Category: faith

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Knowing When To”¦

Knowing When To…

One of the most difficult things in life is knowing when to”¦ When to stop or go. When to hold on or let go. When to turn away or fight on. Many of the challenges we face are simply distractions from the enemy to keep us from reaching our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbour who always parks in front of your house and blocks your driveway. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture of eternity. You can’t allow the little things to cause strife in your life.

The old testament of the Bible tells us, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. This is how we should deal with distractions in life. Be clear on the destiny, know who is the real enemy, don’t lose focus, and know when to turn away.

Today, let’s be like David and keep our eyes on what’s most important in life. Instead of being led away by life’s frustrations, let’s stay focused on the bigger picture, not the little distractions. Know when to turn away from strife and the battles that will keep you from your God-given purpose and destiny, so that you will receive the mark of honour the Lord has for you!

“It is an honour for a man to cease from strife”¦”

(Proverbs 20:3, KJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for giving me victory in my life. Father, give me the wisdom and courage I need to know when to walk away from strife and useless distractions, so that I can focus on the purpose and destiny You have prepared for me. God, I love You and bless You today. Please make me more like you, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Cultivating Fresh Faith Through Your Lifetime

Cultivating Fresh Faith Through Your Lifetime

Japan, Germany, and Monaco are countries approaching an aging population looking into retirement or settling in retirement homes. Among the older adults, this is probably the time to slow down, reflect, and take leisure time walking along the coast side, travel the world, or build and live in a wonderful lakeside home. The Millennials and Gen Z’s are picking up the weight and chase after the ‘American dream’ faster than ever. But, before technology became a staple in our lives, our forefathers made sure to look into the Word through meditation, mindfulness, and reflection. Looking for a fresh perspective in your walk with God? Each day provides an opportunity to an enriched life filled with a purpose.  

The joy in ALL circumstances

A verse in Philippians 4 pointed, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice’. A worldview devoid of God would have only pinned joy as an event that lasts only for a moment.  But life is a struggle and it doesn’t always go your way. It’s not always happy and it’s not always on time with whatever you asked of God. True joy in your life shouldn’t be dependent on your circumstances. Once we know our Savior, Jesus Christ, we look beyond the circumstances and into the face of the one who gives us substance and meaning. This is why it’s so important to meditate on the truth and joy available to us, as this simple daily practice will help us face our struggles and change our perspective for the better. 

Whose image is on you?

In the Gospel of Mark, a man once asked if ‘it is right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’ to which Jesus replied, ‘Bring me a denarius and let me look at it”¦ Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’ The man replied, ‘Caesar’s’ to which Jesus responded to give to Caesar what is due to his and to God which is due God’s. Ravi Zacharias, a renowned Christian apologist, made a poignant remark of the questioner’s ‘disingenuousness’ by not asking a follow-up question. If it wasn’t the case, the questioner would’ve asked, ‘What belongs to God?’ to which Jesus would have replied, ‘Whose image is on you?’. To have a calling, you first need to have a caller. Each of us is called for a holy life in Christ, to bear the image of his father, and fulfill the purpose He predestined since time immemorial.

Rethinking retirement

If you’ve never heard it before, more adults are retiring early. While there are many reasons people want to retire early, there’s an ugly truth to this ‘upside’.Adults retiring early experience loss of identity and security. The fear of the unknown may also set in once income dwindles, inflation rate shoots up, and the market crashes. Set scheduled time to reading inspirational texts to guide us in honoring our Creator and love of your neighbor. Living the faith does not come with an ‘expiration date’ and building a robust prayer life liberates you from material concerns.

Make every work matter

God cares for the world through us. Even the first task of man on earth is to ‘work and take care of’ the Garden of Eden. The Bible is replete of insinuations of God feeding His people. The only catch is that it has to be done through work. So what does this imply in your walk in the faith? From the grandest work of a CEO running a multi-billion company to washing dishes, no work is menial, and each work carries with it great dignity. As we are all parts of the body of Christ, we are called to become the ‘hands and feet’ of God.

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Troubles and Trials Are Momentary

Troubles and Trials Are Momentary

Aren’t you glad that Scripture promises that our troubles and trial are only momentary? When compared with eternity, our troubles won’t last long, they are not eternal! The second part of today’s verse tells us, that when we stand strong in faith during times of adversity, we are building faith, which achieves eternal glory, which will always outlast our trials.

When you confess your trust and reliance on God, you are passing the test for eternal glory!

If you are in the middle of tough times today, look to God. The Bible says that Jesus is the author and finisher of your faith. He is the one who writes faith on your heart, and then develops it to completion on the inside of you, as you yield yourself to Him.

Today, your part is to seek Him. Follow His commands. Open your heart and choose to speak His Word which is alive and active. Remember, your trials are only momentary and light, but His eternal glory outweighs it all and last forever, from this world into the next. Hallelujah!

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

(2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for preparing me for Your eternal glory. I cast my cares on You, knowing that my trials and troubles are momentary and light, compared to the wonderful eternity You have for me, according to Your Word. Thank You for Your eternal blessing on my life, which begins today and will last forever, beyond this life and into the next, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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I’ve Found A Great Hiding Place

I’ve Found A Great Hiding Place

As a child, one of my favourite games was hide and seek. We looked for the best place to hide in the house or back yard, and waited quietly for our friends to try to find us. It’s a great game for kids, but as adults, we also look for a good place to hide from time to time. A place of refuge, a place of safety, or a place to rest when we feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, a place where the enemy of our soul can never find us.

I’ve got good news. God has the perfect hiding place for you! You don’t have to hide at work. You don’t have to hide in relationships. You don’t have to hide in food or addictions, because God Himself promises to hide you! He freely offers you shelter from the storms of life, any time you call upon His name.

Today, remember there’s only one place the enemy cannot find you. There’s only one place where opposition cannot steal from you. There’s only one true place of safety and rest for your soul, and that is in the arms of Jesus. Know that He loves you, and He is ready to receive you when you call upon His name! Hallelujah!

“In the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”

(Psalm 27:5, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I come humbly before You giving You all of me. Father, thank You for hiding me in Your shelter and keeping me safe from the storms of life. God, today my soul finds rest in You, please hide me from the enemy of my soul, as I seek You and praise Your Holy Name, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Intentionally Taking Root

This weekend I attended a dear friend’s 50th birthday celebration. Amidst  the laughter, fun and music, friends and family alike all agreed that she was a great spiritual person. A godly woman that God had planted a seed of greatness in. Someone that was able to bounce back from illness and adversity, someone who didn’t have a negative bone in her body, who is willing to help at all times. Person after person expressed what a wonderful person she was in Christ.

Today, I want to let you know God has planted seeds of victory on the inside of you. He’s wants to increase you. He’s wants to enlarge your vision. He wants to take you to new levels of victory. But before you see a harvest, the seed has to intentionally take root. You have to conceive it before you are going to receive it. In other words, before you’re ever going to be successful, you’ve got to see yourself successful. Before you’re ever going to have your dreams come to pass, you’ve got to look out through your eyes of faith and see them coming to pass. That’s how you allow the seed to intentionally take root.

Today, please examine your thought life. What are you allowing to take root? Are God’s seeds of victory and life growing in your heart and mind, or are you nurturing seeds of defeat and despair? The good news is that you can change your thoughts right now, at this very moment. Begin to dwell on God’s promises and His goodness. Let His good seeds take root in your mind and heart. It won’t be long before you’ll see that harvest of blessing come forth in every area of your life!

“He answered, ‘the one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man’.” (Matthew 13:37, AMP)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, today I surrender every area of my mind, will and emotions to You. Father, I dwell on Your goodness and faithfulness, so that the good seeds You’ve planted in my life will take root. God, keep me close to You and direct my steps, as I intentionally walk down the path You have prepared for me, in Jesus’ Name! Amen

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Same Power As Jesus

Same Power As Jesus

I read in the Bible that we have the same resurrection power that Jesus had. I found that so hard to believe, then this thought came to mind. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and get baptised, the Holy Spirit makes His home inside of us, just as He did at Christ’s baptism. 

That same Spirit, with the same power that worked miracles and raised Christ from the dead, that resurrection power can do the same for you. It will bring back health, strength and life to your physical body. It will restore hope and breathe life into your dead dreams. In fact, the Spirit can resurrect any area that may seem dormant in your life today. The next time you feel overwhelmed by sickness, challenges or despair, remember, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you through Christ Jesus.

Today, you may be burdened by an addiction, fear or worry, but there’s nothing that can stand against the power of God. So rise up and declare by faith, “he whom the Son sets free is free indeed. I am restored and healed in the name of Jesus! No weapon formed against me can prosper!” Receive His truth, declare His Word, and activate His power within you!

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

(Romans 8:11, NIV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for filling me with Your Holy Ghost power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead. Father, I will feed my faith by declaring Your Word. Father, I will walk in Your ways, and honour You in everything I do, and exercise your resurrection power in all the dead areas in my life, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Beyond Your Ability Is Right Where God Wants You

Beyond Your Ability Is Right Where God Wants You

Have you ever questioned God? Have you ever gone through a situation in your life that you don’t quite understand? During these uncertain seasons, it’s natural to question things in your mind. But in order to move forward, we have to look forward with our hearts. We have to look beyond the questions, and continue to trust in Almighty God.

As Christians we’re going to have some unanswered questions. You may never understand why a relationship ended too soon. You may never understand why someone died. You may never understand why you went through that illness, or why your prayers didn’t get answered. At some point, you have to decide to move beyond your questions and go with trusting God. We have to decide to trust His character even when our circumstances don’t make sense.

Today, God’s Word tells us that difficulties and adversities will come, but God is the one who promises to lead us into victory. He has promised that He’s going to turn that difficulty around and use it for your advantage. He is faithful to His Word and keeps all His promises, and you can be sure that He will fulfill them, and at some point He will make the answers clear. Ask question yes, but trust Him “for the just shall live by faith.”

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God”¦”

(Deuteronomy 29:29, AMPC)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I will trust You with all my unanswered questions. Father, I release any doubt and confusion to You. Help me to focus and trust You and Your Word, which is the truth that will set me free. Thank You for Your goodness and for the blessings You have in store for me. God, today I choose to look beyond my questions and doubts and believe You, in Jesus’ name! Amen

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Peace Today Please God

I’m sitting in Casablanca, Morocco. The airport is packed, so many different languages, people arguing. Oh how I wish for peace after a long frustrating day. What about you do you need peace in your life? Are you feeling frustrated, hopeless or like things are beyond your control? That was me today, nothing seemed to be going according to plan. Everywhere I turned seemed to be blocked. Even God appeared to be distant.

Here’s is how things began to turn in my favour. I asked myself these questions, “what do I have my mind set on? And what am I thinking about – is it positive or negative?” If you are focused solely on your circumstances, or how impossible everything is, it’s going to affect your peace level and maybe even the outcome. But when you keep your mind stayed on God and what He can do, when you get your mind going in the right direction, then you are setting yourself up for peace and spiritual success. Then things will change in your favour, that’s what happened to me. Hallelujah!!!

Today, you may be going through difficulty; you may be in overwhelming circumstances in your life; however, God still promises you peace in the midst of the storm. He promises that He will preserve you when you call on Him. Choose to keep your mind focused on the Father. Be empowered by meditating on His Word. Find peace today by putting your trust and hope in Him.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)

Pray With Me

Yahweh, thank You for peace that passes understanding. It was a blanket of comfort to my heart, mind and emotions today. Father, help me change my thinking when things are going bad. God, I choose to keep my mind stayed on You, and I thank You for ordering my steps today and always, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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We Are Free From Condemnation

We Are Free From Condemnation

This past weekend I ministered to inmates at a prison in the UK. Many of them were lifers and had committed some horrible crimes. God reminded me to let them know that Jesus came to break the curse of sin, shame and condemnation in our lives. He came so that we could see things the way God sees them. Do you know how God sees you? He sees you as valuable. He sees you as strong. He sees you as capable, talented and trustworthy. 

Condemnation is a loss of value. It’s the accusing voice of the enemy that says, “you’re not good enough”¦you’ll never be good enough…you’re a failure.” Condemnation is never from God. The Bible tells us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. When you embrace and declare God’s truth in your life, you activate His power to overcome the voice of condemnation.

Today, no matter how you may be feeling, get up and declare that the Greater One lives in you. Declare that you are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Declare that He loves you and has called you according to His purpose. Choose to see yourself as valuable, the way God sees you. Embrace His truth so that you can overcome condemnation from yourself and others, and live in victory all the days of your life!

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

(Romans 8:1, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for setting me free from condemnation. Hallelujah! Father, thank You for believing in me and filling me with Your vision for my life. God please take away my guilt and shame, help me to see my life the way You see it – free from condemnation, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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His Love Is Greater Than My Mistakes

Yesterday I ministered to over 200 inmates – many are repeat offenders. One young man said “I keep making the same mistakes. Oftentimes, I’ve blown it so many times. I‘ve had so many setbacks. I don’t see how I could ever get to where God wants me to be.”

Can I remind you, our mistakes aren’t that powerful. Our mistakes aren’t too big for our God. He’s not up in the heavens shaking His head saying, “I never dreamed they would do that. They’ve ruined My plan.” No, God knows every mistake we would ever make. He knows every wrong turn, and He’s already prepared a new route for us. He already has your escape figured out.

Today,  God knows the end from the beginning. If you’ve made some mistakes, the good news is that He has already planned a way to get you back on track! Just come to Him with an open and humble heart. Let Him wash you clean and make you new again. Your mistakes aren’t bigger than your God. He loves you and has an awesome plan for your life!

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

(Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for loving me and accepting me beyond all of my mistakes. Father, thank You that the blood of Jesus cleanses me of every sinful mistake and makes me new. God, beginning today, I will consistently remind myself that my God is bigger than my mistakes and my problems. God, have Your way as I submit every area of my life to You, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.
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Finding the Correct Source for Answers

We spend a lot of time finding the right source to get the answers we need. 

It’s a process of elimination until we finally realize that we’re in the right place, just talking to the wrong person or people.  It’s like a puzzle: We have all the right pieces around us, but only one fits the place where we are starting the journey to complete the puzzle. 

This was the case for me recently. I headed to the local hardware store to replace a broken piece on my trimmer.  The first person to help me wasn’t really that helpful. We looked for the replacement part, couldn’t find it, and he decided to remove a part from a demo and give it to me. Was it the part? Yes. But I didn’t want it that way. I think he figured he was giving me a hookup when it was really stealing. I couldn’t walk out of the store with it.  I placed the piece back on the shelf as he walked away, and I purchased another piece. 

That piece didn’t fit either. Sigh. We returned to the store and asked for help again. Here comes the manager. I explained to him what I was looking for and in a few seconds, he showed me exactly where it was! I was stunned. The previous employee was standing right in front of it and neither of us saw it!  

What was my error? 

I only considered ONE source and when that failed, I didn’t seek out another source. In the Bible, Proverbs 15: 22 states, “…Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors, they are established.” The text explains that without the assistance, we’re going to be frustrated, but with multiple sources, we have more chances at achieving our goals.

If you’re wondering why you haven’t found answers to your problems it might be because you’re simply talking to the wrong people! Or the wrong Christians!  We’re all part of the Body of Christ, but we all serve different purposes! (1 Cor. 12)  So how do we complete our puzzle? 

1. Pray over your problem. Ask God to send you the right person to help you. 

2. Keep asking questions. God loves it when you come to him FIRST before going solo.  Sometimes it’s a process to get you where you need to be but you learn a lesson along the way. 

3. Remain calm, don’t get frustrated. The moment your emotions take hold you’re going to make mistakes. Keep a sound mind so that you can hear God’s instructions. 

In the end, I did get the piece and finished my yard work.  Remember, it begins with Christ, and he will get you where you need to be if you trust him. 

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Don’t You Quit

Don’t You Quit

One of the most frustrating things since becoming a Christian is when I pray from my heart and nothing happens. Sometimes, people get discouraged in life because things didn’t turn out the way they hoped on the first try. Maybe they put energy into a relationship, but it didn’t work out. They tried that new business venture, but they are still struggling with their finances.

Now they think it’s never going to happen. But one thing we have to learn is that God honours perseverance. On the way to your “yes” you may encounter some “no’s.” You may encounter some closed doors, but that doesn’t mean it’s the final answer. It just means “keep going.” 

Today, rest assured if God promised it, He’s going to bring it to pass. Through faith and patience, we inherit God’s promises. This is where patience comes in; this is where perseverance comes in. This is where trust comes in. Just because you don’t see things happen right away, doesn’t mean you should quit. No, instead, rise up and press forward. Keep believing, keep hoping, keep enduring and keep asking, because our God is always faithful to His Word!

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”

(Matthew 7:7, NLT)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for being a faithful God. Father, I believe Your Word and trust Your promises. Please remove my frustration when it seems like You’re deaf to my request. I won’t stop asking, I will keep standing, keep believing and keep asking with patience and perseverance, knowing that I will receive what You have promised, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Life Is Not A Competition

Growing up in the UK, when people bought something new, we used to say that they were trying to “keep up with the Jones’s (trying to compete with your neighbours).” It’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who’s more talented, better looking or has more gifts, instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to my neighbours and friends.” The problem with this unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle.

Did you know there will always be someone ahead of you? But it’s very freeing when you realise, “I’m not in a competition.” I don’t have to have as big a house as my neighbour to feel good about myself. I don’t have to keep up with my co-worker. I don’t have to be a certain size. No, I understand that I’m not in competition with my friend, my neighbour or my co-worker.

Today, say to yourself “I’m going to be the best me that I can possibly be, I’m going to run my own race, I’m going to stay in my lane, I will not compete with anyone.” Now, that’s an attitude God can work with. When you focus on being who God made you to be, that’s when you’ll rise up higher, and position yourself for every spiritual blessing He has in store for you!

“”¦let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”¦” 

(Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I humbly come to You giving You all that I am. Father, help me keep my eyes on You and no one else. Please work on my heart and mind, so I will learn to stay in my lane and run my own race. God, I want You to be my only focus. I want to be free from competition today, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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God’s Word Will”¦

Romans 10:17 says that faith grows as we read and study His Word. Faith, in turn, produces patience, and when we allow patience to have its perfect work in us, we will lack no good thing. God wants you to be perfect and complete, living in His abundance, and lacking nothing on this earth.

Now, that may seem like a stretch from where you are today, but in an instant, things can turn around. God has set up a system of blessing for you, and it starts with His Word. The Bible says that God has given each of us a measure of faith. We all have faith, and it’s up to us to develop it through the Holy Ghost.

Today, no matter where you are in the process of life, keep moving forward by reading and hearing God’s Word. God’s Word is alive. God’s Word will heal your heart and restore your soul. God’s Word will produce patience in your life so that you can move forward, being complete and lacking nothing all the days of your life!

“Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

(James 1:3-4, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, thank You for Your Word which lights my path and directs my way. Thank You for its healing power. Thank You for the restoration it brings. I choose to put You first. I choose to meditate on Your Word, knowing that it will increase my faith and bring me patience. God, place Your Word in my mind so I can move forward, lacking nothing, in Jesus’ Name! Amen.

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Lord Make Me Over

Spiritual Constipation

Change Starts With You

God make me over? This question I believe can be a clarion call for most Believers in Christ. It is this type question we ask God when we truly see who and what we really are. 

The Prophet Isaiah said it like this in chapter 6 of Isaiah:

So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”
Isaiah 6:5 NKJV

Isaiah saw who he really was on the inside. He looked at God and then with a pure and holy eye looked at himself and came to the conclusion that he was nowhere near that man he thought he was.

image

I believe God’s work must first start within if we are to be effective in other areas of our lives.  I think that this is an universal principle.  Whether you are in church, at home or at work change must start within in order to impact your surroundings. We must practice what the scripture says, “Pick up our cross and follow Jesus.”

God wants his work to truly start with us first and then change a generation.  However, oftentimes, we  look to change others before we clean up the mess in our own lives. 

The greatest opportunity for change and progress starts with the man and in the mirror.  The brightest light in the room will truly illuminate when the shade is removed and the true essence of light can shine.

We must become the change that we want others to be.  The greatest thing about changing ourselves is that, if anyone else doesn’t follow its okay.  You are your greatest priority apart from God.

We can’t become good friends, spouses, employees or servants if we are not willing to put in the time becoming and being those things we want to see in others.

If we want to preach godliness we must practice godliness in secret and in the open we won’t have to pretend.  We would just be godly because we have put in the time to change.

So be the change you would like the world to see snd I guarentee some one will be awakened by your light.

Mike Anthoni,

Host of Making An Impact Christian Podcast Show 

 

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