Category: Provision

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Light Afflictions

A couple of days ago I had my annual physical. My doctor gave me a good report and didn’t even say anything about the few pounds I had gained since last year. (Thanks, Doc) One thing that was part of my exam was an injection, a pneumonia vaccine.

Ouch!

He told me it would hurt for the next 24 hours and if it was too bad I could take an over-the-counter pain reliever. I thought how bad could it be. After all just a few weeks ago I had been stung by a bee while out refilling my humming bird feeders, in the same arm no less. Monday evening my arm was sore but yesterday when I woke up, it hurt! I was trying not to be a baby about the whole thing but every time I raised my arm or reached for something with my left hand I audibly complained.

That brings me to this morning. Here I am, Sitting in my chair, reaching over for my Bible, raising my arm above my head and the pain is gone. A light momentary affliction.

So much in life can fall into that category. Missing out on a promotion or a raise, loosing a job, ending a relationship, physical adversity, social distancing – there are so many disappointments in life, set backs and even life-threatening circumstances. However, one thing will never change. In all of these, our light afflictions, our heavenly Father will not abandon us or leave us to struggle through them on our own.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self[a] is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

The struggles I listed above really aren’t life and death situations. The Apostle Paul faced those kinds of persecution. He knew what it was like to put his life on the line every where he went. He was stoned and left for dead on several occasions, imprisoned continually, beaten with rods, ship wrecked and floating in the sea, snake bit. This is what he said:

“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV

I don’t know what situations are facing you. I don’t know what you’ve been going through and still have ahead but our Father does. He knows each step and He promises us His strength for the journey.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will give you strength and protect you from the Evil One.” II Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

Each of us have a promise, an unbreakable promise, that when we trust Him He will give us strength for our weakness.

No affliction, light or heavy, is too great for the ability of our God.

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Safely Sheltered

Every generation has had to face tumultuous times. That is a fact. When Jesus lived on the earth the Romans had invaded Israel. Roman soldiers patrolled the streets, the local Jewish officials were subject to Roman law and the citizens owed taxes to Caesar.

Some who were living then thought that the Messiah would come, set up His kingdom and overthrow the Romans. They were looking for an earthly king. They longed for deliverance.

Jesus’ heart ached for them. He said they were like lost sheep, vulnerable and alone. They had wandered far from the safety of the shepherd. All through the Old Testament God, the Father, had the leaders and prophets of Israel instruct the people to follow His word and He would be their God and their refuge in times of trouble. Those in Israel had either forgotten those promises or had ignored them.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death those that God has sent to you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me.” Matthew 23:37 ERV

Do you see those words “I wanted to gather…But you did not let me”? The Lord desires to protect us and keep us safe. That’s His Father’s heart!

“You can go to God Most High to hide. You can go to God All-Powerful for protection. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety, my fortress. My God, I trust in you.” 3  God will save you from hidden dangers  and from deadly diseases. 4 You can go to him for protection. He will cover you like a bird spreading its wings over its babies. You can trust him to surround and protect you like a shield. 5 You will have nothing to fear at night  and no need to be afraid of enemy arrows during the day.” Psalm 91:1-5 ERV

The words of the Bible aren’t mindless platitudes, a good philosophy or some myth or fairy tale. They are God’s words; they are words of life to all who believe them. They are the words of a loving Father to His children. Jesus was expressing the words of the Father when he spoke over Jerusalem. From the beginning of time God has wanted to protect, guard and deliver His children.

Those same words of protection and safety are God’s words to us for this very day! Take courage and trust the Father.

Thank you Father that under the shadow of Your wings is my place of safety!

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How Much Longer?

Are you beginning to wonder “how long can this go on”? Or perhaps you’re saying “I don’t think I can take much more”, “I just can’t do this any longer”? Well I have good news for you today!

In II Kings, chapters 6 & 7, the king of Syria (Aram) brought his army against the Israelites and they had surrounded Samaria and cut off all the food supply to the city. The situation became so grave that people in the city were eating animal dung and there were even reports of cannibalism. They were in a desparate place – hope was all but gone.

There were four lepers who were outside the city wall and they asked a question: “Why are we sitting here waiting to die? 4 There is no food in Samaria. If we go into the city, we will die there. If we stay here, we will also die. So let’s go to the Aramean camp. If they let us live, we will live. If they kill us, we will just die.” II Kings 7:3-4 ERV

How long will we sit here, until we die? It was time to do something even if it meant that they might die. They couldn’t go into the city because there was famine in the city, if they stayed where they were they would starve to death and if they went to the enemy camp they also faced the possibly of death but they had to do something. So they went.

I’ve faced some difficult situations but none have been this serious, how about you?

When the lepers got to the enemy camp they found that the army had fled and left all of their food, clothing, horses, tents and gold.

“So that evening the four lepers went to the Aramean camp. When they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! 6 The Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army. So the soldiers said to each other, “The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to come against us.” 7 The Arameans ran away early that evening. They left everything behind. They left their tents, horses, and donkeys and ran for their lives. 8 When these lepers came to where the camp began, they went into one tent. They ate and drank. Then they carried silver, gold, and clothes out of the camp and hid them. Then they came back and entered another tent. They carried things out from this tent and went out and hid them. 9 Then they said to each other, ‘We are doing wrong! Today we have good news, but we are silent. If we wait until the sun comes up, we will be punished. Now let’s go and tell the people who live in the king’s palace.’” II Kings 7:5-9

Through these four lepers, the outcasts of society, God provided for the whole city. They were men in a desperate situation and in that situation they saw God work a miracle for them personally and for their city.

We are told in the Book of Acts that God is no respecter of persons and He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Book of Hebrews). Now I’m not saying that we’re going to go out today and find an enemy camp with horses, clothing, food and gold but I am saying that God will provide. Our desperate situation isn’t desperate to God. He has the answer and is providing a way. One of God’s names is “Provider” and His name is a reflection of His character.

“Abraham named that place ‘The Lord Will Provide.’ And even now people say, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’” Genesis 22:14 CEV

“My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. 20 Glory to our God and Father forever and ever.” Philippians 4:19-20 ERV

Again, we come back to putting our hope in God. When we trust Him and follow what He calls us to do we will find Him there to help.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

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A Must Share on Peace

Yesterday morning when I read these verses I knew they were a must share.

“Only God gives inward peace,  and I depend on him. 6 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure. 7 God saves me and honors me. He is that mighty rock where I find safety. 8 Trust God, my friends, and always tell him
each one of your concerns. God is our place of safety.” Psalm 62:5-8 CEV

ONLY GOD!

The search for peace, at times, seems to be as illusive as the hunt for the loch ness monster or abominable snowman. Many spend there life searching for it but so few find true peace.

I’ve been reading about the life of David, first as a shepherd and then as king. His transition from the pasture to the palace was a rocky one, to say the least. We often think that when we have a call of God on our life that the road ahead will be smooth and unhindered. Not so my friend, not so.

David was anointed king while Saul was still reigning. Saul hated David and pursued him relentlessly through the deserts. David and his men hid in caves and even took refuge in the towns of the enemies of the Israelites to avoid Saul’s obsessive attacks. There were several times when David could have easily killed Saul but he refused. He told his men, who were encouraging him to take Saul’s life, that he would not touch the king that had been anointed by God. David depended on the Lord to protect and bring him to power in His timing.

I have been reading all this for the last several days, there are chapters and chapters written on Saul’s pursuit of David. So, when I read Psalm 62 yesterday morning and saw David’s words of praise for the peace and protection that the Lord had given him I was greatly impressed. All of the threats, the struggles, the hunger, the danger brought David to pen these heartfelt words “Only God, God alone, God saves, Trust God”. He had one focus, Only God.

These are the words that start this chapter: “Only God can save me, and I calmly wait for him. 2 God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure. 3 I feel like a shaky fence or a sagging wall. How long will all of you attack and assault me?
4 You want to bring me down from my place of honor. You love to tell lies, and when your words are kind, hatred hides in your heart. 5 Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on him.” Psalm 62:1-5 CEV

I don’t know what your life’s circumstance is but I feel certain that some of you have experienced personal attack, unprovoked aggression. May I encourage you to do what David did – focus on God and God alone.

Only God gives inward peace, depend on Him.

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Going South

Many in the continental U.S. like to travel south every year. We call them winter visitors. This year some of them stayed longer than expected because they felt it wasn’t safe to head home. There was so much uncertainty – would they be jeopardizing their health, would there be a safe place to stay while on the road, could they fly safely. So many questions.

We should all ask these same questions about life in general. Our daily routine needs to be taken to the Lord in prayer and He will guide.

Years ago when we were young in faith and learning to listen to the Lord’s voice we had a cowboy preacher, a dear friend, tell us this: “If God says go South, He will provide; If you go North you’ll think you died!”

Now that’s not scripture but it is Biblical. Solomon put it this way: “Trust the LORD completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the LORD and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverb 3:5-8 ERV

And then this one: “Turn to the LORD for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. 4 The LORD has a plan for everything.” Proverbs 16:3-4a ERV

God has a plan for each day – it doesn’t really matter what the activities are in the day He has a plan! Some days His plan is to change our plan, His plan is better.

When we listen, He speaks and when we follow His leading we are blessed! We have a choice – it would be silly to lean to our own understanding since following Him is the right way to go and His wisdom is perfect.

“Today I am giving you a choice. You may choose the blessing or the curse. 27 You will get the blessing if you listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God that I have told you today. 28 But you will get the curse if you refuse to listen and obey the commands of the LORD your God. So don’t stop living the way I command you today, and don’t follow other gods that you don’t know.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ERV

Trust the Lord today. He loves us and His desire for us is good!

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the LORD. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Go South today – He will provide!!!

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Preparing For A Harvest

In the days when fields were cultivated by hand rocks had to be removed before the seeds could be planted. The ground had to be broken up and turned over either with a shovel, hoe or a plow. The stones would be unearthed and removed, generally they were placed at the edge of the fields.

The same holds true in our lives. The Bible teaches us that God’s word is good seed and if we plant it in our hearts we will receive a plentiful harvest.

“I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,  and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’” Hosea 10:12 NLT

If seed is just scattered on top of the dirt and not planted in the soil properly production will be greatly hindered. Some of the seed will be eaten by birds, some will blow away, some will be hampered by the rocks and some will find good soil and grow well.

It’s a foolish farmer that sows seed so frivolously. With a little extra work and a little more time the ground can be properly prepared and a greater yield achieved. I’ve learned that lesson well from gardening. Plants don’t like rock infested ground. The roots struggle as they seek to go deeper in the soil, carrots that encounter rocks during the growth are misshaped and twisted when they are harvested.

“Now listen to the meaning of the story about the farmer: 19 The seeds that fell along the road are the people who hear the message about the kingdom, but don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the message from their hearts. 20 The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it right away. 21 But they don’t have deep roots, and they don’t last very long. As soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up.

22 The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. But they start worrying about the needs of this life and are fooled by the desire to get rich. So the message gets choked out, and they never produce anything. 23 The seeds that fell on good ground are the people who hear and understand the message. They produce as much as a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was planted.” Matthew 13:18-23 CEV

Our heart is the soil, God’s word is the seed. Prepare the ground, pick out the rocks, protect the seed and we’ll see a harvest of good fruit in our lives!

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Sunrise Sunset

My yesterday was amazing! I hope yours was too. I was greeted with a beautiful sunrise, a warm and welcoming good morning hug from my heavenly Father. Although the sunset was more demure, I experienced the Father’s presence in much the same way as a sleepy babe welcomes a gentle kiss goodnight.

“May the Lord’s name be praised now and forever. 3 May the Lord’s name be praised
 from where the sun rises to where it goes down. 4 The Lord is higher than all nations. His glory rises to the skies.” Psalm 113:2-4 ERV

And here I am this morning expecting more of the same. When we look for the Father our heart always finds Him.

I have a soft fleece throw that I keep on the couch. I snuggle into it every day. It’s not that I’m cold or chilled, definitely not in this Arizona high desert, but it’s comforting. The comfort I experience in sensing God’s presence is so much greater! When I’m praying for friends and family who are going through a particularly rough time there is a peace that covers me, much like that blanket, and I know that the Lord has taken charge and I can rest from worry.

There’s also a joy that comes bubbling up in my heart when the Lord shares some new idea with me or when I’m reminded of an old promise.

Most of our plants are on a watering system and as I sit here in the morning I hear the pop of the timer and then the gentle soaking mist of the water flowing from the nozzles. How refreshing it is to be constantly watered. That’s what joy in the Father’s presence is like to me – a continual refreshing.

“You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

And finally, I have the peace of the avian chorus both morning and evening. Right now I’m listening to the quail, wren, dove, meadowlark, sparrow, finch and owl. They start the day singing praises for all that will be and end it the same way. They remind me to always be grateful for all the Lord has provided.

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

Yes, it’s going to be another amazing day – a day to experience the Father’s presence, His comfort, joy and provision.

“Turn to the Lord! He can still be found.  Call out to God! He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 CEV

From sunrise to sunset all of creation reminds us that God is near and that He loves you and me!

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Where the Boat Leaves From

We spend a lot of time on our back patio. It seems like the perfect place to be! We love our yard and there’s either island or country music playing on Pandora. Yesterday, it was island music.

We’ve learned that there aren’t a lot of songs in that genre so they repeat regularly, one song that stuck with me last night was Zac Brown Band’s “Where the Boat Leaves From”. All night long it was in my dreams and I was singing it when I woke up this morning so I’m sharing it with you.

So get away to where the boat leaves from
It takes away all of your big problems
You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean
But you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from

Good advice – take all your worries and problems and drop them in the ocean. Get away from the dock! A boat tied up at the dock is going nowhere. So much of life is like that – we get tied down by worries and troubles and then we become immobilized.

The Apostle Peter was like that. He was a commercial fisherman. In fact, he and his brother owned a fishing fleet. Jesus met them one day on the shore of Galilee. They had fished all night and caught nothing. They were tired but the nets still needed to be washed and put away so they would be ready for the next trip out. And here comes Jesus, a carpenter, who knows nothing about fishing (or at least, that’s what they thought). He wanted to give them some advice.

“When Jesus had finished speaking, he told Simon, “Row the boat out into the deep water and let your nets down to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon answered, “we have worked hard all night long and have not caught a thing. But if you tell me to, I will let the nets down.” 6 They did it and caught so many fish that their nets began ripping apart. 7 Then they signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. The men came, and together they filled the two boats so full that they both began to sink.

8 When Simon Peter saw this happen, he knelt down in front of Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t come near me! I am a sinner.” 9 Peter and everyone with him were completely surprised at all the fish they had caught. 10 His partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were surprised too. Jesus told Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you will bring in people instead of fish.” Luke 5:4-10 CEV

Launch out Peter, Jesus said. Go out to the deep water. Dump your worries of empty nets into water and I will fill them for you. Reluctant but obedient they did what Jesus said. They had never brought in such a haul!

When we trust the Lord and are obedient to His word what we throw out empty will come back full.

“I, the Lord, am the one speaking to you. Come, let’s discuss this. Even if your sins are as dark as red dye, that stain can be removed and you will be as pure as wool that is as white as snow. 19 “If you listen to what I say, you will get the good things from this land.” Isaiah 1:18-19 ERV

Today’s the perfect day to follow Peter’s example. Maybe you’ve been up all night trying to figure out how you’re going to provide for your family or how you’re going to make it in business when this self-quarantine is over. It looks like your business is destroyed; you’ve fished all night and caught nothing.

Hear the words of Jesus, “Launch out. Trust me. Throw your empty nets overboard and bring them back full.” The Lord has promised that He will supply all our needs.

Get away from where the boat leaves from – get away from the shore and sail on the sea of God’s love and provision!

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Are You Thirsty?

A number of years ago we lived in the panhandle of Idaho. We had one particular summer that was very dry. The catch ponds were drying up and the springs were only a trickle.

One afternoon the dogs put us on alert and when we looked out our windows, this is what we saw. A cow moose had wandered into our yard with her twins in search of water. Our sprinklers were running and they provided the much needed water that she was seeking. After they drank their fill, they rested in the shade of the tall pines. At first she was very cautious, looking about after every sip and then as her calves rested quietly, she found rest herself.

Have you been that thirsty, thirsty for God? Thirsty enough to “search” outside your comfort zone? To be willing to leave the familiar way of doing things and to find the answers you need in God’s word?

God asked Abraham to leave his family and his homeland. His descendants were the originators of the Jewish race. Ruth left all and followed after Naomi to a new land where God blessed her with a husband and a child. Christ was in their line of descendants. Peter left his fishing nets to follow Christ. Paul gave up his prestige as a Pharisee to follow Jesus and preach His word.

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2 ERV

When we seek God, we will find Him and we will find that He fills our lives with so much more than we ever dreamed possible.

“Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will let you find me.” This message is from the LORD.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 ERV

Jesus ministered to a crowd on a hillside one day and he told them. ““Continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. 8 Yes, whoever continues to ask will receive. Whoever continues to look will find. And whoever continues to knock will have the door opened for them. 9 “Do any of you have a son? If he asked for bread, would you give him a rock? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would you give him a snake? Of course not! 11 You people are so bad, but you still know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 ERV

God is loving, kind and gracious and when we seek Him we will find that to be true. He put all of our punishment and judgement on Jesus so that we could have a wonderful relationship with Him.

“When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people.” II Corinthians 5:17-19. ERV

Someone needs to know today that God isn’t mad at you! He loves you and if you seek Him, you will find Him waiting with arms of love open wide. Seek for Him like that momma moose who came to our yard seeking water.

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Palm Branches Waving

The commemoration of Easter week is ahead of us. I’ve seen a post several times on Facebook of how we can celebrate what Christ did for us and not break our social distancing or self-isolation. Here it is:

“I’ve been thinking about this virus and the upcoming Easter season. What if we, as Christians, were to take red ribbons and pin or tape them to our door posts?…The bows would show this world and Satan that OUR GOD is still able to deliver HIS people from any and everything that tries to put us in bondage. We are HIS children. We are HIS favorites. We are HIS property, and HE loves us as no one else can. Let us show the world that we believe HIS word, and we are HIS. Cover those door posts, and stand on HIS promise of protection for HIS people. Passover starts April 8th -16th. Let’s get the word out!”

I have placed a red bow at my front door. Is anyone going to see it to ask me about it, possibly not? But I see it every time I come in and go out and it reminds me that the Lord has spared my life by taking my sin to His cross.

Today is Palm Sunday.

People came to Jerusalem this week to celebrate Passover and offer their sacrifices. What started on Palm Sunday ended with an empty tomb one week later.

“The next day a large crowd was in Jerusalem for Passover. When they heard that Jesus was coming for the festival, 13 they took palm branches and went out to greet him. They shouted, ‘Hooray God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the King  of Israel!’ 14 Jesus found a donkey and rode on it, just as the Scriptures say, 15 ‘People of Jerusalem, don’t be afraid! Your King is now coming, and he is riding on a donkey.’ 16 At first, Jesus’ disciples did not understand. But after he had been given his glory, they remembered all this. Everything had happened exactly as the Scriptures said it would.” John 12:12-16 CEV

These people were jubilant! They were so excited to see Jesus so they came running to the street with palm branches waving and voices cheering. There was something about Jesus and his compassionate ways that resounded with the common man. Everyone wanted to be close to Him, to hear His words and experience the miracles.

Just a short time before this Jesus had given His “mission statement” to a group who were following Him and listening to His teaching. Jesus declared that he would watch over us the way a shepherd does his sheep. A good shepherd fights off the predators and takes the sheep to good pasture.

“I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. 11 I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.” John 10:9-11 CEV

Provision and Protection. A full and abundant life.

That’s why people were cheering in the streets! Never, in their lifetime, had anyone been willing to make such claims and to demonstrate such love and commitment. His mission hasn’t changed – He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

He is our protector, our provider, our Savior. He is worthy of our honor and praise. Join with me and let’s lift our voices to say thank you and to express our love for the One who gave His all.

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