September 5, 2018 … Building Bridges, Not Walls

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 247 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from the group Sidewalk Prophets singing … You Love Me Anyway … powerfully singing of the reality of God’s love extended to anyone/anywhere/anytime … just as we should extend His love thru us to others, building bridges rather than walls.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 4:9 [NLT] … 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 
 … Jesus never discriminated against anyone/anytime because they were sinners or different than He. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 4:7-14, 39-42 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus showed the Samaritan woman His love/grace in spite of their ethnic/social differences 
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 53:6 [NLT] … 6  All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all. 
… And the Lord laid on Himself my sins; and the sins of all mankind, building a bridge to eternity for us all.

Reference Passage : … John 3:16-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus loves all … everywhere … so much so that He died to save everyone.

Reference Passage : … Galatians 3:28 [NLT] … 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 
 … In Christ all social/ethnic/racial walls are broken down and bridges are built with His love and grace extended to others.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lawrence Darmani, uses the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well to show how we must, as did Jesus, build bridges between our differences rather than walls. (see photo) … The Samaritan woman whom Jesus met at the well had a similar difficulty with discrimination. The Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans. When Jesus asked her for a drink, she said, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (John 4:9). As she began to open up to Jesus, she had a life-changing experience that positively affected her and her neighbors (vv. 39–42). Jesus became the bridge that broke the wall of hostility and favoritism. 
The lure to discriminate is real, and we need to identify it in our lives. As Jesus showed us, we can reach out to all people regardless of nationality, social status, or reputation. He came to build bridges. 

Discriminate? Who, … me?! …

Very few of us think of ourselves as a racist or sexist, do we? But what about it when I have the choice to sit with someone new that I’ve never met at a church dinner and I choose to sit with someone I’ve known for years, … especially if that new person is not of my race or dresses a little weird in my estimation? … Discriminate? … No, not me!

Did Jesus ever discriminate or build walls between Himself and anyone else, like the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4? No, Jesus was not a wall builder; He was a bridge builder! And that’s what we should be too!!

So, with some degree of conviction, I pray that I (we) will become bridge builders today as pictured in the photo and emulating the One Who loved me in spite of myself as the Sidewalk Prophets sing in the linked song.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for building the bridge of Your love/grace which brought me to Yourself for eternity.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all who read me here will reach out today and build a bridge for someone to cross over and find You waiting with open arms. … 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.

September 4, 2018 … Glory in Creation

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 246 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Michael W Smith and chorus singing … How Majestic Is Your Name … powerfully singing of the the majesty of God seen in His creation. … And THEN TO THIS LINK  to see/hear how God’s creation calls to us to come and find His glory in a relationship with Him.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 8:1 [NLT] … 1  O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. 
 … How majestic is God’s glory as seen in the heavens [see photo].
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 8:1-9 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… King David declares the majesty of God’s Name from seeing His creation in the heavens. 
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 116:1-2 [NLT] … 1  I love the Lord because He hears my voice  and my prayer for mercy. 2  Because He bends down to listen,  I will pray as long as I have breath! 
 … No matter how great is God’s majesty as seen in the heavens above, He will bend down to hear even my lowly voice when I come seeking Him.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 6:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus commands those who follow Him to seek Him … no matter how vast and holy He may seem in creation.

Reference Passage : … Romans 1:20 [NLT] … 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 
… No one has an excuse for not knowing God intimately when all we have to do is look around us to see Him in creation.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, uses space exploration to teach on the majesty of God found in His creation. … In 2011, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration celebrated thirty years of space research. In those three decades, shuttles carried more than 355 people into space and helped construct the International Space Station. After retiring five shuttles, NASA has now shifted its focus to deep-space exploration. 
The human race has invested massive amounts of time and money, with some astronauts even sacrificing their lives, to study the immensity of the universe. Yet the evidence of God’s majesty stretches far beyond what we can measure. 

Go out on any clear night and, as in the photo, look up into the heavens and we see the glory of God on display. And when we see this, as Paul said in Romans 1:20 we have no excuse but to praise God for Whom He is and what He has created.

Yet, in all His glory, He is but a prayer away from hearing what I - little old me - has to say (see Ps 116:-1-2. Yes, He even bends down to hear me; and He - in the words of Jesus, God incarnate, invites me to come into Him and seek His glory.

Oh, … do I sense a loud … HALLELUJAH …?!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for letting me know you first by seeing You in Your creation.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all who read me here know You and praise Your Holy and wonderful Name when we see You all around us. … 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.

September 3, 2018 … Lighting the Way Home

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 245 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Jason Gray singing … Glow In The Dark … powerfully singing of the light we should become for Christ to shine thru us for others to find the way Home in a dark world.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4[NLT] … 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 
 … Our Lord is always our source of comfort and light when we encounter the darkness and storms of life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Paul expounding on the truth that God allows us thru troubles in life so that we can become a beacon of light and comfort for others.
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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 can always be a light for us on the path of life, especially when it gets dark.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s truth, thru Solomon, that we should always trust the way God lights for us thru life.

Reference Passage : … Matthew 5:14-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus charges us to become a light to help others out of the darkness and onto the path home.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Randy Kilgore, uses a personal testimony to show how we Christians must find our way home in the darkness, . i.e., by seeking and following God’s light. … Sometimes this journey through life can be so difficult that we’re simply overwhelmed, and it seems there’s no end to the darkness. During such a time in our own family’s life, my wife emerged one morning from her quiet time with a new lesson learned. “I think God wants us not to forget in the light what we’re learning in this darkness.” 

Life can get very dark and forbidding in the storms of life, can’t it? And when it does we must learn to seek and find God’s light; and then to become a beacon of light for others, which is what Jason Gray sings about in the linked song above.

But one of the reasons you find me here, every morning, is to have the battery power of my light restored by God’s word [see Psalm 119:105] so that I can follow God’s light and prayerfully become a light for others [see Matt. 5:14-16]. And that is what comes when we trust in God’s word to show us God’s way and His will in this life.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for the Lighthouse of Your truth shining brightly for me thru Your word, guiding me homeward.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that You shine Your light so brightly on my path, making it easy for me to follow it; and so that I can become a light for others showing them the way Home. … 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.

September 2, 2018 … Joy ALWAYS

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 244 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … His Strength Is Perfect … powerfully singing of the strength and joy we get from our relationship with Jesus, especially when the road of life takes a challenging or threatening turn.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Habakkuk 3:19 [NLT] … 19  The Sovereign Lord is my strength!  He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. 
… We get our joy and strength from our trust and hope in the Lord, not from our circumstances. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Habakkuk 3:16-19 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… In spite of turmoil and invasion, Habakkuk learns to trust God and put all his hope in the Lord. 
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Reference Passage : … Isaiah 41:10 [NLT] … 10  Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 
… God, thru Isaiah, promises to lift us up when we are threatened.

Reference Passage : … Romans 8:28, 31 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul teaches what he had learned … that our strength comes from Christ, no matter how weak we might feel in threatening circumstances.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 10:13 [NLT] … 13 The temptations [also translated “trials, tribulations, tests, or troubles”] in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. 
 … Our God is always there to light the way when the road gets too difficult for us (see photo).

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:11-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul had learned, as we should, to be content and have joy - no matter what the circumstances.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lisa Samra, uses a reference to a classic allegory to teach on the strength we get from Christ in trials. “Hinds Feet on High Places,” a classic allegory of the Christian life, is based on Habakkuk 3:19. The story follows the character “Much-Afraid’ as she goes on a journey with the “Shepherd.” But Much-Afraid is scared so she asks the Shepherd to carry her. 
The Shepherd kindly replies, “I could carry you all the way up to the High Places myself, instead of leaving you to climb there. But if I did, you would never be able to develop hinds’ feet, and become my companion and go where I go.” 

And then the ODB author refers to Habakkuk’s dramatic transformation from fear to faith as he learns to trust in God in the face of threats of loss and sorrow. The Prophet, prophesying in Judah during threat of invasion from Babylon, came to God (in chapter 1 of his poetic journal) confused and afraid; but by Chapter 3, God helped Him see that He, the Lord, was in control and would watch over His faithful remnant of believers - NO MATTER WHAT!

I’m convicted to realize, what the Apostle Paul learned and taught (see passages from Romans and Philippians) … that we will always have hope in Christ and that our strength comes from the Lord, no matter our circumstances. So, we need to seek the faith and trust that stalwart believers, like Habakkuk, Isaiah, and Paul (see Scriptures above) had; and in that trust let God’s strength lift us up when the road takes a threatening and fearful turn as it seems to be doing in our times now. 

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for Your strength in the face of our weakness [hear today’s linked song].
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, You give all who read here, including yours truly, the strength to cover our weakness when the road of life gets too challenging for us. … 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.

September 1, 2018 … Protecting the Children

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 243 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of medley and lyrics from a children’s chorus singing … Jesus Loves the Little Children [medley] … lovingly singing of the love that Jesus has for God’s little ones.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 18:10, 19:14 [NLT] … 18:10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. ..." 
… 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 
… Jesus commands His adult followers to avoid hindering His “children” from coming to Him, invoking His heavenly protection of them.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 18:1-10, 19:13-14 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus clearly declares His love and heavenly protection for His children [i.e,. those who are not yet accountable for their choices]
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Reference Passage : … Mark 5:35-43, 9:14-29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus shows the people openly of His ability to bring His children to Himself inspire of death or demon possession.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses a story about how desperate we can be, at times, in protecting God’s children from harm. Back at the police station, Officer Miglio slumped wearily against a wall. A domestic violence call had just consumed half his shift. Its aftermath left a boyfriend in custody, a young daughter in the emergency room, and a shaken mother wondering how it had come to this. This call would wear on the young officer for a long time. 
“Nothing you could do, Vic,” said his sergeant sympathetically. But the words rang hollow. Some police officers seem able to leave their work at work. Not Vic Miglio. Not the tough cases like this one. 
Officer Miglio’s heart reflects the compassion of Jesus. 

And Jesus showed just how much He loved His little children, didn’t He, in the highlight passages, as He commanded the people to avoid any hindrance to these young ones being able to come to Him for their eternal rewards? And in the passages in Mark 5 and 9, He demonstrated His power to protect them … from demons … or even death.

To, me these passages are the most clear anti-abortion truths in all of scripture. And I won’t belabor a very complex, and salient, social issue of our day here. But Jesus clearly admonished anyone who would try to hinder children (i.e., those below the age or ability of accountability) from their rightful presence at His side in glory. And abortion most obviously does exactly that. Therefore, it is Jesus’ command that those of us who have accountability in His kingdom MUST do all we can to allow His children to come to Him.

Enough said!!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for Your compassion and grace in protecting Your little children.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, You give those of us, who are accountable before Your throne of grace, the ability to protect Your little ones, … even those in the womb. … 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.

August 31, 2018 … Trusting In God’s Grace

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 242 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Steven Curtis Chapman singing … His Strength Is Perfect … poignantly singing of the reality of God’s grace and strength which covers our weakness in moments of trial/trouble in life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 2:21 [NLT] … 21  But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 
… Peter quotes the prophesy of Joel (from Joel 2:28-32), which closes with the great Gospel promise which was fulfilled by Christ’s death/resurrection.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 2:14-21 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Peter preaches the hope and reality of the Gospel and those who believe are saved. 
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. 
… Trusting in God, we must wait on His grace to show us the way in life.

Reference Passage : … Romans 10:9-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, gives the Gospel steps to salvation and closes by quoting Joel 2:32 (see above).

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9a [NLT] … 9 Each time He [Jesus] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 
… Paul learned and teaches us, from Jesus’ own lips, that God’s grace gives us the power to wait on God to save and sanctify us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Marvin Williams, uses a social/historical reference to illustrate that many times we don’t have the resources or strength to deal with life and we are forced to wait on God’s grace to deliver us, if He so chooses. After five deaths and fifty-one injuries in elevator accidents in 2016, New York City launched an ad campaign to educate people on how to stay calm and be safe. The worst cases were people who tried to save themselves when something went wrong. [See photo] 
 The best plan of action, authorities say, is simply, “Ring, relax, and wait.” New York building authorities made a commitment to respond promptly to protect people from injury and extract them from their predicament. 

It’s really tough in life, isn’t it, when we get in a dilemma or trial where we don’t have the strength or ability to deliver ourselves, … like the ODB scenario of getting caught in an elevator? But for the mature Christian, there is a way to deal with such situations; and and that is found in the truths provided above by God’s promises of His grace to cover our weakness.

And when distraught disciples of Christ, after the resurrection, had to wait on God, … those who knew and believed the prophesy of Joel (see Joel 2:32), as did Peter who preached the coming of God’s Spirit after Jesus had ascended And in that frightful time [found in Acts 2] Christ’s faithful disciples were rewarded by salvation, where God’s Spirit and power came down into their hearts with the grace of God to sanctify all who believed on Christ as Messiah, Lord, and Savior.

And I pray that all who read here know King Jesus as Lord and can wait on Him when trials come to show us that we must trust and rely on God’s strength, thru His grace, to cover our weakness. And so, … I pray that we can wait on God if we get caught in an elevator today.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for Your grace which I can rely on ALWAYS.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, give me Your empowering grace to cover my weakness as is sung in the linked song. … 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.

August 30, 2018 … A Strong Foundation

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 241 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of hymn and lyrics from a worshipping group singing … How Firm A Foundation … poignantly singing of the reality of building our lives on the firm foundation of God’s word and life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 6:48 [NLT] … 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 
… When building a life, Jesus shows it wise to build it on His word and life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 6:46-49 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tells of the wise builder who builds on a strong foundation.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 1:7 [NLT] … 7  Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. 
… Knowing and following God is the foundation of our lives.

Reference Passage : … 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 [NLT] … 10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
… ALL things which occur in the life of Christians are for our good … from a loving/caring Father.

  Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9a [NLT] … 9 Each time He [Jesus] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 
… Paul learned that he absolutely needed God’s grace in his relationship with Christ to deal with the weaknesses in his life.

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. 
 … It is God’s sanctifying grace which allows us, as Christ’s disciples, to do what it takes to build our lives on Him as our foundation.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, uses a story about friends repairing their foundation to illustrate the reality of of building our lives on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ. After living in their house for several years, my friends realized that their living room was sinking—cracks appeared on the walls and a window would no longer open. They learned that this room had been added without a foundation. Rectifying the shoddy workmanship would mean months of work as builders laid a new foundation. They had the work done, and when I visited them afterwards, I couldn’t see much difference (although the cracks were gone and now the window opened). But I understood that a solid foundation matters. 
This is true in our lives as well. 

I really don’t need to add much more to this ODB entry to have anyone reading here, including myself, to do an inventory of the foundation of our lives. And I realize that being here day after day, in God’s word and journaling what I glean from my Lord thru His enlightening grace, is my way of laying more sold bricks of truth to the foundation of my life.

My life is the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, and it behooves any Christian to make sure that His Temple is built on the most solid foundation we can lay; and that is the strength of God’s sanctifying grace which comes thru God’s truth [i.e., His word] and by following His life.

So, as long as we know our Lord intimately and live from His truth, we will be able to withstand the strongest winds and storms which come our way.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, thank You, Lord, … for the strong foundation which gives me Your strength to uphold me in the storms of life.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that I can building my life with You and Your word as my foundation. … 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.

August 29, 2018 … Yes, He Loves Us!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 240 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing … Good Good Father … poignantly singing of the reality a loving Abba Father Who’s always there with His mercy and love for His children, even if that love is the love of discipline.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Malachi 1:1-2 [NLT] … 1 This is the message[a] that the Lord gave to Israel through the prophet Malachi. … 2  “I have always loved you,” says the Lord. 
 … To the remnant of believers returning to Jerusalem from Babylon, God assures them of His everlasting love.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Malachi 1:1-5 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Malachi, declares His everlasting, covenant love for His children.
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must trust God no matter what occurs in our lives

Reference Passage : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s mercies never end … they are new EVERY MORNING!!

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. 
… ALL things which occur in the life of Christians are for our good … from a loving/caring Father.

Reference Passage : … 1 Peter 5:7 [NLT] … 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 
… We have a loving, Abba Father, Who ALWAYS loves us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Kirsten Holmberg, uses a personal story to illustrate the love of a parent which at times can seem hard or even harsh, but is a reflection of real parental love. As a teenager, I went through the typical season of rebellion against my mother’s authority. My father died before I entered adolescence, so my mom had to navigate these turbulent parenting waters without his help. 
I recall thinking that Mom didn’t want me to ever have any fun—and maybe didn’t even love me—because she frequently said no. I see now that she said no to activities that weren’t good for me precisely because she loves me. 

Perhaps there are those reading this who had times in our youth where a parent, especially a father, who had to express his/her love with discipline, which, at the time, may have seemed harsh but was for our good. But now we see that the discipline was the love of protection and caring concern.

That was where the Israelites were when they were allowed to return to Jerusalem from Babylon [see highlight passage]; and God sent the Prophet Malachi to tell them that His love, the love of their Heavenly Father, had always been with them, even when the Abba Father, allowed their captivity for a time. It was the discipline of a good, good Father … as is sung in the linked song [which I hope all readers here take the time to hear].

And if readers have meditated on the truths above in the reference passages, we need to see that our Abba Father ALWAYS loves us and that His mercies are new every morning; and … He allows ALL things into the life of His children for our good … yes, ALWAYS!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, thank You, Lord, … for Your eternal goodness. 
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that I can always see Your loving hand of discipline 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.

August 28, 2018 … All Our Needs

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 239 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from the group Avalon singing … Everything To Me … poignantly singing of the reality that Jesus becomes all we need and trusting in Him provides us with all we need.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Matthew 6:33 [NLT] … 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. 
… Jesus commanding us to seek God and His kingdom first - always - because He is the one who supplies all we need.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Matthew 6:25-34 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus teaches His followers on how we must trust God, our Father, to supply all our needs. 
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Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must trust God to show us His way - THE WAY - thru lift.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 4:19 [NLT] … [see photo] 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. 
 … God, thru Paul, assures Christians that He will supply all our NEEDS.

Reference Passage : … James 1:17 [NLT] … 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, Who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow 
 … God, thru James, assures Christians that everything we have or ever desire comes from God and that He never change.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, uses a reference to his past in learning to trust God for everything in his life, just as we should as Christians. When I was a teenager I sometimes challenged my mother when she tried to encourage me to have faith. “Trust God. He will take care of you,” she would tell me. “It’s not that simple, Mom!” I would bark back. “God helps those who help themselves!” 
But those words, “God helps those who help themselves” are nowhere to be found in Scripture. Instead, God’s Word teaches us to depend on Him for our daily needs. Jesus tells us, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”  (see highlight passage). 

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, from which today’s ODB is highlighted, was tough for the people on that hillside near Capernaum to hear; and it’s tough for us to follow today trustingly, isn’t it? Because God in these passages above is teaching us to trust Him for EVERYTHING, … not just some things… but for EVERYTHING [hear the linked song today].

And when we do, in the Scriptures above, our God promises to supply all that we need. The question to me today is … Do I REALLY trust Him?

And perhaps that’s the question for any of us.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, thank You, Lord, … for Your promise of providing all we need as Your children.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that I live gratefully live, trusting You for all my needs. … 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.

August 27, 2018 … Daily Time With God

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 238 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Daniel O’Donnell singing … Here I Am Lord … poignantly singing of the commitment to serve the Lord which comes from being available to give of our lives with/for Him.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Daniel 6:10 [NLT] … 10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 
… Daniel, even when his life was threatened by injustice and lions, maintained his discipline of prayer and serving God; and we know how God protected him from the king and the lions. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Daniel 6:10-22 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Even when threatened by injustice, Daniel maintained his discipline of faith with His God; and from that discipline we know that God gave him favor and protection from the lions. 
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Reference Passage : … Philippians 2:12-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, exhorts Christians to be diligent and disciplined in serving God and spending time with Him.

Reference Passage : … Philippians 2:12-13 [NLT] … 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 
 … Paul so wanted fellow Christians to find what He had from spending time with and serving his Lord.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, used the research of a psychologist who showed that DISCIPLINE is the common trait of hyper-achievers in life. When educational psychologist Benjamin Bloom, researching how to develop talent in young people, examined the childhoods of 120 elite performers—athletes, artists, scholars—he found that all of them had one thing in common: they had practiced intensively for long periods of time. 
Bloom’s research suggests that growing in any area of our lives requires discipline. In our walk with God, too, cultivating the spiritual discipline of regularly spending time with Him is one way we can grow in our trust in Him. 

“DISCIPLINE” … is a concept that many Christians find very difficult to develop, … especially being willing to devote and invest disciplined daily devotional time into our lives. But years ago a mentor helped me learn what Daniel learned and practiced in the highlight passage, where God delivered him from the lions because Daniel was so disciplined in his devotion to his God.

And in the reference passage of Philippians 2 above, the Apostle Paul so wanted Christian friends (and that’s you and me, too!) to follow his lead and serve God with deep reverence and devotion. That’s why you find me here every morning, my friends, … in prayer and journaling what God gives to me thru His word; … because I know that investing this time is investing in eternity, bringing me closer and closer to my Lord every day.

I pray that all who read this have found that serving God, thru a daily quiet time with Him, is one of the most valuable ways to spend our time.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, thank You, Lord, … for Your presence every morning when I come to share the sweetest fruit of my time with You every day.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that all who come here to be with me any morning, reading my journal entries, find You, as have I, building eternal intimacy into our lives. … Amen

Blogger Note:  Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries.  If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.

August 26, 2018 … Confrontation With Truth

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 237 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Laura Story singing her song … Grace Abounds … poignantly singing of the reality of God’s grace being with/for us when confronting human feelings in life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Galatians 2:11 [NLT] … 11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 
… At Antioch, Paul challenges Peter’s dealing with the Gentiles there.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Galatians 2:11-16 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Paul confronts Peter over what Paul felt to be a distortion of Peter applying the Gospel to his interaction with Gentiles.
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Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 [NLT] …USE THIS LINK …
… As we are ambassadors for Christ with His ministry of reconciliation, we must confront those who are unwilling to live out the gospel in their interaction with others.

Reference Passage : … Galatians 6:1-3 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… And seeing how much God was willing to give to us, … what are we willing to give to/for Him?

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. 
 … Christ’s way is always thinking of others before self.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses a social picture of friends discussing God’s truth. At a roundtable discussion about reconciliation [see photo], one participant wisely said, “Don’t freeze people in time.” He observed how we tend to remember mistakes people make and never grant them the opportunity to change.

Confronting the truth, especially with those we love, is never easy, is it? Well, in today’s highlight passage, the Apostle Paul felt compelled - certainly by God’s Spirit - to confront Peter about perceived hypocrisy; and it had to have been a very difficult confrontation.

In the Scriptures above, we read how the Apostle Paul was called to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles; and at one point (see Gal. 2:11-16), he confronted Peter because Paul perceived Cephas was being a hypocrite as he interacted with the Gentiles in Antioch. Confrontation is always tough; but Paul was courageous enough to bring God’s truth, compelled no doubt by God’s Spirit, to Peter so that the Gospel would not be hindered.

Perhaps we have someone in our lives, maybe even a dear friend or loved one, whom we need to confront because we think it is clear they are sinning or misapplying God’s truth. Obviously we need to be sure that our feelings conform to God’s will and His word in the matter. But if we seem compelled to confront our loved one/friend with what we know to be God’s truth, then we must!

But when we have to confront others and our feelings of fear, we must alway remember the message of the linked song above and the truth that God’s calling, even into confrontation, is ALWAYS His enablement.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, thank You … for giving us Your will and way thru Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Now, Lord, … help us to show others Your way if they seem to be off of Your track of truth. … 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.

August 25, 2018 … Giving Our All

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 236 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Brian Littrell singing … I Surrender All … poignantly singing of the reality of what our God demands of all His children … to give our all to Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1 Chronicles 29:14 [NLT] … 14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 
… David leading and God’s people following give their all for God’s glory.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1 Chronicles 29:1-14 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… King David leads God’s people in showing their obedience and giving spirit by giving generously to built a temple for God’s glory.
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Reference Passage : … John 3:16 [NLT] … {I sure hope we all know this one by now!!} 
… And seeing how much God was willing to give to us, … what are we willing to give to/for Him?

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We should give with a generous heart because God has provided all we need … and so much more.

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. 
 … Does our giving for God’s glory reflect all God does for us, giving us all we need.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, relates a personal story of how we should give our all for God’s glory. After reviewing all God had already done throughout our church’s history, leaders presented the congregation with a proposal for a new gym to help us better serve our community. The leadership team announced they’d be the first to sign pledge notes to fund the construction. I initially prayed with a heart soured by selfishness, not wanting to offer more money than we had already committed to give. Still, my husband and I agreed to pray for the ongoing project. While considering all God continued providing for us, we eventually decided on a monthly offering. The combined gifts of our church family paid for the entire building. 
Grateful for the many ways God’s used that gym for community events since we celebrated opening its doors for ministry, 

When the plate is passed in Church (or in whatever manner we give our tithes and offerings) how much do we decide is the right amount to give? When our community or church needs volunteers to give of their time for the good of all, how much of our time are we willing to give for the project. And of the gifts we Christians have been given to serve God by His Spirit, how much are we using them for the Father’s glory?

Though questions to answer at times, aren’t they? But that’s what God’s people had to decide to do when God led David to build a temple for His glory (see highlight passage). And at least at that time, led by David’s generosity and leadership, the people gave - from their heart [see photo] - all they could give, realizing that God owns it all and that He provides all we need (see the reference passages).

So, back to my questions above, … the answers to which should be reflected in what Brian Littrell sings in the linked song … that we surrender our all, … generously, and willingly giving our hearts for God’s glory.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, thank You … for giving us Your all in Jesus. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Now, Lord, … help us to humbly give our all for 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.

August 24, 2018 … Seeing Him In Me

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 235 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Joy Williams singing … Do They See Jesus In Me … poignantly singing the penetrating question of whether others see Jesus in the way we choose to live our lives.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 12:20-21 [NLT] … 20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration 21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” 
… Many who don’t know Jesus desire to see Him and experience His grace.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 12:12-26 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Some gentiles came to Phillip seeking to see Jesus after he entered Jerusalem in His last days. 
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Reference Passage : … John 14:16-17 [NLT] … 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,[a] who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 
 … Jesus has sent His Spirit to reside in the hearts fo all born-again Christians so that we can be His witness and allow others to see Him in us (see also Acts 1:8)

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 3:18, 5:17 [NLT] …USE THIS LINK …
… Any/all with God’s Spirit in us can - and should - reflect the newness and Christlikeness into a world who needs to see Him.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, refers to a Christian being celebrated in death for having reflected Christlikeness from her life into others. The ODB author wrote: As I looked down at the pulpit where I was sharing prayers at a funeral, I glimpsed a brass plaque bearing words from John 12:21: “Sir, we would see Jesus” (kjv). Yes, I thought, how fitting to consider how we saw Jesus in the woman we were celebrating with tears and smiles. Although she faced challenges and disappointments in her life, she never gave up her faith in Christ. And because God’s Spirit lived in her, we could see Jesus. 

Fairly often I end up asking the question sung by Joy Williams in the linked song; and perhaps others reading here desire, as do I, to look into the mirror, and, like the little kitten in the photo, desiring to see the image of the Lion of Judah, … the image of King Jesus, … and the image of Christlikeness which others can see reflected into a world where so many desperately need to see our Lord.

That’s why the Greeks in the highlight passage came to Phillip, one of Jesus’ Disciples, asking to see Jesus (see John 12:20-21). But Phillip was not yet able to reflect the Savior to those men … because, unlike those of us who’ve received God’s Spirit, Phillip was not yet able to reflect Christlikeness in a clear and reflective image.

But, … we, … those of us who know Christ as Lord/Savior, … are new in Him [see 2Cor. 3:18 and 5:17] with God’s Spirit filling us with the reflection of Christlikeness for others to see our Lord. Our challenge as Christians is whether we are adequately able, thru our complete surrender to Christ, to become His light for others to see His love/grace in the way we live.

And that’s why today’s linked song is so penetrating … at least for yours truly. Perhaps others reading here also need to hear the song and reflect on its question.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You … for giving me Your Spirit transforming me into Your image, King Jesus.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Give me Your enabling grace to be able to shine Your images for others to see You in/thru 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.

August 23, 2018 … My Way or His?

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 234 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Elvis Presley singing … My Way … sadly singing the anthem of the selfish … and the TAKE THIS LINK to hear Jeremy Camp singing the anthem of the selfless, … The Answer.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 34:12, 14 [NLT] … 12  Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? ...  14  Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 
 … God’s way is the only way to a happy and spiritually prosperous life.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 34:1-14 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… David sings of the way to find happiness, contentment, and peace … following GOD’S WAY! 
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 63:1 [NLT] … 1  O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 
 … Searching for God’s way should be our exhaustive search in life.

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 to guide us down God’s way in life.

Reference Passage : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… We must trust and follow God for the way in life … HIS WAY!

Reference Passage : … John 15:7 [NLT] … 7 But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 
… Jesus tells His disciples exactly how they (we) must remain (i.e., abide) in Him to have happiness in this life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David H Roper, refers to a poet’s words and a song of David in teaching on what we must do to find happiness as Christians. The ODB author wrote: Often we hear that happiness comes from doing things our own way. That, however, is not true. That philosophy leads only to emptiness, anxiety, and heartache. 
Poet W. H. Auden observed people as they attempted to find an escape in pleasures. He wrote of such people: “Lost in a haunted wood, / Children afraid of the night / Who have never been happy or good.” 
 The psalmist David sings of the remedy for our fears and unhappiness. “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). Happiness is doing things God’s way, a fact that can be verified every day. 

As humans I think anyone would agree that we long - and search - for happiness in this life. God has placed in us an emptiness - what I call “the love hole,” which only He can fill with His love and grace. But unfortunately it is also our nature, our sin nature, to want to fill that hole with our own desires and by doing life, as Elvis sings, “MY WAY.” 

But as Jeremy Camp sings (also linked above), there is another way to seek for THE ANSWER to our pursuit of happiness; and I would pray that we, as mature (or maturing) Christians, would realize the truth of what the scriptures above attest, … that the ONLY way to find happiness and contentment in this life (and peace as well) is to pursue GOD’S WAY.

 And so, … that is my prayer for all of us today.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You … thank You … for shining Your light of truth on Your way through, guiding us with Your word.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … Shine that light of truth on Your way brightly, Lord, so that we can’t help but see the way, YOUR WAY, in this 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.

August 22, 2018 … God’s Caring Heart

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 233 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Big Daddy Weave singing … Redeemed … poignantly singing of how we freed from the chains of sin and shame by the believing in the atoning blood of Jesus and repenting of our sinfulness.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 3:32 [NLT] … 21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. 
… In spite of their sinful and shame, God gives them clothing before He expels them from the Garden, setting His plan of redemption in motion.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 3 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… God’s children sin and He loves them enough to set His plan in motion to save them. 
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Reference Passage : … John 3:16 [NLT] … 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 
 … God’s ultimate plan for the redemption of mankind unfolds as The Father gives His son to be the Lamb of God, saving all who believe on Him and His blood shed on the cross.

Reference Passage : … Romans 3:23-24 [NLT] … 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 
… Yes, we are all sinners, worthy only of death, but God’s love overcomes our sinfulness and redeems us with the blood of Christ.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 2:8-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… It’s God’s plan to save His children so that we can become His light in a dark world.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Alyson Kieda, uses an illustration of kids at play and their innate sinfulness to tell about God’s redeeming love. The ODB author wrote: My young grandsons enjoy dressing themselves. Sometimes they pull their shirts on backwards and often the younger one puts his shoes on the wrong feet. I usually don’t have the heart to tell them; besides, I find their innocence endearing. 
I love seeing the world through their eyes. To them, everything is an adventure, whether walking the length of a fallen tree, spying a turtle sunning itself on a log, or excitedly watching a fire truck roar by. 
But I know that even my little grandsons are not truly innocent. They can make up a dozen excuses about why they can’t stay in their beds at night and are quick to yank a wanted toy from the other. Yet I love them dearly. 

Kids at play, as the ODB author relates, seem so innocent; but then we see their innate character when they lie as they are caught in sin or wrongdoing. No, … even as young children we are born sinners, inheriting the sinful character legacy of Adam [see Genesis 3]. And all of mankind, even when we’re doing good things, and seeming so innocent, are basically sinners at heart (see Romans 3:23).

But even in the Garden of Eden, God set in motion a plan to redeem His wayward children; and we know that plan was fulfilled in the birth, life, and death of His only Son, … Jesus, … The Christ (see reference scriptures above). And in his love, as sung in the linked song, we are redeemed!.

Do I sense a thankful ”HALLELUJAH [!!!] from those reading here? I hope so; … but I will certainly offer up my gratefulness in prayer today for my Lord’s love and His saving grace which has redeemed this sinner.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You … thank You … thank You … for shedding Your blood to redeem me from my sin.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I do believe and declare loudly … HALLELUJAH for Your willingness to redeem me and take me to be with You in eternity. … 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.

August 21, 2018 … A Good Father’s Watch Care

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 232 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of song and lyrics from Chris Tomlin singing his … Good, Good Father … poignantly singing of how we can put our lives in the hands of a good, good Heavenly Father … ALWAYS!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Luke 23:46 [NLT] … 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust My spirit into Your hands!” And with those words He breathed His last. 
… In our Lord’s last breath on earth, He cries out in prayer, quoting from Psalm 31:5 for His Heavenly Father to take His Spirit.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Luke 23:44-48 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… Luke’s account of Jesus’ death shows the Lord’s last words were a prayer to His Heavenly Father to take His Spirit back into the loving hands of the Father.
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Reference Passage : … Psalm 31:5 [NLT] … 5  I entrust my spirit into Your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for You are a faithful God.
… Jesus’s prayer from the cross as He died, quoting from a prayer in song by David.

Reference Passage : … John 1:12 [NLT] … 12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 
… When we become converted Christians, we have a loving Heavenly Father watching over us forever.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, James Banks, reflects on a prayer taught to children by their parents, … often the first prayer the child learns, and a prayer which has great biblical significance. The ODB author wrote: One of the first prayers I learned as a little boy was “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep . . .” It was a prayer I learned from my parents, and I taught it to my son and daughter when they were little. As a child, I found great comfort in placing myself in God’s hands with those words before I fell asleep. 

It is a prayer taught to many a child as their first prayer, isn’t it [see photo]? But I doubt that many of those parents realize the biblical significance of this little prayer, which was essentially the prayer that Jesus prayed with His last human breath on earth (see the highlight passage). And in that prayer to His heavenly Father, Jesus was actually quoting from a prayer uttered in song by David in a moment of deep distress [see Psalm 31:5].

And it is a prayer which we all should pray with deep meaning … that, as the linked song sings, we have a “good, good Father,” whose watch care over us as His children extends 24/7, everywhere we go; … tand hat His loving, saving grace will be with us, not only in this life, but forever. And I think that’s a truth for which we should pray a prayer of thanks, don’t you? And I will.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your loving watch care as my Heavenly Father.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … When I lay down to sleep tonight, I pray, dear Lord, my soul to keep. … 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.

August 20, 2018 … Done Deal!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 231 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Matt Maher singing his song … Your Grace Is Enough … poignantly singing of how God’s completed work on the cross, giving us His saving grace, is all we need from Him to be saved and to become like Him in glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 104:24 [NLT] … 4 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. 
… One perfect sacrifice and His new covenant is made complete when we accept, in repentance for our sins, His saving grace.
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Highlight Passage [context]

: Hebrews 10:5-14 [NLT]…  USE THIS LINK …  

 … Jesus canceled out the Old Covenant and made a new, final one, complete with His single, perfect sacrifice for the remission of our sin that we can be made holy thru His sacrifice.  

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Reference Passage : … John 17:4, 19:30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus completed the word that His Father sent Him to accomplish by shedding His blood as the Lamb of God to atone for my (and your) sin.

Reference Passage : … 2 Corinthians 12:9a [NLT] … 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” … 
… Jesus declared, thru Paul, that His grace, which comes from His shed blood, is all we need.

Reference Passage : … Ephesians 2:8-9 [NLT] … 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 
… Receiving God’s saving grace in the humble faith of repentance for our sin is all we need to be saved; and it’s nothing we can do to receive it … just surrender in faith.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Adam Holz, used a very human situation to illustrate how we feel when we complete a task; and then to realize what Jesus did on the cross to fulfill the task which His Father in heaven sent Him to accomplish. The ODB author wrote: It’s satisfying to finish a job. Each month, for instance, one of my job responsibilities gets moved from one category to another, from “In Progress” to “Completed.” I love clicking that “Completed” button [see photo]. But last month when I clicked it, I thought, If only I could overcome rough spots in my faith so easily! It can seem like the Christian life is always in progress, never completed. 
Then I remembered Hebrews 10:14. It describes how Christ’s sacrifice redeems us totally. So in one important sense, that “completed button” has been pressed for us. 

I pray anyone reading here has taken in the linked song and meditated on the Scriptures above.

 It’s a “done deal,” isn’t it … the completed work that Jesus did on the cross, shedding His blood to save any/all who would surrender to Him in repentance and receive His saving grace.?

There’s nothing we can do to check off the box that we have earned God’s reconciling/atoning grace. Our Lord, King Jesus, did it all, didn’t He? And when he arose from the grave, we knew [and now know] that what He said on the cross, saying “Is is finished,” is God’s perfect DONE DEAL from heaven in giving us His way to make us complete in Him … FOREVER!! 

Enough said!

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for doing all it takes for me (us) to be saved. 
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … O Lord, help me to share with others what you have done to save me … and them! … 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.

August 19, 2018 … God’s Glory in Creation

Berry Patch Devotions in 2018 - Day 230 

Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images from Gordon Mote singing his song … Don’t Let Me Miss The Glory … poignantly singing of how we see God’s glory all around us in His creation.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 104:24 [NLT] … 24  O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!  In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. 
… Look around and see God’s glory on display.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 104:24-34 [NLT]… USE THIS LINK …
… The psalmist sings of God’s glory on display in creation.
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Reference Passage : … Romans 1:20 [NLT] … 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. 
… To see God and His glory all we have to do is look around us at His creation

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Xochitl Dixon, used his personal observation of God’s creation to remind us to look around and see his glory. The ODB author wrote: As an amateur photographer, I enjoy capturing glimpses of God’s creativity with my camera. I see His fingerprints on each delicate flower petal, each vibrant sunrise and sunset, and each cloud-painted and star-speckled sky canvas. 
My camera’s powerful zoom option allows me to take photos of the Lord’s creatures too. I’ve snapped shots of a chattering squirrel in a cherry blossom tree, a colorful butterfly flitting from bloom to bloom [see photo], and sea turtles sunning on a rocky, black beach. Each one-of-a-kind image prompted me to worship my marvelous Maker. 

The song linked today [please take the time to see the video] was written and is sung by a blind Christian songwriter, pianist, and singer; and having met Gordon Mote on a cruise to Alaska, we all got some incredible views of God’s glory, as Gordon sings, in Alaska. But Gordon Mote can’t see any of those glorious sights or even simpler evidences of our Lord as in the beautiful photo of the butterfly in the attached photo. But in his mind’s eye, Gordon Mote knows of the evidence of his God when he heard with us the crashing sounds of ice breaking away from glaciers, or the cries of the whales we saw, or even the birds chirping in the morning.

But we, who can see God’s glory in His creation, as it says in Romans 1:20, have no excuse to be able to behold what our God created for us. So, I pray we all look around today and behold the marvel of God’s creation and thank Him for it.

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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Lord, Jesus, thank You for giving me the sight to behold You in Your creation and for all that I see, I praise Your Holy Name.
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My Prayer Today: Abba Father, … King Jesus, … O Lord, help me to see You all around me today as I look around to behold Your creation. … 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.