April 30, 2022 … Serving 24/7 …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 120 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Casting Crowns singing … Life Song … powerfully singing of how our lives should sing of our service to our God …  24/7.  

Dedicated service ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Psalm 134:1 [NLT] …  

1 “Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,  you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.  

… God honors those who slave to work for the Lord - 24/7 - especially who serve in the night.                         

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 134 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… A song honoring the Priesthood who serve the Lord day and night.                                            ===============      

Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 13:4 [NLT] … 

4 Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him. 

… God commands His faithful servants (i.e., “slaves”) to serve Him … day and night!!

Reference Passage: … 1Samuel 12:24 [NLT] … 

24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.

… We who are chosen and surrendered followers of The Lord are to serve Him faithfully - 24/7 - because He has so faithfully served us.              

Reference Passage: … Psalms 19:14, 139:23-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  </b>

… King David sings of 24/7 committed lives of service to our God. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 12:1 [NLT] … 

1  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

… Paul begged fellow Christians to surrender our bodies to serve God - 24/ - as living sacrifices to serve Him 24/7.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 15:58 [NLT] … 

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

… Paul exhorts and charges fellow Christians to be strong and immovable in serving the Lord … ALWAYS!!                                                                           

 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Rayon … AT THIS LINK …  tells of the dedication and healing service of night-shift nurses as first-line servants in our world (see photo), … illustrating how our service to God should be a 24/7 life of surrendered service to our Lord.      

If my readers today have taken in the linked song and meditated on the Scriptures above, we will see how God - thru His word … New and Old Testaments - have called on ALL of those who are faithfully following the Lord to be servants, … no, actually to be His slaves … dedicating our lives to be “living sacrifices” (see Rom. 12:1) ... 24/7 ... to our Lord.   

Personally, I’m convicted to do more today; how about you?  And so, as I pray daily Ps 19:14 and Ps 139:23-24 [see above], please join me in committing our lives - today and tomorrow - to our Lord’s service.          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me to serve you everyday as Your servant.            

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to let our lives serve You, Lord, … 24/7 .. 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.

April 29, 2022 … Faithfully Following Christ

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 119 

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 of a true disciples of Christ doing all we can to faithfully following our Lord … NO MATTER WHAT!!

Are we burning incense to false gods?

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Jeremiah 44:16-17a [NLT] …  

16 “We will not listen to your messages from the Lord! 17 We will do whatever we want. We will burn incense and pour out liquid offerings to the Queen of Heaven just as much as we like—. … 

… The Jews, exiled in Egypt, ignored God’s warning thru Jeremiah and decided to worship idols and false gods.                         

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Jeremiah 44:1-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s people, exiles in Egypt, ignore God’s warning from Jeremiah against them burning incense and worshipping false idols.                                                                           

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 19:7-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David declares in song the value of following God’s word … ALWAYS.  

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

… King David declares in song the value of following God’s word … ALWAYS.       

Reference Passage: … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 

23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.  

… Jesus teaches His followers that to be His disciple they (we) must deny themselves (ourselves) and be willing to follow the Lord faithfully … anywhere He leads.       

Reference Passage: … Romans 6:22 [NLT] … 

22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

… Paul teaches truth about being freed from the bondage of sin to become slaves of God’s way as we’re sanctified by our obedience to God’s word .                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Mike Wittmer … AT THIS LINK …  told of his father-in-law, being treated unsuccessfully with chemo for pancreatic cancer, and being faced with a life-or-death decision … to go on with the chemo or seek out another form of treatment.    

And that’s what God’s people faced when they had exiled to Egypt to escape their enemies invading Judah.  The Jewish exiles had a choice …  and they had begun to burn incense (see photo) and worship false gods or rather than follow God’s lead, thru the Prophet Jeremiah.  And the exiles chose to ignore God’s word thru Jeremiah … BAD CHOICE!!!

And we, who call ourselves “Christian” and espouse to follow Christ, … are we willing to do what is sung in the linked song and commanded, thru God’s word, calling us to obey God’s truth and to deny our own way to follow the Lord?     Because if we are, the way may be VERY TOUGH to follow, but most certainly worth it as our God will lead us home to eternal life with Christ.  And I’d say that’s WAY WORTH IT to obey the Lord and follow Him, … wouldn’t you say so?!            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me home to be with You forever.            

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

April 28, 2022 … Growing In Christlikeness

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 118 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   … Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Pat Barrett singing … Into Faith I Go … showing in song how our faith grows thru the challenges of life.   

Maturing into fruitfulness ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  James 1:3-4 [NLT] … 

3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

… James shows fellow Christians that our faith grows an develops when it is tested by trials.                       

Highlight Passage [Context]: … James 1:2-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… James helps oppressed and persecuted Christians to see that maturity in faith often requires dealing with and living thru struggles in this life.                                                                           

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Reference Passage: … John 15:7-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus shows His disciples that they (we) must remains connected to Him by obedience to HIs word to be fruitful as mature disciples         

Reference Passage: … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … 

23 Then He said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.   

… Jesus teaches His followers that to be His disciple they (we) must deny themselves (ourselves) and be willing to follow HIm.       

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 teaches truth about everything in our lives helps us mature in the faith to be able to glorify God in what we think, say, and do.  .

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 13:11, 14:20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b>

… Paul challenges fellow Christians to grow and mature in their faith, … abandoning childish ways to maturity in Christ.       

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter exhorts persecuted Christians to rid themselves (ourselves) of immature, childlike behavior, and seek mature, Christlike, behavior.                                                                             

 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kimya Loder … AT THIS LINK …   showed how a gardener must be patient to allow the seedlings to blossom (see photo); and then to nourish them to help the seedlings to grow and be fruitful. 

And that’s the lesson from the ODB entry today, … challenging and charging Christians to recognize that the challenges of life are God’s way of promoting our growth and maturity in the faith, … with us growing and developing to be able to honor God with our fruitfulness.  

And so I challenge any/all my readers here to take in Pat Barrett’s thought-provoking song and to meditate on the Scriptures above, … all of which call on us to let God - thru His word - nourish our lives to become more mature in Christlikeness so that we glorify God with our fruitfulness.   Are you with me in that, dear one?!                

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for helping me to grow in following You today.             

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to seek to become more fruitful for Your glory, 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.

April 27, 2022… Sing for Joy Again

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 117 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Jeremy Camp, worshipping and singing  the Christmas classic … Joy To The World … worshipping the Lord’s coming to save mankind and rule the world with His mercy, love, and grace.  

The Regent Honeyeater singing his song ...

  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Zephaniah 3:14 [NLT] …  

12 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel/   Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 

… God calls on His people, thru Zephaniah, to sing and rejoice at the future coming of Messiah to save His people.                      

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Zephaniah 3:1-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Zephaniah, prophesies of a coming cleansing of the disobedient in Jerusalem and the restoration of God’s Kingdom for the remnant of those who hold true tot heir faith in Yahweh  ===============      

Reference Passage: … Psalm 95:1, 98:4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, in Psalms of praise, calls on His people to shout and sing our praises to the LORD joyfully.         

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:18-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to filled with God’s Spirit singing joyfully of our love for the Lord.      

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

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to REJOICE in the hope of the Lord coming again.                                                                              

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey … AT THIS LINK … used an illustration of the need for singing by showing how a bird in Australia, … the regent honeyeater (see photo), male bird is losing his mating song, which has led to a drastic reduction in the species.  Subsequently, Aussie ornithologists are playing recordings of the honeyeater’s mating sing to help the male birds sing again to recover and restore the population. 

It’s an interesting illustration to show us what God’s word teaches about His people being able - and willing - to sing of our trust and joy in the Lord (see Scriptures above).  And I agree heartily with the value of the effect of joyful Christian music and song being able to deepen our love and joy in following our Lord.  Often I use Christians worship songs to lift me out of personal downers and to be able to praise the Lord and follow His ways more deeply.  

Perhaps there are some, reading with me here today, who need to listen and sing with some joyous Christian songs and be lifted up to praise our Lord with song.  Is there a song which could lift your spirits today?  Perhaps the linked song by Jeremy Camp might help.  How about giving it a try using the song link above?                 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for using songs of praise to YOU to lift my spirits today.            

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to listen to some uplifting songs of praise to You today, 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.

April 26, 2022 … Seeking Self Control

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 116 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from there group Sovereign Grace Kids singing  … Give Me Self Control … powerfully singing.of how we, as children of God, need to seek God’s grace to help us be in self control. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Timothy 4:12-13 [NLT] …  

12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 

… Paul shows Timothy to lead others in Christlike living by teaching them God’s word.                     

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 1Timothy 4:6-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches Timothy to seek self control in leading other Christians thru God’s word.              ===============      

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 25:28 [NLT] … 

28    A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

… God, thru Solomon, teaches on the need for self-control in the lives of believers.. 

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 9:24-27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches about self discipline by comparing fellow Christians to athletes preparing to run a race, … needing discipline to prepare and win the race.  

Reference Passage: … Titus 1:7-8 [NLT] … 

7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. … 8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.

… Paul outlines for Christians what it takes to leaders in the body of Christ.      

Reference Passage: … 2Peter 1:5-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Peter teaches fellow Christians what it takes for Christians to walk the walk of faith.                                                                                    

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams … AT THIS LINK … used the story of an 11 year old girl, named Mikaila, who was bold enough to take here idea for a lemonade business onto the TV show “Shark Tank” and received a large investment to help her start her business.   

And then the ODB author compared that story of self-discipline and boldness to the Apostle Paul teaching Timothy to not let his age get in the way of leading other Christians in the Church (see Highlight passage), … showing that self-control and boldness are keys to leading others by living the self-disciplined life of Christlikeness.  

And taking in the linked song and meditating on the Scriptures above, I realize that I need to discipline my life more in following God’s word and walking the walk of faith in Christ to be able to lead others to a more effective Christian life.  What about you, dear one; … do you have the self control and disciplined faith you need to be an example of Christian living?             

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for leading me thru Your word to a more abiding life in following You and leading others in Your Name.           

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to be willing to use God’s word to lead us to self discipline in following You, Lord, and leading others to follow 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.

April 25, 2022 … He Rescued Me

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 115 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Zach Williams singing  … Rescue Story … powerfully singing.of how our Lord is our rescuer in times of trouble.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Samuel 22:17 [NLT] …  

17 He reached down from heaven and rescued me; . He drew me out of the deep waters. … 

… King David sings of being rescued by God from the deep waters of King Saul’s pursuit.                    

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Samuel 22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David thankfully sings of God rescuing him from Saul and his enemies.                             ===============      

Reference Passage : … Psalm 18:15-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…This song mirrors 2Sam 22, honoring God for saving David from King Saul and his enemies.  

Reference Passage: … Luke 1:71 [NLT] … 

71 New we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.   

… God, thru Zechariah, the father of John, the Baptist, prophesies that the Messiah had come to save all believers from our enemies. 

Reference Passage: … Romans 6:4 [NLT] …

4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.   

… God, thru Paul, shows how Christ has raised us from death to life and how the Lord has rescued us from the deep waters of sin.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 1:7, 2:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God, thru Christ, has saved us from the deep waters of death and sin by His shed blood on the cross.                                                                                          

 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt … AT THIS LINK … used the story of a  young father pulling his daughter out of water filling the little girl’s boots to illustrate how God rescues us from the deep waters of our sin.   

And the ODB author also used the song of thanks from King David (see 2Sam 22 and Ps 18 for saving David from Saul’s pursuit; and how we can - and will - be saved from the deep and deadly waters of sin when we’re willing - in faith - to receive God’s saving grace.  

And oh how I pray today that any who feel the oppression of the deep waters of unresolved sin in our lives will come and let our Lord pull us out of those deep waters (see photo); because our Lord, King Jesus, will - most certainly - be our rescuer just as He was for King David.            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for pulling me out of the deep waters of my own sin.           

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to reach out and let Jesus rescue us if we’re caught in the deep waters of sin 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.

April 24, 2022 … Feeling “Dusty” Today

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 114 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing  … Compassion Hymn … poignantly singing.of how our Lord extends His mercy, grace, and compassion to those who love and serve Him.  

God's loving compassion for His children ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 103:13-14 [NLT] …  

13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. 14 For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are dust. 

… King David sings of compassionate/caring Father.                   

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalm 103:13-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul, inspired by God’s Spirit, exhorts fellow Christians to exercise the power found in Christian unity.                                                                        

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

1  But You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.     

… King David again sings of our loving and merciful God.

Reference Passage: … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…God, thru Jeremiah, shows His children (and us too1) that His mercies are extended to us every day.  

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

…Paul shows that God’s empowering grace is sufficient to cover  our weaknesses.                  

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

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

… Peter helps oppressed Christians realize that we can take our cares to God because He ALWAYS cares for His children.                                                                        

 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Arthur Jackson … AT THIS LINK …  wrote of a ministry friend, who made reference to the physical challenges of his aging life by saying that he was ‘feeling dusty,” … a reference to the reality that we are born of “the dust” and will return to it thru our aging years.  

I don’t know about you here reading with me; but I’m feeling “pretty dusty” today.  But I know and trust that I serve a caring and compassionate God Who will provide His loving mercy and empowering grace to help me deal with the aches/pains of life. 

So, I pray that all here with me recognize that our God cares for His children and will even extend His sufficient grace to cover our weakness when we’re willing to lean on Him in times of struggle or pain.  Take in and meditate on the scriptures above, my friends, … especially if you’re feeling a bit “dusty” as I am today.               

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your grace with covers my weakness.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to cast all our cares on You, Lord, because You care for 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 to the blog via email at that site.