Live Boldly
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The Beatitudes
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10 The Sermon on the Mount is the longest recorded sermon given by Jesus to His followers. He wanted to prepare them, and us, to live a radically…
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Blessed is She Who Believes
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill what He has spoken to her. – Luke 1:45 This life is made bearable and meaningful because we have chosen to live it for God, seeking to build His kingdom with the gifts He’s given us, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Living life as an Ambassador of Christ, a Daughter of The King, is not an easy task, but it’s one that God has provided clear direction, hope, and promises to those who choose to believe in Him and follow His leading. Without faith, it’s impossible…
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A Shopping Encounter
Just before Christmas, I was debating whether to go shopping or postpone it for another day. As I thought about it, the idea of buying my husband some new jeans came to mind, and I felt that I was supposed to go that day to a specific store. When I arrived at the store, I was greeted by my sweet friend Molly, whom I didn’t know worked there. It was such a nice surprise. We hugged each other, and we were blessed with a few moments to talk. Earlier in the day, while working on my bible study, I was reminded of Divine Encounters and had written in my journal…
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Instant Replay
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude. It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 Instant replay can be a wonderful thing when it comes to sports, horse racing, and even funny videos. It can also help solve crimes when reviewing camera footage, looking for specific details or clues. But one area in our lives where hitting replay over and over again can become a major problem is…
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Joy is a Choice
Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 CEV The other day, I was reminded of how easy it is to fall into the world’s way of thinking that everything should work out just the way I want it to. As a planner, I constantly make schedules and create routines that I would prefer to stay just the way I’ve made them, but the truth is, life happens, and they are often interrupted. My washer and dryer had served their purpose, and it was time to replace them. After shopping around, we found…
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A Missed Opportunity
“Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek. Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. 2 Kings 13:17-18 Years ago, I read the story that surrounds today’s passage, and the deeper message has always stuck with me. At first, it seems like a strange request from the prophet Elisha to have the King shoot some arrows, but it was not only a message from God, but…
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My Calling
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue to know the word that sustains the weary.He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Therefore, I will set my face like flint. Isaiah 50: 4,7 Going back to the beginning is a good place to start. When I first became a believer, the first bible study I participated in was Experiencing God. Last month, that is where God led me. It has been so convicting and at the same time such an inspiration. I’ve felt like I’ve been floundering for several months, and one of the questions in this study was, “When was the last time…
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Unleash the Power of God’s Word In My Life
Let the Redeemed of The Lord Say So
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Hearing vs Listening
If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. Mark 4:23 Today’s verse can often seem so practical until you dive deeper. I’ve prayed many times for the Lord to give me ears to hear, which is exactly what He’s given all of us. But hearing is quite different than listening. By definition, hearing is an event; it is something that happens to us as a natural process. Listening is an action; it is something we do consciously. You can hear a noise without listening to it (like background music), but you must first hear to be able to listen; listening involves processing, interpreting, and making sense of the auditory information. Often when I…
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In Christ, I have been redeemed
You have taken up my cause, O Lord; You have redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:58 There I was, covered in the muck and mire of my sin. Drowning in the pit of despair so deep that I couldn’t see a way out. I felt the weight of my sins upon me, pushing me down further and further to a place of darkness, taking away my hope and replacing it with dread for the days to come. Knowing I deserved the punishment before me, my only hope was to call out to the One who offered mercy, who spread wide His arms to give me the grace I did not deserve.…