Lord Guide our Nation in Wisdom, Peace and Goodness
"Father of the family of man, open our hearts 💕 to greater love of Jesus. Let national boundaries not set limits to our concern.
Ward off the pride that comes with worldly wealth and power.
Give us the courage to open 🔓 ourselves in love to the service of all your people.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son."
Happy 😊 Independence!
Unless I see I will not believe
"So the other disciples kept telling him, We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, Unless I see in His hands the marks made by the nails and put my finger into the nail prints, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe [it]. "
(John 20:25 AMP)
" Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27 NIV)
Unless I become rich, I will not believe...
Unless I am healed, I will not believe..
What is your UNLESS?
God Himself will provide the Lamb
"And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice? Abraham said, My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together." (Genesis 22:7-8 AMP)
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
(John 1:29 NKJV)
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The Lord hears the cry of the poor
"When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray."
(Psalm 34:6-7 MSG)
"You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry. (Psalm 10: 17 NIV)
Believe and Stop doubting
"And he said to them, Why are you full of fear, O you of little faith? Then Jesus got up and gave orders to the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."
(Matthew 8:26 BBE)
"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope."
(Psalm 130:5 NKJV)
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Peter said to Jesus: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16: 16 RM)
"Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."
(Matthews 16:18 NLT)
Death came through the envy of the devil. Jesus Christ abolished death.
"God did not make death,
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living."
"But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world, and they who are allied with him experience it." (Wisdom 1: 13; 2: 24 NABRE)
"Our Savior Jesus Christ, has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10 NKJV)
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God will remember His mercy
"Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’"
(Genesis 18:13 NLT)
"Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son."
(Genesis 18:14 AMP)
"The Lord said to Moses, Has the Lord’s hand (His ability and power) become short (thwarted and inadequate)? You shall see now whether My word shall come to pass for you or not." (Numbers 11: 23 AMP)
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Deliverance and victory comes only from the Lord.
"Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain."
(Psalms 127:1 NIV)
"It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." (Psalms 127:2 NLT)
"A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure." (Psalm 16: 9 AMP)
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Is your home built on Rock?
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts
them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25 NIV)
"The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong." (Proverbs 10: 8 AMP)
John came to bear witness to Jesus
"A man was sent from God, whose name was John.
He can to testify to the light,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord."
(John 1: 6-7; Luke 1: 17)
"John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.’" (Matthew 11: 10)
Save us Jesus from the fires of hell
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."
(Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)
"They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party." (Philippians 3:19 AMP)
No Complain. No Criticize. No Condemn.
"DO NOT judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you."
(Matthew 7:1-2 AMP)
"So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. " (Romans 14: 10 NLT)
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Storms of life 2
"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)
"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." (Isaiah 43: 2)
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Do not worry about anything
"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"
(Matthew 6:27 NLT)
"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met."
(Matthew 6:30 - 33 MSG)
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"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars.
Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being."
(Matthew 6:19 MSG)
“If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained.... "
(Job 31:24-25 NIV)
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
(Luke 12: 21)
The Father knows exactly what we need
"Give us today the food we need. "
(Matthew 6:11 NLT)
"Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth." (Matthew 4: 4 MSG)
"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT)
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"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.
When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty." (Matthew 5:43 - 45 MSG)
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Don't receive God’s grace in vain
"As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain."
(2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV)
"For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."
(2 Corinthians or 6:2 NLT)
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Do not neglect the small Beginnings
"And Jesus said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth;
Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade." (Mark 4:30-32 AMP)
"His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart."
(Luke 2: 48, 51 NLT)
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To know the Heart ♥ of Jesus intimately
"But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out."
(John 19:33-34 NLT)
"Jesus loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
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Friends and Companions of Jesus
"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
(John 15:15 NKJV)
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT)
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God is qualifying us to be ministers of the word
"We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.
It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.
He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life."
(2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NLT)
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Who is your security? Jesus
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
(2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NIV)
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Encourage others as God encourages you.
"All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too."
(2 Cor 1:3 MSG)
This is My Body. This is My Blood given up for you.
"The Lord fed his people with the finest wheat and honey ; their hunger was satisfied." (Psalm 81:17 RM)
"As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me."
(John 6:57 NKJV)
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Thank God Always
“Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living,
acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song.
Honor and proclaim God’s deeds,
and do not be slack in praising him."
(Tobit 5: 6 RM)
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"The Lord remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free.
The LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked."
(Psalm 146:6-9 NIV)
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"Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
(Mark 12:29-31 NLT)
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"In you I trust; let me not be put to shame, let not my enemies exult over me.
No one who waits for you shall be put to shame;
those shall be put to shame who heedlessly break faith.
Your ways, O LORD, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior." (Psalm 25: 2-3, 4-5)
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"Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD and delight in obeying his commands.:
(Ps 112:1 NLT)
"An evil report he shall not fear; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is steadfast; he shall not fear
till he looks down upon his foes." (Psalm 112: 8 NABRE)
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"Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead;
you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood." (Revelation 1: 5ab RM)
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"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
(Romans 8:14-15 NLT)
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6 NIV)
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"When I was young and innocent, I sought wisdom. She came to me in her beauty, and until the end I will cultivate her." (Sirach 51: 13 - 14 NABRE)
"In the short time I paid heed, I met with great instruction.
Since in this way I have profited,
I will give my Teacher grateful praise.
I resolved to tread her paths; I have been jealous for the good and will not turn back. (Sirach 51: 16 - 19 NABRE)
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"You didn't choose me, remember I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you." (John 15:16 MSG)
" Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24 NIV)
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“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road." (Mark 10:51-52 NIV)
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"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
(Mark 10:15 NIV)
"Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."
(Matthew 18:2-4 NLT)
"Whoever has a desire to become great among you, let him be your servant: And whoever has a desire to be first among you, let him be servant of all. For truly the Son of man did not come to have servants, but to be a servant, and to give his life for the salvation of men." (Mark 10:43-45 BBE)
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“Offer to God praise as your sacrifice and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
He that offers praise as a sacrifice glorifies me;
and to him that goes the right way I will show the salvation of God.” (Psalm 50: 14, 23 RM)
"Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means.
For the LORD is one who always repays, and he will give back to you sevenfold." (Sirach 35: 12-13)
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"Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23 NIV)
"But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
(Mark 10:27 NKJV)
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"On the day of Pentecost when the seven weeks of Easter had come to an end, Christ's Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, manifested, given, and communicated as a divine person: of his fullness, Christ, the Lord, pours out the Spirit in abundance." (CCC 731)
Let us ask Abba Father,
"Father of light, from whom every good gift comes, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise, for without your Spirit man can never raise his voice in words of peace or announce the truth that Jesus is Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen." (Collect, Pentecost Sunday RM)
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"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen."
(John 21:25 NKJV)
"I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth." (John 16: 7, 13 RM)
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"But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth)."
(John 16:13 AMP)
"But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you."
(John 14:26 NLT)
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16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
(Heb 4:16 AMP)
"Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth."
(John 17:17 AMP)
"Now I'm turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends." (Acts 20:32 MSG)
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We glorify God by accepting with serenity the things we cannot change in our lives.
"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do."
(John 17:4 NKJV)
Christ glorified His Father through His Cross. Rejection of our cross is rejection of Jesus Christ.
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"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" (Acts 19: 2 RM)
"But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth."
(Acts 1:8 AMP)
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“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
(Mark 16:15-16 NKJV)
"And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs."
(Mark 16:20 NLT)
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"But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."
(1 Pet 2:9 - 10MSG)
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"I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that you shall weep and grieve, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy."
" So for the present you are also in sorrow (in distress and depressed); but I will see you again and [then] your heart will rejoice, and no one can take from you your joy (gladness, delight)."
(John 16: 20 - 22 AMP)
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"You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do." (John 15:14 AMP)
"This is my command: Love each other."
(John 15:17 NLT)
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"I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord,
and have appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, alleluia." (John 15: 16, 19 RM)
"I will be a witness to You in the world O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, Alleluia! " (Psalm 18:50; 22 :23 RM)
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"Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?"
They said, "Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you'll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!"
(Acts 16: 30 - 31 MSG)
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“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.
And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning." (See John 15: 26 - 16 RM)
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"If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever"— (John 14:15-16 AMP)
"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word."
(Acts 10:44 NKJV)
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5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
(John 15:5 NIV)
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"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV)
" And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Is 9:6 NLT)
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Do you know that Satan is a master of deceit?
"I have come as a light into the world, so that no one who has faith in me will go on living in the dark." (John 12:46 BBE)
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."
(1John 1:7 NIV)
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Have you learned to recognize the voice of Jesus and to follow Him wherever He leads?
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me." (John 10:27-28 NLT)
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What is abundant life according to Jesus?
"I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." (John 10:10 AMP)
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3 NIV)
Jesus Christ is the Source and Cause of Abundant life.
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How do you treat Abba Father? A loving and caring Daddy or a Tyrant?
"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!" (1John 3:1 NLT)
"Beloved, we are [even here and] now God’s children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." (1John 3:2 AMP)
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How do you accept delays, disappointments and setbacks in life?
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
(1Pet 5:6 NIV)
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (1Pet 5:7 NLT)
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1Pet 5:10 NIV)
Amen!
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St Ignatius of Antioch(107 AD), an early Church Father said that the Flesh and Blood of Jesus is the medicine of immortality, the antidote against death. Why is this true?
"He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood has (possesses now) eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.
For My flesh is true and genuine food, and My blood is true and genuine drink."
(John 6:54-55 AMP)
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“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (John 6:52 NIV)
Because All things are possible for God.
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
(John 6:51 NIV)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life!"
(John 6:47-48 NLT)
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Have you learned to recognize the voice of Jesus and to follow Him wherever He leads?
"For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day." (John 6:40 AMP)
"And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth." (John 17:3 NLT)
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Every day we face the choice between the Bread of Life and the Bread of anxious Care.
"And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
(John 6:35 NKJV)
"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." (John 6:56 NKJV)
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Can man made of body and soul feed only the body?
"Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God's mouth."
(Matthew 4:4 MSG)
"But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
(John 6:27 NLT)
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What do you think of the divine necessity for the fulfilment of Scriptures?
"Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
(Luke 24:44 NLT)
"You are witnesses of all these things." (Luke 24:48 NLT)
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How much time do you spend in prayer and the word of God every day?
"So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility." (Acts 6:2-3 NLT)
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Who are you? What is your destiny?
"Now in the present case let me say to you, stand off (withdraw) from these men and let them alone. For if this doctrine or purpose or undertaking or movement is of human origin, it will fail (be overthrown and come to nothing);
But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop or overthrow or destroy them; you might even be found fighting against God! (Acts 5:38-39 AMP)
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Do you enjoy the saving power of the Presence of Jesus in your daily life?
"I, the LORD, am with you always, until the end of the world. " (Matthew 28: 20 RM)
If the Lord is with you, then it is accomplished.
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The Great Purpose is the Mission. Is Jesus Christ, the One Thing Necessary for you?
"I have chosen you from the world, says the Lord,
and have appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, alleluia." (John 15: 16, 19 RM)
"I will be a witness to You in the world O Lord. I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers, Alleluia! " (Psalm 18:50; 22 :23 RM)
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How do you see your possessions? Time, Talent and Treasure?
"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had." (Acts 4:32 NIV)
"There were no needy people among them." (Acts 4:34 NLT)
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How do you compare your Before Easter and After Easter experience? Any sign of new life?
"Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God." (John 3:3 AMP)
"And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31 NKJV)
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Are you aware that we are in constant warfare against the Flesh, the World and Satan?
"For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.
And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God." (1John 5:4-5 NLT)
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Why does God choose and use the simple and the weak?
"Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, the leaders, elders, and scribes were amazed, and they recognized them as the companions of Jesus." (Acts 4 : 13 NABRE)
"As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20 NIV)
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Are you sometimes crippled by fear of criticism and rejection? Jesus had the last laugh.
"Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’"
(Acts 4:10-11 NLT)
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Where do you see today the hands and feet of Jesus? The Church is the Sacrament of the Presence of Jesus in the world.
"Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
(Luke 24:38-39 NIV)
“These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
(Luke 24:44 NKJV)
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How do you read the word of God? In solid faith or curiosity?
"Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
(Luke 24:18 NLT)
" And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)?"
(Luke 24:25-26 AMP)
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All things are created twice: the first creation is nature. The second creation is supernature. Have you been raised with Christ?
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17 NLT)
"If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth."(Colossians 3:1-2 BBE)
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Amazing! After the betrayals, the Risen Jesus calls us His brothers and sisters. Your thoughts on this?
“Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
(Matthew 28:10 NIV)
"We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him."
(Romans 6:9 NLT)
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
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What difference does the truth of the Resurrection of Jesus make in your life?
"The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.
To him be glory and power
for all the ages of eternity, alleluia, alleluia." (Luke 24: 34; cf. Revelation 1: 6 RM)
"God our Father, creator of all, today is the day of Easter joy. This is the morning on which the Lord appeared to men who had begun to lose hope and opened their eyes to what the Scriptures foretold: that first Jesus must die, and then He would rise and ascend into His Father's glorious presence. May the Risen Lord breathe on our minds and open our eyes that we may know Him in the Breaking of Bread, and follow Him in His risen life. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen. "
Family, may the simple Joys and Peace of Easter fill your hearts and minds.
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Is the faith and obedience of Abraham too much to imitate?
"Then Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on [the shoulders of ] Isaac his son, and he took the fire (the firepot) in his own hand, and a knife; and the two of them went on together.
And Isaac said to Abraham, My father! And he said, Here I am, my son. [Isaac] said, See, here are the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice?
Abraham said, My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together."
(Gen 22:6-8 AMP)
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Do you enjoy the fruits of the Passion of the Christ?
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
(Isaiah 53:5 NIV)
"When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins."
(Isaiah 53:11 NLT)
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How shall we make a return to the LORD for all the good He has done for us?
“This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. This is a law for all time." (Ex 12:14 NLT)
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes."
(1Cor 11:26 NKJV)
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Why is every sin a betrayal?
“How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver." (Matthew 26:15 NLT)
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
(Genesis 50:20 NIV)
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Do you know that God remembers His Covenant/Promises forever? Do you marvel at the profound truth that the Eucharist is the New Covenant?
"Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
(Isaiah 49:1-3 NIV)
"Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in empty futility; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense is with my God."
(Isaiah 49:4 AMP)
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How do we need the poor? The poor introduce us to Jesus when we die!
"Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii [a year’s wages for an ordinary workman] and that [money] given to the poor (the destitute)?" (John 12:5 AMP)
"You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” (John 12:8 NLT)
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Do you accept with serenity the things you cannot change?
“My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
(Matthew 26:42 NLT)
"Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame." (Isaiah 50:7 NLT)
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Father, where is the lamb for the sacrifice? My son, God Himself will provide the Lamb. Are you ready for the big Feast?
"It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?”
(John 11:55-56 NLT)
"Christ was sacrificed so that He could gather together the scattered children of God." (John 11: 52 RM)
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Do you realize that trusting Jesus is a tool in spiritual warfare.? How do you use the Shield of Faith?
"He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed."
(1 Peter 2:24 AMP)
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in distress.
Deliver me from the hands of my enemies and those who pursue me.
O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call on you."
(Psalm 31 (30): 10, 16, 18 RM)
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Do you come to Jesus in joyful expectation of receiving all you need?
"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32 NIV)
"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides." (Matthew 6:33 AMP)
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His Name is Jesus
Is anything impossible for God? What is your magnificent obsession?
"And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God. And listen! You will become pregnant and will give birth to a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great (eminent) and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His forefather David." (Luke 1:30-32 AMP)
"Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38 NLT)
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Life is a journey that will take you down many Paths. Are you prepared for a long and demanding journey?
"But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses,
“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert,
where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!” (Numbers 21: 4,5 NABRE)
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1:2-4 NLT)
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When you pray, "Forgive us our sins as we forgive others", are you able to connect the dots between your faith and the daily events of your life?
"When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more." (John 8:10-11 AMP)
"Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!" (Psalm 51:2 AMP)
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Is the idea of self-denial fill you with anguish? Think of a woman about to give birth. The before and the after of the labor.
"Amen, amen I say to you: Unless a grain of wheat
falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain.
But if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12: 24 NABRE)
"He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more."
(John 15:2 NLT)
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