February 8, 2017 ... My Bestest of Friends

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 39 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Alan Jackson singing … WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS … poignantly declaring the friendship all true Christians have with our Lord and Savior.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Samuel 20:42 [NLT] … 
42 At last Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” 
… David and Jonathan had a covenant friendship which pictures the relationship Christians have with King Jesus.
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Samuel 20:35-42 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The picture of the covenant friendship of Jonathan and David is a fore-shadow of the covenant friendship of Jesus with those He calls “friend.”
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 17:17 [NKJV] … 
17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. 
… Easy to see the word picture from Solomon here, isn’t it?

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Philippians 2:3-4 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God, thru Paul, proclaims the essence of friendship, which is reaching out to help others … as Jesus has done, is doing, and will always do for those who love/obey Him.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … John 15:14-15 [NLT] … 
14 “You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. …” 
… Jesus to His disciples proclaiming the essence of His friendship with them (i.e., us).

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … Hebrews 13:5 [NLT] … 
5 … For God has said, … “I will never fail you. …  I will never abandon you.” [also in Joshua 1:5] 
… God’s promise to His “friends.”

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Keila Ochoa, uses a personal reference to teach about the most loyal of Friends, … King Jesus. … The ODB author wrote: A dear friend of mine sent me a text message that said, “I’m so glad we can tell each other the good, the bad, and the ugly!” We have been friends for many years, and we have learned to share our joys and our failures. We recognize we are far from perfect, so we share our struggles but we also rejoice in each other’s successes. …
Good friends don’t abandon us when external circumstances change. They stay with us through the good and the bad days. Good friends also may point us to God in the ugly days, when we may feel tempted to walk away from our Lord. 

The friendship between Jonathan and David (see highlight passage) was just such a friendship, … a covenant bond in their faith of God. And their friendship was a biblical fore-shadow of the New Covenant relationship (i.e., “friendship”) we have with Jesus.

 I’m praying today that all who read here are real friends with our Lord; but Jesus made it clear, in His word and especially to His disciples in John 15:14-15, that His real friends obey and follow Him (also John 14:21). It is only then that our covenant bond (i.e., friendship) with our Lord can manifest itself.

 Real friends, … loyal/giving friends, … are hard to come by, aren’t they? We’re fortunate to even have one or two in this lifetime among our human relationships. But when we know Jesus as Lord/Savior, we have the “bestest” of all Friends; and He will never leave us or forsake us (see Hebrews 13:5.

 So, as Alan Jackson so poignantly sings (linked above), let’s go to our Friend, Jesus, in prayer today.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord Jesus, thank You for being my BESTEST Friend. … 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.

February 7, 2017 ... Sparking Joy

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 38 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images declaring that we should … CHOOSE JOY … no matter what we’re confronting in life … because of what Jesus did to give us HIS joy.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Philippians 4:8 [NLT] … 
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 
… We can CHOOSE to think joyfully of those thoughts which honor God.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Philippians 4:4-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle exhorts Christians to hold onto the joy of what Christ has done for us … the Gospel is our joy.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 23:7 [NKJV] … 
7 As a man thinks in his heart, so is he … 
… Easy to see the word picture from Solomon here, isn’t it?

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Acts 16:20-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In spite of their imprisonment, Paul and Silas sang of their joy.

Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Galatians 5:22a [NLT] … 
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, JOY, peace, ... 
… We have the Joy of God in our hearts as Christians; but we have to choose it over our self-driving emotions.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, uses a modern and biblical reference to teach about choosing joy in spite of the emotional clutter of life. The ODB author wrote: A young Japanese woman’s book on decluttering and organizing has sold two million copies worldwide. The heart of Marie Kondo’s message is helping people get rid of unneeded things in their homes and closets—things that weigh them down. “Hold up each item,” she says, “and ask, ‘Does it spark joy?’” If the answer is yes, keep it. If the answer is no, then give it away. 
The apostle Paul urged the Christians in Philippi to pursue joy in their relationship with Christ. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). Instead of a life cluttered with anxiety, he urged them to pray about everything and let God’s peace guard their hearts and minds in Christ (vv. 6–7). 

This OBD entry hit home with me today because recently I was diagnosed with a type of clinical depression which produces severe fatigue but often results from a lot of emotional “clutter” in one’s (my) life. Perhaps you can identify. But the Apostle Paul, writing from the confines of a prison, tried to help his beloved friends in Philippi (and you/me by extension) to choose the joy we have in the Gospel and our relationship with Christ to overcome the emotional oppression of our lives and this world.

And that’s what the young Japanese author was trying to write about in her book, mentioned above, which used the analogy of reducing the domestic and personal “clutter” in our lives to spark joy to replace perceived angst and confusion.

As Solomon wrote (in Prov. 23:7 - NKJV) we become what we think in our heart. So Paul urged Christians (see highlight passage) to think only things which give honor to God. And in doing so, he knew, having experienced that kind of joy (see Acts 16:20-25 above), that we Christians can choose to revel in the joy God implants in us (see Gal. 5:22a) by His Spirit.

So, my friends, as the video linked above promotes, I declare here - today - that I will choose joy! … Common; … jump in and join me!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, in spite of all the anti-joy in my life, I choose today to partake of the fruit of joy You have planted in my heart. … 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.

February 6, 2017 ... Refiner’s Fire

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 37 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Steve Green singing… Refiner’s Fire … gloriously and poignantly expressing the reality that God does His purifying work in us by the fires of life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Job 23:10 [NLT] … 
10 “But He (the LORD) knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out pure as gold. 
… Job sees God is working through the trials in his life to purify his soul.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Job 23:1-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… In a moment of clarity amidst his trials, Job realizes that God is testing and refining Him by his trials.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 17:3 [NKJV] 
… 3 Fire tests the purity of silver and old, but the LORD tests the heart. 
… Easy to see the word picture from Solomon here, isn’t it?

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Zechariah 13:9a [NKJV] … 
9   I will bring that group [God’s people] through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. … 
… The fires of life purify us for God’s glory.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Malachi 3:2-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God will purify His people in the fires of life.

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … Romans 8:28 [NKJV] … 
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose for them. 
… Yes, even the fiery trials of life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, uses the biblical story of Job to illustrate how God uses the trials of life to refine us as a fire which purifies fine metals. The ODB author wrote: In the middle of his despair, Job had a moment of clarity. His faith flickered to life like a candle in a dark room. He said, “[God] knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). 
Christians are tried and purified when God uses difficulty to burn away our self-reliance, pride, and earthly wisdom. If it seems as if God is silent during this process and He is not answering our cries for help, He may be giving us an opportunity to grow stronger in our faith. 

I think most reading here would agree that the fires of life, i.e., the trials/tribulations we encounter, are those times when our character is shaped and fashioned into a stronger, more Christlike self. And that’s what Job, going through all his horrible trials, came to realize [see highlight passages above]. And other OT writers, like Solomon, Zechariah and Malachi [see above], also wrote of this principle of God’s REFINING FIRE, … where our God uses or allows the challenges of life to burn away the dross of pride and selfishness from our character and to reshape us into our Lord’s image.

Any reading here, PLEASE take the time to view the linked song above with Steve Green singing his rendition of the song, Refiner’s Fire; and then realize that any trial were going through is, as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, for our good.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, Help me to endure Your fires of life so that I can be reshaped and refined into the purity of Your image. … 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.

February 5, 2017 ... Creation Calls Out Glory

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 36 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Brian Doerksen singing… Creation Calls … gloriously and poignantly expressing the reality that God’s creation all around us declares His glory.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 136:6 [NLT] … 
6 Give thanks to Him who placed the earth amid the waters; … His faithful love endures forever. 
… Yes, all that our Lord created is for us.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 136:1-9 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Psalmist gives thanks to our God, who created all of Hs creation for the crowning glory of His creation … mankind.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Psalm 19:1 [NKJV] …  
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. … The skies display His craftsmanship. 
… Look around us. God is everywhere in His creation.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … John 1:1-3 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… All things, were created by the living word, our Lord, for mankind and His glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David Roper, uses a quote from C.S. Lewis to help teach about God’s creation declaring His glory. The ODB author wrote: Author C. S. Lewis describes a walk in the forest on a hot summer day. He had just asked his friend how best to cultivate a heart thankful toward God. His hiking companion turned to a nearby brook, splashed his face and hands in a little waterfall, and asked, “Why not begin with this?” Lewis said he learned a great principle in that moment: “Begin where you are.” 
A trickling waterfall, the wind in the willows, a baby robin, the blue sky, a tiny flower. Why not begin your thankfulness with this? 

 Does God sometimes seem far away? … I think we’ve all worn that t-shirt of spiritual weariness at times, feeling distant from God. But today’s ODB entry helped me, … along with the teaching of C.S. Lewis, the singing of Brian Doerksen, and the truth of God’s word, to realize that all I have to do is look around me in creation, as the Psalmists did in Psalm 19 and 136 (above); and I can get a warm hug from what God has created for me and all of His crowning glory, … mankind.

 So, if you need a hug from God today, look into the heavens at the stars, or do as C.S. Lewis suggested to take a drink from a gentle waterfall (see photo); … or see a bird flying high, … or … well, you get the picture from God’s creation. He’s always there, … all around us, … reminding us of the love He has extended to us from His creation.

 Let us be thankful for all He has made for us.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, I feel Your warm embrace as I see all You have made 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.

February 4, 2017 ... ALWAYS !!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 35 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Laura Story singing her song … Blessings … poignantly expressing the reality that often God’s blessings are disguised as the challenges we face in life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Thessalonians 5:18 [NLT] … 
18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 
… Yes, ALWAYS!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul trying to show fellow Christians how we should live.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Romans 8:28 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … 
28 All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. 
… Yes … ALL THINGS!

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 1st Corinthians 10:13 [NKJV] … 
13 The temptations [also translated “tests, trials, troubles, or tribulations”] 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.
… No matter what we go thru, God’s faithfulness will allow Christians to deal with the situation.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 2nd Corinthians 12:8 [NKJV] … 
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
… Yes, even when we’re weak, Jesus, thru His Spirit, will give us the strength we need.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lawrence Darmani, uses a personal analogy to illustrate God lifting us up when we need His power. The ODB author wrote: In our suburb we complain about the constant power outages. They can hit three times in a week and last up to twenty-four hours, plunging the neighborhood into darkness. The inconvenience is hard to bear when we cannot use basic household appliances. 

Then the ODB made reference to Paul’s teaching (in 1st Thess. 5:8) that we Christians should have a thankful attitude no matter how uncomfortable our circumstances; and I think we’d all agree that in some of our trials, it can be really difficult to give thanks to God.

But then the ODB entry today made it clear that even the power outages were something for which we should be thankful with this further explanation: One day, however, our belief in thanking God in all circumstances took on new meaning. I returned from work to find our neighbor visibly shaken as she cried, “Thank Jesus the power was off. My house would have burned down, and my family and I would have perished!” … A refuse-collection truck had hit the electricity pole in front of her house and brought down the high-tension cables right over several houses. Had there been power in the cables, fatalities would have been likely. 

It’s really tough to be thankful ALWAYS, isn’t it? And certainly we have trouble seeing that even our tough times are blessings from God, as Laura Story sings (linked above) and the Apostle Paul preaches in the reference passages above. … Yes, those verses are some of the toughest verses to believe and live out when circumstances really challenge out faith and strength. But as God taught and promised, thru Paul (and Jesus Himself), we can rely on God’s grace to give us power when we’re weak; and we can be faithful that God will not allow us to get into any predicament that we cannot handle WITH HIS FAITHFUL HELP. 

So, … THANKFUL He calls us to be today and always; and thankful we can - and will - be if we trust in Him (see again Prov. 3: 5-6).

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Even facing some tough trials right now, Lord, I am thankful for your enabling/empowering grace. … 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.

February 3, 2017 ... He Sees … ALWAYS!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 34 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images with accompaniment sayings from Sara Groves singing her song … It’s Going to Be Alright … poignantly expressing the reality that our Lord see us and is with us… ALWAYS!!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Genesis 16:13 [NLT] … 
13 Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” [El-Roi]  She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” 
… God helped Solomon remember that we must choose to enjoy God’s providence and to be happy with what we have now.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Genesis 16:1-13 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… God watches over and cares for Hagar and her needs - just as He does with all His children. 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Deuteronomy 31:8 [NKJV] … 
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” 
… ALWAYS watching over us.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Isiah 41:10 [NKJV] … 
10 Fear not, for I am with you; … be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, … yes, I will help you, … I will lift you up with My righteous hand. 
… God’s promise that He’ll be there for us, especially in the tough times.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NKJV] … 
7 … casting ALL your cares on Him, for He cares for you … 
… Yes, … but do we really?

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Pye, took her readers (me) to the story in Genesis 16:1-13 where Hagar had run away from Sarai and Abram and felt abandoned. But God saw her in her time of need and ministered to her.

My friends and fellow believers, … Perhaps you’re in a place like Hagar where you feel far away from God. Maybe you’re prayers seem to be bouncing off the ceiling and going nowhere.

And in such times, it can be so difficult to realize and believe the truth of God being “El-Roi,” the God who sees and cares, just as Hagar discovered and just as Peter exhorted us in 1st Peter 5:7.

Of late I’ve been dealing with some degree of clinical depression in my life; and I’ve felt some (not as much, but some) of what Hagar must’ve felt. But every time I come here - each morning - and get on my knees in my quiet time with God and then I open the Our Daily Bread and God’s word to start my day, I’m touched by my EL-ROI, knowing the truth of what Sara Groves sings (linked above), … that “It’s Going To Be Alright.”

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your assurance that You are truly my El-Roi. … 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.

February 2, 2017 ... Grasping My Joy

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 33 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Mike Winger singing his song … You Are My Joy … poignantly expressing the reality that our Lord is our joy … ALWAYS … His fruit onto which we can hold FOREVER.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 [NLT] … 
11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. 12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 
… God helped Solomon remember that we must choose to enjoy God’s providence and to be happy with what we have now.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Ecclesiastes 3:9-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon reminds believers to faithfully hold onto our joy … even when life is hard. 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 
3 You (Lord) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, … all those whose thoughts are fixed on You. 
… Don’t we all seek God’s peace; … well, herein He gives us His prescription for His peace, to which we can hold always.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] …  
23 The faithful of of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. 23 Great is His faithfulness; … His mercies begin afresh each morning. 
… Truth unto which we can ALWAYS find joy.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Habakkuk 3:17-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Prophet learned that he could hold onto joy no matter what he must endure.

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … 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. 
 … Yes … EVERYTHING!!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, took his readers (me) to the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes and helped me to remember a truth to which I need to hold onto right now in my life.

My friends and fellow believers, … Recently I was diagnosed with a mild form of clinical depression which seems to bring on almost constant fatigue, … where I often feel so tired and down that I’d rather just choose not to do what I feel I should be doing. But today’s attached photo, the linked song, and God’s truth helped me remember [at least today!], that in my relationship with Christ, I can CHOOSE joy; … yes … even when I feel down in spirit.

That’s what the Prophet Habakkuk discovered when he wrote in his journal (see Hab. 3:17-18) that he could choose to rejoice even when things were oppressing his soul. … It’s what helped Paul to write that ALL THINGS work together for the GOOD for true Christians. … It’s what helped Solomon remember (in Eccl. 3) that we must CHOOSE to celebrate God’s provision and revel in what He lays out before us in order to live for His glory.

Today … I’m going to thank God for His fruit of JOY (see Galatians 5:22); and I’m praying that I can choose to hold onto His daily mercies [Lam. 3:22-23] and His peace [Is. 26:3] … ALWAYS!!! … And so, I’ll come back here tomorrow as a parched soul, … to drink from His pool of living waters, … filled to overflowing with His love, joy, and peace.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your joy to which I can at least hold onto today - no matter what!! … 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.

February 1, 2017 ... Following God’s Lead

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 32 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Sara Groves singing her song … It’s Going To Be Alright … poignantly expressing how followers of Christ will find His peace and direction when we faithfully follow His lead, … seek His will and way from His word.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 32:8 [NLT] … 
8 The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway of your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 
… Isn’t that what all Christians desire … to let God lead us along HIS pathway in life. 
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 32 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… King David reveals what happens when we surrender completely and follow God faithfully; … we find his healing peace.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : …Deuteronomy 31:8 [NLT] … 
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” 
… Moses charges Joshua just as God charges us … to follow our Lord into “our promised land.”

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 
3 You (Lord) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, … all those whose thoughts are fixed on You. 
… Don’t we all seek God’s peace; … well, herein He gives us His prescription for His peace.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Joshua 1: 8 [NLT] …  
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 
… God shows Joshua (and us) how to be Spiritually successful in follow His lead.

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … Luke 9:23 [NLT] …  
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. … “ 
… Jesus tells His followers what it takes to be His disciple and to follow His lead.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dennis Fisher, used a personal story to illustrate how those who really love the Lord are willing to do what it takes to follow His lead. The ODB author wrote: On the day our youngest daughter was flying from Munich to Barcelona, I visited my favorite flight tracking website to follow her progress [see attached photo]. After I entered her flight number, my computer screen showed that her flight had crossed Austria and was skirting the northern part of Italy. From there the plane would fly over the Mediterranean, south of the French Riviera toward Spain, and was scheduled to arrive on time. It seemed that the only thing I didn’t know was what the flight attendants were serving for lunch! 
Why did I care about my daughter’s location and circumstances? Because I love her. I care about who she is, what she’s doing, and where she’s going in life. 

Well, if I was able - and motivated by love - to desire the safety and well-being of my daughter while she was traveling, as with the ODB author above, (and I most certainly would be), … just how much more does God want us to track His will and His ways from His eternal GPS (i.e., His word). Well, WAY MUCH MORE, … for sure!!!

 And when you have listened to Sara Groves sing about the outcomes of following Christ closely; and you’ve taken in and meditated on the Scriptures provide by OBD and yours truly, I pray we all see that diligently seeking God’s will and following His ways from His word is really the only way we’re going trek through life with any degree of peace and direction.

 The question then is … just how much do we stay focused on our Lord, following His truth and doggedly seeking His peace and guidance? Personally, … that’s why you find me here every day, using the ODB devotional, His word, and prayer to surrender to His guidance.
 What’s your plan?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your peace and leading me in Your ways by providing me with Your perfect GPS … 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.

January 31, 2017 ... The Tree of Life

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 31 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from an old Lutheran hymn with an anonymous soprano singing … The Tree of Life … poignantly expressing how God used “a tree” to bring life and death to the Garden and then to be the instrument of redemption with Christ’s blood being shed on that “tree” to atone for that sin in the Garden.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Colossians 1:19-20 [NLT] … 
19 For God, in all His fullness, was pleased to live in Christ; 20 and through Him God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. 
… Nehemiah, having faith in God’s power of restoration, commits to leading the people rebuild the walls around the City of David.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Colossians 1:15-20 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul lays out the supremacy of Christ and His sacrifice to pay our penalty for sin on the cross. 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : …1st Peter 2:24 [NLT] …
24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. 
… God, thru Paul, states His promise to rebuild anyone into the newness which is the image of Christ Himself.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Revelation 22:1-2 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Seeing heaven, John saw the restored “tree of life” from which all mankind could then partake of its fruit forevermore.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dennis Fisher, used a rather obscure reference to an 8th century English poem to teach about how God has used the image of “a tree” to depict man’s sin as well as His plan of redemption. You can USE THIS LINK to read the ODB entry for today.

However, reading this ODB devotional and meditating on the Scriptures referenced (see above), my mind was taken back a few years when my wife and I sojourned to the Holy Land; and I had the opportunity to stand on the very stones where Jesus as nailed to that “TREE” (i.e., the Cross). In the attached photo you see my feet standing on those stones.

And it was there it impacted me how it was my sins which nailed my Savior to that tree; and I wept almost uncontrollably. And I’ll pray today that we all realize the extent of God’s use of Christ’s shed blood on “a tree” that ultimately will allow sinful man to be reconciled to God so that one day all who do so in faith will be able to partake of another tree, … “the tree of life” in Heaven (see Rev. 22:1-2).

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Thank You, Lord, for Your atoning blood which paved the way for all who come to you in faith to partake of the fruit of the eternal tree of 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.

January 30, 2017 ... Rebuilt In Christ

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 30 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images from Phillips, Craig, and Dean singing … He’ll Do Whatever It Takes … poignantly expressing how God can (and will) do all it takes to rebuild, restore, remake, and renew someone from selfish destruction into a semblance of Himself.

See image of “Berlin Before Restoration” 

See image of “Berlin After Restoration”  

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Highlight Verse[s]: Nehemiah 2:17 [NLT] … 
17 But now I said to them [God’s remnant in Jerusalem], “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 
… Nehemiah, having faith in God’s power of restoration, commits to leading the people rebuild the walls around the City of David.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Nehemiah 2:11-18 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Nehemiah, coming from Babylon to Jerusalem inspects the destroyed gates/walls and sets a plan (God’s plan) into motion to rebuild the walls.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 21:15-19 [NLT] ... USE THIS LINK …
… After the resurrection and before His ascension, Jesus appears to Peter and restores him from the brokenness of his denial to a recommitment to surrender to Christ’s love and serve the Lord faithfully for the rest of Peter’s life.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NLT] … 
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 
… God, thru Paul, states His promise to rebuild anyone into the newness which is the image of Christ Himself.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, uses a personal story to teach on how Christ remakes/restores His beloved into some brand now. The OBD author wrote today: When Edward Klee returned to Berlin after being away for many years, the city he remembered and loved was no longer there. It had changed dramatically, and so had he. Writing in Hemispheres magazine, Klee said, “Returning to a city you once loved tends to be a hit-or-miss proposition . . . . It can be a letdown.” Going back to the places of our past may produce a feeling of sorrow and loss. We are not the same person we were then, nor is the place that was so significant in our lives exactly as it was. 

In reading this story here in my quiet time with God here this morning, I thought about how much Berlin was transformed into rubble after WW2 (see photo #1) and then restored to a new and beautiful city after the wall fell more recently (see photo #2). And then the OBD devotional entry helped me remember the true story of now Nehemiah was called by God to rebuild the temple walls in Jerusalem after God’s remnant was led back there following decades of captivity in Babylon (see Neh. 2:11-18).

And then my mind took me to the story of how Jesus restored the Apostle Peter on that beach in Capernaum after the resurrection, … when Peter was absolutely broken by his denial of Christ [see John 21:15-19. And then, from my memory of God’s truth, the reality of 2nd Cor. 5:17 bubbled up in my consciousness, reminding me that, as the linked song proclaims today, God will do whatever it takes in the mind/heart of a born-again Christian to rebuild our hearts and lives into a semblance of our living Lord.

I know that’s what my Lord is doing in my life. How about yours?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … I am not the old, lost, Bill Berry. I’m totally becoming new by You and in You and 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.

January 29, 2017 ... “I AM”

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 29 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Kari Jobe singing … You Are For Me … poignantly expressing the reality of Whom we worship as our God.

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Highlight Verse[s]: John 8:58 [NLT] … 
58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!” 
… Jesus clearly declares that He is “Yahweh,” a reference the Jewish leaders understood from Exodus 3:14; and they thought this man, claiming to be the God of Abraham was committing blasphemy.
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Highlight Passage [context]: John 8:48-59 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus declares the reality of just WHO HE IS to the Jewish leaders; and they couldn’t handle the truth, desiring to kill the God-Man.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Matthew 16:15 [NLT] … 
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 
… Jesus asks the most important question anyone can ever answer in their lives, one that everyone must answer to decide their eternal destiny.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Colossians 1:15-17 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… The Apostle declares the reality and supremacy of Christ , the one to Whom we must bear witness as our Lord and Savior.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Bill Crowder, teaches about the confrontation everyone must have with the reality of Jesus being the great “I AM.” The OBD author wrote today: Jesus, when challenged by the Jewish religious leaders about His identity, also claimed to pre-date Abraham. “Very truly I tell you,” He said, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58). His bold assertion shocked those who were confronting Him, and they sought to stone Him. They knew He wasn’t referring to a chronological age but was actually claiming to be eternal by taking the ancient name of God, “I am” (see Ex. 3:14). But as a member of the Trinity, He could make that claim legitimately. 

But in this confrontation above, the Jewish leaders couldn’t handle Jesus’ claim that He was Yahweh, … i.e., the very same “I am” Who confronted Moses at the burning bush. They felt Jesus was committing blasphemy and wanted to kill Him, which they ultimately did when He proved WHOM He truly was (and IS) … the Son of God.

And that confrontation with the reality of Jesus being the God Paul wrote about to us in Colossians 1:15-17 is the reality everyone has to confront, answering the question Jesus asked His disciples … “Who do you say I am?” [see Matthew 16: 15] And that, my friends, the most important question anyone will ever answer and one which will decide our eternal destiny.

I hope and pray that we all have answered Jesus’ question as Paul wrote about in Romans 10:9-13 (check it out if you don’t know the passage).

So, my friend, how do you answer Jesus’ question? … Prayerfully you join me with the essence of what Kari Jobe so poignantly sings in the song linked above.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Your Son is my Lord and my Savior; and He is the great “I AM!” … 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.

January 28, 2017 ... God’s Love is ALWAYS!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 28 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Sidewalk Prophets singing … You Love Me Anyway … poignantly expressing the reality of a God Who loves me … NO MATTER WHAT!

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 9:35, 37 [NLT] … 
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? … 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 
… Do we really get it … God loves us NO MATTER WHAT!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 8:31-39 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul strongly declares that God’s love depends on NOTHING. It’s just Who He is! 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … 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. …” 
… I expect you know this … but really? … DO WE?!

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 1st John 4:9-10, 15-16 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… If we are in Christ, God loves is in us … FOREVER … NO MATTER WHAT!

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Randy Kilgore, emphasizes a truth that I believe many lost people often miss and some Christians forget. The OBD author wrote today: Oh, it’s true that God wants us to work to feed our families and to responsibly take care of the world He created. And He expects us to serve the weak, hungry, naked, thirsty, and broken people around us even as we remain alert to those who have not yet responded to the Holy Spirit's tug on their lives. … And yet we serve a God who loves us more than our work. 

Often our work is in outflow of our love and service to the God who first loved us enough to send His son to atone for our sinfulness. But if we’re truly born again - in Christ - NOTHING we do - or not do - can, as Paul wrote “separate us from the love of God.”

Recently, I trapped my self - with my pride - into thinking that certain things I was doing for my church were indispensable to God’s kingdom; but I almost burned out to a frizzle in doing so much good stuff that I was forgetting the most important stuff … i.e., what He’s called me to do.

So, my friends, after you taken in the photo and song for today and you’ve meditated on the truths provided by God’s word, let’s all ask ourselves, … Am I letting my pride lead me to forget what Randy Kilgore strongly writes today … that … We serve a God who loves us more than our work. AND … The reason we exist is to be in fellowship with God. 

And so, … let me pray Randy Kilgore’s OBD prayer today …

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … “help us never lose sight of the unconditional love You have for us, and let us hold on to that hope when our labor—and the fruit of our labor—are gone”. … 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.

January 27, 2017 ... No Lone Rangers

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 27 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Kari Jobe singing … I Am Not Alone … poignantly expressing the reality of our constant togetherness as Christians, with other Christians, but even more so in our relationship with the God of the Universe.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Exodus 17:12 [NLT] … 
12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 
… As with Moses, we need others to come along side us to help us do life TOGETHER. Lone Ranger Christianity just doesn’t cut it!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: Exodus 17:8-15 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Moses needed the help of Aaron and Our to hold up his hands in order that God would defeat the Amalekites.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Exodus 18:13-22 [NLT] ... USE THIS LINK …
… Moses learns a lesson in delegation and togetherness from his faither-in-law which we all need to learn to avoid trying to be a “Lone Ranger” Christian.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ...  
… God’s promise to never forsake His children. We are NEVER alone in Christ.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Galatians 6:9-10 [NLT] … 
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith 
… Let’s do it together, especially in the family of God.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Amy Boucher Pye, uses the lessons Moses learned in leading God’s people (see passages from Exodus 17 - 18 linked above) to illustrate how we must avoid trying to be “Lone Ranger” Christians in this life. These two scenes involving Moses really illustrate how we should seek out and rely on the help of others, especially fellow Christians, in getter our God-led purposes accomplished in this life. I especially like the illustration in the attached photo, illustrating this principle of Christians working TOGETHER to get God’s job done.

Yes, it is true that, in Christ, and as Kari Jobe sings in the linked song, … we are never alone. God is always with us and will never forsake us (see Deut. 31:6, 8); but at the same time, He never expects us to go it alone in this life. That’s why He established the “family of God, “ His Church, so that we could be His bride and take on life TOGETHER.

I’m afraid, all-to-often, I tend to try to let my pride (and Satan’s temptation) suck me into being a Lone Ranger Christian. However, I think, in my later years, I’m learning to lean on others and get help just as Moses learned from his father-in-law Jethro (see Exodus 18); and how Paul exhorted his fellow Christians in Galatians 6:9-10.

So, how about it, my friends? Let’s do life working together to accomplish God’s will.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Help me to lean on the gifts and strengths of fellow Christians to get Your work done 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.

January 26, 2017 ... Freedom from Self

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 26 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Nichole Nordeman singing … Finally Free … poignantly expressing the reality of finding freedom from self in the Savior.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 7:14-15 [NLT] … 
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 
… Paul states his constant struggle to break free from his bondage to his sin nature and to be set free by the completed word of his Savior.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 7:14-25 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul writing of his own struggle with the human sin in himself, …
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … John 8:31-32 [NLT] … 
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
… Jesus declares that our freedom comes when we become slaves to our obedience to the truth, Who is Jesus Himself.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Romans 8:1-2 [NLT] … 
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 
… We find our freedom from self when we become slaves to Christ.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Galatians 5:13 [NLT] … 
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 
… We are called to live in the freedom which Christ won for us on the cross.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Tim Gustafson, uses the Apostle Paul’s description of his own struggle with his sin nature as a Christian in the highlight passage linked above [see Romans 7:14-25]. And I believe Paul wrote about this tug-o-war with self [see photo] so that his readers would identify, as Christians, with the struggle to break free from selfishness and to live in the freedom of Christlikeness, which is so gloriously described in Romans, Chapter 8.

The Apostle Paul was like any Christian who seeks what Nichole Nordeman sings about in today’s linked song … to finally be free from the bondage of sin. And in Christ, He promises that freedom (see John 8:32) when, … and only when, … we’re willing to be faithful in living out our Lord’s teaching, which give us the power to become who we are in Christ … freedom from self by being a slave to the Savior.

So, today we must ask ourselves:… Do we want to live in Romans 7 or in Romans 8? As Christians, it’s our choice [see 2nd Cor. 5:17]… !!

Personally, I choose the latter!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … I walk free from my self by being chained to Your truth and Your love. … 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.

January 25, 2017 ... Peace In the Storm

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 25 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Ryan Stevenson singing … Eye of the Storm … poignantly expressing the peace we find in Christ in the midst of the storms of life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Psalm 29:7 [NLT] … 
58 The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning. 
… Our Mighty God often speaks as with thunder and lightning.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Psalm 29 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …
… King David expressed His honor to God, even in the midst of His thunderous power (see v.7 above).
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] … 
3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust You, … all whose thoughts are fixed on You. 
… God, thru Isaiah, gives us His prescription for His peace.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … John 14:1 [NLT] … 
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. … “ 
… Jesus is our peace … but only when we trust in Him.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … John 16:33 [NLT] … 
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 
… Jesus is very clear on when/where we can find peace from the storms and stresses of this world and our life.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David Roper, tells of a lightning storm which produced shock and awe. You can read his his story AT THIS LINK .   But Roper’s ODB story reminded me of a personal incident when I was about 6 years old.

For many years our family lived with an older maiden lady, “Maude.” And Maude was like a third grandmother to me. And one night in the midst of a thunder storm, she beckoned me to go out on our front porch with her to watch the awesome display of thunder and lightning. And the thunder claps and the ribbons of lightning would have been frightening to a young boy; but, … laying on our porch swing in Maude’s lap, I can still remember being calmed by her presence and seeing God’s display with overwhelming peace. To this day, I enjoy watching God speaking, as King David wrote (in Ps. 29:7) as with a tongue of lightning.

And as the scripture references above tell us, our God wants to calm our hearts in the midst of the storms of life. Yes, … God’s voice can be like the thunder and lightning; but as none other than God Himself, in the person of His Son, Jesus, speaks His calm to us (see the passages in John’s gospel above), we find His peace in that He has overcome the storms of life. And the Prophet Isaiah exhorted us to find God’s peace when we focus, with trust, on our Lord.

And tho I’ve been in the midst of a thunderstorm of stress of late, each morning when I come to this place, and get on my knees to praise my Lord, and spend time with Him in His word, … I feel His peace, hugging me as He is … my Abba Father. I pray you find that peace - His peace - as well today and all days.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Thanks for hugging me with Your peace today, which I pray likewise for all who read with me here. … 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.

January 24, 2017 ... Our All for Him

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 24 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Hillsong leading in worship and singing … Lord I Offer My Life To You … poignantly expressing the need for all of us who love the Lord to offer our all in His service.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 1st Corinthians 15:58 [NKJV] … 
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 
… Clear enough encouragement, wouldn’t you say?!!
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Highlight Passage [context]: 1st Corinthians 15:50-58 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorting Christians to trust the Lord and follow Him diligently in that our faithfulness will never be in vain.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon wrote of complete trust in God to show us His way and give us all we need to follow Him.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK … … Paul exhorts Christians to willingly give our best for God’s glory… our time, our talents, and our treasures.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Galatians 6:8-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Once again God, thru Paul, exhorts Christians onward to not lose heart in doing good for God’s Name and His glory.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, David McCasland, writes from experience in teaching about following and serving our Lord. The OBD author wrote: A financial advisor I know describes the reality of investing money by saying, “Hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.” With almost every decision we make in life there is uncertainty about the outcome. Yet there is one course we can follow where no matter what happens, we know that in the end it will not be a wasted effort. 
The apostle Paul spent a year with the followers of Jesus in Corinth, a city known for its moral corruption. After he left, he urged them in a follow-up letter not to be discouraged or feel that their witness for Christ was of no value. He assured them that a day is coming when the Lord will return and even death will be swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:52–55). 

And in the highlight and reference passages above we read of God, thru Paul, encouraging and exhorting his fellow Christians (that’s you and me, too!) to stick in there and find our way to give all we can to serve our Lord, knowing that such service is our best eternal investment of our time, talent, and treasure. And the linked song also is a prayer to do just that.

And so, today’s OBD and my thoughts are simply a self-inventory for any readers here, asking if we’re truly giving our ALL in service to/for King Jesus, … knowing that any such service will never be in vain when it is offered in His Name and for His glory.

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … I believe I am serving you. Show me if I can do more in Your Name. … 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.

January 23, 2017 ... All I Need

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 23 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from the group Hillsong leading in worship and singing … Jesus, You Are All I Need … poignantly expressing the truth in worship that our Holy King Jesus is all we need to supply our needs in this life.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Mark 6:7-9 [NKJV] … 
7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— 9 but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. 
… The Twelve learn to depend on Jesus for their needs.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Mark 6:7-12 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus tests the faith of His 12 Disciples.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon wrote of complete trust in God to show us His way and give us all we need to follow Him.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … 2nd Corinthians 9:8, 12:9 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts Christians to trust God for all our needs.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Philippians 4:19 [NKJV] … 
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
… True … but so tough to believe and live out when we’re tested by our human desires.

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … 2nd Peter 1:2-4 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Peter shows us the extent of God’s grace in supplying all our needs.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Poh Fang Chia, writes from the heart of his experience in teaching about trusting God for all our needs. The OBD author wrote: Imagine going on a trip without luggage. No basic necessities. No change of clothing. No money or credit cards. Sounds both unwise and terrifying, doesn’t it? 
But that’s exactly what Jesus told His twelve disciples to do when He sent them out on their first mission to preach and heal. “Take nothing for the journey except a staff,” said Jesus. “No bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt” (Mark 6:8–9). … 
Yet later on when Jesus was preparing them for their work after He was gone, He told His disciples, “If you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36). 
So, what’s the point here? It’s about trusting God to supply [all we need]. 

You’ve no doubt heard the old saying, “I couldn’t see the forest for the trees,” expressing our blindness to obvious truth in the midst of our human misperceptions. Well, … often, I’m afraid I can’t see the forest of God’s providence because of viewing only the trees of my desires.

Going thru today’s OBD and being led to the YouTube song (linked above), Hudson Taylor’s profound quote (see photo) rang loudly, with truth, for me. I needed to be reminded that when I’m truly pursuing God’s will, He will supply, with His grace, all I need. However, so often, I have trouble trusting my God to show me the way and give me all I need because I’m pursuing my desires rather than His will.

Enough said, right?!!

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Help me to see Your way and trust You to provide me with all I need. … 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.

January 22, 2017 ... Why God?!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 22 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …   Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Alan Jackson singing … Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus … poignantly expressing a plea for all who follow Christ to look at Jesus, … especially in moments where things seem dark and doubtful.

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Highlight Verse[s]: 2Corinthians 4:6 [NKJV] … 
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 
… God will light the way
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Highlight Passage [context]: 2Corinthians 4:1-15 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts all Christians to let the light of God shine in our hearts, especially when we’re surrounded by darkness.
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon wrote of surrender all in our hearts to follow the Lord God and avoiding doing life on our own.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Isaiah 41:10 [NKJV] … 
10 Fear not, for I am with you; … be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, … yes, I will help you, … I will lift you up with My righteous hand. 
… God’s promise that He’ll be there for us in the tough times.

 Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … Romans 8:28 [NKJV] … 
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 
… True … but so tough to believe and live out in the tough times.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 1st Peter 5:7 [NKJV] … 
7 … casting ALL your cares on Him, for He cares for you … 
… Yes, … but do we really?

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Phillip Yancey, writes from the heart of his experience in teaching about following God in the tough times. The OBD author wrote: Much of my career as a writer has revolved around the problem of pain. I return again and again to the same questions, as if fingering an old wound that never quite heals. I hear from readers of my books, and their anguished stories give human faces to my doubts. I remember a youth pastor calling me after he had learned that his wife and baby daughter were dying of AIDS because of a tainted blood transfusion. “How can I talk to my youth group about a loving God?” he asked. 
I have learned to not even attempt an answer to these “why” questions. Why did the youth pastor’s wife happen to get the one tainted bottle of blood? Why does a tornado hit one town and skip over another? Why do prayers for physical healing go unanswered?  

I would imagine that all reading here with me identify with author Yancey in this ODB entry. Most, if not all, of us have come to our “WHY GOD?” moments, haven’t we? But as I meditated thru today’s song, by Alan Jackson, and the Scriptures above, I had to agree with something else Yancey wrote: One question, however, no longer gnaws at me as it once did: “Does God care?” I know of only one way to answer that question, and the answer is Jesus. In Jesus, God gave us a face. If you wonder how God feels about the suffering on this groaning planet, look at that face. 

My relationship with my Lord answers the “WHY GOD?” question; and the deeper my walk with Jesus becomes, i.e., the more faithful my walk, … the more I trust where He’s leading me … no matter where I’m led. And as the song rings true above, when I look to Jesus, “… the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … I’m following You, Lord, wherever You lead 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.

January 21, 2017 ... All For God’s Team

Berry Patch Devotions in 2017 - Day 21 

Devotional Song:  … GO TO THIS LINK …  Please take the time to take in a YouTube video of images and lyrics from Brian Littrell singing a contemporary version of the old hymn … I Surrender All … poignantly expressing the need for all Christians to give our all for His team, becoming, as Paul called, “living sacrifices” to our Lord and King, Jesus.

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Highlight Verse[s]: Romans 12:1-2 [NKJV] … 
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 
… Truth … but way tough to live!!  
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Highlight Passage [context]: Romans 12:1-8 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul exhorts all Christians to become Christ’s living sacrifices, giving our all for the Master. 
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Reference Passage #1 [NKJV] : … Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Solomon wrote of surrender all in our hearts to follow the Lord God.

Reference Passage #2 [NKJV] : … Luke 9:23-24 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Jesus calls His disciples to deny themselves … and to follow Him as the coach and owner of God’s team.

Reference Passage #3 [NKJV] : … 1Corinthians 10:13 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Paul explains that Jesus, as the coach of our earthly team, would never call on us to do anything that we couldn’t handle … following His lead.

Reference Passage #4 [NKJV] : … 2Corinthians 12:9-10 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Following Christ, on His team, we ought to revel in giving our all for Him; because when we’re weak, He will be strong for us.

My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Dave Branon, used a sports analogy to teach about surrendering our all for Christ. The OBD author wrote: When I played college basketball, I made a conscious decision at the beginning of each season to walk into that gym and dedicate myself totally to my coach—doing whatever he might ask me to do. 
It would not have benefited my team for me to announce, “Hey, Coach! Here I am. I want to shoot baskets and dribble the ball, but don’t ask me to run laps, play defense, and get all sweaty!” … Every successful athlete has to trust the coach enough to do whatever the coach asks them to do for the good of the team. 

Wow! … I really identify with Branon’s ODB analogy, being born/raised in Indiana where basketball is called “Hoosier Hysteria.”   In Hoosierland most every boy/girl dreams of what was depicted in the Movie Hoosiers [SEE THIS LINK ], … doing our all to win the game for the coach and the team. But to accomplish that feat in basketball, being a fast, team sport, the individual players have to avoid selfishness and play for the team.

And that was what the Apostle Paul was calling Christians to do in his letter to the Roman Christians in the highlight passage today. He was exhorting them (us) to be willing to be “living sacrifices” for God’s team … with Christ as our team owner, coach, and star player. And when we do, as is described in today’s song link and the reference scriptures above, we will be winners in this life … on to the next … where we’ll revel in the heavenly team banquet of all times.

My challenge today was asking myself if I’m truly surrendering my ego, my SELF, my ALL … to be on Christ’s team. We all have to decide to play by His rules and leadership, don’t we?

How about you?  Are you willing to be on God's team today?

My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Lord, … I’m on Your team; … all the way to the finals!! … 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.