May 31, 2022 … Rainbows and Tornados

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 151

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Don Moen singing … God Will Make A Way … poignantly singing of our God can - and will - make a way thru the storms of life even when there seems to be no way. 

Hope in the storm ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Psalm 107:28-29 [NLT] …  

28 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. 29  He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.

… The Psalmist sings of our God being there to save His beloved from the storms of life.     

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Psalms 107:23-32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

…A Psalmist sings of God rescuing His beloved in the midst of the storms.                                   

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Reference Passage: … Deuteronomy 31:6 [NLT] … 

6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

… Moses teaches Joshua (and us too) that in the midst of any/all trials in life, our God will NEVER forsake or leave us, providing us with His empowering grace.   

Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 41:10, 43:2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God, thru Isaiah, promises His faithful followers that He would be there to rescue them in the midst of the storms of life.  

Reference Passage </u>: … Mark 4:35-41 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  </b>

… Jesus shows His power over even the waves in a storm.  

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. 

… Paul shares what He learned from Jesus’ promise to give him (and us) His empowering grace when we become weak.      

Reference Passage: …  John 16:33 [NLT] … 

<i> 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”</i>

… Jesus promises His disciples that in the midst of trials and troubles of this world, HE had overcome those worldly trials.

                                                                           

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Poh Xochitl Dixon … AT THIS LINK …   tells of several young storm chasers in 2021 recording the wondrous spectacle of a rainbow and a tornado in the same videos, … much like in the photo above.        

     

We know how threatening a tornado can be; but those of us who know the power of God’s amazing grace, as documented in the Scriptures above, know that God promises, thru His word, … like when we see the hope of a rainbow, … that or Lord will never forsake those who believe in Him.  I believe His promises to believers (as those above);  … do you?         

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for giving us, Your disciples, the hope of Your promises as we face the storms of life.                  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to look out for God’s rainbows in the midst of the storms of life.     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.

May 30, 2022 … Never Too Late For Grace

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 150 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Cade Thompson singing … Never Too Late … poignantly singing of how it’s never too late to receive and apply the blood of Christ to be reconciled to Him an reach out with His love and grace to others. 

Franja Partisan Hospital in Slovenia during WW2

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  2Corinthians 5:18-19 [NLT] …  

18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation 

… Once we are reconciled to God thru receiving His saving grace, we are called to share His reconciling grace with others.    

Highlight Passage [Context]: … 2Corinthians 5:11-21 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows fellow Christians that God’s healing grace is for any and all who desire to be reconciled to Him thru faith and that we have been giving the task of sharing His reconciling grace with others.                                                                                

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Reference Passage: …  Matthew 5:24 [NLT] … 

23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 

… Jesus commands that anyone who is offering up an offering up a sacrifice of praise to God must first be reconciled with other who’ve wronged that on before giving the offering.

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

12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 

… Anyone who believes on Christ as Lord AND Savior is justified and made a child of God.

Reference Passage : …  Romans 5:1-2 [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. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 

… Paul teaches that because we have been reconciled with God we can now look forward to sharing His saving grace with others.  

 

Reference Passage: …  Colossians 1:20-22[NLT] … USE THIS LINK …  

… God has reconciled all who believe on Him as Lord to Himself thru His shed blood on the cross.     

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Poh Winn Collier … AT THIS LINK …  tells about Franja Partisan Hospital (see photo), in a remote area of Slovenia, which stayed hidden from the Nazis all during WW2, treating wounded patients from both the Axis and Allied armies, reconciled to make no discrimination for treatment on the basis of one’s uniform.     

And that’s the way Jesus is for all of us.  By His shed blood on Calvary, He has reconciled ANYONE who believes on Him and is willing to receive His redeeming grace, no matter what our political beliefs, to become reconciled with His holiness and allowing us all to become Children of God.  And as is sung in the linked song, it’s “never too late” to receive His grace; and I pray all reading here of done so and are willing to share His grace with others.        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, …for shedding Your blood to reconcile me with Your holiness and make me a child of Your Father.                 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to seek to share your saving grace with anyone who needs You as their Savior.      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.

May 29, 2022… God’s Way First … And ALWAYS

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 149 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Alan Jackson singing … Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus … poignantly singing of how we, as disciples of Christ, must ALWAYS turn our eyes on and follow only God’s way in life.  

Hasty decision ... big mistake !!

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Joshua :14 [NLT] …  

14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. 

… Joshua was deceived took action on his own without first consulting God in prayer - BIG MISTAKE!!    

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Joshua 9:7-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s people balk at trusting in God to fulfill His promises to take over the promised land (see Joshua 3:10) and allowed the Gibionites to deceive Joshua and God’s people.                                                                                

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Reference Passage: …  Psalm 9:10 [NLT] … 

10 “Those who know Your name trust in you, for You, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for You. 

… David sings of Gods’ promise NEVER to abandon those who seek after His will. 

Reference Passage: …  Psalm 37:5 [NLT] … 

5 “Commit everything you do to the LORD.  Trust Him; and He will help you. 

… David sings of Gods’ promise  to help those who trust God completely to follow His ways. 

 

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 promises, thru Solomon, to lead those who’re willing to seek and follow His way.     

Reference Passage: … Jeremiah 29:11 [NLT] … 

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 

… God promises a great - and eternal - future for those faithful who seek after and trust in Him.                                                                                  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Poh James Banks … AT THIS LINK …  tells of an incident where he saw an opportunity to use an open fire hydrant to get a free car wash; but when the cold water of the open hydrant sprayed his dirty … HOT … car, the windshield cracked (see photo).     

     

How often do we, in our human nature, forge ahead in life and make hasty decisions on our own without considering all the circumstances and stopping to pray for God’s guidance.  That’s what happened to Joshua in the highlight passage; and it cost God’s people dearly.  We have God’s promises (see Scriptures above) that our God will favor and give direction to those who trust Him and seek His will.  But do we; … and … will we today?     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me the way - YOUR WAY - to go … if and when … I trust in You.                 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to seek Your way, Lord, before we make the mistake of following only our own way.      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.

May 28, 2022 … Thru the Narrow Door

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 148 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kyle Simon singing … The Narrow Gate … poignantly singing of how we, as disciples of Christ, must obediently follow Christ’s narrow road and enter into heaven thru His narrow gate. 

The Narrow Door Cafe in Tainan, Taiwan ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Luke 13:23-24 [NLT] …  

23 Someone asked Him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” … He replied, 24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 

… Jesus teaches that the road to the kingdom of God is narrow and hard to follow to enter the Kingdom of God (i.e., heaven).   

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Luke 13:22-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Jeremiah, teaches His truth about false prophets leading God’s people astray with their false teaching.                                                                                

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 7:13-14 [NLT] … 

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. 

… Jesus teaches the truth about following Christ and entering into HIs kingdom. 

Reference Passage: … Matthew 22:14 [NLT] … </b>

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” 

… In a parable, Jesus teaches that many will be called to God’s wedding feast … but few will respond to the Master’s call and come.      

Reference Passage: … John 3:36 [NLT] …

36 And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

… John, the Baptist, declares that only those who truly believe in the Son of God can repent and be saved.                                                                                  

 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Poh Fang Chia … AT THIS LINK …  tells of an interesting and very popular cafe in Taiwan which can only be accessed by going thru a very narrow door (see photo) to be blessed by the excellent cuisine in the restaurant.     

     

And this is somewhat of a commercial and current picture of what Jesus taught His followers … that to enter God’s Kingdom (i.e., Heaven) - see Scriptures above - one must be willing to follow Christ down the less traveled, narrow road, of life by obediently following Jesus and then to enter His kingdom via the narrow gate which, unfortunately, few will do to partake of the wedding feast of the Lamb of God.  

I plan to be at God’s table at that feast, no matter how narrow is the gate to His kingdom; … how about you?    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me to enter Your kingdom thru the narrow gate.               

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to follow You, Lord, in obedience and to enter Your kingdom thru Your narrow gate.      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.

May 27, 2022 … Which Path To Follow

Berry Patch Devotions in 202 - Day 147 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Phil Ziegler singing … Spirit of Truth … poignantly singing of how we, as disciples of Christ, must follow the Spirit of truth to avoid the lies of this world. 

Avoidable death toll in 1938 Hurricane Sandy ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Jeremiah 32:28 [NLT] …  

28 “Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers proclaim my every word. …   

… God’s teachers are to teach the people by speaking of His true word.   

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Jeremiah 23:1-32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Jeremiah, teaches His truth about false prophets leading God’s people astray with their false teaching.                                                                                

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 25:5 [NLT] … 

5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. 

… David sings of his desire to follow God’s truth. 

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

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

… David sings of god’s word being his light to guide his path in life.      

Reference Passage: … John 8:31-32 [NLT] … 

31 Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

… Jesus declares that His true disciples will be one ones to follow Him and His ways.   

                                                                          

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Tim Gustafson … AT THIS LINK …  writes of the horrible loss of life in the 1938 New England hurricane Sandy (see photo), where many lives could have been saved if the U.S. Weather Service had listened to the prediction of one young meteorologist hours before the storm.   

     

Whom we listen to and allow to guide our steps will be critical to the path we take in life, won’t it?  And God’s word, thru Prophets like Jeremiah, or no less than King Jesus Himself, warns us to be willing to follow God’s word as our light out of the darkness of this world.

That’s why you find me here each morning, starting each day, following King David’s prophetic songs (see the Psalms above) to let God’s Spirit and His word guide my steps in life.  And God’s truth will never lead us astray as will many of the false prophets and teachers in this world who will try to lead us astray.  I don’t know about my readers; but following God’s way and His word seems to be the safest way to go, … don’t you?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me the way to follow You from Your word.              

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to get on the right track in life by following Your word 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.

May 26, 2022 … Surrendered Faith

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 146 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Robin Mark leading in worship and singing … I Surrender All … poignantly singing of how we, as disciples of Christ, must be willing to surrender our all to follow and service Christ

Have we really surrendered our Faith? ... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Revelation 3:19 [NLT] …  

15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!.  

… Jesus challenges His church to raise heat of their (our) faith and avoid being lukewarm.  

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Revelation 3:14-22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus admonishes those with lukewarm faith in His church to turn up the heat on their faith.    

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Reference Passage: … Mathew 28:19-20 [NLT] …

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

… Jesus commissions all of His disciples on how to be His committed 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 on what it takes to be a true disciple of our Lord. 

Reference Passage: … 1Timothy 4:10 [NLT] … 

10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 

… Paul shows Timothy how to teach fellow Christians to be strong and faithful followers of Christ                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Raybon … AT THIS LINK …  writes of  the ODB author and her husband who became fascinated by a digital thermometer which could measure and control the temperatures in various zones in their house.         

And then today’s ODB author made reference to how God measures the faith temperature of those who declare to be disciples of his Son, Jesus. And we see that brought out in the letter our Lord wrote to the church in Laodicea (see highlight passage], admonishing them for letting the heat go out of their faith walk.  And make no mistake about it, … we, who espouse to be disciples of Christ, need to take our faith temperature; and if we are letting it get cold with indifference, we need to turn up the heat of our commitment to our Lord and do more for His kingdom and for God’s glory with the way we live for Him in our lifetime.  

So, join me to turn up our thermostat of faith and do all we can today to follow our Lord’s call to surrender to His great commission (see Matt 29:19-20).  Are you with me? 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for convicting me to turn up the heat of my commitment to Your kingdom, Lord.             

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to get hotter for Your call to commitment to Your kingdom, … yes, even 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.

May 25, 2022 … W.W.J.D.? …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 145 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...    Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Passion, featuring Kristian Stanfill singing … More Like Jesus … poignantly singing or how becoming and living more like Christ should be how we walk in life. 

"What would Jesus do?"... 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Matthew 26:53-54 [NLT] …  

53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?  54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

… Jesus, in the Garden when He was arrested surrendered without resistance so that prophesy could be fulfilled.                               

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Matthew 26:47-56 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus is arrested and doesn’t resist the arrest so that ancient prophesy about Him can be fulfilled.                                                                                            

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

… We must always trust and follow Jesus’ example, .no matter what! 

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:21-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches other Christians to do all they (we) can to throw off our old, sinful, nature and live more like Christ leads us to live.

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:1-2  [NLT] …  

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.   

… Again, … Paul exhorts fellow Christians to live lives following the example of Christ. 

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:21  [NLT] …  

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.   

… Peter charges fellow persecuted Christians to follow in Christ’s footsteps, even if that means to encounter suffering for Christ’s sake .         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Leslie Koh… AT THIS LINK …  Tells of learning a principle which was taught Aikido, a Japanese form of martial arts; and that is to run from a battle first, if at all possible, before engaging in combat.            

        

And that principle was somewhat like the approach that Jesus took in the garden of Gethsemane when He was betrayed by Judas and arrested (see highlight passage).  And Jesus’ disciples were to learn, but not until after the Lord’s resurrection, that they (as must we now) seek to imitate and follow Jesus no matter what we face in life.  It’s like the “W.W.J.D.” (What Would Jesus Do) motto which was popular several decades ago.  

So, when we come up against the confrontations and challenges of life today, what will we do, … take on the battle on our own; … or will we ask, “WWJD” and then follow our Lord’s example?   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving us Your example, especially Your word, to follow. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to do all we can today to ask “WWJD” and then to follow Your example, 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.