COMMON GROUND

Today’s Scripture: “So we are Christ’ ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Today’s Message: As brothers and sisters in Christ we are all on common ground. God has given us an assignment of being his ambassadors and showing the world the way to Jesus. We all have the same assignment but may have a different path to complete that assignment. Some are given the ability to teach and are able to hold the interest of those are around them. Others are given the gift of speech where they able to go up to others and begin a conversation. Still others are given a love for people and go to great lengths to get the word of God out to them. It doesn’t matter how we reach our goal it matters that we believe in our Lord and through faith we reach it. It takes hard work to do our part. We are given the assignment but we must have strong faith and the desire to complete it. It takes many conversations with the Lord in prayer and much study to know his Word. We, however, have direct access through the gift of the Holy Spirit. As Christians our lives change. Our thoughts suddenly become one with our Lord. But we must stay the course in order to complete our work. The world around us is always lurking in order to steal our message away. We must always be diligent in our every move. We must stay strong by keeping our spirits strong and keep moving forward with the wisdom and understanding our God in heaven is willing to give us. We are on common ground created by our Lord. We all have the same message to carry to the world. For as long as our Lord grants us the privilege of living on this earth we must continue to do his work. We are all chosen ambassadors. Praise the Lord in all things!

Hope Through Our Struggles

Today’s Scripture: “We are pressed on every side but not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We are knocked down but not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” 2Corinthians 4:8-10

Today’s Message: It is the strength of God that raises us up when we are going through struggles. It is his mighty hand that picks us up when we fall. It is his forgiveness that allows us to go forward with a quiet confidence when we are down and out. With Jesus we are allowed to bend but never break. We are strengthened by the Holy Spirit and given direction at our every turn. There is no problem, no struggle and no difficult situation that can overcome us in this world with a strong faith in Jesus. His sacrifice allows us to live and to live in strength. He is our refuge and our safety net. All we must do is believe, receive and act upon our beliefs in Christ. He loves us and will never let us go through more than we can handle. He is always beside us and with us in every decision we make. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Who is the most famous or infamous person you have ever met?
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THE LIGHT ON THE HILLTOP!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “You are the light of the world- like a city on the hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives off light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 6: 14-16

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Jesus was the light on the hilltop when he walked this earth. He shined brightly wherever he went and to whomever he spoke. When he spoke, he left no doubt as to who he was. He was like a magnet; he attracted all kinds of people even though all did not believe Him. He spread his peace and love even though there were times when those who did not believe, created chaos and anguish around Him. As His followers we also are to spread his peace and love. We are not to hide his word and our beliefs under a basket or in the closet. We are to also be the light that shines brightly on the hilltop. We are to be able lead others to Christ and do with the love and peace of Christ Jesus. We are to be able to withstand the resistance of those who do not believe. We are to be able to withstand the anger spewed by those who think our Lord’s ways are not for them. We are to be able to speak the Word of God to all without fear of what may happen to us or how those around us will respond. We have a responsibility, and we are to take it seriously. We are not playing a game on the playground of life. Instead, we are playing a game of life or death. For those who believe will receive eternal life but those who resist and do not believe will receive condemnation, judgment and eternal life in hell itself. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us guidance and strength. Our prayers are always heard from our God in heaven and our praises do nothing but please him. Our faith continues to grow as we continue to spread his word. Stay strong and continue forward as we are tools of our great God in heaven! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What is good about having a pet?
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NEVER FORGET WHO MAKES YOU WHO YOU ARE!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful.” Deuteronomy 8:18

TODAY’S MESSAGE: It is so easy to go to our Lord in our times of need. When we are hurting, sad, angry, or being persecuted and hit rock bottom we go our Lord to help us out. However, when times are good it is easy to forget our creator. We forget who gives the things that we need to be successful. We forget who provides us the opportunities, our abilities and our knowledge. It is important for each of us to remember that whether we are having a bad day or a good day our life led by our Lord. Just as we pray in our bad times, we should praise him in our good times. We should be thinking of him always and letting him direct our ways. We should be listening to the Holy Spirit in all things and in all of our activities. God’s plan for our live is already out there. We must listen and follow his ways. He loves us and will do everything to keep us healthy, safe, successful and with understanding and knowledge. We must keep him in our conversations and in everything we do. JESUS IS LORD! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Name the most expensive personal item you’ve ever purchased (not your home or car).
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LIVING YOUR LIFE AS A LETTER FROM CHRIST JESUS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: ” Clearly you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you.” 2 Corinthians 3:3

Today’s Message: As followers of Jesus, we are all letters from Christ to the world around us. We are letters that are not written with pen and paper but with actions represented by love and understanding that comes from the heart. As the envelope of our hearts are opened, we must allow the love of Jesus to flow outward. It should be so strong that the flow is like a high tide that rushes to the shore. It should cover all that is in its path. The love of Jesus is special. It is not full of anger or full of revenge but instead is full of peace of mind, is peace loving and full of love to others. Our lives should an open book to those around us. Our pages should be able to be read from the youngest to the oldest. There is no condemnation, no evil words or no evil actions from us that display the ways of this world. We must have faith and be trusting is what our God has told us, is telling us and continues to tell us in the future. He loves us so we should spread that same love to others. We are the bible to many. We are the only way to salvation for many, but if we become self-seeking and interested only in ourselves then we lose the opportunities that God has put before us. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What podcasts are you listening to?
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FOR SATAN ATTACKS AT OUR WEAKEST MOMENTS!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: ” For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, ‘ If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread. But Jesus told him, No! The scriptures say, People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:1-4— “Get out of here, Satan, Jesus told him. For the scriptures say, you must worship the Lord your God and serve him only. Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of him.” Matthew 4: 10-11

TODAY’S MESSAGE: The temptations of Jesus took place at his weakest moments. The scriptures tell us that he had fasted forty days and forty nights and that he had become very hungry. How would you feel if you had been without food for forty days and forty nights? We would be very weak and probably very susceptible to temptation. That is exactly where Jesus was. The difference was that Jesus had been fasting and praying. He had been gaining strength from the Father. Yes, as a human he was hungry and weak, but his spirit was strong and healthy. The devil came to him with his guns loaded. He gave Jesus every opportunity to succumb through weakness, but the Lord was able to overcome the temptations and send the devil on his way with his tail between his legs. You and I must be very vigilant at every turn. When we are down or when we become sad or weak, we become vulnerable. These are the times that we need to get on our knees and begin to pray. We need to praise our Lord in heaven and ask for his help. We must go to his scriptures and read his promises for our lives. We must strengthen our spirit and become ready for the attacks of the devil. If we don’t, we may become defeated and end up listening to and doing things we may not otherwise do. However, as children of God we have a way to success and victory and that way is Jesus! We must keep him first in our thoughts and in our ways. When we do, we will find that He never lets us down! JESUS IS LORD! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What was your favorite subject in school?
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SPREAD THE JOY OF JESUS AND NOT THE SMELL OF THE WORLD!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: “Prove by the way you live that you have repented and turned to God.” Matthew 3:8— ” Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” 1 Corinthians 2:15

TODAY’S MESSAGE: To be of Christ and to live in Christ is to live a life that is strong and disciplined in Jesus. It is a life that is of love, patience, understanding, and rewarding. It is a life that displays a power to overcome hardships and sadness. It is one that can stand tall when others mock us or persecute us for our beliefs. It is one that allows forgiveness to spread to those who have wronged us and to those who hate our very being. We are to live our lives just as Jesus lived his on this earth. It is not an easy path, but it is one that will take us to a wonderful place. It is one that will help some to want what we have. It is one that will create peace and not chaos among those around us. It is a life that will show the ungodly the way to right standing with our God in heaven. It is a life that will demonstrate ways that will create strength, power and faith. We are to live a life that will help others to grow and become children of God and not be of those who wander this world aimlessly and with no values or forgiveness. When we obey our Lord and listen carefully when he speaks to us, we will hear his message loud and clear. When we read the Word of God and meditate on it, we receive our purpose and our strength to move forward and not backward. When we pray to Him with faith, we begin to understand what he wants for our lives. Our goal in life is to do what our Lord desires for us and not what we desire for ourselves. When we live the life God has prepared for us, scriptures tell us that we are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. We must praise Him and pray to Him. Let us all work hard be a Christ-like fragrance rather than becoming the stench that covers this world today. Jesus is Lord! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
How do you manage screen time for yourself?
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FOLLOWING JESUS IS A CONSTANT STRUGGLE!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: “For the more we suffer for Christ the more God will shower us with comfort through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:5—– “We have depended on God’s grace and not our own human wisdom.” 2 Corinthians 1:12—– ” It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:21—– “For it is by your own faith that you stand firm.” 2 Corinthians 1:24

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Daily struggles are not hard to come by. They are with us no matter our circumstances, but there are some who believe that when they accept Jesus, their lives will be without troubles. This could not be farther from the truth. As a matter of fact, when we accept Jesus, we may find that our lives will sometimes become more troublesome. There will be many roadblocks thrown in our path to block our thoughts and faith. The devil and his demons do not like it when a person comes to Jesus. They become very belligerent and do all in their power to deter the faith of a young Christian. We are all surrounded by things of the world that represent the opposite of what Jesus stands for. We all were a part of this world before our conversion to Christ. As a follower of Jesus, we are given tools to help us overcome the hardships and hurts of this world. Our God has given us many promises in his Word to stand on when we need them, and he has given us a seed of faith. We are to help our faith to grow by watering it everyday. We are to nurture it with prayer and reading the Word of God. We are to put our focus on the ways of Jesus and not the ways of the world we live in. We are to allow our lives to become surrounded by the things and the ways of God and not the world. Our interests may change, and we may lose friends that we have had for years. But that is ok. Our Lord has new friendships ready and waiting for us. With a growing and strong faith in Jesus we are incredibly prepared to overcome the struggles we are to confront. Every problem we come up against becomes a teaching moment for God in heaven. It becomes a learning moment for us. It becomes a strengthening moment for our faith. We must use the struggles and problems in life to become stronger in Jesus so that we can show others the strength, power and love of Jesus in our lives! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

DO NOT ALLOW THE ROAR TO INTIMIDATE YOU!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: ” Study the Bood of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and be successful in all that you do.” Joshua 1:8—– ” He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Psalm 23:3—– “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

TODAY’S MESSAGE: The devil is considered to be roaring lion running around the world, causing nothing but destruction. He is actually a toothless little kitty cat. He does not murder or set fires to consume our properties. He does not put sickness on us or shoot us with a gun or stab us with a knife. He does none of these things. However, he is the King of deception. He loves to go around and spread his deception among us, and it is when we allow him to enter our lives, that we are allowing him to cause destruction. We begin to listen to his crazy ideas. We begin to pay attention to his lies and his temptations. When we do, we give him the opportunity to influence us and sometimes to drive our lives in the wrong direction. Evil thoughts and evil ideas do come from the evil one. But it is you and me who listen and become his tools for his evil to be accomplished. It is through others that he causes murder, rapes and other awful things to happen in this world. We must not allow this to happen. We must stay deeply embedded in our Lord God and never leave an open door for the devil. We must pray always as we are instructed. We must read God’s Word and meditate upon it daily, as we are instructed. When we do these things, our strength is renewed each day. We must keep our focus on the path he has put us on. When we do, we become successful, and we prosper. Others will begin to watch us and see how our lives develop and how we are guided from our Lord above. We must stay on guard and never let down. Our faith must continue to grow and be steadfast. The devil himself is toothless and useless. He was thrown out of heaven with revenge toward God on his mind. We should never allow ourselves to be a part of his plan. When we fall, we must ask for forgiveness and then get back on the right path and continue on. Our Lord loves us, and we are to love others in the same way. Spread his mighty word and give those around you the opportunity to accept Jesus as Lord and to live their lives under his divine protection. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What will your life be like in three years?
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JESUS MAGNIFIED! THE GREAT REVIVAL!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: ” For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. For scriptures say, God will put all things under his authority.” 1 Corinthians 15:25-27

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Today’s world has changed tremendously. Each day we see something else that is unimaginable. Evil is at a stage where it is screaming it’s last breath. It knows that it’s time is very short, and it is no longer just lurking in the shadows working quietly behind the scenes. It is now out in the open showing itself to the whole world trying to sway those who will listen, to succumb to the ways of the evil of the world. I believe we are living in the time of the greatest ever Jesus’ revival. I believe we are living our lives in the home stretch of earthly existence. I believe we are seeing the beginning of God’s children begin to stand up and be counted. We are beginning to see Christians stand up in the face of what seems to insurmountable circumstances to yell the name of Jesus and show those of the world that evil is dying and that Jesus is winning. Jesus is, once again, beginning to be magnified in this world. Brothers and sisters in Christ are coming forth with the great strength and in the power of Jesus. The message being spread is that of our Lord. It begins with fearlessness and strength, and it ends with love and the desire to win over the world for Christ Jesus. There is such great power in the name of Jesus that even the demons run from that name. The devil himself slithers away when in the presence of the name of Jesus. You and I must begin to stand up in the name of Jesus and let him take control of our lives and then begin to spread the greatest message in the world, JESUS IS LORD! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Invent a holiday! Explain how and why everyone should celebrate.
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BEING YOUR BEST THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD IN HEAVEN!

TODAY’S SCRIPUTRES: Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives power to be successful in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.” Deuteronomy 8:18——- ” But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me- and not without results.” 1 Corinthians 15:10

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Being your best through the grace of God in heaven. This is quite a statement. Our God is the most graceful person there is. He is unconditionally loving and extremely patient. It is important that we recognize this every day. When we do, we begin to condition ourselves to the ways of our Lord. It matters not whether we are climbing the ladder of success in our business, or digging ditches for a living, our God has put us in the positions we are in to spread his word. We are to be joyful in the Lord and we are to constantly praise him for all that he does for us. We need to recognize that our successes are because of God. He has provided us with the tools we need for that success. He surrounds us with those who need the message we are delivering. We are the ones he has chosen to do his work, spread his word, and live our lives in ways that others may see. Our wealth here on earth is only because of what has done for us. In the last few months, I been reminded that my life is not mine. The physical and the spiritual things that I have in my possession here on earth are not mine. They all belong to my God in heaven. It is he, who gives me the strength to do what we do. It is he who give us understanding, wisdom, patience and the direction for my life. However, it is me who must praise him as his child. It is me who is to thank him each day for the gifts he has given me. And it is me who is to dedicate each and every one of those possessions to him. When we do this, we are surrendering our all to him and recognizing his presence in our lives. Our lives and our things all belong to our God. Without him and the work he has provided to each of to do, we would be nothing. But with him we are special, and we live our lives with the likeness of Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite websites?
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THE DOUBT OF THOMAS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: ” I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” John 20:25——- “Then Jesus told him, ‘ You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” John 19:29——- “But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.” John 19:31

MESSAGE OF THE DAY: Thomas was the only disciple who was not present when the others first saw Jesus after his resurrection. Thomas made the explanation of doubt that he would not believe that Jesus had risen until he physically saw and felt the nail prints in his hands and side. Jesus then once again appeared to his disciples with Thomas at their side. He was allowed to place his fingers into the nail holes of his hands and his hand into the wound in his side. He then believed. However, Jesus then made a very pronounced statement. He told them those who believe without seeing and touching will be blessed. He knew that the generations to come were not going to be able to do what Thomas had just done. He knew that it was going to take great strength to overcome the doubts that would be thrown their way. Believing without seeing takes not only great faith and trust in our God but it takes great courage. We must be able to step out in our faith, without doubt, and know that we will not sink. Wow, what a thought. Can you imagine Peter walking on the water when he reached out to Jesus? He was doing great until he changed his focus and returned to his worldly belief that this is impossible to do. We are no different. As we step out into our faith we need to take those steps with a total focus on our Lord Jesus. We must not allow our thoughts to stray from that focus. It is only when we take our eyes off of what we believe in the Spirit that we fail, that we fall, and we sink. But, just as Jesus said, BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING ME. You see, we have power in the name of Jesus. It is not just power, but it is great power. There is nothing we cannot do if we just believe, receive, confess it and do it. Never, never, never take your eyes off of Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?
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OUR GOD OF PEACE AND ORDER- PEACE BE WITH YOU!

SCRIPTURES OF THE DAY: ” They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord. Again, he said, PEACE BE WITH YOU. AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO I AM SENDING YOU.” John 20:21 ” Be as innocent as babies when it comes to evil but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.” 1 Corinthians 14:20 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace as in all meetings of God’s holy people.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

MESSAGE OF THE DAY: Our God is a God of peace and order. When he first saw his disciples before his ascension to God in heaven, he told his disciples to be peaceful. We are to be his sons and daughters who represent his character and his ways. We must learn how to do this. We must be able to shake off the evil desires that rise up inside us and treat each circumstance with common sense and the love of God. Our Lord has made it very clear that he is the God of order and peace and not confusion, fear and doubt. He is the Lord of love and peace of mind. It is easy to allow “self” to get in our way when we are making big decisions or when we are confronted with problems beyond our control. We must train ourselves up to better understand and remember that when confusion hits us, we must hit back. We must know the scriptures that give us control through Christ and that will run off those of doubts, worries and fears. We must put in our minds our “Jesus’ thoughts”, of how we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength and immediately act upon those thoughts. We must train ourselves up to pray each day with confidence that the Lord hears our every prayer and be confident that our answers have been given to us. We must train ourselves up closely to listen to the Holy Spirit when He talks to us. The Lord is by our side. He has given us the tools to succeed. However, we must not be fearful or doubting in using them. If we are in confusion, doubt or fear we are not in Jesus. It is time to step back and reevaluate. It is time to allow our God in heaven to take control of our life. Be peaceful and move among others with the peace of Jesus guiding you all the way. JESUS IS LORD. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What historical event fascinates you the most?
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THE JOURNEY TO OUR GREATEST GIFT- LOVE!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record or being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

” Three things will last forever- faith, hope and love- and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Jealous, boastful, irritable, rude, love to do things my way, carry grudges, give up, and lose faith. These are all things that clarify just what love is not. My question today is how many of us fall into the category of being guilty of at least one of these? Well, I can confess that I either am or I have been guilty of every one of them. I would guess that everyone reading this message today is also guilty of them all. The Lord has provided to us the gift of Love. He tells us, very clearly, that love is patient and love is kind. Through my years of living in this world I have found that I can be patient some of the time and I can be kind some of the time but then I always seem to fall back into my old self. We as sinners have a way of sinning even though we know we should not. We know we should not be proud and boastful but that is hard when you are working hard and accomplishing things that we want others to be aware of. We know that we should not carry grudges or keep a record of those who do bad things to us, but we do anyway. We know that our faith is what keeps us going and that we should continue to strengthen it, but we sometimes lose faith anyway. But that is ok. We may not be perfect but our God in heaven is perfect. He does truly love us and is always patient with the things we do well and in our times of failure. He wipes away the sins that we commit and never keeps a record of them. He may discipline us to help us to learn but always does it with love and understanding. Jesus is love. He is the greatest gift we have ever received. We may not always do the right things in life, but our goal should be to always strive for the same attitude and kindness our Lord displayed when he walked this very earth. He loves us, understands us and always forgives. Accept his gift, spread his love and always strive for strengthened faith! Jesus loves us all! Jesus is Lord! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What’s something you believe everyone should know.
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WHIPPED, MOCKED, PERSECUTED, AND MADE FUN OF!

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead tipped whip. The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him.” John 19:1-2

MESSAGE OF THE DAY: I don’t know about you but much of my day is spent thinking about staying out of harm’s way. I don’t like the feeling of being hurt or having my feelings hurt or being taunted for things I believe in. Yes, those things still do happen to us today but not to the extent that our Lord Jesus went through them. Take just a moment and put yourself in the place of Jesus before he even went to the cross to be nailed and displayed to the world. Think of the hundreds or maybe even thousands of people yelling to the leaders of the day to have you put to death. Think about being tied to a post and having your back torn open with a whip that was tipped with lead. Think of the pain endured when thorns are not just gently put upon your head but instead crushed down hard so that blood begins to run down your face and into your eyes. Think about the humiliation and the taunting of the soldiers as they placed a purple robe on you having fun by play acting your role as King of the Jews. Think of the pain, the bruising and the humiliation our Lord went through even before he was crucified on that cross. We must remember that Jesus was not superhuman. He became like us when he entered this earth, and he knew and felt the pain just as you and I would have. He went through all of those things so that you and I would not have to. Can you even imagine having to go through all of that before you die. And then be nailed cruelly to a cross to die a slow and painful death. I know that I would not make it. However, because Jesus knew the plan and knew what was on the line he was ready and willing to do it for each and every one of us. What a blessing He was and continues to be to us today. What a gift God gave to us. Sometimes we take it for granted. It is time to take a step back and realize the pain and humiliation that really went on. The next time you come upon a problem in your life just turn back the page and remember what Jesus did for you! It will make a difference! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What does it mean to be a kid at heart?
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WHO ARE THE GODLY?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to listen to those who worship him and do his will.” John 9:31

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Have you ever asked yourself just what it means to be a godly person? Or have you ever asked yourself if you are a godly person? Can you be godly and be a sinner at the same time? Everyone is born a sinner. We are all born with a sinful nature and there is only one way to overcome that nature and that is by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. The term godly is a term used to describe the action of being like God. A godly person is one who is committed to obeying our God in this world. We know that our God in heaven does not listen to sinners. John 9:31 tells us that. So, how can we be godly and a sinner at the same time? Since we are all born sinners God sent his Son, Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. He gave us each a choice as to whether to have belief in Jesus or not to believe and go our own separate way. A godly person is one who knows the Lord Jesus and is one who allows the Holy Spirit to guide him in the ways of the truth set forth by the Lord. As a godly person we become one mind with God. We begin to think like him and begin to live in ways that he desires. We begin to hate what he hates and love what he loves. We begin to measure everything in this world by the standard of His Word. We become godly when we decide to accept the truth and not the deception of what is going on around us. We are godly when we truly believe that our Lord Jesus did die for our sins, our healing and our salvation. We become godly when our actions begin to show our beliefs to the world without fear of what others will say or do to us. We become godly when we go to our God in prayer with the belief that he does answer our prayers. We stand firm in his Word and live the truth in every way we act. Yes, we may stumble but we are godly when we realize that our God in heaven will pick us up and put us back on the right path. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?
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GOD DOES NOT GIVE US PROBLEMS BUT DOES ALLOW SITUATIONS!

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: “Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” John 18:11

MESSAGE OF THE DAY: Jesus was well aware of his situation. He knew exactly what God had given him to do. As we read through scripture, we can see that his humanity may have thrown fear in his path, but he totally surrendered to God’s will. It was crucial for us that he did. The same is sometimes realized in our own lives. We confront problems on a daily basis. Some of these problems are created by circumstances beyond our control and others we create on our own. No matter where they come from our God in heaven allows these problems in our lives for a purpose. Just as Jesus went through his own struggles while here on earth, we too must fight through ours. Jesus was here to save creation, and his situation was to be crucified upon the cross and die for us to be saved. Our situations are varied. However, if we really look at each and every problem we confront through the eyes of our Lord, we can see that there is a purpose in each. Every situation we find ourselves in is a learning experience. Sometimes we respond irresponsibly and find ourselves being disciplined. Other times we may respond with honor and receive a just reward. But there is a purpose for all. We are being trained up in the Lord. We too are to be spreading God’s word and allowing for opportunities for others to come to Jesus just as we have had our chance. We should never run away from a situation. Instead, we should run toward it. We should pray and ask our Lord for strength and wisdom so that when we are working through the situation, we are the conquerors and not the conquered. If we prepare by study, meditation and prayer in the Word of God we will be overcomers. We have the tools at our fingertips, but we must have the faith and the trust in Jesus to use them. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL SITUATIONS!

Daily writing prompt
Describe a family member.
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JESUS PRAYED FOR US BEFORE HE EVEN LEFT THIS WORLD!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: ” And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.” John 17:14-16

TODAYS MESSAGE: Jesus was very aware, before he even left this world, just how hard it was going to be for those who would follow his way. He knew what was to come and just how dedicated and strong each and every follower of the way would have to be. He knew that without God, those left behind, would not have the strength to survive. He prayed the above prayer before his crucifixion. He prayed this prayer for not only his disciples but also on behalf of those for generations to come. We are included within those generations. We are seeing firsthand the hatred for those who love Christ Jesus. We are witnessing the desire for those of this world to rule over those who do not conform to the ways of this world. However, Jesus pleaded with God, just as he does today, on our behalf. He wants us to be kept safe from the evil going on around us. With faith we have that opportunity. With trust in God, we are able to walk through the fires of this earth without fear of what will be on the other side. With focus and our ears listening to the Holy Spirit we are able to be safe in the ways we talk and the way we conduct our holy lives. We must, however, grasp onto the courage presented to us and never let go. We must trust and have unending faith in our Lord and Savior. We must not allow doubt, worry or fear even a small opportunity to enter our lives. If we do it will spread like a wildfire. We must always keep Jesus first in our lives with him always at the forefront of our thoughts and ways. We cans do nothing on our own but with Christ Jesus we can do all things! Jesus is Lord! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite form of physical exercise?
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BELIEVE WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, FOR HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD!

Today’s Scripture: “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Today’s Message: Our Lord never guaranteed us a sin free life on this earth. We were born sinners and our natural sinful being seems to lean towards our sinful nature. However, our God has given us the greatest gift ever. He gave us his son, Jesus Christ to die for us and to take aways our sins. As we live on this earth, we will continue to have temptations, to have sorrows and to have many kinds of trials that we will have to overcome. Without Jesus we would not be able to be overcomers. But with him we are given power to be strong, have understanding and wisdom. When Jesus left this earth, the Holy Spirit entered it. He came to live in each of us so that we would have the courage, the instinct and the nature of our God to be able to resist the devil and his mighty attacks upon our lives. What we have to do is believe. We are to become intimately acquainted with his word. When we do, we learn to recognize his power, his promises and his ways. We are able to turn our sins over to him to be forgiven and forgotten forever. We are able to begin the walk of strength that is provided through Christ. We are able to overcome the evils of this world. It is sometimes very hard to understand, but no matter the hardship or how terrible it might seem at the time, if we pray and believe we will receive. As we read his word we are reading his will for our lives. When we pray in his word we are praying his will for our lives. This is our strength and our power. The devil and his army are unable to defeat our God in heaven. He has overcome the world, and we belong to Him! We have become overcomers through Christ Jesus our Savior! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
How much would you pay to go to the moon?
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THE WORLD’S SIN IS THAT IT REFUSES TO BELIEVE IN ME!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: “And the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me.” John 16:2-3 ” And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.” John 16: 8-9

TODAYS MESSAGE: I believe it is safe to say that confusion is the name of the game today. Confusion plays such a part in the lives of us all at times, but especially in the lives of those who do not know Christ Jesus. Whether you believe that we are living in the end times or not it is important to recognize the things going on around us in today’s world. Things are happening today that common sense no long takes care of. People are believing in things and doing things that are beyond our understanding. We are receiving people from other countries who have beliefs that we do not recognize. There are those who believe that when they take another’s life they are doing so with the support and love of their god. As we get closer to the judgment of God in heaven, we are beginning to see the chaos of the unbelievers. We are seeing the ruthlessness of evil that we have not had to experience in this country before. We, however, have the answer at our fingertips. We have Christ! We have the gift of the Holy Spirit right here with us! We cannot control the actions of those around us, but we can control our own actions. We can continue to stand up as believers and continue to shout the name of Jesus without fear. Our faith must be strong, and it must continue to get stronger! We must continue to put our God first in our lives and understand God’s plan. We must be willing to sacrifice for him no matter the situation. We must believe that no matter how terrible the situation looks, our God is in total control! We must believe that we receive because God is in control! Please continue to pray, study and live your life with complete confidence in God almighty! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!!

Daily writing prompt
What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in?
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THE PRUNING!

SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: “He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” John 15:2

TODAY’S MESSAGE: The pruning process is very important to the gardener. It is the process by which the part of the plant that is not producing is cut back. The dead part is thrown away and that allows the plant to grow even greater. It is not different in our lives as believers. As we go about our Christian lives, we sometimes allow parts of us to begin to dabble in the world. These parts are not fruitful when it comes to living for God. It is causing our spirit to be hindered by the confusion of our thoughts and actions. It is at these times that God must begin to prune back the things that are not producing in our lives so that we can be better focused and begin to live our lives as solid followers of Jesus. The pruning process is vital for us to grow in our walk with our God in heaven. Have you ever had people unexpectedly leave your life. They have moved away or the relationship you have developed just ends with no explanation. God might be in the process of pruning you. He may be removing someone from your life who was dragging you down and hindering you from praising and glorifying Him. He might be creating space for something or someone different to enter your life, someone or something that will help you to grow stronger in the Lord. Have you ever put in a job application for a job that you wanted so badly and one that you thought fit you just perfectly, only to have it denied? God may be in the process of pruning and has better plans for your growth in Him. We are all under construction. We are all trying to follow Jesus and do our best in living our lives to reflect Jesus. Oftentimes we need help. We allow things to get in our way that hinders our growth instead of helping. It is these times that our God in heaven goes to work and helps us to put into place the things that help us most in our lives. He loves us and wants us to produce to our fullest. To do so we must sometimes be corrected, pruned and even disciplined. All of this is for the betterment of our focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What food would you say is your specialty?
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THE ADVOCATE!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURES: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” Psalm 23:4 ” And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth.” John 14:16-17

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Life is not easy. We are met on every side with events that sometimes come upon us with surprising force. We never know what may happen and will never be sure as to how to handle each situation. Our God in heaven has us covered. Jesus told his disciples before he died on the cross that he would ask God to send another advocate. Up until that time Jesus had been the one who had presented the truth and stood as an example for belief and trust in God. He is the one who stood by the disciples, and all of those who believed, when times became dicey. He was the one that stood up and showed the way and encouraged all to follow in his ways. As he was about to leave this world, he assured them that another advocate was on the way. This one was in the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has been sent to live and breathe through each of us. He guides us in the darkness as he becomes our light. He directs us in times of indecision, and he lifts us up when we are down. He shows us scriptures filled with God’s promises that will re-ignite our fire for the Lord. He helps us to communicate directly with our God in heaven as a hotline for emergencies. He will speak to us with a tiny still voice as he never gets angry or excited. He stays the path and is the calmness we need in the harried life we live. The Holy Spirit (our Advocate) lives in all who believe and trust in Jesus. He is a free gift that we all must respect and use to live the rest of our lives on this earth. It is by the Holy Spirit that we are able to be overcomers in dreadful times. It is through the Holy Spirit that our spirits are lifted up in times of sadness. The Holy Spirit is the third person of God. He is a living and breathing being who knows us and loves us. We must treat Him with respect and trust him as other believers have before us. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What major historical events do you remember?
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WE ARE BLESSED IF WE JUST BELIEVE!

SCRIPTURES OF THE DAY: “Blessed are those who do not see and yet believe.” John 21:29; “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Mark 10:52

TODAY’ MESSEGE: I believe I receive because God in heaven is my source! I learned this saying long ago and use it quite frequently. We are a very selfish and self-serving people. We often think only of what will benefit us in our lives and not what will help those around us. Even when we are doing things that are good for others, we sometimes do them in a self-seeking manner. When this happens, we are either plugged into the wrong source or not plugged into a source at all. As we study the bible, we see how Jesus lived his life. We see how he became surrounded by those who were in pain and suffering and seeking healing in their lives. Most had tried things of the world to help them but without success. However, when they came upon Jesus they came upon the power of God. Just as the woman with the issue of blood knew, if she could just touch his garment she could be healed. Jesus knew immediately he had been touched and turned and healed the woman of her health problem. The healing power that radiated from him was strong and came with love. When we come to Jesus we are given a new purpose in life. We take on the traits of our loving God in heaven. We suddenly forget about ourselves and look to the needs of others. If we are properly plugged into Jesus, we have the power. Scripture tells us that if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer. If we believe in the power of God, if we believe in his love for us all, then we know without a doubt that are prayers are heard and will be answered. Sometimes they are not answered in the ways we think they should be or the time schedule that fits our schedule, but they are answered on God’s time, just at the right time and will be answered in the way that benefits Him. We must believe that we receive! Our Lord always hears us and tends to our every need! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

LIVING IN DELIGHT OF THE LORD!

“Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37:4

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5

When we delight ourselves in the Lord we are immersing our whole life in his ways. We are leaving nothing untouched or available for the wicked of this world to grab onto. We are to follow Jesus. We are to be Christ-like, and we are to walk in the truth. We are to put our complete trust in him and surrender to his guidance for our lives. We are to focus and believe on the light that our God shines on us. We are to stay within his light, knowing that it will always lead us in the right direction no matter how difficult or dark our situation may become. We should become a light for others to follow. By strengthening our relationship with Jesus, we are to partner with him in spreading his word and his ways. We must come to the realization that God is the ultimate source of light, and Jesus is the light of the world. We are to reflect the light of God and the life of Jesus by living in a way that is consistent with what pleases our Lord. We are to pray always and give praises to our great God in heaven. We are to study and meditate within his holy Word daily and feed our faith with truth and understanding. He loves us more than we can understand. We are to love him with all that we are. We are to give our lives by the dedicating of our ways and actions showing Jesus as active and working within us. PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What are you most proud of in your life?
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LIVING THE RENEWED LIFE!

“Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.” Joshua 1:8

When we are called by God, we are called to live a refreshed and peaceful life. We are to be able to go about our lives in this world with the assurance of God’s persistent love and understanding working within us. Sometimes we find ourselves wandering outside the boundaries our God has set for us. Sometimes we find that our ways have taken on a nature that is inconsistent with our Lord. When we do, it is time to renew our mind, to renew our thoughts and to renew our relationship with Christ Jesus. When we find that we are just going through the motions it is time to reenergize. It is time to refocus our ways on what our God in heaven has planned for us. It is time to renew our relationship with the Lord. It is time to once again, be on fire for Jesus! We are to put ourselves in situations that allow us to focus on the things that are holy and trustworthy. We are to meditate on his Word and study hard to refresh each holy word in our minds. We are to allow his Word to become a part of us and then we are to live our lives within his plan. He loves us and wants us to live peaceful lives. We are not to become stressed by everyday situations and forget what we are really on this earth to do. We are to spread his word by living lives that represent him well. We are to handle the ways of this world in ways that the world considers to be uncommon. We are to place our trust in heaven above and not on the world below. Is it time for you to refresh your relationship with Jesus? If so, begin in prayer asking him for direction. Begin with praise, giving him the glory he so richly deserves. When you do you will become refreshed and once again renewed by his Holy Spirit! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What have you been working on?
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GRASP THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT AND NEVER LET GO!

” But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, the people still did not believe in him.” John 12:37

” You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you at a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6: 19 & 20

There were many who lived and saw the miracles of Jesus who did not believe. Their eyes were closed, and their hearts were hardened to the many events that took place around them. They were so focused on the past and the laws of Moses that they were blinded to the future of Christ. They were hindered by the past and blinded by the future. It is the same today. As we are brought up in our families, we all come through our childhood believing what we are taught in our up bringing. We may have been taught about Jesus or we may not have been taught about him. Our focus is much like the focus of those during the time of Jesus. The focus was on the past and the future was not seen clearly. The same goes for us and our needs. Some of us have a hard time letting go of our teachings from when we were young, and we hang on to them so hard that our lives become embedded with those thoughts and desires. Jesus was sacrificed for our future, our salvation and our forgiveness. God purchased us, and he purchased us with a high price. When we believe and accept him as Lord and Savior, we become his and we must let go of the world. We are to honor him with how we live and how we treat those around us. We cannot completely let go of our past, but we are to follow the future, and that future is Christ! Even as followers of the Lord we will have good and bad times in our lives. That is why it is so important that when we grasp onto his cloak, we never let go. When we believe in him and are being led by him, we will never be defeated. We will always be overcomers. It is when we take our eyes off of Jesus that we begin to struggle and sink deeply in our ocean of struggles. It when we let go that we start to drift to another direction and become our own guide and try to take over our own lives once again. We must hold tightly to the ways of Jesus. We must stay in prayer with him. We must never allow the things of this world to influence how we think or live our lives. Hang onto Jesus tightly and he will guide you through to the end! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
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CONTROLLED BY YOUR SINFUL NATURE OR THE HOLY SPIRIT!

” And no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” 1 Corinthians 2:11-12

“Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him.” Proverbs 14:2

“For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20

Our God in heaven has opened his heart and his very being to each of those who have been called. To all who have experienced the conversion from evil to good our God has given to us the free gift of salvation. The door has been opened and we have the option of walking through the door or turning our backs on his opportunity and taking our own path. We can all rest assured that if we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior our lives will become what our God has planned. We will be able to hear his voice, and our spirits will be in tune with Him. He will create a desire within us for prayer and communication. We will desire to learn more and to want to be close to him. We will seek out his healing power for our lives and we will live under his protection and strength and be living witnesses on his behalf. However, there are those among us who have turned their backs on God. They have made the decision to take their own path in life. It may seem easier, or it may look good, but it will end in disaster. They will be blinded by the fruits of this world and be allowed to sin as they desire. They will not understand, nor will they want to understand the ways of our God. For those who have turned their backs on Jesus and deny his existence are doomed for destruction. There is, however, a continued opportunity for some to be saved. You and I are to live our lives so that others around us can see the fruits from our God in heaven. We are to present ourselves with love, peace, understanding and compassion, even to those who detest our very lives. We are to never give up on anyone until our Lord returns. Jesus is Lord and is in control! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
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HIS LIFE FOR YOUR FAITH!

” It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” Romans 1:17

” For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Faith is the result of believing that Jesus died for our sins and made a way for us to be right with God. As children of the living God, we live lives by believing and not by seeing. We must trust and obey God and not trust what we can see and feel around us. For many of us this is a major change in our lives. It is a trend that we must work hard at. We must stay embedded in his word and focus on him daily. We must understand and believe that the death of Jesus on the cross was the beginning of our journey. It was with his death and resurrection that we received everything we need to live lives that are in right standing with God in heaven. As we continue to study his word and go to him in prayer, we should begin to reflect Jesus and reveal him to this world. People should begin to see his reflection in our lives. They should see him in how we handle our problems and how we resolve conflicts around us. Our faith must show a quiet confidence that our God in heaven is working in our lives, and no matter what the situation is, he is working out all things for the good of those who love him. To strengthen our faith, we must spend regular time in his presence with prayer and praise. We must meditate on his many thoughts and promises for our lives, and we must stay connected to the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts. Jesus gave the ultimate for you and me to have faith that can be nurtured and grow. He gave it all so that we can live lives knowing that our God in heaven is in control. He died so that you and I can live our lives here on earth fulfilling the plan he has set forth for each of us. He gave his life so that we can live in faith! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?
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ACCEPT YOUR FAILURES AND RESPOND THROUGH JESUS!

” But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32

As residents upon this earth, we all fail. We are all human beings with many faults. As Luke tells us in verse 22:32 even Peter fail. Peter denied that he even knew Christ three times. You and I are no different. We may have the grandest of intentions, but we still fail. We may think that when the time comes to show ourselves worthy in this world, we are ready, but we may fail. However, even through failure, our Lord Jesus still believes in us. He is able and willing to restore us and make us whole again. Our Lord will help us through every bad experience we have if we just have the faith to believe in him. He will help us to rebuild our faith and give us the strength to move forward and learn from the mistakes we make. It is important that we go to him with our faults and sincerely repent of our sins and ask him for forgiveness. When we do, he will wipe our sin away and give us a clean slate. There are so many in the world today who pile their sins one upon another until they are so heavy that they can carry them no more and are burdened to despair. They see no future but only darkness. Without Jesus our world is bleak. Our future is nothing more than the edge of a cliff we are about to fall off of. But with Jesus we are overcomers. We are able to take our mistakes in life before him and let him deal with them. He is our redeemer, our helper, our refuge and our safety net. He is our life. We must continue to pray for faith, pray for strength and pray for guidance. He is with us always and never leaves us. How do you deal with failure? Are you shaken, taken back and believe there is no way out or do you believe in Jesus and his help? Jesus is not shaken by failure, and we should not be either. We should always be prepared to give all to Jesus! PRAISE THE LORD IN ALL THINGS!

Daily writing prompt
What makes a good neighbor?
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