Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 225
Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Henry Smith, leading in worship and singing … Give Thanks … Poignantly singing of how we Christians need to reach out and give to others with a heart of thanksgiving for what the Lord has done for us.
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Highlight Passage: 2Corinthians 8:3 [NLT] …
3 For I can testify that they [the churches near Corinth] gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will.
… Paul shows the Christians in Corinth that the churches in that area were give sacrificially to help fellow Christians in Jerusalem, … giving which marked Christlike grace and love for others. =============
Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Corinthians 8:1-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to give of themselves sacrificially because giving honors the grace of Christ.
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Reference Passage: Luke 6:38 [NLT] …
38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
… Jesus teaches the crowds about the benefits of giving to God’s kingdom and receiving God’s grace in return.
Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:6-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK
… Paul shows fellow Christian God’s law of providence … that we reap what we sow, especially when it comes to giving our time, talents, and treasures to God’s kingdom.
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.
… God promises to take care of the needs of any/all believers.
Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:16 [NLT] …
16 And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.
… God, thru the Author of Hebrew, exhorts generous giving to those in need, … a sacrifice which pleases God.
My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Anne Cetas, AT THIS LINK … illustrated the reality of CHRISTIAN giving with a story of Jerry, a Christian, who, during the pandemic, was forced to close down his fitness business; and his then church rallied to help donate what Jerry and his family needed during Covid times.
And that’s a very real story of what the Apostle Paul wrote to fellow Christians about in the two Corinthian passages above. God, thru Paul, wanted fellow disciples of Christ to know that if they were willing to give sacrificially to help others, God would provide what they need - and much more! It’s the ageless and eternal law of providence - we reap what we sow. And if we’re willing to give generously - especially sacrificially - God will give back to us what we need … when we need it (see also Phil. 4:19).
You may have heard it said, …“You can’t out give God!” … Well, it’s true; … not by my testimony or witness; … but from God’s own word (see Scriptures above). But do we believe it; and are we giving of our time, talents, and treasures with that truth in our hearts (see photo).
My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me what I need … ALWAYS.
My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to reach out to give of our time, talents, and treasure for the good of others and the glory of God. … 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.
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