Devotional by Mark Stough 12/22/09 MATTHEW 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" (NKJV) IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW 6:24-34TALKS ABOUT HOW TO NOT WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING THAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE .BUT JESUS HAS GIVEN US THE AUTHORITY TO OVERCOME ANY SITUATION THAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE .BUT FIRST THING TO DO IS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING IN LIFE WITHOUT HAVING JESUS FIRST IN YOUR HEART.AND THEN WHEN YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING THEN THERE IS NO CHOICE BUT TO CALL UPON THE NAME OF JESUS NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES. TO HELP YOU OVERCOME ANY SITUATION THAT YOU HAVE IN LIFE AND WHEN YOU DO CALL UPON THE NAME OF JESUS.THEN YOU WILL HAVE OVERCOME AND HAVE THE VICTORY IN ANY SITUATION, THAT YOU ARE FACING IN LIFE .YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER AND YOU GOT TO PUT YOUR FAITH AND YOUR TRUST IN JESUS . YOU GOT TO PUT JESUS FIRST IN YOUR LIFE, AND MAKE HIM YOUR TOP PRIORITY IN LIFE, AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. NO MATTER WHAT SITUATION YOU ARE IN NOW REMEMBER THAT GOD LOVES YOU AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND HAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR . |
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"Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15 The KIngdom of God is at Hand We hear this so much and from so many people. Yes, it also is in the scriptures. But do we really hear this? Do we really allow it into our hearts? If we did, wouldn't we be living our lives differently? Wouldn't each moment be handled even slightly differently? Wouldn't so many of our situations be suddenly changed for the good, by the hand of God? Wouldn't our prayer lists be much much shorter, and our lives be filled with an abundance of joy? Even within this Christmas season as I work in retail it is truly amazing the anger, frustration, and stress over gift giving? Not to mention God's name being dishonered throughout the store loudly. Yet if one says Merry Christmas one is surprised. For oh a person said Christ. I thank God I have many around me within my workplace that know the truth and bless the customers as they leave. But if we believe the kingdom of God is at hand shouldn't Christmas be so different in our hearts? Shouldn't we be focussing on God more than presents and people? Oh Father God we do praise you today and we say thank you for the Christmas Season. That this time can bring us back to remembering that your kingdom is at hand. That you loved us so much to send your son to die on the cross for us on calvary. But even most of all that you give us the victory to stand in you each day and know that you have our lives right in the palm of your hand, oh yes and our names are upon it. Have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas! Abundant joy of the Lord this Christmas season! May God give you a Christmas you never ever thought you could have! Far beyond what you could ever imagine... Ephesians 3:20-21 Be blessed in Jesus Christ this day, Diana other scriptures to reflect on: "Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For you heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:31-33 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:15-20 |
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"The Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do...They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi'. But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your Father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:1-11 Jesus was humble, although he had all authority, although he could have told each disciple off, although he could have rejected the multitude, he had such compassion to continue teaching. To continue healing and loving each person he saw. Although he had this love there were people he would not allow to destroy his people, they were the pharisees and the scribes. The religious sect that would continue to act or speak of how holy they were, telling the people they were teaching or talking to what they must do, how to do it, how they were not good enough, possibly that their offering was not enough. They were judging from their eyes upon each one below them. Looking at the people as below them. Not seeing the filth, and destruction within their own heart and lives. How detrimental to the many that were followers. But Jesus taught, Jesus ministered, Jesus gave his all not speaking of how holy he was and how filthy they were, unless they were one of the Pharisees and scribes. Maybe he came at them simply because he knew they would be followed. They would be looked up too. And he knew his children could be hurt and destroyed by the words of the Pharisee. That they may not recover from the evil words spoken looking holy. That his child would think wrong thoughts about Him, due to the words of the Pharisee or scribe. In my heart today this scripture seems so familiar. It does not seem distant, but it seems real to this day. How many believers no longer are setting their foot in the door of the church due to the harsh words spoken from the leader there. How many of the non-believers will not even set their foot in the door when they have the feelings to go to church because of the believer or leader of the church that has spoken harshly to them, disowning them for their lifestyle. Just about placing them in hell, due to their way of living. How prideful and full of pretense are most of the places that call themselves church today. For God's Word speaks life to the sinner as they come to him, not the pastor or leader on earth. God's Word speaks healing and deliverance for the sick in body and mind. God's Word speaks love to the unloved and disheartened. And God speaks to the drug addict, alcoholic, sex addict, liar, cheater, prostitute and religious person that believes they are so righteous. But from this scripture I believe Jesus speaks differently to the religious and righteous person. To know better and act wrong, leading His children into destruction is a dangerous thing. We must all examine ourselves and trust God to teach us. Why do we think we need a man to teach us always? Yes God uses man, but himself first. He can teach us, and He allows us to know if we are learning correctly from man. We must look to Jesus for our answer. We must fellowship with other believers to comfort, uplift and encourage each other in the faith, not condemn and judge your brother or sister. We must remember where Jesus has taken us from and how filthy we were and what still needs to be cleaned. We seem to miss this and believe we need a man to teach us. Jesus is our ultimate teacher, with the Holy Spirit now in place for as John 14:25-26 says. "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." Be loved in Christ Jesus, Diana Oh dear God help us to follow you, to hear your voice, to repent of the wrong we have done to your children, and to live a humble life recognizing our wrongs and our struggles each day. Not condemning people walking into the church, walking into our lives. Let us be an instument of your peace, a part of your healing, let us be able to help clean up the filth, ad watch you purify each of our hearts in the process. In Jesus Name above all names. Amen! |
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"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:4-5 God Knew Me... From the depths of our mothers womb, even before this God knew us... In a world full of such times of rush, such times of selfishness People to busy to even stop and help, we can be grateful for a God that is always there for us. Who cares about our every need. Who has a plan for our lives. In this scripture God tells Jeremiah he formed him and has set him apart to be a prophet to the nations. And what is Jeremiah's response? "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." "But the LORD said to me, "Do not say 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD."vs. 6-7 We seem to constantly be searching for the answer to what is God's will for my life. Yet he has had a plan for your life since the beginning. The very beginning, one that even we can not see. We may find out about a pregnancy and see the sonogram. Yet God saw us way before this, and knew the plan for our life. It is truly awesome to think about. And to think that if we would just rest in him, seek his face, we would know that our life was in his plan. Yet we search, dig, wonder, try doing things, for what reason. Do we think we will find out something God does not already know. And to think that God thought of us way back then is amazing to me. He loved us so much to care ffor us then and now. Let us follow this day the God who created us and created our days, resting in him and knowing he will be there for us always. Drawing us by his love, and directing us by his Spirit. Lead us oh Lord, you know us even better than ourselves. Direct us oh God, we need your will to come to pass, that we can be at rest in you always. In any situation, at any time, and in good and bad times of our lives. You are there with us, walking with us or carrying us. In Christ Jesus, Diana |
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"I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BRETHREN, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD, THAT YOU PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE, HOLY, ACCEPTABLE TO GOD, WHICH IS YOUR REASONABLE SERVICE. AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD." ROMANS 12:1-2 IT SEEMS WHEN THIS SCRIPTURE IS READ WE REALLY DON'T GET PAST THE FIRST SENTENCE OR HALF A SENTENCE. AS IT FOCUSES ON OUR BODIES! WE SEE BODIES AND STOP RIGHT THERE. QUESTION OURSELVES, WOW, GIVE YOUR WHOLE BODY, YOUR YOUR WHOLE SELF? THIS SEEMS SO HARD TO DO. NOW YOUR ARE GETTING INTO THE PERSONAL STUFF, GOD. SUCH AS YOU DON'T HAVE SEX OUT OF MARRIAGE? YOU DON'T WANT ME TO GET DRUNK? yOU DON'T WANT ME TO HAVE THAT ANGRY ATTITUDE I HAVE? YOU DON'T WANT THAT FILTHY LANGUAGE TO COME OUT OF MY MOUTH? THEN IT IS SAID THAT EVERYONE IS DOING IT, EVEN THE PEOPLE IN THE CHURCHES? AND OH PEOPLE WILL RUN ALL OVER ME IF I DON'T STAND UP FOR MYSELF? AND WHAT IS A LITTLE FUN, GOD UNDERSTANDS? WELL WE THEN THINK AND THINK. AND IF WE GO FURTHER AND SEE WE ARE TO BE HOLY AS GOD IS, AND THAT THIS IS OUR REASONABLE SERVICE. WE CAN CHUCKLE AND SAY REASONABLE? DO YOU REALIZE GOD HOW HARD THIS IS TO KEEP THIS BODY IN LINE WITH YOUR WORD? SEE THIS IS THE PROBLEM WE BELIEVE WE CAN CONTROL THIS BODY. WELL WE CAN'T. WE CAN NOT MAKE THIS BODY GET IN LINE WITH GOD'S WORD. THAT IS WHY WE NEED THE LIVING GOD INSIDE OF US TO CHANGE US, MOLD US, RENEW US, AND FILL US TO OVERFLOWING SO THAT WE CAN GIVE OUT TO OTHERS THAT ARE STRUGGLING TRYING TO CHANGE THEMSELVES. AND IF WE LOOKED AT VERSE TO IT TALKS ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO TRANSFORMED FROM THIS WORLD. HOW? BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MIND!!!! HOW DO WE RENEW OUR MIND, HAVE OUR MIND CHANGED? WELL, BY THE WORD OF GOD. GOD'S WORD CHANGES US THROUGH HIS SPIRIT. HE KNOWS ALL ABOUT US AND WHAT NEEDS CHANGE AT THAT MOMENT. GET FREEDOM IN THIS. GO TO GOD, ASK HIM WHAT IS THAT NEEDS CHANGING OH LORD. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME, TEACHING ME, CHANGING ME AND LOVING ME THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS. AND THE PROCESS GOES ON UNTIL WE REACH ETERNITY. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS LOVE AND MERCY HE HAS FOR US. BE FREE TO BE A WILLING SACRIFICE, HOLY AND ACCEPTABLE TO GOD! IN CHRIST JESUS, DIANA |
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"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Rev. 12:11 "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Rev. 16:15 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." Rev. 22:7 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." Rev. 22:12 "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly," Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Rev. 22:20 The end is clear. The end is near. The end is not to bring fear... Many people who think of death or think of the world coming to an end become very worried and full of fear. Many do not even want to speak about it or even think about it. This shows that they do not have the fullness of the end. The glorious coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, taking his children, where they can live in everlasting peace, with Him. And when we think of death, not living on this earth anymore, we again should not have fear. For if we know the Lord we have a better place awaiting us. We get to be present with the Lord. Away from the pain, tears, hurt, worry and everything the world throws at us.Our time to be with the Lord is not our choice, for God alone knows when this life of ours will end, and we will go into our life eternal.The main concern should be do I know Christ as my Lord and Savior? Yes, this is a glorious time, this is a beautiful time for us. Yes, we say we will miss our family, and friends? Then again they will see us again if they know Christ. And if they do not know Christ, we actually have nothing in common with them. For what does light have in common with darkness? This does not mean we give up on them. As a believer in Christ we have the authority to go to the throne room of God and continue to pray for them and believe that God will get through the rebellion and stubborn hard heart. For he got through us!!!! We need not give up and we need not believe we need to be here to save them, for we can not save them only God can. And He is drawing them to his side!!! And then about the blood of family, we here so much about this, yet what about the royal blood of the Savior which beats family blood anyday!!!Praise God we are heirs of God as we are born of God!! We are to be joyous and victorious while we are on earth. We have the overcoming power of Jesus Christ within us. And we are his children so that gives us the victory over every circumstance!!! We just need to walk in the Lord and praise his name and thank him for his work that he will do. No matter how the situation looks or is working out at the moment, we still praise God for he will have the victory over it. God will be glorified!! So as you say come quickly Lord Jesus, remember for every moment he has not come, he still is there with you and will never leave you or forsake you!! We serve a faithful God who loves and cares for us and knows all about every situation, and will turn bad for good.(Romans 8:28-29) Maybe not the way we planned it to be, but God's ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8) Blessings to you! In Christ Jesus, Diana |
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"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Romans 2:4 In verses 1-3 in Romans, we see that Paul is talking about someone judging and condemning another for what they are doing, yet not seeing the wrong things they are doing. He says it is inexcusable in verse one. And goes on to say "...that the judgment of God is according to truth..." Romans 2:2 And as Paul continues in verse three, he tells them that are judging the others and not seeing their own sin, "...will not excape the judgment of God?" Romans 2:3 And as we read on in verses 5-6 we see "But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to his deeds": There are warnings all around the scripture in verse four that speaks so beautifully about repentance. I have always believed that God's love, mercy and grace was so vital to the coming of a sinner. It was for me, I did not even know about the wrath that would have been in my life, if I had not finally seen that I needed Jesus. I always thought God was to good to send someone to hell. Yet, I never realized that He doesn't to it, we do it to ourselves. For we have a way of escape, Jesus, yet we wait and wait, and try to find every other way in this world to make it. Sometimes through our good works, other times through people, a pastor, a friend, a family member... Why? Oh why do we continue to try to control our destiny, our eternal destination? Here in the south so much is said about salvation, yet still many are perishing for convenience, to make their own bible, way to heaven. We don't even seem to see this when it is happening either. I know been there, lived that!! But I say thank God that God was so longsuffering with me. And he still is!! And then we add how good God is to us constantly. And not just good when we are good, God has unconditional love which causes His goodness in so many situations we could not be good to others or ourselves... And His forbearance, in the websters dictionary the definition I thought was so good for forbearance was, (the act of a creditor who refrains from enforcing a debt when it falls due). Wow, just what Jesus did for all of us. He became the sacrifice, the Lamb, the way of escape from hell and its torment. Jesus gave us a way to have freedom here on earth, from the sin that binds us and holds us back from having a peaceful life full of the joy of the Lord. And it is this goodness, forbearance and longsuffering of God that brings us to repent, to realize that we need Him. This allows us to reflect each day on His love for us, and how we can go on one more day in days of extreme trials, knowing God will be there for us... I say for this, we should be shouting, dancing and joyous daily. And when it comes to praising and worshipping the Lord we should not be hesitating whether we are to excited or happy. We should be excited and happy about what God continues to do for us, and has done for us at the cross of calvary. No one else could have done this. Repentance through God's goodness, wow. We need to witness this to all the people we see each day. We need to recognize the goodness of God daily in our lives and stop complaining and fussing. Oh, thank you God for your Word, and for loving us so much. For your goodness, forbearance and longsuffering. May we realize this daily and praise you for all you have done, and that you are with us daily to help us in all that we may go through. God forgive us for forgetting how wonderful you are, and for setting you last on our list. Or sometimes even second on the list, for you God need to be first and formost. You deserve our lives. All of us completely. Thank you God for being there for us. We love you!! In Christ Jesus, Diana |
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"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to me.' " Matthew 25:31-36 What a beautiful day that will be when Jesus comes to his children. Yet what a sad day for the ones who are not his children. But until that day we await, we examine ourselves, we continue to try to live in Christ. Doing all he would want us to do in his name. Being all he would want us to be in his name. How glorious to be one of God's children to be so blessed of the Lord. To know that no matter what is happening that God is there with you and for you. There is no one that can compare, no one that cares so much for you, and no one that can even come close to help you as God can. Yet he also speaks in this scripture as to how the ones who gave and helped others in need, gave and helped him. Is this how the church is functioning today? Is the church doing all it is to be doing for the Father today? So many are in need, yet their need is filled by the government programs, or the closest relative they have. Where is the church outside of the family, where is the church helping, giving, being all it can be for God? Then there is the church that gives material things to the ones they decide are worthy!! Who are we to ever decide who is worthy, for we are not worthy of God's love and mercy. This church will give much time to the ones they believe are worthy, to receive a good report, or a good name as to their giving. Then they look good to the world and to the church body. But this will only be on this earth and not when Jesus comes in His glory. All this giving will be dead works, not effective at all. But true giving, to the one God places before you, is when the Father is pleased. Help us God to be givers, to be givers not only of material things but the love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, peace, and joy that you continually fill us with. Help us to be your children. Glorifying your name and not ours. Glorifying your name and not our church, pastor or leader. Reaching out to the sick in body, the sick in mind, the sick in torment and deception. Giving them the drink that they need, your holy Spirit.... Giving them your compassion and word... Believing that you will somehow reach them by your tender hand... That you will receive them into your arms one day and be able to show them just how much you love them and have loved them. Just as you did it for us!! We await your coming... We stand in your presence and receive a touch from you... Help us Lord this day to be a willing vessel of yours. Without our feelings and emotions leading us but by the holy Spirit leading us... Peace in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! Diana |
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"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 4:7 As I stood here today asking the Lord what to write about this scripture came to me. I giggled as I thought about it, as this world and the body of Christ actually does not want to give mercy but want alot of mercy to be given to them????? Looks like we may have this wrong in our lives. Ouch! I'm usually looked at as having too much compassion and too much mercy. But I look at what God did for me, and how he allowed me to still have the opportunity for eternal life aside from my former actions, and way I treated him. If I was God and looked at my life, I would see an ungrateful person, one calling on God when in trouble yet when the trouble was over, "See ya later God, thanks, but I feel uncomfortable with you around..." Why was I uncomfortable? Because I wasn't following God, I was following me, my ways, my thoughts, my time and space!!! Thank God that is not how I live now that He touched me and touched me big time!!! One day I prayed, oh no not a prayer of salvation. I prayed a prayer of sadness at the things that went on in my brothers life, the way people treated him, and the way a person was treating me even at church. I asked God why he made such people that hurt others. God showed me myself somehow. Even though I was not born again before the prayer, I was raised to be kind to people and try to help them and not hurt them no matter what happen. But even with that God showed me my life, how I was living and how I was doing things that were not good also. I always thought I would talk to Jesus when I got to heaven and the scales of justice would hopefully be weighed in my good direction for the good things I did so I could be allowed in heaven. That night something happen, I guess I realized that Jesus took care of all that conversation time I thought I would have on the cross at Calvary. My heart was changed after that prayer but I did not know I was born again, until dear sister in the Lord who is with the Lord today, prayising Him, told me I was born again. She heard my changed conversation, my different questions, and new attitude. Oh I had been going to church, and so was she. But they never spoke about being born again, and Gloria never spoke about it either? Not until I changed, God kept her there for me..... I know that, or else I would not have realized what happen to me at that time!!! So we did bible studies, no the interim pastor did not want a part of these, so Gloria led them. And it was Gloria, myself and Mrs Luse, dear sweet Wilma Luse. Yes, she is in heaven also with the Lord today!!! God kept all of us through this time, while we went to other churches preaching the Word of God and about being born again. He was and always is faithful, even when we are not faithful. What a God we serve..... God had mercy on me and waited for me to finally breakdown and realize I needed him. He didn't force me but gently drew me to his heart. Thank you God when I was unlovable you loved me. And even now, God continues to love me when I truly do not deserve to be loved by God. Yet I'm his child, his kid and he is daily drawing me, teaching me, and directing me to His Will for my life. Oh God forgive me and help me to follow your good and perfect path for my life in You!!!! By the way the websters dictionary says mercy is 1) Kind and compassionate treatment of a person under one's power; clemency. 2) A disposition to be kind and forgiving. 3) Something for which to be thankful; God's hand can reach down to you, and your situation. His arm is not too short, he reaches down for all of us, because he loves us so much. Dear God thank you for your mercy!! Help us to give mercy to others we come in contact with and talk too. In Christ Jesus, Diana PS If you do not know that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected so that you could have life in him eternally. Let's pray, "Dear God we thank you for sending Jesus, for forgiving me of the sin I have committed against you. Please forgive me and help me to walk in your ways. In Jesus name. Amen. Now read the Word of God, Pray, and fellowship with believers that know Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Be blessed in Jesus name. |
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