Careful

a WORD from God's Book

Careful
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Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together: Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion (heaven – God’s dwelling place), a stone you can't get around. But the stone is me! If you're looking for me, you'll find me on the way, not in the way.

So be careful that you don't become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.

And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don't get bossy; if you're put in charge, don't manipulate; if you're called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don't let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. Keep a smile on your face.

God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all--life healed and whole.

Romans 9:33 Luke 8:18 Galatians 6:4 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Romans 12:8 1 Peter 1:5
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Peace

Leaders don't attain greatness by giving orders, but by serving others.


Pray and partner with LIFEgroups
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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Gmail - A+ 4/28 Leads

Gmail - A+ 4/28 Leads

Leads

a WORD from God's Book
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He (God) leads the humble in what is right, teaching them his way.

"The LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good and leads you along the paths you should follow.

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.

But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume.

The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it. We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—

[ Jesus, the Light of the World ] Jesus said to the people, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

Psalm 25:9 Isaiah 48:17 John 14:17 2 Corinthians 2:14 Philippians 3:3 John 8:12
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Peace

WANTED! Messengers to deliver the good news!


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Glenn
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Treasure

a WORD from God's Book
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Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.

Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field--and to get the treasure, too!

But this precious treasure--this light and power that now shine within us--is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. [ Greek But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.] So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.

If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back.

Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

1 Timothy 6:19 Mark 10:21 Matthew 13:44 2 Corinthians 4:7 Hebrews 10:34 Luke 12:34
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Peace

The Creator hides secrets from sages, yet He can be known by children.

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Glenn
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Protect

a WORD from God's Book
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What's more, I will be with you, and I will protect you wherever you go.

May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.

He will protect his godly ones, but the wicked will perish in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone.

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, [ Or the darkest valley.] I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy.

For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Genesis 28:15 Psalm 25:21 1 Samuel 2:9 Psalm 23:4 Psalm 5:11 Psalm 91:11
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Peace

Don't let self-confidence replace your trust in God.


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Glenn
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Free

a WORD from God's Book
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[ Invitation to the LORDs Salvation ] "Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink--even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk--it's all free!

4Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. 15 Then your face will brighten in innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. 16You will forget your misery. It will all be gone like water under the bridge.

"But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.

So that's why faith is the key! God's promise is given to us as a free gift. And we are certain to receive it … if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

[ Freedom in Christ ] So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

Isaiah 55:1 Job 11:15 Malachi 4:2 Romans 4:16 Galatians 5:1 Romans 6:22
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Peace

When Jesus comes into a life, He changes everything.


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Glenn
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Begun

a WORD from God's Book
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`O Sovereign LORD, I am your servant. You have only begun to show me your greatness and power.

I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!

So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, Adam, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man, Christ.

What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it?

Deuteronomy 3:24 Isaiah 43:19 1 Corinthians 15:21 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 3:3
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Peace

To live in the past is to miss today's opportunities and tomorrow's blessings.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Wait

a WORD from God's Book
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Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

God, the one and only-- I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not?

I wait for the LORD , my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

Isaiah 64:4 Psalm 62:5 Psalm 130:5 Romans 8:25 Isaiah 30:18 Romans 8:25
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Peace

Hope, like an anchor, holds to the unseen.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Open

a WORD from God's Book
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"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.

For it was I, the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.

Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.

I am going to send you to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.

[ Jesus Heals in Response to Faith ] On the other side of the lake the crowds received Jesus with open arms because they had been waiting for him.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.

Revelation 3:20 Psalm 81:10 Proverbs 18:15 Acts 26:18 Luke 8:40 1 Peter 3:12
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Peace

Only Christ the living bread can satisfy the world's spiritual hunger.


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Glenn
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See

a WORD from God's Book
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The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

"Lord," they said, "we want to see!" Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.

And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect [ Or so that we can see in a mirror.] the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.

But this precious treasure--this light and power that now shine within us--is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. [ Greek But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.] So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

Matthew 11:5 Matthew 5:16 Matthew 20:33 2 Corinthians 3:18 2 Corinthians 4:7 Matthew 5:8
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Peace

We need to know God's truth to see through satan's lies.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Impossible

a WORD from God's Book
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"This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God's people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty?

Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!

But Jesus said, "You feed them. ""Impossible!" they protested. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?"

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible: But not with God. Everything is possible with God."

"You didn't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I assure you, even if you had faith as small as a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible."

So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him

Zechariah 8:6 Romans 11:33 Luke 9:13 Mark 10:27 Matthew 17:20 Hebrews 11:6
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Peace

Unless Christ is the center of interest, life will be out of focus.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Sick

a WORD from God's Book
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The LORD nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain and discomfort.
(Whenever we're sick and in bed, GOD becomes our nurse, nurses us back to health. Message)

The sick begged him to let them touch even the fringe of his robe, and all who touched it were healed.

News about him spread far beyond the borders of Galilee so that the sick were soon coming to be healed from as far away as Syria. And whatever their illness and pain, or if they were possessed by demons, or were epileptics, or were paralyzed--he healed them all.

Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.

Psalm 41:3 Matthew 14:36 Matthew 4:24 Luke 9:2 James 5:15 Proverbs 13:12
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Peace

Nothing is more powerful than God's love.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Care for

a WORD from God's Book
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The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn't believe his promise to care for them.

What are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?

Does your reverence for God give you no confidence? Shouldn't you believe that God will care for those who are upright?

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.

And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!

Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, Hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.

Psalm 106:24 Psalm 8:4 Job 4:6 Psalm 36:6 Matthew 6:30 Isaiah 40:11
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Peace

God loves His children not because of who they are but because of who He is.


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Glenn
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Faith in Christ

a WORD from God's Book
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But Scripture announces that the whole world is a prisoner because of sin. It does so in order that what was promised might be given to those who believe. The promise comes through faith in Jesus Christ.

God's grace has saved you because of your faith in Christ. Your salvation doesn't come from anything you do. It is God's gift.

I want to be joined to him. For me, being right with God does not come from the law. It comes because I believe in Christ. It comes from God. It is received by faith.

Through him and through faith in him we can approach God. We can come to him freely. We can come without fear.

That will continue until we all become one in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son. Then we will be grown up in the faith. We will receive everything that Christ has for us.

Through Christ, we can be sure of this because of our faith in God's power.

Galatians 3:22 Ephesians 2:8 Philippians 3:9 Ephesians 3:12 Ephesians 4:13 2 Corinthians 3:4
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Peace

Believing Christ died - - that's history; believing Christ died for me - - that's salvation.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Look to the LORD

a WORD from God's Book
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Those who look to the Lord will praise him. May their hearts be filled with new hope!

Look to the Lord and ask for His strength. Look to Him all the time.

Have joy in His holy name. Let the heart of those who look to the Lord be glad.

Now set your heart and soul to look to the Lord your God. Get ready and build the holy place of the Lord God.

Those who look to the Lord have every good thing they need.

So I will look to the Lord. I'll put my trust in God my Savior. He will hear me.

Psalm 22:26 1 Chronicles 16:11 1 Chronicles 16:10 1 Chronicles 22:19 Psalm 34:10 Micah 7:7
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Peace

The fires of life will not destroy you if you're watered by the River of Life.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Bold

a WORD from God's Book
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Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.

[ Paul’s Life for Christ ]… I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.

[ Peter Speaks Up ] That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: "Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight.

And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ.

When we trust in him, we're free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.

God doesn't want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

Proverbs 28:1 Philippians 1:20 Acts 2:14 Philippians 1:14 Ephesians 3:12 2 Timothy 1:7
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Peace

Safety is not found in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.


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Glenn
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Eternal life

a WORD from God's Book
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It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

"You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me so that I can give you this eternal life

"I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.

They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
Everyone who believes in me will have eternal life. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:36 And all who believe in God's Son have eternal life. Those who don't obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them."

For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life--that I should raise them at the last day."

Then they reported all these instructions briefly to Peter and his companions. Afterward Jesus himself sent them out from east to west with the sacred and unfailing message of salvation that gives eternal life. Amen.

John 6:63 John 5:39 40 John 5:24 John 3:15 16 36 John 6:40 Mark 16:8
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Peace

Salvation is a gift that anyone can open.


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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Accept

a WORD from God's Book
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When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is happy.

LORD, accept my grateful thanks and teach me your laws.

Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds. It is based on our faith.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him.

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true."

The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God's message and produce a huge harvest--thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted."

Proverbs 29:18 Psalm 119:108 Romans 3:27 John 1:12 Colossians 2:6 Luke 1:38 Matthew 13:23
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Peace

Every loss leaves an empty space that only GOd's presence can fill.

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Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720

Desire

a WORD from God's Book
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God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.

I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart.

You have given him his heart's desire; you have held back nothing that he requested.

LORD, we love to obey your laws; our heart's desire is to glorify your name.

Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Philippians 2:13 Ezekiel 36:26 Psalm 21:2 Isaiah 26:8 1 Corinthians 14:1 Psalm 37:4
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Peace
"God is so close, in fact, that he even hears the desires of our hearts." Vincent Ferrer


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Glenn
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Comfort

a WORD from God's Book
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As Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and his people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming Judgment, Felix felt things getting a little too close for comfort and dismissed him. "That's enough for today. I'll call you back when it's convenient."

"Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable.

We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort--we get a full measure of that, too.

So comfort and encourage each other with these words.

Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me

May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in his special favor, gave us everlasting comfort and good hope.

Acts 24:25 Luke 6:22 2 Corinthians 1:5 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Psalm 119:76 2 Thessalonians 2:16
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Peace

God does not so much comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.


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Glenn
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Delight

a WORD from God's Book
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The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and … if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.

Your words are what sustain me. They bring me great joy and are my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers. But they delight in doing everything the LORD wants; day and night they think about his law. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither, and in all they do, they prosper.

Your decrees are my treasure; they are truly my heart's delight.

Happy are those who fear the LORD. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what h commands.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Deuteronomy 30:10 Jeremiah 15:16 Psalm 1:2 (1-3) Psalm 119:111 Psalm 112:1 Psalm 37:4
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Peace

Study the Bible to be wise; believe it to be safe; practice it to be holy.

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Glenn
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Expect

a WORD from God's Book
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His disciples responded, "What do you expect us to do about it? Buy food out here in the desert?"

Zachariah said to the angel, "Do you expect me to believe this? I'm an old man and my wife is an old woman."

Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect GOD to get here soon.

Shouldn't we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life?

GOD told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!

You, GOD, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.

Mark 8:4 Luke 1:18 Psalm 31:24 2 Corinthians 3:8 Jeremiah 31:3 Psalm 119:4
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Peace

Our weakness is a blessing when we lean on God's strength.


Pray and partner with LIFEgroups
Encountering God - every day!

Glenn
PO Box 473 Los Alamitos CA 90720