Faith That Moves Mountains

"I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'Go, fall into the sea.' And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, God will do it for you" 

-- Mark 11:23 / New Century Version

Because we live in a demanding world, all of us have mountains to climb and mountains to move.  Moving those mountains requires faith.  Are you a mountain mover whose faith is evident for all to see?  Hopefully so. God needs more men and women who are willing to move mountains for His glory and for His kingdom.

God walks with you, ready and willing to strengthen you. Accept His strength today.  And remember, Jesus taught His disciples that if they had faith, they could move mountains. You can too, so with no further ado, let the mountain-moving begin!

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"Faith is a strong power, mastering any difficulty in the strength of the Lord who made Heaven and earth"  -- Corrie ten Boom

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Lord, we want a faith that moves mountains.  You are big God with big plans for this world and for us.  Help us to dream big and be ready for a mountain moving day.

To God Be the Glory

"Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble"

 -- 1 Peter 5:5 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

As Christians, we have a profound reason  to be humble.  We have been refashioned and saved by Jesus Christ, and that salvation came not because of our own good works but because of God's grace.  Thus, we are not "self-made"; we are "God-made" and "Christ-saved."  How, then, can we be boastful?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "It is very easy to overestimate the importance of our own achievements in comparison with what we owe others."  In other words, reality breeds humility. So, instead of putting out your chest and saying, "Look at me!", give credit where credit is due, starting with God. And, rest assured: There is no such thing as a self-made man. All of us are made by God . . . and He deserves the glory, not us.

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"The one true way of dying to self is the way of patience, meekness, humility, and resignation to God" -- Andre Murray

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Lord, it is the nature of mankind to be prideful, and we are no exception. When we are boastful, keep us mindful that all our gifts come from You. Let us grow beyond our need for earthly praise, God, and let us look only to You for approval.

Finding Hope

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"

-- John 16:33 / New King James Version

There are few sadder sights on earth than the night of a person who has lost all hope. In difficult times, hopecan be elusive, but Christians need never lose it. After all, God is good.  His love endures ; He has promised His children the gift of eternal life.

If you find yourself falling into the spiritual traps of worry and discouragement, consider the words of Jesus.  It was Christ who promised, "In the word you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  This world is indeed a place of trials and tribulations, but as believers, we are secure. God has promised us peace, joy and eternal life.

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"God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope" -- Catherine Marshall

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Lord, let our hopes always reside in You.  If we become discouraged, let us turn to You. If we grown tired, let us find strength in You. You are our Father, and we will place our faith, our trust, and our hopes in You.

A Sacrificial Love

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"  -- John 10:11 / New American Standard Bible

How much does Christ love us? More than we, as mere mortals, can comprehend.  His love is perfect and steadfast.  Even though we are imperfect and stubborn, the Shepherd cares for us still.  Even though we have fallen far short of the Father's commandments, Christ loves us with a power and a depth  that is beyond our understanding. The sacrifice that Jesus made upon the cross was made for each of us, and His love endures for eternity.

Christ's love changes everything. When you accept His gift of grace, you are transformed, not only for today, but also for eternity.  If you have not already done so, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.  He is waiting patiently for you to invite Him into your heart.  Please don't make Him wait a single minute longer.

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"Sacrificial love, is love that is willing to go to any lengths to provide for the well-being of  the beloved" -- Ed Young

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Lord, we are humbled by Your love and mercy. You went to Calvary so that we might have eternal life. Thank You, Jesus, for your priceless gift, and for Your love. You loved us first, Lord, and we will return Your love today and forever.

Taking Up The Cross

Then He said to them all, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me"   -- Luke 9:23 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

When we have been saved by Christ, we can, if we choose, become passive Christians. We can sit back, secure in our own salvation, and let other believers spread the healing message of Jesus. But to do so is wrong. Instead, we are commanded to become disciples of the One who has saved us, and to do otherwise is a sin of omission with terrible consequences.

When Jesus addressed His disciples, He warned them that each one must, take up their cross daily and follow Him. His message was very clear. In order to follow Him, His disciples had to deny themselves and trust Him completely. Nothing has changed since then.

Do you seek to fulfill God's purpose for your own life? If so, then follow Christ. Follow Him by picking up His cross today and every day that you live. Then, you will quickly discover that Christ's love has the power to change everything, including you!

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Help us, O Lord, to understand what cross we are to bear this day. Give us the strength and the courage to carry that cross along the path of Your choosing so that we may be a worthy disciple of Your Son.

Abundant Peace

"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"  -- Philippians 4:7 / New King James Version

if you are a thoughtful believer, you will open yourself to the spiritual abundance that your Savior offers by following Him completely and without reservation.  When you do, you will receive the love, the peace, and the joy that He has promised.

Do you sincerely seek the riches  that our Savior offers to those who give themselves to Him? Then follow Him. When you do, you will receive the love and the abundance that He has promised. Seek first the salvation that is available  through a personal, passionate relationship with Christ, and  then claim the joy, the peace, and the spiritual abundance that the Shepherd offers His sheep.

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"God's riches are beyond anything we could ask or even dare to imagine!  If my life gets gooey and stale, I have no excuse"  -- Barbara Johnson

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Lord, You have promised an abundant life through Your Son Jesus.  Thank You, Lord, for Your abundance and Your peace.  Your blessings endure forever, and we will praise You today, tomorrow and throughout eternity.

In Times of Adversity

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith"  -- 1 John 5:4 / New King James Version

All of us face times of adversity.  On occasion, we all must endure the disappointments and tragedies that befall believers and nonbelievers alike.  The reassuring words of 1 John 5:4 remind us that when we accept God's grace, we overcome the passing hardships of this world by relying upon His strength, His love, and His promise of eternal life.

When we face the inevitable difficulties of life here on earth, God stands ready to protect us.  Our responsibility, of course, is to ask Him for protection. When we call upon Him in heartfelt prayer, He will answer - in His own time and according to His own plan.  And while we are waiting for God's plans to unfold and for His healing touch to restore us, we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Creator can overcome any obstacle, even if we cannot.  Let us take God at His word, and let us trust Him!

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Lord, when we are troubled, You are there to help us.  When we are afraid, You protect us. When we are discouraged, You lift us up.  In times of adversity, let us trust Your plan and Your will for our lives.  And whatever our circumstances are, Lord, let us always give the thanks and glory to You. 

The Power of Words

"The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foul hastens destruction"  -- Proverbs 10:14  / Holman Christian Standard Bible

All too often, in the rush to have ourselves heard, we speak first and think next ... with unfortunate results.  God's Word reminds us that, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Proverbs 12:18). If we seek to be a source of encouragement to friends and family, then we must measure our words carefully.  Words are important:  they can hurt or heal.  Words can uplift us or discourage us, and reckless words, spoken in haste, cannot be erased.

Today, measure your words carefully.  Use words of kindness and praise, not words of anger or derision. Remember that you have the power to heal others or to injure them, to lift others up or to hold them back.  When you lift them up, your wisdom will bring healing and comfort to a world that needs both.

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"Attitude and the spirit in which we communicate are as important as the words we say"  -- Charles Stanley

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Lord, You have commanded us to choose our words carefully so that we might be a source of encouragement and hope to all whom we meet.  Let the words that we speak today be worthy of the One who has saved us forever.

Protected

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord"  -- Psalm 31:24 / New King James Version

Being a godly person in this difficult world is no easy task.  Ours is a time of uncertainty and danger, a time when even the most courageous have legitimate cause for concern. But as believers, we can live courageously, knowing that we have been saved by a loving Father and His only begotten Son.

Are you anxious? Take those anxieties to God.  Are you troubled? Take your troubles to Him. Seek protection from the One who cannot be moved. And then live courageously, knowing that even in these troubled times, God is always as near as your next breath - and you are always protected.

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"Faith is stronger than fear"  -- John Maxwell

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Lord, fill us with your Spirit and help us face our challenges with courage and determination.  Keep us mindful, Father, that You are with us always - and with You by our side, we have nothing to fear.

The Power of Perseverance

"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"  -- Philippians 3:13-14 / New American Standard Bible

A well-lived life calls for preparation, determination, and, of course, lots of perseverance.  As an example of perfect perseverance, we Christians need look no further than our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus finished what He began. Despite His suffering, despite the shame of the cross, Jesus was steadfast in His faithfulness to God.  We, too, must remain faithful, especially during times of hardship.  Sometimes, God may answer our prayers with silence; and when He does, we must patiently persevere. 

Are you facing a tough situation? If so, remember this:  whatever your problem, God can handle it.  Your job is to keep persevering until He does.

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Lord, when life is difficult, we are tempted to abandon hope in the future.  But You are our God, and we can draw strength from You.  Let us trust You, Father, in good times and in bad times. Let us persevere - even if our souls are troubled - and let us follow Your Son Jesus Christ this day and forever.

Beyond Guilt

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"

-- Romans 8:1 / New King James Version

All of us have sinned.  Sometimes our sins result from our own stubborn rebellion against God's commandments.  And sometimes, we are swept up in events that are beyond our abilities to control.  Under either set of circumstances, we may experience intense feelings of guilt.  But God has an answer for the guilt that we feel.  That answer, of course, is His forgiveness.  When we confess our wrongdoings and repent from them, we are forgiven by the One who created us.

Are you troubled by feelings of guilt or regret?  If so, you must repent from your misdeeds, and you must ask your Heavenly Father for His forgiveness.  When you do so, He will forgive you completely and without reservation.  Then, you must forgive yourself just as God has forgiven you:  thoroughly and unconditionally.

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Lord, thank You for the guilt that we feel when we disobey You. Help us confess our wrongdoings, help us accept Your forgiveness, and help us renew our passion to serve You. 

Growing in Christ

"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things"

-- 1 Corinthians 13:11 / New King James Version

The journey toward spiritual maturity lasts a lifetime.  We can and should continue to grow in the love and the knowledge of our Savior as long as we live.  Norman Vincent Peale had the following advice for believers of all ages:  "Ask the God who made you to keep remaking you." That advice, of course, is perfectly sound, but often ignored.

When we cease to grow, either emotionally or spiritually, we do ourselves a profound disservice.  But, if we study God's Word, if we obey His commandments, and if we live in the center of His will, we will not be '"stagnant" believers, we will, instead, be growing Christians . . . and that's exactly what God wants for our lives

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"Every great company, every great brand, and every great career has been built in exactly the same way: bit by bit, step by step, little by little"

-- John Maxwell

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Lord, we know that we still have so many things to learn.  We won't stop learning. We won't give up, and we won't stop growing.  Every day, we will do our best to become a little bit more like the person You intended for us to be.

What Doesn't Change

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever"  -- Hebrews 13:8 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Our world is in a state of constant change.  God is not. At times, the world seems to be trembling beneath our feet.  But we can be comforted in the knowledge that our Heavenly Father is the rock that cannot be shaken. His Word promises: "I am the Lord. I do not change"  (Malachi 3:6/NKJV).

Every day that we live, we mortals encounter a multitude of changes - some good, some not so good, some downright disheartening.  On those occasions when we must endure life-changing personal losses that leave us breathless, there is a place we can turn for comfort and assurance.  We can turn to God.  When we do, our loving Heavenly Father stands ready to protect us, to comfort us, to guide us and in time, to heal us.

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"In a world kept chaotic by change, you will eventually discover, as I have, that this is one of the most precious qualities of the God we are looking for:  He doesn't change"  -- Bill Hybels

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Lord, our world changes, but You are unchanging.  When we face  challenges that leave us discouraged or fearful, we will turn to You for strength and assurance.  Let our trust in You - like Your love for us - be unchanging and everlasting.

Commissioned to Witness

"Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age" -- Matthew 28:19-20 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

After His resurrection, Jesus addressed His disciples.  As recorded in the 28th chapter of Matthew, Christ instructed His followers to share His message with the world.  This "Great Commission" applies to Christians of every generation, including our own.

As believers, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus with our families, with our neighbors, and with the world.  Christ commanded His disciples to become fishers of men.  We must do likewise, and we must start today.  As tomorrow may indeed be too late.

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"Witnessing is not something that we do for the Lord; it is something that He does through us if we are filled with the Holy Spirit" -- Warren Wiersbe

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Lord, every man and woman, every boy and girl is Your child.  You desire that all Your children know Jesus is their Lord and Savior. Father, let us be part of Your Great Commission.  Let us give, let us pray and let us go into this world so that we might be a fisher of men . . . for You.

God is Love

"We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him" 

-- 1 John 4:16 / New American Standard Bible

The Bible makes this promise:  God is love.  It is a sweeping statement, a profoundly important description of what God is and how He works.  His love is perfect.  When we open our hearts to His perfect love, we are touched by the Creator's hand, and we are transformed.  Today, even if you can only carve out a few quiet moments, offer a sincere prayer of thanksgiving to your Creator.  He loves you now and throughout eternity. Open your heart to His presence and His love.

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"Even when we cannot see the why and wherefore of God's dealings, we known that there is love in and behind them, so we can rejoice always"

-- J. I. Packer

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Lord, even when it seems to us that You are far away.  You never leave our side.  Today and every day, we will strive to feel Your presence, and we will strive to sense Your love for us.

An Attitude of Gratitude

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts . . . and be ye thankful"  -- Colossians 3:15 / King James Version

For most of us, life is busy and complicated.  We have countless responsibilities, some of which begin before sunrise and many of which end long after sunset.  Amid the rush and crush of the daily grind, it is easy to lose sight of God and His blessings. But, when we forget to slow down and say, "Thank You" to our Maker, we rob ourselves of His presence, His peace and His joy.

Our task, is to praise God many times each day.  Then, with gratitude in our hearts, we can face our daily duties with the perspective and power that only He can provide.

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Lord, You have given us much; when we think of Your grace and goodness, we are humbled and thankful.  Today, we will praise You with our words and our deeds . . . and may all the glory be Yours.

A Fresh Opportunity

"Therefore we were buried with him by baptism and into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life"  -- Romans 6:4 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

God's Word is clear: When we genuinely invite Him to reign over our hearts, and when we accept His transforming love, we are forever changed. When we welcome Christ into our hearts, an old life ends and a new way of living, along with a completely new way of viewing the world, begins.

Each morning offers a fresh opportunity to invite Christ, yet once again, to rule over our hearts and our days. Each morning presents yet another opportunity to take up His cross and follow in His footsteps.  Today, let us rejoice in the new life that is ours through Christ, and let us follow Him, step by step, on the path that He first walked.

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"When I met Christ, I felt that I had swallowed sunshine" -- E. Stanley Jones

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Lord, renew in us the passion to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Make the experience of our conversion real and fresh so that we might be an effective witness for You.

A Light for the Path

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"  -- Psalm 119:105 / New King James Version

Are you a person who trusts God's Word without reservation? Hopefully so, because the Bible is unlike any other book.  It is a guidebook for life here on earth and for life eternal.  The Psalmist describes God's Word as "a light to my path."  Is the Bible your lamp?  If not, you are depriving yourself of a priceless gift from the Creator.

Vance Havner observed, "It takes calm, thoughtful, prayerful meditation on the Word to extract its deepest nourishment." How true.  God's Word can be a roadmap to a place of righteous and abundance.  Make it your roadmap.  God's wisdom can be a light to guide your steps.  Claim it as your light today, tomorrow and every day of your life.  And then walk confidently in the footsteps of God's only begotten Son.

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"The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation"  -- D. L. Moody

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Lord, Your Word is a light unto the world. We will study it, trust it, and share it.  In all that we do, help us be a worthy witness for You as we share the Good News of Your perfect Son and Your perfect Word.

His Strength is Sufficient

"New glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope"

-- Ephesians 3:20 / New Living Translation

Have you really tapped in to God's power? Have you turned your life and your heart over to Him, or are you still trying to do everything by yourself?  I used to be like that - never thinking that there was another way that could be better for my life than whatever I wanted to do.  But it is better with the Lord on your side. The answer to these questions will determine the quality of your day and the direction of your life.

The Bible promises that you can do great things when you avail yourself at God's power. But how can you tap in?  By allowing the Creator to work in you and  through you and by placing Him squarely at the center of your heart, that's how!  That's what I did (8) eight years - I put my whole trust in Him and He changed me for the better.  When you accept God's love and experience His power, when you trust Him to manage His world and yours, you will discover that He offers the strength to live victoriously today, tomorrow and forever.  So don't delay.  Accept His strength now.

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"If God wants us on stony paths. He provides strong shoes"  -- Corrie ten Boom

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Lord, You have promised never to leave us or forsake us.  You are always with us, protecting us and encouraging us.  Whatever this day may bring, we thank You for Your love and for Your strength.  Let us lean upon You, this day and all the days to come.

Extreme Changes

Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead"  -- Luke 9:25 / Message Translation

Jesus made an extreme sacrifice for you.  Are you willing to make extreme changes in your life for Him?  Can you honestly say that you are passionate about your faith and that you are really following Jesus?  Hopefully so.  But if you are preoccupied with other things, or if you are strictly a one-day-a-week Christian, then you are in need of an extreme spiritual makeover!

Nothing is more important than your wholehearted commitment to your Creator and to His only begotten Son.  Your faith must never be an afterthought; it must be your ultimate priority, your ultimate possession, and your ultimate passion.  You are the recipient of Christ's love.  Accept it enthusiastically and share it passionately.  Jesus deserves your extreme enthusiasm, the world deserves it, and you deserve the experience of sharing it.

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"Jesus Christ is not a security from storms. He is perfect security in storms"  -- Kathy Troccoli

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Lord, You sent Jesus to save the world and to save us.  We thank You for Jesus, and we will do our best to follow Him, today and everyday

Finding Encouragement

"Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous?  Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go"

-- Joshua 1:9 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

God offers us the strength to meet our challenges and He offers us hope for the future.  One way that He shares His message of hope is through the words of encouraging friends and family members.  Hope, like other human emotions, is contagious.  If we associate with hope-filled, enthusiastic people, their enthusiasm will have a tendency to lift our spirits. But if we find ourselves spending too much time in the company of naysayers, pessimists, or cynics, our thoughts - like the naysayers - will tend to be negative.

Are you a hopeful, optimistic Christian?  And do you associate with like-minded people? If so, then you are both wise and blessed.

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"The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement.  I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, "O God, forgive me," or "Help me."  -- Billy Graham

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Lord, when we are discouraged, we will turn to You, and we will  also turn to our Christian friends.  We thank You, for friends and family members who are willing to encourage us.  We will acknowledge their encouragement and we will share in it.

Thy Will Be Done

"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" -- Luke 22:42 / New King James Version

If you really think about things, we have limited understanding and we can never fully comprehend the will of God.  But as believers in a benevolent God, we must always trust the will of our Heavenly Father.  Before His crucifixion, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and poured out His heart to God. Jesus knew of the agony that He was destined to endure, but He also knew that God's will must be done.  We, like our Savior, face trials that bring fear and trembling to the very depths of our souls, but like Christ, we, too must ultimately seek God's will, not our own.  When we entrust our lives to Him completely and without reservation, He gives us the strength to meet any challenge, the courage to face any trial, and the wisdom to live in His righteousness.

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"Wherever you are, be all there.  Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God"  -- Jim Elliot

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Lord, You are the Creator of the universe and we know that Your plan for our life is grander than we can imagine.  Let Your purposes be our purposes, and let us trust in the assurance of Your promises.