September 30, 2021 … He’s Enough …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 273 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Jeremy Camp singing … Enough … powerfully singing of how our God is ALWAYS ENOUGH for our well being in life. 

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Highlight Passage:  Psalm 73:26 [NLT] …  

26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; HE is mine forever 

…  The Psalmist shares with joy the realization that his (our) God is there for him ALWAYS.         

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Highlight Passage [Context] : … Psalm 73:21-28 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Psalmist thankfully sings of recognizing that His God is ALWAYS there for him - NO MATTER WHAT!!    

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

… We need to avoid trusting in our own perspective and ALWAYS trust - with ALL our heart -  that our God is there for us.   

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 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. 

… Jesus taught Paul (and us) that His empowering grace was enough to cover Paul’s (and our) weakness. 

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 encourages fellow Christians (that’s us too) that our God will ALWAYS supply ALL that we need.  

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 1:3 [NLT] … 

3 By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.

… Peter also encourages fellow Christians with the truth that our God, thru His Spirit, has given us all we need to live a life to the glory of God, the Father.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Karen Huang, AT THIS LINK   … tells of being at a reunion of her Asian-American family and feeling a bit isolated, being the only single woman there, in a culture which honors being married with family; but then realizing that all she needed was KNOWING that her relationship with God was all she really needed in life.     

And I’m stopping to pray that all reading here join me WITH GRATITUDE,  hearing the linked song and meditating on the Scriptures above, that we have all we need in life - for sustenance and direction - with what God provides for us from His protective and providential grace. 

Join me today in knowing that what Jesus said to Paul (and all Christians) in 2Cor 12:9 is absolutely true for all Christians … that His grace is sufficient for ALL our needs … today and tomorrow and ALWAYS! 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … being there with Your empowering grace to cover me - even today - as I feel so weak.       

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to praise You, Lord, for giving us Your enabling grace today and ALWAYS.    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.

September 29, 2021 … Transformed!! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 272 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Lincoln Brewster singing … Made New … poignantly singing of how we are made new in and thru Christ and our repentance and surrender to His Lordship.  

Nali Kali School - transformed from a train to a school in India

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Highlight Passage:  Romans 12:2 [NLT] …  

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 

…  When we surrender to God’s will, He calls us to avoid choices which reflect our selfish nature or the calling of the world, allowing God’s Spirit to transform us into Christ’s image.                

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Romans 12:1-3 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians (that’s us!) to surrender to our calling to become - and to be - “living sacrifices” to the transformed life His blood provided for us as born-again Christians.   

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 51:10-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… David, confessing his sin involving Bathsheba, prays for God’s Spirit to restore his heart for God, just as we should confess our sin and be cleansed of our sin (see 1John 1:9 - linked).  

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 5:17  [NLT] … </b>

17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 

… When we surrender to Christ, He makes us over into a completely new person. 

Reference Passage</u>: … 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.

… When we surrender our will to God’s, He makes us over into the image of God, the Son. 

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, assures Christians that God’s Spirit will complete the work He has started in Christians to reform us into Christ’s images. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, AT THIS LINK   … tells about a school in India, the Nali Kali school (see photo), which was transformed from two abandoned train cars into a functional school where children could be transformed by their education.    

And this ODB illustration is a good life picture of what happens in the Christian when our old, sin-ridden, nature is transformed by God’s Spirit into the newness sung about by Lincoln Brewster in the linked song and reviewed in the truth of the Scriptures above.  And I pray that all reading here are in that place of repentant surrender … to seek out and follow God’s Spirit, … Who will transform anyone willing to yield to God’s transforming grace.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … making me over — day by day — into my Lord’s images.     

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to surrender to Your transforming grace, Lord, today and then even more tomorrow.    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.

September 28, 2021 … Seeking God’s Glory …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 271 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Andrew Peterson leading  in worship and singing … Is He Worthy? … poignantly singing of how we should all be seeking God’s glory from our surrendered relationship with the One and Only One worthy of God’s glory.  

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Highlight Passage:  1Samuel 4:22 [NLT] …  

22 Then she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured.” 

…  God’s glory departs from Israel when God’s will and His ways are ignored by God’s people.   =============  

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Samuel 4:1:22 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s people ignore God’s glory and the Ark of the Covenant is captured.  

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 42:1-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s chosen psalmist sings of the glory of God being imparted to His Servant, … our Lord and Savior. 

Reference Passage: … John 1:10-14  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Only those who’ve surrendered to serve the King of Glory can find the glory of His grace. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 3:23  [NLT] … 

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

… We ALL have fallen short of God’s glory in our sin; and the only place we can find that glory is in our surrendered relationship with the Son of God.

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 1:3 [NLT] … 

3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.

… The only place we can find God’s glory in this life is in our surrendered relationship with King Jesus; …the King of Glory.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson, AT THIS LINK  … writes about the name “Ichabod” in the bible which means “no glory,” … a name given one (see highlight passage) who was a part of God’s people losing sight of God’s glory by their sin, … not unlike so many even today who refuse to seek out God’s glory in Christ.    

How about it, fellow Christian?  Do any - besides myself - seek to find and hold onto the glory of God’s grace?  Well, if you’ve taken in the linked song [and PLEASE don’t miss it  !!!] and meditated on the Scriptures above, you know that, … as sinners, … the ONLY WAY we can find God’s glory in our sin-ridden lives is to seek out and surrender to the King of Glory, … the One Who came to give us the glory mankind has rejected by our sin nature.  

And I pray that all reading here seek out and know God’s glorious grace  … which we find in our deepening relationship with One Who gives his His glory when He died to release us from our sin and show us that we can have His glory.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … leading me to Your glory, which I want more of today.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to seek out and hold onto the glory that You give us, Lord, in our deepening relationship with You.  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.

September 27, 2021 … Following God’s Priorities …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 270 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   …  Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Chris Rice singing … It Is Well With My Soul … poignantly singing of how, when we yield to God, … all is well !! 

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Highlight Passage:  Isaiah 40:28 [NLT] …  

28 Have you never heard?  Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth.  He never grows weak or weary.  No one can measure the depths of His understanding, 

…  Isaiah proclaims God’s sovereignty and control over all.             

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Highlight Passage [Context] : … Isaiah 40:21-28 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Isaiah proclaims God’s unlimited power and sovereignty … 

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

… We must trust in God’s sovereignty to lead us thru all the stresses of this life.  

Reference Passage</u>: … 2Corinthians 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. 

… Jesus declares to Paul (and to us) that His grace is sufficient for us to handle all we deal with in life.  

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 13:8 [NLT] … 

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

… We worship and follow a Lord, King Jesus, Who never changes.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey, AT THIS LINK  … writes of coming to the realization that her priorities and stresses (see photo) were dwarfed in comparison to the greatness of our God’s power and purposes in this life.  

Today, as we set our priorities and purposes, … i.e., our “To Do” lists … I pray we all stop and recognize that our God is in control … ALWAYS!!  And that our Lord, … King Jesus, … will never change; and … that as long as God’s priorities are our priorities … as Chris Rice sings in the linked song … all is well for us today.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … leading me toward Your priorities today.    

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can to seek and follow Your priorities, Lord, today and tomorrow.   … 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.

September 26, 2021… Finding His Rest …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 269 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Kari Jobe singing … Be Still My Soul … poignantly singing of how we find our rest and peace by patiently waiting on God. 

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Highlight Passage:  Matthew 11:8 [NLT] …  

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.…” 

…  Jesus invites His followers to find rest and peace in Him.             

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Matthew 11:25-30 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches His followers about finding rest in following Him. 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 37:7 [NLT] … 

7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.   Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.. 

… King David sings of God’s advice to those who are anxious.  

Reference Passage: … Psalm 46:10 [NLT] … 

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.” 

… God’s command, from a Psalmist, to be still and reverence our God … so as to find His peace.  

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 30:15 [NLT] … 

15  This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.  In quietness and confidence is your strength.  But you would have none of it.. 

… God, thru the Prophet Isaiah, to His people on finding God’s way by resting in Him.  

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

… God’s charge, thru Paul, on how to find rest and peace in Christ.   

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Elisa Morgan, AT THIS LINK  … wrote of a time when she was looking for advice on how avoid letting anxiety at night rob her of needed rest and sleep. 

And the author found several things to avoid, including digital devices and social media right before sleep. But the best advice the author got was from God Himself thru HIs word in the Scriptures above.  And if any reader here with me today has taken in the linked song by Kari Jobe and meditated on those Scriptures above, we’ll see that taking God up on His invitation to find our rest/peace in our solitude with the Lord is the best way for us to find God’s peace today.  So, … that’s my prayer for us all today.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for inviting me to set aside my worries and to let You help me carry my burdens today.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to take You, Lord, up on Your invitation to rest in You today … and again tomorrow.  … 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.

September 25, 2021 … He Knows How We Feel …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 268 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Jeremy Camp singing … He Knows … powerfully singing of the reality that God knows our every feeling … no matter how low it may seem. 

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Highlight Passage:  Psalm 42:8 [NLT] …  

8 But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God Who gives me life.  

…  Paul helping fellow Christians set our minds on the thoughts which produce joy in our lives. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalms 42 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru the Psalmist, shows that our God ALWAYS knows how we feel in times of loss or pain.  

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

… Solomon shows us that we can trust God no matter what we’re going thru … trusting not on our own perceptions but only in God’s wisdom. 

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.. 

… No matter what we’re going thru, God knows our feelings and He cares for us. 

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

… Jesus invites us to yoke ourselves to His strength when we’re feeling weak.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:26-28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paull shows fellow Christians that our God ALWAYS knows what we feel and is interceding on our behalf before God’s throne of grace. 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 

7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.. 

… We can ALWAYS take our feelings and cares to God because He knows our situations and cares for us. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon, AT THIS LINK   … wrote of a friend dealing with all the emotions surrounding her friend’s son and his addictions; but her friend knowing that God knew her feelings during the whole time of her pain and suffering.  

My friend, do you know the truth of Jeremy Camp’s song, linked above; and do you really believe the truth of the Scriptures quoted above?  Because if you do, … as I do, … no matter what we’re going thru, our God knows what we’re dealing with; and He will - AND DOES - take our case before God’s throne of grace, … praying for us that we know His strength is there for us in our weakness.  And I pray we do know that and will trust that our God will be there for us today … and again tomorrow 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for taking my weakness and pain to God, the Father, for me today.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to surrender today, KNOWING that You, Lord, are giving us Your strength to help us in our times of weakness. … 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.

September 24, 2021 … Joy - No Matter What! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 267 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from a worship group singing … I’ve God the Joy Joy Joy Down In My Heart … joyfully singing of the joy we receive in our relationship with the God of all love and grace. 

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Highlight Passage:  Philippians 4:8 [NLT] …  

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 

…  Paul helping fellow Christians set our minds on the thoughts which produce joy in our lives.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Philippians 4:1-9 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Prophet Malachi prophesies what it will be like when mankind is set free from their captivity to sin.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 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 eternal Joy God shows to him. 

Reference Passage: … Psalms 119:105 [NLT] … 

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

… God’s word is a ray of hope and joy to light up my dark days. 

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 shows His disciples of the joy they can/will find in Him. 

Reference Passage: … John 16:22 [NLT] … 

22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 

… In the upper room, Jesus helps to dispel the despair of His disciples with His promise that He would come to them again after the Resurrection to give them hope and joy.   

Reference Passage: … Romans 15:13 [NLT] … 

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  

…  Paull exhorts fellow Christians to rests in joy and hope we have in our relationship with Christ. . 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, John Blasé, AT THIS LINK  … writes of how, in the midst of the COVID crisis, the Friday night TV news always closed with a story to uplift the hope of viewers, … to provide a note of joy as the listeners went into the weekend.  

And in the midst of these dark days of worldwide pandemic and social ills, where do we Christians find our joy?  Well, … I don’t know about you, dear one; … but about the only place I can go to find real hope and joy these days is in my relationship with my King Jesus and the promises I find in the truth of His word.  That’s why you find me here each morning,… beginning my day by using the Light of God’s word to dispel the darkness in my mind.           

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me a ray of joy and light to light my path today. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to seek the joy and light that we find in Your truth, dear 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.