March 26, 2023 … Christlike Friendships…

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 85 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Michael W Smith singing … Friends … poignantly singing of how friends who are friends as Christians are as close as the love of brothers or sisters.  

God's gift of friendship - David and Jonathan 

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Highlight Passage: … 1Samuel 18:3 [NLT] … 

3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself..     

…Jonathan’s covenant of friendship with David was closer than a brother.                    

Highlight Passage (Context): …  1Samuel 18:1-4 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Jonathan, Saul’s oldest son, had a special covenant friendship with David, doing all he could to protect David’s life from Saul’s jealousy and hatred.                  .                     

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Reference Passage: … Proverbs 18:14, 27:27 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Solomon, calls on His children to be fiends with one another that sharpens each other to be closer than brothers.    

Reference Passage: … Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK ..

… Solomon teaches that believers stand together as close friends, … protecting one another.  

Reference Passage: … John 15:13 [NLT] … 

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  

… Jesus teachers His disciples the value of a Christlike friendship. 

Reference Passage: … 1Thessalonians 5:11 [NLT] … 

11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 

… The Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to lift up and encourage one another in the closeness of Christlike friendships.    

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

… God’s charge, thru the Author of Hebrews calls on Christians to come together to lift each other up and encourage one another in Christlike love and friendship.   

                                                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Marvin Williams … AT THIS LINK …  tells of special caves in Northern Spain where the farmers once gathered after the harvest to share their friendships and a close communion of togetherness.     

And then the ODB author used the friendship of David and Jonathan in the Old Testament (see Highlight Passage) to illustrate the type of friendship all believers should have and share with one another.  And if my readers have taken in the lovely song by Michael W Smith and the Scriptures above, I think you’d agree with the call has on the hearts of all Christians to have and promote close and Christlike friendships in our lives so that we can lift each other up in times of trial just as David and Jonathan did.  

Do you have friendships like that?   I’m blessed to have my wife as my best friend and many others who pray for me and would die for me … just as I would for them.  Oh, how I pray you have friends like that!!                                                      

My THANKFULNESS:... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me a total “REBOOT” in my life thru Your love and grace   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to care for the friendships You’ve brought into our lives, Lord, to reflect Your love for us.       …  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.

March 25, 2023 … God’s Daily “Do-Over “…

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 84 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Brian Johnson singing … Speak O Lord … poignantly singing of how God’s grace maintains all who are surrendered to God’s love and grace 

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Highlight Passage: … Lamentations 3:22-23 [NLT] … 

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.     

…God’s promise of his faithful and unending mercy which God’s faithful experience every day.                    

Highlight Passage (Context): …  Lamentation 3:16:33 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… God’s promise of His faithful and renewing grace to those of His people who remain faithful to Him in the face of trial and trouble.                   .                     

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

… God, thru Solomon, shows that the LORD leads those who trust in Him when we avoid trying to take on the burdens of the world on our own.  

Reference Passage: … John 10:10 [NLT] … 

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 

… Jesus’ promise to give His chosen everlasting and abundant life in the face of Satan’s desire to destroy us. 

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

 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians (and us) that our Lord causes ALL THINGS to work together in the lives of born-again Christians, …  for our good and His glory. 

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 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! 

… The Apostle Paul also teaches fellow Christians that God gives al Christians a reboot into a new life in and with Christ.   

Reference Passage: … Titus 2:11 [NLT] … 

11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 

… And again the Apostle Paul teaches that the love and grace of God provides a new life of salvation for all who, in faith, believe and follow the LORD.  

                                                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Adam Holz … AT THIS LINK …   … tells of a new concept coming into our lives in this century - the concept of “REBOOT,” which came into our language from computer technology.    

But the “reboot” concept takes on a whole new, and wonderful, biblical meaning for believers and followers of Christ, … doesn’t it?  And if my readers have taken in the beautiful linked song, from Brian Johnson, and meditated on the Scriptures above, I think that all of us, who have come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, will be offering up our praises and thanks to God for His love and grace which are new to us each morning.                                                      

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me a total “REBOOT” in my life thru Your love and grace   

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to offer up our thanks for Your love and grace, Lord, which has given us a total reboot of eternal life.      …  Amen               . 

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

March 24, 2023 … Following God’s Voice …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 83 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kristyn Getty singing … Speak O Lord … poignantly singing of how we Christians need to listen for God’s voice, leading us in life thru His word.   

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Highlight Passage: … Acts 20:32 [NLT] … 

32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself.     

…God’s Spirit speaks and leads Paul to follow God’s missionary call.                   

Highlight Passage (Context): …  Acts 20:22-32 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul was committed to listening for and following the voice of God from God’s Spirit.                  .                     

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Reference Passage: … Psalms 25:4-5 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… King David prays in song for God’s voice, thru His word, to lead David (and us) on the right path in life.                

Reference Passage: … Proverbs 2:3-8 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God, thru Solomon, shows that the LORD will grant wisdom to those who seek to follow God thru His truth (i.e., His word).    

Reference Passage: … John 8:47 [NLT] … 

47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”  

… Jesus declares that only those who belong to God listen for His will and His ways thru His word.  

Reference Passage: … John 10:27 [NLT] … 

27 My sheep listen to My voice; … I know them and they follow me. 

… Jesus teaches that His born-again disciples listen for God’s Spirit and follow Him in life. 

Reference Passage: … Revelation 3:20 [NLT] … 

20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

… Jesus teaches His church that He constantly knocks at the hearts of believers, beckoning them (us) to open the door and let Him in to lead us thru His word.    

                                                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Xochitl Dixon … AT THIS LINK … writes of scientists discovering that the voices of wolves (see photo) are individual, allowing them to communicate, thru their cries to one another, as they hunt in packs.  

And thru the Scriptures above, God’s truth is revealed that our Lord desires for His chosen ones - i.e., born again Christians - to listen for :His voice, primarily thru His word,  and to follow His calls to lead us in life.    So, … for my fellow Christians, … today’s ODB entry is calling us, thru His word, to follow the Lord’s voice.  

Are we?                                                  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for calling me out to follow You, Lord, again today.  

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to listen for Your voice, Lord, … calling us to follow You … ALWAYS.      …  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.

March 23, 2023 … Following God’s “GPS” …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 82 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from the group Mercy Me singing … Word of God Speak … poignantly singing of how we Christians need to seek out and follow God’s way thru His word.  

God's word - the perfect "GPS" for our lives ... 

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Highlight Passage: … Psalm 19:7 [NLT] … 

7 The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul.  The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.     

…David sings that God’s word is alway trustworthy giving Godly wisdom to the believer.                 

Highlight Passage (Context): …  Psalms 19:7-11 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… David shows that his faith comes from following God’s word.                 .                     

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Reference Passage: … Isaiah 30:21, 40:8, 55:11 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, that the LORD will always and forever lead His faithful followers thru His eternally perfect word. of truth.           

Reference Passage … John 17:17 [NLT] … 

17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

… Jesus prayed that any/all of His disciples would be eternally led into holiness by His truth.    

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

… The Apostle Paul teaches Timothy (and all Christians) about the power of God’s word to lead us thru life.          

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:12 [NLT] … 

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.  

… God’s word, thru the Author of Hebrews, shows the power of God’s word to lead us in life.   

                                                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Dave Brandon … AT THIS LINK … tells of helping his grandson, Logan, with his algebra homework…  the boy wanting to become an engineer, … with Loga declaring, “When am I ever going to use this stuff?” 

And I think the boy’s frustration is mirrored by many of us Christians in the lyrics of the linked song. … as we seek to know our God and further desire to follow His will thru His word.  But if my readers believe as I do in the power and perfection of God’s word to lead us in life, we are bolstered by god’s promises in His word (see Scriptures above) that He will use His perfect truth to show us the way to holiness and Christlikeness in our lives. 

So, tomorrow - as today - you will find me here, back into God’s word, seeking to follow my Lord and live to become more like Him thru His word, God’s perfect “GPS.”  How about joining me, getting to know our God thru His word TOGETHER?                                                  

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for giving me Your word so that I can know You, Lord, and follow You in my life.           .

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to know You, Lord, and to follow Your word as our perfect “GPS” in life.     …  Amen               . 

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

March 22, 2023 … Time To Rest…

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 81 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...   Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Kari Jobe singing … Rest … poignantly singing of how we Christians who surrender to follow the will and ways of Christ can rest in the reality of Go’s watch care over His own.  

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Highlight Passage: … Genesis 2:2 [NLT] … 

2 On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.    

…God rests on the seventh day.                

Highlight Passage (Context): …  Genesis 1:31-2:2 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… Moses’ account of God resting on day 7 of His creation.                .                     

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Reference Passage: … Exodus 20:8-10 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK …   

… God, thru Moses, commands His people to keep one day in seven as a Sabbath recognizing God’s command to rest in Him and keep that seventh day as Holy.    

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:28 [NLT] … 

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  

… Jesus calls (and commands) His followers to come to Him to find their rest.      

Reference Passage: … 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 teaches His disciples, just before going to the cross, that they (and we) will encounter many troubles in in their (our) lives; but that HE has overcome the world.  

Reference Passage: … Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians how to find God’s rest and His peace by taking our cares to Him with a thankful heart.        

Reference Passage: … Hebrews 4:9-12 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… God’s word, thru the Author of Hebrews, shows that we can find our Sabbath rest by living in and follow God’s powerful word.    

                                                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Elisa Morgan … AT THIS LINK …   tells of sitting on a rock overlooking the surf crash against the rocks below and feeling that they were given permission from God to rest as nature crashed against the rocks. 

And the ODB author pointed out that often, as we encounter the troubles and challenges of this world, we feel we need the permission to rest and recognize God’s holiness.  And it is true <b>(see in the Scriptures above)</b> that God commands His people to use a Sabbath rest to honor the Lord’s creation and the responsibility of His people to care for it.  

However, in calling for us to stop for a Sabbath rest, we need to take time to follow God’s word and to rest in Him.  That’s why you find me here - each morning - finding a Sabbath moment to seek my rest by taking in God’s word and journaling, as I am here, to rest in His truth to begin each day.  And I pray you are joining me here to rest in our Lord as Kari Jobe sings in the linked song, linked above, today.                                                     

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for the Sabbath rest I find in Your truth each day.            .

My Prayer Today:Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to rest in Your truth again today, Lord.     …  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.

March 21, 2023 … Made New in Christ …

Berry Patch Devotions in 2023 - Day 80 

Devotional Song: ... GO TO THIS LINK ...  Please take the time to take in song and lyrics from Allen Froese singing … Renew My Mind … poignantly and powerfully singing of how we Christians surrender to follow the will and ways of Christ in order to be made new in Spirit. 

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Highlight Passage: … 2Corinthians 4:16 [NLT] … 

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.    

…Paul shows fellow Christians that no matter what we go thru in life, even the worst suffering, it’s all to make us over into Christ’s image.                

Highlight Passage (Context): …  2Corinthians 4:16-18 [NLT] …  USE THIS LINK …  

… The Apostle Paul teaches fellow Christians that they (we) are being made new … into the image of Christ.                .                     

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Reference Passage: … Psalm 51:10 [NLT] … 

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.  

… A repentant King David sings of his desire to be remade into a loyal follower of the LORD.  

Reference Passage: … Isaiah 40:31 [NLT] … 

31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.  

… God’s promise, thru Isaiah, that those who trust in and follow God will be renewed in strength of spirit.    

Reference Passage: … Matthew 11:28-30 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Jesus invites believers who trust in Him to yoke themselves (ourselves) to His strength and be need.    

Reference Passage: … 2Corinthians 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!  

… Paul teaches fellow Christians that they (we) are being made new in Christ.        

Reference Passage: … Ephesians 4:22-24 [NLT] … USE THIS LINK … 

… Once again the Apostle Paul exhorts fellow Christians to make the choice to put on the new nature of Christ in the way we live in/for Him, … being made new in Christlikeness day-by-day.   

                                                                                                            

My Devotional Journal: Today's Our Daily Bread author, Kimya Loder … AT THIS LINK …  … writes about centuries old techniques in various cultures to remove the outer layer of skin to do a make-over, making the skin look new and refreshed.  

But all of that is external, isn’t it?   The reality of what the ODB devotional today teaches is about a spiritual make-over when one comes to trust in Jesus as our Messiah, … making us over - in spirit - as we trust and follow Christ as our Lord and Savior.  

And I pray that all who read with me here today,  having taken in the linked song and meditated on the truth of God’s word above, are experiencing the renewal of spirit and the makeover of our lives into the image of our Lord, our Messiah, King Jesus, … the Christ!                                        

My THANKFULNESS: ... Oh, Abba Father, thank You, King Jesus, … for showing me the way to be made new to follow You, Lord, everyday.          .

My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, ... King Jesus, ... . I pray that all reading here will join me, … to surrender to You, Lord, as my Potter, reshaping me as Your clay, … into Your images day-by-day.    …  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.