November 30, 2018 … A Thankful Heart

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 333 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Kirk Franklin leading in worship with choir singing … My Life Is In Your Hands … powerfully singing of how we, as surrendered Christians, are completely in our Lord’s hands; and for this we should begin each day with a thankful heart.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 50:15 [NLT] … 15  Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” 
… The Psalmist knows, in His heart, that his life is in God’s hands.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 50:8-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist calls on God with a grateful heart, knowing that his life is in God’s hands. 
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 100:4-5 [NLT] … 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. 5  For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. 
… No matter what we face, this should be our heart of thankfulness.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We should trust God … with a thankful heart … no matter what!

Reference Passage : … 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.
… And knowing this truth, our hearts should be filled with thanks as Christians.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Patricia Rayborn, relates a personal story to illustrate how God is honored when we carry a grateful heart no matter the circumstances of life. The ODB author writes … The doctor wasn’t frowning, despite talking to my husband about his recent cancer diagnosis. Smiling, she offered a suggestion: start each day by giving thanks. “For at least three things,” the doctor said.  Dan agreed, knowing that gratitude opens our hearts to find encouragement in God’s goodness. Thus, Dan starts each day with words of praise [see photo]. “Thank You, God, for a good night’s sleep. For my clean bed. For sunshine. For breakfast on the table. For a smile on my lips.” Each word is heartfelt. But could it sound trivial? Does our praise in life’s small details matter to Almighty God? 

Yesterday, my journal entry began with a reality: … stuff happens!! And it does, doesn’t it?! And sometimes that stuff is confusing or painful! For sure, it’s all part of the battles we call life; and my wife and I lead a ministry called BattlePlan Ministries (see www.battleplanministries.org ) where we learn to develop and live by a personalized, biblically-based, written battle plan to deal with each day’s battles.

And if you, as a Christian, were to decide which of these two battle plan prayers would be more powerful in beginning each day, … which would you think?

Prayer #1: ”Lord, why have these trials come my way?!” … OR …
Prayer #2: ”Lord, thank You for giving me Your empowering grace?!”

And if you’ve taken in Kirk Franklin’s choir and their praise song today, along with God’s word above, I think the answer to that choice is obvious, isn’t it? … So, … let’s all praise God for today and open up our hearts to be grateful for another day to do battle in God’s honor and for His glory, … knowing that, as Kirk Franklin sings, … our life is in HIS hands.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for giving me Your empowering grace to deal with the trials of life.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here are beginning today with a thankful … not a fearful … 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.

November 29, 2018 … In His Hands

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 332 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from the group, The Isaacs, singing … In HIs Hands … singing of how we, as surrendered Christians, are completely in our Lord’s hands.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 50:20 [NLT] … 20 You [Joseph’s brothers] intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
… Oh so often, we can’t see God’s intent in the moment; but God’s work for our good may become obvious down the road of life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 15:18-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The story about how the long saga of Joseph’s life unfolded with him being able to forgive and save his brothers.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 16:9 [NLT] … 9  We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. 
… God is in control!

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 55:8-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Isiah, declares His sovereign view of our lives, … far above what we can see!

Reference Passage : … 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. 
… Yes, EVERYTHING!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, relates a personal story to illustrate God’s sovereign control over all the aspects of our lives. The ODB author writes … Not long ago I was working on a construction project at my son’s home three hours away. The job took days longer than expected, and each morning I prayed we would finish by sunset. But every evening there was more to be done. 
I wondered why. Could there be a reason for the delay? An answer came the next morning. I was picking up a tool when my phone rang and a stranger’s voice spoke urgently: “Your daughter was injured in an accident. You need to come immediately.” She lived near my son, so it took just fourteen minutes to reach her. If I had been home, I would have been three hours away. I followed the ambulance to the hospital and comforted her before surgery. As I sat holding her hand I realized if my project hadn’t been delayed, I wouldn’t have been there. 
Our moments belong to God. 

The reality of God’s sovereignty and my free will has always - and will always - be source of tension or confusion in my (or your) life.

Reality: … stuff happens!!

And often what happens seems unfair or painful or just plain wrong! But as in today’s ODB entry, later we may be given the insight to find out that these painful or seemingly unfair circumstances work out for our good or for the good of others. That was certainly the case, as we read about the life of Joseph, whom we know went thru many pitfalls in life; but in the end God had weaved his life to be able to forgive his brothers and help many others [see highlight passage].

For years I’ve contended that Romans 8:28 was one of the toughest truths for we Christians to live out, … especially when the immediate circumstances seem so painful or wrong in our limited perception. But as it says in Isaiah 55:8-9, God has no limitations on the way He sees our lives; and He can see far into our future to allow us to deal with certainly confusing or painful circumstances now … so that those circumstances will be for our good later.

I pray that we all can trust God to be in control now and that we’ll be able to see why, tho we might have trouble dealing with life right now, … our now is for God’s glory later.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for knowing EXACTLY what we need in our now … for Your glory later.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here surrender to Your sovereignty now so that we can be used for Your glory later. … 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.

November 28, 2018 … Our Firm Foundation

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 331 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Don Moen leading in worship and singing … Jesus, Your My Firm Foundation … singing of how the word of our Lord is our firm foundation for life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 7:24 [NLT] … 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. … “ 
… And so, on what foundation do we build our lives?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 7:24-27 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus teaching on how we, as His disciples, must build our lives - on the strong foundation of His word.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 119:33-40 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
 … The Psalmist built his entire life on the foundation of God’s word.

Reference Passage : … 1Corinthians 3:11 [NLT] … 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 
… Paul makes it very clear on Whom we must build the foundation of our lives.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Peterson, uses the image of a house built by Frank Lloyd Wright to illustrate how we must build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus’ word. The ODB author writes … Last summer my husband and I toured Fallingwater, a house in rural Pennsylvania designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 [see photo]. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Wright wanted to create a home that rose organically out of the landscape, as if it could have grown there—and he accomplished his goal. He built the house around an existing waterfall, and its style mirrors the neighboring rock ledges. Our tour guide explained what made the construction safe: “The whole vertical core of the house,” she said, “rests on boulders.” 
Hearing her words, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’s words to His disciples. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told them that what He was teaching would be the sure foundation for their lives. 

The picture of the magnificent home build by F.L. Wright is an apt picture of what Jesus was trying to convey to His followers in His sermon on the mount. He wanted them to realize that building our lives on anything but the foundation of His teachings - or His life - would be flimsy, at best, but could potentially lead to disaster. He wanted them (and us) to build their lives on His word, … the strong foundation sung about in today’s linked song, and as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 119 (see above) and the Apostle Paul in 1Cor. 3:11.

So, the strong message here leads us to the self-examination as to how we’re building our lives. And we can be assured that if we’re building our lives on God’s word, we will know that our lives will stand firm in the face of even the worst of storms. That’s why you find me here, everyday, beginning each day by laying some bricks for my life from the strong truths I find in His word.

So, what are your building blocks, my dear one?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for the strong foundation You provide from Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here are building our lives on the strong teachings of 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.

November 27, 2018 … Redemptive Grace

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 330 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing … Your Grace Still Amazes Me … poignantly singing of how God’s amazing grace is a mystery but available to all who’re willing to come to the Father with repentant hearts, willing to surrender to the Lord’s saving or sanctifying grace.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 15:18-19 [NLT] … 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 
… When we’re willing to go to the Father with our confession and repentance, He’s ALWAYS willing to forgive and redeem us.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 15:11-24 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
…Jesus’ parable of the lost son indicating that there’s always redemption for our sin when we’re willing to confess and repent of it to the Father.
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Reference Passage : … 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. 
… We’ve all gone beyond God’s law of purity; but God made a way, thru His Son, for our redemption and restoration.

Reference Passage : … John 3:16 [NLT] … I think you know this one, don’t you?!! 
… God’s love extends to any/all who’re willing to bring their sin for His redeeming grace.

Reference Passage : … Romans 3:23, 4:7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul declare our universal sin nature but God’s eternal forgiveness being available to any/all who come to Him in repentance for His redemption.

Reference Passage : … 1John 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. 
… There’s simply no sin - except a life-long rejection of Jesus as the Son of God - that can’t or won’t be forgiven if we’re willing to confess/repent that sin.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David H Roper, uses a farm story to illustrate God’s willingness to forgive even the worst of sins. The ODB author writes … When I was in college, I worked a summer on a ranch in Colorado. One evening, tired and hungry after a long day of mowing hay [see photo], I drove the tractor into the yard. Acting like the hot shot I thought I was, I cranked the steering wheel hard left, stamped on the left brake, and spun the tractor around.  
The sickle was down and swept the legs out from under a 500-gallon gasoline tank standing nearby. The tank hit the ground with a resounding boom, the seams split, and all the gasoline spewed out. 
The rancher stood nearby surveying the scene. I got off the tractor, stammered an apology, and—because it was the first thing that popped into my mind—offered to work the rest of the summer without pay.  
The old rancher stared at the wreckage for a moment and turned toward the house. “Let’s go have dinner,” he drawled. 

It’s a good story with which most - if not all - of us can identify. Yeah, we’ve all likely done things which we probably thought there was no way we could be forgiven or redeemed, haven’t we? But when we take in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son/father (in the highlight passage), we see the reality of the rest of the Scriptures above, … all of which declare that any/all sin that we’re willing to bring to the Father in confession/repentance, can be - and will be - forgiven, allowing us to be redeemed and ultimately restored to God’s family of love.

I don’t think I need to write any more, do I? No, … let’s just all take in the song and join with the singers, praising God for His amazing grace!!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for Your redeeming/restoring … AMAZING … grace!!
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here have come to the place in life to be able to experience God’s amazing, redeeming grace. … 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.

November 26, 2018 … Knowing He Is God!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 329 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … Be Still and Know … poignantly singing of how God is God. He never changes and we must choose to acknowledge His presence and follow Him ALWAYS.

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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 dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” 
… Our God … always there for us; but do we know Him well enough to trust Him and always acknowledge Him?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Hosea 6:1-6 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Hosea calls God’s people (that’s you and me) to acknowledge Him … ALWAYS!! 
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Reference Passage : … Joshua 24:15 [NLT] … 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” 
… Joshua acknowledges - by his choice - to serve God … ALWAYS!!!

Reference Passage : … Psalm 46:10 [NLT] … 10  “Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.” 
… We must know and acknowledge our God.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Do we really trust Him enough to KNOW that He is ALWAYS there and will lead us to Himself.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5, … 8 [NLT] … 1 For God has said, … “I will never fail you.  I will never abandon you.” [Deut. 31:6] … 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 
… God’s promise in the Old and New Testaments … that He never changes and He will ALWAYS be there for us.

 My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lisa Samra, refers to a reminder to her that God is God and we must choose to acknowledge Him and always follow Him. The ODB author writes … A plaque in our home states “Bidden or not bidden, God is present.” A modern version might read, “Acknowledged or unacknowledged, God is here.” 
Hosea, an Old Testament prophet who lived in the late eighth century bc (755–715), wrote similar words to the Hebrew nation. [See highlight passage] 

How well do we really know God? … Because the truths from the Scriptures above cry out to declare that when we know the reality and sovereignty of God, we will acknowledge Him as our Lord and choose willingly to follow and serve Him … no matter what our circumstances.

As we take in Steven Curtis Chapman’s song, God’s word above, and the ODB truths today, do we know our God intimately enough to acknowledge Him as LORD in all we think, say, and do? Because if we cannot strongly say “YES” in answer to that question, don’t you think we need to get to know our God more intimately?

And that’s the primary reason you find me here EVERY day, getting to know my God more intimately thru His word. Because as I do, I join Joshua [see Joshua 24:15]… acknowledging and choosing to serve my Lord day-by-day … every day!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for just being You! 
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here know You, as Lord, well enough to acknowledge You in all we think, say, and do. … 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.

November 25, 2018 … Worthy Witnesses

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 328 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly singing of others see Christ in the way we walk in this world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Peter 2:12 [NLT] … 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 
… Living out our lives and walking as Christ walked gives quiet witness to the Lord. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Peter 2:11-21 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Peter, helping believers to be more effective witnesses for the Lord.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… If we do life Christ’s way, and not on our own, He will lead us on the right patch of Christlikeness.

Reference Passage : … 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.” 
… When Jesus arose into Heaven after the resurrection, He charged all who would be His disciples to ALWAYS be His witnesses.

Reference Passage : … 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 lays out a simple (but very difficult) plan to be His witnesses in this world.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 4:1 [NLT] … 1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 
… As Christ’s disciples, we are to do all we can to live lives worthy of our calling.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, used a story about a medical missionary to illustrate what it’s like to be a witness for Christ in a hostile world. The ODB author writes … Amy lives in a closed country where it’s forbidden to preach the gospel. She’s a trained nurse who works in a big hospital, caring for newborn babies. She’s such a committed professional that her work stands out, and many women are curious about her. They are moved to ask her questions in private. It’s then that Amy shares about her Savior openly. 

Amy, in this ODB story, could be you and me in this world; because we live in a world which is hostile to God and Christ, don’t we? And yet, Jesus has called us to be His witnesses, … always and everywhere (see Acts 1:8); … and He has given us His power to do that. …

… BUT HOW?!

Well, just like Amy in the story and and how the Apostles Paul and Peter exhorted, in the Scriptures above, we are to walk the walk of Christlikeness, … just as Jesus commanded us, following His path in this world (see Prov. 3:5-6 and Luke 9:23). And when we do that, as Joy Williams sings in the linked song, others will see Jesus in our quiet - but walking - witness.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for Your calling to follow You and giving us the Spirit-power to do so.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here will do all we can to walk like You and talk like 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.

November 24, 2018 … Our Spirit Power

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 327 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … His Strength Is Perfect … poignantly singing of the the strength God’s Spirit provides us Christians when we’re feeling weak.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 14:26 [NLT] … 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. 
… Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to be with His Disciples and give them all they will need. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 14:15-26 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus assures His disciples that they will have His Spirit when He’s no longer physically with them.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s Spirit will lead us and guide us … IF … we trust in His Spirit.

Reference Passage : … 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.” 
… When Jesus arose into Heaven after the resurrection, He promised His Spirit to be with his disciples (that’s us!) ALWAYS, yes, even to the ends of the earth.

Reference Passage : … 2 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. 
… Paul recognized that God provides him (and us) with the power we need when we’re not strong enough to handle life on our own.

Reference Passage : … 1 John 4:4 [NLT] … 4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 
… God’s promise to give us His power, thru His Spirit, to lift us up in our battles in this world.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, used a personal story about a friend who was there to provide strength to help another friend in a time of weakness. The ODB author writes … After a spinal injury left Marty paralyzed, he decided to go back to school to earn his MBA. Marty’s mother, Judy, helped make his goal a reality. She sat with him through every lecture and study group, jotting notes and handling technology issues. She even assisted him onto the platform when he received his diploma. What might have been unattainable became possible with the consistent, practical help Marty received. 

Have you ever been in a place/time in your life where you felt weak or overwhelmed with life? I’m sure we all have, haven’t we? Well that’s probably how Jesus’ Disciples felt in that upper room as Jesus told them He’d be leaving them and would die on the cross the very next day [see highlight passage]. But in that time of fear, our Lord gave them His promise that He’d be sending them His Spirit to provide them with guidance and power as they became His witnesses on earth [see also Acts 1:8].

And do we realize that we have that same Spirit-Power to give us God’s strength in our times of weakness, as Steven Curtis Chapman sings in the linked song? But as implied in the photo, we have to connect with that power by surrendering and allowing God’s Spirit to lead us or uplift us when we are weakened by the world or our own fears. And when we do allow God’s Spirit to be our empowerment, as is promised in 2Cor 12:9 or 1John 4:4, we will have all we need to witness to/for Christ in this world.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for implanting Your Spirit in my heart to lift me up in times of trial or fear.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here surrender to You and allow You, Holy Spirit, to give us Your power to overcome our weakness. … 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.

November 23, 2018 … Always There

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 326 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Mercy Me’s lead singing their song … Even If … poignantly singing of the trust we must hold in our Lord … EVEN IF … things seem hopeless.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 91:15 [NLT] … 15  When they call on Me, I will answer.  I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them. 
… God’s promise, thru the psalmist, of God’s protection for those who believe and trust in Him. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 91 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… A song proclaiming God’s presence (ALWAYS) and His eternal protection.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God will lead us and guide us … IF … we trust in Him.

Reference Passage : … John 15:1-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus on just how much He desires His beloved to abide in Him so that we can live fruitful lives.

Reference Passage : … 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.
… This truth can be one of the hardest to believe when we’re in the mist of devastating trials.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s promise … FOR THE ABIDING BELIEVER … is to never leave us or forsake us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Leslie Koh, used a personal story about a friend to illustrate God’s loving willingness to be there for the believer who trusts and abides in Him. The ODB author writes … When Sue’s parents divorced when she was young, the legal tussle over her custody and other matters resulted in her being sent to a children’s home for a while. Bullied by bigger kids, she felt lonely and abandoned. Her mother visited only once a month, and she hardly saw her father. It was only years later, however, that her mother told her that while the home’s rules prevented her from visiting more often, she had stood at the fence every single day, hoping to catch a glimpse of her daughter. “Sometimes,” she said, “I would just watch you playing in the garden [see photo], just to check if you were okay.” 

Oh how it can seem that God has abandoned us when we’re out there on our own sometimes, can’t it? And unfortunately this is all too often the case when we imagine that God can’t - or won’t - be there for us when we’re in times of trial or anguish. That’s what the group Mercy Me sings about in the linked song.

And when we’re in those down-and-out places, that’s when it’s the most difficult to believe in the truths espoused in the Scriptures above, doesn’t it. But it’s those times (the Romans 8:28 times), when we’re called upon to have a Prov. 3:5-6 faith, knowing that our God will never leave us or forsakes us (see Heb. 13:5-6).

If you’re reading here, maybe you’re in one of those dark places right now; and if so, now is the time to call out to God as Mercy Me sings in their song.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for ALWAYS being there for me (us) … no matter what!!
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here know that whatever we’re going thru is for our good and 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.

November 22, 2018 … Thankful Giving

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 325 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Brian Littrell singing his version of the old hymn … I Surrender All … poignantly singing of the attitude we should come in worship when we’re called to give back to honor what God has done, is doing, and will do for our eternal ives.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Corinthians 8:12 [NLT] … 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 
… Whatever we give from a thankful heart will be received by our Lord with joy.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Corinthians 8:1-12 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, calls the Church to give generously and sacrificially.
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Reference Passage : … Mark 12:41-44 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus calls out and blesses the widow who thankfully and humbly brought all she could, two mites, as her offering to the Temple storehouse.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus calls His disciples to be willing to give up self and follow Him by surrendering our all to Him.

Reference Passage : … 2Corinthians 9:6-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts Christians to give with joy from a thankful heart.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a personal story about a friend who was willing to do all she could to joyfully share of herself for the holiday. The ODB author writes … My friend was eager to gather her family and friends for a festive holiday celebration at her home. Each of the guests looked forward to gathering around the table together and wanted to help defray the expense of feeding so many by contributing to the meal. Some would bring bread, others salad or a side dish. For one guest, however, money was exceptionally tight. Although she looked forward to spending the evening with those whom she loved, she couldn’t afford to purchase any food. So, instead, she offered to clean the host’s home as her gift. 

Here in the USA today we celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving, where families and friends gather together and prayerfully (we hope!) giving thanks together for God’s providence and blessings. But as in the ODB story, some don’t have as much to bring to the table. But when they give what they can, as the author’s friend did, we know, from God’s promises (see scriptures above) how much God is blessed by hearts of thankful giving.

And one Bible story (in Mark 22:41-44) always illustrated how we should worship God with what He give us; and that’s the story of the widow who surrendered all she had to the Temple treasury [see photo]; and Jesus blessed her offering. And the other Pauline scriptures above also call us, His disciples, to follow and worship our Lord with what we give, … whether it be time, talents, or treasures.

So, on this Thanksgiving day, … and really ALWAYS, … let’s all bring thankful hearts to the table and then when we have opportunities to give back to God’s kingdom what He has given us, thru His Son, let us all give with generous and sacrificial hearts.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for all you have given me in and thru Your Son, King Jesus!
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here come to Your table today, giving of ourselves humbly and thankfully what we can for Your kingdom. … 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.

November 21, 2018 … On My Knees

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 324 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Twila Paris and Dennis Jernigan singing his song … On My Knees … poignantly singing our need to be on our knees when we’re overwhelmed with life and to ask others to pray for us as well.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Corinthians 1:10-11 [NLT] … 10 And He [God] did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 
… Paul declares the benefits he had received from the prayers of his fellow Christians in Corinth. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Paul thanking fellow Christians for praying for his mission work.
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Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:-6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to surrender out needs in prayer to overcome the stresses and worries of life.

Reference Passage : … Romans 8:26-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We should have confidence that God’s Spirit prays with us/for us even when we don’t know what to pray; and just coming to God’s throne of grace activates the Spirit’s prayers.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, used a personal story about challenges she encountered and how the prayers of others messengers of God’s love and care for her. The ODB author writes … A big academic project was weighing on me, and I was fretting over whether I could complete it by the deadline. In the midst of my anxious thoughts, I received three notes of encouragement from friends who were cheering me on. Each one said, “God brought you to mind today when I was praying.” I felt humbled and encouraged that these friends would contact me without knowing what I was going through, and I believed God had used them as His messengers of love. 

I think - from personal experience - that we all too often don’t take advantage of the power of God’s Spirit working thru the prayers of others because we’re too prideful to even ask for prayer. Common, admit it, dear one, … or am I the only one who has felt too embarrassed or self-absorbed to ask my brothers/sisters in Christ to pray for me when I was overwhelmed by life’s circumstances.

And what does God’s word - which is truth - promise about the power of prayer. Well, the Apostle Paul thanked other Christians for their prayers when he was challenged (see highlight passage), didn’t he? … Why? … Because he knew - and believed - that the prayers of others would activate the omniscient prayers of the Holy Spirit, Who will always bring our plight before God’s throne of grace (see Phil 4:6-7 and Rom 8:26-28).

But do we believe that? Well, that would be measured by our willingness to be on our knees [as in the linked song] or by our humility to ask others to go to their knees for us. And as we all meditate on this, what prayer need can we bring our fellow Christians, humbly asking for their prayers. And how can we be in prayer for them?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for ALWAYS being my prayer Partner.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here are on our knees for others and willing to ask them to pray for us. … 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.

November 20, 2018 … Onward and Upward

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 323 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Josh Groban and Brian McKnight singing … Bridge Over Troubled Waters … poignantly singing as if Jesus is singing that He is our bridge over the troubled waters in our lives.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Philippians 1:12 [NKJV] … 12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, … 
… Paul is thankful, in spite of his imprisonment, that the Gospel is being spread further … 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Philippians 1:12-18 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Paul assures fellow Christians that his imprisonment as served the Lord by spreading His gospel. 
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Reference Passage : … Genesis 50:19-21 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Joseph declares God’s glory has been advanced by all the evil intended on him by his brothers.

Reference Passage : … Psalm 23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… David declares that God is always willing to lead us thru the valley of the shadow of death into His garden if we are but willing to follow Him.

Reference Passage : … 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, for Christians, even the bad stuff is for our good.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, used a story about a bridge in Africa and how God’s kingdom was advanced in spite of the tragedy of the bridge’s collapse. The ODB author writes … When the bridge to Techiman, Ghana, washed out, residents of New Krobo on the other side of the Tano River were stranded [see photo]. Attendance at Pastor Samuel Appiah’s church in Techiman suffered too because many of the members lived in New Krobo—on the “wrong” side of the river. 
Amid the crisis, Pastor Sam was trying to expand the church’s children’s home to care for more orphans. So he prayed. Then his church sponsored outdoor meetings across the river in New Krobo. Soon they were baptizing new believers in Jesus. A new church took root. Not only that, New Krobo had space to care for the orphans awaiting housing. God was weaving His restorative work into the crisis. 

I would expect that many, if not all, my fellow Christians reading here have experienced a “bridge collapse” in our life, haven’t we? Perhaps it was a time when all looked really bad; but then God used that challenge for His glory in some way. And like Paul writing about his imprisonment to the Philippians (in the highlight passage), God comes thru and uses the brokenness or setback for His glory.

For years now, I’ve contended that Romans 8:28 (see above) is one of the hardest truths in God’s word for us to accept and live out in our lives. But if we believe the truth of 2Tim. 3:16-17 (you look that one up!!), then we need to look ay any “bridge collapsing” or “imprisonment” in our lives as God’s way of showing us thru the valley of the shadow of death (see Psalm 23) and onward and upward to be with Him in His garden of glory.

And for that truth, do I sense others joining me in a robust … HALLELUJAH!!!?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for leading us past our collapses in life and onward to Your glory.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here are willing to see our challenges as tools to bring glory 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.

November 19, 2018 … Godly Confrontation

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 322 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Chris McClarney singing … Beauty for Ashes … poignantly singing of how our Lord was willing to confront our sin on the cross; and He expects us to confront the sin of others with His mercy and love as well.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Samuel 25:32-33 [NKJV] … 32 Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand. 
… Because Abigail was willing to confront David in a caring manner, with truth from God’s word, David was able to back away from his vengeful heart and allow Abigail’s foolish husband to live. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Samuel 25:14-35 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… The story of Abigail confronting David to save her husband Nabal’s life and David’s ungodly heart of vengeance.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 27:17 [NKJV] … 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. 
… God’s word moves us to confront and help others to deal with the challenges of life, and yes, even the sin.

Reference Passage : … Galatians 6:1 [NKJV] … 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 
 … God, thru Paul, exhorts Christians to confront one who is burdened openly by sin and help that person by confronting the sin and loving the sinner in the process.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Elisa Morgan, used a personal recollection of having to confront a colleague with wrong doing to illustrate what we must do as Christians when we see wrong doing. The ODB author writes … I once drove fifty miles to have a hard conversation with a remote staff person [see photo]. I had received a report from another employee that suggested he was misrepresenting our company, and I was concerned for our reputation. I felt nudged to offer an opinion that might change his choices. 

I don’t know about other readers here, but I, for one, hate confrontation! However, sometimes, as in the ODB example, it’s unavoidable. And that was the point of the biblical story of Abigail having to confront King David in order to save her family from her husband’s foolish actions (see highlight passage).

And as disciples of Christ, we’re to remember how our Lord was willing to confront Satan and take upon Himself all the sins of mankind to save us from ourselves. Yes, as the reference scriptures above exhort us as Christians, we are to humbly and lovingly confront those who are in bondage to sin and help them throw off their shackles.

Years ago as a manager in a large hospital, when I saw a colleague making a mistake, I learned to use four magic words to confront that person; and those words were “I need your help,” … coming to the person with open arms rather than with fingers pointed in his/her direction. And that’s the Godly posture of confrontation that Abigail took in confronting David; and I pray it’s the one we take when we see others making unGodly mistakes.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for confronting and defeating the sin in my life.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here are willing to confront others and lovingly use God’s mercy/love to help others walk free from the shackles of sin. … 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.

November 18, 2018 … Rebuilding the Temple

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 321 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Jason Gray singing … I Am New … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, are being remade - rebuilt - into the image of our Savior.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ezra 5:5 [NKJV] … 5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, so that they could not make them cease till a report could go to Darius. 
… In the rebuilding of God’s Temple, His eyes were always on the restoration.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ezra 5:1-5 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… The Temple of God, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians, now was being rebuilt for God’s glory.
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Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 [NKJV] … 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 
… Our bodies are God’s “temple,” and we are charged to keep it pure/clean for His glory. And it it is broken, we must allow Him to rebuild it in His image.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NKJV] … 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 
 … Once we are reconciled in our flesh to Christ, His Spirit will rebuild us into His images.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 1:6 [NKJV] …  … 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; … 
… If we don’t get in God’s way, His grace will remake us into the image of Christ …

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Leslie Koh, used a person recollection of a friend who persevered in letting God rebuild his life anew in Christ. The ODB author writes … When an opportunity came to take on a new role at work, Simon believed it was a godsend. After praying over the decision and seeking counsel, he felt that God was giving him this opportunity to take on bigger responsibilities. Everything fell into place, and his boss supported his move. Then things began to go wrong. Some colleagues resented his promotion and refused to cooperate. He began to wonder if he should give up. … 
Similarly, Simon sought God’s wisdom to discern whether he should stay or find a new position. Sensing God calling him to remain, he relied on God’s strength to persevere. Over time, he slowly gained his colleagues’ acceptance. 

And then the ODB author used the biblical story of God rebuilding His temple in the book of Ezra (see highlight passage) to show, as with the story of Simon above, how God will watch over the rebuilding of our personal temple, our bodies/lives (see 1Cor 6 and 2Cor 5 above), and give us the strength of His grace to complete the rebuilding project (see Phil. 1:6).

I’ve been called to disciple men whose lives have been broken by habitual sexual sin (see www.battleplanministries.org ).   And when they realize the reality that they CAN rebuild their lives as promised by our Lord in the reference passages above, they let God do the rebuilding and their lives are transformed … and the temples of their bodies can - and do - become new.

And so, I pray today that we’re all letting God’s Spirit remake us into His image, … letting our Lord restructure His temple to give Him glory.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for the newness I have in/thru my relationship with You.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here being clay in The Potter’s hands, surrendering to the rebuilding of Your Temple by Your 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.

November 17, 2018 … Jesus’ Healing Touch

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 320 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from The Gaither Vocal Band singing the classic Gaither song … He Touched Me … poignantly singing of How we are changed and healed by the touch of our Savior.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 1:41-42 [NKJV] … 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him [the lepter], and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 
… Jesus could have healed the leper from a distance; but His compassion led Him to touch the man to heal him.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 1:40-45 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus didn’t need to tough the leper to heal him [see Mark 2:1-12]; but He did, showing the compassion our Lord had for anyone with such desperate need and His power to meet that need. 
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Reference Passage : … Leviticus 13:45-46 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Lepers where considered unclean and required by the law of the day to declare their uncleanness in public so that no one would touch them.

Reference Passage : … Mark 2:1-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus did not have to touch someone to heal them, as in this story; but as with the story in the highlight passage, He did to show His love and compassion for those who sought healing.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used an athletic word picture to illustrate how Christians are bound together in Christ and become a community of encouragement, … or at least should be. The ODB author writes … Dr. Paul Brand, twentieth-century pioneer medical missionary to India, saw firsthand the stigma associated with leprosy. During an appointment, he touched a patient to reassure him treatment was possible. Tears began to stream down the man’s face. An attendant explained the tears to Dr. Brand, saying, “You touched him and no one has done that for years. They are tears of joy.”

When someone is ailing or in need of assistance, there’s something very powerful and healing about a compassionate one reaching out to touch the one in need. And this was certainly illustrated by Jesus when He reached out to touch a leper, as in the highlight passage. And this must’ve been frightening to those who witnessed this; because it is highly likely that the leper had called out to warn Jesus not to touch his leprous hand (see photo - and read the Lev. 13 passage).

Jesus could’ve healed the man from a distance; but His deep compassion for the man led Him to reach out and touch him to show all that He had divine power over disease with His love and equally divine compassion.

And tho I was not a leper, Jesus came after me years ago in my sinful condition; and He reached out to touch me through His word and heal me, … just as the Gaithers sing in the linked song. And now, as they sing, “I am no longer the same.” And I’m sure that others reading here can speak out with joy, as did the leper in the highlight story, of the healing power of our Savior. And I pray we do!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for touching me with Your compassion and bringing healing to my leprous heart.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all of us who’ve experienced Your compassion and healing will sing out “Hallelujah” as I do 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.

November 16, 2018 … Thank You, Lord!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 319 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Dennis Jernigan leading in worship and singing his tribute in thanks to God … Thank You Lord … poignantly singing of how we should, as children of God, have thankful hearts ALWAYS!!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 95:2-3 [NKJV] … 2  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 3  For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. 
… Just singing praises and thanks to God because He is GOD!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 95 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist, singing thanks to God, … just because He is God!
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Reference Passage : … John 3:16-17 [NKJV] … 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 
 … Certainly enough reason to give thanks to our God, isn’t it?

Reference Passage : … 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [NKJV] … 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 
 … Paul knew that our hearts, as Christ’s disciples, should be locked in a mode of thankfulness … ALWAYS!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Banon, used a common greeting card to illustrate what our hearts should express to our Lord … ALWAYS!! The ODB author writes … Among the thousands of sentiments printed on greeting cards, perhaps one of the most touching is this simple statement: “Thanks for being you.” [see photo] 
If you receive that card, you know that someone cares for you, … not because you did something spectacular for that person, … but because you’re appreciated for your essence. 
I wonder if this kind of sentiment might indicate for us one of the best ways to say “thank you” to God. 

Here in the USA, we’re coming up on a special holiday next week, aren’t we? And on Thanksgiving day, we’re to remember, with thankful hearts, all the goodness and blessings in our lives. But what about today? Shouldn’t our hearts, as Christians, be saying to God what is in that greeting card? … “Thanks, God, for just being our God!”


And if you’ve taken in the photo, heard the linked song, and meditated on the Scriptures highlighted by the ODB entry today, I think we all should do a heart inventory and see if we truly carry a thankful attitude for all that God has done, … is doing, … and will do in our lives.

I, for one, am jolted into a genuine proclamation of thanks to my God … for just being God!! 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for just being You!! 
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here are saying … or maybe singing along with Dennis Jernigan … our thanks to our God, Who loves us and ALWAYS cares for us. … 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.

November 15, 2018 … So Easily Distracted !!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 318 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Steve Green singing … People Need the Lord … poignantly singing of how easy it is to become distracted from Jesus and the Gospel needs of people in our world; … and then ON TO THIS LINK to hear Joy Williams singing - Do They See Jesus In Me with the convicting message for all Christians to live lives that shine the light of Jesus into a very dark and distracted world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 13:35 [NKJV] … 35 … By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 
… Jesus “Law of Love,” commands us to show His love by loving others in His Name and for His glory.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 10:19-25 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tell His Disciples in the Upper Room what will be their mission of witness after He is resurrected. And in this charge He is commanding us as well today.
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Reference Passage : … John 14:21 [NKJV] … 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 
… Jesus goes on in the Upper Room to command His Disciples (and once again, us) how to make sure others see Himself being manifest in what we do.

Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NKJV] … 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 
 … Jesus commanded all disciples to be His witnesses in this world; and we do that by sharing His love with others.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 2:3-4 [NKJV] … 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 
 … Paul knew what it took for others to see Jesus as we live our lives, … and that is to care for the needs of others with Jesus’ love.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, used a Victorian Era painting to illustrate how our world can so easily become distracted from what is important … and that is Jesus and His Gospel. The ODB author writes … Artist Sigismund Goetze shocked Victorian-era England with a painting entitled “Despised and Rejected of Men.” [see photo] In it, he portrayed the suffering, condemned Jesus surrounded by people of Goetze’s own generation. They were so consumed by their own interests—business, romance, politics—that they were shockingly oblivious to the Savior’s sacrifice. Indifferent to Christ, the surrounding crowd, like the mob at the foot of Jesus’s cross, had no idea what—or who—they had missed. 

And if you’ve taken in the meaning of the photo and the linked songs, and certainly the power of God’s truth in the Scriptures above, I think all reading with me will be convicted - as I am - to go out and do all we can to share God’s love with others who so desperately need Jesus’s love.

Do I need to write more? … I think not!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for putting Your love in my heart to share with others.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that You give me (us) opportunities to live lives [yes, today!] which reflect You into this dark world and, in doing so, share Your love with others. … Amen

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

November 14, 2018 … Our Community of Encouragement

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 317 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Glen Campbell singing his hit song … Try A Little Kindness … poignantly singing of what should be the life of all Christians, born-again by Christ’s blood into a family of encouragement.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 10:24 [NKJV] … 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, … 
… God brings us together in the family of God to consider others and lift each other up with good works of encouragement …
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Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 10:19-25 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… As part of the family of God, we are to become a community of encouragement, lifting each other up whenever we can by our words and acts of goodness.
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Reference Passage : … Galatians 6:9-10 [NKJV] … 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. 
… Paul exhorts fellow Christs to keep on, keeping on by reaching out to others, especially fellow Christians, with acts of goodness/kindness.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 2:3-4 [NKJV] … 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
 … God, thru Paul, exhorts us, as disciples of Christ, to rise above petty selfishness and look out for the interests of others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used an athletic word picture to illustrate how Christians are bound together in Christ and become a community of encouragement, … or at least should be. The ODB author writes … The Steven Thompson Memorial Centipede is a cross-country meet unlike any other. Each seven-member team runs as a unit, holding a rope for the first two miles of a three-mile course [see photo]. At the two-mile mark, the team drops the rope and finishes the race individually. Each person’s time is, therefore, a combination of the pace the team kept and his or her own speed. 
This year, my daughter’s team opted for a strategy I had not previously seen: They put the fastest runner at the front and the slowest right behind her. She explained that their goal was for the strongest runner to be near enough to speak words of encouragement to the slowest runner. 

When we’re born again into the family of God, our Lord desires that we become a community of encouragement; and as in the centipede race picture, we are to do all we can to help others who’re perhaps needing assistance to run the race of life.

And so, as in the highlight and reference passages directs us, our Lord, thru Scripture authors like Paul, exhorts us to come together as God’s team to lift up others with words or acts of kindness just as Glen Campbell sung in his 1970s hit song (linked above).

So, how about it [?], fellow member of God’s family; … let’s all pray that God gives us opportunities today to encourage someone who needs our help and strength. And if we’re the one needing that lift from fellow Christians, let’s not let pride get in the way of asking for the help we need from the family of God.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for bringing me into Your family of encouragement.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that You gives me (us) opportunities to help others by encouraging them and being an agent of Your enabling grace. … 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.

November 13, 2018 … Following My Shepherd

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 316 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images from Marty Goetz singing … Psalm 23 … poignantly singing his rendition of the Psalm of David about our Good Shepherd.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ezekiel 34:11-12 [NKJV] … 11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.
…  God is our Good Shepherd, leading us as His sheep. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ezekiel 34:7-16 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru the Prophet, shows His people that they, like sheep, will be led by a Good Shepherd to green Pastures.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We do have a Good Shepherd and He is so willing to lead us from the valley of the shadow of death into green pastures; … if we but follow Him.

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 53:6 [NKJV] … 6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 
… We are ALL like sheep, in need of a Good Shepherd.

Reference Passage : … John 10:7-11 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We have a Good Shepherd … all we must do is hear Him and follow Him to safe pastures.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Peterson, used a biblical word picture often used in the Bible to describe our need for a Good Shepherd. The ODB author writes … My friend Chad spent a year as a shepherd in Wyoming. “Sheep are so dumb that they’ll only eat what is right in front of them,” he told me. “Even if they’ve eaten all the grass in front of them, they won’t turn to look for a fresh patch—they’ll just start eating dirt!” 
We laughed, and I couldn’t help but think about how often the Bible compares humans to sheep. No wonder we need a shepherd [see photo]! But since sheep are so dumb, not just any shepherd will do. Sheep need a shepherd who cares about them. 

I think the oft repeated word picture (see Scriptures above) of us being sheep is an apt one, don’t you think? How many times, especially in my earlier years did I wander away from the leading of the Good Shepherd? And how many times did He come after me to rescue me (as in the photo)? And the truth of me as one of the Lord’s wayward lambs, really strikes home when I hear Marty Goetz singing his rendition of our Psalm 23, written by David, who had been a shepherd. I hope all readers take the few moments to hear and meditate on the truths of that song (linked above).

And then I pray we all do all we can today to let our Good Shepherd lead us, staying as close to Him as we can, as He leads us thru the valleys of death’s shadows into His eternal green pastures. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for being my Good Shepherd. 
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, we listen for Your voice to lead us away from the dangers of the prowling enemy. … 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.