Tag: trust

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God’s Good Will

It’s important when we read the Bible that we let what we are reading really penetrate our thoughts. Some of the stories we have heard for years and sad to say but after a while they fail to impact us – just one more time to hear it, one more time out of habit but without meaning.

As I told you yesterday, this year I took a new look at the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2. I prayed that the impact I received from Luke’s recording of the events would take on new life and meaning. I have not been disappointed.

“Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, 6 and while they were there, 7 she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep.” Luke 2:5-8 CEV

Many Christmas cards, movies and books show Mary & Joseph arriving at night. Knocking on the innkeeper’s door and being turned away because there was no room. That may be the way it happened but when I read the verses above, I get a different perspective.

The shepherds had the angels appear to them at night that is true, but by that time Mary had already given birth to Jesus. So, they must have arrived in Bethlehem earlier in the day or even the night before. They had time to “settle in” when the pains of labor started. Joseph had to help Mary and they prepared the stable as best they could for the inevitable.

The birth of God’s Son.

Since Bethlehem was crowded and the inn was full, those staying there would have needed to tend to their animals. Did they come to the stable, hear the commotion, feed their animals and quickly leave? Did anyone ask if they needed help? Although there were no birthing facilities, I’m sure it was not common to give birth in a stable.

Did Joseph have anyone to help him care for Mary following the birth? Did the Father send an angel, disguised as a midwife, to assist them? And then how much time did Mary have to rest and suckle her newborn before the shepherds arrived?

Yesterday, I asked Everyone, Who’s Everyone. This morning I got a little more insight into that as well. The angels didn’t give the shepherds a street location – they had to search for Him, and they found Him, laying in a manger. The everyone could have been the people the shepherds spoke to, asking if anyone knew where there was a new baby who had been born in a stable. Yes, possibly that was who the everyone was.

Life’s events were not turning out as Mary had planned but in all of it, she trusted the Lord.

“Nothing is impossible for God!” 38 Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant! Let it happen as you have said.” And the angel left her.” Luke 1:37-38 CEV

What is it that isn’t going according to your plans this year? Let me assure you that whatever detours life has been taking you on, trusting God with the circumstances will bring a course correction.

He is faithful and His plans are always for our ultimate good!

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Something New

Each morning when I open the WordPress site and I click on the post tab I am offered several options; All Posts, Add New, Categories and Tags. And each morning I click on the “Add New” selection.

What appears on my screen is a blank page and at the top of the page it says “Add Title”. This morning when I read “add new”, my memory bank opened to the day I read Philippians 4:19 and really took it to heart.

“And my God will give you everything you need because of His great riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NLV

I had memorized this verse as a second grader, in Sunday School class. But this was different. I was an adult, sitting with Dave at our kitchen table, in a house we were renting in Glendale, AZ. Our oldest daughter was 5 1/2 years old, our son was 4. We had been challenged the week before by a preacher at Cowboy Church to start our Bible reading with a prayer.

“Lord, make Your word come alive to me to day. Since these are Your words show me what you meant for me to learn when You had men write them down so long ago”. Amen.

Dave had been having a hard time finding work. Our electric bill was past due. Each week I made my grocery list, praying over the things I needed to purchase but only having $20 in our grocery budget. That day, at that table, those words jumped off the page and into my heart. There was no immediate change in our situation but our hearts filled with faith, knowing that God would give us everything we needed because Jesus had paid the debt for our sin and by His death we became joint heirs with Christ. We were as much God’s children as Jesus was.

Oh my goodness! We could hardly contain ourselves!! We couldn’t have been more excited if someone had come to the door and given us a check for a million dollars.

Add New!

Absolutely! What we added was a new knowledge of God’s word, a new depth of faith, a new confidence that when God makes a promise He keeps it. This was 45 years ago. I would love to say that we never faltered in trusting God’s promises but that wouldn’t be true. However, each time we have gone discouraged and fail to trust the Father with all the areas of our life He has remained faithful. He has never broken one of His promises and He never will! He’s never left us, although, at times we have walked away from Him.

I will leave you with my favorite verse in the Bible.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Every promise in the Bible is from God. He gave them to us, His children, and He won’t change His mind or break His word.

I encourage you to do what that cowboy preacher instructed us to do. Pray before you read and ask the Father to make His words real to you. I know you will open the pages and find “something new”.

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Weak, Trembling, Worried?

How many times have you awaken in the night heavy hearted? There’s something going on with family or work and you think you’ve got it under control and then there’s that middle-of-the-night awareness and your peace is destroyed.

Laying there, all the what-if scenarios run through your mind and you figure you will never get back to sleep. All there is to do now is pray for morning. But wait…

“Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling,  and worried: 4 “Cheer up! Don’t be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you.” Isaiah 35:3-4 CEV

“Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you. Isaiah 35:3-4 AMPC

The Lord has given us a promise of peaceful sleep. Our bodies were designed to rest. Daniel slept in the lions’ den, Peter slept in a prison cell, and Jesus slept in the bow of a boat on a stormy sea. Each one of them was surrounded by their problems but they were in a place of peace; they were trusting God.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:8 AMPC

Our heavenly Father provides us with a place of safety, a place where we can trust in His protection and provision. He is there, always, during the watches of the night. Jesus knew this better than anyone and here is what he said:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. 30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.” Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC

When we are burdened and we come to Jesus He will give us rest. He wants us to learn from Him; He trusted the Father implicitly. He knows that’s where we will find true peace and rest.

I woke earlier than usual this morning and here are the words that filled my heart and my mind. They are the words of an old hymn which was first published in 1878. These are the words of the chorus and the second stanza.

Glory to His Name,
Glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Jesus, abiding (living, making his residence) within our hearts replaces the worry, the fear and the weakness with His peace and rest! May you rest in peace.

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VICTORY!

As I was waking up this morning I was thinking about a letter I am going to write, you know, composing it in my head. Over the years my closing signature has most always been preceded by something like this, “Victorious in Him” or “Victorious in Jesus”. I’ve been signing my letters like that for over thirty-five years.

Those of you who have read my blog for any length of time know that in the early part of my Christian life I went from one defeat to another. Disappointments and struggles were the norm but about thirty-seven years ago I began to hear teaching on the truth and power of God’s word. I learned from reading the Bible that God had designed a life of victory and blessings for us.

“We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow. 4 Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:3-5 CEV

Victory? Yes, victory.

Things began to change. The Lord put such a hunger in my heart to read His word and put it into practice. The Word became my final authority on every subject. God is infinitely greater than the wisest of men and He has promised to bring us through any situation in victory.

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

The Bible is filled with stories of God intervening in the lives of every day people. But they aren’t just stories, they are examples of what God can and will do in the lives of those who put their trust in Him. I have seen true miracles and everyday blessings too numerous to count.

I have had my share of failures as I have learned to trust God’s word. The outcome hasn’t always been victorious but it’s not because God didn’t want it to be. Like Peter, who started to sink while walking on the water, I would get my eyes off the Lord and on my circumstances and fear would take over. But also like Peter, when he cried out the Lord lifted him above the waves and got him to safety, the Lord has been there to rescue me and bring me to safety. Victory has been flourishing and defeats have been diminished.

The Lord desires to do this for all of us. Did you notice in the verses from I John that it says “Every child of God can defeat the world”? Everyone! God has put all His blessings and power at our disposal when we put our trust in Him. Faith is believing that God will do what He says; trust is believing that He will do it for us.

I don’t know when or how this coronavirus will be contained but I do know that we can trust God to bring us through it victoriously!

These are the words of Jesus: “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest. ” John 10:10 CEV

Join me, will you? Let’s put our signature at the bottom of today’s letter –

Victorious in Him, Kristi

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Through The Valley

I was unable to sleep, so I got up and came to my office to pray. My prayer time isn’t formal or structured, it’s just me talking to the Lord, telling Him what’s on my heart and sitting quietly. He fills my heart with peace and my mind with examples of His love and His word. I prayed for all who will read this blog this morning; I know many are anxious and even fearful.

Just a while ago my thoughts were filled with this phrase, “through the valley”. Through the valley?

Through the valley!

“You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths. 4 I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won’t be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod
 makes me feel safe.” Psalm 23:3-4 CEV

Most of us would choose to go around the valley instead of through it. That seems to be the right tactical move. Take the high road and not give our enemies an opportunity to ambush us. Through the valley seems risky.

If we trust the Lord there will be times when we don’t understand why He is leading us through the valley but we can be assured that He will always lead us along the right path. And when He is leading we don’t need to be afraid.

When our older children were little and we were teaching them to swim we had a real struggle getting them to jump from the side of the pool into David’s arms. They had no problem wrapping their arms around our necks and floating out to the deep from the shallow and they didn’t mind sitting down on the side and sliding into our arms but jumping in was something entirely different. It took a lot of coaxing and a promise that we wouldn’t let anything happen to them before they were convinced that it would be ok. They had to go through that valley and they learned to trust us.

We are all going through a valley right now. It’s a time of uncertainty. The most important thing for us to see is that we are not alone. God is here with us, leading us through and we don’t have to be afraid. We can be at peace in even the worst circumstances.

Jesus said: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

This is the prayer I prayed for you this morning: “Father, in the name of Jesus, I bring all who are reading this to You. Calm their fears, fill them with Your peace – peace of mind and heart. Let them see that they can trust You to lead them through this valley. Give them confidence that You won’t abandon them or leave them on their own. I don’t only pray this for them but I also pray for all those they hold dear. We trust You to be our protection. Thank you loving Father. Amen!”

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:2 NLT

He will lead us through the valley!

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Yesterday’s News

Yesterday I watched as something very strange transpired. The stock market fell and all the financial analysts were saying it was because of the coronavirus reports.

Fear was rearing it’s ugly head!

For years I have read and taught about the protection the Lord promises us from His Word, particularly Psalm 91. However, there was a part of that chapter I didn’t fully understand until a few years ago.

“You will not be afraid of trouble at night, or of the arrow that flies by day. 6 You will not be afraid of the sickness that walks in darkness, or of the trouble that destroys at noon. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand. But it will not come near you.” Psalm 91:5-7 NLV

In my lifetime we have been warned of the swine flu, the bird flu, SARS, Legionaire’s disease and now the coronavirus. I’m not saying that these diseases are not real threats but I am saying that God’s word gives many promises of protection to those of us who trust Him. He will keep us safe.

“Because you have made the Lord your safe place, and the Most High the place where you live, 10 nothing will hurt you. No trouble will come near your tent.” Psalm 91:10 NLV

The Lord doesn’t want us living in fear. I know I’ve told you before but it bares repeating now. There are over 300 verses in the Bible that counsel us not to fear, to worry or be anxious. Those things, left unchecked, will rob us of our faith in God. Faith is trusting the Father to handle all the circumstances of our lives; fear displaces that trust and tries to convince us that He won’t.

“I will give honor and thanks to the Lord, Who has told me what to do. Yes, even at night my mind teaches me. 8 I have placed the Lord always in front of me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be moved. 9 And so my heart is glad. My soul is full of joy. My body also will rest without fear.” Psalm 16:7-9 NLV

Rest without fear!

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Winning Strategy

Have you ever struggled with something – a new computer program, a project at work, or a relationship? You were sure you knew exactly what to do to make it work but your efforts ended in failure.

Not long before King David died, he told Solomon:

“My son, I will soon die, as everyone must. But I want you to be strong and brave. 3 Do what the Lord your God commands and follow his teachings. Obey everything written in the Law of Moses. Then you will be a success, no matter what you do or where you go.” I Kings 2:1-3 CEV

Our thinking or reasoning isn’t always the best. Take Joshua as an example. He was tasked with conquering the city of Jericho. It was a walled, well fortified city, many people lived there and the city was guarded. I’m sure Joshua was developing a plan of attack when the Lord spoke to him.

“Meanwhile, the people of Jericho had been locking the gates in their town wall because they were afraid of the Israelites. No one could go out or come in. 2-3 The Lord said to Joshua: With my help, you and your army will defeat the king of Jericho and his army, and you will capture the town. Here is how to do it: March slowly around Jericho once a day for six days. 4 Take along the sacred chest and have seven priests walk in front of it, carrying trumpets. But on the seventh day, march slowly around the town seven times while the priests blow their trumpets. 5 Then the priests will blast on their trumpets, and everyone else will shout. The wall will fall down, and your soldiers can go straight in from every side.” Joshua 6:1-5 CEV

Seriously, was he supposed to take a city by marching around and blowing trumpets? It wasn’t the tactic that caused Joshua to be successful. He captured it by being obedient to what the Lord has said!

“The priests blew their trumpets again, and the soldiers shouted as loud as they could. The walls of Jericho fell flat. Then the soldiers rushed up the hill, went straight into the town, and captured it.” Joshua 6:20 CEV

What is our “Jericho”? Is it the challenges we face at work, a rocky relationship with someone who had been a close friend or loved family member, a looming financial crisis or perhaps a health issue?

If we’ve been trying to figure out the correct strategy on our own it’s time to listen to the One who has the perfect solution. When we do, we’ll be victorious!

“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NLT

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Three Dog Morning

For the last several days we have been at our daughter’s, dog sitting. They went to Japan to visit our grandson and his wife. What a wonderful opportunity for them and we were glad to help.

When I got up this morning, I started the coffee and you guessed it, I let the dogs out. The past few mornings the dogs have come in and scattered to their various places. Not today! If I were to take a picture, you would find me in the large chair with one pup laying across my legs while the other two are sleeping on the floor on either side of my chair.

It’s a three dog morning. The pups are content to be close – no fear, just gentle sleep. This was the object lesson before me while I was reading my Bible.

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;  therefore, I will hope in him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.” Lamentations 3:22-25 NLT

The Lord is good. The Lord is faithful. The Lord’s love never ends. The Lord’s mercies are fresh every morning.

Those are verses of comfort and peace. God’s word is soothing and it makes my heart rest just like these pups that surround me. This morning is free from anxiousness or fear. There is rest and peace in the air.

My prayers turned to those who woke this morning in turmoil and anxiety. I prayed that they would know rest and safety. Remember a week or so back when I wrote about the kindness of God? Since then I have been very mindful of finding the words kind, kindness and safety in my daily Bible reading. It’s there on almost every page!

One of my favorite Scriptures, a must read at least 4 or 5 times a month, is Psalm 91. When I was learning to trust, really trust, the Lord I read it daily. On difficult days I would read it several times throughout the day. Here are just a few verses from that chapter.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection…7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you…9 If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home…14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91 NLT

A place of rest – a place of safety; staying close to the Father brings me to that place!

As the pups sleep on, my heart is quiet and I am content knowing that my Father watches over me and gives me new mercy for the day ahead.

It’s a three dog morning!

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Strongly Dependent

You may think the title to this blog is a typo but it’s not. Some would think I meant to say strongly independent but they would be wrong. How can one be strong and dependent, it appears to be an oxymoron.

Many times, circumstances and situations cause us to draw back. “I’m never going to be hurt like that again. I won’t allow anyone to be close enough to betray me and/or steal my ideas, etc.”. So the conclusion is to be independent, a loner, strong enough to stand on my own.

However, that is the attitude and determination that get us into trouble. It separates us from good counsel, loving support and God’s direction.

“The Lord is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety” Proverbs 18:10 CEV

David seemed to be alone; he was independent of the army of Israel, when he went out to face Goliath but in reality he was drawing strength from his dependence on the Lord.

“David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!” I Samuel 17:45-46 NLT

Daniel exhibited the same strength when King Darius sentenced him to the lion’s den. The king had been tricked into signing a law that would condemn Daniel to death for praying. Daniel chose to honor the Lord and stand by his faith and devotion to the God. His dependence on the Lord brought his deliverance from death.

“So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night. 19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” Daniel 6:16-22 NLT

There were many times during His ministry that Jesus seemed alone, independent of His disciples and certainly independent from the religious leaders of His day. However, He was totally dependent on the Father. He would leave the crowd, independent of their opinion, to spend time in prayer, displaying His dependence on the Father.

“I cannot do anything on my own. The Father sent me, and he is the one who told me how to judge. I judge with fairness, because I obey him, and I don’t just try to please myself.” John 5:30 CEV

And finally, the Apostle Paul is an example of strength through dependence. He wrote over one-third of the New Testament. He was shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, stoned, persecuted in nearly every town he visited. He appeared to be completely independent, his own man. But he said this about himself:

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT

I hope you find these verses encouraging. Maybe you have been trying to handle “it” all on your own. You’ve worked so hard to be independent, free from anyone being able to dictate to you. The Lord promises us strength when we become dependent on Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;  do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

When we trust the Lord we will become strongly dependent and there we will find victory!

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In God We Trust

Watching the nightly news can either make you cynical, fearful or it can be an opportunity to build your faith. There seems to be very little truth but instead truth is replaced with speculation, accusation and fabrication. No wonder the Bible says that in the last days men’s hearts will fail them for fear!

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” Luke 21:25-28 NLT

We are to put more value and trust in God’s word than that of the news commentators, the financial experts, the medical elite and the military strategists. Trust the one who knows the beginning from the end. Trust the one who knows the number of hairs on your head and sees a sparrow when it falls.

Everyone of us have a Bible in our pocket or our purse; it is small, round and shiny. We should take it out and read it – read it several times each time and remind ourselves “In God We Trust”.

“If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things. 33 Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right. 34 Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say,

“For you we are in danger of death all the time.
People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.”

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39 ERV

There is such an enormous effort being made to silence the teaching of godly principles, Christian morals and faith in Christ. Without God’s word people lose hope, fear prevails and deception runs unchecked. With God’s word we find hope, courage and truth.

Let God’s word be our final authority!

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.” Luke 21:33 NLV

In God We Trust!

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