Dec 31, 2020… More Peace Please

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 366 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from 5 YO Claire Crosby and her father singing … Peace In Christ …  poignantly singing of how, in our relationship with Christ we find our peace in this world. 

The fireworks of life ... 

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Highlight Passage:   Ephesians 2:13-14a [ESV] ... 

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, …  

…  Once at war with God, in Christ we find our peace with the Lord … 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Ephesians 2:12-18 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul discovered and shared that our peace in this world can only come in our relationship with Christ. 

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Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 26:3 [ESV] … 

3  You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You.

…  The one who trusts completely in God and surrenders to seek after God’s will and His ways will find peace.  

Reference Passage: … John 14:27, 16:33 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus imparts His peace to His fearful disciples in the upper room, … charging them to find their (and our) peace in Him.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6-7  [ESV] … 

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

…  Paul helps fellow Christians (and us) to find the peace we all seek in life by bringing our fears and anxieties to the Lord with a thankful heart.  

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5: 6-7 [ESV] … 

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, 7 casting ALL your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.  

…  Peter to oppressed and troubled Christians on how to humbly bring our anxieties to a caring God. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patrica Raybon, AT THIS LINK writes that fireworks are a good picture of leaving a troubled year behind and move into a new year, seeking peace because the booming fireworks (see photo) represent leaving behind al the explosive problems and stresses of our life and seeking more peace in the new year. 

In this explosive and problematic year we’ve all been thru in 2020, most, if not all of us, likely seek after more peace and more joy in 2021, don’t we?  Well, if you’ve taken in the lovely song, sung by the peaceful voices of a 5 year old and her dad, and my readers have meditated on the context and content of the Scriptures above, I hope we all see that the ONLY way we’re going to find more peace - and fewer fireworks - in the new year is to seek after and find a deeper, more abiding relationship with Christ. 

So, since I find that I can seek - and find - more of God’s peace by starting each day in a quiet time of prayer and truth found in God’s word, you can expect to be able to come back here daily to find me doing what my Lord has called me to do and that is to find my peace in Him.  And I pray we all do the same, … in our own, individual ways, … seeking that deeper and more abiding relationship with our King Jesus by being with Him more thru His word. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for showing the peace in life which only comes thru You.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me, to find more of God’s peace, … and less of the fireworks of life, … by getting to know our Lord more intimately in His word.  … Amen

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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.

Dec 30, 2020 … More Like Jesus?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 365 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kristian Stanfill singing … More Like Jesus …  poignantly singing of how we as Christians must live to become more like Jesus. 

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Highlight Passage:   Philippians 2:1-2 [ESV] ... 

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

…  We are being completed in Christlikeness when we surrender to be like Him. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Philippians 2:1-8 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul recognized that being a disciple of Christ was to become more like Jesus in the way we lived, … surrendering self to the Savior just as Jesus surrendered Himself completely to the Father, … even unto death on a cross. 

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Solomon helps us realize that we must trust and follow God in all things; because, as we can see in <b><u>Romans 8:28</b></u>, ALL THINGS are for our good and God’s glory. 

Reference Passage: …  Luke 9:23  [ESV] …

23 And He said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. …”   

…  Jesus clearly spells out what it takes to be His disciple. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 11:1 [ESV] … 

1  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 

…  The Apostle Paul knew that others could follow him because he was following Christ.   

Reference Passage: …  Galatians 5:22-23 [ESV] … 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  

…  Paul wanted fellow Christians to know that if one was born-again in Christ, he/she would exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, … i.e., characteristics of Christlikeness. 

Reference Passage: … 1John 2:6 [ESV] … 

6 … whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.  

…  If we say that we’re disciples of Christ, God’s word commands us to walk as He walked.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey, AT THIS LINK  writes of an interview where the interviewee felt compelled to be sure that the interviewer  knew who he was by repeating his credentials. 

Fellow Christian, if one (like me) were to ask you if you consider yourself a disciple of Christ, … would you respond affirmatively?  And if so, what are your credentials to show others that you’re a follower of Christ.  

I had a mentor years ago, who said that every now and again, it was a good idea to take a personal inventory of the “fruit of the Spirit” (found in Gal 5:22-23); because those qualities of Christlikeness exhibit whether one is truly a disciple, surrendered and following Christ (see Luke 9:23).  And Paul knew that if he was imitating Christ by the way he (Paul) walked (see 1Cor 11:1) others could follow him and become a stronger disciple of Christ. 

So, … as we move into 2021, we all need to take stock of how closely we’re following Christ and how much His character traits (i.e, the fruit of the Spirit) are showing others that we are truly disciples of King Jesus. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for leading me into this New Year, as truly Your disciple. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me, to see if we’re showing off the fruit of Christ’s Spirit as we lead others into 2021.   … Amen

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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.

Dec 29, 2020 … Standing Firm

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 364 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Emily Beth Bond singing … Courage to Stand …  poignantly singing of how we need to take a courageous stand for Christ against our spiritual enemies. 

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Highlight Passage:   Ephesians 6:12 [ESV] ... 

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

…  We are called by God’s word to stand firm against our unseen enemies. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Ephesians 6:10-20 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches Christians that we must wear the full armor of God to stand firm against our enemies in spiritual warfare. 

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  We must trust and follow our Lord … no matter what, … not relying on our own power. 

Reference Passage: … 1Chronicles 16:11[ESV] … 

11  Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!  

…  We must continually see to rely on God’s strength to stand against our enemies. 

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 11:1 [ESV] … 

1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 

…  Our faith gives us the courage to stand firm against our unseen enemies.   

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:8 [ESV] … 

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

…  Our spiritual enemies stalk us continually; so, we must be prepared ALWAYS to stand firm.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Peterson, AT THIS LINK tells of some 19th century Indiana miners who encountered strange noises and smells as they mined for coal, … stopping and ceiling up the mine in fear, … not having the courage to mine further to find the rich deposits of natural gas which were producing the scary sounds and smells.  

Everyday we face scary forces we can’t see or explain.  And this has especially been true in 2020, hasn’t it?  Well, as the young girl sings in the linked song, we are called, as disciples of King Jesus, to stand firm and follow Him into battle every day.  That’s what the Apostle Paul was writing about in the highlight passage, … exhorting fellow Christians to stand firm, wearing the “full armor of God,” and using God’s strength to do battle as we face our enemies in spiritual warfare every day.  

So, I pray we do just that as we move into 2021, taking strength from the truth of the Scriptures above and facing up, with faith in God’s strength, to follow our Lord into battle today and all the tomorrows of our life.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for Your armament and strength to do battle against our unseen enemies. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me, to put on the full armor of God today and take up the sword of the Spirit to stand firm and do battle into 2021.   … Amen

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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.

Dec 28, 2020 … Rebuilding Now

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 363 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Matthew West singing … Restored …  powerfully singing of how God’s promise of restored love is realized in Christ. 

A church rebuilt ... 

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Highlight Passage:   Jeremiah 33:6-7 [ESV] ... 

6 Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. 7 I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. 

…  God’s promise, thru Jeremiah, to His exiled people that He would restore them completely. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Jeremiah 33:6-11 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise to the remnant of believers in Babylon of restoration.

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Reference Passage: … Hosea 6:1 [ESV] … 

1 … “Come, let us return to the Lord; for He has torn us, that He may heal us; … He has struck us down, and He will bind us up.

…  God promises, thru Hosea, to rebuild what He has torn down. 

<Reference Passage</u>: … Joel 2:25 [ESV] … 

25  I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, …  

…  God promises, thru Joel, to rebuild what the years have consumed.   

Reference Passage: … Acts 3:19-21 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

…   A New Testament call to remember the promises of God, thru the Prophets of old (see above) that repentance in Christ will bring the restoration the Lord has promised. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pye, AT THIS LINK tells of a young South African who was into drugs and built a metal building so that he and others could party.  But he came to know Christ and was led, in repentance and restoration, to rebuild the building into a church (see photo) to honor and express God’s healing grace.  

And at a time of brokenness, when God’s people were exiled in Babylon, God sent Prophets (see OT passages above) to show that a time was coming when the Lord would send a Messiah to rebuild and restore His people.  And that One, of course, is our Messiah, … King Jesus, … Who has come, and will come again, to restore His church and lead us to His glory.

All we need to realize and recognize is that we must repent of our sinful selves and follow our Savior to His restored glory [see Acts 3:19-21].   And that is my prayer for all reading here with me today.    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for Your promises and the here-and-now reality of Christ’s restoration of Your kingdom. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me, to walk in repentance, following You, Lord, … to Your promised restoration.  … Amen

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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.

Dec 27, 2020 … Light In Darkness

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 362 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from David Crowder singing … O Come O Come Emmanuel …  poignantly singing the old hymns of God’s people in Israel calling for God’s protective love and grace in times of darkness.

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Highlight Passage:   Psalm 103:8 [ESV] ... 

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 

…  God’s love, mercy, and grace is always there for us.

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Psalm 103:1-14 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David’s song for God’s people to honor God’s strength and light ALWAYS being there and delivering His people out of the darkness.  

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Reference Passage: … Lamentations 3:22-23 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…  God’s love and mercy never cease; … they are new for us every morning with the rising of His Son. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…   Solomon encouraging his son to trust God to show us the way … no matter how dark it seems!! …

Reference Passage: …1 Corinthians 10:13 [ESV] ... 

13 No temptation [also translated “trial” or “trouble”] has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

…  Paul encourages fellow Christians to trust that God will ALWAYS be there to lead His faithful through the darkness and trials of life.   

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 12:9-10 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

…   Paul learned from Jesus, Himself, that God’s grace is ALWAYS sufficient to give us His strength when we’re feeling weak. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Glenn Packiam, AT THIS LINK  tells of his family gathering in a power outage at night, during a storm, to light candles in the kitchen and sing a song together, … belaying their fears.  

Each year, our church has a candle-lighting at the end of our Christmas eve service (see photo), usually singing the old hymn (as does David Crowder linked above),  O Come O Come Emmanuel.   And for some reason in the midst of the darkness of our 2020 pandemic this year, it seemed unusually uplifting and encouraging.  

It’s like King David wrote in the highlight passage, as well as the Scriptures above, which repeatedly remind us that God’s love, mercy, and grace are never-ending and His strength and power are always there for His faithful when we trust Him to light the way out of our darkness. 

So, … join me to trust in prayer that our God is going to lead us out of these current dark times into His eternal light of love.   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for showing me Your light thru Your word each morning. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me, to bask in God’s ever present, … everlasting, … light and love.  … Amen

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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.

Dec 26, 2020 … Out From the Cave

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020</u> - Day 361 </b>

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   …   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Chris Rice singing … It Is Well …  poignantly singing, no matter the circumstances, our life is in God’s hands and all is well. 

God calls Elijah out from his cave of despair ... 

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Highlight Passage:   1Kings 19:13 [ESV] ... 

13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

…  Elijah listens and hears God’s call to purpose for God’s glory in a time of great despair.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  1Kings 19 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God leads Elijah out from the cave of despair and onward to a life of purpose for God.  

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Reference Passage: … Joshua 1:9 [ESV] …  

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

…   God encourages Joshua in a time of great turmoil to trust God.   

Reference Passage: … Psalm 27:14 [ESV] …  

14  Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!  

…   God stands with King David with encouragement in a time of despair. 

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 3:5-6 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…   Solomon encouraging his son to trust God … not matter what (!) … and not to try to do life on his own. 

Reference Passage: …John 16:33 [ESV] ... 

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

…  Jesus encouraging His disciples in a great moment of discouragement and doubt.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 15:58 [ESV] …  

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 

…   God encourages Joshua in a time of great turmoil to trust God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Mike Wittmer, AT THIS LINK tells of recognizing a well known war hero on a flight who was overheard to be in great despair, the ODB author wondering how that could be with all the encouragement the famous man got from others. 

And coming out from Christmas yesterday, which should be a time of great joy, many today can likely identify with the despair Elijah felt in the highlight passage, where he was called out by God from a cave of discouragement (see photo) to move forward in purpose, … following the Lord’s call.  Some today feel very alone and need the encouraging words of God’s truth as we meditate on the Scriptures above. 

Because, if any of my readers are feeling like you’re in a cave of despair today, our God is calling us to realize that anything we do today … and tomorrow … for our Lord is never in vain; but will ALWAYS be honored by God with His presence and empowering grace. 

So, as those words of God above call us, let’s all listen for God’s still small voice today and come out from our caves of despair into the light of service for God’s glory. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for calling me out of my cave today into Your light for tomorrow. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me, to seek the Light of the World as we are called to serve You, Lord, today and tomorrow. 

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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.

Dec 25, 2020 … For You and Me Too

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 360 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from David Archuleta singing the old Christmas carol … Joy To The World …  poignantly singing of how Christmas was/is to bring joy to EVERYONE. 

African nativity scene ... 

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Highlight Passage:   John 3:16 [ESV] ... 

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

…  Our Lord came as Jesus to save you and me too.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  John 3:1-8, 13-17 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus came to save EVERYONE.  

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 9:6 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…   700+ years before the first Christmas, Isaiah prophesied of the coming of the “Mighty God and the Prince of Peace … born to the King of kings over all.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:15-17 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK …  

…   Everything and everyone was created by Him and for Him.  

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 3:9 [ESV] ... 

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

…  God wishes that ALL would repent and come to Him for salvation. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Lisa M Samra, AT THIS LINK tells of the decorations she has for Christmas, … with nativity scenes from many worldwide countries, including one from Africa (see photo), reminding her that God came in a manger scene to save all mankind. 

And that’s the message of Christmas, isn’t it; … that the baby Jesus was God’s gift to all mankind that you and me would ultimately have a way to be saved for God’s glory.

So, … on this special day, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all reading here; … and in spite of these troubled times, as David Archuleta sings, … ”JOY TO THE WORLD the Lord has come!”

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for the the joy we share today to remember Your coming for us all. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray that all reading here will join me today, to come together, sharing Christmas joy, remembering His coming for us all.    … Amen

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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.