Do you find it impossible to love those who humiliate and abuse you?
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
(Matthew 5:44 KJV)
"If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that."
(Matthew 5:47 NLT)
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Do you trust Jesus to deliver you from sin and evil?
"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
(Ezekiel 18:23 NIV)
"Lord, deliver me from my distress. See my hardship and my poverty, and pardon all my sins." (Psalm 25: 17 - 18)
"I trust in the LORD;
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the LORD
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
Let Israel wait for the LORD." (Psalm 130: 5-6)
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Do you place your security in promises of Jesus?
"Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you."
(Matthew 7:7 AMP)
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!" (Matthew 7:9-10 NLT)
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How do you respond to the message of Conversion?
“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
(Joel 2:12-13 NIV)
"When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened." (Jonah 3:10 NLT)
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Are you fertile and fruitful through the daily consuming of the word of God or are you sterile?
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT)
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. "
(2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)
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How do you treat the least and the marginalized in the community?
"‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’"
(Matthew 25:44 NIV)
“And Jesus will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
(Matthew 25:45 NLT)
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Where is your greatest temptation? Food, Health, Family, Money, Job, Property?
"But Jesus replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 AMP)
God is able and willing to provide all our necessities according to His most loving and powerful providence.
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Do you acknowledge the sovereign control of Jesus over your life and destiny?
“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Isaiah 58:13-14 NLT)
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What happens when you hear the cry of the poor?
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help."
(Isaiah 58:6-7 NLT)
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Are you discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers have not been answered?
“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. (Deuteronomy 30:15-16 NLT)
TODAY and NOW are keywords in Lent.
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Do you realize that Lent is the most acceptable time for favors and reconciliation? Jesus delivered me from addiction to tobacco at the beginning of Lent 1987.
"For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation."
(2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT)
"Today, if you will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95: 8 AMP)
Happy and Joyful Lent!
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Do you hassle to make things happen before their times have come?
"Why are you reasoning and saying it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet discern or understand? Are your hearts in [a settled state of] hardness? Having eyes, do you not see [with them], and having ears, do you not hear and perceive and understand the sense of what is said? And do you not remember? (Mark 8:17-18 AMP)
Achieve the victorious life through living in deep dependence on Jesus.
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Do you struggle to offer your time, talent and treasure to Jesus?
"When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. (Genesis 4:3-5 NLT)
"Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
(Genesis 4:9 NIV)
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Do you know that your extremity is God's opportunity?
"And a leper came to Him, begging Him on his knees and saying to Him, If You are willing, You are able to make me clean." (Mark 1:40 AMP)
"Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”
(Mark 1:41 NLT)
I believe in prayer
I believe in the word of God
I believe in miracle
I leave the rest to God
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Do you hunger for Jesus, the true "bread of life"?
“How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?”
(Mark 8:4 NLT)
"The people ate and were satisfied."
(Mark 8:8 NIV)
“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free!"
(Isaiah 55:1 NLT)
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Do you know the healing power of Jesus in Reconciliation?
"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." (Psalm 32:5 NLT)
"NOW THE serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?"
(Genesis 3:1 AMP)
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Do you realize that the word of God is a trainer, teaching you to know God, the world as it is and God’s plan for your life?
"Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls."
"The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7 AMP)
"The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living." (Psalm 19:8 NLT)
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Do you trust Abba Father to provide all your needs?
"All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time."
(Psalm 104:27 NIV)
"Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!"
(Matthew 6:8 NLT)
The Razor Precision Providence of God is Never Late!
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Do you believe that the promises of God are too good to be true?
"Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
(Genesis 1:26 NLT)
"And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth."
(Genesis 1:28 AMP)
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Allow Jesus to be Lord and Healer
Do you allow Jesus to be the Lord and healer in your personal life, family, and community?
"And wherever Jesus came into villages or cities or the country, they would lay the sick in the marketplaces and beg Him that they might touch even the fringe of His outer garment, and as many as touched Him were restored to health."
(Mark 6:56 AMP)
"Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, and healed every disease and sickness among the people.
(Matthew 4:23 NIV)
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Do you believe that Jesus still heals infirmities and cures all mental disorders?
"Now when it was evening, after the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those under the power of demons, Until the whole town was gathered together about the door. And He cured many who were afflicted with various diseases; and He drove out many demons."
(Mark 1:32-34 AMP)
“Jesus took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” (Matthew tt 8:17 NLT)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
(Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
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Do you allow the love of Jesus to rule in your heart and mind, and to move your will to choose what is good in accordance with his will?
"Do not forget or neglect to do kindness and good, to be generous and distribute and contribute to the needy [of the church as embodiment and proof of fellowship], for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
(Hebrews 13:16 AMP)
"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV)
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"The Instinct of Faith is an elevation and enlargement of the heart above and beyond all that is presented to the senses.
The life of faith and the Instinct of Faith are one and the same. It is an enjoyment of the goods of God, and a confidence founded on the expectation of His protection, making everything pleasant and received with a good grace. It is indifference to, and at the same time place, state or person."
(John-Pierre de Caussade, SJ - SELF-ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE)
Complete Abandonment to Divine Providence generates Faith that overcomes the world. The Faith that overcomes the world is the Faith that Always knows that God is Always in control.
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Worry about money is real. How does a Christian deal with this worry?
"Let your life be free from love of money but be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never forsake you or abandon you. Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?"
(Hebrews 13: 5-6 NABRE)
«Fear is useless; what is needed is trust» (Luke 8:50, Mark 5:36)
No fear, no worry, no doubt!
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How do you grow to trust in Jesus?
"Jesus told the Twelve to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes. “Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town."
(Mark 6:8-10 NLT)
"Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength." (1Chronicles 29:12 NLT)
The Razor Precision Providence of God is Never Late! God knows what you need and when you need it.
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Do you believe that God’s word has power to set you free and to transform your life?
"You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?" (Hebrews 12:7 AMP)
"Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you."
(1 Peter 5:6 AMP)
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What kind of spiritual danger or harm should we avoid at all costs?
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."
(Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT)
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."
(Hebrews 12:4 NIV)
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Is the Lord pruning you in any place?
"He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD."
(Malachi 3:3 NLT)
" And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”
(Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV)
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Do you know the peace and security of a life submitted to God and to his Word?
"My desire is to have you free from all anxiety and distressing care."
(1 Corinthians 7:32 AMP)
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."
(Philippians 4:6 NLT)
«Fear is useless; what is needed is trust» (Luke 8:50, Mark 5:36)
No fear, no worry, no doubt!
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Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you, especially when you meet the storms of adversity, ill health, sorrow, and temptation?
"Master, do You not care that we are perishing?"
(Mark 4:38 AMP)
"When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40 NLT)
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12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
(James 1:12 NLT)
Do you truly believe that Jesus is absolutely trustworthy?
"Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere) hearts in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith (by that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22 AMP)
"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." (Hebrews 10:23 NLT)
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Any Unemployment in Jesus Enterprise? How can we become more productive in the Enterprise of Jesus?
"And other seed [of the same kind] fell into good (well-adapted) soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing, and yielded up to thirty times as much, and sixty times as much, and even a hundred times as much as had been sown." (Mark 4:8 AMP)
"Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."
(Joshua 1:8 NLT)
"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." (Psalm 1:3 NIV)
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How do we become the brother and sister of Jesus?
"Then Jesus looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
(Mark 3:34-35 NLT)
"You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” (Psalm 40:6-8 NLT)
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How do we live in true freedom from the power of sin and Satan?
"That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire]." (2 Timothy 1:6 AMP)
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
(2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)
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Are you guided by the Truth in your decisions?
"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)
"Jesus called out to Simon and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him." (Mark 1:17-18 NLT)
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Can you endure hunger and insult for Jesus?
"Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.
When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
(Mark 3:20-21 NLT)
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Do you know what Jesus is Calling you to do?
"Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him." (Mark 3:13 NIV)
"Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, giving them authority to cast out demons."
(Mark 3:14-15 NLT)
Accept the Call and Mission, Receive the Anointing.
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Do you know that Jesus has absolute power to deliver us from all trials?
"Therefore Jesus is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf."
(Hebrews 7:25 NLT)
" Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." (Hebrews 7:26 NIV)
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What is God's intention for the commandment, "Keep holy the Sabbath" (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12)?
"They watched Jesus closely
to see if he would cure him on the Sabbath so that they might accuse him." (Mark 3:2 NABRE)
"Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him."
(Mark 3:4 NLT)
"Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27 NLT)
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"For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do."
(Hebrews 6:10 NLT)
"Follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance."
(Hebrews 6:12 NLT)
God Never Fails!
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How and when do you fast?
"Once when John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t your disciples fast like John’s disciples and the Pharisees do?”
(Mark 2:18 NLT)
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get."
(Matthew 6:16 NLT)
There is a time to fast and a time to feast.
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Who is Jesus for you?
"John was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
"The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus." (John 1: 36-37)
Jesus is the Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Word of God, Light of the World. Jesus is Lord and Savior.
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What value do you place on Sacred Scripture?
"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."
(Hebrews 4:12 NLT)
"The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple." (Psalm 19: 8 NABRE)
The word of God is spirit and it is life.
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Where do you need healing today in your life?
"Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?
(Mark 2:9 NLT)
"But that you may know positively and beyond a doubt that the Son of Man has right and authority and power on earth to forgive sins—He said to the paralyzed man, I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home."
(Mark 2:10-11 AMP)
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How do you handle discouragement in your daily walk with Jesus?
"But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him]." (Hebrews 3:13 AMP)
"Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God."
(Hebrews 3:12 NLT)
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Why is it necessary for Jesus to become like us in everything?
"Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17 NLT)
"For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]."
(Hebrews 2:18 AMP)
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"The people were amazed at his teaching, for Jesus taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law."
(Mark 1:22 NLT)
" The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”
(Mark 1:27 NIV)
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"One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.
Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him."
(Mark 1:16-18 NLT)
Jesus is Heir of All Things (Hebrews 1:2)
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“I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel, as a symbol of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide the nations.
You will open the eyes of the blind. You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons."
(Isaiah 42:6-7 NLT)
The Choice. The Call. The The The Anointing.
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