Category: Numbers

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Through the Looking Glass

Do you remember being a child and using a magnifying glass for the first time? What was it that you were looking at; a bug, a coin, a hair, a crack in the sidewalk or perhaps a picture? I remember my grandmother had a magnifying glass in the top drawer of her desk. I wasn’t able to use it without permission or supervision. I think the first thing I looked at was a postage stamp. Yes, a purplish pink 4c Lincoln stamp. There was so much detail and I was fascinated.

As I’ve grown older I have used a magnifying glass many times. Looking for maker’s marks on old items, looking for splinters in fingers, examining small print on packages and finding tiny imperfections in things thought to be valuable.

Isn’t it interesting, the more we study something the more we see imperfection.

The same holds true when we look through our magnifying glass into the lives of the people we love or work with. When we’re tired we look through the glass and see “I’m the only one who has to do all the work” or “I just don’t understand why they NEVER or why they CAN’T”. Yes, we magnify the imperfections in others while also magnifying our “sacrifices” and “selflessness”.

I know none of you have ever done this but of course, we all know someone who has. There’s another way we can use the magnifying glass – we can use it to overexaggerate the problem and underestimate our self-worth and abilities. I was thinking about the Israelites when they sent spies into the promised land while they were in the desert. They wanted to know what this land that God had promised was like. So they sent in a reconnaissance team of 12 men who were to come back with a report.

“ Find out if the land is rich or poor, and if there are trees in it or not. Then try to get some of the fruit of the land.” Now this was the gathering time of the first grown grapes.

21 So they went up and spied out the land… 23 Then they came to the valley of Eshcol. They cut down a branch from there with some grapes on it. And they carried it on a long piece of wood between two men, with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of much fruit the men of Israel cut down from there.

25 They returned from looking over the land after forty days. 26 And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the people of Israel in the desert of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought news to them and to all the people, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They told Moses, “We went to the land where you sent us. It does flow with milk and honey. This is its fruit. 28 But the people who live in the land are strong. The cities have walls and are very large. And we saw the children of Anak there…

30 Then Caleb told the people in front of Moses to be quiet. And he said, “Let us go up at once and take the land. For we are well able to take it in battle.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go against the people. They are too strong for us.” 32 So they brought the people of Israel bad news about the land they had spied out, saying, “The land we have gone to spy out is a land that destroys those who go there to live. All the people we saw in it are very large. 33 We saw the Nephilim there. (The sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim.) We looked like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Numbers 13:20-35 NLV

Do you see that? They talked about the good things they saw, the fertile land, the fruit, the harvest but they focused on the giants. They magnified the strength of the giants but minimalizing their own value. These are a people who had just seen the Lord deliver them from Egypt, had crossed the Red Sea, had food dropped from heaven for them each morning, drank water that had gushed out of a rock and now were looking at grapes so big that it took 2 men to carry a cluster and they were defeated by their perception of the situation.

How many times have we done the same? I’m too young, I’m too old; I’m not educated; I don’t have enough money; I’m just a Mom; I can’t do another thing. The I can’ts defeat us before we even get started. We put the magnifying glass on our shortcomings instead of on the blessings and opportunities and so we look like grasshoppers in our own eyes.

There’s a simple solution to our situation. Move the magnifying glass!

Caleb heard the report and said “let’s go at once and take the land”. He was looking through the glass at the goodness of the land. Let’s take it! We need that same attitude. We have God’s word that has promised us that we can have peace in a storm, strength when we feel weak, joy in place of sorrow and be well supplied for our needs. We are promised wisdom when we are lacking and protection when we are under attack.

Instead of magnifying the problem, change the focus and magnify the solution.

“My soul will be proud to tell about the Lord. Let those who suffer hear it and be filled with joy. 3 Give great honor (magnify) to the Lord with me. Let us praise His name together. 4 I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears.” Psalm 34:2-4 NLV

There was a young girl who could have seen her flaws and inabilities if she had focused on them but instead she chose to “magnify” the Lord. Her name was Mary. The angel came and told her that she was going to have a baby, the son of God. Mary’s heart focused on the promise and not on the problem.

“Then Mary said, “My heart sings (magnifies) with thanks for my Lord. 47 And my spirit is happy in God, the One Who saves from the punishment of sin. 48 The Lord has looked on me, His servant-girl and one who is not important. But from now on all people will honor me. 49 He Who is powerful has done great things for me. His name is holy.” Luke 1:46-49 NLV

Magnify the Lord – magnify His word and the solutions that He provides. When we look through the glass at Jesus we won’t find imperfections or weaknesses. We will see His strength, His abilities and His power.

He will take away all our fears!

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It’s About Relationship, My BFF

I want you to take a minute and think about your best friend.

They could be your mate or someone you have known for years, even since childhood. You can see them in your mind’s eye. You know what colors they will be wearing because you know the colors they don’t like. You know their hobbies and where to find them in their leisure hours. You know what types of things they like to watch on television and what kind of books they read. You certainly know the names of their children and probably their birth dates.

I make it my goal to know my friends favorite desserts because I like to make it for them on their birthdays or when they come to visit. I also like to know how they take their coffee. I want to have it ready for them when they get up and I like to make them feel at home. (Except my dear friend makes her own coffee because she does too much with it and says she doesn’t want to bother me with the details.)

Now stop and think about your friend again. How did this relationship begin? Were they someone you worked with, someone from school or maybe someone from a social gathering you attended, possibly from church? Wherever you met, the relationship only continued to develop because of your investment of time and effort.

The same holds true in our relationship with the Lord.

I was thinking this morning about the different names I use when telling you about God. Let’s see there’s God, Lord, Father, Friend. Each name has meaning and is tied to relationship. Some folks talk about God and you can just hear in their voice that they think He’s aloof, far off and unconcerned about them personally. You hear others and you can tell that they feel God is harsh, judgmental, condemning and cruel.

But then there are those who speak His name and their tone softens, a smile comes to their lips and you know they are talking about their “Dad”, their closest friend, their deepest love! Oh yes – that’s relationship!

That’s the kind of relationship that comes from spending time talking to Him and listening in return. That’s the kind of relationship that comes from knowing His promises and believing that every word He speaks is true. It’s impossible to have a deep and lasting friendship with someone if you don’t think you can trust their words or believe what they say. That’s why my favorite verse in the Bible is

“God is not a man; he will not lie. God is not a human being; his decisions will not change. If he says he will do something, then he will do it. If he makes a promise, then he will do what he promised.” Numbers 23:19 ERV

Jesus knew how important relationship was. He trusted his Father with his life. Jesus had God’s word that when he died his Father would raise him to life again in three days. Jesus had God’s word that when he prayed for the sick they would be healed; when he spoke to the storm it would be calmed; when he prayed over the loaves and fishes it would be enough to feed the crowd. We, too, have God’s word.

Look at the prayer Jesus prayed for us. He was in the Garden and knew his death was eminent. One verse tells us that Jesus was in such anguish that he sweat drops of blood. But in that hour he wasn’t praying for himself alone. He talked to His father about their relationship and then Jesus talked to our Father about us. Yes, he was praying for the disciples that were with him and had been following him but then he added you and me to that prayer too.

“Holy Father, I am no longer in the world. I am coming to you, but my followers are still in the world. So keep them safe by the power of the name that you have given me. Then they will be one with each other, just as you and I are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost, except the one who had to be lost. This happened so that what the Scriptures say would come true.

13 I am on my way to you. But I say these things while I am still in the world, so that my followers will have the same complete joy that I do. 14 I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t.

15 Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. 17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. 18 I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. 19 I have given myself completely for their sake, so that they may belong completely to the truth.

20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

22 I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.” John 17:11-23 CEV

Now this is the relationship that my Father wants with me and with you, “they will know that you love my followers as much as you love me”. WOW!!

Let me ask you this. Is this a relationship you feel you can invest your time and effort into? It has certainly been worth my time, that I know.

So tomorrow when you get up and have your coffee or tea why not ask the Father how he takes his? I’ve found He likes his the same as I do mine.

May your day be blessed beyond measure today as you realize how much God really loves you!

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What Do You Remember

A few weeks back my Mom came to stay for a several days. At 94 her memory isn’t as sharp as it once was but she still has a good memory for someone her age. It’s always fun for me to talk with her about things that we did as kids – places we lived, friends we grew up with and special times we had as a family.

Dad was a blue-collar worker so we never had lavish gifts or big vacations. What we had instead were times of fishing at the lake, picnic lunches from the tail gate of the station wagon and day trips to the National Parks. We fed salt water taffy to the chipmunks in Zion, caught trout on salmon eggs and had rain water pour through the rotted roof of a travel trailer. (big smile) Yes, wonderful memories.

I also have wonderful memories of when our children were growing up and we saw the Lord do numerous miracles in our day to day life. Miracles of healing and provision, miracles of safety and protection. Answered prayers and expressions of God’s faithfulness.

Oh, how I love God’s word! It is such a joy to read it and know that for thousands of years it has never failed or been proven false and God will continue to protect it and bring it to pass. It won’t fail me or my children or my grandchildren.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall never pass away” Matthew 24:35

We’re about 1/3 way through Psalm 119 and I hope you are enjoying our study and that the Lord is ministering to you personally as we cover each segment.

“Remember your promise to me, your servant. It gives me hope. 50 You comfort me in my suffering, because your promise gives me new life.
51 People full of pride are always making fun of me, but I have not stopped following your teachings. 52 I remember the laws you gave us long ago, Lord, and they bring me comfort. 53 I am overcome with anger when I see wicked people, who have stopped following your teachings. 54 Your laws are the songs I sing wherever I am living. 55 Lord, in the night I remembered your name, and I obeyed your teachings. 56 This happened because I carefully obey your instructions.” Psalm 119: 49-56

Remembering God’s promises should give us hope and create an excitement in our hearts just like it did for David. I once heard it said that God has never had anyone, other than Jesus, qualified working for Him yet so don’t get hung up on your shortcomings. Look at those who God has used. Abraham was too old; David was too young. Mary Magdalen was a prostitute; Peter denied the Lord and Paul, the Apostle, killed Christians. (Just to name a few.)

We can either get puffed up with pride or become discouraged if we compare ourselves to others but when we see that God gave His promises to common everyday people, just like us, we know that His word isn’t just for a select few or the very elite. One verse that is ringing in my memory this morning is my favorite verse in the Bible. If you’ve been reading my posts very long at all you will know that I am talking about Numbers 23:19.

“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

God doesn’t lie – that gives me hope! He doesn’t lie about salvation, healing, peace, joy, comfort, protection, prosperity, wisdom, victory…He doesn’t lie! And what’s more, He tells us to remind Him of His word. Not because He’s old and senile and might forget but because He wants us to boldly trust our relationship with Him.

“Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. 7 Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins. 8 The Lord says: “My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. 9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours. 10 “Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don’t return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat.
11 That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do.” Isaiah 55:6-11 CEV

Moses instructed the nation of Israel to teach their children the things that God had done; deliverance from Egypt, the miracles in the wilderness and the victory of entering the promised land. Then Peter says that it was important for him to remind the believers of all that God had done for them so that they, we, wouldn’t be deceive and fall away from God’s plan.

In Hebrews we are instructed to come BOLDLY to the throne of grace to find help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) That boldness can only come as we stand on God’s word and rely on Him to be faithful and loving. Each time I think of this verse I remember an incident that happened when our kids were small. We live out in the middle of nowhere, and I do mean nowhere; thirty miles from the closest small town and 70 miles from Phoenix. We were farming 900 acres of alfalfa – we had told the kids that on Friday we would go to the Dairy Queen. That was a big deal! We had promised!

So Friday when the kids got home from school they quickly reminded us that this was Friday and we had said we were going to Dairy Queen. Of course we went – tired but we went – we had promised! We didn’t scold the kids for reminding us – they weren’t being arrogant or demanding – they were being kids and we had promised so they expected that we would have kept our word.

If we as natural, earthly parents make promises and keep our word to our children should we think that God in all His power and glory would do any less? If He didn’t want us to believe that He was faithful, then He shouldn’t have included promises in His word but He did and He IS!

When I remember God’s word, His promises and how He has provided in the past it causes me to sing. Just this last week, while I was out on a walk, I had been battling discouragement in a particular matter. As I focused not on the problem but on God’s faithfulness, I began to recall times in the past when God had “come through” and shown Himself faithful. There were so many times – large and small. It didn’t take me very long before I was singing praise to God.

“Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:” Jeremiah 32:17

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing. Nothing is too difficult for thee!!

Put God in remembrance of His word today!

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The Gift of Consistency

I’m so glad that God is “User Friendly”.

Yes, I was finally able to get on my computer the other morning after the update was complete but then I had to plug in passwords, click through all the tutorial promptings to finally arrive at the sites that I use and enjoy. Updating computer software and changing programs – ugh! And I just realized that I will be going through it all again in a few days. Our computer is 4 years old and our son-in-law Stephen will be bringing me a new computer when he comes down at Christmas. Yikes!

But God…
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

He’s consistent and He’s current. What God stood for in 33AD He still supports today! No need to get a new system – no need to learn a new program! The same passwords, codes and keyboard shortcuts that worked then, work now!!! I’ve heard folks say, “you never know what God is going to do” but if you read His word and get to know Him you’ll have a real good idea. You might not know the exact path He’ll take in providing you your answer but you can rest assured that whatever He does it will be based on His gracious and loving character.

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

“Ask me, and I will tell you things that you don’t know and can’t find out.” Jeremiah 33:3 CEV

The sun still rises in the East and sets in the West. The tides still ebb and flow. The stars and the moon follow the same path through the sky. The seasons still change and God’s love never changes.

“My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. 17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.” James 1:16-18 ERV

The King James version says that in God there is no variableness or shadow of turning! Thank you Lord, you are always the same!!! Great is Your faithfulness!!

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

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

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

The gift of God’s love that you received last year, last week, yesterday – will be the same today, tomorrow and next year!

Enjoy the gift!

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Sit – Stay

When Kaci was small we had a wonderful Australian Shepherd named Bear. He had been badly abused when we adopted him and made him a member of our family. He had trust issues to say the least. We were given the name of a good trainer and once a week I took him to class. It didn’t take long for him and I to learn to work together. The commands of sit and stay were some of the first we worked on. He needed to know that when I gave those commands he could TRUST that I wasn’t going to leave him or beat him into obedience.

Presently I am in a sit still stage of my life. I’m not doing it very well. I have things to do, places to go, people to meet and minister too and God is saying “Sit Still”. I have learned in the past and am learning again that it’s just as important to be obedient to that command as it is to “love thy neighbor” or “pray without ceasing”.

If you know me at all you know I always have a list – things need to be done! I don’t do SIT – STAY very well. Years ago I read a book by Tim Hansel, “When I Relax I Feel Guilty”, that describes me to a tea. Retirement isn’t easy for a “list person”. I had a very dear friend tell me that it’s just as important to wait as it is to march forward. Both have their place but we have to be obedient to what God is saying and when He’s saying it.

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” Psalm 46:10-11

The children of Israel had a tangible, visible sign that they followed. The Lord placed a cloud over the Tabernacle and when it moved the moved; and when it stayed they stayed.

“Sometimes the cloud was over the Holy Tent for only a few days. So the people obeyed the LORD’s command—they followed the cloud when it moved. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only during the night—the next morning the cloud moved. So the people gathered their things and followed it. If the cloud moved, during the day or during the night, they followed it. 22 If the cloud stayed over the Holy Tent for two days, a month, or a year, the people stayed at that place. They did not leave until the cloud moved. When the cloud rose from its place and moved, they also moved. 23 So the people obeyed the LORD’s commands. They camped when the LORD told them to, and they moved when he told them to. They watched carefully and obeyed the LORD’s commands to Moses” Number 9:21-23 ERV

Obedience! That’s the key. We say “Lord, speak to me and I’ll do whatever you tell me to do.” And then He speaks something so simple as to stay – rest and we sit for 15 minutes and then want to get up and get back to our normal routine. It’s hard to rest!

Once again it’s the Holy Spirit teaching obedience and most of the time obedience involves crucifying the flesh. God’s way of doing things is generally contrary to the natural way. He told Joshua to march around a city and they would capture it – Jesus told us to achieve greatness we must strive to be a servant. Paul said when I am weak then am I strong. See – these things seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, but that’s God’s way.

I’m learning and I imagine I will be learning this lesson again. I hope what I am being taught will encourage you when it comes your turn to “rest”.

“The LORD is good and merciful;
our God is so kind.
6 The LORD takes care of helpless people.
I was without help, and he saved me.
7 My soul, relax!
The LORD is caring for you.” Psalm 116:5-7 ERV

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Don’t Quit!

Today we have a spelling lesson. How do you spell defeat? It’s spelled q-u-i-t. How do you spell quit? It’s spelled n-e-v-e-r!

Things come up in life and it looks like you’ll be defeated. The hard things make you want to quit but don’t! It could be a relationship, an illness, financial problems, a continued process of setbacks but don’t quit!!! Fight the battle – victory will come.

The Apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians “But thanks be to God who ALWAYS causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus”! ALWAYS!!!!!
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 ERV

I’m reminded of the story of the Israelites after they had been delivered from Pharaoh and Egypt. They had seen God do mighty things for them and now they were standing on the edge of the Promised Land. The Lord had told them they would go in and possess the land so they sent in spies to see what the land was like.

Do you remember the story? Twelve spies went in; they brought back clusters of grapes so big that two men had to carry them on a pole. It truly was a land flowing with milk and honey as God had said it was (He doesn’t lie you know). The land was lush and beautiful. A land to be desired but…the spies reported there were giants in the land.

Don’t you think God knew the giants were there when He said He would give them the land? Were the giants really any bigger an obstacle than the Pharaoh’s army or the Red Sea? If God had provided victory for them in the past, why would they doubt His ability now? The account goes on that the spies said they were as grasshoppers in the eyes of the giant and “we were but grasshoppers in our own eyes”. They took their eyes off of their God and looked at their own ability. They quit! They were defeated!

Joshua and Caleb, two of the spies tried to get their eyes back on the bigness of God but the Israelites were ready to stone them. Look at this!
“ It is a land filled with many good things. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land. And he will give that land to us. 9 So don’t turn against the LORD! Don’t be afraid of the people in that land. We can defeat them. They have no protection, nothing to keep them safe. But we have the LORD with us, so don’t be afraid!” 10 All the people began talking about killing Joshua and Caleb with stones. But the Glory of the LORD appeared over the Meeting Tent where all the people could see it.” Numbers 14:8-10 ERV

Have you ever had somebody get mad at you because you wanted to trust God? It doesn’t seem rational or logical or make any kind of sense at all but that’s why it’s called faith! Trusting God isn’t “a way” to get things done, it’s “the way”. Jesus didn’t say I am “a way”, “a truth” and “a life” – NO! He said I am THE way, THE truth and THE life. You must be focused on what’s above – the greatness of our God or you’ll be like the Israelites and quit before you really get started. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones over the age of 40 that entered into the Promised Land. The rest of those who left Egypt and doubted God’s ability to give them victory in the Promised Land died in the desert.

I’m telling you this morning. I don’t know what your situation is or what battles you have been fighting but don’t quit! You’re not in this alone – God is there to fight the battle with and for you! Don’t quit – don’t give up – don’t accept defeat and you will ALWAYS TRIUMPH!

So I’ll say it again – don’t quit! As David said to Goliath “And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.” I Samuel 17:47

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God Is Faithful

God is faithful. That’s His nature, His character! When we stop to wonder “if” God will come through this time – remember His faithfulness. “Will” he be there for me?

Not sure who woke up this morning questioning and wondering if God was still there, if He could still be trusted, but whoever you are let me tell you that He is – He is the great I AM.

““So remember that the LORD your God is the only God, and you can trust him! He keeps his agreement. He shows his love and kindness to all people who love him and obey his commands. He continues to show his love and kindness through a thousand generations, ” Deuteronomy 7:9

So many changes in our modern lives, it’s hard to imagine that God is ALWAYS faithful, He is ALWAYS the same.

” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8


God is not a liar – His word is always true, you can count on Him! You can depend on His promises.
” God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

Since the beginning of time the sun has come up every morning and set each evening, the tides ebb and flow, the seasons change but as constant as those things are they won’t last forever but God’s word will always remain the same.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35

You can depend on God’s faithfulness. He has always been there and will always continue to be!

“The Lord God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.[b] I am the one who is, who always was, and who is coming. I am the All-Powerful.” Revelation 1:8 ERV

Trust in Him today!

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