July 31, 2019 … Who Am I, Lord?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 212 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics for Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly singing of a question all Christians need to ponder … if others see the Lord in what we say and do.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 9:15 [NLT] … 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. …” 
…God shows Ananias exactly whom Saul was to become in/for Christ.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 9:13-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Ananias was afraid of Saul’s image as an anti-Christ “hit-man.”
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 139:23-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… A prayer I pray EVERY MORNING, desiring that I follow Christ closely so that anyone following me will be following the Lord’s ways.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 11:1 [NLT] … 1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 
 … The Apostle Paul wasn’t afraid for others to follow Him because he knew he was following Christ.

Reference Passage : … 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! 
… In Christ, if we’re serious disciples, we’ll become more and more like our Lord in what we think, say, and do.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … 6 And I am certain that God, Who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 
 … For all born-again Christians, God’s Spirit will be continually doing a “make-over” of our spirit into that of our Lord’s images.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Peter Chin, used a personal story to illustrate how others see whom we are. … The ODB author wrote: I’ll never forget the time I took my future wife to meet my family. With a twinkle in their eyes, my two elder siblings asked her, “What exactly do you see in this guy?” She smiled and assured them that by God’s grace I had grown to be the man she loved. 
I loved that clever reply because it also reflects how, in Christ, the Lord sees more than our past. 

As I indicate above in referring to Ps. 139:23-24, this is a prayer I pray each day before my feet hit the floor in the morning; and I’m praying it to reflect what Joy Williams sings in the linked song, … asking that others seen Christ in the way I think, speak, and act. I want my life to have the confidence the Apostle Paul had with his identity in Christ [see 1Cor. 11:1]. He just knew that others could imitate him because his whole life was dedicated to imitating Christ.

 Can we all say the same thing; or do we need to be praying David’s prayer of Psalm 139:23-24 and praying that God finishes his make-over of our spirits (as He promises in Phil. 1:6) more completely today?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for Your promise to reform us into Your image.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to seek for others to see us as reflections of Christlikeness. … 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.

July 30, 2019 … Calling for Revival

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 211 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of a Choral Society singing the old hymn … Revive Us Again … singing of how all off us need to be revived by our saving/sanctifying and renewing relationship with Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 85:6 [NLT] … 6 Won’t You revive us again, so Your people can rejoice in You? 
… In need of restoration, the Psalmist prays in song for revival of God’s people.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 85 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist on Israel’s return to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile, calls for revival of God’s people.
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Reference Passage : … Nehemiah 8:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Revival was celebrated among God’s people in Jerusalem, being restored upon return from Babylon and the renewal reading of God’s restoring word.

Reference Passage : … 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! 
… We are restored and made new in our relationship with Christ.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … 6 And I am certain that God, Who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 
 … When we surrender to God’s Spirit, He does a complete make-over of our spirit to conform to the Spirit of Christ.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Arthur Jackson, used a reference to restoring an old car to illustrate how God’s people need renewal and restoration in our relationship with Christ. … The ODB author wrote: While stationed in Germany in the army I purchased a brand-new 1969 Volkswagen Beetle [see photo]. The car was a beauty! The dark green exterior complemented the brown leatherette interior. But as the years took their toll, stuff began to happen, including an accident that ruined the running board and destroyed one of the doors. With more imagination, I could have thought, “My classic car was a perfect candidate for restoration!” And with more money, I could have pulled it off. But that didn’t happen. 

I totally identify with the ODB story today because my wife and I had a 1969 Beetle when we were first married; but it finally had to be traded in because the engine couldn’t handle the cold weathers where we had moved at the time. Even a revival of that car couldn’t handle the weathers of MN. 

Well, … when God’s people were released from Babylon to return to Jerusalem, they were in serious need of revival; and Psalm 85 sings of that need; and Nehemiah 8 documents the revival which occurred when God’s word was brought out and read/explained for God’s people.

Would any reader here deny the need for God’s Church, His Bride, to experience revival today? I think not!! And it could happen, just as it did in Nehemiah’s day, if God’s chosen would immerse ourselves in and live by God’s word. Hence, I sing along with the chorus in today’s linked song, praying that God “REVIVE US AGAIN!”

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for restoring us to wholeness when we surrender to the truth of Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to see revival of our spirits by obeying and following God’s 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.

July 29, 2019 … The Road To Victory

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 210 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Zach Williams singing … Chain Breaker … powerfully singing of how Christians can break the chains of sin, addiction, and death by following our “Chain Breaker,” Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Proverbs 7:24-25 [NLT] … 24  So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25  Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.  Don’t wander down her wayward path.
… Solomon tries to warn his sons (as God warns us) to avoid being lured down the wayward path to sin/death thru sexual sin.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Proverbs 7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Solomon, warns any believer of the temptations the world will use to woo believers down the deadly road of sexual sin.
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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. …” 
… When we deny our human urges and follow our Lord’s way, we will avoid the road to sin/death which Satan wants us to follow.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
… When we’re will to surrender to God road in life, He will always lead us way from the path that temptation would lead to death and toward the way of life, which is Christ’s way.

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.  

…  God’s empowering grace is what we need to let God’s power cover our weaknesses and temptations. 

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 6:10-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul, from prison, shows fellow Christians how to do battle against temptation using God’s full armor, His Spirit-Sword, and taking the high ground with prayer.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Mike Wittmer, used a reference to C.S. Lewis’ book, Screwtape Letters, and Solomon’s teaching in Proverbs 7 to illustrate how Satan uses the temptation of sexual sin to misdirect and waylay Christians from the path to righteousness. … The ODB author wrote: C. S. Lewis warned of this downward spiral [into sexual sin] in Screwtape Letters [see photo], his imaginative look at a demon’s explanation of the art of temptation. Start with some pleasure—if possible one of God’s good pleasures—and offer it in a way God has forbidden. Once the person bites, give less of it while enticing him to want more. Provide “an ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure,” until finally we “get the man’s soul and give him nothing in return.” Proverbs 7 illustrates this devastating cycle with the temptation of sexual sin. 

Take it from one who’s been there (yeah, me!!)!! In this hyper-sexual, “pornified,” world, it’s easy, as Solomon wrote about warning his sons in Proverbs 7, to be led down Satan’s path of sexual temptation. Survey statistics show us that well over 60% of Christian men these days are using internet pornography on a regular basis, which, of course, is Satan’s ploy to destroy Christian marriages, families, and churches.

But, as Paul wrote about to fellow Christians in 1Cor. 10:13 and 2Cor. 12:9, we need not follow that very tempting path of sexual sin in our world. We can put on the full armor of God (see Eph. 6:10-18) and, stand against the world, and be victorious in following Christ into battle (Luke 9:23).

And if any reader here would like to find the way off the road of sexual temptation and to move from victim to VICTORY, please contact me thru www.battleplanministries.org … our ministry to help Christians walk away from the road of sexual temptation toward the path to victory and freedom following Jesus.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for taking us from being victims of temptation to being victorious in Christ.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to walk in the victory over temptation where Christ leads us when we follow Him into battle. … 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.

July 28, 2019 … Comparisons

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 209 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Clay Crosse, Bebe Wynans, and Bob Carpenter singing … I Will Follow Christ … powerfully singing of how all Christians must look to following Christ as our Lord Commanded of His disciples.

Rev Dr William Carey (1761-1834)

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Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 6:11 [NLT] … 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 
… God’s desire is merely that we would live/love like Christ lived/loved for us.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 6:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru the author of Hebrews, calls us to do our best to live lives which honor Christ. 
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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 didn’t command us to compare our lives with anyone other than His.

Reference Passage : … Romans 3:23 [NLT] … 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 
… All of us fall short of Christlikeness.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 15:58 [NLT] … 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 
… God, thru Paul, encourages and exhorts Christians to do all we can to honor our Lord with our lives.

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. 
… Paul begs other Christians (like you and me) to live lives worthy of our Lord’s calling to follow Him (see Luke 9:23).

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, uses the life of William Carey, 19th Century missionary to Indian, to show that we must only keep-on-keeping on for Christ in our lives, trying to follow His call on our lives. … The ODB author wrote: Those raised in the English village with William Carey (1761–1834 - see photo) probably thought he wouldn’t accomplish much, but today he’s known as the father of modern missions. Born to parents who were weavers, he became a not-too-successful teacher and cobbler while teaching himself Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. After many years, he realized his dream of becoming a missionary to India. But he faced hardship, including his child’s death, his wife’s mental-health problems, and for many years the lack of response from those he served. 
What kept him serving amid difficulties as he translated the entire Bible into six languages and parts of it into twenty-nine others? “I can plod,” he said. “I can persevere in any definite pursuit.” He committed to serving God no matter what trials he encountered. 

As irony would have it, my name, “Rev Dr William Berry,” rhymes with that of the now famous “Rev Dr William Carey.” However, there the comparison ends; because of the incredible accomplishments Carey brought about for Christ in his life. My life for Christ pales by comparison. 

BUT … I’m not called (by Christ) to compare my life with Wm Carey; because both of us fall short (see Rom. 3:23) … fall way short … of the only One with Whom we are called to compare ourselves; and that is Christ.

No, my fellow Christians, He (our Lord) only calls us to follow Him (see Luke 9:23); and the Apostle Paul called on fellow Christians to do all we can to compare our lives with Christ and do all we can to live lives worthy of His calling (see 1Cor. 15:58 and Eph. 4:1).

So, as the linked song charges us, I, for one, will not try to be a William Carey. No, I will do all I can to merely follow Christ. Yes, always falling short; but always doing all I can to be like Him. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for calling us to be like You.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to avoid comparing ourselves with others and striving ALWAYS to be like Christ. … 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.

July 27, 2019 … God of 2nd Chances

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 208 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Chris McClarney singing … Beauty for Ashes … poignantly singing of how all Christians can rely on our God of the second changes to be made new in Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 16:18 [NLT] … 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
… Jesus prophesies that Peter will be a rock on which the Lord will build His church; and yet, moments later (see verses 21-28) Peter balks at Jesus’ prediction of His death.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 16:18, 21-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter shows his two-sided nature, … confidence in Jesus as Messiah and lack of willingness to see Jesus as Lord.
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Reference Passage : … John 21:15-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
…  … Even after Peter’s tragic thrice denial of Jesus, the Lord restores him to be a Shepherd-Leader of God’s church.

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.
… God, thru Paul, shows us that all things in our lives are for our good and part of God’s plan.

Reference Passage : … 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 also shows us that all Christians are made new in Christ. Reference Passage : … 

Philippians 1:6 [NLT] … 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 
 … God’s not done with any of His disciples who’re willing to surrender self to the Savior.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, shows her readers that all things in our lives are part of God’s plan to make us over in His image. … The ODB author wrote: A manager at a company in Brazil requested a written report from the custodians in her building. Each day she wanted to know who cleaned each room, which rooms were left untouched, and how much time employees spent in each room. The first “daily” report arrived a week later, partially completed. 
When the manager looked into the matter, she discovered most of the cleaning employees couldn’t read. She could have fired them, but instead she arranged for them to have literacy lessons. Within five months, everyone was reading at a basic level and continued in their jobs. 

As Christians, we don’t have to accept and give-in to our past failures or challenges, do we? I, for one, am a poster-boy for the truth of Paul’s declaration of restoration in Christ (see Rom. 8:28, 2Cor. 5:17, Phil. 1:6) because God took me from an atheist, habitual sinner, and redeemed me to become the leader of a ministry which helps men walk free from habitual sexual sin. [see www.battleplanministries.org ] … Go figure!!

And God really showed off His colors, for sure, … as our Redeemer took Peter, an impetuous two-faced liar and one who denied Christ thrice, and turned him into a leader-evangelist for Christ (see highlight passage and John 21). And God promises that He will reshape us into His image if we do all we can to follow Him.

That’s my plan, how about you?!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for being willing to give us another chance at being Your servant.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to follow our Lord no matter where He’s leading 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.

July 26, 2019 … Making “Shalom”

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 207 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of the group Casting Crowns singing … Broken Together … poignantly singing of how all Christians need to be doing all we can to put broken pieces together in our relationships, especially in marriages, reflecting the wholeness of a relationship bonded in/by Christ.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 5:9 [NLT] … 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 
… We who are called by His Name should be peacemakers.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 5:9, 13-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus blesses those who do all they (we) can to bring brokenness into wholeness. 
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Reference Passage : … Romans 9:21-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … USE THIS LINK …
… God is the ultimate/complete “Potter,” Who makes us from broken pieces of pottery into more functional pieces, … tho broken, … but can be used for His glory.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 2:19-22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, explains that Jesus is the cornerstone on Whom we should rebuild our broken lives into the structure of His wholeness.

Reference Passage : … 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 [NLT] … 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for He Who calls you is faithful. 
 … Paul exhorts fellow Christians (that’s us too!) to be the expressions of God’s peace [“shalom”] and His Spirit-led wholeness.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Winn Collier, uses an illustration from how divorce describes a lot of the brokenness in this world, which we as Christians should do all we can to mend into “shalom” for Christ. … The ODB author wrote: In the documentary Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry, author Berry spoke of how divorce describes the state of our world. We’re divorced from one another, from our history, from the land. Things that should be whole are split apart. When asked what we should do about this sad fact, Berry said, “We can’t put everything back together. We just take two things and put them together.” We take two things broken apart and make them one again. 

I agree with Wendell Berry (no relation, BTW) in the ODB entry today … that divorce is an apt word picture for what we’re seeing in this world; … brokenness all around that seems to beg for those who’re willing to be the “peacemakers” Jesus spoke of in His sermon on the mount [see highlight passages], where God expresses His desire that we, as His peacemakers, do all we can to mend brokenness into wholeness, which is the Hebrew concept of “shalom.”

And I think the Japanese art form of “Kintsugi” [see photo] depicts this process nicely. As in the photo, broken pottery is mended by artisans with pure gold to create broken, but beautifully mended - and very functional - pieces of pottery. It’s what the group Casting Crowns sings about with regard to broken marriages being mended to the glory of God [see linked song].

What can we do today to be God’s peacemakers and do all we can to mend brokenness into the “shalom” of Christ’s call for togetherness in His image? As the group Casting Crowns sings, “let us be broken together.”

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for being the gold which mends our brokenness into the wholeness of Your image.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to do all we can to be His peacemakers. … 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.

July 25, 2019 … Life Is Short

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 206 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Jim Croce singing his hit song … Time In A Bottle … poignantly singing of how we need to take care of how we handle the time we’re given in this life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 39:5 [NLT] … 5  You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” 
… Our lifetime is but a breath of air in God’s view.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 39:1-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David, the Psalmist, expresses to God how short our live is.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 90:12 [NLT] … 12  Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. 
 … David’s prayer in song about living wisely in the short time we have.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 
… Whatever we do in our short life, if we do it for the Lord’s glory it will never be in vane.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 5:15-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must do all we can to live wisely for the Lord’s glory.

Reference Passage : … James 4:14-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 
… Since we don’t know what tomorrow will bring, we must live today for God’s glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Alyson Kieda, uses a story about the sudden death of a young friend to illustrate how we must live our lives everyday for God’s glory. … The ODB author wrote: Bobby’s sudden death brought home to me the stark reality of death and the brevity of life. My childhood friend was only twenty-four when a tragic accident on an icy road claimed her life. [see photo] Growing up in a dysfunctional family, she had recently seemed to be moving forward. Just a new believer in Jesus, how could her life end so soon? 

Years ago I was taken by Jim Croce’s song, Time In A Bottle {linked above}, which he wrote to illustrate how fleeting our life is and how we should live it to maximize how we live, especially for those we love. And the song was tragically illustrated by how Jim Croce died … in a plane crash as a young man, … just on the rise as a song-writer and performer.

And today’s ODB entry reminds us all that our lives are but a blink of God’s eye; and taking in all the truths from God’s word above, we should be living our lives - EVERY DAY - prioritizing what we do … ALL for God’s glory. So, I hope all of us will take in the song, meditate on God’s truth above, and then go out, knowing that whatever we do, if it’s for our Lord, it will not be in vane. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us a wisp of time to serve You.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to do what we will be led to do today for Your glory. … Amen

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

July 24, 2019 … Becoming Real

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 205 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of the Maranatha seiners singing … I Love You Lord … poignantly singing of how we simply give ourselves to our Lord to receive His love in return.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Jeremiah 9:24 [NLT] … 24  But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love
… We must boast of ONLY one thing … that we live for God’s love.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Jeremiah 9:23-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru the Prophet shows that our boasting should only be in our relationship with the Lord. 
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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. 
 … All Jesus wants of us is to open ourselves to others as He would have us follow His ways.

Reference Passage : … John 3:16 [NLT] …  16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 
 … God’s love is complete and eternal for any/all who believe in Him enough to give up themselves for HIm.

Reference Passage : … 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.” 
… Jesus shows who are the ones who REALLY love Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, John Blase, uses an illustration out of classic children’s literature to teach on the value of being real. … The ODB author wrote: What does it mean to be real? That’s the very big question answered in the small children’s book The Velveteen Rabbit. It’s the story of toys in a nursery and the velveteen rabbit’s journey to become real by allowing himself to be loved by a child. One of the other toys is the old and wise Skin Horse. [See photo] He “had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by and by break . . . and pass away.” They looked and sounded impressive, but their bragging eventually amounted to nothing when it came to love. 

It is our nature - our very HUMAN nature - which would lead us to hide ourselves behind masks which make us look better than we really are to others. Being real requires that we take off the masks and show others who we really are, … revealing the one whom Christ died to save (see John 3:16). 

All the Velveteen Rabbit wanted to do was to be loved by her owner. And really that’s all we want to do with our “Owner,” our Lord, King Jesus, isn’t it?

But to share in the complete and unqualified love of the One Who saved us, is to deny ourselves and obey His will and His ways [see Luke 9:23]. And when we do, His love is ours … COMPLETELY [see John 14:21]!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for Your “agape,” which requires only that I believe in You as my Lord and Savior. And I do!!
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to be the one He saved … for real!! … 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.

July 23, 2019 … Watching Over Us - ALWAYS

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 204 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of the group, Anointed, singing … God Is All Around Us … poignantly singing of how our God is always watching over us and showing us His love, even in the blessings of the difficulties of life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 33:14-15 [NLT] … 14  From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. 15  He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do. … God’s all-seeing … all-knowing love. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 33:6-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist assures us in song that God’s view of all things is His love for all in His creation. 
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 28:20b [NLT] … And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 
… Jesus’ last promise to all mankind as He returned to Heaven to watch over us eternally.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 
… Paul knew that our God would ALWAYS supply ALL our needs for it was for His glory.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NLT] … 5 …  For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 
… God’s promise is to always be there for us … and forever is for ALWAYS!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, tells a story about her mother to illustrate how our God watches over us … ALWAYS. … The ODB author wrote: I was as mischievous as any other child in my early years and tried to hide my bad behavior to avoid getting into trouble. Yet my mother usually found out what I had done. I recall being amazed at how quickly and accurately she knew about my antics. When I marveled and asked how she knew, she always replied, “I have eyes in the back of my head.” [see photo] 
This, of course, led me to study her head whenever she’d turn her back—were the eyes invisible or merely cloaked by her red hair? As I grew, I gave up looking for evidence of her extra pair of eyes and realized I just wasn’t quite as sneaky as I had supposed. Her watchful gaze was evidence of her loving concern for her children. 

The ODB author’s mom was like any watchful/caring/loving parent who does all she can to watch over, protect, and correct their children. And our God is like that; but His vision and watch-care is absolute and complete; and it stems from His love of His children and desire that they [we] grow into images of Himself.

But often we get in situations or life circumstances where God seems to have quit watching over us or caring about us. But far from it. As the group, Anointed, sing in the linked song and as Jesus has promised [see Matthew 28:20], our God is all around us and His loving watch-care never stops. And I pray that we all realize and recognize that truth today.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for always being there for us, supplying us with our needs, … yes, ALWAYS!!
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to know that God is watching … and caring 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.

July 22, 2019 … With Us - No Matter What!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 203 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of the group, Hillsong United, leading in worship/concert and singing … Through It All … poignantly singing of how our Lord never lets us go … “through it all.”

Joseph in prison ... 

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 39:21 [NLT] … 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love. … 
… In spite of unjust imprisonment, God remained faithful to Joseph.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 39:6-12, 20-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Joseph, unjustly imprisoned, … [see photo] … but God remained with him.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… It’s really tough when things go against us in life; but that’s when we must hold fast to our faith.

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.
… Even when things seem lost or out of control, we must have faith, as Christians, that our circumstances are ALWAYS for our good.

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. 
… In spite of the painful thorn, given to Paul, he trusted God to give him the grace to deal with his painful disability.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NLT] … 5 …  For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 
… God’s promise is to always be there for us … no matter what!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Estera Pirosca Escobar, uses a historical figure post WW2 to illustrate holding on to our faith in a caring God even when things go awry in our lives. The ODB author wrote: Haralan Popov had no idea what turn his life would take when the doorbell rang early one morning in 1948. Without any warning, the Bulgarian police took Haralan away to prison because of his faith. He spent the next thirteen years behind bars, praying for strength and courage. Despite horrible treatment, he knew God was with him, and he shared the good news of Jesus with fellow prisoners—and many believed. 

The more modern ODB story illustrates what Joseph went through much of his life, being abandoned by his brothers and going through many catastrophic setbacks, … holding on to his loyalty and faithfulness to God. Yes, … through it all, … as the linked song declares, Joseph remained faithful and waited on God for his deliverance.

And so, ... if we have setbacks, ... which we will, … as did Joseph [in the highlight passage] or Paul (see 2Corinthians 12:9), I pray we can trust in our God for His mercy and grace to give us His strength in those times of trial or personal anguish, … in times where we simply don’t have enough strength to deal with the circumstances.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for always being there for us when life spins out of our power or control.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to trust that our circumstances are for our good and our God will ALWAYS be there. … Amen

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

July 21, 2019 … He’s ALWAYS In Control

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 202 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Laura Story singing … Death Was Arrested … poignantly singing of how Jesus is control of even death.

Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter 

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Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 5:35-36 [NLT] … 35 While hHe was still speaking to her [the bleeding woman Jesus healed], messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” 36 But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” 
… All Jesus demands of us is our faith and obedience.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 5:21-43 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from death to life.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… All Jesus wants from us is our obedience and our willingness to trust Him … 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.
… Even when things seem lost or out of control, we must have faith, as Christians, that our circumstances are ALWAYS for our good.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 
… As Christ’s disciples, we are to take all our cares to Him for His peace when we’re feeling anxious or worried.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Peter also knew that we, as Christ’s disciples, are to trust God with ALL of our worries, knowing that He cares for His true followers.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Peter Chin, uses a story of Jesus’ control over even death to illustrate our need to surrender to His sovereignty … ALWAYS. The ODB author wrote: On the way to heal Jairus’s desperately ill daughter (someone definitely needing immediate medical care), Jesus did the unthinkable: He paused (Mark 5:30). He stopped to identify who touched Him, and then spoke gently with the woman. You can imagine what Jairus was thinking: There’s no time for this, my daughter is dying! And then, his worst fears came true—Jesus appeared to have delayed too long and his daughter passed away (v. 35). 
But Jesus turned to Jairus and offered a word of encouragement: “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (v. 36). Then, calmly ignoring the mockery of onlookers, Christ spoke to Jairus’s daughter and she came back to life! [see photo]  He revealed that He can never be too late. Time can’t limit what He’s able to do and when He chooses to do it. 

I’m sure all readers here have experienced times, as Christians, when things seem out of control or even desperately lost, as they were for the Jewish leader, Jairus, in the ODB example above. But that’s when Jesus would say to us, as He did to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, … just have faith.” And we know - or at least WE SHOULD KNOW - that Jesus is in control of time … and yes, even life/death.

So, when things spin out of control, we need to ask ourselves, … do we really trust what Paul and Peter taught fellow Christians (and us) … that ALL THINGS work together for our good (see Rom. 8:28; and that we should take ALL OUR WORRIES to the Lord in prayer (see Phil. 4:6-7 and 1Peter 5:7? And then, we need to accept and trust the outcome, WHATEVER it may be. That’s my prayer for us today.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for always being there for us when life spins out of control.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to take our cares and worries to our Lord, knowing and trusting that HE IS CONTROL .. ALWAYS!! … 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.

July 20, 2019 … Follow … Then Lead

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 201 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of lyrics and song from the cast of the movie Sister Act singing … I Will Follow Him … poignantly singing of how we follow Christ wherever He may lead us.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Titus 2:6-7 [NLT] … 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 
 … Paul’s exhortation to showing the lesser mature in the faith how to follow Christ. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Titus 2:1-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul mentoring Titus to see the value of leading others in the church thru Christlike leadership. 
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… When we shine the light of Christ in our lives, others can see the light and follow it out of the darkness.

Reference Passage : … 1Corinthians 11:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorted other, fellow, Christians to follow Him because he knew he was following Christ’s lead

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. 
… When we live lives worthy of Christ, we can lead others to do the same thing,

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:2-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter teaching church leaders to lead and the lesser mature to follow their Elders.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Peterson, uses a personal story about her kids learning to play a new game to show how it’s better for followers to follow leaders in the Church. The ODB author wrote: My six-year-old son, Owen, was thrilled to receive a new board game. But after a half hour reading the rules, he was frustrated. He couldn’t quite figure out how it worked. It wasn’t until later, when a friend came over who already knew how to play, that Owen finally got to enjoy his present. 
 Watching them play, I was reminded of how much easier it is to learn something new if you have an experienced teacher. When we’re learning, reading the instructions helps, but having a friend who can demonstrate makes a huge difference. [see photo] 

Oh how the Apostle Paul wanted others Christian, those whom he had led to Christ, like Titus in Crete (see highlight passages) or his fellow Christians in Corinth, to follow Christ closely and to do so diligently as he had done. In fact, in 1Cor. 11:1 Paul told the Corinthians that they could imitate him (i.e., Paul) because he was doing all he could to imitate Christ.

And as the ODB story above reveals, we all do better, as lesser mature Christians, when/if we can follow more mature Christians who’re doing all they can to do as the linked song sings … to follow Christ … out from the darkness of this world into the light of Christlikeness (see Matt. 5:14-16).

And I pray that all reading here are either following a mature/Godly Christian closely or following Christ closely enough to lead a lesser mature Christian into a life of Christlikeness.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for shining Your light for us to follow You and lead others to You.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to follow the example of Godly Christians to show us how to lead others in Christlikeness. … 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.

July 19, 2019 … Who Is The King of Glory?!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 200 
[Blogger Note: Being posted on 7/18/19 due to travel schedule on 7/19/19.]

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and song from Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly singing of how the desire for all real disciples of Christ to reflect Christ into the world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 24:8 [NLT] … 8  Who is the King of glory?  The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. 
… The Messiah, King Jesus, is the King of Glory!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David proclaims loudly in song … “He is the King of Glory!”
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:16 [NLT] … 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 
… Jesus calls on His followers to shine His light of truth into a world darkened.

Reference Passage : … Luke 19:20 [NLT] … 20 Then He asked them [His disciples], “But who do you say I am?” … Peter replied, “You are the Messiah sent from God!” 
… Jesus asked His disciples the most important question everyone must answer to determine their eternal destiny?

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. 
… Are we living lives worthy of our calling as Christians?

Reference Passage : … Colossians 1:15 [NLT] … 15  Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, … 
… Jesus, the Christ, is the King of Glory … supreme over all He created.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xhochitl Dixon, uses story about a friend’s encounter with a famous person to illustrate a critical question we must ask/answer in our lives. The ODB author wrote: On our way home from our honeymoon, my husband and I waited to check in our luggage at the airport. I nudged him and pointed to a man standing a few feet away. 
My spouse squinted. “Who is he?” 
I excitedly rattled off the actor’s most notable roles, then walked up and asked him to take a photo with us. Twenty-four years later, I still enjoy sharing the story of the day I met a movie star. 
Recognizing a famous actor is one thing, but there’s Someone more important I’m thankful to know personally. 

And the husband’s question, i.e., “Who is He,” … if it’s framed in asking about Jesus, is definitely the most important question which each of us must answer in our lives.

Jesus at one point during His time on earth with His 12 disciples, was led to ask them … “Who do you say I am?” [see Luke 19:20]; and Peter got it right, answering that Jesus, was “The Messiah … The Christ … the Son of God.”

And I’m praying that all reading here have answered that question in the same way; and furthermore, I’m praying that we’re all living in ways which shine His light (Matt. 5:16) and reflect His worthiness as King Jesus (see Eph. 4:1 and Col. 1:15), … the “King of Glory!”

And finally, I pray as Joy Williams sings in the linked song, that all others see Jesus in the way we live our lives.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for being our King, Jesus!! 
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to serve the King of Glory with distinction and worthiness. … 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.

July 18, 2019 … Sharing Lovingly But Wisely

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 199 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from Tim McGraw singing … Humble and Kind … poignantly singing of how we as Christians must live our lives as did Christ, being humble and kind.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Thessalonians 5:14 [NLT] … 14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 
… Extending God’s love, mercy, and grace to others requires Godly wisdom.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Thessalonians 5:12-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul’s advice and exhortation to Christians concerning how to extend God’s love and grace to others.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must lean on God’s wisdom and follow His will when we reach out to help others.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 10:16 [NLT] … 16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 
… Jesus, sending out His disciples, gives them advice on how to proceed in life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Mike Wittmer, uses a relatively common scenario to illustrate how difficult it is to share God’s mercy/grace wisely in this world. The ODB author wrote: As I stopped my car at a red light, I saw the same man standing beside the road again. [See photo] He held a cardboard sign: “HUNGRY - Need Help!” I looked away and sighed. Was I the kind of person who ignored the needy? 
Some people pretend to have needs but are actually con artists. Others have legitimate needs but face difficulties overcoming destructive habits. Social workers tell us it’s better to give money to the aid ministries in our city. I swallowed hard and drove past. I felt bad, but I may have acted wisely. 

I’d guess that most - if not all - readers have faced this ODB scenario; and like me, even if you knew you were passing by with a righteous heart, we feel guilty, don’t we? But the social worker advice in the ODB entry above is likely the wisest way to live out Biblical instruction concerning sharing WISELY with the needy (see highlight passage).

Jesus, when he was sending out His disciples on a mission experience, charged them to beware of being sheep among wolves and to “be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” [See Matt. 10:16] And that can be difficult when we’re confronted with situations like the beggar at the stoplight scenario.

But I pray that we all are doing all we can to share God’s providence, especially His mercy and grace, in some way to be His agents of love in the world; and, … as Tim McGraw sings, … doing our best to be like our Lord, … always humble and kind.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for sharing Your love and mercy and grace with us so that we can share with others who need Your help.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to reach out with God’s providence to humbly share 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.

July 17, 2019 … Joining the Victory Parade

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 197 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Steve Green singing … Find Us Faithful … powerfully singing of how we Christians must give witness to our faithful following of our Lord, King Jesus, in His victory parade we call “life.”

2016 Chicago Cubs Victory Parade 

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2Corinthians 2:14 [NLT] … 14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 
… We, who’ve surrendered to follow Christ, become testimonies to His victory as we follow Him triumphantly.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2Corinthians 2:14-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul relates how we Christians follow Christ triumphantly, showing our faithful allegiance to any and all who might join the Lord’s victory parade.
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Reference Passage : … 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. “ 
… Jesus demands that we give up ourselves to follow Him in victory over life - AND DEATH.

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.” 
… Jesus calls on all who would follow Him to be His witnesses in our surrender to Him as King Jesus.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 4:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul declares his voluntary surrender to follow Christ and exhorts others to join with him in this victory by living lives worthy of our calling as “Christians.”

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lisa M Samra, uses a reference to a baseball victory parade to illustrate how we, as Christians, must triumphantly follow Christ in the victory parade of life to show our allegiance to Him. The ODB author wrote: In 2016 when the Chicago Cubs baseball team won the World Series for the first time in more than a century, some sources said that five million people lined the parade route and gathered at a downtown rally to celebrate the championship [see photo]. 
Victory parades are not a modern invention. A famous ancient parade was the Roman Triumph, in which victorious generals led a procession of their armies and captives through crowded streets. 
Such parade imagery was likely in Paul’s mind when he wrote to the Corinthian church thanking God for leading believers “as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession” (2 Corinthians 2:14). 

And the ODB images and exhortations today beg the challenge for us as Christians … as to whether we are willingly and openly following Christ in His victory parade, following His death and resurrection, to show the world our allegiance to King Jesus, … prayerfully so that others will join in His parade to glory.

I pray all reading here are in that parade today.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for leading those of us who will follow You into Your eternal victory and glory.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to follow Christ, openly becoming witnesses to His victory over death. … 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.

July 16, 2019 … When Jesus Is Everything

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 196 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Avalon singing … Everything To Me … poignantly singing of how we Christians need to be pursuing a relationship with Christ which becomes our obsession in life rather than being obsessed selfishly with worldly things.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 16:2 [NLT] … 2  I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.” 
… We all need to get to the place King David was able to find himself in surrender to his God. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 16:1-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David was able to surrender his heart in song COMPLETELY to his Lord.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 63:1 [NLT] …  1  O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 
… When our pursuit of God becomes our obsession as it was for young David in the wilderness being pursued by Saul.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Giving ALL OUR HEART is the tough part, isn’t it?

Reference Passage : … 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.“ 
… Jesus demands nothing less than ALL of our hearts, dedicated to pursuing Him … see John 15:5-7 … AT THIS LINK  

Reference Passage : … 2Corinthians 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! 
… And looking in the mirror all I want to see is the newness which seeks after Christlikeness.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Monica Brands, uses a troublesome character from the Lord of the Rings trilogy to illustrate our obsessive nature to put something - anything - above our pursuit of Christ’s love/grace. The ODB author wrote: “My precious . . .” First portrayed in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, the image of the emaciated creature Gollum [see photo] in his maniacal obsession with the “precious ring of power” has become an iconic one today — representing greed, obsession, even insanity. 
It’s also a troublingly relatable image. In his tormented love-hate relationship with both the ring and with himself, Gollum’s voice echoes the hunger in our own hearts. Whether it’s directed at one thing in particular, or just a vague longing for “more,” we’re sure that once we finally get our own “precious,” we’ll be satisfied. But instead, what we thought would make us whole leaves us feeling even emptier than before. 

When I saw the movie version of Tolkien’s trilogy, that character, Gollum, was particularly unsettling, … perhaps because he represented that part of me which was pursuing something else in my life other than a more abiding relationship with Christ. It was like looking in a mirror and seeing what I didn’t want to admit was still part of the real me.

But I do know - and believe - there is also the new me (see 2Cor. 5:17) which I desire to become, … that part of me which seeks to surrender COMPLETELY to my God (see Ps. 63:1 and Prov. 3:5-6), … the part which Christ demands of any/all of His disciples (see Luke 9:23 and John 15:5-7, … the real me which is TOTALLY surrendered to my Lord (hear the linked song).

I pray that this is the one we all want to look in God’s mirror of truth (i.e., His word) and see today. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for reshaping me in Your image.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to obsessively becoming the real, new, me in Christ. … 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.

July 15, 2019 … Avoiding Worldly Flytraps

Berry Patch Devotions in 2019 - Day 196 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group 4Him singing … The Basics of Life … poignantly singing of how we Christians need to get back to the basics of life … living like for Christ and to shine His light in this dark world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1Timothy 6: 8 [NLT] … 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 
… Paul exhorts us to be content with the basics of life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1Timothy 6:6-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul helps Timothy (and us) realize the secret to true contentment and avoiding the traps of the world and the flesh.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 23:4-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon gives Godly advice on how to avoid the trap of pursuing wealth. Too bad he didn’t live up to his own advice; because we read his regrets, having fallen prey to his own selfishness in this link to Eccles. 5:10 ...

Reference Passage : … Matthew 6:19-21, 24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… From the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preaches on the dangers of serving our selfish desires to pursue wealth rather than our relationship with King Jesus.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NLT] …  5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, … “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”
 … God’s warning to be satisfied pursuing our relationship with the One Who will never fail us.

Reference Passage : … 1John 2:15-16 [NLT] … 15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 
… God warns us to avoid loving and pursuing the the lusts of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, uses a familiar botanical picture which warns us of falling prey to the traps of wealth/power in the world. The ODB author wrote: The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands not far from our home in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous. 
Venus flytraps release a sweet-smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, triggering sensors along the outer rim, the trap clamps shut in less than a second—capturing its victim. [see photo] The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil. 

And God’s word is repetitively clear about avoiding the “flytraps” the world uses to trap us, … using our selfish desires for money or power. God warns us in His word … over and over and over again [see Scriptures above] … to beware of our natural desires to pursue the lusts of the flesh, our power hungry eyes, and the pride of life as we often pursue contentment in the world rather than in our relationship with Christ.

 If we let our desire for wealth or worldly power lure us, we will walk right into the world’s glitzy “fly traps,” which lure us into their deathly grip. And that’s why the group 4Him sings that we need to get back to “the basics of life,” … being content with and pursuing only a more abiding relationship with Christ.

So, what is luring us away from a deeper, more abiding relationship with our Lord? And how are we pursuing Christ to avoid the “fly-traps” of this world?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for giving us all we need to be content … in our relationship with You.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all reading here can, and will, join me to avoid the “fly-traps” of this world and pursue contentment only in Christ. … 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.