October 31, 2021 … All From Him, … For Him …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 304 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Twila Paris leading in worship and singing … God Is In Control … poignantly singing of our we can always look to our God being in control … Yes … ALWAYS!

A Season of thanks ... 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 104:19  [NLT] …   

19 You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set.  

… God created all to mark the seasons and our brief time here.    

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Highlight Passage [Context] : …  Psalm 104:10-23 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Psalmist singing of our gratitude for God creating all to show His and control.      

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 19:1-2 [NLT] …   USE THIS LINK … 

… Everything we see in the heavens declares God’s creation and His glory.

Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:28-33 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus to His followers (and us) challenging us to have faith that god is totally in control and will provide all our needs. 

Reference Passage: … Colossians 1:15-20 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK ... 

… God is control over all … created by Him and for our good and His glory.     

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 chides fellow believers to have faith that our God will provide for all our needs.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson, AT THIS LINK  … tells of trying to overcome the dark images of death during this Halloween season by putting out a pumpkin (see photo) with expressions from himself and friends of the wonderful things in life for which they were thankful to God.  

And my friends, … at least in our hearts and minds, …  that is what we all need to do for this season … and all times really.  Do we really believe that our God created al we see around us for our good and His glory (if you don’t know it, …seek on your own Romans 8:28)?  Do we really believe that our God is really in control (see linked song)?  Do we really believe that our God will supply all our needs, … now and ALWAYS (see Matt. 6 and Phil 4:19 above)    

I do! … Do you?   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for providing for all I need in life.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to gives thanks and our praise for all You have done, … are doing, Lord; and for all You will do for us 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.

October 30, 2021 … Our Calling By Christ …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 303 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from a Christian artist singing … I Hear the Savior Calling< … poignantly singing of our Lord’s calling to salvation and service by His resurrection from the dead.    

Now a prisoner chosen to serve Christ ... 

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Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 1:9  [NLT] …   

9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time—to show us His grace through Christ Jesus. 

… God reminds Timothy - and us - of a Christian’s calling to a holy life, serving our Lord.   

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<b><u>Highlight Passage [Context] </u>: …  2Timothy 1:6-14 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … </b>

… Paul, reminding Timothy of the young Christian’s calling by Christ to serve his Lord.     

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Reference Passage: … John 15:16 [NLT] …  

16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.  

… Jesus, in the upper room, reminds His disciples (and us now) of our calling to be fruitful by living for Him the rest of their (our) lives.

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:26-27 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK ...  

… Paul reminds fellow Christians that God calls us - not by our strength and wisdom - but for our service to Him and thru Him.  

<b><u>Reference Passage</u>: … Ephesians 4:1-3 [NLT] …   USE THIS LINK ...  </b>

… Again Paul reminds fellow Christians (like us!) of living lives worthy of our calling by Christ to serve Him.      

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 1:10 [NLT] …   

10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 

… Peter charges persecuted Christians to hold fast to their surrendered commitment to serve Christ    

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Alyson Kieda, AT THIS LINK  … relates a story of an imprisoned gang leader (see photo) who was called thru a dream to a saving relationship with Christ, … calling the young man to serve the Lord, sharing his faith and transformation with other prisoners.  

And, my dear fellow Christian, if you take in the linked song and the Scriptures above, we are reminded that our chosen lives are now to live lives worthy of our calling as Christians.  And I’m convicted to remember that truth and to do all I can to live out that calling, even as I write these words today.  

What about you, dear one?   What can we be doing today to reach out in the Name of our Lord, and to share our testimony of salvation and service from and for King Jesus.       

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for saving me to serve You today.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to serve You, dear Lord, 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.

October 29, 2021 … Singing Over His Children …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 302 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Elizabeth Mitchell singing the old lullaby… You Are My Sunshine … poignantly singing of the love of our lives.  

Father sings ... "You are my sunshine ... " 

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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.”   

… Zephaniah prophesies about that day when the Lord will come to be among His chosen ones forever; and He will sing songs of joy over His people.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Zephaniah 3:14-17 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God , thru the Prophet Zephaniah, promises to sing over His chosen people when He comes to judge the nations in the Day of the Lord.    

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 95:1-2 [NLT] …   USE THIS LINK ... 

… The Psalmist sings of God’s people singing joyfully of our praises to Him. 

Reference Passage: … Psalm 100:1-2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK ...  

… The Psalmist sings of God’s people worshipping the Lord in song.        

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 14:15 [NLT] …  

15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.  

… Paul declares that he will yield his mind/heart in a life of Spirit-led prayer and singing.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:19 [NLT] …   

18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 

… Paul calls on fellow Christians to avoid selfishness and sharing with one another our praises of God in the Spirit of song.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, John Blasé, AT THIS LINK  … writes of singing over his baby girl as she slept (see photo) - “You Are My Sunshine” - [see linked song] - over and over, … soothing the child and showing his love for her.   

What a poignant life picture of what Zephaniah prophesied (in the highlight passage)  that God will do when He comes to bring all His chosen ones to Himself in heaven.  Can you fathom the picture of God’s love singing over us as His beloved chosen children?  

Certainly the Bible (see reference scriptures) - in the Old and New Testaments - calls for us, as God’s chosen, to sing our praises to our Lord.  But right now, I revel with joy, imagining our my Lord, King Jesus, singing of His love for me in heaven.  Can I sense a joyful “Hallelujah” from my fellow Christian readers at this thought.     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your promise - thru Zephaniah - to sing for us - Your children - in heaven.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to join me with a joyful “HALLELUJAH” at the thought of You, Lord, singing of Your love for us in heaven.  … 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.

October 28, 2021 … Yes, … He Hears! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 301 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Mandy Lining singing her song … God Hears Our Prayers … poignantly singing of how God hears our prayers even when we cannot sense Him hearing our pleas  

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Reference Passage: … 1John 5:14  [NLT] …  

14 And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him.   

… God shows anger to those who had misled Job with their lack of faith in God’s intent.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  1John 5:13-15 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God gives us His promise, thru John, that He hears us when we bring anything to Him that is in His will,   

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

… The Psalmist sings of his confidence that his God bends His ear to hear the prayers of believers.

Reference Passage: … Micah 7:7 [NLT] …  

7  As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me. 

… God, thru Solomon, shows us that we must trust in the Lord even thru the tears of suffering.       

Reference Passage: … John 15:7 [NLT] …   

7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!  

… Jesus promises that our prayers will be granted when we abide in His will and His ways thru His word.  

Reference Passage: … James 4:3 [NLT] …   

3 And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. 

… James shows Christians that we often don’t get what we desire when praying to God because our motives are selfish.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Elisa Morgan, AT THIS LINK   … writes of a time when she was on her church’s care (i.e., prayer) team; and often when she was praying for anonymous prayer requests from her congregation she wondered whether God heard her prayers.   

But that’s the wrong question, isn’t it?  The right question is … do we believe God’s word to be true?   Because if we’ve meditated on - and we believe - the scriptures above, … clearly we must believe that God hears our prayers.  And furthermore we read above, … from God’s truth and His promises, … that when we pray with a right heart and within God’s will, He will answer and give us the desires of our hearts. 

So, the question is not WHETHER God hears us; but rather whether our prayers are in tune with God’s character and His good will.  So, as we pray to our Lord today, … KNOWING that He hears, … we must pray that our prayers are going up in tune with God’s will.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for ALWAYS hearing my prayers. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can to pray to You, Lord, with a melody of thoughts in tune with Your will.  … 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.

October 27, 2021 … Purposeful Suffering …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 300 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... </b>  Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Laura Story singing her song … Blessings … poignantly singing of how we often have trouble seeing God’s blessings when they are seen thru the tears of suffering. 

Sadness in suffering ... 

 

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Reference Passage: … Job 42:7  [NLT] …   

7 After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, He said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has. 

… God shows anger to those who had misled Job with their lack of faith in God’s intent.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Job 42:1-9 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… After Job repents of his lack of faith, God shows His anger at the three friends who in their lack of faith in God had misguided Job about God’s intent.   

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

5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6  Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  

… God, thru Solomon, shows us that we must trust in the Lord even thru the tears of suffering. 

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

… Jesus invites any and all who truly believe in Him to yoke ourselves to His power in our times of weakness.    

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

… Jesus taught Paul that His empowering grace was sufficient for Paul (and us) in times of our suffering and weakness.   

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 5:10 [NLT] …  

10 In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. 

… Peter strongly teaches of God’s grace and His strength being there for us … even in times of suffering.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey, AT THIS LINK … writes with sadness about a woman who had done all she could thru prayer in her suffering with cancer,  but she still felt that she must have sinned badly to incur the suffering she was going thru.  

In our time of suffering, as did Job, we may relent to the lie that our sinfulness or selfishness is the cause of our suffering.  But, as we read in the highlight passage, Job had to go thru a great deal of suffering before he came to the realization that his suffering had NOTHING to do with any past sin as three of Job’s friends counseled him.  

In the midst of suffering and pain (see photo), it can be so difficult to see God’s blessing of His empowering grace.  For the last six months I’ve been dealing with severe/chronic sciatic pain which at times has been debilitating.  And I admit, in the throws of all my suffering, it was very difficult to see and have faith in the truths of the reference Scriptures above and in Laura Story’s song.  So, I’m praying this morning, for me … and any reading with me, that we hold onto Your strength, Lord, and do all we can to seek out Your empowering grace to deal with our suffering. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your strength to deal with my pain.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to remember that any of us can hold onto Your empowering grace, Lord, when we are suffering.  … 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.

October 26, 2021 … Sharing The Good News …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 299 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from Steve Green singing … People Need The Lord … poignantly singing of our need as Christians to share the Good News of Christ’s kingdom with those God gives us opportunity to share His love and saving grace.  

A tuk-tuk Sri Lankan taxi ... 

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

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, <b>chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 

… Paul declares his calling to fellow Christians.

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Romans 1:1-6 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul declares that He had been called out by God to share the Good News of the God’s kingdom with those God led him to share.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 96:3 [NLT] …   

3 Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does. 

… God in song calls on all to share God’s glory with the nations 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 24:14 [NLT] …   

14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. 

… Jesus declares that the Gospel will be preached to all the nations before He comes again.   

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:19-20  [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Christ calls for all His born-again disciples [that’s us too!] to go forth into the world and share His good news, promising to be with us always.   

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

… Jesus strongly charges His disciples - after the resurrection - to go forth at His calling and share the Good News of Christ’s kingdom with any/all who will listen.   

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Asiri Fernando, AT THIS LINK  … tells about Lorraine, a resident of Sri Lanka, where she saw using the drivers of the “Tuk-Tuk” three-wheel taxis in the Capital of Colombo (see photo) to be a mission field, sharing her Good News faith with any driver who would listen.  

Perhaps there is someone in our lives whom we know needs to hear the Good News of Christ, … someone with whom we can share God’s saving grace.   Because, … fellow Christian, … I think we all agree with the message of the linked song, sung by Steve Green; and we would also agree that we’re all called to share Christ’s love and grace with anyone and everyone God leads into our lives who needs to hear of His good news.  That’s the message of the Scriptures above, … which we all also know are true. 

I’m convicted to see whom that might be for me today.  How about you?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling us to share your good news of grace with others. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to share Your good news with one who needs Your saving grace today or 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.

October 25, 2021 … Testing, Testing …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 298 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in a song and lyrics from a church group singing … Trials Call For Faith … leading in worship and singing of how We, as Christians, must trust  God especially during the trials we face in life. 

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Reference Passage: … Genesis 22:1 [NLT] …   

1 Sometime later, God tested Abraham’s faith, …  

… God tests Abraham’s faith.

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Genesis 22:1-3, 6-12 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God calls Abrahams to sacrifice his only son.  

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

3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 

… God will test the purity of our faith by the trials we face in life.  

Reference Passage: … Romans 8:28 [NLT] …  

28 And we know that God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. 

… Paul shows that God causes ALL THINGS to work for the good of those who love and obey Him. 

Reference Passage: … James 1:2-5  [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… God, thru James, shows that our faith grows when it is tested by trials in our lives.  

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

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 

… Peter shows that the trials of life are God’s test of the purity of our faith. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Winn Collier, AT THIS LINK   … writes of a father challenging his son to join the dad to climb a high mountain in Colorado.  The son was fearful of the challenge; but after he finished the climb, he was glad his dad tested him to complete the climb. 

And that story reminded the ODB author of the test God gave to Abraham (see Genesis 22:1-3); and it called to my mind the Reference Scriptures above showing us that God helps our faith to mature and grow strong thru the trials God brings to or allows in our lives.  

So, whatever test or trial we’re going thru now or will go thru in the future, I pray we KNOW, beyond doubt, that God allows us to go thru these trials to build our faith just as The Lord did with Abraham in the highlight passage.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me the strength to deal with this pain I’m going thru right now. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to have faith that You are building our faith, Lord, by the trials I will face 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.