Bible (Bible)

[Ranb2khz]

Conquering Mountains

“Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD’s name.” – 1 Samuel 20:42

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 20:35-42

You may have seen or heard some variation of this saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” It’s a lovely thought, isn’t it? But is there any solid research to reassure us that these words are not just lovely, but true?

Yes! In fact, one such study by British and American researchers demonstrated that people estimated the size of mountains as significantly smaller if they were standing with someone else as opposed to when standing alone. In other words, “social support” matters — so much so that it causes even the size of mountains to shrink in our minds.

David found that kind of encouragement to be both lovely and true in his friendship with Jonathan [King Saul’s son]. The jealous anger of King Saul was like an insurmountable mountain in David’s story causing him to fear for his very life (see 1 Samuel 19:9-18). Without some sort of support — in this case his closest friend — the story could have been drastically different. But Jonathan, “grieved at his father’s shameful treatment of David” (1 Samuel 20:34), stood by his friend. “Why should he be put to death?” he asked (1 Samuel 20:32). Their God-ordained friendship bolstered David, allowing him to become Israel’s king.

Our friendships matter. And when God is at the center of them, we can spur each other on to do greater things than we might imagine.

~ by John Blase
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Reflect & Pray:

• Where are you finding your social support?
• Who can you support with your friendship?

"Thank You, Father, for those You’ve placed in my life who’ve kept the mountains in perspective. Amen."
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Scripture Insight:

The friendship between David and Jonathan was one that withstood the test of time and circumstances. Jonathan risked his life to go against his own father, King Saul, in order to protect David (1 Samuel 20). As the heir to Saul’s throne, Jonathan didn’t see David, his brother-in-law, as a political rival, but chose to forge a deep friendship with him (1 Samuel 20:12-17). Jonathan encouraged David by assuring his safety and making a covenant to affirm David as king (1 Samuel 23:17-18). David promised Jonathan that even after his death, he would treat his family with love and unfailing kindness (1 Samuel 20:14-17,42). After Jonathan died in battle (1 Samuel 31:1-2), David ordered the people of Judah to remember Jonathan as their hero in a national song (2 Samuel 1:17-27). David also honored this friendship and took care of Jonathan’s disabled son, Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9).

~ by K. T. Sim
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https://odb.org/2024/10/13/conquering-mountains-together






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[Ranb2khz]

In Harm’s Way

"However, some men and women joined him [Paul] and believed [the Gospel message],” – Acts 17:34

Scripture Reading: Acts 17:16-34

On my morning walk, I noticed that a vehicle was stopped in the road headed in the wrong direction. The driver was unaware of the danger to herself and others because she was asleep and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The situation was perilous, and I had to act. After getting her alert enough to move her to the passenger side of the car so I could get into the driver’s seat, I drove her to a safe place.

Physical danger isn’t the only harm we face. When Paul saw worldly-wise, clever people in Athens in spiritual peril because “the city was full of idols,” he “was greatly distressed” (Acts 17:16). The apostle’s innate response to those who flirted with ideas that failed to consider Christ was to share about God’s purposes in and through Jesus (Acts 17:18,30-31). And some who heard believed (Acts 17:34).

Seeking ultimate meaning apart from faith in Christ is dangerous. Those who’ve found forgiveness and true fulfillment in Jesus have been rescued from dead-end pursuits and have been given the message of reconciliation (see 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Sharing the good news of Jesus with those under the intoxicating influences of this life is still the means God uses to snatch people from harm’s way.

~ by Arthur Jackson
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Reflect & Pray:

• If you haven’t made your way to Jesus, what are you waiting for?
• If you have, what’s keeping you from telling someone how God has rescued you from spiritual harm’s way?

"Heavenly Father, thank You for rescuing me from the spiritual harm of my own sin. Please use me to help others who can’t see that they’re in danger. Amen."
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Scripture Insight:

Acts 17 shows how Paul did all he could to share the good news of Jesus. Being Jewish, when in Athens he naturally engaged with the Jewish people and “God-fearing Greeks” who frequented the synagogue. But he also went to “the marketplace” each day, where he met with “Epicurean and Stoic philosophers”. These two groups saw life very differently and gathered to debate those differences. Yet Paul sought common ground with them, creating a basis to tell them about the God who “gives everyone life and breath and everything else” (v. 25).

~ by Tim Gustafson
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https://odb.org/2024/10/12/in-harms-way






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[Ranb2khz]

There seems to be some misconception to what I shared in this post. It was not my intention to state that we would be “equals” with God once we got to heaven. My intention was to state that we would understand completely – with perfect clarity as God understands, and with that perfect clarity, and the complete understanding of supreme righteousness and judgement that equates to the perfect peace that we will have concerning all former things.

Wishing a blessed weekend to my brothers and sisters in Christ!






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[Ranb2khz]

Iron sharpens iron brother. I don’t believe in coincidences – I do believe that God works together in all things for the believer’s ultimate good – and, I believe that God brought us all together on this Bible board to be biblical and spiritual iron. Brothers and sisters in Christ need small groups of like-minded believers, and I am very happy that you, tenac, and the others that participate on this board are a small group that I can participate in as we learn, grow and encourage each other in all things Godly. Love ya brother!






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[plugger]

Sure glad I am not the only who at times think he has stripped a gear.

[tenac]

Good morning plugger....you know...im thinking what you are saying here is kinda sorta in line with my reply to Ranb2khz this morning. I dont want scripture to be cut and dry...so to speak....Gods word is Gods word...no grey areas...BUT....like you said..we are all at different places in our walk....the life long from our day of salvation till we die...the sanctifaction process. God reveils to us what we need when we need it and what i hear and what you hear from a passage or even a message can be totally different...right? I mean...if you have 100 people listening to a preacher that is truly preaching a Holy Spirit inspired message....all 100 people can hear something different that applies to their life...right? In my post this mornings maybe i was in the weeds a lot but my intent was to tell folks...just read and think on things....its ok to doubt and question and explore...as long as our head and heart is right...its called a relationship with our heavenly Father...right? I mean i really think on some really out yonder stuff sometimes..but...really...its not out yonder because it draws me closer to God and His truth. I mean myself i present some of my out yonder thinking with men sometimes and then explain the intent of my thoughts and it really leads to some awesome conversation often times...not to really debate..or argue...just explore with the word of God open and before us....sometimes we agree and sometimes we agree to disagree...and guess what...its all cool...is that not how we grow? We can have different points of view...so to speak...and have the same conclusion...right?

[tenac]

Good morning brother. So in my post yesterday morning that you replyed to. My intent was to pose it all as a question...something for folks to think on...to seek...and then the next time i was able to post again i was going to present it in some form as you did in this post this morning.....

In the Book of Genesis, we’re taught that we’re created in the image of God; I believe that includes heart, spirit, mind and soul. As disciples of Christ, we also know that we’re filled with God’s Holy Spirit. But even being filled with the Holy Spirit, while in our mortal bodies, we are only able to discern a minut fraction of what we will be able to understand once we are completely one with the Spirit of God in heaven.

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

I believe that we will remember all persons that we have interacted with while living our earthly mortal lives, but our understanding of God’s righteousness and judgement will be so crystal clear that it will overshadow any previous human emotional/mental state. I’m not saying that we will not care what happens to those that died in their sins (did not accept God’s free gift of salvation), even God is saddened by the human beings that will reject Him, but our level of consciousness will be one with God – with God’s complete understanding. We will see everything with God’s perfect clarity, and with perfect clarity comes perfect peace.

...so...thank you very much...wink! For me...these are the kinds of conversations i have with myself and God..things that i know without a doubt i still like to look at them in other ways...to explore other possibilities...and i tell God...You know my heart and what i believe its just interesting to think outside the box...so to speak...because i think there can be spititual growth come from it. I mean any time searching and seeking the word in whatever form...as long as our head and heart knowledge is right....is a good thing...right? We live and believe by Faith...like Jesus said to Thomas...you believe because you have seen me...blessed are those who believe and have not seen me. As we know...everything we believe about God and His word...its all by faith....even though i truly feel the spirit of God...or do i? And this morning what you posted i was going to try and pose like a question to also get folks to think. Ive heard preachers preach it both ways but in doing so im not sure they were leaning one way or the other but something to think on. Its like...we know how awesome heaven is going to be but in reality do we or can we know just how awesome it is really going to be? We know and have a idea how bad hell is going to be but in reality do we or can we know just how bad it is going to be? I mean we really dont know that after we die there is something else...but we believe there is by faith. We think we know why God does this or dont do that but do we really? Theres that My ways are not your ways and My thoughts are not your thoughts. And let me adress this...what i just said...

"As we know...everything we believe about God and His word...its all by faith....even though i truly feel the Spirit of God...or do i?" i say that just to make a point about the thiings i think about....i mean...does the Hindu...Buddhist...Islam...not get the warm and fuzzies thinking that they feel their god that dont even exist?

Now hear me folks...im NOT doubting Gods word in any way shape or form......im just making a point!

So yesterdays post after i re-read it i was trying to pose it all as a question...that was my intent... but i was in a hurry to get out the door and im not sure i did a good job in doing that. I did but i didnt.

I mean i know the scripture you posted in 1 Corinthians 13:12 above...and i totally get it....BUT....even in my glorified body....in the state of being perfect just as God intended in the beginning...can i think or believe that im actually going to be like God? Thats just a question and again the kinds of things...outside the box or not...that i like to think about. So so much in the Bible...one day the Holy Spirit reveals to me one way and another time another way...no contradiction...Gods living and active word...one day i read a passage and ive got it and another time i read it and im like...wait a minute...thats not what it said before...and from all this as i said...i... in my head and heart explore so many different directions...not doubting God and His word...its just so cool to me. So im leaving it at that...that is 2 more brain fuses for you Ranb2khz and im sure plugger is headed back to bed! Im not agreeing or disagreeing with anything....Ive had very good conversations with myself and others about this subject and i know that one day im going to know what God wants me to know and ill not know what God dont want me to know...oh yeah....will my dogs be in heaven? Thats another one of those questions that has good arguements...so to speak on both sides...and i can throw y'all a bunch more if you have enough brain cells to get thru it....LOL!

[plugger]

1st let me say how blest you are to be able to replace a few brain fuses, sometimes I forget where I stored the fusses, the secondly, I am so blest by your reply, discussion and different thoughts drive me into serious thinking, and for that I am thankful. I firmly believe that each of us are in a different place in our spiritual walk, and discussion helps the weaker brother in faith, because it makes him/her to think, then also discussion may very well make a stronger believer stop and think and may prevent pride from stepping in....don't know that this is clear, but works for me.. I made mention that at church we are doing a study of Mark, one chapter each week...Chapter 5 offered many challenges----yesterday rather than put in my 2cents worth I just sat and listened to the other men's comments, proved very interesting. "NOW"....for a question here on the board, and I am not being judgmental but sort of think it applies here to our Fatih Walk....this group is all men, ages varying (guess) maybe 40's to 80's----1st let me say the I really believe that I am in the company of believers in this Bible Study, how ever from yesterday, not saying anything and just listening I got to wondering, I am not doing real good here with my wording so bear with me----Some are really well versed in the history side, very knowledgeable with all going on during this time in history, then some, my opinion here, are thinking more along the lines of spiritual. At 1st I was disturbed concerning "ME", after I came home I discussed this feeling with my wife, I felt that I was missing the boat completely, and that is a sad thought....Now this is where I was stumbling....When I study I try to understand how the Scripture applies to how I am living my life, at times I feel like I am right there and Jesus is talking to me or that I am in the presence of those listening, I get the same feeling when reading things Paul wrote.. Some time in the past I went through all the history learning or tried to learn----I reckon what I am asking, Am I at a different place in my faith walk or am I missing the boat completely or maybe I just fell out of a tree and landed on my head----I am not saying I know more than another -----Here is the real kicker----I am 81, have cancer, got a bad heart and I have been wondering if God is having mercy on me and finally getting things through my thick head-------MAN !! I hope I didn't screw this one up too bad.
GOD BLESS

[Ranb2khz]

Pray Always

"Pray constantly.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
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"I got an 84 on the test!"

I felt my teen’s excitement as I read her message on my phone. She’d just started attending classes at a high school and was using her phone during lunch. My mama heart leaped, not just because my daughter had done well on a challenging test, but because she was choosing to communicate it to me. She wanted to share her good news with me!

Realizing that her text had made my day, I later thought about how God must feel when I reach out to Him. Is He as pleased when I talk to Him? Prayer is how we communicate with God and something we’re told to do “continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Talking with Him reminds us that He’s with us through the good and the bad. Sharing our news with God, even though He already knows all about us, is helpful as it shifts our focus and helps us think about Him. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast [fixed on you], because they trust in you.” We have peace awaiting us when we turn our attention to God.

Regardless of what we face, may we continually speak with God and keep in touch with our Creator and Savior. Whisper a prayer and remember to rejoice and “give thanks.” After all, Paul says, this is “God’s will” for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

~ by Katara Patton
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Reflect & Pray:

• What do you need to share with God?
• How can you remember to keep in touch with Him throughout your day?

"Gracious God, please remind me to stay in touch with You throughout my day. I want to rejoice and give You thanks in all I face. Amen."
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Scripture Insight:

How is it possible to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)? Theologian J. B. Lightfoot wrote, “It is not in the moving of the lips, but in the elevation of the heart to God that the essence of prayer consists.” That is, prayer isn’t just times set apart to speak to God; it’s continually lifting up all that’s in our hearts to Him as we go about our daily lives. Sometimes that will take the form of words, but often it will be a wordless reaching out to Him. It’s possible to “pray continually” because Christ’s Spirit unites our hearts to God’s, continually assuring us of His love for us as His children (Romans 8:16).

~ by Monica La Rose
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https://odb.org/2024/10/11/pray-always






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[Ranb2khz]

Amen.






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[Ranb2khz]

I just had to replace 2 brain fuses contemplating a response to your “critical thinking” shared thoughts. You and plugger are running neck-to-neck with these deep thought/heart discussions posts. I’ll give it a shot with a reply though…

In the Book of Genesis, we’re taught that we’re created in the image of God; I believe that includes heart, spirit, mind and soul. As disciples of Christ, we also know that we’re filled with God’s Holy Spirit. But even being filled with the Holy Spirit, while in our mortal bodies, we are only able to discern a minut fraction of what we will be able to understand once we are completely one with the Spirit of God in heaven.

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT)

I believe that we will remember all persons that we have interacted with while living our earthly mortal lives, but our understanding of God’s righteousness and judgement will be so crystal clear that it will overshadow any previous human emotional/mental state. I’m not saying that we will not care what happens to those that died in their sins (did not accept God’s free gift of salvation), even God is saddened by the human beings that will reject Him, but our level of consciousness will be one with God – with God’s complete understanding. We will see everything with God’s perfect clarity, and with perfect clarity comes perfect peace.






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[plugger]

I think you are right, but I still like to think when I get there I can ask, lol. I really think you are right, I get to heaven all things will be crystal clear, plus being in the presence of the almighty will leave us in complete awe, but I just can’t imagine not asking questions….lol

[tenac]

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation 21:10-27

[tenac]

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5

[tenac]

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4

[tenac]

Something that i cant say for sure but i sometimes think about....and...i tend to lean towards the fact that what im going to say is true in some sense...but of course i wont know as fact till i get to heaven and then maybe i wont....i know that sounds like...what did he just say but maybe i can make myself a little clearer...or...maybe not. Is your head hurting yet plugger? I am thinking that the day that this old body dies and I step foot into heaven that everything on this Earth that I thought was so absolutely important... everything that I held so dear to my heart...is not going to amount to a hill of beans in comparison to heaven. Well that i know as fact...but. Often times I think when I get to heaven I'm going to understand this and understand that...why this happened and why that didnt happen concerning things of this Earth. I often hear folks say ill understand this or that when i get to heaven even though it makes no sense now...but in reality I'm thinking once I get to heaven...because then I'm going to be in the presence of almighty God in the warmth of his perfect love face-to-face with Jesus Christ and all of the loved ones and saints that have gone before me...so this Earth and everything that's on it really ain't going to matter. All that stuff we didnt understand...I mean...what difference will it make? And to take that to the extreme and as sad as it is I have to wonder when I get to heaven that every person that I knew on this Earth be it friend or family that never accepted Jesus and they went to hell. I don't know that I'm going to know that they ever even existed... I mean how could I have the perfect peace and joy and contentment of Heaven...how could I not have sadness and loneliness and shed No More Tears...If I knew that a loved one was burning in hell. Now listen folks I know that's kind of in your face but that's a reality as we all have the opportunity to say yes to Jesus or say no to Jesus and obviously if we say yes we go to heaven and if we say no we go to hell so I just don't know how Heaven can be that place of perfect peace if we remembered that loved one knowing they were burning in hell. Its like that saying that a lot of believers say...and ive said it....when we get to heaven there will be folks that we thought we would see there and they wont be there and there will be folks that we thought would not be there and there they are...but...even though that will be true will we actually know that because of the things i just mentioned. So as i said...just something to think on as i sometimes do. Do you have a head ache now plugger?

I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane

[Ranb2khz]

Love beyond Boundaries

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him.” – Psalm 103:11

Scripture Reading: Psalm 103:8-18

“God has been so good to us! I want to thank Him for our anniversary.” Terry’s voice was steady, and the tears in her eyes showed her sincerity. Those in our small group were deeply moved. We knew what past years had held for Terry and her husband. Though a believer, Robert suffered from the sudden onset of severe mental illness and had taken the life of their four-year-old daughter. He would be institutionalized for decades, but Terry visited him, and God did a beautiful healing work, helping her forgive. Despite profound heartache, their love for each other grew.

Love and forgiveness like that could only come from one source. David writes about God this way, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve . . . . As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:10,12).

The mercy God shows us comes through His expansive love: “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for us" (v. 11). Love so profound compelled Him to go to the depths of the cross and grave to take away our sins so that He could bring all who “receive Him” (John 1:12) home to Himself.

Terry was right. “God has been so good to us!” His love and forgiveness reach beyond unthinkable boundaries and offer us life that never ends.

~ by James Banks

Reflect & Pray:

• How has God shown you mercy for wrong things you’ve done?
• How can you respond to His mercy and love today?

"Merciful God, please help me to revel in Your love and to grow in it. Love through me, that others may know Your perfect love too! Amen."
________________

~ published by: Our Daily Bread

https://odb.org/2024/10/10/love-beyond-boundaries






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[plugger]

Some really good reading here on the Bible Board this morning……cranking the ole brain up
GOD BLESS

[tenac]

The Crabb Family "Through the Fire"

[tenac]

Theres an ole saying..."Be kind to everyone because everybody is fighting some kind of a battle." And all of us regardless of our age know that to be true. Sickness..problems and accidents of all sorts seem to find all of us from time to time in our own lives or in the lives of family and friends...and because of the love we have for others we suffer with them to many different degrees. And those battles of life can come physically..emotionally..mentally...and even spiritually! And as we also know from time to time the death of a loved one hits us and knocks the wind completely out of our sail and often times folks get to the point that they just cant understand how they are to continue living and walking this earthly path. Yes...life can be hard at times! Even for believers that have been born-again and put their faith and trust in Christ often times the tragedies of life can leave them feeling lost and in despair and in fear of tomorrow! And they have the hope and direction of Jesus in their life to sustain them. And for those that have not yet trusted Jesus as their Savior...well...the road for them through hardship and trials is a much harder road to travel be they know it or not because they have not the love and grace and mercy of almighty God in their life...and oh what a difference that makes! So my reminder this morning is this. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus...when the bad things of life come your way...keep your focus on Jesus and hand your hardships over to Him...He will give to you and sustain you in only the way He can. And if you dont yet have that relationship with Jesus...i ask you to search your heart...listen for that little voice asking you to surrender to God and do that today. That truly is the most important decision you will ever make. A bad day on earth with Jesus is so much better than a good day without Him!...Think about it!

I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane

[tenac]

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17

[tenac]

I can do all things through Jesus who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

[tenac]

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

[tenac]

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

[tenac]

“The same everlasting Father who care's for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it…”
-St. Francis de Sales-

[tenac]

Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!” Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me! ?