesus, our Savior. But as Isaiah prophesied [see Isaiah 53:6], that tendency was given the ultimate release when God sent His Son, King Jesus, to give us a Savior to Whom we could surrender and follow. And He truly is the Christ, … our King Jesus! The question is … do we worship Him and follow His commands [see Luke 9:23]; or do we default to our human tendency to go our own way. 

It’s our choice, isn’t it? We can choose to rebel, as did God’s people in the times of the Judges, or we can take advantage of His forever mercy [see Lam. 3:22-23] and His promises to cleanse us from all our sins [see 1John 1:9].

We now have an eternal King in Jesus, our Savior! As our linked song proclaims, let’s choose to follow King Jesus today … and all days!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … You are my King, Jesus; and I choose to 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.

September 13, 2017 … Psalm ONE Discipleship

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 256 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Kim Hill singing an arrangement of … Psalm One … poignantly singing David’s song of praise and blessing for the believer who meditates on God’s word day and night for God’s truth is his delight.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 1:1-2 [NLT] … 
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around the sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 
… “Day and night” means DAY AND NIGHT!! Do we want God’s blessing? If so, are we meditating in God’s word DAY AND NIGHT?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God honors the believer who delights in Him by meditating in His truth.
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Reference Passage [NLT] : … Joshua 1:8 [NLT] … 
8 Study this Book of Instruction [i.e., God’s word] continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do [i.e., God’s will]. 
 … God’s prescription for success in carrying out His will is to be in God’s word and obey it fully,

Reference Passage [NLT] : … Psalm 119:9-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God gives one His prescription for avoiding sin … i.e., getting God’s word deeply into our hearts (i.e., dwelling in it deeply and even memorizing it)

Reference Passage [NLT] : … John 14:21 [NLT] … 
21 Those who accept My commandments and obey them are the ones who love Me. And because they love Me, My Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal Myself to each of them.” 
… How do we obey Jesus’ commandments unless we know what they are? And where is the best place to dwell on His truths? … DUH!! … God’s word, of course!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, relates a personal story about a young man who had a strong opinion about the value of reading books. The ODB author wrote: During a discussion of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, a teenager said he prefers his stories in books rather than movies. When asked why, the young man replied, “With a book, I can stay there as long as I want.” 
 There is something to be said for the power of lingering in a book, especially the Bible, and “inhabiting” the stories there. 

Learning how to “linger in a book” is a good life strategy to develop; and lingering in (i.e., meditating on) God’s book, the Bible, is His prescription for following His will in life and being successful as a disciple of Christ [see the Scriptures above).

But, I guess the question is … “Do we really want to be a Psalm One Christian?” … Because if we REALLY do, God has clearly laid out HOW to be a steadfast and successful disciple of Christ; and that is to dwell (i.e., meditate) in/on His truth (i.e., the Bible) as much as we can or will. That’s what Kim Hill sings about from King David’s song in Psalm One [linked above]; and to me, it’s the ultimate battle plan in being a successful Christian.

And recently, to help me in this way, I was led to a book, written by Robert J Morgan, which describes what is becoming a lost Christian art form; … and that is mediation on God’s word. Reading the book solidified a discipline I’ve tried to develop for a long time. And the Morgan book really helped me to strengthen this discipline in my life. So, … if you’d like to become stronger “PSALM ONE” Christian, let me LINK YOU HERE to a place any reader can purchase the Morgan book. [And it’s also carried by all of the online book distributors, like Amazon.]

So, if you’re serious about going deeper into a more abiding relationship with Christ, applying the truths in the Morgan book will transform you into a solid Psalm One witness. … Your choice!

My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Dear Lord, … thank You for showing me to way to becoming a more solid “Psalm One” disciple. … 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.