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Praying through the Psalms

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  Have you ever thought, “Wow, it’s a good thing others can’t hear my thoughts right now!” I know I definitely have, more often than I’d care to admit. So often, throughout the day, my thoughts are not in line with what the Bible teaches us they should be. As Paul says in Romans 7:15, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” It’s a constant struggle and battle to control not only our actions but also our thoughts! By the Spirit, we may be able to hold our tongues and keep our thoughts to ourselves, but our thoughts matter to God! I am a Christian, not because I am perfect, I’m not. I am a Christian because I know I need Christ! Part of knowing my need for God is recognizing how important it is to have a living, active relationship with Him. Prayers are a vitally important part of living out your faith and being a Christian. Prayer is part of how we commune with our heavenly Father, and therefore, vital to our relat...
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When our bodies fail us

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Right now you’re struggling, but I see you. More importantly, God sees you. Turn to the Bible           “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”  Psalm 34:8 When your body has taken so much of your freedom, and you feel like you’ve lost another one, it’s easy to feel sad and disappointed. Maybe today just sucks, but you will be ok when you find your refuge in Him, in His Word.           “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 You feel like your body has betrayed you, let you down. But remember, God is good, and His plan for us is good. Right now, it may be hard to feel that, to hear the words that should bring comfort. Read them once, and then again, and again until His Words echo in your mind.           “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for ...
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"What then shall we do?"

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What then shall we do? The Bible is filled with verses that teach us how to live our lives and how to use the many blessings and gifts God gives us. Many of us don’t like to be told how to spend our money or use our time, and it can be uncomfortable to hear that we may not be living as God requires. But it is wiser to learn to use our blessings, be it talents, money, or possessions, as God tells us to. Proverbs 11:24-25 says, One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. This seems contradictory; the world will tell you to hold on to as much as possible, after all, didn’t you work hard to get what you have? God has every right to tell us what to do with ourselves and our possessions; we are His, and all good things we have are gifts He has given us. So, what does God tell us about giving? We are to give freely, generously, and even sel...
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He is risen

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  Matthew 28:6 ESV
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Starting the day with prayer

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It's easy to stumble our way through our morning routines and forget the most important thing we should be doing: prayer. God gives us every breath, every moment, every day, and we ought to start every day with this in mind. Start your day with thanksgiving to the One who made it. A prayer to start your day in the right mindset: Dear God and heavenly Father, Thank You for Your mercies new every day, and for this new morning. For the sun that brings light to wake me, and the breath in my lungs, You have given. Thank You for giving me another day to grow, to love, and to praise Your Holy Name. I see Your mercy, even in the small things, Lord. Grant me strength for what I cannot see, and for the challenges I may face this day. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may have patience for others and wisdom in making decisions. Remind me once again that Your power is made perfect in weakness, so that when I feel weak, I find my strength in You.  In Your love, please guide my steps, guard my ton...
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A poem

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How truly great is His mercy and love, That He should come down from up above, That He should choose a wretch like me, And send his Son to Calvary, To die the death that I deserve And from God's eternal wrath preserve To save my soul from the depths of hell So of His love I know I shall, Sing praise to his almighty Name And thank Him for removing my shame. Freed from His punishment and wrath So by His Spirit I follow the path That God in his great love has planned Till in His house I forever stand. Melynda Hoeksema 
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Are you prepared?

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For many, this week is "March break," and there are lots of planned activities and holidays. Many children don't have school this week, and their parents are often looking for ways to keep their children occupied. What if this year's March break looked a little different? What if we pointed our kids towards Bible study, engaging them in fun and creative activities meant to direct their thoughts to learning to live as the Bible teaches us? What greater activity is there for our children than learning how Christ lived and died for us, and how we ought to express our thankfulness to Him? With Good Friday and Easter Monday coming up, why not prepare your children by teaching them what those days are really meant to celebrate? Knowing what we do about Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, how do we prepare ourselves and our families to celebrate Good Friday and Easter Monday? The people in that time were not aware of what was to come and what it would mean for them an...
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