April 30, 2023 … Rumors Can Ruin

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 120 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... </b>  ... Please take the time to take in song and lyrics  from the group We The Kingdom singing … Don’t Tread On Me … powerfully singing of how God defeats all rumors and lies spread against our Lord with the fires of His wrath.   

PEP, the dog imprisoned by gossip ... 

============        

Highlight Passage: … Proverbs 18:7-8 [NLT] … 

7 Fools words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.   8 Rumors  are  faintly morsels that ink deep into one’s hearts. 

… God’s warning, thru Solomon, of the dangers of tantalizing, but foolish gossip.                

Highlight Passage (Context): … Proverbs 18:1-8 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Solomon warns of the foolish danger and folly of gossip.                                     .                     

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: …Exodus 23:1 [NLT] … 

1  “You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand. 

… God command to His people, thru Moses, against all false rumors and gossip.         

Reference Passage: … Psalm 101:5 [NLT] … 

5 I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.

… King David sings of not tolerating anyone who spreads dangerous lies and slander again their neighbors.  

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 11:13, 16:28 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… More from Solomon of God’s warning against spreading malicious gossip.       

Reference Passage: … Romans 1:28-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows the results of selfish sinful living, involving all kids of malicious behavior, including gossip. .   

Reference Passage: … James 1:26 [NLT] … 

26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

… God, thru His brother, James, exhorts fellow Christian to control our speech, avoiding gossip.                                                                                                                          

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, James Banks … AT THIS LINK … tells of malicious gossip being published, … falsely, … telling of the dog of Pennsylvania’s Governor in the 1920’s killing the Governor’s cat.  All lies!!  … But,  following the published lies, the dog , named “Pet,” was sent to a state prison and became a beloved prison therapy dog (see photo).  

Yes, God can - and often does - redeem sinful situations being perpetrated against the innocent by malicious gossip.   However,  the story of “Pet” does illustrate why God hates malicious gossip and unbridled lying being spread in the world as it so often is.   Because gossip so often leads to damage in the lives of others, which my fellow Christians can read about in the Scriptures above.  

I’m praying today we all are committed to doing all we can to bridle our tongues and speak only truth in sharing information about anybody in our lives. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me the empowering grace to help me avoid gossiping about anyone.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to speak only truth about others in our lives today.  …  Amen               . 

=============

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, 2023 … Trustworthy Forever

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 119 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics  from Jeremy Camp singing … Walk By Faith … powerfully singing of how we Christians can walk by faith, following an ALWAYS trustworthy God.     

============        

Highlight Passage: … Psalms 145:13 [NLT] … 

13 For Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.You rule throughout all generations.The Lord always keeps his promises; He is gracious in all He does  

… God’s promise, thru King David, of how God’s grace can be trusted throughout all generations.               

Highlight Passage (Context): … Psalms 145:9-13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… King David sings of God’s infinite trustworthiness.                                   .                     

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Psalms 37:3-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Once again, King David sings of God’s trustworthiness.  

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

… God, thru Solomon, calling on God’s people to trust in The LORD … ALWAYS.        

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 promises, thru the Prophet Isaiah, God’s trustworthy strength to lift believers up.      

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 strongly asserts the truth that God can be trusted to make ALL THINGS to work for good for those who trust and follow Him. 

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 10:23, 13:8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s word strongly declares the truth that we can ALWAYS trust in the promises of our Lord, because our Lord is sovereign over all and King Jesus never changes.

                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Karen Huang … AT THIS LINK … admits to being a worrier and relying on words by missionary Hudson Taylor, … words which the ODB author had written on her bathroom mirror to give her courage; … “There is a living God. He has spoken in the Bible. He means what He says and will do all He has promised.”  

This world and these times can be scary, … VERY SCARY, … can’t they?  And almost daily, I need “lifter-upper” words like those of Hudson Taylor, … or even more so from God’s word, … like the ones from the Scriptures or in the linked song above … to give me reassurance to trust in my God, …  who ALWAYS is in control and is ALWAYS the same, … my LORD and SAVIOR … King Jesus!  

Do you trust Him? … I sure do!! 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for ALWAYS being trustworthy to lift me up when I need Your empowering grace. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to go to our Lord when we’re feeling weak, like I am today.  …  Amen               . 

=============

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, 2023 … God’s Gift of Laughter

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 118 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics  from Jason Gray singing … Laugh Out Loud … poignantly and powerfully singing of how we Christians should sing of our joy and laugh out loud at God’s saving grace offered up from His shed blood on the Cross.     

God's gift of laughter ... 

============        

Highlight Passage: … Genesis 21:6 [NLT] … 

6 And Sarah declared,“God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me. 

… At the age of 90, God moved Sarah who openly laughs with joy in seeing God giving Abraham a son in their old age.              

Highlight Passage (Context): … Genesis 21:1-7 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Sarah was moved to laughter at the realization of God bringing her a son in her old age.        

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 15:13, 17:22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God, thru Solomon, shows how joy and laughter are good for our health.

Reference Passage: … Job 8:21 [NLT] … 

21  He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. 

… In the face of horrible loss, God promises Job to return Job’s heart to laughter and joy.       

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 3:8 [NLT] … 

4  A time to cry and a time to laugh.  … 

… God promises His chosen a time to laugh to balance our times of crying.     

Reference Passage: … Luke 6:21b [NLT] … 

21 … God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. 

… Jesus promises His disciples a time to laugh, even after we experience times of trial in our lives. . 

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

4  ALWAYS be full of joy in the LORD, I say it again - REJOICE! 

… Paul calls on his fellow Christians to rejoice ALWAYS. 

                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Alyson Kieda … AT THIS LINK … quotes comedian John Branyan, who said, …  “We didn’t think up laughter; that wasn’t our idea. That was given to us by [God who] knew we were going to need it to get through life. [Because] He knew we were going to have hardship, He knew we were going to have struggles, He knew . . . stuff was going to happen. . . . Laughter is a gift.” 

And if my readers have joined me to take in the linked song and believe in the truth of the Scriptures shared above, … as I do, … we have to realize just how much we need God’s gift of laughter to balance our lives with joy, given the difficulties we are going to face in life.  

Sarah laughed (see the highlight passage) when she realized how bizarre it was she gave birth from God’s promise.   Solomon proclaimed God’s laughter to balance our times of despair (see Ecclesiastes 3:4).  Even Jesus and Paul promised (see Luke 6:21 and Philippians 4:4) God’s gift of laughter to allow us to rejoice, even when we face times of trial like those experienced by Job (see Job 8:21).  

So, why don’t you join me and share our choice to laugh - at least a little bit - knowing what lies ahead  for those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Actually, <b>LOL!!</b>

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for joining to share in the joy that God has given us in following Jesus all the way to glory.

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to share in the joy of our salvation.  …  Amen               . 

=============

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, 2023 … Weed Watering?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 117 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics  from Francesca Battistelli singing … Holy Spirit … poignantly and powerfully singing of welcoming in the Holy Spirit to lead us thru life.      

============        

Highlight Passage: … Galatians 5:16 [NLT] … 

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves 

… Paul charges fellow Christians follow the guide of God’s Spirit to avoid follow the ways of the flesh.              

Highlight Passage (Context): … Galatians 5:13-26 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul exhorts fellow Christians to walk in the Spirit, … not feeding the flesh.                              

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

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

… God, thru Solomon, calls on believers to trust in and follow God’s ways and avoid following our own ways.  

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

… Jesus calls on His disciples to follow Him as the truth which will set us free from our sin nature.       

Reference Passage: … John 15:1-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches that we can only be fruitful of we abide in Christ to follow His ways.    

Reference Passage: … Galatians 2:20 [NLT] … 

20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

… Paull teaches that when born-again Christians live to trust and follow Christ, we die to self and live for the Lord. 

Reference Passage: … Galatians 5:19-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul shows fellow Christians the results of living for the flesh rather that our life if we surrender to live by following God’s Spirit. 

                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Adam Holz … AT THIS LINK … tells of one spring as the author and his daughter worked in their garden,  … the weeds beginning to grow unusually strongly that spring, prompting the author’s daughter to water the weeds, jokingly saying that she wanted to see how big the weeds could get.

And that instance - tho a joke - caused the ODB author to see the reality of the Apostle Paul’s and Jesus’ teaching in the Scriptures above and the reality of avoiding to water the weeds in our life - i.e., the desires of the flesh - rather than surrendering to follow God’s Spirit by watering God’s flowers rather than the weeds of our flesh.  

And if my readers take in God truth above, especially as God’s word (see above) charges us to follow God’s Spirit rather than choose to water the weeds of our flesh. And taking to heart what the Apostle Paul taught fellow Christians (and us) in His letter to the churches in Asia Minor  (see keystone passages in the book of Galatians),  let’s all be watering God’s fruit of the Spirit today and avoid watering our fleshly weeds.  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for pouring the life giving waters of Your love/grace on the fruit of Your Spirit in my life. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to pour the waters of Your Spirit, Lord, on the fruit You are growing in our lives..  …  Amen               . 

=============

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, 2023 … God's Cornerstone

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 116 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics  from the group Hillsong Worship singing … Cornerstone … powerfully leading in worship and singing of how we Christians build our lives on Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of God’s Church.     

Is He truly our "Cornerstone" ... 

============        

Highlight Passage: … Psalm 118:22 [NLT] … 

22 The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. 

… God’s psalmist sings of The Messiah, who was rejected, becoming the cornerstone for God to build His Temple.             

Highlight Passage (Context): … Psalm 118:13-14, 22-29 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s Psalmist sings of The Lord building with The Lord, our Messiah, as His cornerstone.     

===============                                                                 .                                                                                                                            

Reference Passage: … Ezra 3:11 [NLT] … 

11 With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord:   “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”

Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.. 

… Ezra leads God’s people in praises to the Lord for becoming the cornerstone of God’s temple. 

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 28:16 [NLT] … 

16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:  “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. 

… Isaiah prophesies of God building His Temple (i.e., Church) on the cornerstone of His Messiah.      

Reference Passage: … Matthew 7:24-27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus teaches that anyone who builds their (our) life on His commands and teaching will be building on a solid and strong cornerstone.     

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:19-22 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians that anyone who builds their lives on Christ Jesus builds on the cornerstone of God’s strong temple.  

Reference Passage: … 1Peter 2:6 [NLT] … 

 6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.” 

… Peter, in writing to persecuted Christians; quotes from Isaiah’s prophesy of placing a Messiah and Savior in Zion as the Lord builds His Temple there, with The Messiah as God’s cornerstone. 

                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Rayon … AT THIS LINK …  tells of a young campus minister who admitted, when asked if he prayed to the Lord for strength when conflicted or troubled, … confessed  …, “I’m not sure I believe anymore in prayer.”

Unfortunately, this is becoming an all too disturbing trend among young people today, … yes, many, … even the clergy today … who are looking at the condition of God’s church or the world and having trouble building their lives on faith that Christ truly is the “Cornerstone” on which God is building His Church.  

But He is!  And for those, as I do, believe our Lord, King Jesus, truly is God’s cornerstone in building His Church, will be building their (our) lives on the strength of His eternally strong grace  And personally He is my Cornerstone!!   And taking in the linked song and the Scriptures above,… Is Jesus your Cornerstone?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me how to build my life on You as my “Cornerstone”   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to trust You, Lord, as THE Cornerstone on Whom we build our lives together as Your Church.  …  Amen               . 

=============

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.