Sept 23, 2020 … Always Faithful

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 267 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     …   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Hillsong singing … You Are Faithful … powerfully singing of how we, as Christians, follow a faithful Lord/Savior Who will always be there to lead us to glory.  

Faithfully following a faithful Lord ... 

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Highlight Passage:  Deuteronomy 4:10 [ESV] ... 

10 … how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’ 

…    God’s people are called - by Moses - to obey the Lord’s commands because of His faithful promises.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Deuteronomy 4:1-10  [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK … 

…  God’s people are reminded of their need to obey God because of His covenant faithfulness.

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Reference Passage: …  Numbers 23:19  [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK ...  

… God, again thru Moses, reminds His people that He is not like men, who will lie, … but He is ALWAYS faithful to carry out His covenant promises.  

Reference Passage: …  John 14:21  [ESV] …   

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 

… Jesus reminds His disciples that if they truly love Him as their Messiah then they will follow His commands.   

Reference Passage<: …  1Corinthians 10:13  [ESV] …   

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

… Paul reminds fellow Christians of God’s faithfulness in times of trial or temptation. 

Reference Passage: …  Hebrews 10:23  [ESV] …   

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

… God reminding His people (and that’s us Christians as well) to hold fast in faith to the One Who faithfully promised to save us. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon, AT THIS LINK relates how she reminded her son of how God had faithfully led their family thru trials and that there was no reason to waver in faith in their more recent times of trial. 

And what a great lesson, … from God’s word in both the OT and NT, … that our God has promised to be with us and faithfully lead us thru our trials, …. something we all need to be reminding ourselves in these viral and trying times we’re living thru now.  

And I pray that we are declaring our thanks … EVERY DAY … to our faithful God, Who is still watching over us today just as faithfully as He did His people in the Old Testament.    

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for being with me today … and ALWAYS!! 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to declare a resounding ”Hallelujah”...  thanking God for His faithfulness.   .… Amen

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

Sept 22, 2020 … Maybe Today …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 266 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     …   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Steve Green singing … People Need the Lord … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, must take every opportunity given to us by God to share His gospel with the lost. 

Jesus shares life with the woman at the well ... 

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Highlight Passage:  2Timothy 4:2 [ESV] ... 

2  … preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

…    We must be ready to share Christ and His kingdom gospel with anyone, anytime, anywhere! 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   2Timothy 4:1-5 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK … 

…  Paul mentors Timothy to be ready to share the Gospel with the lost whenever the opportunity presents itself.  

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Reference Passage: …  Matthew 28:19-20  [ESV] …   

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,  baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” </i>

… Jesus’ “Great Commission” to all born-again Christians.     

Reference Passage: …  Mark 16:15-16  [ESV] …   

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 

… Mark's version of Jesus’ charge to His remaining disciples (and to us) … 

Reference Passage: …  Acts 1:8  [ESV] …   

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

… We, as Christians, are charged by Jesus to be Christ’s witnesses anywhere and everywhere.   

Reference Passage: …  Romans 1:16  [ESV] …   

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

… Paul shows his commitment to share the Gospel and expects the same commitment from fellow Christians.  

Reference Passage: …  1Peter 3:14-15 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Peter exhorts Christians to be ready anytime to share the truth of the Gospel with anyone who asks or is curious. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Leslie Koh, AT THIS LINK relates a story about a woman taking the opportunity to share her faith with her insurance agent at an awkward, but opportune, time.  

And I don’t know about other fellow Christians reading here, but every time I read thru the story of Jesus sharing with the woman at the well [see photo] or I’m confronted with the many Scriptures copied above, I’m convicted that I don’t take Christ’s “Great Commission” (see Matt. 28 and Mark 16 above) seriously enough.  

Maybe today God will give us an opportunity to share His “good news” with someone who needs it, as Steve Green sings in the linked song.  I pray we take the “op” and share how Jesus has changed our lives.   

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving me a story of how Your good news and grace changed my life forever. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to see and seize any opportunity to share God’s good news with others.  .… Amen

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

Sept 21, 2020 … More Troubles, … Really?!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020</u> - Day 265 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... </b>    …   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kari Jobe singing … I Am Not Alone … poignantly singing of how we, as Christians, will face trials and troubles; but we will never be alone. 

Mounting Frustration ... 

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Highlight Passage:  John 16:33 [ESV] ... 

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

…    Jesus tries to belay the fears of His disciples … that He has - and will always - be there to be their (our) overcomer in times of trouble. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   John 16:25-33 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK … 

…  Jesus speaks plainly to His Disciples of the troubles they will face; but with the promise that He will be their overcomer.  

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Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 3:5-6  [ESV] …   

5   Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

…   We must trust in being able to lean on God in times of troubles.  

Reference Passage: …  Acts 28:20  [ESV] …   

20 …  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

… Jesus promise for any/all Christians to be with us ALWAYS.   

Reference Passage: …  Romans 8:28  [ESV] …   

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. 

… For Christians, we must believe that ALL THINGS, … yes, even the troubles are for our good.

Reference Passage: …  James 1:2-3  [ESV] …   

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  

… Jesus’ brother encourages fellow Christians under oppression and persecution to count the trials as joyful in what they will produce in the trusting believer.  

Reference Passage: …  1Peter 5:5-6-7 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Peter exhorts Christians going thru oppression and trials to humbly take their [our] troubles to a caring and capable God. 

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Adam R Holz, AT THIS LINK relates a story about someone dealing with multiple trials, topped off with a car which overheated (see photo), … a scenario, or something similar, which many of us have faced with great frustration.  

We’ve all been in a place like that, haven’t we?  We’re having “one of those days” where the troubles have piled up - almost to the breaking point; and we’re likely praying something like, … “Aw common, God, … give me a break!”  

And in moments like those, I’ve learned to have several truths and promises from God’s word stored in my heart/mind that I believe and can lean on, … trusting that God is ALWAYS there for me (Matt 28:20) … and He ALWAYS cares (1Peter 5:6-7)… and that ALL THINGS in my life are for my good (Romans 8:28). 

But do we really believe these truths?  … And are we living them out in the midst of these trying times?  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for lifting me up these days as the troubles mount up.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to trust that our God is always there for us as we encounter so many obstacles in these trying times.  .… Amen

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

Sept 20, 2020 … “No Lie !!”

 

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 264 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Casting Crowns singing … Love You with the Truth … powerfully singing of how we are called by God’s word to love others by telling the truth. 

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Highlight Passage:  Exodus 23:1 [ESV] ... 

1 “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. 

…    God’s command to NEVER lie or give false witness. 

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Exodus 23:1-3 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK … 

…  God was very clear about his commands to NEVER tell lies or spread false witness. [See also the 9th Commandment in Exod. 20:16] 

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Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 12:19  [ESV] …   

<i> 19  Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. </i>

…  Solomon exhorts God’s truth about speaking truth.    

Reference Passage: …  Zechariah 8:16  [NKJV] …   

16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; …  

… According to God’s command we are to speak the truth and do all we can to make peace with our words …  

Reference Passage: …  John 17:17  [NKJV] …   

17 Sanctify them in the truth; You word is the truth …   

… Jesus prayed that we (Christians) to be sanctified in and by the truth of God’s word.  

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 4:25, 29 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul, exhorting fellow Christians to be unified, charges us to speak the truth in love and avoid any corrupted words [i.e., lies].

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Amy Boucher Pye, AT THIS LINK  tells of an 18th Century English Pastor who had to deal with much gossip, slander, and many lies when he became the new Pastor of his church; … and further about how the lies impeded God’s love being shared in an atmosphere of disunity.   

God’s word, and His commands, are very clear about what we see in the attached photo, isn’t it?  From the 9th commandment, and in both the Old and New Testaments [see Scriptures above], God’s truth demands our truth, doesn’t it?  So, do I need to expound further to exhort all reading here to use our words exclusively and truthfully, as Paul exhorts in Ephesians 4 above) to build up others and give them God’s grace thru our words?  …  I think not!!  

So, my prayer is that we implement God’s truth … and share it with others today. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for being my Truth so that I can speak Your truth to others. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to speak “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, … so help us, God.” .… 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.

Sept 19, 2020 … Seeing More Clearly

 

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 263 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group The Newsboys singing … We Believe … poignantly singing of how we must see life thru the eyes of faith rather than thru our distorted/selfish vision of the flesh. 

                 Seeing life more clearly thru the lens of God's truth ... 

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Highlight Passage:  Acts 3:16 [ESV] ... 

16 And His name—by faith in His name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all 

…    The Apostles show their followers that seeing life thru eyes of faith in Jesus changes our lives forever.  

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Acts 3:2-8, 16 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK … 

…  The Apostles help a lame beggar see through eyes of faith rather than thru the desires of the flesh. 

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

… Solomon shows that trusting (i.e., believing) in God is at the heart of seeing life clearly. 

Reference Passage: …  Proverbs 23:7  [NKJV] …   

7 As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. 

…  We become what we think.  

Reference Passage: …  Romans 12:2  [ESV] …   

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

…  We must avoid worldly thinking so as to clearly see and follow God’s will and His way in life.   

Reference Passage: …  Hebrews 11:1, 6 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… We life so much more clearly when we view it thru the eyes of faith. 

My Devotional Journal:  Today's Our Daily Bread author, Patricia Raybon, AT THIS LINK  quotes Mark Twain about how we see life, … where Twain said, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”  

Interesting bit of wisdom.  Too bad Samuel Clemens (i.e. Mark Twain) didn’t take heed to his own wise advice, being a non-believer at the time he spoke those words.  And it’s God’s wisdom (see scriptures above) which helps us all see the truth that we’ll never see life really clearly until we see it thru the eyes of faith in Christ, which is what the group Newsboys is singing about in the linked song.   

And I pray that all reading with me here today are putting on their lenses of faith in Chris to be able to see life as clearly as we can, … primarily by viewing our circumstances thru the lenses of faith in God’s word [see photo].   Because when we do, we will be able to see God’s will and His way more clearly. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving me the lenses of faith in Your truth to be able to follow Your way today. 

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to use the lenses of God’s truth to be able to follow God’s will and His way more clearly. .… 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.

Sept 18, 2020 … Helping Others

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 262 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...     …   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Casting Crowns singing … If We Are the Body … poignantly singing of how we, as Christ’s Body must be reaching out with our body parts to help others who need the help. 

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Highlight Passage :  Leviticus 19:18 [ESV] ... 

18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.  

…    God’s clear command to His people to treat others they would treat themselves.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Leviticus 19:9-18 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK … 

…  God’s command to love our neighbors and treat them as we would love and treat ourselves. 

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Reference Passage: …  Matthew 7:12 [ESV] …   

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. … “ 

…  Jesus was clear on how we should treat others, repeating that truth from Old Testament truth.  It’s His “golden rule.”       

Reference Passage: …  Galatians 5:14, 6:9-10 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul repeatedly charges fellow Christians to reach out - as we have opportunity - to help others.

Reference Passage: …  Ephesians 4:2, 32 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Paul continues to hammer home the truth of Christ’s law of love to fellow Christians … to help others in need as Christ helped all mankind with His love/grace. 

Reference Passage: …  Philippians 2:3-4 [ESV] …   

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

…  Paul, once again, taking up the good news from Christ, exhorts fellow Christians to go beyond self interest and help others.  

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Sheridan Voysey, AT THIS LINK  tells of how a broken elevator [see photo] became an insurmountable barrier to a wheelchair bound person trying to get to work.  

And the ODB story and the multiple truths from God’s word, shared above, pound home the message from God in the OT (see highlight passage], and especially thru Jesus and Paul in the NT, … that, as the group Casting Crowns sings in the linked song, … we, being the body of Christ, must become His hands, His feet, and His voice to reach out and do all we can to help others. 

How about we all look for opportunities today to fulfill the law of God’s love and help others as we would want them to help us if we had the need? 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for calling me out today to seek to help others as I would want them to help me.   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to look for opportunities to help others who might have the need for what we have the ability to do to help.  … 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.

Sept 17, 2020 … Don’t Be Deceived !!

Berry Patch Devotions in 2020 - Day 261 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ... </b>    …   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Marty Mullins singing … No Hold On Me … powerfully singing of how Satan's lies  and power should have no hold on a Christians heart, mind, and choices due to Christ’s work on the cross. 

Deceptive - but destructive - spotted lanternfly 

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Highlight Passage:  Genesis 3:1a  [ESV] ... 

1a Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. …  

…    The craftiness of Satan in deceiving Even to eat of the forbidden tree.   

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Highlight Passage [Context]: …   Genesis 3:1-7 [ESV] ... USE THIS LINK … 

…  Satan is the master of deception as he was with Adam and Eve. 

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

… God’s prescription to avoid sin and the deception of Satan in our lives.  

Reference Passage: …  Isaiah 14:14 [ESV] …   

14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 

…  Satan’s desire is to become - and appear - like God.    

Reference Passage: …  Ezekiel 28:17 [ESV] …   

17  Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.  I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. 

…  Ezekiel speaks for God of the beauty of Satan exposed before kings.  

Reference Passage: …  John 8:42-44 [ESV] …  USE THIS LINK …   

… Jesus declares why unbelievers cannot believe God’s truth, … because they choose to believe the “father of all lies,” … Satan.   

Reference Passage: …  2Corinthians 11:13-14 [ESV] …   USE THIS ... 

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

…  Paul exposes false teachers who will be like Satan, disguised as an “angel of light.”

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Alyson Kieda, AT THIS LINK  writes of the deceptive insect, the spotted lantern fly (see photo), which is a beautiful creature but deceptive in that it can destroy plants which it infests.  

And the ODB author uses this this beautiful, but destructive, insect to illustrate the father of all lies, Satan, who fell from heaven, desiring to become like God (see Is. 14 and Ezek. 28), becoming the father of all lies and appearing to mankind as an “angel of light.” (see 2Cor. 11:14)  And we know that Satan deceived Eve first and then Adam to eat of the forbidden tree, which infected all mankind with their sin, … all because they believed the lies of Satan, disguised as a beautiful serpent.

And fellow Christian, … I’m praying we all have learned to recognize and deny the deceptive lies of Satan, which are so pervasive these days in our world.  Because, as Marty Mullins sings in the linked song, … Satan does not have a hold on any true, born-again, Christian. Therefore, I pray that we become discerning agents of God’s truth by becoming so well versed in God’s word (see Ps. 119:9-11) that we can recognize and reject the lies of Satan in our world. 

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh Abba Father, ... thank You, Lord, … for giving me the guide of Your truth to give me the power to discern the lies of the enemy an his world. 

My Prayer Today:  Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... I pray, Lord, that all reading here will join me today, to use the clarity and power of God’s word to be able to discern God’s will and avoid Satan’s lies.  … 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.