Category Archives: Scripture

Witness “The Resurrection!”

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“The Resurrection”
A 12 x 40 mural, oil on canvas.
Painted by Ron DiCianni
It’s a depiction of the precise moment
Jesus emerges from the tomb!
This mural was commissioned by the
Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas,  Texas.

The doctrine of the resurrection is one of the most fundamental teachings of the Christian faith.

“…But now is Christ risen from the dead …

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:19, 22  KJV

“Our salvation and justification before God

is based upon our belief

in the resurrection of

Jesus Christ.” 

Hebrews 6:1, 2  KJV

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth

the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe

                               in thy heart                                

that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved.” 

Romans 10:9  KJV

 

Witness…Alive…Faith…Believe…Confess…Be Saved

                       

Illuminating Blogger’s Award!

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Thank you!

I’ve been nominated by http://seasonsgirl.wordpress.com/ for the Illuminating Blogger’s Award!  It’s my first nomination…and I’m so excited and honored!  Seasonsgirl’s blog has been an inspiration to me since I started my blog in July last year.  Her posts are kind, gentle, and lovely…she honors God in all that she does!  I feel warm and fuzzy…welcomed and loved…when I read her posts…you’ll love her blog, too!

So thank you Seasonsgirl for reading, liking, and commenting on my posts…and for the nomination for the Illuminating Blogger’s Award!  I know we’d be great friends…if we ever meet in person…you could teach me all about your awesome life on a ranch!

I love all your photos, your life, your pets, and your animals!!

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So now the rules for the Illuminating Blogger Award…

The Rules:

Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you (see above)

Say a few words of gratitude on your blog and follow the link (see above)

Share a few words about yourself and pass on the award to 5 other bloggers

About Me!

Christian, Wife, Mother, Minister, Teacher, Drama Team Director, owner of a Crazy Siberian and a California King Snake…Italian from NJ living in FL with lots to say…who loves to serve the Lord with JOY, write-write-write, and take beautiful photos of God’s awesome scenery!!

Anything I do is a ministry to Jesus, so I pray you’re blessed by my blog…whether it’s a Scripture, my favorite contemporary Christian music, a kid’s Bible object lesson, teaching a life lesson, my photographs, or something humorous to get the outrageous JOY out of life that God meant for us to have!

I love sharing it all!!

Five Worthy Nominations For The Illuminating Blogger’s Award:

1.  I love author Bella Grace’s blog, http://walkingonwaterwithgrace.org/  Founder of Walking On Water Ministries, Walking On Water, or WOW…a ministry built on faith, hope, trust, and more importantly LOVE.

She loves the Lord, she’s my sister in the Lord…I feel loved when I read her posts, and also when she comments on mine!

2.  I love OverwhelmedByJoy, http://overwhelmedbyjoy.wordpress.com/about/  She’s a wife, mother, friend, and more…also a patient, who makes a conscious decision to choose joy, even though permanently disabled.  She’s a caretaker for her mother.  She chooses joy because this is the best option.  Because the other option. . . is not an option.

She’s so inspirational, wise, and caring…I love her blog!

3.  I love Adam J. Holland’s blog, http://unorthodoxepicure.com/  because he’s so opinionated, and makes me laugh, laugh, laugh every day…by making me think about everyday things in a funny way!

He doesn’t consider himself to be any quirkier than the next guy, but his family, friends and fellow bloggers disagree. He’s a chef, so his recipes are awesome!  Check it out!

4.  I love this new blog I just found…or maybe Kimmy found me! http://kimmyg01.wordpress.com/ Her blog includes spiritual topics that interest me…women’s ministry, Christianity, Christian living, and inspirational poetry…I’m lovin’ it!

5.  I love http://becomingcliche.wordpress.com/about/ because she talks about teaching topics that interest me!  She has a snake…and…ya gotta love her writing!!

She said, “Since my “About Me’ portion is getting more hits than my actual blog, I may as well not waste an opportunity.  I am a snake-keeping, thrift-store loving mother of three. I work as an educator in a zoo and do a bit of free-lance writing. My pet peeves include wet clothing buried in the hamper and little popcorn kernels that get stuck in my teeth. Most days, I have the attention span of a gnat!”  Check out her blog…you’ll have fun!!

I love all my blogging friends!  Thanks so much for making this a joyful journey for me!!  God Bless!!

Free As A Bird!

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“So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed.”

John 8:36  NIV

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“Jesus said, ‘You will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free.'”

John 8:31-32  NIV

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“because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit

who gives life

has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:2  NIV

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“For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord

is the Lord’s freed person;

similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.”

1 Corinthians 7:22  NIV

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“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Stand firm, then,

and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:1  NIV

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“In my anguish I cried to the LORD,

and He answered by setting me free.”

Psalm 118:5  NIV

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“The LORD lives!

Praise be to my Rock!

Exalted be God,

the Rock, my Savior!

He is the God who avenges me. . .

who sets me free from my enemies.”

  2 Samuel 22:47-49  NIV

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“But thanks be to God that,

though you used to be slaves to sin,

you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching

to which you were entrusted.

You have been set free from sin

and have become slaves to righteousness.”

Romans 6:17-18  NIV

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“Be sure of this:

the wicked will not go unpunished,

but those who are righteous will go free.”

Proverbs 11:21  NIV

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“But now He has reconciled you

by Christ’s physical body

through death

to present you holy in His sight,

without blemish

and free from accusation.”

Colossians 1:22  NIV

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“For this reason

Christ is the mediator of a new covenant,

that those who are called

may receive the promised eternal inheritance–

now that He has died

as a ransom to set them free. . .”

Hebrews 9:15  NIV

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“Set me free from my prison,

that I may praise your name.”

Psalm 142:7  NIV

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“He upholds the cause of the oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets the prisoners free,

the LORD gives sight to the blind,

the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,

the LORD loves the righteous.”

Psalm 146:7-8

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“Sin is no longer your master,

for you no longer live under the requirements of the law.

Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”

Romans 6:14 NLT

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“We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare;

the snare has been broken,

and we have escaped.”

Psalm 124:7  NIV

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“The Spirit and the bride say,

‘Come!’

And let him who hears,

say, ‘Come!’

Whoever is thirsty,

let him come;

and whoever wishes,

let him take the free gift of the water of life.”

Revelation 22:17  NIV

Yipee!!  We’re free!

Freedom in Christ…

It’s a free gift!!

Take it!

This is Just Duckie!!

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The sun setting on the pond on the golf course…

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The warm breeze blowing on the water…

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Causes moving ripples of light and color…

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And shadow reflections and mirrors…

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He almost doesn’t look real…

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But he is!

“…It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…

Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven

given to mankind

by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:10-12  ESV

Don’t let anything distract you…

From seeing that Jesus is real, too!

Nope! Face It! He’s Never Gonna Change!

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His Love will never fail you!

Nothing can separate you from His Love…

Even if you run away…

Even if you make mistakes…

He stays the same through the ages…

His Love for you never changes…

Your pain in the night…

Becomes joy in the morning…

When oceans rage…

Don’t be afraid…

Know that He loves you…

And that’s never gonna change!

When the wind is strong…

And the water’s deep…

Trust in Him!

You’ll see…

You’re never alone in the open seas…

The chasm’s wide, but…

Jesus is the bridge…

So, you’ll reach the other side…

Because…

“…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28  NIV

Love like that can’t fail!

Amen!

Things Of This World Grow Strangely Dim…

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How can Christians stay so focused in this world???

They’re eyes are fixed on God!

All the things of this world suddenly grow strangely dim…

Things they loved to do, or say, no longer matter…

No longer entice and ensnare them…

Worldly things fade in God’s light!

Doubts and worries go…

His Peace embraces…

All that He is…

Is all that’s important!

They seek His face…

And don’t look around…

They know who’s holding them…

Safely in His arms…

And they know the world…

Can’t offer anything that compares to that!

The Sower And The Seed…

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The Parable of the Sower

Luke 8:1-14  NIV

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“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another,

proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God…

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The Twelve were with Him…

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While a large crowd was gathering

and people were coming to Jesus from town after town,

He told this parable:

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 ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed.

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 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path;

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 it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.

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 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.

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Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.

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 Still other seed fell on good soil

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It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.’

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When He said this, He called out, ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’

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His disciples asked him what this parable meant.

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He said, ‘The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you,

but to others I speak in parables,

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 so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.

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This is the meaning of the parable:

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‘The seed is the word of God.

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Those along the path are the ones who hear,

and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts,

so that they may not believe and be saved.

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Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it,

but they have no root.

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They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.

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 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear,

but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures,

and they do not mature.

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But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart,

who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.'”

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The summary…

A sower dropped  seed on the path, on rocky ground, and among thorns, and the seed was lost;

but when seed fell on good earth, it grew, yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.

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Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit,

while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes

so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 15:1-2  NIV

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“I am the vine; you are the branches.

If a man remains in Me and I in him,

he will bear much fruit;

apart from Me you can do nothing.

If anyone does not remain in Me,

he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers;

such branches are picked up,

thrown into the fire and burned.”

John 15:5-6  NIV

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“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit,

so you can identify people by their actions.”

Matthew 7:20  NLT

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Our goal is to persevere, grow, reach maturity, and produce more fruit!

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The person who thoughtfully hears the gospel,

understands its implications,

and then consistently grows and matures,

bears much fruit as a result!

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This parable must encourage us to desire and depend on Jesus to plant us in good soil,

where we can persevere through adversity to maturity and fruitfulness,

Anything else is unacceptable!

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“But their minds were made dull,

for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read.

It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.

Even to this day when Moses is read,

a veil covers their hearts.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord,

the veil is taken away.”

2 Corinthians 3:14-16

Amen!

Some Days, Life Is A Walk In The Park!

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Like Today!!

Lunch with my husband and two other couples…

A walk in the park…

Along the Peace River…

Cool, crisp, sun-shiny day…

It doesnt get better than this!!

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,

‘I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.’”

John 8:12  NIV

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“Teach me thy way, O Lord;

I will walk in thy truth…”

Psalm 86:11  KJV

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“…Walk as children of light.”

Ephesians 5:8  ESV

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“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:7  ESV

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.”

Psalm 119:105  ESV

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“Whoever says he abides in Him

ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.”

1 John 2:6  ESV

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“He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice,

and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8  ESV

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“If we live by the Spirit,

let us also walk by the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:25  ESV

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“…who walk not according to the flesh

but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 8:4  ESV

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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6  NIV

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“Let your eyes look straight ahead,

fix your gaze directly before you.”

Proverbs 4:25  NIV

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“Calling to those who pass by,

who are going straight on their way.”

Proverbs 9:15

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“…a man of understanding keeps a straight course.”

Proverbs 15:21  NIV

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“For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came

and testified to your truth,

as indeed you are walking in the truth.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

3 John 1:3-4  ESV

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“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar,

praise and extol and honor the King of heaven,

for all His works are right

and His ways are just;

and those who walk in pride He is able to humble.”

Daniel 4:37  ESV

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“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord,

urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling

to which you have been called,

with all humility and gentleness, with patience,

bearing with one another in love.”

Ephesians 4:1-2  ESV

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“And, as shoes for your feet,

having put on the readiness given

by the gospel of peace.”

Ephesians 6:15  ESV

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“Observe the commands of the LORD your God,

walking in His ways and revering Him.”

Deuteronomy 8:6  NIV

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“Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws,

we wait for You;

Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.”

Isaiah 26:8  NIV

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“When Abram was ninety-nine years old,

the LORD appeared to him and said,

‘I am God Almighty;

walk before Me faithfully and be blameless.'”

Genesis 17:1  NIV 

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“…Then Peter got down out of the boat,

walked on the water

and came toward Jesus.”

Matthew 14:29  NIV

Yes, walk straight into His arms…Amen!

Holy Spirit, You Can Steal My Show!

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I love this song!

It’s about our God, His Son Jesus, and His Holy Spirit…

Taking over our lives…

And being allowed to take over our “show!”

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.”

Romans 8:14  KJV

What we really need is You, Lord!

You’ve got something to say…

Go on and take it away!

I’m hyped that You showed up tonight!

I’m anticipating…

And craving something more than smoke and lights…

I’ll step out the way…

I’ll give You center stage…

The spotlight’s on You, Lord!

I need You to steal my show…

I can’t wait to watch You go…

So take it away…

When You arrive…

We come to life…

Our hearts collide…

They’re beating in the same time…

You’re coming through…

All eyes on You…

No matter who we are…

No matter what we do…

Every day we can choose!!!

To say…

When You wanna steal my show…

I’ll sit back and watch You go…

My life!

My pride!

My heart!

It’s all Yours now…

Take it away…

My fame!

My feet!

My family, my career

Take it away…

It’s all Yours now…

So take it away…

It’s You I wanna live for!!

My sentiments, exactly!!

Bloom Where You’re Planted!

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We’re all different, but we’re all beautiful!

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“The desert and the parched land will be glad;
the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
…they will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.”

Isaiah 35:1-2  NIV

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“…Who knows but that you were brought to the kingdom for a time like this?”

Esther 4:14  ISV

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“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body,

every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.”

1 Corinthians 12:18  NIV

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8  NIV

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“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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“I know that the Lord is great,
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
The Lord does whatever pleases Him,
in the heavens and on the earth,
in the seas and all their depths.”

Psalm 135:5-6  NIV

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“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,

they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

planted in the house of the Lord,

they will flourish in the courts of our God.

They will still bear fruit in old age,

they will stay fresh and green,

proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright;

He is my Rock…'”

Psalm 92:12-15  NIV

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“Nevertheless,

each person should live as a believer

in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them,

just as God has called them…”

1 Corinthians 7:17 NIV

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“There are different kinds of gifts,

but the same Spirit distributes them.

There are different kinds of service,

but the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working,

but in all of them and in everyone

it is the same God at work.”

1 Corinthians 12:4  NIV

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“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,

and He distributes them to each one,

just as He determines.”

1 Corinthians 12:11  NIV

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“Just as a body, though one,

has many parts,

but all its many parts form one body,

so it is with Christ.

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body

—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—

and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  

Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.”

1 Corinthians 12: 12-14  NIV

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“Now you are the body of Christ,

and each one of you is a part of it.”

1 Corinthians 12: 27  NIV

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“And over all these virtues put on love,

which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were called to peace.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach

and admonish one another with all wisdom,

and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs

with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:14-16  NIV

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We’re all needed in the Kingdom!

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So…Bloom!

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Present yourself to the King!

“See how the lilies of the field grow.

They do not labor or spin.”

Matthew 6:28  NIV

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Take a stand!

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Be confident!

“Yet I tell you that not even Solomon

in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Matthew 6:29  NIV

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Don’t remain silent!

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It’s your time!

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Live loud for Christ!

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Persevere!

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Obedience always brings blessing!

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God is working through His people!

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He will accomplish His purpose!

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Let Him use you!

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Stay faithful!

And…Bloom!!

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“Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime;

it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men,

and plants of the field to everyone.”

Zechariah 10:1  NIV