Category Archives: Serve the Lord with Joy

Jesus, Set Me Free!!

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Galatians 5:1

“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.”

It hasn’t always been this way…

I remember brighter days!

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(My son, Casey… and our drama team choreographer, Kaya… at a community Outreach)

Before the dark ones came…

Stole my mind…

Wrapped my soul in chains!

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Now I live among the dead…

Fighting voices in my head…

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Hoping someone hears me crying in the night

And carries me away…

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Set me free of the chains holding me...

Is anybody out there hearing me?

Set me free!!

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Morning breaks another day

Finds me crying in the rain…

All alone with my demons I am!

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Who is this man that comes my way?

The dark ones shriek…

They scream His Name!!!

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Is this the One they say will set the captives free?

Jesus, rescue me!!!

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As the God man passes by…

He looks straight through my eyes!

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And darkness cannot hide!!

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Do you want to be free?

Lift your chains…

I hold the key!!

All power on Heav’n and Earth belong to Me!!!
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You are free !
You are free !!
You are free!!!!

Do you want to be Free???

Romans 8:1-2

“Therefore,

there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus,

because through Christ Jesus

the law of the Spirit who gives life

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

John 8:36

“So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed.”

Amen!!

Stage 2 Improv!! They’re Back!! Go See It!!

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Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular,
Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular,
Stage 2 Improv has been so widely popular,

My son’s in the show!!

Saturdays @ 8 pm and Sundays @ 2pm

January 4th/5th, 11th/12th, 18th/19th, 25th/26th

Because they’re “so widely popular.”

http://www.naplesillustrated.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.details&content_id=2214

“Laugh until you cry with Stage 2 Improv.”

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students under 18.

Call 239-263-7990

Or purchase online at www.naplesplayers.org.

Sugden Community Theatre
701 5th Ave. S.
Naples, FL 34102
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jul/23/curtain-up-stage-2-improv-troupe-keep-the-laughs/

“For 20 dollars you can go downtown

and see a group of personable,

quick-witted young (or at least young-ish)

performers play the improv game…

If you have been to improv,

you know the drill.

Audience members contribute ideas —

celebrity names, vegetables, places —

and then the cast has to do something with them…

So go…and have some goofy fun.”

Mike Santos, Kat Ebaugh, and Meg Pryor

Meg and Judith talk about the benefits of Leg Hair Removal

Brad Goetz, Bukki Sittler, and Guy Glover

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Improvisational_theatre

“Improvisational theatre…

often allows an interactive relationship with the audience.

Improv groups frequently solicit suggestions from the audience as a source of inspiration,

a way of getting the audience involved, and as a means of proving that the performance is not scripted.

That charge is sometimes aimed at the masters of the art,

whose performances can seem so detailed that viewers may suspect the scenes are planned.

In order for an improvised scene to be successful,

the improvisers involved must work together responsively to define the parameters and action of the scene,

in a process of co-creation.

With each spoken word or action in the scene, an improviser makes an offer,

meaning that he or she defines some element of the reality of the scene.

This might include giving another character a name, identifying a relationship, location,

or using mine to define the physical environment.

These activities are also known as endowment.

It is the responsibility of the other improvisers to accept the offers that their fellow performers make;

to not do so is known as blocking, negation, or denial,

which usually prevents the scene from developing.

Some performers may deliberately block (or otherwise break out of character) for comedic effect—

this is known as gagging

but this generally prevents the scene from advancing and is frowned upon by many improvisers.

Accepting an offer is usually accompanied by adding a new offer, often building on the earlier one;

this is a process improvisers refer to as “Yes, And…”

and is considered the cornerstone of improvisational technique.

Every new piece of information added helps the improvisers to refine their characters and progress the action of the scene.

The unscripted nature of improv also implies no predetermined knowledge about the props that might be useful in a scene.

Improv companies may have at their disposal some number of readily accessible props that can be called upon at a moment’s notice,

but many improvisers eschew props in favor of the infinite possibilities available through mime.

In improv,

this is more commonly known as ‘space object work’ or ‘space work’, not ‘mime’,

and the props and locations created by this technique, as ‘space objects’.

As with all improv offers,

improvisers are encouraged to respect the validity and continuity of the imaginary environment

defined by themselves and their fellow performers;

this means, for example, taking care not to walk through the table

or “miraculously” survive multiple bullet wounds from another improviser’s gun.

Because improvisers may be required to play a variety of roles without preparation,

they need to be able to construct characters quickly with physicality, gesture, accents, voice changes,

or other techniques as demanded by the situation.

The improviser may be called upon to play a character of a different age or sex.

Character motivations are an important part of successful improv scenes,

and improvisers

must therefore attempt to act according to the objectives that they believe their character seeks.”

Hey, this is hard work…

But soooo much fun!!

And for more laughs…

Follow them to…

Marco Island!

http://islandtheatercompany.com/stage2improv/

February 14 & 15 and March 21 & 22
Evening Shows 7:30 p.m.

Island Theater Company

Marco Island’s Community Theater

info@theateronmarco.com or 239-394-0080

LOL

You will not be disappointed!!

Really…

You’ll be…

Laughing Out Loud!!

Isaiah 61:10

“I delight greatly in the Lord;   

my soul rejoices in my God.”

 Ecclesiastes 3:4

“…a time to laugh…”

Amen!   

I Didn’t Understand Its Value…

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We’re talking about…

My husband’s prized…

Signed Baseball!

That he’s had since he was a kid!

From the 1957 World Series Yankees!!

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1957ws.shtml

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_ws_recaps.jsp?feature=1957

With 28 signatures…

Including…

Manager-Casey Stengel,

Mickey Mantle, Elston Howard, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, Moose Skowron, Bobby Richardson, Hank Bauer, and the other teammates;

Plus Joe DiMaggio who was in the dug out with my husband (who was 10 years old at the time) and his Dad.

My husband’s dad knew them from the Newark league…

Before they played with the Newark Bears…

Which at the time was the Triple A Yankee minor league!!

They were watching the Yankees at batting practice…

Hank Bauer got in the dug out and said to everyone…

“Sign the ball for the kid!”

The Yankees lost that game to Warren Spahn…

But my husband really cherished that ball!

He says it’s worth about $4,000-$5,000!

Well…

When our sweet little boy was around two years old, perhaps…

I remember he and I were at home, while my husband was at work…

I was trying to wrap Christmas presents…

 My rambunctious, little guy was no help at all!!

Sooooooo…

Wanting to distract him…

So I could get this job done…

 I grabbed this treasured ball of my husband’s…

And gave it to the child to play with!!!!!

I know…

If you’re a baseball fan…

Or even a collector of anything…

You’re horrified!!!

It’s beyond belief!

I know!!!

But, not being a guy…

Or a very sports-minded girl at all…

I just didn’t know its value!!

Soooo…

In walks hubby…

Who is horrified as he sees his two year old…

Gumming Mickey Mantle’s signature!!

He looks at me, “Are you Crazy???”

“What?” I say!

He grabs it…

And stomps out of the room…

Well…

We’re still together after 36 years…

But, I haven’t seen that baseball since!

“Where is it???”

I ask, as I’m writing this…

“Where you can’t get at it!”

He replies!

Wise move!!

Our son is 23 now…

And we may have grandchildren someday…

Who need to be distracted, too! 

Ha!

Lord…

You’re seated above…

Enthroned in the Father’s love…

Destined to die…

Poured out for all mankind…

God’s only Son…

Perfect and spotless One…

You never sinned…

But suffered as if You did…

All authority…

Every victory is Yours…

Savior…

Worthy of honor and glory…

Worthy of all our praise…

You Overcame!!

Jesus…

Awesome in power forever…

Awesome!

And great is Your Name…

You Overcame!

Power in hand…

Speaking the Father’s plan…

You’re sending us out…

Light in this broken land…

We will overcome…

By the blood of the Lamb…

And the word of our testimony…

Everyone overcome!!

Because You Overcame!

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Savior…

I see and understand your value…

You’re worthy of all our praise!

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John 16:33

“I have told you these things,

so that in Me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart!

I have overcome the world.”

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Revelation 12:11

“Our people defeated Satan   

because of the blood of the Lamb   

and the message of God.

They were willing   

to give up their lives.”

Amen!

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Recognize His Value!

Rejoice!!!

He has Overcome!!

United We Stand Tour!

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Psalm 133:1

“How good and pleasant it is   

when God’s people live together in unity!”

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Philippians 2:1-2

“Therefore,

if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from His love,

if any common sharing in the Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion,

then make my joy complete

by being like-minded,

having the same love,

being one in spirit and of one mind.”

Finally!!!!!!

A Christian Concert…

Close to home!!!!!

http://www.findingfavour.com/splash_918/index.html

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It was awesome!

Featuring…

“Finding Favour”

“Hawk Nelson”

http://www.hawknelson.com/?cat=0

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“The Afters”

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and

“Building 429”


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1 Corinthians 12:12-13

“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.”

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John 17:23

“I in them and You in Me—

so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that You sent Me

and have loved them

even as You have loved Me.”

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Colossians 3:14

“And over all these virtues

put on love,

which binds them all together

in perfect unity.”

Amen!!

Sweet Holy Spirit!

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Acts 2:1-4

“When the day of Pentecost came,

they were all together in one place.

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven

and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire

that separated and came to rest on each of them.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to speak in other tongues

as the Spirit enabled them.”

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Romans 8:2-6

“…because through Christ Jesus

the law of the Spirit who gives life has set youfree

from the law of sin and death.

For what the law was powerless to do

because it was weakened by the flesh,

God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh

to be a sin offering.

And so He condemned sin in the flesh,

in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us,

who do not live according to the flesh

but according to the Spirit.”

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Romans 8:9

“You, however,

are not in the realm of the flesh

but are in the realm of the Spirit,

if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,

they do not belong to Christ.”

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Interview with Joel Parisen: Newworldson

What has God been teaching you lately?

Joel:  “How to not be a lip-service Christian. How to talk less and to let my life be my message, which is incredibly hard to do. How to not say one thing and be doing another. Some people struggle with surrender and trusting that God has a plan; that part’s been easy for me. My problem is knowing that in my partnership with Him, I have work to do too. It’s not all sit back and enjoy the ride.”

http://jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/Newworldson2008.asp

Behind the Song:
We were coming to the end of a full day in the studio when I decided to sit down at the piano to unwind. I just started playing these chords when Mark came over and said, ‘We’re recording that tomorrow.’  And that was that. I wrote my lyrics and Josh wrote his right on the spot.

It’s a prayer.

They’re words we needed to hear.”

– Joel Parisien (Newworldson)

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=9396

Pride weighing you down?

 

 

Choking your heart?

 

 

Chained up and bound?

 

 

Pride is your prison…

 

But Grace is your key!

 

Pray…

 

“Sweet Holy Spirit!

 

Come rescue me!

Spirit, Spirit, I submit to You now

Spirit, Spirit

I surrender

Spirit

Sweet Holy Spirit!”

Are you drowning?

Hopeless and lost at sea?

I was!

But, Lord You threw me a line…

Brought me back to Your shore…

Now, I can feel the light from Your lighthouse…

Shining down on me…

Yes, I can!

Worry???

Oh, what can I say?

I’ve worried so much…

I forget how to pray…

Well, I’m down on my knees…

And this is coming from my soul…

Sweet Holy Spirit…

Come make me whole!!

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Let this be your prayer, too!!

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Luke 11:13

“If you then,

though you are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in Heaven

give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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Now That’s Sweet!!!!

Amen!

You Need To Break The Shell…For The Freedom To Fly!

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Psalm 55:6

“I said, ‘Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!   

I would fly away and be at rest.'”

Child, it’s time to break the shell

Life’s gonna hurt but it’s meant to be felt

You cannot touch the sky from inside yourself

You cannot fly until you break the shell.

(Actress Cicely Tyson inspired India to write this song by saying,)

“You need to break the shell and let life touch you.

Psalm 84:1-4

How lovely is your dwelling place,   

Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints,   

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out   

for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,   

and the swallow a nest for herself,   

where she may have her young—

a place near your altar,   

Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;   

they are ever praising you.

Oh, For Goodness Sakes…Speak Life!!

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John 6:35

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life…”

John 11:25

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life…”

John14:6

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life…”

1 John 5:12

“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

Psalm 19:14

“May these words of my mouth

and this meditation of my heart   

be pleasing in Your sight,   

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 34:12-13

“Whoever of you loves life   

and desires to see many good days,

keep your tongue from evil   

and your lips from telling lies.”

Psalm 37:30

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,   

and their tongues speak what is just.”

Proverbs 15:4

“Kind words bring life,

but cruel words crush your spirit.”

James 1:26

“Those who consider themselves religious

and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues

deceive themselves,

and their religion is worthless.”

Titus 2:7-8

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.

In your teaching show integrity,

seriousness and soundness of speech

that cannot be condemned,

so that those who oppose you may be ashamed

because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Psalm 139:4

Before a word is on my tongue   

You, Lord, know it completely.”

1 Corinthians 2:13

This is what we speak,

not in words taught us by human wisdom

but in words taught by the Spirit,

explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,

that it may benefit those who listen.”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you

that I have set before you life and death,

blessings and curses.

Now choose life,

so that you and your children may live

and that you may love the Lord your God,

listen to His voice,

and hold fast to Him.

For the Lord is your life,

and He will give you many years in the land

He swore to give to your fathers,

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Amen!

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Ready? Or Not??

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Luke 12:39-40

“But understand this:

If the owner of the house

had known at what hour the thief was coming,

he would not have let his house be broken into.

You also must be ready,

because the Son of Man

will come at an hour

when you do not expect Him.”

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1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

“For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven,

with a loud command,

with the voice of the archangel

and with the trumpet call of God,

and the dead in Christ will rise first.

After that,

we who are still alive and are left

will be caught up together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air.

And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Don’t try to cover your “Shine!”

Or try to stay “In the lines!”

Don’t hide!

No! 

Don’t take your light…

And try to fit it in a box!

Be confident in Who you belong to!!

Ready or not!

Here you go!

Showing the world where the Light comes from!

Whether they’re ready or not…

This is who you are!

You can’t hide it…

Take it all over the world!

To the young, to the old, every boy and girl…

Ready or not, here you go!

Show the world where the love is!

Never sell out!

Loving out loud is what it’s all about!

Give everything to see the lost get found!

Refuse to keep this buried deep inside… 

It’s time to let your little light shine!

No point hiding it

It’s everything You are…

The source of all your hope

The reason why you stand

Be somebody real!

No holding back!

Show them how you feel…

Love is more than a word

Put it into action…

Hiding it is absurd!

Make sure everyone’s heard…

Everyone needs to be ready!!!

Show them where the love is!!

And where your Light comes from!!

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John 8:12

“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.”

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Ephesians 5:8

“For you were once darkness,

but now you are Light in the Lord.

Live as children of Light…”

Lord, You’ll Never Get Fired From This Job!!!

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My husband and I were talking the other night…

“I love you!”

Thanks for _______!!

Thanks for doing the_______!!

And fixing the_______!!

But, you forgot to_______!!

Well, you know how this conversation goes! 

Ha!

So he says, “Oh, No!

I guess I’m fired from this job!?!?”

Is he kidding???

I answer, “Oh, No!

You’ll NEVER be fired from this job!!!”

Let’s think of all the things I’d have to do myself!!

Cook!

Grocery shop!

Fix the cars!

Take care of the landscaping!

Throw out the garbage!

The list is endless!!!

I love him for who he is…

But I also get the added benefit of what he does!

Lord,

I love You for who You are!!!

And I love and appreciate all you do!

Without You…

I’d have to totally take care of myself…

I’d have to heal myself…

I’d have to know all things…

I’d have to be everywhere…

See everything…

Especially the BIG picture!

I’d have to overcome my own sinful nature!

I’d have to grow and produce my own fruit of the Spirit!

I’d have to depend on my own wisdom!

I’d have to decide which path in life to chose, for myself…

By myself!

Without Your Divine Guidance???

Can’t do it!

I can’t see Love without Your eyes?

No one can comfort me with Peace like You can!

Who would calm my mind in times of trials and storms?

Help me discern right from wrong?

Teach me to know and understand the Truth from Your Word?

Who will care for me…

My husband, my son, and my family…

My ministries from you, my job, my home, my finances, etc.

Who would make up for all my weakness!?!

By showing up strong!

Who will determine which “work,”

(And how much, and how often I should do it!)

To put action to my faith…

So I don’t get stressed out!!

How will I get rid of all my sins?

Who else can give me my divine purpose here on earth?

Who will get me ready for eternity?

How will my mind be renewed???

How will my heart be purified???

How will my life be sanctified without YOU???

When will I know it’s time to…

“Step out in faith???”

How can I learn to quiet my busy life?

To hear with my heart

To obey when I hear, “Yes!”

And even when I hear, “No!”

To wait with patience for the Holy Spirit’s gentle whisper??

To listen closely…

Even when You’re silent!

The list is endless!!!

Me Without You???  What A Mess I’d Be!!

Just today, I messed up…again!!

I know me!

There’s no me without You!!!

Lord, you’ll have this job for eternity!!

“I’d be packing my bags when I need to stay…”

You’d better “Steal My Show,” Lord!!!

I give you the right to direct my life!

I shouldn’t be in charge of something so important!

Hey, you!

Don’t you try to live without Him either!!

Amen!!

John 15:5

“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.”

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things

through Him

who strengthens me.”

The Harvest Is Plentiful…Go…I Am Sending You!

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Luke 10:1-24 

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two

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 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others

and sent them two by two ahead of Him

to every town and place where He was about to go.

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He told them, The harvest is plentiful,

but the workers are few.

Ask the Lord of the harvest,

therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.

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Go!  I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Do not take a purse or bag or sandals;

and do not greet anyone on the road.

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“When you enter a house, first say,

‘Peace to this house.’

If someone who promotes peace is there,

your peace will rest on them;

if not, it will return to you.

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Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you,

for the worker deserves his wages.

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Do not move around from house to house.

“When you enter a town and are welcomed,

eat what is offered to you.

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Heal the sick who are there and tell them,

‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’

But when you enter a town and are not welcomed,

go into its streets and say, 

‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you.

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Yet be sure of this:

The Kingdom of God has come near.’

I tell you,

it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom

than for that town.

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 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!

For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,

they would have repented long ago,

sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

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But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens?

No, you will go down to Hades.

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“Whoever listens to you listens to Me;

whoever rejects you rejects Me;

but whoever rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

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The seventy-two returned with joy and said,

“Lord,

even the demons submit to us in Your Name.

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He replied,

I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven.

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions

and to overcome all the power of the enemy;

nothing will harm you.

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However,

do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you,

but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.”

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At that time Jesus,

full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said,

“I praise you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth,

because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned,

and revealed them to little children.

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Yes, Father,

for this is what You were pleased to do.

“All things have been committed to Me by My Father.

No one knows who the Son is except the Father,

and no one knows who the Father is except the Son

and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

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Then He turned to His disciples and said privately,

“Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

For I tell you that many prophets and kings

wanted to see what you see

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear

but did not hear it.”

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Believers…

We have authority from God…

To see more lightning…

And less fog!

Go!

And do likewise!

So you can return with joy!!!

Rejoice!

That your name is written in Heaven!!!!

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See the plentiful harvest?

Go now!!

He’s sending you!!

Amen!