June 30, 2021 … Finding Contentment in Christ …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 181 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Don Moen singing … God Will Make A Way … poignantly singing how we follow a God, trusting that He can - AND WILL -  “make a way were there seems to be no way.” 

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Highlight Passage:  Philippians 4:12 [ESV] …  

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.   

… Paul sharing the “secret” he had found to finding contentment … even in dire circumstances.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Philippians 4:11-13 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul, writing from prison in Rome, helping fellow Christians find contentment not matter their circumstances.    

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

…God, thru Solomon, shows us that we should trust and follow God with ALL OUR HEART … no matter what we face in life, He will show us the way… His way!!  

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:26-34 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches on eliminating anxiety from our lives by trusting in God’s providence to provide for us our needs … no matter our circumstances.    

Reference Passage: … Philippians 3:13-14 [ESV] … 

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

… Paul shows fellow Christians, even from the shackles of prison, that we must go forward and do what we can to fulfill God’s calling on our lives.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6-7 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… Again, Paul from prison, relays God’s prescription for eliminating anxiety … i.e, humbly taking our concerns to God in prayer to seek His peace in the midst of any turmoil.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Eye, AT THIS LINK  …use the poignant story of John Eearickson Tada, who became quadriplegic after a diving accident at the age of 17.  Now, Joni has learned what Paul had learned and shared with fellow Christians (see passages from Philippians above) … to find contentment and follow Christ’s calling in life … no matter what she - or we - might encounter.  BTW … the life expectancy of a teenage quadriplegic is seldom over 25 one Joni is now 71.  

Are any of us facing some dire challenges in life right now.  Recently this writer has been dealing with sciatic pain that has effected my ambulation due to the pain in my right leg. And the circumstances have certainly brought my attitude low.  But this morning as I go thru this ODB entry, I’m seriously convicted to move forward, and, like Joni, realize what Don Moen sings in the linked song, … that my God will make a way where there just seems to be no way.

So, today, … no matter what we face, .. let’s join Our Lord, Joni E and the Apostle Paul [see Scriptures above] to find contentment in our relationship with Christ and move forward to complete our calling .        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your strength and direction today … even when I face seemingly insurmountable situations.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to do all we can today to move forward toward Christ’s calling … no matter what we face in life. … 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.

June 29, 2021 … What’s Our Priority? …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 180 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Clay Crosse, Bob Carlisle, and Bebe Winans singing … I Will Follow Christ… powerfully singing how our #1 goal in life as Christians should be to follow our Lord.  

Which? ... Take a photo? ... OR ... "Let's get outa here!!"  

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Highlight Passage:  1Timothy 6:11-12 [ESV] …  

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things [i.e., worldly or fleshly pursuits]. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

… God, thru Paul, points genuine Christians in the right directions in life.       

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Timothy 6:6-12 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … </b>

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+6%3A6-12&version=ESV

… Paul helping Timothy (and us) to get our life priorities in proper order.    

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

… God, thru Solomon, shows us that we should trust and follow God with <b><u>ALL</b></u> OUR HEART

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:31-33 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches on Godly priorities in life.   

Reference Passage</u>: … 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 commands anyone who would be His disciple to deny ourselves and follow Him. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:1-2 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… God, thru Paul, shows Christians that our lives should be living sacrifices to/for our Lord, not following the ways of the world. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, David H Roper, AT THIS LINK   …tells of an incident, walking in the woods, where he and friends encountered a bear at a distance [see photo]; and one of the author’s friends wanted to stop and take a photo; but the author said, “No, we must get out of here;” … showing the proper priority in the moment.  

And then the ODB author used that illustration to show that we always need to have the right priorities as we pursue the choices in life we face as disciples of Christ.  And Jesus certainly simplified our choices in Matt. 6:33 and Luke 9:23, didn’t He?  Our #1 goal in life, as the linked song lead us, is to do what Paul called fellow Christians to do in Rom 12:1-2; and that is to become living sacrifices for our Lord, avoiding the ways of the world to follow God’s ways.  

QUESTION: … Are we?      

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me the way to follow You thru Your word.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to do all we can today to stay in line with our Lord and follow His will and His ways by using His perfect “GPS” … 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 ou can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

June 28, 2021 … Under His Wings …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 179 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … His Strength Is Perfect … poignantly singing how our God gives us His strength and protection when we are weakened or feeling threatened. 

Under God's wings of protection ... 

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Highlight Passage:  Psalm 63:7-8 [ESV] …  

7 .. or you have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.  8  My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. 

… Tho in mortal danger, David felt he was under God’s wings of protection.     

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 63 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Though been pursued by enemies in the wilderness, King David felt under God’s protective wings.   

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10, 54:17 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… God, thru Isaiah, promises to protect His people.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:28-30 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK ...  

… Jesus offers any born-again Christian His yoke of projections.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28, … 31 [ESV] … 

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.  … 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[ against us? 

… Paul teaches the truth that no matter what comes our way, we are under God’s protection. 

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 4:18 [ESV] … 

18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.  

… Paul teaches the truth that no matter what comes our way, we are under God’s protection.

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Monica La Rose, AT THIS LINK  …tells of a fictional detective, suffering from claustrophobia, caught in a car trunk with a fellow detective and coming to the realization that the car trunk was actually protecting them.    

And then the ODB author shows that King David came to a similar realization when his life was threatened in the wilderness by his son, Absalom.  And (as we read in the highlight passage)  David trusted that he was under the wings of protection <b>(see photo)</b> of His God, … just as we are when we read and believe the Scriptures above. 

So, let’s all trust our Lord’s wings. covering us today, and go forth in His Name and for His glory, … yoked to His promised protection.       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your protective wings covering us today and tomorrow. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to nestle down, <u>as in the photo</u>, covered by the protective wings of our Lord.  … 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.

June 27, 2021 … Christlike Kindness …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 178 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Tim McGraw singing … Humble and Kind … poignantly singing how we should ALWAYS be humble and kind in the way we treat others. 

Showing Christlike kindness to others ... 

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Highlight Passage:  Acts 9:36 [ESV] …  

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. 

… Luke relates the legacy of one Christian woman who died leaving a legacy of kindness.     

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Acts 9:36-42 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Luke relates the story of Dorcas who was resurrected by God, thru Peter, to honor this Christian disciple who left such a legacy of Christlike love, mercy, and kindness.   

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Reference Passage: … Luke 6:35 [ESV] … 

35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  

… Jesus declares to His followers that we, as His disciples, must show love and kindness to all … yes, even our enemies.   

Reference Passage: … John 13:34-35 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… Jesus commands His disciples - and us too - to show love to others just as He, The Lord, has shown His love to us, which will leave a legacy of Christlike love for others to see.  

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:32 [ESV] … 

32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  

… Paul teaches the way of Christ … to be kind to others as our Lord was kind to us. 

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:12-13 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK .. 

… Paul teaches that we are to show love and be kind to others just as Christ has shown us His legacy of love/grace. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon, AT THIS LINK   … first tells the story of a dedicated teacher’s aid who left a 30+ year legacy of kindness helping her needy students; and after her death, the community honored her with an annual drive, in her name, to help needy students.  

And then the ODB author used Luke’s true story of a loving Christian woman named Dorcas (see highlight passage), who died with the same kind of legacy of Christlike love and kindness and was honored by Peter being used by God to resurrect Dorcas to honor and show others this woman’s kindness.  

Question !!  … What kind of legacy will we leave as we try to live up to God’s call and command for us to live out Christ’s model of love, grace, and kindness <b>(see Scriptures above)</b>?  Personally and prayerfully, I can do so much more to live as Tim McGraw sings in the linked song.  But I’m going to do my best to give out more of Christ’s love today.  How about you?    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your model and call to live more like You today.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to do all we can to duplicate Christlike kindness  toward others today.  … 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.

June 26, 2021 … He Hears …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 177 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin and Thomas Rhett singing …  God Who Listens … poignantly singing how we Christians are surrendered to a God Who ALWAYS listens to our prayers.  

He hears our prayers ... 

 

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Highlight Passage:  Jeremiah 29:12 [ESV] …  

12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you.  

… God’s promise thru Jeremiah to hear us when God’s children of promise pray to Him.    

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Jeremiah 29:10-14 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jeremiah hears and trusts God’s promise to liberate and restore God’s people from captivity by the Babylonians.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 116:1-2  [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Psalmist sings and declares his trust that the Lord even bends down to hear his prayers.    

Reference Passage: … John 9:31  [ESV] … 

31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. … 

… A blind man whom Jesus had given sight declares the truth that God hears and answers the prayers of believers but chooses not to hear the prayers of sinners who will not believe.   

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:12 [ESV] … 

12  … For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  

… Peter quotes King David from Psalm 34 showing that God will always here the cries and concerns of the righteous who seek after the Lord’s care. 

Reference Passage: … 1John 5:14-15 [ESV] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru the Apostle John, that God will ALWAYS hear the prayers of the faithful. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Con Campbell, AT THIS LINK   … uses a true story of President FDR who felt that no one listened to what he said at official receptions.  And so, he tested his theory by telling each person in a reception line that he had just murdered his grandmother.  FDR was right since only one person responded appropriately to his fanciful comment.  

And the ODB author was trying to make the point that our God DOES HEAR the prayers of those who are truly surrendered to His saving and sanctifying grace [see photo].  So, my dear one, if you’ve heard the linked song and meditated on the truths from the Scriptures above, you can join me today to know that our God will even bend down - so very personally - to hear the prayers of those of us who seek His watch-care.  

How God answers is another matter; but we DO KNOW that He hears us!!  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for hearing me - and even saying “YES” to my specific prayers this morning.        

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to pray to our Lord today knowing that He hears us.  … 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.

June 25, 2021 ... I’m A Child of God

 Berry Patch Devotions - Day176

  

Devotional Song - GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to use this link and take in the song and lyrics from the group Hillsong singing ... Who You Say I Am ... poignantly singing of how we Christians, no matter how dire or challenging our circumstances, we can rely on the truth that we are - and will always be  children of God. 

PHOTO of being children of God  ... AT THIS LINK ... 

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Highlight Passage: Ephesians 5:1 (ESV) ... 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. . ... The Apostle Paul helping Christians recognize and realize that we are children of God and thereby we should become and live like our Lord, King Jesus.

Highlight Passage (Context) ... Ephesians 4:32-5:10 ... USE THIS LINK -  ... Paul teaching fellow Christians about the reality of becoming children of God and living as children of light rather than as children of darkness. 

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Reference Passage: ... Psalm 139:14 (ESV) ... 14 ... I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. ...  King David praises God that he has been made by God and therefore is wonderfully fashioned in God’s image.  

Reference Passage: ... Galatians 3:26 (ESV) ,,, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ... Paul helping fellow Christians - and us - realize whom we become thru faith as sons of God. 

Today’s Devotional Journal:  Today’s Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey... AT THIS LINK ...  ... shares of helping childless parents to realize that no matter what their status as parents of children, they are sill “fearfully and wonderfully made” and are children of God ... forever. We all need to recognize that our circumstances or our status in life don’t define who we are and most certainly not whom we can become being made in the image of our God.  

So, ... I pray today that all reading here with me recognize that God made us to become His children and to live in the reality that we are children of THE KING. 

My THANKFULNESS Today: ... Oh, Abba Father, ... thank You for fashioning me in Your image ... for Your glory. 

My PRAYER Today: ... Oh Abba Father ... King Jesus ... I pray that all reading with me here will join me to recognize and live as children of God for our heavenly Father’s glory. 

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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. 

June 24, 2021 ... Fear of Sharing Our Faith

Berry Patch Devotions - Day175 

Devotional Song - GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to use this link and take in the song and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing ... His Strength Is Perfect ... poignantly singing of how God will provide us with His empowering grace and strength when we’re feeling weak or fearful.

PHOTO of sharing our faith with a loved one ... AT THIS LINK ... 

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Highlight Passage: 2Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) ... 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ... The Apostle Paul remembers a promise from Christ to provide His empowering grace to cover our times of weakness. 

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Highlight Passage (Context) ... 2Corinthians 12:5-10 ... USE THIS LINK -  ... Paul teaching fellow Christians of God’s empowering grace, promised by Christ to cover our weaknesses 

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Reference Passage: ... Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) ... 10. ... fear not, for I am with you;  be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ...  God thru Isaiah promises to lift us up with His strength when we feel weak. 

Reference Passage: ... Acts 1:8 (ESV) ... 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ...   Jesus commissions all believers at His ascension to witness His saving grace to others ... until He comes again  ...  

Reference Passage: ... 1Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) ... 13 No temptation 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. ... The Apostle Paul teaches on God’s promise to help us in moments we feel weakened to deal with temptations or trials. 

Reference Passage: ... 2Timothy 1:7 (ESV) ... 7 ... for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ... Paul helping Timothy - and us - to see that a spirit of fear NEVER comes from God.  

Today’s Devotional Journal:  Today’s Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pyle, ... AT THIS LINK ...  ... writes about an evangelist/author who balked in fear when given the opportunity to share her testimony and her story of deliverance by Christ with her manicurist friend, ... which is a common fear of many Christians, ... yes, even mature believers with the gift of evangelism as with the ODB author. 

Perhaps you, as I do, have someone close to you that you feel weakened or fearful to share the truth about God’s saving grace to save that dear relative or friend or co-worker.  And so, ... (meditating on the Scriptures above) ,,, we all need to recognize that any fear we have, holding us back from witnessing as Jesus Himself called us to do (see Acts 1:8), is a ploy of Satan to keep us from using God’s strength to share His grace with those who need Christ.  

So, I’m praying that God will lift us up and give us His strength to share our witness of faith with any dear one that we feel is lost ... ASAP.  And so, let’s pray for the opportunity to witness to that dear one ... yes, even today. 

My THANKFULNESS Today: ... Oh, Abba Father, ... thank You for promising Your strength to cover my weakness as I balk from sharing my faith with anyone God gives me the opportunity to share His grace today.  

My PRAYER Today: ... Oh Abba Father ... King Jesus ... I pray that all reading with me here will join me to pray and receive Your empowering grace to share Your saving grace with someone You lead us toward today.

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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.