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Seasons Of Waiting
Waiting is difficult. We don’t like to wait. We live in a world that is constantly moving at a dizzying speed. We don’t walk; we run. We don’t stay in our lane while driving; instead, we get irritated and veer off when the car in front of us moves too slowly. We become impatient when we have to wait at the doctor’s office. We don’t like waiting in line for too long. We want things done yesterday. God doesn’t work like that. He works according to His pace and will. One year for us can be a thousand years for God. So, what do we do during our season of…
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He Chose You
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name, the Father will give you.” John 15;16 NIV Many of my friends have spoken to me about the television series “The Chosen,” which is based on the life of our Lord Jesus. In one of the episodes, Jesus met a man named Simon the Zealot. At one point, Simon asked the Lord Jesus, “Why did you choose me?” Jesus turned to face him and said, “Simon, I have everything I need, but I wanted you.” Isn’t that…
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No Place Like Home
When life doesn't live up to our expectations, we can feel out of place and become discouraged, just like Dorothy. That's why we need to know our home address. We're not orphans. We're not homeless. We have a seat at the King's table and a place in His heart.
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Come to Me
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Awaiting With Expectancy For The Bridegroom
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 ESV How does a bride prepare for her Bridegroom? I was 21 years old when my husband proposed to me in front of my parents. I was so excited and happy that I couldn’t think about anything else. My thoughts were only on my fiancé. But after I recovered from the initial shock, my parents sat me down, and we talked about the wedding preparations. Choosing a date; choosing the bridesmaids; making a wedding list; looking for a venue; selecting a menu; ordering invitations; looking for a church; looking for the perfect dress…
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Set Apart For Such a Time as This
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Breaking Ground
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV Today, K-Love was playing the song “Look What You’ve Done” by Tasha Layton. Suddenly something unique happened in my heart. As I listened to the song, tears began to fall down my face. I had to stop what I was doing. I was unable to contain or explain what I was experiencing. My heart was so full of joy, yet I couldn’t stop sobbing. For years, I’ve brought into the enemy’s lies that I’m not good enough—not a good mother, wife, friend and especially…
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From Death To Life
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even though they die. And whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26 NIV) John chapter 11 portrays Jesus as having power over death. My entire life changed when my beloved father passed away 23 years ago. Incredible grief consumed me. I remember the therapist suggesting visiting my father’s grave so I could find comfort and accept that he was gone forever. Unfortunately, that didn’t help at all. Visiting my father’s grave only confirmed the fact that he was dead and I would never see him again. The emptiness in my heart…
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Waiting with Expectancy
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout… It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Luke 2:25, 26 NIV Jesus was born seven hundred years after Isaiah foretold the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah. Wow, that’s a long time—700 years! I don’t know about you, but I’m not very patient. Luke, however, tells us of two people who lived their lives waiting with expectancy for the coming of the Messiah who would one day redeem Israel. One of them is a man by the name of Simeon. Simeon…
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One With US
“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The Virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’) Isaiah 7:14 NLT God with us! These words resonate in my heart, soul, and mind—what a precious gift to have God among us. Isaiah prophesied about the promised child- the seed of David that one day would come to redeem His people and restore our relationship with our Heavenly Father. This precious child was to be born from a virgin Jewish girl and was to be called Immanuel, which means ‘God with us in…
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True Happiness
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 (NIV) So often, I hear people speaking about what makes them happy. But what exactly is happiness? According to an article on verywellmind.com titled “What Is Happiness?” written by Kendra Cherry, “Happiness is an emotional state characterized by joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment.” The article acknowledges that happiness can take on different forms and definitions and “is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines happiness as “a state of well-being and contentment,” as well as “a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Although there are many different definitions of happiness, it…
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A Promised Seed
And I will cause hostility between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring.He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 NLT In Genesis 3:15, following the fall of humanity, our Heavenly Father declared and gave us a hint of His plan to restore our relationship with Him. The serpent (devil) deceived Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, but Adam willfully disobeyed the Word of the Lord. Because of this act of disobedience, humanity fell. However, because of God’s unfailing love and mercy, He promised that one day the woman’s seed—a descendant or offspring – would restore our relationship with Him. “And…
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Uncompromised Faith
"I issue a decree that in every part of my Kingdom, people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and endures forever; his Kingdom will not be destroyed, and his dominion will never end." Daniel 6:26 NIV According to the Book of Daniel, Chapters 5 & 6, no matter how much authority we believe we have on earth, we learn that God is ultimately in control. He is supreme over all creation. A message for the King of Babylon appeared on the wall during a lavish feast. Daniel was called to interpret the message, which told of the impending fall of Babylon. “The…
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La Santidad de Dios Silencia La jactancia Humana
Cuando Isaías vio la santidad de Dios, cayó sobre su rostro y se dio cuenta de que no era digno de estar en la presencia del Señor Todopoderoso. La santidad de Dios silenció su jactancia humana. ¿Con qué frecuencia nos encontramos en situaciones en las que sentimos la tentación de jactarnos de nuestro trabajo, estatus o posesiones? Sin embargo, cuando nos encontramos cara a cara con Jesús, nada de eso importa. La visión de Isaías nunca fue sobre él, sino sobre Dios y su gloria. Isaías estaba consciente de su inmundicia e indignidad cuando se encontró con Dios. Se humilló en la presencia de Dios y dijo: “¡Ay de mí!…
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God’s Holiness, Silence Human Boasting
Humans tend to boast about many things: our careers, accomplishments, financial status, etc. But today, the Lord showed me through Isaiah that who we think we are and what we have can’t be compared to Who God is and His holiness. When Isaiah saw God’s holiness, he fell on his face and realized that he was unworthy to be in the presence of the Lord Almighty. This is because God’s holiness silences his human boasting. “Woe to me! I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”…
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When God Unexpectanly Shows Up
I remember going to school in the fall of 1992 to take a midterm exam. The night before my husband and I had a heated argument the previous evening. I don’t remember what the fight was about, but I do recall that we were both angry and didn’t speak to each other after it. We were both ready to give up. Everything was going wrong. I felt like God was so very far away from me. Early that morning, I dropped off my daughters at school before taking my midterm. After finishing the exam, I felt an overwhelming desire to call my husband and ask him for his forgiveness. So,…
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Facing Our Goliath
Last Saturday, my husband took me to see “David” at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I prayed to the Lord right before the concert started, asking Him to keep me from being distracted from the message He wanted me to learn. When the show started, my mind completely blocked the noises, the people’s complaints regarding their seats’ locations, and the sound effects; I could only see David, a shepherd boy playing his harp and singing songs to His God. Then the Lord focused my attention on David’s reaction to the threat Goliath represented to the Israelites. When David saw how Goliath mocked God, he said, “Who is…
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A Lamp for Living an Obedient Life Through Grace
What are you seeking today? Are you seeking God first? Or are you so preoccupied with living your daily life and trying to accomplish your goals? Following the death of his father, King David, God appeared to King Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1 King 3:5-6) Instead of asking for wealth, power, or the destruction of all his enemies, King Solomon asked the Lord to give him a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish between right and wrong. (1 King 3:6-9) King Solomon understood that he needed God’s wisdom and guidance in order to lead God’s people. God was pleased…
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In Your Presence
Many mornings I lay awake, tempted to stay in bed, and have no desire to go through my “to-do list.” When this happens, I always feel the soft whispering of the Holy Spirit saying, “Celeste, you need to get up and spend time with me.” Truth be told, my entire day falls apart when I ignore this prompting. I have learned how important it is for me to begin my day in the arms of my Heavenly Father. He loves me so much that He knows what would happen if I don’t start my day in His presence. In Psalm 143:8, David urges us to start our day in the…
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From Death To Life
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Life is by Design and by Choice
We often ask ourselves, why am I going through a dark season? Where are you, Lord? Darkness is an overwhelming cloud that sneaks up when you least expect it. So how do we fight this overwhelming darkness that engulfs us and leaves us paralyzed with fear? The Scripture tells us that whenever King David was about to face a battle or fear tried to overpower him, he always withdrew and sought the Lord. David knew that God was faithful; therefore, he had hope in the One who loved him and fought his battles. The One who knew him; forgave his sins and saved him by grace. So, David came to…
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From Death To Life
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He Takes Good Care of Us
I took my grandchildren to a farm Saturday. The children had a great time feeding the animals. A sparrow suddenly flew by and began to pick up the leftovers my grandkids had dropped. At that precise moment, God reminded me of how awesome He is. The little sparrow had no one to feed him or his family, yet God knew he was hungry. In his song, Sparrows, Cory Asbury quotes, “The sparrow’s not worried about tomorrow or the troubles to come. The Lily’s not thinking about the seasons. The drought or the flood. A tree planted by the water isn’t fazed by the fire. A heart that’s planted in forgiveness…
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When We Can’t, He can!
My family fell apart a year ago. Roots of unforgiveness and old wounds overtook my family. I couldn’t understand why my family couldn’t get together and discuss those ‘old wounds that have kept us in chains for decades. I knew it was not God’s will to live like our ancestors once lived. Most of them were lost and didn’t know Jesus. But we do. Having been bought and paid for by Jesus on the cross, we are a brand-new generation that God has created to live as His children. Why then couldn’t we live that way? So what is holding us back: our pride, unforgiveness, old wounds? One night, I…
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Soaring Like Eagles
Time seems to stand still in the “waiting room” of life. It is a place where life is put on hold. When I visit my doctor, I sometimes wait in his waiting room for what seems like hours, but when I check my watch, it’s only been 20 minutes. When we are in the waiting room of life, it seems as if time has come to a screeching halt. This is how it sometimes feels while we wait on the Lord. One of the most important exhortations of the Bible is the instruction to “wait on the Lord.” Even though God promises special blessings for those who wait, waiting is…
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Hope, A Place of Expectancy
Today I read Chapter 2 of Luke. In this chapter, Luke tells us of an older man named Simeon. This man was a righteous man who served the Lord at the temple and held on to a promise our Heavenly Father gave him. God promised that he would not die until he saw the salvation God had prepared for all the nations. (See Luke 2:25-32) The incredible thing about Simeon is that he wasn’t just a righteous, devout man, but he eagerly waited for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. For Simeon, it wasn’t a question of “if” it would happen but “when.” Simeon had this kind of hope.…
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The Power is not in the Prayer but in the One Who hears it.
I can’t even begin to fathom this father’s suffering watching his son’s anguish and suffering since he was a young child. While other parents watch their children grow up and play with other children, this desperate father was trying to keep his son alive. According to Mark 9, this boy had been subjected to this evil spirit attempts to kill him by throwing him into fires and water since he was a young child. The father was likely exhausted and desperate for help. And what did he do? He cried out to Jesus in desperation. “If you can do something for him, please have pity on us and help us.”…
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Pouring New Wine into Old Wineskin
I remember when I first became a teacher. I would begin my day with prayers inviting the Lord to help me show everyone that He lived in me and through me. Then, I would end the prayer by asking the Lord to send His angels to guard and protect my students and me. I did this for years. My husband will remind me daily to make sure I show everyone through my actions that I am a Christian. Unfortunately, I was the only Christian teacher. Non-believers surrounded me. Although I tried to remain faithful, the influence of the outside world was overwhelming. Without realizing it, I was trying to be…
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God, do You Care?
Almost everyone has asked this question at some point in their lives. No one has ever gone through life without wrestling with this agonizing question, “Does God care?” Mark tells us in chapter 4, verses 35-41 that the disciples and Jesus were caught in a storm. As the winds howled and raged, the impatient and frightened disciples screamed with fear to Jesus, who was sleeping and resting from a full day of teaching and healing those in need. “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to drown?” Jesus could have continued sleeping. He could have told them to be silent or ignored them. Even better, Jesus could have impatiently…
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Someday I Will…
Someday… what a simple word to utter with painful consequences. Someday I will get to buy a house away from the city. Someday I will retire and travel with my husband. Someday, my children will understand why I had to work so many hours. The truth is someday may never come. Max Lucado once wrote, “Someday… the enemy of risky love is a snake whose tongue has mastered the talk of deception.” My dear friends, I used to live a life in which ‘someday’ became my best friend. So I used to put things off, thinking someday it would get done. The day my father died, my school was holding…
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Where are you anchored?
The last few weeks have been very challenging. With the Lord’s guidance and my family’s support, I accompanied my mother to the Dominican Republic to visit her younger brother. You’re probably wondering, how is that challenging? My Mom has Alzheimer’s. She desired to return home. So, I took her on this trip, not knowing what to expect. Whenever I asked the Lord for his guidance, I got the same response, “Do you trust me?” To everyone’s surprise, my Mom had no problem. She came alive! It was a joy to see her so full of life. We did, however, encounter a storm. Upon our arrival, my heart couldn’t take it,…
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The Source of My Strength
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God is working on our present circumstances
Why are we required to wait for God’s timing? My fiancé and I were engaged for a few years before we decided to get married. But, so often, my family and friends would ask me what we were waiting to get married. Just do it already. They often said you’d been a widow for years, and you’re not getting any younger. Somehow, I knew in my heart that God wanted us to wait. Why? Only God knew. However, there were times that I went to the Lord and tried to give Him a timeframe. “Lord, if you don’t open the doors by the end of the year, I’m not getting…
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Faith, Faithful, Keep HIs Promises; Bible; Jesus; Heavenly Father; Faith; Meditating on God's Word, In the stillness there's a knowing
Spiritual Dehydration
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NLT What happens to our body when we don’t hydrate enough? According to Marian Moghaddam, D.O., a family medicine doctor with the Henry Ford Health, “Human beings are made up of about 80% water. Every organ, cell, and tissue in our bodies use it to function properly, so drinking enough water every day is important.” We are required to drink six to eight 8-ounces of water daily.” My cardiologist, neurologist, and urologist constantly tell me how vital…
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Fear Not
Lord, Jesus, thank you for never giving up on me. You were carrying me in the darkest periods in my life, comforting me, even when I couldn’t see you, Lord. But looking back, I can see how much you wanted to fill my empty and hopeless heart. So it was during these times when you were filling my empty cup. Because only when I was empty-open, afraid, worried, anxious, depressed, lost, and didn’t have the answers is when you were able to replenish my soul with your unconditional love. Only You, Lord, Jesus, can fill my empty spaces. Flood my heart and soul with your presence every moment as you…
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Waiting On God- Part 3: God is working on our present circumstances
Why are we required to wait for God’s timing? My fiancé and I were engaged for a few years before we decided to get married. But, so often, my family and friends would ask me what we were waiting to get married. Just do it already. They often said you’d been a widow for years, and you’re not getting any younger. Somehow, I knew in my heart that God wanted us to wait. Why? Only God knew. However, there were times that I went to the Lord and tried to give Him a timeframe. “Lord, if you don’t open the doors by the end of the year, I’m not getting…
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Waiting On God- Part I: God Works On Our Behalf
Have you ever wondered why things we wish for don’t turn out to be the way we wanted or when we wanted them? I have learned that things don’t exactly work out the way I expected when I rush into things and don’t wait on the Lord. When I’m not willing to wait, my life turns into chaos. God doesn’t want us in spiritual debt. He wants to give us what we need. But only in His time. He knows everything about our lives, from beginning to end. He knows exactly where I am at this moment. God knows exactly what I need when I need it, and when I’m…
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Persevering In The Waiting
Have you ever faced a storm and wondered if God has forgotten you? Would I ever get out of this storm? If so, you’re not alone. About four years ago, I faced a harrowing situation at work that changed my life. I was wrongly accused of misplacing senior dues. I didn’t know why I was going through this storm or trial. I couldn’t see how God was going to get me through it. I wanted to run out of the storm desperately. I didn’t want to go through the pain or the humiliation. I just wanted it gone. God, on the other hand, had different plans for me. So, I…
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Faith, Faithful, Keep HIs Promises; Bible; Jesus; Heavenly Father; Faith; Meditating on God's Word, Forgiveness
It’s Okay to Let Go.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 Does your past keep you up at night? Have you ever had a fabulous day where everything seemed bright! You had a great day with the Lord, and you felt that nothing could cloud your day. Suddenly a familiar song, an unexpected call, or a text triggers an old memory, a painful one. Immediately your mood changes. Your bright sunny day becomes gloomy. Your mind takes you to a painful time in your life. You feel as if you’ve stepped into a time machine and were transported to the past for…
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He can’t be bargained with
Have you ever promised to do something for The Lord if He would grant your request? I have. At the end of 1998, after my father had three colon surgeries, the doctors told us that the cancer had spread and there was nothing they could do for him. Our family, including myself, was devastated by the news. So, because I didn’t know any better, I began to bargain with God. I promised God that if He could cure my father, I would do anything for Him. But unfortunately, the fear and pain of losing my beloved father were too much for me to bear. In my ignorance, I believed that…
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Looking beyond the storm
“Call to Me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 NIV In the Book of Jeremiah, chapters 30-33, Jeremiah assured the Jewish people that they wouldn’t be captive forever. God would free them to return to their land and restore their fortunes. He would repay their enemies for their wickedness. How amazing is our Heavenly Father? Even when we stray and get into a mess, He’s faithful and true to His Word. Friends, I have learned that no matter what storm I may be facing, God will always come through. Our enemy, the devil, would never have the final…
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We are Unique
Psalm 139:13-14 You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this. My husband loves to visit old mansions. He finds the uniqueness of its structure and architecture fascinating! Did you know that the design of each mansion or castle is unique, although it may appear similar to the viewers? But only the architecture and designer can determine how many bricks were laid, the type of bricks, or the structure. Yet, to us, everything seems the same. This principle applies to us as well. You and I were created unique…
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Forgiveness is a Choice
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In the Stillness, there’s a knowing
“If you are faithful with a few matters, he will set you over many.” Matthew 25 If so, you’re not alone. About four years ago, I faced a harrowing situation at work that changed my life. I had no idea why I was going through this storm or trial. I couldn’t see how God was going to get me through it. I don’t know if you are like me; I wanted to run out of the storm. I didn’t want to endure the pain, the humiliation. I just wanted it gone. Have you ever faced a storm and wondered if God has forgotten you? Would I ever get out of…
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He is Faithful and true to His Promises
God is faithful to keep His promises. When we pray, we can find peace in knowing that He will answer our prayers
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Forgiveness is a Choice
Why do you think it is so hard for us to overlook offenses and forgive those who have wronged us? Overlooking offenses is one of the biggest problems we face in our family. For generations, my family has been dealing with “forgiving but not forgetting.” But, unfortunately, many relationships have been broken because of our lack of overlooking offenses. When my parents got married, they chose to live with my grandmother. My Mom was an only child, so when she got married, my grandmother went to live with them. At that time, that seems to be a good idea. My parents worked, and my grandmother took care of us. However,…
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We are Unique
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Faith is not Works, but Trust
And Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus along the road. Mark 10:52 NIV Have you ever asked yourself, “If only I had enough faith, God would listen to me? Have you ever had someone tell you-“You need to have more faith if you want God to move.” I often wondered if I had enough faith; perhaps God then would hear my prayers and heal my loved ones. The truth is, faith has nothing to do with works. Faith entails more than merely believing in something. Faith is living in a way that shows our trust in…
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Come to Me
Jesus invites us to give Him our worries, burdens and struggles and He will give us rest.
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No Place Like Home
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I Won’t Look Back
I Won’t Look Back “But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain.” Psalm 3:3 The Message Most of my life, I recalled, running away from New Year. But I didn’t realize that fear always visited me every year on December 31st. Since I can remember, I have never waited for the New Year. Instead, I would eat with my family and make sure to be asleep before the New Year began. Why? I never knew. Last night, I sat down and asked the Lord why…
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God’s Radical Reconstruction of the Heart
Why is it difficult for us to make changes in our lives? Perhaps because we like to have control of our surroundings or situations. People frequently claim that they can only feel secure when they know what is going on in their lives. Others, including myself, think out of place when forced out of their comfort zone. We need a few minutes or even days to adapt or blend in. The reality is that having some level of control makes us feel more at ease as humans. In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches us how to live and behave as God’s children through the Beatitudes. Blessed are the poor in spirit…
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The Source of My Strength
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you can stand firm against all strategies of the devil. We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in times of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace from…
