June 25, 2023 … Remembering His Sacrifice …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 176 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Hillsong Worship singing … Remembrance … Poignantly, yet, powerfully, singing of how we remember the sacrifice of our Savior, King Jesus, when we take the bread and the cup at the Lord’s Supper.   

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Highlight Passage: … 1Corinthians 11:26 [NLT] … 

25 In the same way, He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” . 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.</i>

… Paul instructs fellow Christians in the seriousness of taking the Lord’s Supper, remembering the sacrifice of our Lord on the cross.                               

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … 1Corinthians 11:23-28 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to witness to and honor Christ’s sacrifice in taking the Lord’s Supper.  .                                                        .                     

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 53:5-6 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Isaiah, to God’s people in remembrance that the Lord would send a Messiah to save His people from their (our) sins.      

Reference Passage: … Matthew 26:25-28 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus, at the Passover meal with His disciples in the upper room, institutes the last supper.        

Reference Passage: … Mark 14:22-25 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Mark’s account of Jesus instituting the Lord’s Supper,         

     

Reference Passage: …Acts 2:42 [NLT] …  

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.  

… Luke’s historical account of the early church coming together to share in pray and the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of our Savior’s sacrifice on the cross.     

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 10:16 [NLT] …  

16 When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?   

… The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about coming together to share the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of His bodily sacrifice in shedding His blood for all who would believe in His finished work on the cross.  

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Bill Crowder … AT THIS LINK …  old of seeing a number of newlyweds gathering in Moscow on their happy wedding day, but stopping at the Russian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to remember the sacrifice others who had died to make their wedding day possible.             

The ODB author was touched by these young wedding couples remember the sacrifice of those who came before them to provide for their lives and marriages; and that kind of devotion is what our Lord asks of us when we come to His table - what we know of as “The Lord’s Supper” to honor and remember His bodily sacrifice where He shed His blood so that we, who believe in His finished work on the cross would be free from our sins and eternal saved for HIs glory.  

And I pray that when we take our next communion with fellow Christians that we truly remember our Lord’s sacrifice for us to have eternal life.            

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for Your sacrifice on that Cross, Lord, to give me eternal life.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to remember what You did on that cross, dear Lord, for those of us who believe in You to have enteral 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.

June 24, 2023 … Made New In Christ …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 175 

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, yet, powerfully, singing of how God can - and will - make a way when we see no way.   

Soap remade to provide health for millions ... 

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Highlight Passage: … John 6:12 [NLT] … 

12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.”  

… After feeding the thousands, Jesus made sure nothing was wasted                              

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … John 6:5-13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A5-13&version=NLT

… Jesus fed thousands with just a few fish and loaves of bread and there were left-overs.           

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 43:18-19 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, that our Lord will make a new way through the waste and destruction of the past.    

Reference Passage: … Ezekiel 11:19-20 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God prophesies, thru Ezekiel, that He will remake His sinful people with hearts that worship Him forever.      

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 5:17-21 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches truth to fellow Christians (and us) that we have been reconciled and remade in our relationship with Christ        

     

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 2:10 [NLT] …  

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.   

… The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about born-again Christians being remade into instruments of God’s purpose and His plans.   

Reference Passage: … Philippians 1:6 [NLT] …  

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.   

… The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about born-again Christians being remade into the image of Christlikeness.   

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Rayon… AT THIS LINK … told of a traveling executive, Shawn Seipler. who came up with the idea of getting hotel chains, cruise lines, and resorts to give up their old, used, soaps to be remade into new, useable. soaps (see photo), which could be donated to third-world peoples, which could save many lives thru the use of these soaps.           

And that is the same concept that our God does in taking the left-over and broken lives of all of us who believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, …those of us  who were dead in our sin, and remakes us into lives that can be reused for His purposes.  As Don Moen sings in the linked song, … “God makes a way where there seems to be no way.”  So, I pray we all meditate in the Scriptures above and praise God that He is making us NEW in Christ so that we can be used for His life-giving purposes today.            

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for re-using me today for Your purposes.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to allow You, Lord, to remake us for Your glory.  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. 

June 23, 2023 … Relying on God’s Power …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 174 

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 … Powerfully singing of how we Christians can rely on God’s strength to lift us up in times of challenge, trial, or weakness.     

God's mighty power ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Exodus 14:31 [NLT] … 

31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before Him. They put their faith in the Lord and in His servant Moses. 

… Paul teaches that our faith comes and grows from hearing the truth about Christ thru His word.                           

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … Exodus 14:21-31 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Moses shows God’s people, escaping from Egypt, God’s mighty power to save them at the Red Sea and God’s people trust in the LORD because of His mighty strength and power..           

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

… God’s Psalmist sings of those who delight in God’s truth (i.e., God’s word) growing in faith and righteousness.    

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

… God promises His strength to lift up God’s people when they are weak.    

Reference Passage: … Matthew 28:19-20 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus’ “great commission” and His promise to be with His disciples ALWAYS.      

     

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about God always being there, in times of trial or temptation to show His disciple the way to go and to endure the circumstances. 

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

… Paul again shows fellow Christians that God’s strength and power will ALWAYS be enough to support His disciples in their (our) weakness.  

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Lisa M Samra… AT THIS LINK … wrote about how the mighty winds of Hurricane Ida in August, 2021. blew with such force that the waters of the Mississippi flowed northward for several hours overcoming God’s force of gravity.         

And that’s the type of mighty power God’s people saw at the Red Sea (see photo) when our mighty God stood with Moses to show God’s chosen people how the Lord would part the Red Sea and to save and allow His people to go thru the sea on dry ground, … amazing the people and bringing them to trust in the LORD and to rely on HIS strength in their (our) times of challenge.  

 And if my readers today have taken in the linked song, and meditated on the Scriptures above, I pray that you believe, … as I do, … that God’s enabling and empowering grace, which our Lord has promised us, would ALWAYS be there to provide us with His strength when we are feeling weak.  And today, I need His strength; because I’m feeling very, VERY,  weak.   How about you? 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for promising to give my Your mighty power when I’m feeling weak, … as I am today.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to rely on Your empowering grace, Lord, to lift us up with Your strength 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.

June 22, 2023 … Growing Our Faith …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 173 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Danny Gokey singing … Stand In Faith … Powerfully singing of how we Christians can stand in this challenging world thru our faith in Christ Jesus and His word.    

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Highlight Passage: …Romans 10:17 [NLT] … 

17  So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 

… Paul teaches that our faith comes and grows from hearing the truth about Christ thru His word.                           

                         

Highlight Passage (Context): … Romans 10:8-17 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Paul shows that the only way to salvation is to have - and express - one’s faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross and how faith comes from hearing God’s word declaring the truth of Christ.                                                      .                     

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

… God’s Psalmist sings of those who delight in God’s truth (i.e., God’s word) growing in faith and righteousness.    

Reference Passage: … Psalm 119:9-11 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… King David sings of a believer being immersed in God’s truth (i.e., His word) to avoid sinning against God.    

Reference Passage… Colossians 1:9-10 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches fellow Christians that we grow in our faith in Christ by growing to know our Lord more intimately.  And we do that by knowing God thru His word.     

     

Reference Passage: … 2Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about growing in faith thru God’s word to Timothy and to all Christians.   

Reference Passage: … 1John 5:1-5 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle John teaches fellow Christians that only those who love God and obey God’s word can - thru faith - defeat the schemes of Satan and his world.  

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pie… AT THIS LINK … told about a Pastor Bob, who lost his ability to speak and share God’s word from the pulpit but found that He could - and did - grow in faith by getting to know his Lord more intimately through God’s word.        

And that’s the simple, but powerful, message of today’s Our Daily Bread entry; and it’s a truth we all should use to help us grow in our faith.  And if you’ve taken in the linked song and the Scriptures above, i pray you agree with me that we can - AND WILL - grow in our faith by getting to know King Jesus more intimately - EVERYDAY - thru God’s holy word.  And that’s why you’ll find me here again tomorrow, … and the day after that, … growing in my faith delving deeply into God’s word. How about you?  Could your faith use a little more growth?             

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me how to grow in my faith in You thru Your word. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to grow in our faith by getting to know You more deeply, Lord, thru Your word.    … 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.

June 21, 2023 … Running the Race TOGETHER …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 172 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Matthew West singing … Together … Poignantly, yet powerfully, singing of how we Christians must live and serve Christ .. . TOGETHER … as we live and serve the LORD as His body.  

Running TOGETHER in a Three-Legged Race ... 

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Highlight Passage: … 1Peter 4:10 [NLT] … 

10  God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

… Peter reached fellow Christians how they (we) must using our Spirit-given gifts as the Body of Christ, sharing the good news Christ with any and all who need the Lord’s saving grace.                                               

Highlight Passage (Context): … 1Peter 4:7-11 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Peter exhorts fellow Christians, even persecuted believers, to work TOGETHER, using their individual gifting to share the Gospel with those who need to hear of God’s saving grace.             

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Reference Passage: … Romans 15:5-6 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul teaches that Christians are to live in harmony with one another.  

Reference Passage: … 1Corinthians 1:10 [NLT] … 

10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  

… Paul exhorts Christians to work together in harmony representing our Lord in this world. 

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

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.   

… Paul teaches about the Body of Christ, fitting TOGETHER perfectly to share Christ with each of our individual gifts.   

Reference Passage: … Philippians 2:3-5 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… Paul called fellow Christians to take on the attitude of Christ, being humble and reaching out TOGETHER in love to help others, like Christ would do for us.       

     

Reference Passage … Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s word, thru the Author of Hebrews, teaches that we are to come TOGETHER to encourage and edify one another as we live to serve and witness for Christ.   

                                                                                                                                         

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon… AT THIS LINK … used the party game of a “three-legged” race (see photo) to illustrate how a team had to plan and work TOGETHER, communicating and staying on the course - again TOGETHER - to win the race.        

And if my readers have taken in Matthew West’s song and the Scriptures, linked and listed above, I hope we all are motivated - and maybe even convicted - to work TOGETHER in the Body of Christ to use our uniquely Spirit-given talents and gifts, working - as in the 3-legged race - to run God’s race, being witnesses for the good news of the Gospel grace, available to all who are willing - in faith - to receive God’s saving grace.  

Common dear friend, let’s run the race TOGETHER today!            

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for equipping me to run the Gospel race of witness today with other fellow Christians. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to join with other fellow Christians -TOGETHER - to run Your race, Lord, all the way to the finish line for Your glory.  … 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.