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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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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…
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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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God’s Gift To Us
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT Have you ever seen a vision of Heaven? I did experience a glimpse of Heaven when I prematurely gave birth to my youngest daughter 37 years ago. We both went into cardiac arrest. I don’t remember much about it, but I do recall a bright light at the end of a narrow path. I felt such peace as I drew closer to the bright light that it filled my entire being to the…
