Category: Matthew

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Begin to Plant

Yesterday morning we traveled to my childhood home in Yuma. All along the way we drove past miles of alfalfa fields. It was as if the Lord was giving me a visual object lesson of what I had just shared with all of you.

If you bear with me, today I will continue with a few more thoughts on getting a harvest…

When I saw how plentiful the hay harvest was from one planting, and that it brought seven years of crop, I applied that truth to the great harvest we receive when we plant God’s word into the soil of our hearts.

“The sky and the earth won’t last forever, but my words will.” Matthew 24:35 CEV

It is a never-ending harvest!

”That same day Jesus left the house and went out beside Lake Galilee, where he sat down to teach… He said: A farmer went out to scatter seed in a field. 4 While the farmer was scattering the seed, some of it fell along the road and was eaten by birds. 5 Other seeds fell on thin, rocky ground and quickly started growing because the soil wasn’t very deep. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched and dried up, because they did not have enough roots. 7 Some other seeds fell where thorn bushes grew up and choked the plants. 8 But a few seeds did fall on good ground where the plants produced a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as was scattered. 9 If you have ears, pay attention!” Matthew 13:1-9 CEV

And for those who did not understand what He was talking about Jesus gave this explanation.

“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

As a diligent farmer we are responsible to see that the seed goes into good soil, a heart that is open to believe and obey the Word of God. Rocky ground is almost impenetrable and so is a hard heart. Struggles and hard times get us to press in closer to the Lord or walk away.

Worry is a thorn that will choke out the seed. Is it any wonder that the Bible gives us over 300 verses that tell us not to worry or be anxious or fretful? God wants us to pull out worry so His word can grow and produce.

Now the seed that is planted in good soil will bring in a harvest. The farmer focuses on keeping it watered and nourished. We do this with God’s Word by placing our trust in His promises.  

The seeds of God’s word are not like the magic beans from the story Jack and the Beanstalk. They need time to grow; time builds our faith and trust. Never doubt they are growing.

Our job during this time is to let the seed grow just like that alfalfa we planted in the Arizona desert. Give it water, this is prayer and gain knowledge of God’s ways. The Lord provides the Sonshine and the seeds grow accordingly.

However, we all have to take the first step and plant the seed of God’s word. No planting, no harvest!

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Basic Training

Over the past several weeks I have shared with you teachings on who we are in Christ. The lessons we learn are like a spiritual “boot camp”.

“You have often heard me teach. Now I want you to tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others. 3 As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering. 4 A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty.” II Timothy 2:2-4 CEV

There are two major characteristics of a good soldier, discipline and obedience. The skills of marksmanship, navigation, physical endurance, and technical savvy can all be learned but without discipline and obedience those skills will fail.

A good soldier learns to follow orders as soon as they get to boot camp. This is the foundation for all their other training. A soldier must be willing to listen and obey or they could lose their life or the lives of their squadron.

Life for a recruit centers on discipline. They are told when to get up and go to bed, when to eat and what to eat, when to run and how far. It is a time of training. The orders are just that, they aren’t suggestions, recommendations, or choices. This is training!

Jesus was approached by a Roman officer, a soldier, who asked for his servant be healed. This story is an example for us to follow.

“When Jesus was going into the town of Capernaum, an army officer came up to him and said, 6 ‘Lord, my servant is at home in such terrible pain that he can’t even move.’

7 ‘I will go and heal him,’ Jesus replied.

8 But the officer said, ‘Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9 I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.’

10 When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised…13 Then Jesus said to the officer, ‘You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.’ Right then his servant was healed.” Matthew 8:5-13 CEV

Jesus was amazed by this officer’s understanding of orders. He recognized that Jesus had authority over sickness and all He needed to do was speak the command and it would be done. This Roman captain of the guard had complete faith in the authority of a directive issued by the Son of God.

We have a book filled with the “words of God”. The Bible was written for our benefit. It provides us with all we need to thoroughly furnished for every good work. (IITimothy 3:17)

Good soldiers obey the words spoken by their commanding officer. We should obediently follow the words Jesus has given us to live by.

“You have words that give life that lasts forever. 69 We believe and know You are the Christ. You are the Son of the Living God.” John 6:68-69 NLV

The discipline and training we receive from God’s word are for our good.

“God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

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Did You Know?

I had a professor in college that loved to start class with questions. “Do you know”, “did you realize”, “do you understand” were some of his favorites. We knew to pay attention to what was about to be said because we were going to learn something.

The Apostle Paul is good at asking the same kind of questions.

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

The temple in the Old Testament, a beautiful building, was divided into three sections: the outside court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. Everyone was allowed in the outer court. The Holy Place was reserved for the priests and then there was the most holy place, the Holy of Holies, where only the high priest went once a year to offer sacrifice for the sins of the nation of Israel. It was there that the glory of God dwelt. The power and glory of God was housed in the temple.

Something extremely exciting happened on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion; the veil which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in half from the top and to the floor. The glory of God was no longer confined to a specially designated room. God’s glory was released to all who received Him.

      “Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,” Matthew 27:50-51 NLT

When we follow Christ we are called the temple of the Holy Spirit. We have three worship areas also: spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit is the Holy of Holies where the fulness of God dwells. It is the part of us that is perfect and was created new when we received the gift of salvation.

“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 NLT

      Our body is the outer court. The part that everyone can see. Our soul – our mind, will and emotions, is the Holy Place. It is here that we experience forgiveness and the peace that new life in Christ gives us. As we let God’s Word change our actions, our intents, and our desires our temple takes on God’s glory and likeness…

“For we work together with God. You are God’s field. You are God’s building also…16 Do you not know that you are a house of God and that the Holy Spirit lives in you? 17…God’s house is holy. You are the place where He lives.” I Corinthians 3:9-17 NLT

Do you know that you are God’s house? The Holy Spirit of God has chosen to live in us. He is the resident who makes our house special and furnishes us with the attributes of God’s character.

Did you know…

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And the Winner Is!

I used to wish I could play on a winning team, be a gold medal winner or the world champion of something. I always wanted to be the best at whatever I did. The song “We are the Champions” played over and over in my dreams.

I was telling my husband that the only trophy I ever won was at a speech tournament. I was never very athletic, so I never played school sports and although, I was on the honor roll all through high school that never earned me a trophy. But Speech Club was my thing!

My senior year in high school I started going to speech tournaments. I had always had a gift for talking so I was a natural. My focus was extemporaneous speaking and that was when I took first place and won a trophy, I was also awarded a speech scholarship for college.  

I did not realize those desires for success and leadership were placed in my heart by my Heavenly Father. In fact, honestly, I felt I was being prideful to want to be noticed and recognized for doing something well. It was not until much later that I learned the desire to excel was placed in my heart by God.

“If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.” Deuteronomy 28:13 NLV

When God first created man, he was created with the qualities of leadership and authority. God created Adam to have dominion over the animals and all that was in the Garden. As a result of the fall man became subservient to Satan and his powers.

Through a very intricate plan, God, the Father, was able to return all power to His creation. Jesus died, was buried and when He rose again, He came back with all the power in heaven and earth.  Before ascending into heaven, Jesus returned this power to his followers and told them to go into all the world telling what they had seen Jesus do. The disciples were to repeat those same works.

“Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! 19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:18-20 CEV

…The disciples followed that commandment of Jesus and they saw the power of God at work in their lives just the same as it was in Jesus’ life. They then carried Jesus’ commandment to the next step – they gave Jesus’ instructions to all believers.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NKJV

“In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Romans 8:37 CEV

These verses tell us that we are more than conquerors or that we have won more than a victory. When we are a conqueror, we are the winner!

And the winner in life’s circumstances is you and I because of Christ and God’s amazing love. Give God the glory!

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Don’t Be Intimidated

For the past number of years we have become keenly aware of bullying or intimidation. Many have been bullied as children and still others as adults. There is a spiritual intimidation that will sideline us if we aren’t aware of it and that is the feeling of unworthiness…

Down through the generations Satan has deceived us and stolen our rightful inheritance. We have been caught in a trap of feeling we have to earn God’s favor. We feel unworthy to receive what He has provided. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s favor and blessings; He gives them freely, that is why it’s called grace.

 If Jesus would have walked the earth feeling unworthy, He never would have had the courage to attempt any of the miracles He did. Jesus knew who He was and what was available to Him. He did what God, the Father, had sent Him to do.

As we begin to realize our position of joint heirs, we will see miracles now. Jesus is no longer walking the earth and if His power is to be seen, it must be seen through us. Jesus is waiting for us to draw upon that power and release it in the earth as He did.  We are to walk boldly and start using the unlimited power that rests upon us!

The only time Jesus could not do any mighty works was when he was with people who didn’t believe in His power as the Son of God.

      “Then Jesus said to them, “People everywhere give honor to a prophet, except in his own town, with his own people, or in his home.” 5 Jesus was not able to do any miracles there except the healing of some sick people by laying his hands on them. 6 He was surprised that the people there had no faith. Then he went to other villages in that area and taught.” Mark 6:4-6 ERV

The same applies today; if we aren’t willing to believe that we are joint heirs with Christ then the work of Jesus will not get done.

One other part of our inheritance mentioned in Romans 8 is that we share in Jesus’ sufferings…

What kind of suffering does this include? In the early years of Christianity, it meant slander, beatings, imprisonment, and death.

      “People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you. 12 Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 ERV

The suffering that Jesus experienced was not sickness, lack or failure. He had to endure the critical and harsh words of those He came to save. The ridicule and verbal taunting were part of his daily experience. The greatest suffering of all was the knowledge that He would be separated from His heavenly Father when he took the punishment for our sin on the cross. Jesus died to purchase our freedom from the devices that Satan would like to use to destroy us.

In the early days of the church, believers were called “Christians”. This was meant to be a defamatory word, it meant they were acting like little Christ ones. Their lives reflected all the qualities seen in Jesus; they were just like Him! Today we too need to be Christians both in word and in action – little Christ ones. Is there enough evidence in our lives to bring that charge?

Satan had no power over Jesus and he no longer has any power over us when we realize what we have inherited.

When we learn who we are and what we have inherited we can walk free from intimidation. We will keep our heads held high and display the brilliance of character and power that we have received from our Father!

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My Brother

      …There is a very graphic story in the Old Testament which reveals the provisions of joint inheritance.

Joseph was an example of Christ in so many areas of his life and it is in his story that we find an example of Jesus’ making provision for us.

 Very briefly let me recap Joseph’s life. In Genesis 37-46 Joseph is betrayed by his brothers, Jesus was also betrayed by his Jewish brethren. Joseph became a servant and Jesus came from heaven to serve. Even in a hostile land Joseph rose to a place of leadership just as Jesus did.

 In Genesis 45 Joseph confronts his brothers and tells them God has sent him ahead of them into Egypt so that he could provide for them in their time of need.

      “I will take care of you during the next five years of hunger. So you and your family will not lose everything you own.” Genesis 45:11 ERV

Jesus came into a hostile land and gained great power which enabled Him to provide for all our needs. In the land where Joseph’s brothers were considered strangers, they were given the best in the land. They shared in what Joseph had been given by the pharaoh.

      “Tell them to bring your father and their families back here to me. I will give you the best land in Egypt to live on. And your family can eat the best food we have here.” Genesis 45:18 ERV

Joseph’s brothers did not do anything to earn or deserve the best land in Egypt. The pharaoh gave it to them because of who Joseph was. Our heavenly Father has promised to provide for us because of who our brother, Jesus, is.

      “Christ has made us a holy nation of religious leaders who can go to His God and Father. He is the One to receive honor and power forever! Let it be so.” Revelation 1:6 NLV

If everything has been provided for us in Christ, then why aren’t we experiencing the life he has made available to us? The answer is clear. Jesus gave this command to the disciples when he left this earth.

      “So he came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:18-20 ERV

Jesus was telling his disciples “you go in the power and authority that I have; I’m giving it to you, and I will always be with you”. The early Christians had no problem in following these instructions. They saw people healed, the dead raised, demons cast out and their needs met. They realized there was power in the words that Jesus spoke.

….Down through the ages we have forgotten the power of Jesus’ words and many live as if they never moved out of a land rittled by famine. We need to recognize the inheritance the Father has given us to share with our brother, Jesus. He promised “I will be with you always” and that includes the year of 2021!

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When Birds Sing

Have you ever experienced one of those life lessons that no matter how old you are or how much time has past it is still as fresh in your mind as it was the day you first learned it? If you have then you know where I was last night.

Dave and I are enjoying our time away so much. It’s very relaxing and we keep telling each other how blessed we are to be here. Yesterday we moved our fifth wheel trailer to a new camp site right above the lake.

After we were set up we sat for most of the morning in the sunshine just taking in the beauty. However, not too long after lunch the clouds rolled in and with them came a light wind. By four o’clock it was a strong wind so we came inside to observe the beauty through our picture window. Normally, desert wind dies down after sunset but not last night. It got stronger and stronger.

Now to the memory.

During our summers working in Iowa we had a number of occasions when the winds were fierce and were accompanied by tornado warnings. Tornados were not something this Arizona/Montana girl had ever experienced. The first few times I was almost overcome with fear.

I would lay awake in bed praying for them to pass. Every nerve in my body seemed to be on high alert. I could not and would not allow myself to give in to the fear.

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.” II Timothy 1:7 ERV

Eventually I came to the point where I could sleep through those stormy nights, resting confidently in the peace that God gave. The lesson I learned during that time was to listen to the birds. As long as the birds were singing in the trees and gathering bugs in the grass things were ok. Birds will seek shelter in a storm and they will begin singing as soon as it is over.

“Let all who run to you for protection always sing joyful songs. Provide shelter for those
who truly love you and let them rejoice. 12 Our Lord, you bless thosewho live right, and you shield them with your kindness.” Psalm 5:11-12 CEV

Dave didn’t know how badly this all bothered me until I told him last night. Those physical storms taught me to trust God’s protection, they taught me that I could always depend on His word.

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

God’s word will be our firm foundation in life’s storms. His teachings will keep us from collaspe. The Lord provides us with His covering and we will be able to sing with joy, just like the birds, when the storm has past.

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The Heart of the Matter

Many years ago my writings often came in the form of poetry. Some of those poems were published in a monthly newsletter but most of them were tucked away in a manilla folder in the filing cabinet drawer.

About ten years back I came across that folder and for the first time in a very long while I shared this poem on Christmas. I’d like to share it with you this morning.

Christmas Warms the Heart

Long ago and far away, a child was brought
to earth.

For many years, men had sought, the coming of
His birth.

On quiet hills in pastures green, the flocks
they did sleep.

When shepherds woke from peaceful rest,
heavens glory they did see.

When I hear this story, and remember all
that’s told,

I’d like to have been a shepherd and lived
those years ago.

The angels in their chorus, proclaiming
Peace on Earth

Brings excitement to my soul and my heart is
stirred.

To see the heavens shining bright, a glory
uncompared,

Then walk the road to Bethlehem and find the
Christ child fair.

To kneel before His presence and know that
He was King

What more could I expect from life, His
praises I will sing.

Today I see the tinsel, the glitter and the
toys

The stores are filled with shoppers,
laughing girls and boys,

While streets are lined with trees and
Santas’ ringing bells,

Ovens fill with cookies – oh,those wonderful
smells.

Now it is time to stop from all the things I
do,

To remember Christmas, and it’s meaning that
is true.

It is God’s Son, brought to earth to give
eternal life,

His glory to shine within my heart, not in
the sky of night.

In each of us, Christ wants to live, in
power and in love

Let us proclaim, to men the same, as angels
from above.

Peace on earth can only come, when before
the Son we bow.

We must kneel and honor Him, our lives to
Him we vow.

This year a special gift we give, not like
the kings of old

For it’s not gold or frankincense but a
heart that He can mold.

Many a gift we have received and have given
with joyful heart

But Jesus now this gift we bring, from You
we’ll never part.

O Lord, this is our honest prayer, our gift
we’ll not forget

But that it is a lasting one to which we
will commit.

My heart is warmed by Your love and the gift
You gave to me,

It is in Christ and Christ alone, I find
what Christmas means.

 

Let’s take this time to recommit our heart’s devotion to our loving heavenly Father, the one who gives us life. 

“He said, ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’ 37 Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important command.'” Matthew 22:36-38 ERV

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Follow the Star

According to what I’ve read and heard recently we are supposed to be able to see the Christmas Star this evening. I’m looking forward to it.

I think it’s so interesting that its called the Christmas Star.

The star that the wisemen followed from the East was in the sky more than just a few nights. Their travels took many months and the star was there to guide them all along the way. One of God’s early navigational tools.

We watched a movie a couple months back where a yacht was lost at sea. All the electronics and navigational devices had been damaged and rendered useless. This movie was based on true events and it showed how the woman on the boat used a sextant to chart her course by the placement of the stars.

God has given us so many evidences in nature to remind us of His faithfulness. Tonight we get to see another one. Amazing!

Following that star was an act of faith for those on this divine expedition. What would they have done if three months into their search the star disappeared? Would they have gone home? Would they have camped where they were waiting for it to reappeared? They even assumed that the star was leading them to Jerusalem because that was the capital city and surely the new king would be born there.

“They asked people, ‘Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him’…8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem. He said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, come tell me. Then I can go worship him too.”

9 After the wise men heard the king, they left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east, and they followed it. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. 10 They were very happy and excited to see the star.

11 The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home to their own country a different way.” Matthew 2:2-12 ERV

How many times have those around us tried to convince us not to follow our hearts, not to go and do what we felt that God was leading us to do? Or perhaps you have had someone try to misdirect and alter what you knew to be right? Have you ever questioned God’s leading? Have you ever gotten started and then stopped, wondering if you had really been following God’s direction? I have had all these questions and hesitations.

We have been given a wonderful example in this account of the wisemen. Stay the course, don’t be detoured by others’ opinions.

Follow the star – it will lead us to the King!

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So Much Fun

I don’t know of a better way to usher in the Christmas season than with hearts filled with thanksgiving. It just seems like the logical thing to do – giving thanks prepares our hearts for the best that God had to give.

So, we decorated our trees (I’ll explain more in a minute), started reading our new Christmas story books and talked about Jesus’ birth with Sam and Kristine. One of the things I enjoy doing most at Christmas time is reading beautifully illustrated books that will capture the childrens’ attention and help them understand the real meaning of Christmas.

Dave and I will be spending Christmas at a campground this year. This was not our original plan but it’s not a bad Plan B. Last week I bought a small evergreen tree to take with us and it will sit on the breakfast bar until we leave. Yesterday the kids decorated it with some brightly painted tin ornaments. They both chose five ornaments and could place them whereever they wanted on the tree. Sam had an angel ornament that also had a star attached to it. He wanted that one to be at the top because the star was for Jesus.

Later in the day we headed out to the front courtyard where Dave helped us place big plastic ornaments in the mesquite tree. We laughed and giggled, oohed and ahhed, as he lifted each glittery ball at least fifteen feet in the air.

We were having so much fun!

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you—news that will make everyone happy. 11 Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:9-11 ERV

Joy is the message of Christmas. God, the Father, was so excited about His Son’s birth that He lit up the heavens and had an angels’ chorus announce the good news! After thousands of years, the day was here, that day when God came to earth and became Immanuel, which means God with us!

“So the Lord’s promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 ‘A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.’”Matthew 1:22-23 CEV

Now that’s the reason for the joy and laughter!

May I admonish you to take a strong stand against stress and grumbling this Christmas season. What if we decorated our lives they way we decorate our homes and our trees? Look for and share the lasting joy that has been heaven sent! Look at Christmas through the eyes of the angels – the wonder of heaven coming to earth.

“My soul will be happy in the Lord. It will be full of joy because He saves. 10 All my bones will say, “Lord, who is like You? Who saves the weak from those too strong for them? Who saves the poor from those who would rob them?” Psalm 35:9-10 NLV

Prepare now to be happy and full of joy!

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