Tag: speak

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Think About Your  Thinking 

When You Think of the Word Home, Does Jesus Come to Mind

In this age of social media influences, millions of people are not enjoying life because of the condition of their minds. They constantly dwell on negative, destructive, harmful thoughts. They don’t realise it, but the root cause of many of their problems is simply the fact that their thought life is out of control and very negative. 

More than ever, we have to realize that our lives follow our thoughts. If you think negative thoughts, then you’re going to live a negative life. If you think discouraging, hopeless thoughts, or even mediocre thoughts, then your life is going to go down that exact same path. That’s why we have to take captive every thought, and renew our minds with the Word of God on a daily basis. 

Today, I want to challenge you to think about what you’re thinking about. Don’t let those self-defeating thoughts linger in your mind. Instead, speak God’s promises over your life. Declare what He says about you. Take captive every thought and renew your mind daily through His awesome Word! 

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV).

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, today I choose to take captive every one of my thoughts. I will renew my mind according to Your Word. Father, thank You for being my teacher and helper. I give You my mind, please direct me in the way that I should go. In Jesus’ Name! Amen. 

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Let Go Of Anger Before As You Sleep

My Anger and Need for Control Was Killing My Marriage (And My Faith)

Scripture reminds us that the Lord longs to pour out blessings on us even while we are sleeping! During these difficult times, many people struggle with sleeping at night. They stay awake or get poor sleep because they are constantly focused on their problems and worrying about tomorrow. But that’s not God’s plan! He wants you to enjoy your sleep as a time of blessing and refreshing. Understand that God has His hand on your life even in the midnight hour. He wants to speak to your heart and restore your dreams. He is taking care of those things that concern you.

Today, cast your cares on God and trust Him to work out every detail of your life, you’ll be able to enjoy that sweet sleep that He has promised even in these hard times. Make the decision today to enjoy the blessings of the Lord as you sleep. Say a prayer before you go to bed and cast your cares, worries and stresses on God, let go of anger and wrath and rest in Him.

“…He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.” (Psalm 127:2, AMP)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for Your promise of blessing me as I sleep. Father, I ask that You teach me how to receive Your blessing and refreshing while I sleep. God, I cast my cares worries and stresses on You, trusting that You will work all things for my good. Lord, thank You for watching over me and protecting me each night as I sleep, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

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If You Compromise, You Will Lose

silhouette photo of person near body of water

Everyone is on a pilgrimage with God, and we don’t want to miss the lessons of the journey. While on the journey remember.  

God means what He says. 

God is serious with us in the matter of complete obedience.  Ninety-eight per cent conformity to his will and his ways is not obedience. We want to say, “Cut us some slack, God,” but it costs not to obey Him. Don’t forget Lot’s wife and King Saul. If we compromise and treat God’s word lightly, we lose. 

Weakness will break strongholds Not Strength 

God wants us to lead from weakness, not strength. God loves us too much to let us succeed in our own strength.  Someone once said, “We have embezzled his strength, and he calls an audit.” Remember His name is I AM. Without Him, we can do nothing, we are zero. 

Live By Grace 

I try to live by grace, but unless God does a work of grace in me, I can’t. 

I try to speak grace words, which are words of life, and only God is sufficient for me. I fully embrace His love, but my life is only snapshots of His grace. 

God has been merciful up till now, but He may no longer cover us concerning what we are not ignorant of. Presumption will result in disaster. God is doing a new thing which will lead to more freedom and at the same time require greater accountability to Him. He has new directions for us and deeper levels for us with Him if we have ears to hear and eyes to see Him and respond to Him. He wants new wineskins for an outpouring of His Spirit in this generation. 

I must not listen to seducing voices. 

Today seducing voices will suggest we take the road of compromise or take matters into our own hands by our own power or follow the dramatic or sensational. We must give no ground to comfort, deception, or denial. This will require a very fine-tuned antenna, homed in on God’s voice alone. Stand still with God in your “Bethel,” a place of meeting with Him personally. Let Him open His heart to you personally, between you and Him. 

Prayerfully reflect on your life in Christ. What is He saying to you? Let Him review the traces of His hand in your life. Ask Him to speak to you intimately and powerfully in a key you can hear and understand. 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I want to live purely before You without compromising with the world. Father, I lift my hands to you I don’t want to live with one foot in the church and another foot in the world. God, please bind and rebuke any compromise that may be in my life right now in Jesus’s Name! 

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Dedicated Disciples ?

jesus saves neon signage

Becoming a serious Christian, around 15 years ago, was the most liberating moment of my life. It was also daunting. A world that once was familiar now appeared foreign, simply because most people I knew were not free. However, I knew I would need a family of fellow believers, for strength and survival.  

With fervent prayer, I explored churches and prayer groups to find that “place” where I could flourish in my exciting liberating faith. It wasn’t long before one church spoke the word “home” to my spirit, as I was greeted by the senior pastor and others who had been shepherding the congregation for years. They took me under their wings and lovingly, became my spiritual family. I met other church members and enrolled in a bible study about who Jesus was and the dynamics of Christianity. Oh, and their prayer meetings were powerful. 

God continued to lead me in nurturing pathways to strengthen my beliefs. The members were the epitome of disciples. They accepted, taught, and counselled me. Their commitment to my Christian maturity was transformational and something I’m still emotionally grateful for, years later. This church’s love for God and diligence in seeing me grow was Jesus in action. Though things weren’t perfect, I know they still exuded the personalities of dedicated disciples within the great tapestry of God’s kingdom. 

Today as a follower of Christ, endeavour to mirror the same characteristics as a good disciple. Nurture, love, and pray in the power of the Spirit. As believers, this is our obligation. May we never hesitate to speak or act in the life of someone needing help and discipleship. 

“Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  Galatians 6:10 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I desire to serve and honour you with my life. Father, grant me the heart of a dedicated disciple when encountering other believers who need guidance and love. God, please help me grow and mature spiritually as I seek to serve, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. 

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You Can Be Pure Again?

close up of drop splashing in water

A few months ago I spoke for a programme on Sexuality at Chiswick Church. One of the questions posed was, “can someone who has lost their virginity be pure again?”. I reminded them as a believer in Jesus, you’re not only getting something new, you become someone new. You are a brand-new creation! You are a pure – re-created in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come. 

That now means, you have to trust God to retrain your body and mind to act, think, speak and live according to the new spirit within you (instead of the old habits you used to have). Don’t ever get stuck in a rut thinking, “I’ll never change, I will always be like this, that’s just the way I am.” No, the Bible says that the Spirit of God aids us in our weakness. He gives us strength to overcome. He empowers us to live as more than conquerors. 

Today, do you want to change your life and become new? Remember, you must be willing to sacrifice to be a new creation in Christ. Through sacrifice you will be empowered to overcome, equipped to walk in the new, and have the abundant life that God has in store for you! 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (II Corinthians 5:17) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for making me a new creation. Removing my past and making me pure in You. Father, thank You for empowering me to live as an overcomer in Christ. God, I give this day to You, and ask You to help me fully understand the plan You have for me. Please change me God, change my body, mind, and actions as I yearn to be more like Christ, in His name I pray! Amen. 

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Links

grayscale photography of people

Do you think you can accomplish your goals and dreams by yourself? Your destiny is too big to accomplish on your own. God has already arranged for certain people to come alongside you and speak faith into your life. He has placed in your path people who will inspire you, challenge you, and help you accomplish all your God-given dreams. But some people never reach their highest potential because they never get away from the wrong people. 

Recognize today that not everyone can go where God is taking you. You’ve got to link up with people who understand your destiny and can call forth your seeds of greatness. You don’t have time to spend on people who are always pushing you down, telling you what you can’t do, or who refuse to give you their approval no matter how hard you try.  

Today life is too short to drag people along. If you are struggling to get the wrong people (parasites) out of your life, then pray. Pray also, that God will help you make the right connections so you can fulfil the destiny He has in store for you. 

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”Proverbs 18:24, NIV 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for placing godly people in my life. Father, Help me to discern the right people You have for me. Please give me strength to release the wrong relationships so I have room in my life for the people You have chosen to connect with me, in Christ’s name, Amen. 

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A Present Thought Can Determine Your Future

Do you know that your negative or positive future can be determined by how you see the present? In the Old Testament, there was an Israelite woman who was about to give birth. She had just heard that the Ark of the Covenant which housed God’s presence had been stolen. She was so upset about it that she named her baby boy Ichabod, which means “the glory has departed.”  

Notice what this woman did; she named her future by what was happening in her present. She could have just as easily named him “the glory will return,” but she was so focused on the negative, so caught up in where she was at that moment, that she defined her future by it. Don’t ever name your future by your present-day circumstances. You may have had some hard times in the past, but get that “Ichabod” spirit off of you.  

Today, it may look like you’re stuck in a rut, and you don’t see how you could ever rise any higher, but don’t speak defeat over your life. Instead, name your future: blessed, prosperous, successful, victorious, healthy, whole, strong, talented, creative, wise. Declare what God’s Word says so that you can move forward in the destiny He has prepared for you! 

“You will also declare a thing, and it will be established…” (Job 22:28, NKJV) 

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the blessed future that You have prepared for me. Father, today I choose to come into agreement with Your Word and speak Your blessing over my life. God, keep me close to You and show me Your ways, in Christ’s Name! Amen.  

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Control Your Tongue

I believe every word we speak has power. Have you ever said things you wish you could take back? Our words determine the direction of our lives. The Bible tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue.

There’s no neutral ground. We are either sowing seeds of life and productivity with our words, or we are sowing seeds of ruin and destruction with our words. This is a good day to take inventory of your words and make the decision to sow only good seeds with your words.

Today, speak God’s Word over your own life and the lives of those around you. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to consider every word before you say it. Make the decision today that your words will bring glory to the Lord. As you guard your mouth, you will “keep” your life. You’ll see an increase in every area and enjoy the blessings God has in store for you!

“He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3, AMP)

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I give this day to You. I give You my every thought, I give You every word and action. Spirit, help me to live a life pleasing to God in every way. Please help me speak words of blessing to edify those around me. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

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**Wisdom Wednesday’s** Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart

God is the Master Orchestrator. He really understands everyone of his instruments in detail.

Yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to spend time in Kingston Jamaica with a friend I only met this April at a conference. 

When we met we realised very quickly how much we had in common and had a deep sense that God had a special purpose for our connection. We didn't speak about our holiday plans back in April yet God had impressed on our hearts separately that we needed to be in Jamaica during the month of July. 

So He orchestrated the rhythms of iur lives to cross. Yesterday was a day like no other, we laughed, shopped till we dropped, ate good Jamaican food and discovered really cool hang out spots with my cousins. It was a day the manuscript of our souls. I saw how God composed the major and minor chords of my vacation into a sweet lullaby. 

Why not allow God to be the Master Orchestrator of your life. - Pastor Sophia Peart
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“Breathe in… breath out….  

Spirit = Breath

Sitting in Tanzania this morning breathing some natural air I came across this thought we breathe at least 12-14 times a minute without thinking. Breathing is a miracle. It keeps us alive. In the same way, God has given Christians “spiritual breathing” for our spiritual well-being. Spiritual breathing, like physical breathing, is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure. It can become a way of life. 

You “exhale” by confessing your sins as soon as you become aware of them and claim God’s forgiveness….  

You “inhale” by asking the Holy Spirit to take control and empower you to help you from returning to that sin. 

Usually, we don’t give much thought to our physical breathing. But spiritual breathing requires conscious action – a readiness to “exhale”, confess our sin, and “inhale”, or trust God to fill us with his Holy Spirit. 

When Christians do not understand this concept, we live on a spiritual roller coaster of frustration. On our own, we may have a fresh start in life only to lose it again – negative thoughts, angry words, slammed doors…… How could this change? It could change by learning and applying the concept of spiritual breathing. 

Today as we practice spiritual breathing. Don’t wait to exhale. Be quick to confess. We can pause and confess our sin as soon as we entertain a sinful thought, speak an ugly word, or act on evil desires. “Spiritual exhaling” is agreeing with God about our sin. Inhale spiritually is to claim and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. When the negative circumstances of life crowd in and we take A spiritual breath by letting the Spirit in to take the reigns of our life It is a continuous, conscious choice we make to walk in the Holy Spirit’s power. Are you ready to do spiritual breathing today? 

“Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit” – Ephesians 5:18. 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I need you. Father, today I breathe spiritually by exhaling the times I have sinned against you. I thank you that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross. And now I inhale by asking Your Spirit to put Christ back on the throne of my life and to fill me, as You promised in Your Word, I pray this in the name of Jesus. I thank You for directing me in Christ’s name. Amen 

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Speak Blessings

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name." ?

As we think about our purpose now and for the rest of the year, how we treat others and how we use our influence can bless or curse us, and the people around us. Have you thought about how the people in your life need your blessing? Especially our youth. Some need your approval. They need to hear you say, “I’m proud of you. You’re going to do great things.” That’s speaking blessings. That’s using your influence to bless. When you say to the people, “I’m so glad you’re in my life. You mean the world to me,” you just spoke blessings. 

When you tell one of your employees, co-workers, or a student, “you amaze me with your ability. You have such a bright future,” those are not just nice compliments. When you speak the blessing, you’re releasing God’s wisdom, protection, favour and maybe even abundance into their life. You can literally help shape their destiny. One word of encouragement, one word of approval can be what helps someone break, depression, addiction and other negative thoughts or behaviour, and help them take the next step to who God created them to be.

Today, choose to speak blessings and influences to those around you. Sow good seeds into the lives of people. Remember, what you make happen for others, God will make happen for you. The Bible says whatsoever you sow you will reap. Sow blessings and reap blessings, and experience God’s favour all the days of your life! Hallelujah!

“The tongue has the power of life and death…” (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

Let’s PrayYahweh, thank You for empowering me with Your love, grace, favour, and influence. Father, show me ways that I can be a blessing, and speak a blessing over the people I encounter in my life. God, use me for Your glory to bless and influence others to You, in everything I do, in Christ’s Name! Amen

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It’s All About Your Thinking

In this age of social media influences, millions of people are not enjoying life because of the condition of their minds. They constantly dwell on negative, destructive, harmful thoughts. They don’t realise it, but the root cause of many of their problems is simply the fact that their thought life is out of control and very negative.

Today more than ever, we must realize that our lives follow our thoughts. If you think negative thoughts, then you’re going to live a negative life. If you think discouraging, hopeless thoughts, or even mediocre thoughts, then your life is going to go down that same path. That’s why we must take captive every thought and renew our minds with the Word of God daily.

Today, I want to challenge you to think about what you’re thinking about. Don’t let those self-defeating thoughts linger in your mind. Instead, speak God’s promises over your life. Declare what He says about you. Take captive every thought and renew your mind daily through His awesome Word!

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, today I choose to take captive every one of my thoughts. I will renew my mind according to Your Word. Father, thank You for being my teacher and helper. I give You my mind, please direct me in the way that I should go. In Christ’s Name! Amen.

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How To Overcome Evil 

The Devil Does Not Shoot BlanksThe Devil Does Not Shoot Blanks

If you live in this world, you will experience evil. Therefore, we should expect it and be prepared to deal with it. You may ask how should we respond to evil? 

Pray against it. In Matthew 6:13 the Lord’s prayer says. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Our human pride often makes us think we can deal with evil on our own. We cannot! If we try, we will fail. We must pray to our God and ask for deliverance. 

Speak God’s word at it. In Matthew 4:1-11 we see Jesus’ response to evil. Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. How did He respond? He quoted Scripture. Imagine being face to face with Satan, the author of evil. Jesus shows us the utmost importance of knowing God’s Word and being able to speak it in the face of evil! 

Expose it.  Ephesians 5:11 says “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Our current culture teaches complete tolerance. We are expected to accept and tolerate any behaviour, even if the behaviour directly violates God’s Word. While we are expected, as Christians, to respond to sin with a certain level of grace and love, evil should in no way, under any circumstance be tolerated. It should be EXPOSED! We should take no part in it. 

Hate it. Romans 12:9 tells us “Let love be genuine. Hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Our culture has turned evil into entertainment. We pay money to see evil unfold on the big screen. We make time to sit in our own homes and watch evil on the television and we find ourselves numb to the actual presence of evil when we see it on the news or right before our very eyes. Saints, we must recognize evil and hate it. 

Let God handle It. Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood…” Wars are waged to fight against evil nations and their leaders. We also have punishments in place to deal with evil people. We should be thankful for the laws of our land and the protection provided by law enforcement, but we must also remember our responsibility as individuals are to give it to God, we cannot fight in this war for the battle isn’t ours it’s God’s. 

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, I praise you for your love and faithfulness towards me. Father, I praise you for being a perfect, holy, trustworthy God that is bigger than all the evil I will experience on earth. Lord, I ask that you give me eyes to see when evil is before me, a heart to hate evil and the desire to flee from its presence. God, deliver me from evil and draw me close to you. In Christ’s name. Amen. 

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Peace Be Still!

Three years ago, hurricane Dorian destroyed the island of Bahamas killing more than 50 people. It was the worst storm to ever hit the island. Many were homeless, some starving and hundreds were missing. What do you do when the storms of life seem to be raging against you? One time Jesus was with His disciples in a boat out on the sea of Galilee, when they encountered a great storm.

Christ’s disciples were very afraid and were losing hope, but Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. When the disciples woke Him up to see if He could help them, Jesus got up and simply spoke to the storm, “peace, be still!” And the seas were calm again. When difficult times come, you don’t have to be overwhelmed by the waves of worry or fear. Just as Jesus stood up and spoke to the storm, you have power in your words too. As a believer, the Bible tells us that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you.

Today, speak to your storm with authority. God’s miracle-working power is on the inside of you. He’s given you His authority to declare peace over your home, your mind, and your family. Throw unnecessary negatives overboard lest you sink. Remember, no matter what storms may come against you, greater is He that lives on the inside of you, and He’ll empower you to live in victory and peace in every area of your life! Hallelujah!

“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 4:39, NKJV)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, and for giving me Your authority to rebuke the storms in my life. Father, show me what negatives must go in my life that may cause me to sink in the storm. God, I declare Your peace over every area of my life and thank You for working things out for my good, so I won’t be devoured by life’s storms, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

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Let The Redeemed Say So! 

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” That’s what today’s Scripture begins with. It doesn’t say, “let the redeemed of the Lord think so.” Or, “let the redeemed believe so.” Of course, it’s important to think right and believe right, but something supernatural happens when we open our mouths and declare something so emphatically that You don’t even have to say it to anyone else.

You can say it while driving or in the shower. Say, “the economy may be low, but I am blessed. I am prosperous. I will lend and not borrow.” “I may have had some setbacks, but I know those setbacks are a setup for a comeback! This is still going to be my best year so far. The favour of God is turning things around.” You are prophesying positively into your future.

Today, remember when you say what the Lord has done for you, you are declaring that you are redeemed, you are opening the door for God to move on your behalf. The Scripture tells us that He watches over His Word to perform it. When you declare His Word, when you speak His promises, He is faithful to fulfil them, and lead you into victory all the days of your life!

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary.” (Psalm 107:2, AMPC)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for delivering me and setting me free. Father, I will declare Your goodness. I will declare Your promises. I will declare Your favour because You told me in Your Word let the redeemed of the Lord say so or declare it so. Hallelujah! God, I know what I declare with my mouth will allow me to live the good life You have prepared for me, in Christ’s Name! Amen

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Speaking In Numbers

Many ask how does God speak? He speaks directly, He speaks through His Word, He speaks through dreams and visions, and He also speaks through others. Are you facing an important decision today? God wants to give you the answer. He wants to direct your steps. Many times, He will speak to us through the people He has placed in our lives. That’s why the Bible says that safety is found in a multitude of advisers.

Remember God, designed us to live in families, communities, and congregations. We need to be open to receiving input from the people who are close to us. That doesn’t mean you have to follow everything everyone tells you. But if you’re in a particular situation or relationship, and all the people around you are giving you the same word of caution, it may be God trying to get a message to you. Take that advice and bring it before the Lord in prayer, and make sure the advice doesn’t contradict His Word.  Ask Him to confirm His perfect plan to your heart. Remember, wisdom comes from God, and wise counsel will always agree with God’s Word. He will always confirm the answer when you ask Him.

Today, whatever you are facing, be open to receiving wise counsel. As you do, you will be blessed and protected, and walk-in confidence down the path the Lord has prepared for you!

“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counsellors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14, NASB)

Let’s Pray

Yahweh, thank You for the spiritual people You have placed in my life as wise counsel. Father, please confirm and give me answers to the issues in my life. Help me understand Your truth, so that I can make godly choices. Keep me close to You always so I will know when You are speaking, and lead me in Your way, in Jesus’ name! Amen.

 

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