Tag: Daily Bread

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A Foiled Plan

[10] When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”  ~ Exodus 2:10NIV

The people of Israel had dwelt alongside the Egyptians peacefully for 30 years. Joseph, one of the Hebrews, had helped save Egypt from the earth-wide famine. But the new king of Egypt didn’t care about any of that. Joseph himself meant nothing to him, so when he saw how the people of Israel began to flourish in the land, irrational fear began to seep into his heart, and he began oppressing the people of Israel, putting slave masters over them. His fear of them growing more powerful and too great was not eased, as the more he oppressed them, the more they grew in number.

When he saw slavery wasn’t enough, he had the Hebrew midwives kill the male boys at birth, but his plan failed as the Hebrew midwives would not do this wicked request, and instead, the people continued to grow.

Then Pharaoh called for all the Hebrew boys born to be thrown into the Nile. One of the Hebrew mothers hid her newborn son for three months, but when she could no longer hide him, she put him in a basket and set him among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter found the baby along the riverbank of the Nile and adopted him. His sister, Miriam, who was watching, spoke to Pharaoh’s daughter and was able to arrange for their mother, Jochebed, to nurse him and even be paid for it. Once he was weaned, Moses was brought back to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son, and she named him Moses.

I want you to notice that everything Pharaoh did in order to destroy Israel, did the opposite, and the Nile River, which he tried to use to destroy the baby boys of Israel, was used in order to bring the deliverer to safety and even give him a place in Pharaoh’s own house. If Johebed had not put Moses in the basket and set him among the reeds of the bank of the Nile, Pharaoh’s daughter would have never found him. And if his sister had not stayed to see what would happen to him, she would’ve never been able to suggest their mother to nurse him on behalf of Pharaoh’s daughter.

God has plans for all of our lives, but if we do not follow His guiding hand in faith, He will use someone else. But if we do, He will use what the Devil meant for evil and make it for our good. The Devil can only succeed when we give up, but if we are faithful, the LORD will be faithful to us.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for all the times I didn’t adhere to Your guiding hand. Strengthen my faith, so that in times of trouble, I may not be overcome by distress but strengthened by my faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.=

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Rejoice In His Day

John 8:48-59NIV

[48] The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” [49]  “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. [50] I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. [51] Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” [52] At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. [53] Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” [54] Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. [55] Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. [56] Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” [57] “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” [58]  “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” [59] At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

Yesterday, we talked discussed how the Messiah was promised to Abraham after he did not hold back anything from God, including his promised son Isaac. Isaac was laid on an altar, but before he could be sacrificed, the LORD stopped Abraham and sent a ram in his place. This isn’t insignificant. That ram foreshadowed Jesus on the cross.

When Jesus was preaching and teaching, He said

[31] To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32 NIV

He and the Jews then went back and forth, and Jesus revealed that Abraham saw His day and was glad. We were set free from sin when Jesus nailed our debt to the cross and cancelled it, putting the enemy to shame. Jesus foreshadowed this Himself when He took the form of a ram and took Isaac’s place on the altar. Abraham saw Jesus’ day, His foreshadowing, and rejoiced.

We have heard His day and are saved by His day, yet do we rejoice? We are no longer bound under sin. We are no longer slaves to unrighteousness, yet how often do we rejoice in the salvation that we have?

Dear LORD, thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for loving me, even though I don’t deserve it. Thank You for saving me and redeeming me. LORD, please forgive me for all the times that I have wallowed in my own pain, suffering, grief, bitterness, and anger instead of rejoicing in Your salvation and redemption. I have hope because of You. I have life because of You. When I am down, help me to remember that if I rejoice in You, You will lift up my soul and give me joy for mourning. Peace for anger. Love for fear. Help me, LORD. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. 

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A Warning Not A Decree

Genesis 15:13 NIV

[13] Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.”

The LORD prophesied to Abraham the 400 years of slavery the people of Israel would endure. This wasn’t a decree, but a warning. God warned Abraham, and in doing so, warned his future descendants. The LORD didn’t tell this to Abraham in order that it might be so, but told it to him so that he and his descendants would know. These 400 years of slavery, God even used as a foreshadowing of the 400 years of silence before the coming of the Messiah.

After Malachi, God stopped speaking, until 400 years later when John the Baptist came proclaiming, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Now, think about this, these 400 years of slavery could have been ended much sooner, but the Hebrews tried to withstand the oppression on their own in their own strength. The Hebrew midwives, instead of following Pharaoh’s decree of killing the baby boys when they are born, let the baby boys live. God, in turn, blessed them and gave them families. So, we know God was watching over His people and was faithful to them, but I want you to notice that it only mentions them crying out to God for deliverance after Moses flees Egypt, when Pharaoh dies, and their slavery became too much for them to bear on their own.

[23] During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. [24] God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. [25] So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

Exodus 2:23-25NIV

In other words, if they had cried out to God sooner, they would have been delivered sooner. This is the same with us today. We overstay our welcome in places, begin to open doors in our lives, and become slaves to something. We try to fight it in our own strengt,h but it’s not until we cry out to the LORD Himself that we are delivered.

I believe DreamWorks truly nailed painting this picture when they wrote the song Deliver Us in their movie The Price of Egypt:

Deliver us
Hear our prayer
Deliver us
From despair
These years of slavery grow too cruel to stand

The length of our slavery to sin is always determined by how long we refuse to cry out to the LORD and seek His face for help.

When the LORD hears our cries, He answers our prayers. He comes to our rescue. He is faithful. He is just. He is love.

Dear LORD, I’m sorry for every time I did not call on Your name for help, but instead, tried to overcome and deal with sin in my own strength. Please come to my rescue. Deliver me from my sins. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Hear my prayer, oh LORD, and answer my call. Come to my rescue and be my strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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He Fulfills

Genesis 22:15-18NIV

[15] The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time [16] and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, [18] and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Today marks the beginning of the first day of the month leading up to Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Easter, much like Christmas, is often attacked and slandered by non-believers (and even believers) who say that their origins are stolen from popular Pagan feasts, festivals, and gods/goddesses. When you actually begin to research these claims, there is no evidence for a single one of them. So, where did Easter actually come from? Well, it dates all the way back to a promise to a faithful father.

Abraham had waited 25 years for God to fulfill His promise of an heir. When Abraham turned 100 years old, God’s promise was fulfilled, and Isaac was born. Now, think about this for a second. This promise didn’t come without Abraham first obeying God and acting in faith by taking his son, Isaac, and sacrificing him on an altar to God. Abraham, in faith, took his son up the mountain to fulfill what God had commanded of him. Isaac, noticing everything needed for the sacrifice, but the sacrifice itself asked his father where the sacrifice was.

Genesis 22:6-8 NIV

[6] Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, [7] Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” [8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Abraham didn’t go up the mountain believing his son would be left dead on the mountain. No. He knew the LORD is good and he put his faith in that good God He knew. And he said “God Himself will provide the lamb.” It wasn’t until he went up that mountain, built the altar, and laid his own son on the altar that the LORD then stopped him and gave a ram in Isaac’s place. Once they sacrificed the offering, that had been provided by God Himself, then and only then did God give Abraham the promise of the Messiah.

Because Abraham did not hold back his son from God, God in turn did not hold back His Son from the world.

Galatians 3:16NIV

[16] The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.

God always looks for just one person willing to obey in faith His commands. Today, we have Easter, not because we stole beliefs from Pagans, but because we celebrate a promise fulfilled. A promise of the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, who came to us from Heaven to die and rise again. That is why we celebrate Easter. We celebrate the fulfillment of the greatest promise, our freedom from sin and our return to our Creator.

Dear LORD, thank You for Your promise. Thank You that You are a God that is not slow in fulfilling Your promises, but wait until the fulfillment of time. Thank You for every promise You have given me. I ask for strengthening in my faith that I might live in obedience to Your promise. That I might not lose hope or begin to doubt, but that I might have faith to see Your promise fulfilled. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. 

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Praise The Way

4 Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine: the soul who sins shall die. ~ Ezekiel 18:4

Let’s unpack that suitcase. God’s speaking loud and clear claims that every soul belongs to Him, from the father to the child, with no exceptions. He’s not beating around the bush. He implicitly states that He owns us because He made us. But here’s the kicker: Even though God owns us, His words are still law with one penalty: ‘the soul who sins shall die.’ Sin’s not a slap on the wrist—it’s a death sentence, a wall separating unholy transgressors from a holy God.

It all started back in Eden, where there was one law with one consequence—‘eat and you die’ (Genesis 2:17). Both Adam and his wife Eve ate and received the due penalty for their transgression. That death sentence has now been passed down to every single person who was ever born—from them to us (Romans 5:12).

Now, each one of us has a death sentence hanging over our heads as a result. We were lost, separated with no hope because there is only one way back to God: a perfect, sinless blood sacrifice. The book of Hebrews clearly states that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). So, what to do?

In the words of the great Apostle Paul, we cry out, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our LORD!” (Romans 7:24-25)

There was only one way for Jesus to deliver us: He had to take our place on the cross, which He did. Praise His holy Name! Thank You Jesus! By dying on the Cross, He purchased the only way back to God. Knowing that He would be the Sacrificial Lamb with way-making power, Jesus said, “I AM the Way!” Jesus is the Way, the only way to God.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Praise The Way.

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Go To The Way

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ~ John 14:6NIV

When Jesus says, ‘I Am the way,’ He’s not offering one path among many—No! It’s much, much more exclusive than that. Jesus is saying, “I AM the only Way to God.” When He declared Himself ‘the Way,’ this was no mere metaphor—it’s a radical claim that undermines and challenges every human attempt to chart their own course to God.

In a world cluttered with diverse paths of empty philosophies, deceptive practices, and misguided beliefs, Jesus stands as the singular, ‘living bridge’ between a holy God and a broken humanity.

The Greek term hodos, translated as “way,” signifies both a road and a journey. This implies that it represents not only a fixed direction but also a dynamic, personal experience, and Jesus is the path we traverse, guiding us safely to the Father.

Without Him, we’re lost wanderers, stumbling in the dark, chasing shadows of salvation that can never lead us home.

He doesn’t just show the way; He ‘is’ the Way, the only access to reconciliation with God the Father, because He alone bore the weight of our sin on the cross, clearing the roadblock of our rebellion.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Go To The Way.

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Abundant Life Pt. 7: Abundant Love

5 God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5:5

As we wrap up our “Abundant Life” journey, let’s pause to marvel at God’s love—the pulse of it all. Paul assures us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). This love isn’t a mere drip but a deluge, an overflowing fountain that floods our very souls, saturating our every step because His is a steadfast love that lasts forever, through His Holy Spirit. It’s the thread weaving through “Life More Abundantly,” where Jesus offers fullness (John 10:10), to “Help My Unbelief,” where faith falters yet holds (Mark 9:24). This love—steadfast and eternal—lifts us with grace (Abundant Grace), steadies us with peace (Abundant Peace), and fills us with joy (Abundant Joy).

But Jesus didn’t intend for this love to stop with us. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This isn’t a cozy keepsake—it’s a bold marker of who we are. Hoard it, and it fades; share it, and it blazes, showing the world Christ’s transforming power.

Take Sarah, a single mom drowning in bills and loneliness. Her neighbor, Mark, saw her weary shuffle and offered to mow her lawn—no strings attached. At first, Sarah blinked, unsure, but as the mower hummed, a weight lifted. Then came a hesitant “thank you,” a chat over lemonade, and soon, a friendship. She felt truly seen—not just noticed, but valued—and Mark found purpose. That’s Life to the Full (John 10:10): love poured out, forging connection. We can do it too—tune out distractions, listen intentionally, hear a friend’s struggle, and echo Jehovah Shammah, “the LORD is there” (Ezekiel 48:35). It’s a simple step that heals a fractured world.

Then there’s James, stewing over a friend’s betrayal. Inspired by Abundant Grace, he texted, “I forgive you—let’s move on.” Tough? Yes. But the Spirit’s love fueled it, mending their bond and healing their relationship, Ephesians 4:32 in action. We, too, can choose kindness over venom, letting Romans 5:5 spill into our daily life with words of hope.

Finally, picture Maria, grilling burgers for neighbors. Laughter erupts, stories flow—it’s a slice of Abundant Joy (Psalms 16:11). It doesn’t take much—a coffee, a prayer night—to reflect God’s steadfast love. So pray boldly, “LORD, show me one person to love today.”

This abundant life isn’t just ours to hoard—it’s for sharing. God’s love, flooding our hearts, demands an outlet. As vessels of His grace, peace, and joy, we extend His love through Spirit-led acts, overflowing with Abundant Love to transform our world, one connection at a time.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your steadfast love. We love, because Your Son Jesus first loved us. Help me share Your love so that others can be ministered to. Healing comes through Your love, Your steadfast love. Let every soul say, “The steadfast love of God is forever.” In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Abundant Life Pt. 6: Abundant Joy

11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. ~ John 15:11

The context of this passage is crucial. Jesus was nearing the end of His earthly ministry, fully aware of the trials, suffering, and crucifixion awaiting Him and, in time, His disciples. Yet, He chose to emphasize Abundant Joy over despair—not just any joy, but a powerful, deep-seated force that laughs in the face of danger and smirks in the presence of anguish. Far from a temporary, fleeting emotion, this Abundant Joy is a profound, abiding state flowing from Him, inviting us into a rich, deeply fulfilling relationship untouched by circumstances. It offers comfort that transcends every challenge and affliction, an Abundant Joy independent of favorable conditions, rooted solely in His unshakable presence.

To live in this Abundant Joy means anchoring ourselves in the truth of who Jesus is and what He accomplished for us on the cross. When we embrace Christ’s Abundant Joy, we know it is rooted in the eternal rather than the temporal, and so we eagerly anticipate His return when He will gather His jewels—an event the Early Church called ‘The Blessed Hope.’ As we Christians comfort one another with this truth, Abundant Joy radiates from every fiber of our being, fueled by the promise of seeing our Savior and dwelling with Him forever. This understanding reshapes our perception of Abundant Joy, solidifying it with the knowledge that even in our darkest moments, God is working for our good. Indeed, the Abundant Joy of the LORD is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10), empowering us to face challenges with unwavering faith and hope.

Just as a branch draws sustenance from the vine, we too draw Abundant Joy from our Savior. As we happily bear one another’s burdens, we also share in each other’s joys, united as a body grounded in Christ. Our circumstances may shift—struggles may emerge, pains may pierce our hearts, and trials may test our foundations—but the Abundant Joy of Jesus remains an unshakable constant.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the truth that the Joy of the LORD is my strength. Please help me to make that a reality. Help me to rise above my circumstances and immerse myself in the joy of the LORD, Your Abundant Joy. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Abundant Life Pt. 5: Abundant Peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7NIV

In today’s world, anxiety pervades every stratum of society due to financial struggles, health concerns, relationship challenges, and the heaviness of life. No one is immune; everyone faces moments of worry and doubt. Yet, Jesus promises us a peace that surpasses all understanding, woven into the Abundant Life He offers. It is deeply reassuring to know that the source of His Abundant Peace—His shalom—lies not in our surroundings but in the unshakable presence of the Blessed Savior.

Shalom peace is no ordinary calm, no simple truce—it’s a mighty, divine force of wholeness, a gift of peace so powerful it unleashes God’s mighty power that conquers chaos and renews our very being. It defies storms, overthrows despair, and mends our brokenness, filling every void within us. Anchored in God’s unwavering covenant love, it wields the authority to heal and restore us, triumphing over any and every circumstance we face. It’s a gift to us from Jesus, our LORD and Savior. This unshakable gift of Abundant Peace is a foretaste of the eternal fullness that awaits all those who believe.

This portion of Scripture reveals the key to receiving God’s peace, echoing the old hymn ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus,’ which tells us to ‘Take it to the LORD in prayer.’ The Apostle Paul encourages us to bring everything to God in prayer with a heart full of thanksgiving. It’s hard to feel anxious when you are filled with gratitude. This serves as a powerful reminder that God cares deeply about the burdens we carry. When we shift our focus from our worries to God’s faithfulness, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. There is Abundant Peace knowing that He has seated us with Him in heavenly places. This understanding reshapes our perception of Abundant Peace, solidifying it with the knowledge that even in our darkest moments, God is working for our good—the shalom peace that restores and sustains us.

Julie, a mother whose young son, Isaac, had been battling a rare form of cancer, was devastated when doctors informed her that there was nothing more they could do. Isaac’s condition had deteriorated rapidly, and Julie faced the crushing reality that she was about to lose her son. Amid endless hospital visits, treatments, and sleepless nights, Julie’s heart was heavy with fear, anxiety, and helplessness. On one particularly difficult day, after receiving the news that Isaac’s time was running out, Julie felt overwhelmed by grief and despair. In the quiet of that hospital room, she didn’t have the words to pray, but she cried out to God from her heart, asking for His peace. As she whispered, ‘God, I can’t do this without You,’ a calm, overwhelming peace filled her spirit. It wasn’t the peace that changed the circumstances, but the peace that steadied her heart, knowing Jesus was with her. A few days later, Isaac passed away, but Julie continued to experience the peace of God, knowing that Jesus was by her side in her darkest moments, holding her heart together when everything else felt like it was falling apart.

Let me encourage you today to examine your own heart. Are there areas where you’re struggling to trust God? I invite you to bring those worries before Him in prayer today, keeping in mind that Jesus has promised us the Abundant Life, which includes His surpassing peace—His shalom. He purchased it for us, and now He offers it to us unconditionally. Isaiah wrote, ‘The chastisement that brought us peace was upon Him’ (Isaiah 53:5, NIV). And before Jesus was taken up, He said, “My peace I give you, My peace I leave with you” (John 14:27 NIV), giving us the peace that He purchased for us.

Now give thanks and receive the peace that Jesus offers. Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus, who endured the punishment that brought me peace. Help me to be thankful and grateful, knowing that You hold all things together with the word of Your power, and that You worketh everything to my good. I receive Your peace right now in the midst of my storm, hold me as I learn to trust You and depend upon You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Abundant Life Pt. 4: Abundant Grace

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. ~ Titus 2:11-12NIV

In a world where we often feel weighed down by our shortcomings, failures, and struggles, God offers us something extraordinary: His Abundant Grace. This grace isn’t earned or deserved—it’s freely given, a lavish gift flowing from His heart of love. The Apostle Paul captures this beautifully in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where God declares, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” What a promise! When we’re at our lowest, when our strength fails and our weaknesses loom large, His Abundant Grace steps in—not just to patch us up, but to empower us, transforming our frailties into a canvas for His strength.

This Abundant Grace meets us in our deepest need, offering forgiveness where we’ve fallen short and mercy where we’ve strayed. It’s the grace that lifts us from the mire of guilt and shame, assuring us that we are seen, known, and loved by a Savior who bore our burdens on the Cross. Through this Abundant Grace, we experience the Abundant Life Jesus promised—a life not defined by our perfection but by His provision. Paul himself embraced this truth, boasting gladly in his weaknesses so that Christ’s power could shine through (2 Corinthians 12:9). And so can we. When we surrender our inadequacies to Him, His Abundant Grace becomes our sufficiency, turning our brokenness into a testimony of His mercy.

Let’s pause and reflect: Are there places in your life where you feel weak or unworthy? Bring them before God today. His Abundant Grace is more than enough, and it’s freely given, endlessly sufficient, and powerfully transformative. It’s the heartbeat of the Abundant Life, where forgiveness washes us clean, mercy restores our souls, and His strength carries us forward. Receive it with open hands, and let it lead you into the fullness of His love.

Heavenly Father, I surrender all to You. All of my cares, my worries, and all of my concerns. I confess all of my shortcomings and all of my mistakes. Please forgive my straying, help me to live a life worthy of Your Abundant Grace that You have lavished on me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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