July 6, 2022 … We Can Do It !! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2021 - Day 187 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Selah singing … Press On … poignantly singing of how those of us who follow King Jesus can press on in tough times because of the hope we have in Christ.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …  Acts 14:21-22 [NLT] …  

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”  

…  Paul and Barnabas preach the Gospel and encourage the Gentile converts in Asia Minor to hold on to their faith in spite of tribulation and oppression.                      

Highlight Passage [Context]: … Acts 14:21-26 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul and Barnabas encourage Gentile converts to Christ who were under oppression to hold onto their faith in Christ.                                                                                                               

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Reference Passage: …  Joshua 1:9 [NLT] …  

9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  

… God’s promise to Joshua is the same for all who move forward in God’s Name, even though moving on will be challenging.  

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.  

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, to ALWAYS be there to lift His up in times of trouble.

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 encourages his fellow Christians (and us too) to “keep on keeping on,” follow Christ no matter what we face; because everything and anything we do in Christ’s Name is worth it.  

Reference Passage: …  Philippians 3:13-14 [NLT] …  

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

… Paul leads other Christians onward, by showing them that he moves on in spite of the challenges of the past.     

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

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

… James reminds oppressed Christians that God will bless those who press on in His Name and for His glory no matter what they (we) face. 

                                                                                

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams … AT THIS LINK …  illustrates our need for encouragement by telling of a young nine year old boy, James Savage, becoming discouraged while trying to swim across the cold waters of San Francisco bay … from the shoreline to Alcatraz.  The boy wanted to quit; but his friends and handlers kept saying, “You can do it”… over and over again; … and the boy finally made it, reaching his very challenging goal.   

And many of my readers may be facing very difficult, and maybe even painful, challenges right now.  BUT, …  if we believe God’s truth from the Scriptures above as well as the encouragement from the linked song, we will press on to reach the goal which our Lord is calling us to complete for our prize and for His glory. 

Remember … God’s calling is His enablement.  So, … let’s “keep on keeping on” today … and tomorrow!!    We CAN do it!!!     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … give me Your empowering grace to allow me to press on today.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, …  to use God’s truth and Your strength to cover our weakness 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.