Tag: character

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Real love

Real love never quits. God’s love is timeless and constant. It is “always” there, without fail. Psalm 103:17 says, “From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children”. “Everlasting” and “always”, are wide open words that expand our limited view of God’s love.

God’s love is not fickle or wavering, because it does not depend on anything other than God’s decision to love. If God’s love were merely a response to our love or a reward for our good behaviour, it would fluctuate wildly and at times disappear entirely. Fortunately, though, God’s love is deeply rooted in his faithfulness and character, not in our limited commitment or our temperamental love.

Today on this Valentine day, don’t forget Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love. He died for us “while we were still sinners”. When we were at our worst, He offered us his best. Though I love my kids even on their naughtiest days, God loves us even more constantly and without condition. God’s love does not waver. It is a constant presence in our lives. God’s love originates and flows from his own character. The greatest blessing and perhaps the only constant in the universe is the mighty force of God’s love. Do you know this love?

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:7-8).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank you for your unfailing love. Father, may your love define me as your child, and may I return it to you and offer it to others in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Jesus, the God-Man, and the Extraordinary Journey of Character

They often say that a baby is like a blank canvas, ready to be painted with life’s experiences. However, this canvas isn’t entirely blank, as certain factors like illnesses can be passed down from generation to generation. Nevertheless, the idea that a baby is a vessel waiting to be shaped remains compelling.

If we consider this notion, it leads to intriguing reflections on the story of Jesus. When Jesus, the divine being, laid down his divinity and became a baby, it can be seen as a form of symbolic death. The Jesus who presumably had a distinct personality ceased to exist in the same way, and he was then raised in a human context. His character would have been influenced by his surroundings, but with a unique twist – his development wasn’t solely shaped by humanity, but also guided by God.

What makes this story extraordinary is that Jesus wasn’t influenced by mere mortals but by the divine. Additionally, he would have been taught by angels, adding another layer to the shaping of his character. It’s plausible to imagine that his character, while shaped by the human experience, carried a divine essence that set it apart.

As the narrative goes, when Jesus, after his human life, was restored to his full divine power, it’s mysterious to ponder what it felt like when all the knowledge and experiences from his previous existence came flooding back. This enigmatic transformation and combination gives rise to the concept of the creation of a “God-man” – someone who has now experienced both the limitations of humanity and the boundless power of divinity. How awesome, how wonderful and what a sacrifice.

In essence, Jesus underwent a symbolic death twice – first by laying down his divinity to become human and then by returning to his divine form after his human death. This profound journey is often viewed as the creation of a bridge between the divine and humanity, connecting two realms in a way that transcends ordinary understanding.

By Dean Jones

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What Or Who Am I Reflecting?

Like a mirror, when you reflect something, you are exhibiting its likeness. You are displaying its characteristics. the Bible tells us that we should reflect the character and likeness of Jesus. We shouldn’t only have His features, like in a mirror, but most importantly – His attitude.

That may sound like a pretty tall order; after all, Jesus was the Son of God. But remember, when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, we become sons and daughters of the Most High God, too. We become empowered by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. That means we have the same spirit of humility—the same strength, the same love, and the same power on the inside. We are equipped to follow His example and do what He did. He went around doing good and bringing healing to others – physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Today, we have to let God work on our attitudes and actions. We have to open the door and invite Him in. Make the decision to open every area of your life to Him. Reflect Him and do good everywhere you go!

“Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]” (Philippians 2:5, AMP).

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, right now I invite You to dwell in my thoughts, my heart and my attitude. Father, I want to be a true reflector of You. A pure reflection of Your  love in everything I do. God, I choose to follow Your example and bring good to others. Help me, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

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Building Your Faith Through Community

Building Your Faith Through Community

When I was young, I played with building blocks. You could stack them one on top of the other to build a big tower, or you could put them side by side to build a wall. You could use them to build anything you desire. They couldn’t do much on their own, but together they could make something great. The same is true for each of us. Living in a community with God’s people, we can accomplish more things than we could alone. The Bible tells us to build our faith through prayer and community. Prayer is how we talk to God. As we communicate with God through prayer, we put our hope and trust in Him, and our relationship with Him and others grows deeper.

What does a community of faith look like? Community is made up of the relationships we make with other Christians. Community builds our faith by allowing us to encourage each other. Just like rubbing sticks together can start a fire; when people get together in a community, they fan the fire of each other’s faith.

Today, please realise following Jesus is a journey. Sometimes, we’re going to want to throw our hands up and quit. At other times, we’re going to be so excited we want to jump up and down and scream. That’s why it’s so important to persevere with the building blocks of prayer and community. Whether life is going great or not going at all, God has given us ways to draw strength from Him and from His people. So don’t do life alone. Start building your faith today.

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” Matthew 21:22. 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I pray for our community.  Each one of us within the community is important to you.  Father, you died so that each of them could experience freedom and eternal life.  You desire for each of them to be saved. Now help us to raise up a team of people who will intercede for the community.  People who are willing to put feet to their prayers.  People who will work together to glorify you by showing love and care for their neighbours.  People who are eager to share how you are transforming their character and blessing their lives.  Lord, show us how you want us to work together so that “your Kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, In Jesus’ name Amen.”

In Reflection:

What’s one way you’ve seen prayer build your faith?

Is there anything you need to take to God in prayer today?

Do you have a solid Christian community? Who do you turn to when you need help or want to celebrate?

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Joy and Pain

woman in gray dress sitting on bed

Recently, I watched a friend bury her daughter. Her heart was breaking apart with grief. The loss and loneliness are crushing burdens she carries every day. It seems almost sacrilegious to read today’s verse about rejoicing when we face trials with respect to my friend’s circumstances. Does God expect her to rejoice in this devastating sorrow? 

Do you see the joy and pain in this verse? God’s adoption plan was to send His only Son to die in our place. What pain! What sorrow! Pain and Joy. They seem so opposed to one another and yet, their mutual presence is at the core of God’s rescue plan for us! 

Joy comes from knowing God and trusting His way. Joy comes from the deep springs of the soul. It doesn’t happen overnight; it’s developed over time and hardship as we grab hold of God’s hand and put one foot in front of the other pain will become Joy. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

Today, choose joy in the pain of your circumstances. Ask yourself what blessings are there in your pain. Take some time to focus on the good, instead of the bad and list your blessings and see God’s goodness in your life. I implore you to embrace the joy and the pain in your life. 

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, Omnipotent, all-powerful God, I come to You today, thanking You that You listen when I pray. Father, I come to You asking to be delivered from all my troubles and pain. God, I ask for Your angels to be my guard to surround and defend me. I know that I will have joy because I come to You for refuge, and you will never turn me away. I have tasted and seen that You are good in my past knowing that you never change. In Christ’s name Amen. 

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The Purpose of Trials

“Take up your cross and follow me,” Christ said. We shouldn’t expect the Christian life to be easy and comfortable because believers aren’t exempt from trials. Becoming a Christian may result in increased trouble and suffering. Peter refers to such hardship as a “fiery ordeal,” and tells us not to be surprised by it. God uses our suffering for His purpose, and He walks through it with us. Hope during affliction is possible when we understand what God is achieving in the situation. Here are four reasons the Christian may go through trials. 

1.     The heavenly Father sometimes uses painful experiences to purify us. Trials drive us to the Lord and open our eyes to sins that we have tolerated. His discipline is not designed to crush us but to produce “the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). 

2.     God uses suffering to display his power. Trials humble us by revealing our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). They teach us to depend on the Lord for the power to persevere and mature 

3.     Our suffering has eternal benefits. Earthly affliction “is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17). 

4.     The Lord at times allows difficulty as a way of testing us. His goal is to produce increased faith, endurance, and devotion to Him. Rather than complaining, we should exult in our tribulations, knowing that they are producing proven character within us (Romans 5:3-4). 

Today, be encouraged and view your next trial from God’s perspective. Though you may not feel it at the time, the Lord is with you. He is your hope and sufficiency. 

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [a]reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [b]On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:12-14 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, as I go through the trials of life, help me to realize that you are always with me in all things; that I have no secrets from you; and that your loving grace enfolds me for eternity. In the security of your embrace,  in Christ’s name Amen. 

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We Need Caleb’s Faith 

When the Israelites first approached the borders of Canaan, Moses sent scouts into the Promised Land to assess the situation. Ten of the scouts came back with reports that focused on the giants in the land, men so big and powerful the scouts feared they could not be defeated. Two of the scouts focused on the promise from God that he would hand the land over to the Israelites. One of those scouts, Caleb, silenced the others when he said, 

“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it”   

Caleb trusted God instead of trusting his fear. The opposite of fear is faith some say, the belief that Jesus is capable of handling anything we may face in life. But operating out of faith means we must rely on God, remaining dependent on him to see us through any issue. 

It brings us to a choice: Will we trust God, or will we trust our fears? And we reach that level of trust by knowing the Father and understanding His character through His word and we understand the Father by following Jesus.  

Today Your Greatest fears simply reveal places where you aren’t yet trusting God. Don’t stay stuck in your fear, and don’t receive condemnation for your lack of faith. Christ wants to move you past that into a place where your fears are replaced by faith. Follow him and learn to trust Him more. 

“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:30b 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I believe, but help with my unbelief! Help my head and my heart to believe in you and trust in you fully, without a doubt, knowing that in you all things are possible.  I pray for help to strengthen my faith in you. Father, I believe, but I don’t always believe in your power and might. I don’t always believe that in you all things are possible. I don’t always place my trust in you, instead trying to fix everything on my own. I don’t always turn to you first, instead turning to others and the world for answers. Lord at times I struggle to relate the scriptures to my own life. Lord, Lord, please strengthen my faith! In Christ’s name Amen. 

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Remain Strong In Him

In life, we all have ups and downs. Some seasons are more difficult than others, seasons of testing, trials and temptation, where our character is being developed, and our faith in God is being strengthened. Sometimes it can feel like we are taking one step forward and two steps back. 

If we’re not careful, we’ll start thinking that life is always going to be this way. Even in the strong seasons, you’ll start looking for things to go wrong. God doesn’t want us to live life like a roller coaster. He wants to bring us to a place of stability where we remain strong in Him.  

Today, Christ says in His Word, “if you abide in Me, you will bear much fruit and your fruit will remain.” The word “remain” means “to be fixed, immovable, not affected by circumstances.” If you will just keep abiding in God, just keep meditating on His Word, He’ll bring you through. He’ll make you strong, He’ll keep you stable, and you’ll keep moving forward into the life of blessing He has prepared for you! 

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I set my heart and mind on You, knowing that You are good and faithful. Father, I trust that as I seek You and put You first, You will direct my steps. God, I will remain in You and follow Your leading in everything I do, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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Reflections 

Like a mirror, when you reflect something, you are exhibiting its likeness. You are displaying its characteristics. the Bible tells us that we should reflect the character and likeness of Christ. We shouldn’t only have His features, like in a mirror, but most importantly – His attitude.

That may sound like a tall order; after all, He was the Son of God. But remember, when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, we become sons and daughters of the Most High God. We become empowered by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. That means we have the same spirit of humility—the same strength, the same love, and the same power on the inside. We are equipped to follow His example and do what He did. He went around doing good and bringing healing to others – physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Today, we must let God work on our attitudes and actions. We must open the door and invite Him in. Decide to open every area of your life to Him. Reflect Him and do good everywhere you go!

“Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]” (Philippians 2:5, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, right now I invite You to dwell in my thoughts, heart, and attitude. Father, I want to be a true reflector of You. A pure reflection of Your love in everything I do. God, I choose to follow Your example and bring good to others. Help me, in Christ’s name! Amen.

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Progress over Perfection

Some of my goals in life are to be spiritually free, transformed mentally, and to learn to walk in love as I continue to grasp just how much I am already loved by God. Seeing this love has enabled me to know what goals to strive for and the goals God desires for me. The more I realize the immenseness of God’s love for me, the more I will make progress on goals that I would like to complete in His name. 

God loves our completed tasks as much as he loves our enthusiasm to work for Him. He is pleased every time that we are taking steps of obedience, not just at the end. Some things will never be completed this side of heaven—like world peace, for instance—but God is pleased when we take steps to live in unity with one other person. 

Today progress toward your goals and progress toward becoming more like Christ is ongoing. There will always be more to do and more ways to grow in character and love. God is pleased when we take steps and when we step out of our comfort zones. It’s a journey and each step will teach us something new and grow our character. God will help us as we seek Him. God gave us good work to do, and He won’t leave us until our progress is complete. 

“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) 

Let’s Pray  

Yahweh, thank You for making me for good works. Father, You gave me the desire to learn and grow in my ability to love You and my neighbours. Lord help me to make progress on my goals each day and not worry about perfection but focus on my obedience. God remind me regularly that my obedience will always bring fruit even though the conclusion may differ from what I am thinking. Your ways are above my ways. In Christ’s name Amen  

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Unanswered Season

Seasonal Depression: Remembering God’s Provision

There are things in this life I will never understand. Are you going through a situation in your life that you don’t quite understand? You may be going through an uncertain season, it’s natural to question things in your mind. But in order to move forward, we have to look forward with our heart and not just our head. We have to look beyond the questions and continue to trust in Almighty God.

Remember, serving God means we’re going to have some unanswered questions. You may never understand why a relationship ended sooner than you would have liked. You may never understand why you lost a loved one. You may never understand why you went through something difficult. You may never understand why your God-fearing child is on drugs or why your prayers didn’t get answered. But at some point, you have to decide to put your questions aside and go on with God.  Trust Him when you can’t trace Him.

Today, we have to decide to trust His character even when our circumstances don’t make sense. The Bible tells us that adversity 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 you can be sure that He will fulfill every promise He’s made to you.

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God…” (Deuteronomy 29:29, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I choose to trust You with my unanswered questions. I choose to release any doubt and confusion to You. Father, help me to focus on Your word which is truth that will set me free from doubts and lack of understanding. God, I will trust You when I can’t trace You. Thank You for Your goodness and for the blessings You have in store for my future, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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God’s Love

God Sees You

I’m always disheartened, bewildered and even confused by the way we use the word “love,” prompting the question “what is love?” We love food, movies, clothes and sports, but we also love our family or spouse.

In the Word of God, we see God’s true definition of love. First Corinthians 13 tells us that “love is patient and kind. It does not envy nor boast. It is not proud. It is not rude. It does not seek its own way, is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Love believes, hopes and endures. Love never fails.” This is how God responds to us, and this is how we should respond to the people in our lives with patience, kindness, hope, humility and love. Scripture tells us that God is love, and His character never changes!

Today, and every day, know that God loves you more than you love pizza, ice cream and cake. He loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is there for you and has a great plan for you. Receive His perfect, consistent and patient love, and let Him transform you from the inside out. His love is the greatest love and will last throughout all eternity! Hallelujah!

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for loving me and accepting me with all my fault and flaws. Father, thank You for doing a work in my life that no one else can do. God, please help me to love like You, with patience and consistency. Help me to see others the way You see them, and respond in love, because You are love. I bless You,  honour You and love You today and always, in Christ’ Name! Amen.

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Be An Imitator

I’m always being told I look like my dad. When people look at you, do they see your family resemblance? Perhaps you have characteristics of your father or mother; maybe you have their eyes, or mouth, or mannerisms. We Christians should also have the characteristics of Christ. We should display His likeness. We should have His eyes, His mouth and His mannerisms too. We should study Him and imitate Him with the same awe that little children have when they imitate their earthly fathers.

Remember, the Bible tells us that God is love. We are never more like God than when we are walking in love—when we are being patient and kind; when we are extending grace and mercy and forgiving others, the way Christ has forgiven us.

Today, when you imitate God, when you do things His way, you get His results! And God’s ways always lead to life, freedom and blessing. The more you imitate your heavenly Father by walking in love, the more you will see Him moving in your life. He’ll open doors for you that no man can close, and you’ll see His hand of blessing in every area of your life!

“Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children imitate their father. And walk in love…” (Ephesians 5:1–2, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahshua, I invite Your love and life to flow through me in a practical way. Allow me to become just like You in every way. Father, show me how I can be a blessing to others as I follow Your ways. Let my life please You, so that I can be an example of Your awesome character, in Christ’ name! Amen.

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Let’s Celebrate God

Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Godly Parent

While traveling I get confused by Christian congregations who look sad and miserable as if the have hope. Even in worship our time to celebrate our God for who He is and what he has done we take the non biblical stance of silence, uniformity and in action. I remember after Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan scored a goal against Germany in the 2014 World Cup, he and his teammates did a coordinated dance step. When Germany’s Miroslav Klose scored a few minutes later, he did a running front flip. “Soccer celebrations are so appealing because they reveal players’ personalities, values, and passions,” says Clint Mathis, who scored for the US at the 2002 World Cup. Not suggesting that we celebrate as if we are at a football match.

In Psalm 150, the psalmist invites “everything that has breath” to celebrate and praise the Lord in many different ways. He suggests that we use trumpets and harps, stringed instruments and pipes, cymbals and dancing. He encourages us to creatively and passionately celebrate, honor, and adore the Lord. Why? because the Lord is great and has performed mighty acts on behalf of His people, He is worthy of all praise. These outward expressions of praise will come from an inner wellspring overflowing with gratitude to God. “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord,” the psalmist declares (150:6). Which is why we were created.

Today, Though we may celebrate the Lord in different ways, our praise to God always needs to be expressive and meaningful and should show personality, passion and value. When we think about the Lord’s character and His mighty acts toward us, we cannot help but celebrate Him through our praise and worship. How has this psalm challenged you to be more expressive in your praise to God? Spend some time thinking about the greatness of the Lord’s mighty works. Then give Him your praise. Remember praise is the song of a soul set free.

Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe. —Psalm 150:4

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, I lift you up and magnify your name with my mind, body and soul. Father I apologies and ask for your forgiveness for my lack of personality, passion and power while praising and worshiping You.  For allowing the things of this world and the enemy to still my praise for You. God today I pledge and declare that sin will stop and I will praise you with my whole heart as you created me to be. I come in agreement with your word “let everthing that have breath praise the Lord” in Cr name Amen.

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In The Difficult Times

In our lives we will all face hard times. Did you know that the way you handle your adversities has a huge impact on your success in life? If you shrink back, choose to get bitter, and lose your enthusiasm, then you are allowing the difficulties of life to bury you. You may be allowing hardship to keep you from your God-given destiny. But if you choose to keep pressing forward with hope on your mind, rejoicing even in the hard times, you are allowing God’s character to be developed in you. 

Today, I say it again, the only difference between a piece of black coal and a priceless diamond is the amount of pressure that it’s endured. When you stand strong in the midst of the trials and difficulties in life, when you allow God to shape and mould your character, it’s like going from a piece of coal to a priceless diamond. Those difficulties are going to give way to new growth, new potential, new talents, new friendships, new opportunities, new vision. You’re going to see God develop your life in ways that you’ve never even imagined! 

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3-4, NLT). 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for giving me strength to overcome every obstacle in life. Father, I will rejoice no matter what may come against me, because I know You are working all things together for my good. God, thank You for developing Your character in me. In Christ’s Name! Amen.  

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What To Do In Hard Times

Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times

When trials come what do you do? If you shrink back, get bitter, and lose your enthusiasm, then you are allowing the trial to control your life. Did you know that the way you handle your adversities has a huge impact on your success? You may be allowing hardship to keep you from your God-given destiny.  

However, look to God, keep pressing forward, put a smile on your face, rejoice even in the hard times, you are allowing God’s character to be developed inside of you. You are setting yourself up for your breakthrough! The only difference between a piece of black coal and a priceless diamond is the amount of pressure that it endures.   

Today, stand strong in the midst of trials and difficulties and allow God to shape and mould your character, it’s like going from a piece of coal to a priceless diamond. Those difficulties are going to give way to new growth, new potential, new talent, new friendships, new opportunities, new vision. You’re going to see God develop your life in ways that you’ve never even imagined! 

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3-4, NLT). 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for giving me strength to overcome every obstacle in life. Father, I will  rejoice no matter what may come against me, because I know You are working all things together for my good. God, thank You for developing Your character in me. In Christ’s Name! Amen.  

 

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