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ADDRESS UNKNOWN
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Aug 17, 2005 8:51 pm
Mood: relieved,
763 Views
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JOB 1:1--THERE WAS A MAN IN THE LAND OF UZ, WHOSE NAME WAS JOB; AND THAT MAN WAS BLAMELESS AND UPRIGHT, AND ONE WHO FEARED GOD AND SHUNNED EVIL.
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Someone once suggested that when many Christians flee from evil, they leave a forwarding address. They may not want to be immersed in sin, but they do want to stay in touch.
Job, on the other hand, was blameless and upright. How could he maintain such a spotless reputation? Because he did more than fear God; he also shunned evil. The word translated "shunned" can mean "to rebel" or "to revolt." You could say that Job found sin revolting. It was certainly not because he couldn't afford all the pleasures that lead to sin; Job was one of the wealthiest men of his time (Job 1:3). Nor did he live in some backwater village. The land of Uz was highly populated and had several kings of "sheiks" (Jer. 25:20). But Job had an attitude toward sin that left it no chance to get a toehold in his life. This man didn't simply avoid sin; he ran from it. And he gave no opportunity for it to contact him later.
It's not enough for Christians to avoid the sins they find attractive but stay in the vicinity where they can be found. Under those circumstances, you can be sure that you and your sin ultimately will get back together again. The only wise solution for those who want to live blameless and upright lives is to separate themselves far enough from enticing sin that no contact can take place.
If you've put a sin behind you, put everything associated with that sin behind you as well. If it's pornography, don't simply store your magazines out in the garage. Destroy them. If it's alcohol, don't leave a bottle in the house. Pour it down the drain. If it's gossip, cut your "grapevine." Don't attend those functions that degenerate into gossip sessions. You can do more than just refuse to participate; you can put some space between you and your temptation.
FLEE SIN AND BURN THE BRIDGES BEHIND YOU.
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INVENTORY OF THE HEART
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Aug 14, 2005 7:23 pm
Mood: eager,
778 Views
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1.) IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS FOR THIS IS THE
WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU.
(I Thessalonians 5:18, NKJV)
Do we worry about anything? Have we forgotten
to thank God for all things, the seemingly
bad as well as the good? Do we neglect to
give Him thanks for our breath, our health,
and for life itself?
2.) NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY
ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK,
ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US.
(Ephesians 3:20, NKJV)
Do we shy away from attempting to do things
in the name of our heavenly Father because
we fear we are not talented enough? Do
feelings of inferiority keep us from our
desire to serve God? When we accomplish
something of merit, do we choose to give
ourselves, rather than God, the glory?
3.) YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT
HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES
TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND
SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.
(Acts 1:8, NKJV)
Have we been hesitant to thank God for the
miracles He has performed in our lives? Have
we believed it's good enough to live our
Christianity in a casual manner, and that
it's not all that important to share the
good news of our deliverance with others?
4.) I SAY...TO EVERYONE WHO IS AMONG YOU, NOT TO
THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO
THINK... (Romans 12:3,NKJV)
Are we overly proud of our accomplishments,
our talents, our families? Do we have
difficulty putting the concerns of others
first? Do we have a rebellious spirit at the
thought that God may want to change us, and
rearrange our thinking?
5.) LET ALL BITTERNESS, WRATH, ANGER, CLAMOR,
AND EVIL SPEAKING BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU, WITH
ALL MALICE. (Ephesians 4:31, NKJV)
Do we complain, find fault, argue? Do we
nurse, and delight in, a critical spirit?
Do we carry a grudge against believers of
another group, denomination, or theological
persuasion because they don't see the truth
as we see it? Do we speak unkindly about
people when they are not present? Do we find
that we're often angry with ourselves? With
others? With God?
6.) DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO IS IN YOU, WHOM YOU
HAVE FROM GOD, AND YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN?
(I Corinthians 6:19, NKJV)
Are we careless with our bodies? Do we defile
our bodies with unholy sexual acts?
7.) LET NO CORRUPT COMMUNICATION PROCEED OUT OF
YOUR MOUTH...(Ephesians 4:29, NKJV)
Do we use language that fails to edify
others, tell off-color jokes or stories that
demean another person's race, habits, or
culture? Do we condone these comments when
guests are in our home or when our colleagues
share them with us at work?
8.) DO NOT...GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL
(Ephesians 4:26-27, NKJV)
Do we close our eyes to the possibility
that we may be a landing strip for Satan when
we open our minds to him through ungodly
practices, psychic predictions, occult
literature, and violent, sex-driven, sexually
perverted movies and videos? Do we seek
counsel for daily living from horoscopes in
the paper, on television, or on the Internet
rather than from God, our true and ultimate
source for living? Do we let Satan use us to
set up barriers that inhibit the cause of
Christ in our churches and in our homes
through criticism and gossip?
9.) NOT SLOTHFUL IN BUSINESS...
(Romans 12:11,KJV)
Are we chronically late in paying our debts,
sometimes choosing not to pay them at all?
Do we charge more on our credit cards than we
can honestly afford to pay? Do we neglect to
keep honest income tax records? Do we engage
in shady business deals?
10). BELOVED...ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS WHICH
WAR AGAINST THE SOUL. (I Peter 2:11,NKJV)
Are we guilty of a lustful eye toward the
opposite sex? Do we fill our minds with
sexually oriented TV programs, lewd movies,
unsavory books and magazines? Their covers?
Centerfolds? Especially when we sense no one
is watching? Do we indulge in lustful
activities that God's Word condemns, such as
fornication, adultery, perversion?
11.) BEARING WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND FORGIVING ONE
ANOTHER, IF ANYONE HAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST
ANOTHER; EVEN AS CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, SO YOU
ALSO MUST DO. (Colossians 3:13,NKJV)
Have we failed to forgive those who may have
said or done something to hurt us? Have we
written off certain people as not worthy of
our friendship?
12.) EVEN SO YOU ALSO OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS
TO MEN, BUT INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY
AND LAWLESSNESS. (Matthew 23:28,NKJV)
Do we know in our hearts that we are often
not what people see? Are we possibly hiding
behind being active in our churches as a
cover for our activities away from the Body
of Christ? Are we mimicking the Christian
faith for social status, acceptance in our
church or our community? Are we real?
13.) FINALLY BRETHREN, WHATEVER THINGS ARE TRUE,
WHATEVER THINGS ARE NOBLE, WHATEVER THINGS
ARE JUST, WHATEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATEVER
THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATEVER THINGS ARE OF
GOOD REPORT, IF THERE IS ANY VIRTUE AND IF
THERE IS ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY-MEDITATE ON
THESE THINGS. (Philippians 4:8,NKJV)
Do we enjoy listening to conversation that
hurts others? Do we pass it on? Do we believe
rumors or partial truths, especially about an
enemy or a competitor? Do we choose to spend
time each day following God to speak to us
through His Word?
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Just want to share this excerpt with you from the book I read on "The Power of Prayer and Fasting, by Ronnie W. Floyd. This has truly touched my heart and brought conviction in my life to choose to live in the presence of His Holiness and to experience the gateway to God's supernatural power through Prayer and Fasting.
I encourage you to do an inventory of your heart and invite you to be quietly honest with yourself and honest with God as you reflect on your answers....gloria
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WHAT IS LIFE?
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Aug 11, 2005 8:50 pm
Mood: thankful,
817 Views
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Life is a gift...ACCEPT IT.
Life is an adventure...DARE IT.
Life is a mystery...UNFOLD IT.
Life is a game...PLAY IT.
Life is a struglle...FACE IT.
Life is beauty...PRAISE IT.
Life is a puzzle...SOLVE IT.
Life is opportunity...TAKE IT.
Life is sorrowful...EXPERIENCE IT.
Life is a song...SING IT.
Lif is a goal...ACHIEVE IT.
Life is a misssion...FULFILL IT.
---David McNally---
"Even Eagles Need A Push"
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UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE...
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Aug 2, 2005 8:04 pm
Mood: eager,
757 Views
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This is a good story, please read it all the way through. (After the story there are some very interesting facts!):
I am a mother of three (ages 14,12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology.
The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "SMILE."
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so I thought, this would be a piece of cake, literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project,my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonalds one crisp March morning. It was just ouR way of sharing special play time with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch...an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "SMILING". His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for ACCEPTANCE.
He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend.
I realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed gentleman was his slavation. I held my tears as I stood there with them.
The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes. That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.
I smiled at the young lady at the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank You." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I DID NOT DO THIS FOR YOU. GOD IS HERE WORKING THROUGH ME TO GIVE YOU HOPE."
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "that is why God gave you to me , Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that ONLY BECAUSE OF THE GRACE THAT WE HAD BEEN GIVEN WERE WE ABLE TO GIVE.
We are not church goers, but we are believers. That day showed me the PURE LIGHT OF GOD'S SWEET LOVE.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?"
I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we, as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed.
In my own way, I had touched the people at McDonalds, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
To all my friends..let's learn TO LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - INSTEAD OF LOVING THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
SMILE...gloria
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ALONE AND THRIVING!
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Jul 31, 2005 7:02 pm
Mood: optimistic,
810 Views
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Matthew 6:33 NLT--"HE WILL GIVE YOU ALL YOU NEED FROM DAY TO DAY IF YOU LIVE FOR HIM."
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As you begin to discover how God feels about you, your memories will heal, your self-worth will be restored, and you'll stop trading with a devalued self-image. Get rid of the idea that anybody's company is preferable to your own. In one survey of thousands of "happy" couples, 52 percent confided that they wouldn't marry the same person again. That's because NO ONE BUT GOD CAN FILL THE SPIRITUAL EMPTINESS WITHIN US. Think about that for a moment and you'll realize that often THE ANSWER TO LONELINESS IS NOT PEOPLE - IT'S PURPOSE. IT'S NOT AN ABSENCE OF AFFECTION BUT A LACK OF DIRECTION.
John was alone on Patmos, a penal colony island, when God showed him the glories of heaven. As a result, we have the Book of Revelation. Paul was in prison when he wrote his greatest stuff. God did His best work when He was alone with no one to applaud Him, so He praised Himself saying, "It was very good" (Genesis 1:31). Can you do that? When others say nice things about you it reflects THEIR opinion of you. But when you can speak well of yourself it reflects YOUR opinion of yourself, and that's the one you live with every day.
Somewhere beyond loneliness there's a contentment that's born of necessity. It's when your options seem to close in the natural realm that doors suddenly swing open in the spiritual realm and you begin to see the possibility of having the kind of relationship with God you never had before.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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THE HEALING OF MEMORY...
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Jul 27, 2005 7:53 pm
Mood: hopeful,
799 Views
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"BRETHREN, I DO NOT REGARD MYSELF AS HAVING LAID HOLD OF IT YET; BUT ONE THING I DO, FORGETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND ME AND REACHING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD." PHILIPPIANS 3:13
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Are you struggling to forget what was done to you - or by you? Here's some good news. Contained in every promise God makes to you, is the power to fulfill it. Paul chose to forget - and you can too! Read the following promises and personalize them:
"FEAR NOT...DO NOT FEEL HUMILIATED, FOR YOU WILL NOT BE DISGRACED; BUT YOU WILL FORGET THE SHAME OF YOUR YOUTH, AND THE REPROACH...YOU WILL REMEMBER NO MORE" (Isaiah 54:4 NAS).
"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? [God has something new in mind for you - don't miss it]. I will even make a roadway in the wilderness [and] rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:18-19 NAS).
"The former things shall not be remembered or come into mind...be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create" (Isaiah 65:17-18 AMP).
Notice the word CREATE. God can bring order out of your chaos and beauty out of your ashes. Will the healing of your memories be instant or easy? No. You'll do a lot of growing and a lot of stretching and a lot of forgiving in the process.
"But aren't all those promises from the Old Testament?" Yes, but listen: "HE ALWAYS DOES EXACTLY WHAT HE SAYS. HE CARRIES OUT AND FULFILLS ALL OF GOD'S PROMISES, NO MATTER HOW MANY OF THEM THERE ARE" (2 Corinthians 1:19-20TL .
TODAY GOD STANDS READY TO HEAL YOU. HIS GRACE IS GREATER THAN YOUR PAST. SO, COME TO HIM!
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TRUST IN THE LORD...
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Jul 26, 2005 7:09 pm
Mood: calm,
760 Views
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PSALM 37:3...Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
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If you wish to be a man or woman of God who desires to live a godly life that will leave its mark upon this world, you must stand in the shadow of your Savior.
Trust Him to work through the trials you encounter, through the extreme circumstances you cannot handle on your own.
He is still the God of impossible situations. He does what no earthly individual can do.
--CHARLES R. SWINDOLL--
Day By Day
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LIFE...
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Jul 25, 2005 8:51 pm
Mood: surprised,
764 Views
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You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was a young girl, just married and embarking on my new life with my husband.
And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all...And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams...
But, here it is...the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?
I remember well...seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like...
But, here it is...husband retired yesterday and he's really getting gray...he moves slower and I see an older man now. He's in much better shape than me...but, I see the great change...
Not the one I married who was dark and young and strong...but, like me, his age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things.
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...This I know, that when it's over...I will enjoy the Spring in the arms of my loving Father...and wait for my loved ones to come when their winter is over too...
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly!
For remember that Scripture?...our life is but a vapor, it vanishes away...so, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not!
You have no promise tht you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for the Lord today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember.
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My friend sent this to me... thought it worth sharing.....gloria
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WHY?
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Jul 24, 2005 6:55 am
Mood: peaceful,
833 Views
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I CAN...
Rest from the burden of a small god. WHY?
BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND THE LORD.
Rest from doing things my way. WHY?
BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.
Rest from endless wants. WHY?
BECAUSE I SHALL NOT WANT.
Rest from weariness. WHY?
BECAUSE HE MAKES ME TO LIE DOWN.
Rest from worry, WHY?
BECAUSE HE LEADS ME.
Rest from hopelessness. WHY?
BECAUSE HE RESTORES MY SOUL.
Rest from guilt. WHY?
BECAUSE HE LEADS ME IN THE PATHS OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Rest from arrogance. WHY?
BECAUSE OF HIS NAME'S SAKE.
Rest from the valley of death. WHY?
BECAUSE HE WALKS ME THROUGH IT.
Rest from the shadow of grief. WHY?
BECAUSE HE GUIDES ME.
Rest from fear. WHY?
BECAUSE HIS PRESENCE COMFORTS ME.
Rest from loneliness. WHY?
BECAUSE HE IS WITH ME.
Rest from shame. WHY?
BECAUSE HE HAS PREPARED A PLACE FOR ME IN THE
PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES.
Rest from my disappointments. WHY?
BECAUSE HE ANOINTS ME.
Rest from envy. WHY?
BECAUSE MY CUP OVERFLOWS.
Rest from doubt. WHY?
BECAUSE HE FOLLOWS ME.
Rest from homesickness. WHY?
BECAUSE I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF MY LORD
FOREVER.
---MAX LUCADO---
From "Traveling LIght"
Please read Psalm 23...
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WHO AM I REPRESENTING...?
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Jul 22, 2005 11:59 am
Mood: refreshed,
819 Views
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I was just on my way home after I got off from work and turned on the christian radio station. The message really struck deep inside my heart that I just felt so convicted....I began to cry...the kind of feeling such as this has not been felt so intensed in my life lately as it was yesterday. I began to examine my own heart and all areas of my life that does not reflect who I am in Jesus!
Dr. Howard Hendricks, (Dallas Theological Seminary)professor spoke about ones' CHARACTER AND CONFIDENCE! They are congruent!They are in agreement with each other...correspond with each other...they are together...and harmonious.
WOW! I began to assimilate the message..It makes sense!Our confidence comes from our character, and our character can only derive from the person whom we emulate!...It all comes down to "WHO IS IN CONTROL OF OUR HEART?"
As he spoke, he mentioned about our very own life...our character. WHO ARE WE REPRESENTING IN OUR LIFE...IN OUR HEART...IN OUR EYES...IN OUR MOUTH...IN OUR FEET...IN OUR EARS...IN OUR HANDS...IN ALL OUR BEING...How about our work place?...in our social functions?...in our family life?...in our church life?...in our relationships?...In other words, WHO ARE WE REPRESENTING IN ALL ASPECTS/AREAS OF OUR LIVES? IN WORDS?...ACTIONS?....ATTITUDE?...BEHAVIORS?...
WOULD THEY SEE JESUS IN ME OR MYSELF? WHAT IS OUR CHARACTER LOOKS LIKE? WOULD THE PEOPLE WE COME IN CONTACT WITH BE ENCOURAGED...INSPIRED...BLESSED...MOTIVATED...
CHANGED...CHALLENGED TO DO BETTER...when they talk to us or when they see our lives...
I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF...HOW ABOUT YOU?
Thank you Lord Jesus for being so patient with us. You give us so many chances to come to you and renew our love for you by living a life that reflect who we are in You. Yet so many times,we refused to surrender and submit our lives to your Lordship, without any reservation. In all our rebellion, You continue to pursue us in love and You never grow weary in teaching us Your ways.
May our lives count for You and You alone wherever we are, and whatever we do. Amen!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY.....gloria
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To link to this blog (GODRULESGLO) use [blog GODRULESGLO] in your messages.
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