January 31, 2023 … Giving Thanks ALWAYS …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 31 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Don Moen and praise chorus singing  … Give Thanks … poignantly singing about how we Christians should sing of our thanks for God giving us His son and all what we have and all that we are.   

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Highlight Passage: … Deuteronomy 8:18 [NLT] … 

18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. …  

… Moses warns God’s people to be thankful in all things, … especially in times of success.                                                                                       

Highlight Passage (Context): …  Deuteronomy 8:10-18 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

…  God, thru Moses. warns His people to beware of pride coming from God’s goodness and giving thanks ALWAYS for God’s sustaining grace in good times as well as bad. 

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 100 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s psalmist sings of giving thanks ALWAYS to our ever-sustaining God.                

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 5:20 [NLT] … 

20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.   

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to give thanks to God for EVERYTHING … ALWAYS!   

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

17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.  

… Paul strongly charges fellow Christians to give thanks to God in all that we think, say, or do.              

Reference Passage: … 1Thessalonians 5:18 [NLT] … 

18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus..  

… Once again, we Christians are called to thank our God in ALL circumstances of life … good or bad.       

                                                                             

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, James Banks … AT THIS LINK …   reports of a horrible disaster in January, 1919 (see photo), when a molasses tank burst, sending a wave of 15 feet of molasses into the streets of Boston, killing many of its citizens.        

And as we take in the linked song and the Scriptures above, it is certainly difficult to have a thankful heart to God in circumstances like that incident in Boston, … when something so benign as molasses can turn into a disaster.  But as God’s word warns us In the highlight passage, it may even more difficult to express our thankfulness to God when things are going really well in our lives, … times when our pride causes us to forget that it is God, not ourselves, who sustains and provides for us in ALL TIMES … good and bad!  

So, I’m stopping to pray that all reading with me today, remember this truth and extend our thankful hearts to our God today, … no matter what we’re dealing with in life.          

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for providing me and sustaining me in all of my life, LORD.             

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to thank You, Lord, in ALL things and ALL times our our lives.       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.

January 30, 2023 … Going On Empty ? …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 30 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing  … His Strength Is Perfect … poignantly singing about how sometimes we have to wait for answers from God when we pray for Him to move to lift us up.  

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Highlight Passage: … Isaiah 40:31a [NLT] … 

31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. …  

… God promises new strength, thru Isaiah, to whose who trust in HIM.                                                                                      

Highlight Passage (Context): …  Isaiah 40:28-31 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  God, thru Isaiah, promises to give His chosen people His strength when they (we) are weakened.  

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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.</i> 

… God’s promise, also thru Isaiah, to give His chosen people strength w hen they feel weak. 

Reference Passage: … Habakkuk 3:17-19 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Habakkuk, moving from confusion to confidence in God, discovers that no matter what we go thru, God provides us with HIS strength and HIS joy.                

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

… When Christians are willing to surrender and yoke ourselves to Christ, He will give us His strength to move thru the trials of life.            

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

… Paul trusted Jesus’ promise of the Lord’s empowering and sufficient grace when he felt to weak to deal with his thorn in the flesh.    

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 1:7 [NLT] …

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.  

… God’s promise from Paul to Timothy and us that He NEVER give us fear; but rather His power when we’re feeling weak.     

                                                                             

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kimya Loder … AT THIS LINK …   tells of a nurse friend who felt overwhelmed and weakened, treating so many very ill patients during the COVID pandemic; and encouraging her nurse friend to lean on her faith in God, which she did, finding new strength and even more power to carry out what she knew to be a calling from God.       

And it’s quite possible that some of my readers are feeling their tanks to be “out of gas” right now as you tackle some of the life-draining challenges which we’re facing these days.  And I, for one, am lifted up by the truth of the linked song and the Scriptures brought out above.  How about you?  

So, I’m praying that we fill up our tanks with God’s empowering grace today - and tomorrow - and let God’s strength give us the power to move on for His glory.        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for providing me with Your strength again today.            

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to move forward with Your strength, Lord, … even when I’m feeling weak.       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.

January 29, 2023 … Waiting Patiently …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 29 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Lincoln Brewster singing  … While I Wait … poignantly singing about how sometimes we have to wait for answers from God when we pray for Him to move to lift us up.  

NASA Rover - "Perseverance" - landed on Mars ... 

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Highlight Passage: … John 11:39-40 [NLT] … 

39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”  40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”   

… Jesus rebukes the weak faith of those grieving the death of Lazarus.   

                                                                                 

Highlight Passage (Context): … John 11:1-44 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.  

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 37:7, 62:1-2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

…  King David sings of faithfully waiting on God in David’s times of trouble. 

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

… God, turn Solomon, commands that God’s children have faith and trust that He hears and lead us in HIs will and His ways.               

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 40:31 [NLT] … 

31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, that God’s faithful will ultimately be lifted up if we wait on His strength in our times of weakness or need.              

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

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to set aside our worries and faithfully take them in prayer to the LORD to find His peace.  

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:16 [NLT] … 

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.   

… God’s assurance that we can come CONFIDENTLY to Him for His grace in our times of trial.                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Dave Brandon … AT THIS LINK …   tells of the NASA staff having “7 minutes of terror,” not being able to get a signal from the Mars Rover Perseverance as it landed on Mars.  But the staff had faith and the rover landed as planned, quelling the fears of the staff for those seven minutes       

It’s certainly not uncommon for us to doubt ourselves, or even God, in times where we are feeling weak or out of control or troubled by lack of understanding of our circumstances.  But if my readers have taken in the linked song and God’s word above, I’m praying that we can muster the faith to trust in God in those times of trouble, waiting on Him with faithful prayer, … KNOWING that our God hears and cares for our needs.  … He does, you know!!      

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

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to faithfully wait on You, Lord, holding on to the reality that You care, Lord, and You ALWAYS hear our prayers.       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.

January 28, 2023 … Giving Joyously to Help Others …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 28 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Randy Newman singing  … You’ve Got A Friend In Me … poignantly singing about how God’s mercy and grace is given out by friends helping friends.   

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Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 9:7 [NLT] … 

<i>  7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. <b>“For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” </b> </i> 

… Paul cites Ps 22:8 [in bold above] to encourage fellow Christians to give joyfully and generously to help others in need.                                                                                  

Highlight Passage (Context): … 2Corinthians 9:5-9 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul also quotes from Ps 112:9 (see below) to encourage fellow Christians to share freely and generously to the poor.                                                                                                                ===============                                                                     .                                                                                                        

Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:9 [NLT] … 

9 They [i.e., those who fear the Lord]  share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. 

… God, turn a Psalmist, sings of how the Lord desires  to honor those who love the Lord and are willing to give generously to help those in need.    

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

…  God, thru Jeremiah, shows the extent of God mercy, … being new every morning for those who need it.              

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:38 [NLT] …  

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.  

…  Jesus preaches, to many followers, of God’s desire to reward those who give generously and sacrificially to help others.       

Reference Passage: … Acts 20:35 [NLT] … 

35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 

… Paul quotes Jesus’ exhortation that we are blessed more by giving than by receiving.       

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: … Philippians 2:3-5  [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … </b>

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A3-5&version=NLT

… Paul shows fellow Christians that reaching out to help others in need is imitating the attitude and compassion of Christ.     

                                                                             

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Elisa Morgan … AT THIS LINK …   tells of how a friend, Brenda, went by a store window and saw a fleecy pink warm coat that a friend would love and needed for the cold winter.  Knowing that her friend couldn’t afford the coat, Brenda purchased the coat and had it sent to her fiend, and felt such joy in being able to give to help her friend.      

And if my readers have taken in the delightful linked song by Randy Newman and meditated on the scriptures above, I think any Christian would be convicted and directed by God’s word, from Jesus and other Christian authors, that we should be doing everything we can to experience the joy which comes from giving generously and sacrificially to help those we know are in need.  

So, maybe we won’t be giving a pink coat to a good friend in need; but what could we - or WHAT SHOULD WE - do to reach out and give to help someone out today?    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me the means to help others.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to reach out give what we can, Lord, to serve You by giving to help others. … maybe 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.

January 27, 2023 … His Mercy Is Mine! …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 27 

Devotional Song... GO TO THIS LINK ... Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the groups Elevation Worship and Maverick City singing  … Mercy … poignantly and powerfully singing our how God’s mercy and grace transform Christians to be able offer His love to others. 

  

God's Mercy Is Greater than our mistakes ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 103:8 [NLT] …  

8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love.  

… David sings of how the heart of our God is overflowing with mercy, love, and grace.                                                                                  

Highlight Passage (Context): … Psalms 103:8-12 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of our merciful God. .                                                                                       

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 86:5 [NLT] … 

5 O LORD, You are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for help. 

… David again sings of God’s ever faithful love/mercy, … available to all who seek it.  

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

… , thru Jeremiah, shows the extent of God mercy, … being new every morning for those who need it.              

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:37 [NLT] … 

37 You must be compassionate (i.e. merciful), just as your Father is compassionate.   

…  Jesus preaches, to many followers, the reality of God’s mercy and compassion. commanding others to be merciful like God is with those who love the Lord.       

Reference Passage </u>: … Ephesians 2:4-5 [NLT] … </b>

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to share God’s love and mercy with others the way He does with all who serve Him as His disciples.      

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:16  [NLT] … 

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and grace to help (others) in time of need.  

… God, thru the author of Hebrews, shares truth about  seeking and receiving God’s mercy an grace so that we can extend that grace to others.     

                                                                             

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Arthur Jackson … AT THIS LINK …   tells of how the Wall Street Journal, covering the effects of the COVID pandemic on the cruise line industry, said that many passengers, tho inconvenienced, being quarantined for long periods, found it brought them into close community with others during this time.    

It illustrates our human need for community and the sharing of our lives with others, which we hear and read about in the linked song and the truths from God’s word above about God’s mercy and grace being extended to fellow Christians thru God’s grace and His commands for us, as the Lord’s disciples, to share that love, mercy, and grace with others. 

What can we -  WHAT WILL WE - do today to share God’s love and His mercy with others?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing Your unfailing love and mercy with me so that I can so so with others today.          

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to reach out and share Your merciful love and grace with someone, … in Your name, 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.

January 26, 2023 … God’s Forgiving Love …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023</u> - Day 26 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Matthew West singing  … Forgiveness … poignantly singing our how we Christians, tho having been forgiven by Christ still find it so difficult to forgive others.   

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Highlight Passage: … Colossians 3:13 [NLT] …  

13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians (us too!!) to make allowance for the failings of others and to forgive them as all of us have been forgiven by Christ                                                                                  

Highlight Passage (Context): … Colossians 3:12-14 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows how Christian love should lead us to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us.       

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Reference Passage: … Matthew 6:15 [NLT] …  

15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.  

…  Jesus shows the reality that if we refuse to forgive others, our God will not forgive us.   

Reference Passage: … Mark 11:25 [NLT] …  

25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. 

…  Jesus shows His disciples (and us) that we cannot expect God to answer our prayers if we have refused to forgive others as He has forgiven us.         

<b><u>Reference Passage </u>: … Luke 6:37 [NLT] …  </b>

37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.   

…  Jesus preaches truth about judging and/or forgiving others.     

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:31-32 [NLT] … 

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

… The Apostle Paul, showing fellow Christians how we must life to emulate Christlikeness, emphasizes our need to forgive others as Christ has forgiven all who acknowledged His Lordship.      

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

9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness..   

… God, thru John, teaches how God is ALWAYS faithful to forgive and cleanse the sins of those who’re willing to confess their sins to Him.    

                                                                             

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Lisa M Samra … AT THIS LINK …   tells of how a relative and his wife celebrated 80 years of marriage, relating to others that the secret to their long marriage, besides their age, was their mutual understanding to forgive the failings and faults of each other.  

And that mutual and lasting decision by this elderly couple certainly has biblical support, doesn’t it, ,,, especially when one takes into account the biblical truths from no less than Jesus Himself and the Apostle Paul (shared above)?  Bottomline, according to God is that if we’re not willing to forgive others, we cannot expect our Lord to forgive us and we certainly cannot expect Him to answer our prayers. 

So, taking in the linked song and the Scriptural truths above, I’m glad to say that I cannot recall anyone with whom I hold a grudge or am withholding forgiveness at this time. And I’m praying that attitude will last.  …  How about you?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for forgiving us and calling us to forgive others in the same way.         

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to do all we can to forgive others the way You, Lord, have forgiven 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 subscribe to the blog via email at that site.