March 19, 2018 … Is Is Well … ALWAYS!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 78 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  … Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics from worshippers singing Horatio Spafford’s great hymn … It Is Well With My Soul … powerfully singing of how we as Christians can gratefully worship the Lord even in the worst of life’s circumstances.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 118:1 [NLT] … 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 
… Grateful for God’s eternal love.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 118:1-14, 26-29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… A grateful son of God expresses his gratitude in song.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 46:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… Believers recognizing that God will be our refuge no matter what we encounter in life.

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 to be there for us … even in your weakest moments.

Reference Passage : … 1 Thessalonians 5:18 [NLT] … 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 
… God’s challenge, thru Paul, that we ALWAYS be thankful to our Lord.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… God thru the Author quotes from OT assurance that our LORD will ALWAYS be there for us … no matter what we face in life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, used the gratefulness of a married couple making their vows, before God, to stand with one another for life no matter what life might bring. The ODB author wrote: On our wedding day, [my wife] and I gladly vowed to be faithful “in good times as well as in bad, in sickness as well as in health, for richer or for poorer.” In a way it may seem strange to include vows about the bleak reality of bad times, sickness, and poverty on a cheerful wedding day. But it underscores the fact that life often has “bad” times. 

And even in the worst of times, our God promises never to leave us [Heb. 13:5-6], and to lift us up when we’re weak (Isaiah 41:10). And if a fellow reader has ever heard the story of why and how Horatio Spafford wrote the linked song, It Is Well With My Soul, it illustrates powerfully how we can be grateful for God’s enabling/empowering grace, … yes, even in life’s most horrible times. {Readers can hear of Spafford’s story AT THIS LINK. 

Certainly it is hard to hold on, with a grateful heart/mind, to faith in the midst of terrible life circumstances. However, if we truly believe God’s word and His promises, we can … and we must. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your vows to me of Your presence and power to lift me up when I’m down.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give me the grace to hold on to Your promises when life is at its worst. … 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.

March 18, 2018 … God’s Love Letter and Light

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 77 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from The Getty’s singing their song … Speak O Lord … poignantly singing of how God’s truth showers us with His love and His light.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Nehemiah 8:8 [NLT] … 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
… When the people heard God’s word, they were taken with joy and God’s love for them.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Nehemiah 8:5-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s word was read to the people rebuilding His temple and they were brought to tears in joy from God’s message to them.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 119:73-74 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… Reading and meditating and following God’s word gives us joy and direction.

Reference Passage : … Isiah 55:11 [NLT] … 11  It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. 
… God’s word always produces His fruit when we follow it.

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … God’s word is God Breathed and everything we need for life. My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, used a story about soldiers writing home to illustrate the personality and character revealed in letters. The ODB author wrote: Far from home and training for World War II, American recruits in basic training turned to humor and correspondence to cope with the challenges they faced. In one letter home a young man described the vaccination process with wonderful exaggeration: “Two medical officers chased us with harpoons. They grabbed us and pinned us to the floor and stuck one in each arm.” Yet one soldier began to realize that humor could only take him so far. 
Then he received a Bible. “I enjoy it very much and I read it every night,” he wrote. “I never realized you could learn so much from a Bible.” 

This soldier likely realized that when he read the Bible he was reading God actually writing a letter to him and giving him direction in life. Certainly, we see the character and personality of the letter writer coming out when we read letters from friends or loved ones, especially those we haven’t seen or heard from in a long time.

Well, … when God’s people returned to Jerusalem from their Babylon captivity, as we read in the Bible in Nehemiah’s journal, Ezra and the Priests read God’s word from the Book of the Law to them; and they were overwhelmed with God’s love pouring forth from His word (see highlight passage).

And that’s why you find me here, every morning, letting God reveal Himself thru His love letter TO ME, … as God does for anyone who’ll read His word with an open and believing heart. God’s word is His love letter to His family; and as Isaiah said, when we meditate on God’s word, it will always produce fruit for His purposes (see Is. 55:11).

So, … will you join me to let God shower you with His love and His light thru His love letter to us? 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your word which lights my path everyday.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Shine Your light on my path, Lord, thru Your word. … 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.

March 17, 2018 … Not Natural

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 76 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Glen Campbell singing his hit song … Try A Little Kindness … poignantly singing of how we all should do all we can to do the supernatural and offer God’s love and compassion to others before satisfying our natural selfishness.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ephesians 4:29b [NLT] … 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 
… Paul’s charge to us to avoid negative, discouraging words and to do all we can to use our words to build up and encourage others.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ephesians 4:20-31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul trying to exhort (and encourage) Christians to live like Christ.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 7:12 [NLT] … 12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. 
… Christ’s GOLDEN RULE of kindness and love to others.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 2:3-4 [NLT] … 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 
… God, thru Paul, exhorting Christians to reach out and help others before self.

Reference Passage : … Galatians 6:9-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...
… Paul charges us to never grow weary of doing good for others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Anne Cetas, used a story about an observation of human interaction to teach on becoming more like Christ. The ODB author wrote: The young man fidgeted as he sat down for his flight. His eyes darted back and forth to the aircraft windows. Then he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to calm himself—but it didn’t work. As the plane took off, he slowly rocked back and forth. An older woman across the aisle from him put her hand on his arm and gently engaged him in conversation to divert his attention from his stress. “What’s your name?” “Where are you from?” “We’re going to be okay,” and “You’re doing well” were a few things she whispered. She could have been irritated with him or ignored him. But she chose a touch and a few words. Little things. When they landed three hours later, he said, “Thank you so much for helping me.” 

Would you, fellow Christians, agree that it’s not natural to be kind to others? But since reaching out in kindness is the Christlike way of living … driven by His Spirit, which now abides in us, … we certainly have God’s grace in us to live as Jesus taught and Paul exhorted in the Scriptures above.

But it’s still not our natural M.O., is it?! We have to intentionally CHOOSE to be kind to others, reaching out beyond our natural selfish instincts to help others or to encourage them with our words. 

How we doin, my fellow Christian?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for giving us the grace to be kind to others. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Give me the opportunity to be like You today, Lord, and to encourage or hep someone. … 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.

March 16, 2018 … His Wonders Never Cease!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 75 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from the song written and performed by Gordon Mote… Don’t Let Me Miss the Glory … poignantly singing of how God gives us only a glimpse of His glory in the wonder/beauty of His creation all around us.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Job 38:18 [NLT] … 18 Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!. 
… Job became blinded by his troubles to see God for Whom He really is.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Job 38:1-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Thru his pain, Job had trouble seeing God’s glory and His majesty.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 19:1  [NLT] … 1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. 
… God’s glory is all around us. All we must do is take it in and revel in the majesty of our God.

Reference Passage : … Romans 11:36 [NLT] … 36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. 
… Paul expresses the reality of our finite minds trying to fully comprehend God’s glory which He shows us in/thru His creation. … WE CAN’T!!

Reference Passage : … Colossians 1:15-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ... 
… God, thru Paul shows the extent of God’s glory in His Son, our Lord and King, Who created all we see and experience for the glory of His Father.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Mart DeHaan, used the work of a talented photographer who attempts to capture the glory of God in his photo art. The ODB author wrote: Some of us are inclined to look at the world and see only what’s wrong. DeWitt Jones is a National Geographic photographer who has used his profession to celebrate what’s right about the world. He waits and watches until a shaft of light or turn of perspective suddenly reveals a wonder that had been there all along. He uses his camera to find beauty in the most common faces of people and nature. 

If readers here take the time to view the YouTube video of the linked song and take the time to google the photography of DeWitt Jones [see one example in the attached photo], you’ll see a bit of the realty that Job (see highlight passage) had trouble seeing thru the agony of his pain.

And so often that’s the case with us. isn’t it?  We get so wrapped up in our own circumstances, which may be very challenging, and we lose sight of the wonder and glory of God, which truly can be seen in His creation … if we’d but look around and see it [see reference Scriptures].

So, … today, … as the old saying goes, … let’s take time to smell the roses, … and maybe go out and see a sunrise, … or watch closely as the sun shines or the rain falls on the spring flowers; … or just take in His love thru the eyes of a spouse, a child, or a friend.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for showing us glimpses of Your glory, … radiating all around us.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As Gordon Mote sings, … today … “Don’t Let Me Miss Your Gory!” … 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.

March 15, 2018 … Revealing the Rocks

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 74 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Philliips, Craig, and Dean singing their song… He’ll Do Whatever It Takes … poignantly singing of how God’s grace will do whatever it takes to bring us into fellowship with our God.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 25;4 [NLT] … 4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. 
… David, as we all should, so desires to follow God’s righteous path.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 25:1-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David reveals a deep desire to be free from sin and following the right path of God. 
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Solomon, shows us that we can have the right path in life if we trust Him to show the way.

Reference Passage : … 1John 1:9, 2:1 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … Paul shows fellow Christians (and you/me) the cleansing power of Jesus as our advocate before God’s throne of grace.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David Roper, used a personal reflection of his life on a farm to illustrate how God wants to reveal the rocks which get in the way of a righteous life. The ODB author wrote: As a boy, I watched my father plow fields that had never been cultivated. [See photo] On the first pass the plowshare would turn up large rocks that he hauled away. Then, he would plow the field again, and then again, to further break up the soil. With each pass the plow turned up other, smaller rocks that he cast aside. The process continued, requiring many passes through the field. 

The ODB author’s story is a good personal picture of how we must plow thru life [see photo] and let God reveal the rocks [of sin] which impede our righteous walk with Christ. Over time, as the linked song reveals, God will do whatever it takes to allow us to find the rocks in His field so that we, as His disciples, can become more fruitful and follow Him more easy.

As a Christian, like me, readers here may have experienced how God reveals the big sins early in our walk with Him. Then, over time, the smaller ones are revealed and cleared from His field, allowing the soil of our lives to become clearer and clearer and more fruitful for His kingdom growth.

So, we learn from the truth of God’s word [see Scriptures above], that He promises to turn over the rocks of sin in our lives and even to help us clear them so that we can become the disciples we need to be to become fruitful for Christ.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for revealing the rocks of sin in my life, as painful as it can be at times.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to clear Your field so that Your fruit may grow in my life. … 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.

March 14, 2018 … The Gift of Prayer

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 73 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …    Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of Red Marlow on TV singing his song… I Pray … poignantly singing of how we should pray when we don’t know what else to do.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 8:26  [NLT] … 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 
… God’s Spirit is always there to pray for us … and with us.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 8:26-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God shows us that His Spirit ever intercedes with/for us.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 6:5-13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus teaches His followers how to pray.

Reference Passage : …John 17:9-11 [NLT] … 9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those You have given me, because they belong to You. 10 All who are mine belong to You, and You have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to You. Holy Father, You have given me Your Name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as We are. 
… Jesus prays for US in the garden; and He’s still praying for us now on His throne in heaven.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 1:11 [NLT] … 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 
… Paul gives thanks for the prayer of fellow Christians and pleads for continued support thru prayer.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, used a personal reflection of a young friend’s experience with the gift of prayers from others. The ODB author wrote: “I didn’t realize what a gift prayer was until my brother was sick and you all prayed for him. I cannot tell you what a comfort your prayers were!” 
Laura had tears in her eyes as she thanked me for the prayers of the people in our church for her brother, who was facing a cancer diagnosis. She continued, “Your prayers have strengthened him in this difficult time and have been an encouragement to our entire family.” 

As I saw today’s ODB photo of the young girl praying and posted a song written by a singer who was inspired by prayer; … and then I took in the highlight ODB passage and remembered the reference scriptures above, I was taken by the reality of what a wonderful and powerful gift prayer is for others. That’s why Jesus taught His disciples to pray in His sermon on the mount. And it’s why He prayed to His Father for His disciples (and us) in the garden just before He died for us. And it’s why He is still praying for us on His throne today. What a wonderful gift prayer is to us from God and from us to others!

So, we need to take it seriously when we tell someone, “I’ll be praying for you,” and doing exactly that … not just saying that as a way of showing we care. In fact, in recent years, I’ve developed the habit when I tell someone I want to pray for them … to stop and do just that with them on the spot [as in the photo]. In that way my gift of prayer is given face to face; and I don’t have to worry about forgetting the gift later.

So, … today, … let’s be alert whom we can pray for and then give them our gift of prayer. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for praying for me right now. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to give Your gift of prayer for someone 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.

March 13, 2018 … Teamwork in The Body

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 72 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of song and lyrics with the group Casting Crowns singing … If We Are The Body … poignantly singing of how we as the body of Christ, the Church, must come together to be Christ’s witness, His light, in this world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Hebrews 10:24 [NLT] … 24 Let us think of ways to motivate ONE ANOTHER to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting TOGETHER, as some people do, but ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
… Notice the call to God’s people coming TOGETHER to life ONE ANOTHER up and work TOGETHER to do HIs good work in the world.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Hebrews 10:19-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s call for His church to come together and be His body in the world, working TOGETHER to be his witness in the world.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:14-16 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… We, as His body, should be His light in the world.

Reference Passage : … Acts 1:8 [NLT] … 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 
… Christ calls us, individually and collectively (as His Church) to be His witnesses in the world; and we can do it with HIS Spirit-power.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 12:27 [NLT] … 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 
… God, thru Paul, calls the church to pull together for His glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David C McCasland, used a modern day competition trend to illustrate how the church needs to use teamwork to do God’s business in this world. The ODB author wrote: Why do more than five million people a year pay money to run several miles over an obstacle course where they must ascend vertical walls, slog through mud, and climb up inside a vertical pipe with water pouring down on them? Some see it as a personal challenge to push their limit of endurance or conquer their fears. For others, the attraction is teamwork where competitors help and support each other. [See photo]

But this cultural competition fad is a fairly good cultural picture of what Christ has called His church to be in this world. We, the Big-C “Church,” are Christ’s body in the world. And we are called to come TOGETHER (see 1Cor. 12:27 and Heb. 10:24-25), … to use His power and be His witnesses (Acts 1:8), … and to shine His light into a very dark world (Matt. 5:14-16).

As Christ’s body, we, the Church, are to be exact what the group Casting Crowns sings in the linked song; and shamefully our denominational divisions and our personal prides and biases have caused us to be weakened as our Lord’s witnesses. So, let us go forth and be His team, helping one another, as in the photo, over the barriers and trudging thru the mud holes of life.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You bringing us as Your body together to serve Your kingdom.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to be a functioning and effective part of Your body, doing all I can to shine your life and use my gift(s) to serve You. … 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.

March 12, 2018 … Joy - A Choice

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 71 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with Sara Groves singing her song … Joy In Our Hearts … poignantly singing of how we find joy only from our relationship with Christ and our reliance on Him.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Habakkuk 3:18 [NLT] … 18  …YET I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 
… In spite of all his troubles and trials, Habakkuk learned that He could choose joy in His faith in God.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Habakkuk 3:17-19 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In the midst of pain/confusion, the Prophet learns that God is in control.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… To know our way in life we must trust God … not ourselves.

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 
… We will only have God’s peace when we focus on Him … rather than ourselves.

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. 
… It’s true … but do we believe it?

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Why worry?!! God is in control!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a self description of our her general attitude to illustrate how we all can get down on life. The ODB author wrote: With a tendency toward pessimism, I quickly jump to negative conclusions about how situations in my life will play out. If I’m thwarted in my efforts on a work project, I’m easily convinced none of my other projects will be successful either, and—even though utterly unrelated—I will probably never be able to touch my toes comfortably. And, woe is me, I’m an awful mother who can’t do anything right. Defeat in one area unnecessarily affects my feelings in many. 

Somehow I sort of doubt that this Christian author is that negative; but I think we can all identify with having times of confusion, self-doubt, or stress … when we wonder if God has forgotten we’re even here. Ever been there? I sure have.

And if you read the journal of the Prophet Habakkuk, you’ll see that he came to God in times of terrible disarray and trial in Judah in the troubled times of Jeremiah, whom we often refer to as the “weeping Prophet.” And Habakkuk was terribly confused as to why God was allowing His people in Judah to be so faithless and disobedient. And in all this confusion, Habakkuk had seemingly fallen into despair. But reading on in his little book we see how God comes to this confused Prophet and tells him that he should sit back and watch as He, God, allows things to get even worse.

But finally in the highlight passage in Habakkuk 3, we see that the Prophet had come to the realization that joy was a choice and not dependent on his circumstances or feelings. And it’s this truth that we all need to recognize and claim, which the reference scriptures above reveal.

The question is … do we believe this truth; … AND … do we live it?

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there for us … especially in times of trial.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to overcome my own self-doubt with faith that You are ALWAYS in control. … 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.

March 11, 2018 … A Jesus Fan

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 70 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics from John Waller singing … As For Me and My House … poignantly singing of our need to loyally serve our God, tearing down worthless idols in our lives.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 61:1 [NLT] … 1  I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. … David, even when threatened was loyal to his God.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalms 34:1-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… David, even when he was being pursued by Saul, held on to the hope he had in His God. 
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Reference Passage : … Joshua 24:15 [NLT] … 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
… Joshua charged God’s people to choose whom they would serve; but Joshua made it clear that he and his family would be loyal to God. {Hear today’s linked song!!)

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon telling his son Whom to trust with his loyalty.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Our loyalty must always hold true to our God … even in times of worry and fear.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, used an illustration of our human tendency to be loyal to sports teams, often in lieu of our loyalty to God. The ODB author wrote: Sports fans love to sing their teams’ praises. By wearing logos, posting notes on Facebook about their beloved teams, or talking about them with friends, fans leave no doubt where their loyalty stands. My own Detroit Tigers caps, shirts, and conversations indicate that I am right there with those who do this. [See photo] 
 Our sports loyalties can remind us that our truest and greatest loyalty must be to our Lord. 

Isn’t it interesting how so many will openly and enthusiastically be loyal fans of a sports team, as in the attached photo; but those same people, many of whom will declare that they are “CHRISTIANS,” will show more loyalty and enthusiasm about their favorite team then they do for the God of the Universe? … Go figure!!

Young David, being pursued by King Saul, showed his loyalty to God in the song he wrote in today’s highlight passage (Psalm 34), worshipping and thanking God even when his life was threatened. Joshua, tho surrounded by idol worshipping people, declared openly that he and his household would be loyal to the one true God [see Joshua 24:15].

The question for all of us from today’s ODB entry is whether we’re letting worthless idols take us away from our loyalty to serve our Lord

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there for us and pursuing our love and loyalty.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As for me and my house, we will ALWAYS serve You. … 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.

March 10, 2018 … Rock of Ages

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 69 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with hymn and lyrics from Amy Grant and Vince Gill singing … Rock of Ages … poignantly singing of our need as Christians to find and hide under THE ROCK of Ages … our abiding relationship with Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 61:2-3 [NLT] … 2  From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3 for you are my safe refuge,  a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 
… David when frustrated and oppressed immediately sought out “The Rock of Ages” 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalms 61 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… King David knew where to go when he was oppressed or depressed.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 142 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… David always knew where to turn when he was in trouble … to God, his ROCK …

Reference Passage : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 
… The Prophet knew how to find the peace of God.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:6-7 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul knew exactly where to go and to Whom he should take his worries.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… Taking our cares to a caring God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Linda Washington, used a personal story and a familiar biblical character to point to where we should go when we’re feeling oppressed or frustrated. The ODB author wrote: David, Israel’s second king, wrote psalms to express his anger and frustration to God. But David knew that God not only listened, He could also do something about his pain. In Psalm 61, he writes, “I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (v. 2). God was his “refuge” (v. 3)—the “rock” to which David ran. 
When we’re in pain, or come in contact with someone in pain, David’s example is a good one to follow. We can head to “the rock that is higher” or lead someone there.

Today all any reader needs to do is hear the linked song by Amy Grant and her husband, Vince Gill, and then meditate on the reference scriptures above. If we do that, as I have this morning, I think we’ll all realize why David, when he was feeling oppressed and frustrated, sought to hide under “The Rock of Ages” (see photo).

And maybe we all should be trying to seek to hide under “The Rock” as we face our trials and troubles in life.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for being our Rock of Ages. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Shine Your light on my path as I seek to hide under The Rock of Ages 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.

March 9, 2018 … Following The Message

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 68 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group, 4Him, singing … The Message … poignantly singing of our need as Christians to follow THE MESSAGE which our Lord has left for us to follow Him and to become His message thru us.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Kings 12:13 [NLT] … 3 That same day the man of God gave a sign to prove his message. He said, “The Lord has promised to give this sign: This altar will split apart, and its ashes will be poured out on the ground.” 
… A man of God came with a message of God to Jeroboam, a message which he must heed to follow God.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Kings 13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… King Jeroboam was faced with a message from God which he was to follow. But he turned away from the message and continued in his evil ways.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 119:105 [NLT] … 105  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. 
… God’s word is the light we must follow out of the darkness in this life.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… To follow God closely we must trust in Him to show us His way … THE WAY!

Reference Passage : … 2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … … Paul, teaching Timothy (and us) that God’s word is God’s message for us to follow in Life; but we must choose to use it as our Spirit-led “GPS.”

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, used a personal story to illustrate how we must discern the right messages in life in order to follow our Lord’s will. The ODB author wrote: My second child was eager to sleep in a “big-girl bed” in her sister’s room. Each night I tucked Britta under the covers, issuing strict instructions to stay in bed, warning her I’d return her to the crib if she didn’t. Night after night, I found her in the hallway and had to escort my discouraged darling back to her crib. Years later I learned her customarily-sweet older sister wasn’t excited about having a roommate and repeatedly told Britta that she’d heard me calling for her. Britta heeded her sister’s words, went to look for me, and thus landed herself back in the crib [see photo]. 
Listening to the wrong voice can have consequences for us all. 

When we take in the highlight passage about King Jeroboam in ancient Israel who would not listen to clear messages from God and chose to rebel against the Lord, I see too much of myself earlier in my life, selfishly ignoring clear messages from God as He pursued me. But now, prayerfully I know better; and I’ve learned, as I pray all readers here have, to use His word as His clear message to follow Christ in life.

I hope we all are living to become His message to the world (see linked song); and I pray that we’re all using HIS MESSAGE, i.e. God’s word, as our illumination from God’s Spirit as our “GPS” (God’s positioning system) in life. Oh how I prayer that we closely follow our Lord as He commanded in Luke 9:23 … which I quote so often. So, … I hope all of my readers, especially you who follow me here, have that message memorized.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for “message” to me and all who would follow You.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to listen for Your “messages” every day from Your word and then to follow them closely. … 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.

March 8, 2018 … Wise Counsel

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 67 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the group, Selah, singing … Be Thou My Vision … poignantly singing of the reality we have in following our Lord as our ultimate source of wisdom.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Kings 12:13 [NLT] … 13 And the king [Rehoboam] was hard in his answer to them. For he turned away from the wise words the leaders had given him. 
… A young king ignoring the wisdom of his elders.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Kings 12:1-7, 12-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Young king Rehoboam, after the death of Solomon, ignored the wisdom of the elders and it cost him his kingdom.
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Reference Passage : … Job 12:12 [NLT] … 12  Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old. 
… Generally, we can seek Godly wisdom from Godly elders.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 1:5, 12;15, 15:22 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Solomon, shows believers how we must seek counsel from those wiser (and generally elder) to us.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:1-5 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Peter, teaches on how the elders should lead wisely in the church and the youth should follow the wisdom of the elders.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, used a newspaper reference from his country, to teach on using the wisdom of those older and more experienced than we to seek guidance and direction. The ODB author wrote: In 2010, a newspaper in Singapore published a special report that contained life lessons gleaned from eight senior citizens. It opened with these words: “While aging brings challenges to mind and body, it can also lead to an expansion in other realms. There is an abundance of emotional and social knowledge; qualities which scientists are beginning to define as wisdom . . . the wisdom of elders.” 

And in today’s ODB highlight passage we read of Solomon’s young son, Rehoboam, who became king after his father died, ignoring the counsel of the elders in Jerusalem which ultimately led to his demise as king.

Personally, … I think - too often - in this “post-modern” era, especially the younger ones in our world, totally ignore any wisdom which might come from an older generation. The so-called “millennials” or those even younger from “Gen-Z,” … yes, even younger Christians … ignore God’s wisdom from the reference passages above. They want to get their wisdom from each other via social media and the flood of information from the Web; and all we have to do is look at the headlines and see the results of this cultural era of entitlement.

I pray today that all who read with me, will take to heart the wisdom from God’s truth in the Scriptures above and actively seek wisdom from Godly elders who’ve been there, … done it all, … and are so willing to give us their Godly “GPS” from His truth.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for my elders who’re willing to impart Your wisdom to me.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me to listen to those older than I, who’re so willing to provide counsel and direction for me. … 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.

March 7, 2018 … Eternal Hope!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 66 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics from the group, Mercy Me, singing … I Can Only Imagine … poignantly singing of the reality and hope we have to spend eternity with Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-14 [NLT] … 13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 
… Our assurance from God’s word that death is not the end for those who are in Christ. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, gives Christians the hope we have in Christ that those we love will be resurrected to be with Jesus forever.
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Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s promise, thru Paul, that after death, those who are in Christ, will be presented to Him for eternity.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 1:3 [NLT] … 3 Let us thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was through His loving-kindness that we were born again to a new life and have a hope that never dies. This hope is ours because Jesus was raised from the dead. 
… Our eternal hope, after death, is to be with Jesus, … a hope we have because of His resurrection.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Cindy Hess Kasper, used a personal story of saying temporary goodbyes to a loved one. The ODB author wrote: My granddaughter Allyssa and I have a regular routine we go through when we say goodbye. We wrap our arms around each other [see photo] and begin to loudly wail with dramatic sobs for about twenty seconds. Then we step back and casually say, “See ya,” and turn away. Despite our silly practice, we always expect that we will see each other again—soon. 

Saying “goodbye” to a loved one whom we’ll see again is one thing; but the goodbyes we feel when a loved one dies is another kind of “goodbye,” isn’t it? And the latter can hurt deeply, … because the longing to share life with the loved-one is now gone. However, … for the Christian, … we can be uplifted in the passing of a loved-one who is in Christ whom we know - beyond doubt - will be with Jesus and is in heaven with Him for eternity [see Scriptures above].

As Mercy Me sings in the linked song, “I Can Only Imagine!” But that imagination is enough for me, … because of the hope we have as Christians to be with Jesus when He calls us home to be with Him for eternity. And any loved-one who has gone on before us will be there too.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for this life now, but even more for the eternal life we have with You in glory.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Oh Lord, … I long to be with You in glory! … 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.

March 6, 2018 … Dancin in Heaven

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 65 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with song and lyrics from the Gordon Mote singing his song … Wake Up Dancing … poignantly singing of the reality and joy of our faith and hope to be with Jesus in glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 10:15 [NLT] … 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
 … Jesus on the faith it takes to end up with Him in heaven.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 10:13-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus demands that His disciples have a childlike faith. [See also Matt. 19:13-14]
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 18:3 [NLT] … 3 Then He said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
… Jesus makes it clear the faith it takes to be heaven bound by pointing to the faith of a child.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tells His followers how they must deny their own selfish cares and have enough faith to follow Him just as the children did in His day.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Alyson Kieda, used a story of childlike faith to illustrate the faith we need to be with Jesus in His kingdom. The ODB author wrote: The little girl moved joyfully and gracefully to the music of praise. She was the only one in the aisle but that didn’t keep her from spinning and waving her arms and lifting her feet to the music. Her mother, a smile on her lips, didn’t try to stop her. 
My heart lifted as I watched, and I longed to join her—but didn’t. I’d long ago lost the unselfconscious expression of joy and wonder of my childhood. Even though we are meant to grow and mature and put childish ways behind us, we were never meant to lose the joy and wonder, especially in our relationship with God. 

How often do we let the cares of this world or our personal pain get in the way of our faith? I love the story in today’s linked song, where Gordon Mote sings of a young child hearing his dying grandfather telling the young boy not to worry when granddad is gone because the old man will be dancing forever with Jesus.

Well, … in my old age I’m coming closer to that kind of faith, which really is the faith Jesus called on His followers to have … the faith of a little child (see photo). And when we have that kind of faith in following our Lord, … the faith to follow Him no matter what, we will one day, as the song sings, dance with Jesus in heaven.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for calling us like a father would call his little child.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, … I so want to dance with You in glory. … 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.

March 5, 2018 … Meekness and Majesty

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 64 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from the Maranatha singers singing … Meekness and Majesty … poignantly singing of the character traits of Jesus which we should emulate in our lives as His disciples.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 13;11 [NLT] … 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.
… Abram was the meek one, choosing to allow Lot to choose which land he would take. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 13:1-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God gave Abram the choice of land in which he would settler; and meekly he let Lot choose first; and we know how God rewarded Abram for being meek in his choice.
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Reference Passage : … Matthew 11:29 [NLT] … 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle [i.e, “meek”] at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 
… Jesus describes Himself with two qualities we should emulate if we’re to be like Him.

Reference Passage : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tells His followers how a true disciple should/would follow Him … by denying himself.

Reference Passage : … John 13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus washed the feet of His Disciples to show them humility and meekness in Him as their Messiah.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David Roper, used a personal story to illustrate how the Christlike character trait of “meekness” is difficult at times to emulate. The ODB author wrote: My friend Archie came home from vacation to find his neighbor had erected a wooden fence five feet inside his property line [see photo]. Several weeks went by during which Archie tried to work with his neighbor to remove the fence. He offered to help and to split the cost of the work, but to no avail. Archie could have appealed to civil authorities, but he chose to forgo that right in this instance and allow the fence to stand—to show his neighbor something of the grace of God. 
“Archie is a wimp!” you say. No, he was man of towering strength, but he chose grace over a patch of grass. 

Meekness was the character trait which Archie exhibited in this story; but in our western culture, “meekness” (or power under control) is often seen as weakness; and it’s not valued as highly as taking charge or control. Therefore, in most scenarios as this one, we’d see Archie suing his neighbor or even trying to bully him into taking down the fence.

As Christians, would you readers say that we’re to be like Christ? Of course we are! So, where do we start in emulating our Savior? Well, a good place might be to look to see how Jesus described Himself; and only in one place in the NT do we find Jesus using adjectives to describe Himself and that is Matt. 11:29 [see above]. Our Lord also illustrated these qualities of humility and meekness when He washed the feet of His Disciples (see John 13).

So, from today’s ODB and my self study of the scriptures highlighted, I’m asking myself if I need to attend to my pursuit of Christlikeness more attentively, asking myself if I’m actually being humble and gentle in my relations with others and thereby actually being like Jesus as the Maranatha singers describe Him in the linked song.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for showing us the way by the way You lived.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, … give me Your grace to become more like You by being humbles and gentle with others, especially those whom I love the most. … 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.

March 4, 2018 … Loneliness Defeated

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 63 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Crowder singing … All My Hope … poignantly singing of how Christ’s blood has washed away our shackles, freeing us forever from selfishness and loneliness.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 16:9, 11 [NLT] … 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. … 11  You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever 
… Our life is ALWAYS secure in the powerful and personal presence of God.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 16:5-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist expresses his living joy and safety found in his relationship with God. 
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Reference Passage : … John 15:9-11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus promises His love always and forever … IF … we abide in Him.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 13:5 [NLT] … 5 … For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 
… God’s promise (quoted from Deut. 31:6) that He will never abandon us. So, we never need to be lonely in our relationship with Christ.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 
… Worry and despair are gone in an abiding relationship with Christ. My 

Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Adam Holz, used a personal story of his loneliness to show us that we’re never alone in our relationship with Christ. The ODB author wrote: One night, I sat at home with my back against the wall. I opened my Bible and stumbled onto Psalm 16, where verse 11 promises God will fill us. 
 “Lord,” I prayed, “I thought this job was the right thing, but I feel so alone. Please fill me with a sense of Your nearness.” I offered variants of that plaintive plea for weeks. Some nights, my sense of loneliness eased, and I had a deep experience of God’s presence. Other nights, I still felt achingly isolated. 
But as I returned to that verse, anchoring my heart in it night by night, God gradually deepened my faith. I experienced His faithfulness in a way I never had before. And I learned that my job was simply to pour out my heart to Him . . . and humbly await His faithful response, trusting His promise to fill us with His Spirit. 

I would bet that all reading here with me have felt alone, isolated, and/or insecure in our selves, haven’t we? But in Christ that’s a needless emotion, … one which Satan loves to promote and use to get us to live in the lie of loneliness. But the more abiding and intimate our relationship with Christ, the less loneliness can occupy our mindset.

Because, as Crowder sings in the linked song, … all our hope is in Jesus, and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (see Deut. 31:6 and Heb. 13:5). Therefore, loneliness is defeated in an abiding relationship with Christ; and we can ALWAYS give ALL our cares to a God Who cares deeply for us (see 1Pet. 5:7).

Right now, … here, … as I write this, He is with me; and He’ll never leave me.

So, … lonely? … NEVER!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being here with me. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Lord, … let’s do Your work … TOGETHER … 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.

March 3, 2018 … His Love IS Our Love

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 62 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Wayne Watson singing … Love Found A Way … poignantly singing of how God’s love found a way for us to be freed from self in the Savior so that we could, in turn, show His love to others.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 1:27 [NLT] … 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. 
… We were (are) created in God’s image; and so we were [are] created to be in relationship with others and since God is love, we were [are] created to be His love for others.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 1:26-31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God created us to be like Him … and His is LOVE!
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Reference Passage : … John 3:16 [NLT] … I think you know it, don’t you?! 
 … His love was complete and perfect in His Son; and it now gives us the grace to share that love with others.

Reference Passage : … 1 John 4:7-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We can - and should - love others because God first loved us; and since His love brought us a Savior, we have the capability to be as we were created - to love others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, used a story of a street violinist to show us how we should look beyond externals and show God’s love to others. The ODB author wrote: His name was David, but most just called him “the street fiddler.” David was a disheveled, older man who was a regular fixture in popular places in our city, serenading passers-by with unusual skill at his violin [see photo]. In exchange for his music, listeners would sometimes place a dollar in the open instrument case before them on the sidewalk. David would smile and nod his head in thanks as he continued to play. 
When David died recently and his obituary appeared in a local paper, it was revealed that he spoke several languages, was the graduate of a prestigious university, and had even run for the state senate years ago. Some expressed surprise at the extent of his accomplishments, having assessed him on the basis of appearance alone. 

All too often, I’m afraid, we Christians let outward appearances or external perceptions get in the way of us being what God created us to be [see Scriptures above] … and that is, ... like Him … expressions of love for others.

Dear one, are we thankful enough that God created us in His image and loved us enough to send us His Son to die on a cross that we might be freed to be His expression of love in this world to others?

I don’t know about you, but todays ODB - and the song - and well known Scriptures like John 3:16 and 1st John 4:11 point me to move beyond myself and to share my Lord’s love with others today. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to die for me. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As You have first loved us, let us show that love to others 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.

March 2, 2018 … Always There

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 61 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Twila Paris and Dennis Jernigan singing his song … On My Knees … poignantly singing of how we who are in Christ need to bring all our needs and cares to our Lord in prayer.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Thessalonians 5:16 [NLT] … 17 Never stop praying. 
… Paul challenging Christians to have a continual communal relationship with God with prayer being the constant connection with Him.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts Christians to have a continuous attitude of connection with God via prayer. 
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 116:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God wants to hear our prayers.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 3:12 [NLT] … 12 Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 
… Paul assures believers we can come to our Lord with anything, anytime.

Reference Passage : … Hebrews 4:14-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We can - and should - come boldly to His throne of grace … ANYTIME, ANYWHERE … to bring our cares and concerns to our God.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… And prayer is the main vehicle we have to bring our cares to God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, uses a modern day safety problem to illustrate our desire for connection with others … even when it’s terribly risky. The ODB author wrote: One of the benefits of cell phones is that we now have virtually unlimited access to others. As a result, many people talk on the phone or text even while driving [see photo] —sometimes resulting in terrible car crashes. To avoid such disasters, many areas of the world have made distracted driving illegal. In the United States, highway signs are popping up to remind drivers of special cell phone zones where they can pull off the road to safely talk and text to their heart’s delight. 

Who doesn’t know the risks of texting while driving? Yet, … many, MANY … still do it. Why? Because apparently we humans have a driven, maybe even addictive, drive to be “connected.” I, personally, think that “drive” for connection was placed in us by God to draw us to Himself, … just as Paul exhorted believers in today’s highlight text.

God wants us to come to Him in prayer. He’s even promised to bend down and hear us (Ps. 116:1-2); and in the reference verses above, we read from His word His promises that we can come to Him with our cares anytime and anywhere. And unlike texting while driving, there’s absolutely NO RISK involved. God’s Spirit is ALWAYS THERE, ALWAYS LISTENING, ALWAYS CARING!!!

So, why don’t we just stop right here, … RIGHT NOW, … and take our cares to Him?!! 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there toto hear me. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … As she song sings, Lord, when I really need You, as I do now, I get on my knees. … 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.

March 1, 2018 … Bent, Not Broken

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 60 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video with images and lyrics from Laura Story singing her song … Grace Abounds … poignantly singing of how God’s grace is there to give us His strength when we know what we must trust and depend on Him in the trial of life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 6:17, 33 [NLT] … 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? …33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 
 … Jesus shows that all our worries are for naught; and we should always come to Him first when we’re needy.?
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 6:19-34 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches that we must trust the Lord always, especially when things seem beyond our ability to cope.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… But do we really trust Him to be our Good Shepherd, following Him out of the valley into His pasture.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 11:28-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus clearly tells us to bring our worries, trials, and troubles to Him and let Him help us carry them.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 
… We need to trust that God will ALWAYS supply what we need.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 
… God, thru Peter, shows us where we should take our worries.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, uses a botanical word picture to teach on how we can be bent by our troubles, but still not broken. The ODB author wrote: As a native Californian and lover of all things sunny, I shy away from all things cold. I do, however, enjoy beautiful photos of snow. So I couldn’t help but smile when my friend from Illinois shared a winter picture of a sapling outside her window. Admiration turned to sadness when I noticed its bare, knotted branches bowing under the heavy fringe of sparkling icicles [see photo]. 
How long could those bending boughs endure before breaking under their icy burdens? The heaviness threatening to crack the tree’s limbs reminded me of my shoulders, hunched beneath the weight of worries. 

I would guess that any reader here has been in a place of trial where they felt very bent over and maybe even close to breaking. Maybe you’re feeling that way now. Well, that’s probably where a lot of those followers of Jesus felt when they heard Him preach that Sermon on the Mount, where He was telling them (and us) where to take our worries [see highlight verses].

And I’m hoping that my fellow Christians here, who may feel bent and close to breaking right now, would hear the messages of the linked song and from Jesus’ own words, as well as the God’s leading from Solomon, Paul, and Peter in the reference Scriptures above. Because they’re all telling us to take our brokenness right to Jesus, who will help us carry our burdens (specifically Matt. 11:28-30).

So often I feel compelled, mostly by ego and pride, to want to show others, and even God, that I can handle all my trials; but today I’m not going to do that. I’m taking them to my Lord. How about you? 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for always being there to help me carry my burdens.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Precious Spirit … Help me use Your empowering grace, as Laura Story sings, to give me Your strength today to carry my burdens. … 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.