Tag Archives: Prayer

I’m A Vapor In The Wind, But Praise God, I’m Yours!!

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Who Am I???

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James 4:14

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.

For what is your life?

It is even a vapour,

that appeareth for a little time,

and then vanisheth away.”

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Psalm 89:9

“You rule over the surging sea;   

when its waves mount up,

You still them.”

Lord of all the earth…

Why do You care to know my name…

Care to feel my hurt?

Bright and Morning Star…

Why do You choose to light the way…

For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am…

But because of what You’ve done!!

Not because of what I’ve done…

But because of who You are!!

I’m a flower quickly fading…

Here today and gone tomorrow…

A wave tossed in the ocean…

Vapor in the wind…

Still…

You hear me when I’m calling…

Lord…

You catch me when I’m falling…

You’ve told me who I am…

I’m Yours!!

Your eyes see my sin…

And look on me with love…

To watch me rise again…

Your voice calmed the sea…

And calls out through the rain…

To calm the storm in me…

You hear me when I’m calling…

I’m Yours!

Why should I fear?

When I’m Yours?

I’m Yours!!

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Mark 4:39

“He got up,

rebuked the wind

and said to the waves,

Quiet! Be still!’

Then the wind died down

and it was completely calm.”

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1 Corinthians 3:23

“…and you are of Christ,

and Christ is of God.”

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We belong to God!

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Romans 8:15

“The Spirit you received

does not make you slaves,

so that you live in fear again;

rather,

the Spirit you received

brought about your adoption to Sonship.

And by Him we cry,

‘Abba, Father.'”

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1 Corinthians 6:19

“Do you not know

that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit,

Who is in you,

Whom you have received from God?

You are not your own;”

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We’re God’s!!

We’re valuable to Him!!

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To read a devotional blog post entitled…

We Belong To God

Go to:

http://www.bethariel.org/sisterhood-love-letters/we-belong-to-god/

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Thank you, Abba Father!

God, Can You Hear Our Cries to YOU???

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‘Cause We Need You NOW!!!

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Psalm 57:2

“I cry out to God Most High,   

to God

who will fulfill His purpose for me.”

Psalm 84:2

“My soul yearns, even faints,   

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out   

for the Living God.”

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Psalm 88:1

“O Lord, God of my salvation;   

I cry out day and night before You.”

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What’s your story?

Wounded?

Need to be healed?

Yes!

Believe there’s beauty here…

Even when you’re tired of holding on…

Don’t let go…

Move on…

There’s meaning here!

God, how many times have You heard us cry out…

“God please take this?”

How many times have You given us strength…

To just keep breathing?

Oh, Lord, we need You…

God, we need You now!

On a road we didn’t plan

How did we get here?

Help us…

Hear Your still small voice…

Above all the noise…

In the shadows…

We’re so afraid

Please…

Stay right beside us…

With us…

Every single step we take!

We need You!

We need You NOW!!!

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Even Jesus cried out to YOU!

Hebrews 5:7

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth,

He offered up prayers

and petitions

with fervent cries and tears

to the One who could save Him from death,

and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”

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Lord, hear our cries, also!

We can’t make it on our own!!

Lord, never tire of our cries to You!!!

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Psalm 50:15

“…and call on Me in the day of trouble;   

I will deliver you,

and you will honor Me.”

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Psalm 34:17

“The righteous cry out,

and the Lord hears them;   

He delivers them from all their troubles.”

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Ahhhh…

God’s Peace…

Amen!

There’s A 23 Year-Old Man Living In Our House!!

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Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech,

in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

My son will be 23 years-old on Labor Day!

We celebrated his Birthday today…

Because he’ll be away for his Birthday weekend…

That’s what happens when they grow up…

They do things independently of their parents!!

Happy Birthday, Casey!

We love you!

All God’s Blessings!

How did those years go by soooo fast?!?!

You’re an amazing gift from God to us!!

Here’s my prayer for you!!

That you will build your life…

And future home of your own…

On the strong foundation of Jesus Christ!

So you can lead!

Isaiah 54:13

“All your children will be taught by the Lord,   

and great will be their peace.” 

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it, 

and how from infancy

you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Here’s a link to Holley Gerth’s blog post today:

http://holleygerth.com/when-god-changes-your-plans-an-infertility-update/

Please read it…

Be prepared to cry and rejoice!!

Here’s my comment to her:

Holley, I read this post this morning…

As we were getting ready to celebrate my son’s 23rd Birthday…

We did the 10-year “infertility roller-coaster” years ago to have him…

I had him when I was 41…

He’s the light of our lives…

And our gift from God!

There was a point where we came to the same moment you and your husband came to…

We were only going to be able to afford one more round of in-vitro…

and my very blunt Mom said to me,

“Maybe it’s not God’s will for you to have a child!”

That shocked me…

I stopped in my tracks thinking about it!!

Then, I knew I believed that it WAS God’s will for me to have a child!

We had a miscarriage before my son,

Lost the other two embryos that were transferred with him,

And had a miscarriage after him!!

Though I wanted all those babies we lost,

I know I’ll see them in Heaven!

Now I direct a Drama Team at church,

And I’m “Drama Mama” to so many kids, teens, and young adults!!

God is so good!!

We each need to ask God the hard questions as you did…

And His answers are the BEST for our lives!

May God richly bless you always!!”

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The Birthday Boy  Man!!!

That face always makes me smile!!!!

Proverbs 1:8

“Listen, my son,

to your father’s instruction   

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

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Father and Son!

Proverbs 29:17

“Correct thy son,

and he shall give thee rest;

yea,

he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

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My son makes “Mothering” so easy and lots of fun!!

Psalm 127:3

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,   

offspring a reward from Him.

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Yeah!!

Birthday money to buy stuff!!!

John 16:21

“A woman giving birth to a child

has pain because her time has come;

but when her baby is born

she forgets the anguish

because of her joy

that a child is born into the world.”

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We brought our Precious Little Girl…

  A chewy treat from Petco on our way home from Outback…

Obviously, she cares more about that treat…

Than taking a Birthday photo with Casey!!

Proverbs 3:1-6

“My son, do not forget My teaching,
    but keep My commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
    and He will make your paths straight.”

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It’s so hard to get a good photo of our Crazy Siberian…

‘Cause she’s constantly moving…

That’s why I love landscape photography…

Most things stand still!!

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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My two “Babies!”

He always smiles…

She’s smiling…

But she still has the chewy  treat in her mouth!

She always thinks we’re going to take it from her!!

What would we want with that yucky chewy???

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift

is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Psalm 115:14

“May the Lord cause you to flourish,   

both you and your children.”

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only be careful,

and watch yourselves closely

so that you do not forget

the things your eyes have seen

or let them fade from your heart

as long as you live.

Teach them to your children

and to their children after them.”

Jesus I pray…

-Your Word will prevail over our children…

-Your Peace will embrace them… 

-They seek Your Wisdom and Understanding …

-They’re quick to obey You…

-They’re Holy in all conduct…

-They hunger and thirst for more of You each day…

-They’re content with what they have… 

-They grow in the grace and knowledge of You, Lord…

-They’re clothed with humility…

-They cast their cares upon You, Father, for You care for them…

-They’re doers of the Word, and not hearers only…

-They learn to effectively share their faith…   

-They don’t have a spirit of fear…

-But of power, love, and a sound mind…

-You save them…

-You call them with a Holy Calling…

-You provide safety for them, day and night…

  -They walk in the Light as You are in the Light…

-You purify their hearts…

-They follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

-They have favor and high esteem with God and man.

Amen!

2 Timothy 2:22-25

“Run from temptations that capture young people.

Always do the right thing.

Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.

Worship with people whose hearts are pure. 

Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments.

These only lead to trouble, 

and God’s servants must not be troublemakers.

They must be kind to everyone,

and they must be good teachers and very patient.

Be humble when you correct people who oppose you.

Maybe God will lead them to turn to Him and learn the truth.”

Casey, you are all these things…

Praise the Lord!

God did a great job raising you!!

Thank you everyone who prayed with us…

All those long years of waiting…

For God to give us the desire of our hearts!

Happy Birthday, You are Loved!

“Some Fell On Rocky Places…”

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(All the photos on this post were taken by my sister, Tina!)

Matthew 13:5-6

Some (seed) fell on rocky places,

where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly,

because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up,

the plants were scorched,

and they withered because they had no root.”

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 Matthew 13:13-17

Though seeing, they do not see;   

though hearing,

they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;   

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused;   

they hardly hear with their ears,   

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,   

hear with their ears,   

understand with their hearts

and turn,

and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see,

and your ears because they hear.

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people

longed 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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Matthew 13:18-23

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what

was sown in their heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.

The seed falling on rocky ground

refers to someone who hears the Word

and at once receives it with joy.

But since they have no root,

they last only a short time.

When trouble or persecution

comes because of the Word,

they quickly fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns

refers to someone who hears the Word,

but the worries of this life

and the deceitfulness of wealth

choke the Word,

making it unfruitful.

But the seed falling on good soil

refers to someone who hears the Word

and understands it.

This is the one who produces a crop,

yielding a hundred,

sixty 

or thirty times what was sown.”

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Don’t let your heart become calloused!

Open your eyes to

See...

Open your ears to…

Hear the Word

Open your heart to…

Understand the Word

Turn to the Lord…

He will Heal…

So you can be Fruitful

and…

Produce a Crop!!

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Amen!

Come Into His Presence! Glorious!!!!!!

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Jude 1:24

“Now all Glory to God,

who is able to keep you from falling away

and will bring you with great joy

into His Glorious Presence

without a single fault.”

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He’s Holy!

He deserves all…

Glory

Honor

Praise

Reverence

Respect His Splendor…

With Awe

Adoration

Worship

(We did this song as a human video drama several years ago at Fine Arts Competition)

Start Dancing!!!

Psalm 100:2

“Worship the Lord with gladness;   

come before Him with joyful songs.”

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Psalm 95:2

“Let us come before His presence

with thanksgiving,

and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms.”

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When you come into His presence
Lifting up the Name of Jesus
And you hear the music playin’
And you see the people praisin’
Just forget about your worries
Let your troubles fall behind you
Don’t you wait another minute
Just get up and on your feet and

Get to dancing
Singing, jumping, leaping
Get to shouting
Make it loud, and make it Glorious
Start rejoicing, praising, lifting, raising
Get to shouting
Make it loud, and make His Praise
Glorious! Glorious!

I was created
To make Your Praise Glorious!
I was created
To make Your Praise Glorious!

Glorious
Yes I was!

Yes I was!!

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Psalm 16:11

“You will show me the path that leads to life;   

Your Presence fills me with joy   

and brings me pleasure forever.”

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Is His “Presence” in our lives?

He’s near to us…

Are we close Him?

Be filled with His Spirit!!

Think His thoughts…

Walk the walk…

Love…

Forgive…

Gain His perspective on our lives…

Know what’s really important…

And what’s insignificant…

In His Kingdom!

Ahhh…

Joy, Peace, Contentment!

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Exodus 33:14

The Lord replied,

“My Presence will go with you,

and I will give you rest.”

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Glorious!!

He’s Alive!

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Believe It!!

And Base Your Whole Life Around That Truth!

(We did a human video drama of this song for Fine Arts Competition several years ago…)

So Powerful!!

John 19:35

“The man who saw it

has given testimony,

and his testimony is true.

He knows that he tells the truth,

and he testifies so that you also may believe.”

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The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin’ through
To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers’ feet

But there was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she’d been
She said they might have moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone’s been rolled away
And now His body isn’t there

We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they’d taken Him
Was more than I could tell

Oh, something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn’t lift me very high
‘Cause I’d seen them crucify Him
Then I saw Him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I’d promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His Name
And even if He was Alive
It wouldn’t be the same

But, suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove the shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release
And every fear I’d ever had
Just melted into peace

He’s Alive!  Yes, He’s Alive!
Yes, He’s Alive, and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s Alive!  Yes, He’s Alive!
Oh ,He’s Alive, and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s Alive!  Yes, He’s Alive!
Hallelujah!!  He’s Alive!
He’s Alive, and I’m forgiven
Heaven’s gates are open wide
He’s Alive!  He’s Alive!  He’s Alive!
I believe it!!  He’s Alive!
Sweet Jesus!!

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John 20:19

“On the evening of that first day of the week,

when the disciples were together,

with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders,

Jesus came

and stood among them and said,

‘Peace be with you!’

After He said this,

He showed them His hands and side.

The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”

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Acts 1:8-11

“But you will receive power

when the Holy Spirit comes on you;

and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem,

and in all Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth.

After He said this,

He was taken up before their very eyes,

and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going,

when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

‘Men of Galilee,’

they said,

‘why do you stand here looking into the sky?

This same Jesus,

who has been taken from you into Heaven,

will come back

in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven.’”

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Acts 2:33

“Exalted to the right hand of God,

He has received from the Father

the promised Holy Spirit

and has poured out

what you now see and hear.”

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Revelation 1:18

“I am the Living One;

I was dead,

and now look,

I am alive for ever and ever!

And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

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He’s Our Risen Savior!

Allow Jesus To Be Alive In Your Life!!

Amen!

You’ve Stolen My Heart, Yes You Have!

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I’ll Sing Your Praise!!!

Romans 1:20

“For since the creation of the world

God’s invisible qualities—

his eternal power

and divine nature—

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that people are without excuse.”

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Every tree and every stone
Every rushing wind that moans
They sing Your praise
My God, they sing Your praise
Every star and open sky
Tell of Your Glory Divine
They shout Your praise
They shout Your praise, yeah

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You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve stolen my heart
Yes, You have!
You’ve wiped away the stains
And broke away the chains
Yes, You have!!

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With Your love, You set me free
Three nails gave me liberty
So I’ll sing Your praise
This is all for You
Oh, with Your love
You forgave my sin
Forgot my past
And brought me back again
So I’ll sing Your praise
I’ll sing Your praise, yeah

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If I ascend into the sky
Or hide behind the night
I can not run, Your love is chasing me
If I fall into the sea
Your hand will rescue me
No one will take Your place
Because…

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This is all for You
Yes, this is all for You
You’re the King of the world
You’re the King of the world

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(photos-taken by my friend Marian, on her family trip to Lake Billy Chinook)

You’ve stolen my heart!

Yes, you have!!

This is all for You!

My God, I’ll sing Your praise!

You’re the King of the World!

I’ll shout your praise!!

Mathew 22:37

Jesus replied:

Love the Lord your God

with all your heart

and with all your soul

and with all your mind.

I do, Lord!!

Amen!

 

Great Is Thy Faithfulness!

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Faithfulness

Is a major attribute of our God!!

The Bible reveals…

He’s Trustworthy!

He’s Dependable!

He’s Consistent!

He’s Loyal!

He’s Steadfast!

We can trust Him!

He’s true to His Word!

We can obey Him!!

We can experience His faithfulness first hand!

We can rely on Him every day!

Our confidence in Him grows!

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Deuteronomy 32:4

“He is the Rock,

His works are perfect,   

and all His ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,   

upright and just is He.”

Psalm 36:5

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the Heavens,   

Your faithfulness to the skies.”

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Psalm 89:1

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever;   

with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known   

through all generations.”

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Psalm 91:4

“He will cover you with His feathers,   

and under His wings you will find refuge;   

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

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Psalm 110:4-5

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving   

and His courts with praise;   

give thanks to Him and praise His Name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;   

His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

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Lamentations 3:22-24

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,   

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;   

great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;   

therefore I will wait for Him.”

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1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“May God Himself,

the God of peace,

sanctify you through and through.

May your whole spirit, soul and body

be kept blameless

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The One who calls you is faithful,

and He will do it.”

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Has He proven His faithfulness to you???

I Still Believe…Even When I Don’t See…

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Ever Felt Like This???

Scattered words???

Empty thoughts???

Torn???

Feel His Grace…

Falling like Rain…

Washing away pain…

Believe in His Faithfulness
Believe in His Truth
Believe in His Holy Word
Even when you don’t see…

Still Believe!

Let Jesus prepare your heart…

Brokenness???

Fall into His Arms…

He’s near…

Jesus!!

Believe!

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Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for

and assurance about what we do not see.”

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Matthew 9:28-30

“When He had gone indoors,

the blind men came to Him,

and He asked them,

Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

‘Yes, Lord,’ they replied.

Then He touched their eyes and said,

According to your faith let it be done to you;’

and their sight was restored…”

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Matthew 21:21-22

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you,

if you have faith and do not doubt,

not only can you do what was done to the fig tree,

but also you can say to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and it will be done.

If you believe,

you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

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Mark 9:23

“What do you mean,

‘If I can’?’

Jesus asked.

“Anything is possible if a person believes.”

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Still Believe…

Even when you can’t see!!

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Yes, I Am

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Who Are You, Lord????

John 8:56-58

“Your father Abraham

rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day;

he saw it and was glad.”

“You are not yet fifty years old,”

they said to Him,

“and you have seen Abraham!”

“Very truly I tell you,”

Jesus answered,

“before Abraham was born,

I Am!”

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Think about it…

He Is…

Maker of the Heaven  

Bright and Morning Star  

Breath of all Creation

Who Always Was

And Is To Come

One Who Walked on Water  

One Who Calmed the Seas  

Miracles and Wonders

So Come and See

And follow Him

You will know

Fount of Living Water
Risen Son of Man
Healer of the Broken

And When You Cry…

Your Savior and Redeemer
Who Bore the Sins of Man
The Author and Perfecter
Beginning and the End

He Is

Spirit Deep Inside You
Word Upon Your Heart
One Who Even Knew You

Before Your Birth
Before You Were

Before the Earth
The Universe
In Every Heart

Where You Are
The Lord of Love
The King of Kings
The Holy Lamb

Above All Things!

Yes, He Is!

Almighty God Your Father
Risen Son of Man
Healer of the Broken

And When You Cry…

Your Savior and Redeemer
Who Bore the Sins of Man
The Author and Perfecter
Beginning and the End

He Is

Right there beside you!!

Amen!

Comforting, huh???

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