ETERNITY

[Ranb2khz]

God Cares About the Vulnerable

~ God considers justice and compassion important for those who need help — and we should as well.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew mentions only five women in Jesus’ genealogy. That alone makes them remarkable, but their stories are more than mere curiosities. They reorient how we see and value the women among us.

Tamar was the mother of Judah’s sons Perez and Zerah. But Judah wasn’t Tamar’s husband; his son Er was. Er, however, was “evil in the sight of the Lord,” so his life was taken from him (Genesis 38:7). Tamar then married Er’s brother Onan, who also displeased God and died. Though Hebrew custom (and, later, the law) protected a widow by requiring a relative of the deceased to marry her, Judah denied Tamar because he was afraid to lose another son (Genesis 38:11). So she took matters into her own hands (see Genesis 38).

Justice for widows is important in God’s eyes. The psalmist, in fact, calls Him “a father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows” (Psalm 68:5). And God’s ultimate judgment of Tamar is in her favor. She gave birth to Perez and Zerah — the twins Judah fathered and direct-line ancestors of Christ.

Psalm 68 also says God “makes a home for the lonely” (Psalm 68:6). We should participate in caring for those who are grieving or vulnerable. This is confirmed in James’ epistle when he calls the care of widows “pure religion” (James 1:27). So let us make our churches and homes welcoming places for those who need help.
__________________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/god-cares-about-the-vulnerable






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[Bigfootbud]

Jesus bless you!!! 💗

[tenac]

I Am Not Alone.....Kari Jobe

[tenac]

As we know...and its a little hard for me to wrap my head around this...but...there was no beginning to God the Father...God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity....three Persons...One God. They have always existed. Then at some point God decided to create angels...and at another point...God decided to create the heavens and earth and all creation including humans. God is Omnipotence...He has the power to do anything He desires and in complete control of everything. Omnipresence...He is in all places all the time.....Omniscience...He knows all things....everything. Even before you and myself were born...God knew us....again...its kinda hard in some ways to wrap my brain around all this. God knew every thought every word every action or deed we were ever going to do...even before we were born. Sovereign almighty all powerful loving God....and He created us anyway....why? The word is relationship! You see...Jesus left heaven and came to earth born a baby to the virgin Mary and just like all male babies grew to be a man and lived among humans for 33 years. He did that to walk among His children...to be face to face with them...and most importantly to provide a way to heaven by his death on the cross and His resurrection. Jesus was fully man and still fully God. And as much as our heavenly Father cares about our salvation...desiring that we be born-again...become a new creation...He also places high priority on another aspect of our life...He is interested in building a relationship with you and me...yes...the same kind that Jesus built with His disciples. You see folks...being a born-again believer is not just about getting our ticket punched to heaven...just as important is having a close personal relationship with our creator...our Lord and Savior...our heavenly Father...while we continue to walk this journey here on planet earth! Can you think of a higher compliment than for the God of the universe to say...I want a personal...intimate relationship with you! What this means is...He is interested in real conversation with us and listening to us as we listen to Him. He truly longs to spend time with us. He desires us to put our faith and trust and dependence in Him so that He can provide for us and bless us and meet our daily needs. And the fact of the matter is that we truly do owe Him everything including our time...right! How awesome is it that here we are... two thousand years later sense Jesus died and rose again..in this wicked and sin filled world...and Father God desires to build a intimate relationship with us just as Jesus did when He walked this earth with the disiples. And that relationship is going to last for forever...because we are going to spend forever with Him in heaven. So i guess my question or thought...how much time each day do we actually spend talking to...worshiping...giving praise...learning about...with the very Person....God... that created us...the very Person...God that we are going to spend eternity with? Think about it!

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

[tenac]

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

[tenac]

“What is the meaning of “To God be the glory?” God is the Supreme Being and Creator of all. To glorify Him means that we are to acknowledge the greatness and splendor of His Majesty through honor, worship and praise of which He alone is worthy because He is God of all.

[tenac]

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6

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"Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity."
Proverbs 2:5-6

[Ranb2khz]

Consider Him Who Endured

"But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” ~ Hebrews 3:13

Jesus endured ridicule and humiliation from His accusers, and overwhelming pain on the cross, simply because He dearly loved us. The joy of seeing our restored relationship with the Father allowed Him to persevere through unbelievable hardship. His sacrifice brought us Salvation – His perseverance should bring us strength and a renewed hope.

"For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart.” ~ Hebrews 12:3

There are going to be days when the burden seems extra heavy – days when the attacks come fast and furious and feel like they will never end. It may bring temporary relief for someone to agree and confirm the difficulty of our situation, but the only way to truly ease the load is to focus our heart back to Christ and pray for His strength;

"May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance [perseverance] that comes from Christ.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:5

We must persevere... because He first persevered for us!

There is definitely a place within the Body [of Christ] for compassion and the sharing of one another's sorrows; but when our burdens become seemingly unbearable, we must also encourage one another to simply put one foot in front of the other and boldly continue down His path. His grace and His strength WILL be sufficient! We will not lose heart if we focus on His love. We will persevere and not grow weary if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and consider Him who endured.

Have a Christ Centered Day!
______________

~ by Steve Troxel, "God's Daily Word Ministries”

~ published by: The Daily Encourager






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[Ranb2khz]

Amen brother!






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[tenac]

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" is a verse from
Psalm 118:24

[Ranb2khz]

Answering the Call

~ As we pursue God’s will, He will provide the wisdom and strength needed to face any opposition.

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 6:9-13

When we submit to God and allow Him to rebuild our broken places, we can expect opposition. Nehemiah’s efforts to restore Jerusalem were threatened by Sanballat and others. In a similar way, we have an enemy who opposes the work God is doing in our life — an antagonist who does everything possible to discourage and distract us. When that happens, we can echo Nehemiah’s prayer: “Now, God, strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:9).

Today’s passage tells of a hindrance involving Shemaiah — an Israelite who advised Nehemiah to preserve his life by hiding from his enemies (v. 10). This incident suggests that even people from whom we seek wisdom might at times obey the voice of fear and ignore the bigger picture. Once Nehemiah refused to listen to the anxiety-driven advice, his eyes were opened. Then he saw Shemaiah for who he was: a false friend hired by Sanballat.

When answering the call to partner with God in the work of renewal, we have a choice: Give in to distress, or heed the voice that promises, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5). The Lord wants us to say “no” to fear. Although we may be tempted to despair at the brokenness around and within us, we can cling to God’s promise of restoration and entrust our life to the One who makes all things new.
_______________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/answering-the-call






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[Ranb2khz]

Assessing What Is Left

~ There is always hope when we look to the Lord for our next step.

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 2:11-18

Navigating loss is a complex process; there is no straightforward path through grief. Yet Nehemiah’s journey from lamenting the broken walls of Jerusalem to rebuilding them offers us insight as we partner with God to put life’s shattered places back together.

After grieving the destruction of Jerusalem’s fortifications, Nehemiah asked King Artaxerxes for permission to return to that city and rebuild its protective wall.

Taking stock of what remains after loss is an important step as we move from grieving to rebuilding. It can be difficult to find glimmers of hope while surveying the ruins of broken lives, dreams, or relationships, but we are never without the one thing that matters most — God’s presence. Nehemiah knew this to be true, which is why he toured Jerusalem to inspect its walls and learn what was needed to repair the damage. In doing so, he oriented himself towards hope — that is, he looked for what could be accomplished with God’s help.

As the Lord did with Nehemiah, He also invites us to view rubble in our life with eyes of faith. So let’s dare to look beyond our present circumstances toward the joy of future restoration.
_____________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/assessing-what-is-left






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[tenac]

Donnie Sumner - The Anchor Holds

[tenac]

...i got my first motorcycle when i was 14...that was 1970. The reason i got it....was to be able to get around from farm to farm and make more money helping other farmers when i had the time in place of a bycycle getting around. That was my first year at SGHS. That was also the year that i started sippin on a little beer and smoking a little weed. That was the first year that i started listening to rock n roll. And probably the first year that i was smoking cigarettes regularly. That was the year that life started to change in so many ways for this simple country boy that had had a regular normal life up to this point in time...living in farm country here in Greene County TN...down at the foot of the mountain in the St. James...Cedar Creek area. And in those first fifteen years...Sunday morning and Sunday night...most Wednesday nights...we were in church. Now dont get me wrong...i didnt jump off the cliff all at once...even in my progressive helter-skelter life thru high school...the craziness came by bits and pieces. Me and my close friends we put money in our pockets in the hay fields and tobacco patches of family and most every farmer around...we worked hard. However...and as i said...we started with the beer and weed...and each year thru high school...got a little more intense with what we were doing. And by my junior year and that senior year...i guess you could say that i majored in drugs and minored in booze...or...vise versa! I had grown my hair long...doing uppers and downers...acid...angel dust...PCP...every drug under the sun to get high on...all the way to sticking needles in my arm. I dont remember ever taking part in school activities...never going to football...basketball games...my life at that early age was centered around getting high...the "Age of Aquarius". I was still living at home and working on the farm...but...was flying high most of the time from dope during the day and dope and booze at night. So think about that....i was a normal kid...so to speak...up until the age of 15....then...i jumped off the cliff and traveled a road of drugs and booze and the insanity of that lifestyle for the next 25 years...how does that happen? So my point this morning...never say never in the arena of drugs and booze. Think you cant get hooked...addiction is a monster that takes no prisoners...addiction will grab you up and swallow you whole and spit you out and you may...or may not survive...why take that chance! Ive been clean and sobor for 28 years now...and how did i do that....ill give myself a little pat on the back because ive struggled from time to time but thru the power of the Holy Spirit living in me and my walk with Jesus....ive been totally free of all the stuff and lifestyle...as i said for 28 years...and...i give Him all the credit and glory....because....like all things in life....it is that relationship with Jesus that makes all the difference! BUT....i have to say this...ive known a good many people that i have no doubt have been born-again...and at some point in time slipped back into the grasp of the demon of addiction...that is just how powerful it is....no...i did NOT say that it is more powerful than God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit....what im saying is that in our humanness...our flesh...our sin nature....addiction and satan and his demons and the world can push those buttons and drag us back into that dark mary clay of addiction in the blink of the eye....wrong place at the wrong time....right place at the right time....yes...i totally believe...that once a alcoholic or druggy always a alcoholic or druggy....but with a relationship with Jesus...we can conquer that demon....im living proof of that!

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

[tenac]

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:18-19

[tenac]

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17

[tenac]

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3

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But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13

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For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13

[tenac]

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1

[Ranb2khz]

Lamenting What Is Lost

~ Offering our tears to God requires faith that He is able and willing.

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 1:3-11

Is it possible for grieving to be an act of worship?

Consider today’s passage about Nehemiah, an Israelite who served as cupbearer to the king of Babylon. Nehemiah sat down and wept for days when he learned Jerusalem’s walls had been destroyed, leaving his people defenseless. Yet his tears weren’t just a simple outpouring of strong emotion. Through weeping, fasting, and prayer, Nehemiah allowed his distress to lead him into deeper communion with God.

Shedding tears over what was lost — giving full expression to his pain — was an essential component of Nehemiah’s prayerful turning toward God. His bold display of sorrow was an affirmation of his belief that God alone was capable of restoring Jerusalem and her people to their former glory. As he prayed, Nehemiah reminded God of His promise to gather the exiles and dwell permanently among His people (vv. 8-9).

As Christians, we can sometimes interpret another person’s outward display of grief as a lack of faith. Why are they crying, we may wonder, if they truly trust God? But Nehemiah’s example shows us that taking time to lament what we have lost can be an act of worship.

When we are in pain, God invites us to cling to His promises and offer our tears to Him as devotion — even if they are all we have to give.
________________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/lamenting-what-is-lost






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[Ranb2khz]

The Daily Article — May 3, 2024

How can you find meaning in life? Have you considered beekeeping?

Unless you live in Phoenix, Arizona, and have needed pest control, you likely had not heard of Matt Hilton before last Tuesday. That was when a swarm of bees along the netting behind home plate delayed the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Matt got the call and came to the rescue, vacuuming the bees into a container and transporting them safely off-site.

The stadium played “Holding Out for a Hero” while he worked and fans chanted “MVP” when he was done.

Here’s another option: you could make hats for the Kentucky Derby.

From its inception, the oldest continuous sporting event in America was intended to provide a spectacle both on the track and among the spectators. As jockeys and horses prepare for the Kentucky Derby’s 150th running tomorrow, hat makers have been preparing spectacularly colorful designs for women in the stands.

Here’s yet a third approach: you could join fans the world over who will take part in Star Wars Day tomorrow. The date is special to them because it is May 4. Consequently, they can recite the litany, “May the fourth be with you.”

Leo Tolstoy’s advice seems ironically appropriate in this context:

“The meaning of life is to serve the force that sent you into the world.”

How can Christians experience such meaning?

Why 40 percent of Texas churches left their denomination:

This week we’ve been focusing on foundational cultural issues in light of the fact that Jesus is “the light of men” whose “light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4–5).

One way we can continue Jesus’ ministry as the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27) in the world today is to focus our light where the room is darkest. Our Lord came to “those dwelling in the region and shadow of death” (Matthew 4:16). You and I dwell in such a “region” in ways that are unprecedented in American history.

For example, another denomination — this time the United Methodist Church — has rejected biblical sexuality by embracing LGBTQ ideology. In anticipation of this decision, churches who affirm biblical morality have been leaving in droves. More than 40 percent of Methodist churches in Texas have abandoned the denomination, for instance.

I could go on, with campus demonstrations, the Middle East conflict, AI-related and climate-related fears, and economic anxiety all dominating this morning’s headlines. The fact that bad news is not surprising is itself unsurprising.

A Wall Street Journal article recounts our recent history: “The 9/11 attacks, costly wars in the Middle East, the loss of more than five million manufacturing jobs between 2000 and 2010, the financial collapse and the Great Recession, intensified racial strife, the pandemic and various polarizing responses to it.”

Consequently, “As mishaps multiplied, Americans became divided to an extent not seen in generations. Because the sides were closely divided numerically, neither party could gain a lasting governing majority. As gridlock continued, America’s confidence in its capacity for self-government plunged.”

You and I are not to be cultural warriors but cultural missionaries. God has called both to where we are and to when we are. If He could not use us at this pivotal moment in American history, we would not be alive at this pivotal moment in American history.

How can we make a difference that matters?

When the book of Acts opens, a small group of believers is gathered in Jerusalem; when it closes, they have penetrated Rome itself, “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). The Scottish biblical scholar James Stewart contrasted their witness with ours:

"It is a tragedy that the Christian religion is in many minds identified merely with pious ethical behavior and vague theistic beliefs, suffused with aesthetic emotionalism and a mild glow of humanitarian benevolence. This is not the faith which first awakened the world like a thousand trumpets and made people feel it bliss in such a dawn to be alive. Men knew what Christianity really was — the entrance into history of a force of immeasurable range."

Early Christians were empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Jesus’ witnesses (Acts 1:8), but they were also empowered by the Holy Spirit when they acted as His witnesses (Acts 4:5-12).

Like them, we find meaning by sharing meaning. We experience the light by sharing the light. When we strive to imitate Jesus with our works and to share Him with our words, the Spirit leads us where we can best impact others (Acts 8:26-40) and speaks through us to convict sinners (Acts 2:37-38) and save souls (Acts 2:41).

Hear Tolstoy again:

“The meaning of life is to serve the force that sent you into the world.”

Will you experience such meaning today?
_____________

~ published by: Denison Ministries

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/beekeeping-at-a-baseball-game-and-kentucky-derby-hats-on-star-wars-day/






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[Ranb2khz]

Killing Off the Coyotes

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will they also reap.” ~ Galatians 6:7

In his book, "Rewriting the Family Script", Roger Hillerstrom shares how a small, Midwestern town once sponsored a coyote hunt because so many farmers were losing chickens to the predators. Fifteen hundred coyotes were killed over a single weekend.

However, within a few months the entire community was overrun with rodents, because their natural enemy, the coyote, had been eliminated. A year after that, the rodents weren't much of a problem, but the rattlesnakes were! Because there were so many rats and mice for them to eat, the poisonous snakes had reproduced rapidly.

At that point, the chickens were safe, but the humans were in danger! You see, the coyotes had been an important part of the environmental system - the food chain. When one part of that system changed, other parts adapted to the new reality.

When we, as individuals, groups, or societies and even some churches get rid of God's Word, and overthrow God's standards to do as we please, and seek to throw out God Himself, the seeds of our ultimate destruction are sown. God is not mocked. We will reap what we have sown.

As the Apostle Paul exhorted the Christians in Corinth: "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love." (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

Suggested Prayer:

"Dear God, amid the ever increasing pressure in our society to get rid of anything to do with the Bible and with You, please help me to be on my guard, be strong, and stand firm in my Christian faith. Help me to so live that others seeing Jesus in me will want Him for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
________________

~ published by: The. Daily Encourager

To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager





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[Ranb2khz]

Giving Thanks for Fleas

"And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” ~ Colossians 3:17

Corrie Ten Boom, in "The Hiding Place", relates an incident that taught her an important principle. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck.

Upon entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded, and flea infested. Their Scripture reading that morning in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted. She finally succumbed.

During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without guard interference. It was several months later when they learned that the guards would not enter the barracks because of the fleas.

There are times in our lives when we refuse to be thankful, especially when something is uncomfortable or causing us pain. We rarely feel inclined to thank God for the traffic on the freeway, the unhappy clients at work, the tantrums our toddlers have, or the unexpected illnesses that keep us from doing all the things we need to do. However, I have learned to sit and listen in the discomfort, because even there, God is present. Just like the fleas allowed Corrie and Betsy to freely share the Gospel and worship with others, our uncomfortable circumstances could also lead to something greater.

The tantrums my two-year-old throws is developing patience and love in me, and also teaching me how to discipline effectively. Common illnesses have forced me to slow down and spend time with God. The difficult client at work has led me to prayer. Listening to worship songs in the traffic has allowed me to have the most meaningful times with my Heavenly Father.

The next time you find yourself in unpleasant circumstances, thank God for that and ask Him to draw near and show you His will. Everything in the life of a Christian has a purpose. Let's take a moment to thank God for the "fleas" today.

Suggested Prayer:

Lord, in every moment you are there. Every feeling I experience, you see and want me to tell you all about it. Thank you for all the nuisances I encounter every day. Instead of complaining, help me be thankful for all that you are doing in the middle of it. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.
_________________

~ by Crystal B

~ published by: The Daily Encourager






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[Ranb2khz]

The Daily Article — April 29, 2024

~ Are campus protests a picture of our cultural future?

Nearly nine hundred protesters have been arrested on US campuses in recent days, about 275 of them on Saturday. Activists staged a large event outside the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night, part of a wave of protests that has spread across the country and could continue through the summer at political conventions.

Columbia University became the epicenter of the movement due to its proximity to national media in New York and its status as an Ivy League institution. The campus is also home to a large Jewish student population, many of whom have faced harassment or attacks from protesters, fueling more media coverage and political scrutiny.

Columbia made more news when it banned a student protest leader who declared that “Zionists don’t deserve to live.” He said with regard to fighting a Zionist (someone such as myself who believes the Jews deserve a homeland in Israel), “I don’t fight to injure or for there to be a winner or a loser, I fight to kill.”

He added, “Be grateful that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists.”

Tragically, that’s already been done.

In the new edition of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli historian Tom Segev offers a brilliant overview of the modern history of the nation. He begins:

"To Israelis, October 7, 2023, is the worst day in their country’s seventy-five-year history. Never before have so many of them been massacred and taken hostage on a single day. Thousands of heavily armed Hamas fighters managed to break through the Gaza Strip’s fortified border and into Israel, rampaging unimpeded for hours, destroying several villages and committing gruesome acts of brutality before Israeli forces could regain control."

Hamas leaders have vowed to repeat these attacks until Israel is destroyed. Consequently, Israel had no choice but to send the IDF into Gaza to destroy Hamas.

More than thirty-one thousand Palestinians have died since the Israel–Hamas war in Gaza began, a tragic fact that is a primary reason for pro-Palestinian protests across our country. In their rhetoric, Israel is completely at fault for these deaths.

However, American legal theory distinguishes between a “proximate” cause and an “actual” cause. The latter is the direct cause of an event, such as the car that runs a red light and crashes into your vehicle. The former is the event that caused the latter, such as the large truck that rams into a car, shoving it into the intersection so that it crashes into your car.

Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7 is the uncontestable proximate cause of all that has happened since. If Hamas had not launched its invasion and then used Palestinian civilians as human shields, not a single casualty resulting from Israel’s response in Gaza would have been harmed. It is therefore also a fact that, as the Wall Street Journal recently noted, “Those who genuinely care about the Palestinians should hope for Hamas’s defeat.”

The US Army liberated the Dachau concentration camp on this day in 1945. With this sober fact as a historical backdrop, consider a letter written by the chairman of the World Holocaust Remembrance Center to the president of Columbia University. In it, Dani Dayan warns that the ongoing anti-Israel demonstrations at elite US colleges and universities are exactly what happened in Germany in the 1920s, just years before Nazis took over the country.

He therefore called on the president to “take a stand” as “thousands of Columbia faculty, staff, and students call for the elimination of the State of Israel and the abolition of Zionism.” He added: “Not a political stand. A moral stand. When it becomes crystal clear that abolishing the existence of the Jewish State is a prevalent ideology in Columbia, the president of the institution cannot remain silent.”

He then cited the Talmud’s teaching, “Silence is admission,” and reiterated, “Silence inevitably will be interpreted as tolerance or, even worse, consent.” He quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as saying that “the hottest place in hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.”

Dayan concluded his letter with a quote from Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace laureate who called indifference “the most insidious danger of all.”

If the faculty and students at America’s elite intellectual institutions cannot stand unequivocally against the genocide of the Jewish people, what does this say about our culture?

Has our “post-truth” society become so confused and corrupted that it cannot condemn the rape, murder, and mutilation of innocent civilians at the hand of terrorist invaders pledged to their annihilation?

If so, is Dani Dayan right in warning that we are on the road to an unthinkable and horrific future?

I believe these are truly precarious days for our nation. Let’s respond with the hope-filled reality that Jesus is “the Light of men” (John 1:4), now and always.

For today, let’s embrace and share this fact:

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” ~ John 1:5

It never will.
_______________

~ published by: Denison Ministries

https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/zionists-dont-deserve-to-live/






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Gaining Better Vision

~ If you want to see clearly, ask God to help you see from His perspective.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:1-8

You may have seen videos on the internet of babies receiving their first pair of glasses. They fuss and fight a little as the frames are being put on, but almost instantly, they stop and stare. Things that were previously blobs of color suddenly have defined shapes. Their parents’ faces, once fuzzy, become clear. Their smiles tell you everything you need to know about the gift of vision.

In a similar way, clear spiritual sight is vital for believers, and it involves learning to see as the Lord sees. This requires a shift in our perspective, and today’s passage provides a practical blueprint for learning to discern with the eyes of Christ: “Do not judge” (v. 1). True understanding begins with an awareness of our sins so we can “take the log out” (v. 5) from our own eye and see ourselves and others for what we truly are — forgiven and beloved sons and daughters.

1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that God doesn’t see as man does. Seeing with the eyes of Christ means searching beyond surface appearances and asking the Spirit to help us look more deeply into the heart of things. Jesus truly saw people — He recognized their brokenness and compassionately sought their good. May we be willing to do the same. Learning to view others as God does is the joyous labor of a lifetime, and the rewards for doing so are great.
_______________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/gaining-better-vision






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[tenac]

If you have came across this board this morning and you are reading a few post out of curiosity because you are searching for something ...maybe you have no ideal what you are looking for...Maybe you have lost all hope....Are you strung out on booze or drugs...Is someone in your life mistreating you...Maybe you have no friends or family...Have you thought about ending your life?

Or...maybe you have everything in this life that a person could want or need when it comes to money and stuff or maybe all that money and stuff just dont seem to tickle that itch like you once thought it did. Maybe you dont have a clue why your are sitting here reading this stuff yet here you are. Whatever the case... as bad off or as well off as you might be as far as earthly things and your life goes...You know there is something missing...you are searching for something...Well let me say to you...you have come to the right place...you are not here by mistake...it is all part of Gods plan for you to find the Joy...Hope...Peace and Contentment that is lacking in your life. If you could only know the earthly hell that i was living just 28 years ago with 25 years of self inflected hell from booze and drugs under my belt until age 40 and all the difference that has been made in my life since i saw the error of my ways and responded to a light that shined on my path. Nothing that i have done myself....I owe everything...including my very life....to the same person that could and can very well change and save you. That person is JESUS.

However i dont want you to just sit there and say a few words or pray a short prayer just for the sake of trying to grasp ahold of something....Yes...salvation is free and JESUS is more than willing to give it to you right now...Yes...right this very minute. But you cant just pray a prayer from your mouth and hope for the best. You have to prayer a prayer from your heart...and mean it like nothing you have ever said to anyone before. JESUS is always there...just waiting for you to ask for forgiveness of your sins and wicked lifestyle....But to receive salvation full and free...you must ask from the bottom of your heart with true repentance....then JESUS will come into your life and heart and soul and make changes in you that you also will not be able to believe....im not saying that all these things will happen all at once...it will take time...and im not saying that all your problems will disappear like right now....But the Peace and Joy and Contentment and Love that will come into your life...you will know it...and as time passes...you will know it more and more....JESUS is Love and He is everything you need to help you find all the things that are lacking in your life at this very moment!

In John 14:6, JESUS said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.”

To reach God and live in heaven after you die, you must accept JESUS as your personal Savior and Lord.

If you feel like you are ready to accept JESUS into your life right now...just pray this simple little prayer from your heart...and he will start you on that narrow road that leads to your heavenly home some day!


Dear God, I know that I’m a sinner and that my sin separates me from You. I realize that I can’t do anything to earn my way into heaven. I believe that JESUS took the punishment for my sins by dying on the cross and coming back to life. I accept You JESUS as my Savior and Lord. And I will try my best to please You all the days of my life. Forgive me of my sins and fill me Holy Spirit to help me and guide me thru the rest of my life here on earth. Thank You for forgiving me and saving me now. In JESUS name i praise You.... Amen.

If you accepted JESUS CHRIST as your Savior, then you can be sure He heard you. The Bible says,

“Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

You have just begun a relationship with God and you will definitely spend eternity in heaven with Him!

If you dont have a church...find a good Bible preaching and teaching church and go.....Talk to the preacher and tell him what you have done....that you are a new born-again believer. As a matter of fact....go and tell everyone!

Send me a PM here at I-hub

If you like ill be more than happy to call you by phone and we can talk about your NEW life in Christ!

JESUS Saves!

[Ranb2khz]

In a World of Quick, Slow Is Good

~ Let's give others — and ourselves — time to learn and grow.

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 4:11-16

Have you ever gotten into the far left lane on the highway so you can move just a little faster — only to have the cars in front of you slow down? Then you’re stuck between a divider wall on your left and even slower traffic on your right, feeling frustrated and annoyed.

Sometimes we want to treat our spiritual growth like that — jumping into that fast lane to “beat” everyone else to the goal and reach our destination sooner. We think that by reading a specific book or praying a certain way, we’ll grow more quickly and get to the next thing. But then the trials of life come, and without a strong foundation — one that’s built over time and with diligence — we quickly become overwhelmed and disillusioned.

In a world of quick, remember that slow growth is a good thing.

Consider today’s passage, where Paul describes believers as children who must “grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ” (v. 15). We don’t expect children to do everything like adults. It takes time for them to develop the strength, coordination, and intelligence required for “adult” tasks. When we become Christians, the process is similar. No one becomes a fully mature believer overnight — nor does God expect us to.

So, let’s be patient with ourselves, take the time required to “grow up,” and celebrate when we see progress in ourselves.
_______________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/in-a-world-of-quick-slow-is-good






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[tenac]

Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes

[tenac]

If you are reading this and you are a born-again believer....id like to ask you a question. How many people do you know that are what we call "unsaved". And if you are reading this and aint sure what that means...unsaved...(because you are unsaved)...let me clarify what that means. Unsaved...you have not believed in who Jesus says He is and have not invited Jesus into you heart by asking Him for forgiveness of your sins up to this point in time. And as a believer...in the daily life that you live...how many people do you see...walk by...work with...that most likely are also unsaved. I have heard it estimated that here in the United States...that only maybe 20% of the population is saved...they have a personal relationship with Jesus. That means that 80% is headed to hell. Remember...there is a big difference in calling oneself a christian and actually being born-again. It is also estimated that the earth as a whole maybe 10% is saved. That means that 90% is headed to hell. So...lets look at that. As believers we have the blessed assurance that when we die...in the twinkle of the eye...we will be in the presence of God...and...Jesus...in heaven. And...we have a "pretty good" idea what hell is going to be like and just how bad and tragic its going to be...right? Lets refresh our memory. Right now....somewhere...there is a person that is unsaved that has just died...each day on planet earth 150,000 people die....90% of those are headed to hell...do the math...every day....remember...the road to hell is wide and the road to heaven is narrow. So...when a unsaved person dies...in that moment they are taken to Hades...in torment...awaiting judgement day to be cast into Hell...the lake of fire...for...Forever! What is Hell...Hell will be a dark place...cant see your hand in front of your face...but there will be a lake of fire...fire consumed all around...but no light...thats the way God created it....and that person will burn in Hell...in complete pain and agony...for...Forever. They will have a supernatural body that will NOT burn up. And for forever they will hear billions of people....there with them....screaming in torment...for Forever. Remember...Forever never ends...Got that? But even worse than that i believe...is that they are going to be separated from God and his love...for...Forever. So every moment they are going to be in total despair...depression...sadness...to the point of suicide...but suicide is not a option...wishing they had surrendered their life to Jesus before it was to late...because...there are no do-overs. So...how many unsaved people do you know...and knowing the reality of hell and that all these people are headed there...When did you last tell someone about Jesus? Remember...as believers we have job...so to speak...a responsibility to do what....to go unto all the world....(and that can be just our home town)....and make disciples...to tell others about Jesus and satan...right and wrong...heaven and hell....right? Remember...as believers....the sin of omission is just as sinful as the sin of commission. What if we told just one person each week about Jesus...what if we told just one person everyday about Jesus....90% of the worlds 7.6 billion people are unsaved...the majority of folks in your hometown are unsaved.....we dont have to look far....Soooooooooooooooooo???

https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-of-commission.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-of-omission.html

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

[tenac]

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

[tenac]

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8

[tenac]

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8

[tenac]

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:46

[tenac]

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:41

[tenac]

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
2 Thessalonians 1:9

[tenac]

And throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:50

[Ranb2khz]

Behold God’s Beautiful Creation

~ All of nature declares the majesty of the Almighty.

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-31

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth with intention and precision. He spoke galaxies into existence, formed mountains and valleys, filled the seas with life, and adorned the earth with things of various colors and shapes. He surveyed His creation, declaring it to be “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

Beholding the wonders of creation allows us to catch a glimpse of divine artistry. The vibrant hues of a sunset, the delicate intricacy of a butterfly’s wings, and the grandeur of mountain ranges — all bear witness to the God’s endless wisdom and creativity.

Getting caught up in the mundane moments of life can make it easy to overlook the beauty around us. But when we slow down enough to take in God’s creation, it’s hard not to be filled with awe and gratitude. Each sunrise, chirping bird, and rustling leaf speaks of the Creator’s love for us. God’s declaration that His creation is “very good” reminds us of the inherent worth of all He has made, including us.

Pause for a moment to step outside and behold the beauty of God’s creation. Whether you look at a single blade of grass or the expanse of the sky, remember it all reflects the goodness of our Creator, who made every bit of it with love.
_______________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/behold-god-s-beautiful-creation






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[Ranb2khz]

Fear in The Valley

“This is My command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9

Fear is one of the long-term landlords in the valley of life. Actually, fear owns a little property in all three terrains. But it is the largest landowner in life’s valleys. The trials and tribulations of life are where we are most likely to experience fear.

Fear is arguably the strongest human emotion. Fear sometimes motivates us to avoid and sometimes to do. Fear is the emotion that demands action.

Like every circumstance, we should view an environment that elicits fear as an opportunity. Some of the greatest traits of humanity – courage, perseverance, and sacrifice - are impossible without fear. We overcome fear not by eliminating it but by persevering in spite of it.

In this verse, there is actually an embedded choice of whom or what to fear. Do we want our actions to be prioritized by fear of our circumstances? If we “tremble” or are “dismayed” we will likely also despair. We might surrender. But if our greater fear is disappointing God, missing out on the blessing He promises for our obedience, then the fear of the Lord can power us over fearful circumstances.

Scripture states plainly that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (see Proverbs 9:10). Placing our fear of God above all other fears leads to the obedience of courage. God calls us to be faith superheroes that run toward, rather than away from the pitched battles of life. Living faithfully will bring conflict with the world. God calls us to courage in Him. Because He is with us, wherever we go.
________________

~ published by: Yellow Balloons

https://yellowballoons.net






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[Ranb2khz]

What's Really Important...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowlege Him, and He will direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

I recently heard from a man in his fifties. He said, "I've learned that the challenge of life is to find out what's important and to disregard everything else."

Not bad advice! It's really a shame to think about wasting your life on cotton candy, soda pop, television, and accumulating stuff while doing without what's really important. But so many folks actually live this way, totally missing out on the important things of life.

Missing the point can happen to dedicated and religious people, too. Jesus came down awfully hard on the people who spent a lot of time worrying about how to tithe tiny bits of spices but never bothered about the greater matters of the law: justice, mercy, love, and faith (Matthew 23:23).

I guess the question is, have you learned what really counts? Do you know how to disregard the other stuff?

God's Word is a pretty good guide in that search. So is seeking after the heart and wisdom of God! Only God can help us find the path to what's truly important!
________________

~ by Dr. Paul Faulkner

https://www.heartlight.org






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[Ranb2khz]

Refined Passions

“Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:22

The world has a clever scheme. It feeds the lusts of the flesh. A flaming arrow of the enemy. The goal is to lure us like moths to a flame. The Bible’s recommended response is "flee".

The trap is a scheme of half-truths and superficial substitutes for our true longings. It is a scheme of short cuts. Like Satan offered Jesus. "Bow down and worship me and I will give you the kingdoms of the earth. Why wait and suffer when you can have it now?"

The flesh sells the idea that we can gain great profits without making investments. We can eat our seed corn and still have a harvest. Jesus knew better. He separated from Satan and followed the road of obedience - a road that led to the true fulfillment of His destiny as the King.

The path of Jesus is the way of life. Paul urges us to flee lusts and pursue righteousness. The Lord calls us to put away superficial attempts to feed our deepest passions. Instead, we are to do the hard work of chasing righteousness.

When we exercise the difficult decision to walk in the obedience of faith, our reward is peace, love and the fruits of righteousness. And the seed of this great blessing begins with fleeing.
_______________

~ published by: Yellow Balloons

https://yellowballoons.net






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[Ranb2khz]

The ostracization of Christians is picking up steam...

15 State Officials Warn Bank Of America About 'De-Banking' Of Christians:

A group of 15 financial officials from 13 states sent a notice to Bank of America, raising concerns about the institution’s “de-banking” of Christians.

“We write to express our concerns over Bank of America’s troubling track record of politicized de-banking. Bank of America’s de-banking policies and practices threaten the company’s financial health, its reputation with customers, our nation’s economy, and the civil liberties of everyday Americans,” the officials wrote in an April 18 letter to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan.

“We are especially troubled by Bank of America’s track record of discriminating against religious ministries. Notable examples include Memphis-based charity Indigenous Advance Ministries, the Timothy Two Project, and Christian author and speaker Lance Wallnau.”

In April 2023, Bank of America shut down the account of Indigenous Advance Ministries, which partners with groups in the African nation of Uganda to provide care and education for orphaned and at-risk children. The bank closed accounts of a Memphis church which donated to the organization.

Bank of America provided “vague reasons” for the closure of these accounts, claiming the organization’s activities exceeded the institution’s “risk tolerance” and that it no longer wanted to serve its “business type.”

“Months later — after being confronted by an international media organization — the bank then claimed that it closed the accounts because the for-profit business engaged in ‘debt collection.’ Neither Indigenous Advance Ministries nor the church collect debts, nor was the bank able to point to any policy prohibiting account holders from engaging in such activities,” the letter said.

“In other words that rationale was a ruse, and even if legitimate, would only apply to one of the closed accounts.”

In 2020, the bank closed the account of Timothy Two Project International, which trains pastors in more than 65 nations. In a letter to the group, the bank claimed the closure was due to Timothy Two operating “a business type we have chosen not to service.”

The financial institution also froze the accounts of author Mr. Wallnau, alleging he was suspected of money laundering. However, the bank failed to provide any evidence supporting such accusations.

While the bank eventually unfroze the account, they required Mr. Wallnau to answer a series of invasive questions.

“This pattern of religious de-banking strongly suggests that systemic drivers of religious and political bias may be at work within Bank of America,” the letter said.

“One objective indicator of such a problem is the bank’s egregiously low score on the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index, the premier benchmark for measuring corporate respect for free speech and religious freedom. Bank of America scored a meager 8 percent out of a possible 100 percent.”

The letter pointed out that Bank of America’s vague terms of service allow them to deny services for political or religious views. For instance, the company’s policy says it can refuse services to clients deemed to “promote intolerance … or hate.”

This policy can be weaponized by the bank against clients who express certain views, which are protected by the First Amendment, the officials wrote.

“Bank of America funds and partners with anti-free speech organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and the Center for American Progress while preventing employees from giving to faith-based groups in their employee gift match program.”

Bank of America, being the second largest bank in the nation and a recipient of a host of government subsidies, is obligated to ensure equal access to marketplace for all Americans and “not play politics,” officials wrote.

The letter was written by officials from Alabama, Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah.

They demanded that the institution implement certain recommendations, including eliminating “existing viewpoint discriminatory terms” governing customers, updating its terms of service to include a commitment to not discriminate on the basis of religion or politics, and taking part in a survey to assess how the bank’s policies impact the civil liberties of its customers.

The Epoch Times reached out to the bank for comment.

De-banking of Conservatives:

The issue of de-banking conservatives has been a hot topic in recent years. A November 2022 statement signed by 60 financial professionals alleged that banks like JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Capital One, and Morgan Stanley were engaged in political or religious discrimination.

“JP Morgan Chase refused to process payments for a GOP-aligned organization,” it said.

In addition, the bank “shuttered the National Committee for Religious Freedom’s account without explanation, demanding that the nonprofit disclose its donors and provide a list of the political candidates it intends to support as a condition of resuming service.”

Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley refused to do business with organizations that raised “significant human rights, environmental, health, and safety or social responsibility issues.”

Similarly, credit behemoth Visa mandated that merchants do not use its services in any manner deemed “hateful.”

“What these vague, unspecified terms mean in practice is subject to the arbitrary interpretation of each of your companies, or any one of thousands of employees charged with enforcing them,” the statement said.

“Policies like these place customers and clients at risk of being ‘debanked’ simply because a company employee disagrees with their point of view on any number of contentious social issues.”

Meanwhile, states are taking action to end financial discrimination against conservatives by the banking industry.

Iowa earlier this year introduced Senate Study Bill 3094, which bans financial institutions from discriminating against customers using a “social credit score.”

The bill defines “social credit score” as any evaluation of a person’s “speech, religious exercise, association, expression, or conduct protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.”

If a financial institution is found violating the law, the attorney general can bring a civil action against the institution. A court can order the institution to pay damages, restitution, or other compensation.

In February, State Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Tenn.) introduced a similar bill in Tennessee. “This legislation prohibits the 20 largest banks in our country from denying financial services to any Tennessean based on political speech, religious belief, or a social credit score,” he said at a state House Banking and Consumer Affairs Committee hearing.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/15-state-officials-warn-bank-america-about-de-banking-christians






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[tenac]

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

[tenac]

God of all my days

[tenac]

Let us not forget...GOD...created the heavens and the earth and every living thing on it...God...our living and loving God...the One and only God...the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob...the great "I AM"...He is sovereign...He is in complete control. He is holding the balance of the universe in His hands. He gives us our every breath and heartbeat. Everything that happens...outside our own free will...is sent by God...or...he allows it. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Nothing is beyond His reach and control and nothing takes priority over Him! He has promised to never leave or forsake us. He loves His children with a love that we truly cant understand the breadth, length, depth, and height of it. And God really does want the best for us according to His awesome perfect will while we are living here on planet earth. And...He has also prepared a place for us that everything is going to be perfect with our home in heaven one day. So on this beautiful Wednesday morning i ask you...where is your faith and trust...is it in God "all the time"...or...just "now and then"? Do you really believe that God always has a perfect plan and purpose and do you believe this awesome promise from Romans 8:28..."And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose".....Do have a awesome and blessed day and remember...if you are a born-again believer...the war has already been won and the victory is ours!...thank you Jesus!

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

[tenac]

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

[tenac]

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10