July 31, 2021 … Lost and Found …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 212 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Hillsong United singing  … The Lost Are Found … Poignantly singing of God’s mercy and grace and His relentless love for the lost searches out and finds us for His glory. 

The jewel is lost !! 

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Highlight Passage:   Luke 15:10  [NIV] …  

10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

… Jesus shows the Pharisees, in a parable about a lost coin, just how much God values and searches for the lost.          

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Luke 15:8-10 [NIV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus relates a parable about how much heaven rejoices when but one sinner is found by God’s relentless search for the lost.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 91:9-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru a Psalmist, shows how much God values one who is surrendered to follow Him.    

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … 

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 

… God, thru Isaiah, shows just how far our God will go to protect His beloved and chosen ones.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:8-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows fellow Christians that God’s saving grace is available to ANYONE who is willing to receive it. 

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 4:17 [NLT] … 

7 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.   

… Paul gives testimony as to the lengths His Lord went to protect him so that Paul could bring the gospel to the gentiles, just as God wil relentlessly protect anyone who believes in Jesus as Lord and Savior.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon, AT THIS LINK   … tells of losing her engagement and wedding rings and the sentimental value attached to the lost rings, … praying desperately that they be found.  And when they were discovered in the pocket of a sweater, the ODB author relates the joy of those lost rings being found.

And oh how that story rings true in my memories when, as newlyweds, my new wife and I discovered that the diamond was gone from its setting in her wedding ring (see photo).  We went on a desperate search [too long a story for now].  But I so relate to ODB story of searching desperately for and joyfully finding our valuable rings.   

And that joy, … magnified infinitely, … is the joy expressed by Jesus and God’s angels in His Luke 15 parable about the desperate woman finding a valuable lost coin, … where Jesus was relating just how valuable even one lost sinner is when he/she repents and is found by our Lord, Who relentlessly searches for any/all who are so dear to God’s heart. 

Oh how I pray that any/all reading here are jewels in God’s crown of righteousness, who, … like yours truly, … were once lost and now are found, … and now how we witness to the joy of being one of God’s lost and found.           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for searching so relentlessly for me and finding me just as You share in all three of the Luke 15 parables.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to express our grateful joy in being one of the lost who was found,  … 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.

July 30, 2021 … Defeating the Green-Eyed Monster …

 

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 211 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Olivia Rodrigo singing  … Jealousy Jealousy … Poignantly singing of the the damaging life-effects of jealousy or envy in our lives.   

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Highlight Passage:   1Samuel 18:7  [NIV] …  

7 This was their [God’s people] song:  “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” 

… When Saul heard the people singing of David’s successes in battle he was overwhelmed with jealousy and envy.         

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  1Samuel 18:5-9 [NIV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  When King Saul saw David’s rising popularity with God’s people, he became sinfully jealous, which ultimately led to God lifting Saul’s anointed power from the king. 

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 14:30, 27:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Solomon, teaches the evil effects of jealousy in our lives.     

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 4:4 [NLT] … 

4 Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.  

… God, thru Solomon, teaches that jealousy is even more dangerous to our soul than anger.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 13:4 [NLT] … 

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud. 

… Paul teaches that choosing to love defeats the negative effects of jealousy.

Reference Passage: … James 3:14-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru James, shows Christians how evil are the effects of envy or jealousy. 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 4:8 [NLT] … 

8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 

… God, thru Peter, teaches that our choosing love is the way to defeat all kinds of sin, like envy or jealousy.   

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey, AT THIS LINK  … shows how the jealousy/envy that composer Antonio Salieri displayed for Mozart in the movie, Amadeus, which ultimately led to Salieri being consumed with anger and bitterness and participating in Mozart’s death.  

And that story illustrates what Olivia Rodrigo sings about in the linked song and what the Scriptures above teach from God’s word … that envying others can - and quite often does - lead to frustration —> anger —> bitterness —> and ultimately, sinful actions against others.  Jealousy or envy (as in the photo) truly is the “green-eyed monster;” and it is to be avoided and conquered by our choosing to love and pray for those we envy until the “monster” is defeated in our minds and hearts. 

So, I pray today that if any of us who hold any envy for another, that we realize and confess the sin of our jealousy and replace it by reaching out and sharing love, (see 1Cor 13:4 and 1Peter 4:8) … which charges us to pray for the one we envy.   And I pray we do just that today!          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me choose to love those whom I might hold any jealousy and to pray for them today. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to honestly and humbly pray for any in our lives with whom we may envy 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 to the blog via email at that site.

July 29, 2021 … Jesus - Our Peace …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 210 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Don Moen singing  … Wonderful Peace … Poignantly singing of the eternal peace we find in our relationship with Christ, Who replaces darkness with light and enmity with peace.  

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Highlight Passage   Ephesians 2:14  [NIV] …  

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 

… Paul declares the truth about Christ’s finished work on the cross breaking down the wall between all people just as between the Jews and the Gentiles in those days.        

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Ephesians 2:11-22 [NIV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru Paul to fellow Christians, that in Christ we find the peace that breaks down the enmity between people, as was the case between Gentiles and Jews in Jesus’ time on earth. 

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

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 

… God, thru Isaiah, prophesies the peach which will come in and thru The Messiah.   

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

… Jesus proclaims to HIs disciples that they (and we) can - and will - find peace ONLY IN HIM. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:1 [NLT] … 

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 

… Paul teaches on the truth that we can - and will - only find our peace in our surrender and faith in what Christ did on the cross to free us from the shackles of sin.  

Reference Passage: … Colossians 3:15 [NLT] … 

15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 

… Once again, Paul, declares the reality that we will only find peace in our world thru and in our relationship with Christ.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Con Campbell, AT THIS LINK  … relates an incident in history when a 4th century monk, named Telemachus, jumped into the gladiatorial arena to break up a battle-to-the-death between two gladiators.  Seeing this, the patrons in the arena stoned the monk to death.  And later, hearing of the courage of the monk and being touched by his spirit of peace, the Emperor Honorius decreed the end of 500 years of gladiatorial combat in the Colosseum.  

And this historical story illustrates what Christ did by dying on the cross for mankind, … freeing us from the darkness of sin and breaking down the walls of enmity beween man and God and between peoples - like the social/cultural walls between jews and gentiles in Jesus’ day.  And if we can find and follow Christ, … peace can be our cultural legacy today as well.

Right now we see and grieve over the cultural combat in our day … over racial and religious issues; and we will only see the end of this when our world is wiling jump into the arena of this gladiatorial combat and seek after - and follow - the peace Jesus Christ offers to all of mankind. 

I pray we are peace-makers in Christ’s Name and for His glory today.         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving us the peace You offer to us when we surrender and claim what You brought to us on the cross, dear Lord. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to do what we can to be peace makers today in Christ’s Name. … 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.

July 28, 2021 … A Forever Love …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 209 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Selah singing  … How Deep the Father’s Love … Poignantly singing of the infinite and eternal extent of God’s love for His beloved bride, … the Church.  

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Highlight Passage:   Song of Solomon 8:6  [NIV] …  

13 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death  …  

… Solomon shows that God’s love is as unrelenting and unending as death …       

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Song of Solomon 8:6-7 [NIV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Solomon writes about the unending … undying … love of God.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 86:15 [NLT] …  

15 But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. 

… King David prays to His God, Whom he knows has an unending love for those who humbly seek after that love    

Reference Passage: … Zephaniah 3:17 [NLT] … 

17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”  

… God, thru Zephaniah, declares the extent of The coming Messiah’s love for God’s chosen Who will come to save His loved ones.  

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.

… Jesus proclaims the love His Heavenly Father has for mankind.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:38-39 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows fellow Christian the extent and jealously of our Savior’s love for His bridegroom (i.e., the Church), … showing that NOTHING can separate us from His love. 

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT] … 

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. 

… Paul declares the extent of God’s love for him and all who truly trust in Christ in that our Lord was willing to give Himself up for us.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Julie Schwab, AT THIS LINK   … relates a lovely story of a daughter, Alyssa Mendoza, who received a pre-timed email from her father with instructions on how to celebrate the upcoming wedding anniversary of Alyssa’s dad and mom.  But the poignant love in that email came out in the reality that Alyssa’s dad had died months earlier, showing just how much her father loved her mom, knowing that when he was dying he made sure his love for his “bride” would be expressed even beyond the grave.

And what a poignant love story illustrating our Lord’s love for His bride, the Church; and how His love led Him to die on a Roman cross, showing His eternal love for any/all who trust in the infinite love of our Lord.

 And as any reader here takes in the linked song and the Scriptures above, I know you will join me with a thankful “Hallelujah” in praise and thanks for the undying love of our Savior.  And perhaps we can - and really we should - reach out today to follow our Lord’s command (see John 13:34-35 - look it up if you don’t know it!) to share His love with others.       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for loving me so that I can share that love with someone today.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to reach out with gratitude for Your love, Lord, and share a little of Your eternal love with someone else 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.

July 27, 2021 … Joy Is Our Strength …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 208 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... </b>   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Twila Paris singing  … The Joy of the Lord … Poignantly singing of how expressing the Joy we have in our Lord is our strength.   

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Highlight Passage:   Proverbs 15:13  [NIV] …  

13 A glad heart makes a happy face; … a broken heart crushes the spirit. 

… Solomon shows that a glad heart is shared with others with a happy face (i.e., a smile).       

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Proverbs 15:13-14, 30 [NIV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Solomon teaches that choosing to share the joy we have in our relationship with joy brings joy to others. 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 16:11 [NLT] …  

11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. 

… King David sings of the joy he finds in knowing of His God’s omnipresence.    

Reference Passage: … Habakkuk 3:17-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK  ... 

… A struggling Prophet learns from going to God that he can choose joy no matter his fearful and confusing circumstances.  

Reference Passage: … John 15:11 [NLT] …  

11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 

… Jesus shares truth with His disciples (and us) so that they (and we) can find joy in the midst of their confusion. fear and sorrow.

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:22-23 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… As Christians, with God’s fruitfulness in our hearts, we can choose to share God’s love, JOY, and peace … ALWAYS!! 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Raybon, AT THIS LINK   … shares how a friend had a “smile ministry,” share the joy she felt in her relationship with Christ thru smiling to others.  But when the pandemic hit, wearing a facemark made it difficult.  But her friend learned that when she smiled the muscles in her eyes changed to reveal the joy she felt; and so she kept smiling and sharing her joy with others. 

As disciples of Christ, we need to realize that “JOY” is not a feeling; … it is a choice that comes from the fruit of the Spirit (see Gal 5:22), … given to all Christians.  And that’s what the confused Prophet, Habakkuk, learned when he went to God with his “WHY God” fears, learning, from seeking God’s wisdom, that he (as can we) choose joy in the midst of dire circumstances <b>(see Hab. 3:17-19); … and he did! … And so can we!! 

And that’s what I pray for all of us today; … that we share the joy of our relationship with Christ with others, … with our smiles and words of encouragement. … even tho we may still be doing so masked in these pandemic days and in this panicked world.  My friends, as Twila Paris sings in the linked song, “The Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength.”  So, let’s share that joy with others today.     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for being the joy of my life in the midst of trials, troubles, and turmoil.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to smile a lot today, … even if we don’t feel like it, … and share the joy of God’s love and grace with others  … 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.

July 26, 2021 … God’s Love Blooms In Us …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 207 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Selah singing  … How Deep the Father’s Love For Us … Poignantly singing of how God shows His love for us in spite of our sinfulness, …with His love growing in us to share with others.  

God's love blooms in us ... 

 

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Highlight Passage:   John 13:34  [NIV] …  

34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 

… Jesus commands His beloved disciples to show love for one another just as He, Jesus, shows His love for all.       

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  John 13:34-35 [NIV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus commands His disciples to love one another to and show others the love of God. ==============                             

Reference Passage: … Matthew 5:6 [NLT] …  

32 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” 

… Jesus blesses those who seek after the righteousness that God plants in us as born-again followers of Christ.    

Reference Passage: … Romans 5:8 [NLT] …  

8 But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 

… God shows HIs ultimate and eternal love for us, giving up His Son for us even though we were (and are) sinners.

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

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: LOVE, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

… God’s love and fruitfulness is on display in the lives of true, born-again, Christians.  

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, thru Paul, shows Christians how God’s work of love will bloom in the life of the surrendered believer until Jesus returns. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Raybon, AT THIS LINK  … relates a story of making a show of joy in receiving a gift from her daughter of tulip bulbs, even tho the ODB author was not particularly fond of tulips, which she thought often don’t bloom or die quickly after the do bloom. But the ODB author realized that the gift was given in love; and later when the tulips bloomed (see photo) the author remembered how God’s love has been planted in all true Christians to bloom in us and show off the love of God to others.   

And as the group Selah sings in the linked song and the Scriptures above express, … we realize how deep the Father’s love is toward even us sinners; … that He would give up His Son to die for us and to live and grow in the hearts of all Who receive His love.  And that love, which is a fruit of HIs Spirit, will continue to grow and bloom in Christians to show God’s love to any/all who would receive that love from Him thru us.

So, I pray that any/all who’re reading here with me today, will go forth and show off God’s love thru the way we live and to reach out and share Christ’s love with others     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for planting Your love in my heart to share with someone today. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to make choices today that show off Your love for us sinners.   … 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.

July 25, 2021 … Being Real With God …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 206 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing  … One True God … Poignantly singing of how serve the one true God Whose words are ALWAYS true and how He honors our honesty.   

 

God's promise to Abram ... more than the stars ... 

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Highlight Passage:   Genesis 15:5-6  [NIV] …  

5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. 

… Abram believed God’s illogical promises and God counted Abram’s faith as righteous.      

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Genesis 15:1-7 [NIV] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Abram believed God, though the Lord’s promises were beyond          

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

… God will lead those who put their trust in and follow God, … even beyond our own understanding.  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 12:22 [NLT] …  

<i>  10 The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth. </i>

… God delights in and honors those who are honest with Him.    

Reference Passage: … John 8:32 [NLT] …  

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

… Jesus teaches on the freedom God provides when we know Him and are willing to be truthful with God.   

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 3:10-12 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter quotes from Ps 34:12-16, teaching God’s truth to oppressed fellow Christians that God sees/hears all we say/do and honors those who turn away from evil and speak the truth.    

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, James Banks, AT THIS LINK … tells of couple who learned from their doctor that they could not conceive and give birth; and who, thru prayer to God and consulting their Pastor, opened themselves to God leading them to an adopted child.  

And then the ODB author shared the biblical story (see highlight passage) where Abram opened himself to believe God’s illogical promise that a man well beyond child-bearing age could be chosen by God to have descendants greater in number than the stars (see photo).   And God honored Abram’s faith, whom God renamed as “Abraham,” to become the “father” of God’s chosen nation of people.  

And it is God’s delight to honor those who come to the Lord, seeking truth, and then trusting God’s call to share His truth with others.  The question from today’s ODB entry challenges us to be willing to be humble in seeking God’s truth and then being open/honest with God, to believe His truth, from His word; and then to share it with others <b>(see Scriptures above)</b>.     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your truth in Your word to follow to Your freedom.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to humbly and honestly seek the truth from God and then to follow it 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.