Scripture Reading: Isaiah 56:1-12, Isaiah 57:1-21, Psalm 103:1-13
Part of our liturgy in our weekly worship service is confession of our sin to one another. As a congregation—as brothers and sisters knit together by our sin, suffering, hope, and dependence on Jesus—we confess our sins together. We lament the brokenness of the world and the way sin has intersected with our relationships, our motivations, and creation. Then, the liturgist leading the morning’s confession will speak over all of us an assurance of our pardon, reminding us using the words of Scripture that Christ accomplished everything we need for full forgiveness and acceptance. We often use the words of Psalm 103:8–12, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. He will not always accuse us or be angry forever. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” It’s our weekly proclamation of the gospel.
Reading Isaiah 56–57 reminds me of this practice. We are people incapable of following the law, and we are desperately dependent on the High and Exalted One (Isaiah 57:15) to save us and guarantee our salvation and forever with Him.
These two chapters of Isaiah bring to mind the Ten Commandments, with many reminders of the original laws woven into this proclamation from the Lord: “who keeps the Sabbath” (Isaiah 56:2), “[who] love the name of the LORD” (v.6), those who are “offspring of liars” (Isaiah 57:4), “who burn with lust…[and] slaughter children” (v.5), who “poured out a drink offering” to others (v.6). These chapters read like an accusation, the charged confession of all the ways the Israelites have strayed away from the Lord’s commands.
And yet, Isaiah 57 does not conclude with a final punishment or a just verdict. Rather, the Lord says, “For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: ‘I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed. For I will not accuse you forever, and I will not always be angry’” (vv.15–16).
The “High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy” is Jesus. And Jesus is the one who will lead and restore comfort to us (v.18), the ones who suffer and mourn because of our indwelling sin. And during Lent this year, as we look toward Easter we must remember how deep our disobedience is and how perfect Christ’s love and payment is. This is the reminder of Isaiah’s words in these chapters, and it is the greatest gift we have.
Written by Melanie Rainer
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107 thoughts on "Healing and Peace"
Just listened to the podcast on these verses and brought to tears. As a single woman who fears sometimes that without children I won’t have the same legacy as my friends, this was so peace giving and uplifting to affirm all God is doing through me.
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“I will not always accuse you…” Such a good reminder that HE truly is my ABBA! And He will always forgive and have compassion!
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“The Lord God who gathers all the outcasts of Israel, declares, ‘I will gather yet others to him besides those are already gathered.’” (Isaiah 56:8) I pray today that I may be part of that gathering of outcasts and others, that I may not fear the different or unknown.
First I want to say thank you so much for your prayers this weekend. We celebrated Tanner with his favorite cupcakes.
He has not dealt with our sins as we deserve. Doesn’t that just make you want to try harder?? We have a gracious God that loves us beyond words. What a blessing.
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Hi She’s ! What wonderful verses today. I’m asking for prayer for myself today for peace and healing. Long story short I’m worried my careless words may have hurt a dear friend and I’m sick over it. She says everything is ok but I’m beating myself up for it, and , my anxiety and self condemnation is acting up in a very real way. Thank you for praying.
Hey, Victoria! Sweet sister, praying for restoration in this friendship Give healing time and in the meantime trust your friend’s forgiveness. Hugs, little sis; I’ve been there, too. ☺❤
Thank you Cee Gee! Just a few hours after I typed that my friend called me for dinner! So thankful for God restoring our friendship.
I am about halfway through this week’s podcast… they are talking about how no one wants to become a eunuch, and how that is something that is done TO them. Makes me feel even more strongly about the craziness of the whole transgender thing. (I find it even difficult to think we have to be having such a conversation, you know?)
I pray that I would live my life to please God and not try to please all the people of this world. ❤️
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“The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart, and merciful men are taken away, and none considering the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil” (Isaiah 57:1). This verse really jumped out to me today, and stirred up many emotions in my heart about the loss of saints. We had a loss of an elder church member to cancer last week. I don’t do well with these things. Perhaps you too, like me, have wondered why godly Christians didn’t make it. Why is it? Sometimes we grieve and grieve, though we know that “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints”. The comfort of God comes to my soul today. Isaiah 57:1, no one understands, none consider that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Wow Lord, thank you! From the Morning and Evening devotional book I just got from C.H. Spurgeon (what a chance of combination I stumbled on for today): “whoever listens to me will live in safely and be at ease, without fear of harm”- Proverbs 1:33. If God cannot save His people UNDER Heaven, He will save them IN Heaven. If the world becomes too hot to hold them, then Heaven shall be the place of their safety. Let no agitation distress you, but be quiet from fear of evil. Be confident then, when you hear of wars, and rumors of wars. Secure yourself upon His promise, rest in His faithfulness, and bid defiance to the darkest future, for there is nothing direful in it for you. Your sole concern should be to show forth to the world the blessedness of hearkening to the voice of wisdom. Wow thank you Mr. Spurgeon for such a revelation. Thank you Lord for the blessedness of wisdom, for the renewing of our mind each day. In Him we are victorious. Lifting you up in prayers dear sisters. May the Love and the strength of God be with you throughout the week and your daily tasks. May you be led forth in joy, healing where you ache, and great peace.
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I loved reading this comment ! It brought to my mind things I had not thought of in regards to such things. I just read last night Rom 12:2 and “be transformed to the renewing of your mind, not conformed to this world” God is so good to us even when we don’t understand! Thank you for posting this!
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Thank you so much for sharing this !
Praise God for who He is! Praise Him for His grace, love, and holiness!
Good morning from Texas! So grateful for a quiet morning with my grandparents to open my Bible and join you all here. Isaiah 57:15-16 stood out to me and loved reading Psalm 103! Thank you ladies for the song suggestions today. Lifting up the prayer requests <3 happy Monday!
Hey,Taylor! ❤
Melanie said,”… we must remember how deep our disobedience is and how perfect Christ’s love and payment is. This is the reminder of Isaiah’s words in these chapters, and it is the greatest gift we have.”
Sobering, but encouraging read!
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The children’s song, Deep and Wide came to mind as I read this morning and then, just as I started typing, I thought of the Getty’s version of
“How Deep the Father’s Love”:
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.
Stuart Townend Copyright © 1995
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Love, hugs, and prayers, sisters! ❤
I looked and looked and couldn’t find The Gettys version
(did I imagine that?!), but Philips, Craig, and Dean have a beautiful arrangement. ☺
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What a good and timely reminder that God’s love is never ending and everlasting. That Jesus paid the ultimate cost for my deeply rooted disobedience. Help me to walk in that truth and live in your forgiveness.
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Reading these scriptures today just started the tears flowing! God’s great love for us! He sent Jesus to redeem us, He removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west! Jesus had His worst day and yet He still forgave the people who crucified Him and the thief on the cross, He made sure His mom was cared for and the He said it is finished! Our debt paid! What love He has for us!
Praying for all! Keep sharing! Your insights encourage! Keep asking for prayer, that’s why we are here! Have a blessed day!
Hello Shes
I encourage you GREATLY to orient yourself to the week 6 scripture reading by listening to the SRT podcast featuring guest host, Kristi McLeland!!
It buzzes with so much beauty, goodness & truth …
God’s transcendence, eminence, inclusion, momentum, covenant …
available to ALL people!
Particularly powerful is their discussion of how Isaiah Chapter 56 aligns with Acts Chapter 8.
And how we each “carry stories” of omission & commission known only to God … calling us, as Melanie Rainer writes, to clarify & confess & receive restoration & redemption through the “perfect payment” of the blood of Christ.
Oh, my SRT sisters, may we go in peace to love & serve the One who is “compassionate, gracious, slow to anger & faithful in abounding love”!
As for me, I pledge my heart & hands, so help me God.
Thanks, Gwineth! I don’t do well with the podcast, but I listened to this week’s per your encouragement to do so. Such insight and knowledge shared!
It is beyond my comprehension of why the High and Exalted One – He whose name is Holy, would ever want to live with me.
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But God…because of His great love, He does.
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Praise God …
He does not accuse forever.
He will not always be angry.
He is compassionate and gracious.
He is slow to anger.
He is abounding in love.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve. Wow – this is a big one!
He does not repay us according to our iniquities.
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For God so loved the world.
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He alone can bring healing and peace to this broken world we live in.
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Heard this song by Shane & Shane for the first time this week. It’s so beautiful, give it a listen if you get a chance.
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All Sufficient Merit
[Verse 1]
All-sufficient merit shining like the sun
A fortune I inherit by no work I have done
My righteousness I forfeit at my Savior’s cross
Where all-sufficient merit did what I could not
[Verse 2]
In love, He condescended eternal now in time
A life without a blemish, the Maker made to die
The law could never save us, our lawlessness had won
Until the pure and spotless Lamb had finally come
[Chorus]
It is done, it is finished, no more dеbt I owe
Paid in full, all-sufficient merit now my own
[Verse 3]
I lay down my garmеnts, any empty boast
Good works now all corrupted by the sinful host
I’m dressed in my Lord Jesus, a crimson Robe made white
No more fear of judgment, His righteousness is mine
[Chorus]
It is done, it is finished, no more debt I owe
Paid in full, all-sufficient merit now my own (It is done)
It is done, it is finished, no more debt I owe
Paid in full, all-sufficient merit now my own
Oh, His righteousness is mine
You might also like
My Favorite Things
[Verse 4]
All-sufficient merit firm in life and death
The joy of my salvation shall be my final breath
When I stand accepted before the throne of God
I’ll gaze upon my Jesus, and thank Him for the cross
Yes, I’ll thank You for the cross
[Chorus]
It is done, it is finished, no more debt I owe
Paid in full, all-sufficient merit now my own
It is done, it is finished, no more debt I owe (Paid in full)
Paid in full, all-sufficient merit now my own
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Happy Monday She’s – have a blessed day! ❤️
Love this!
Beautiful song!
Thank you for sharing that song! It is beautiful!❤️
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What a gift healing and peace is – true healing and peace. The world sees their false help, comfort and peace in a verse like, Isa 56:12 that made me chuckle “Come, let me get some wine,let’s guzzle some beer;
and tomorrow will be like today,
only far better!” Just lose yourself in the ways of the world, caught up in the secular, hopeless mindset of do what makes you happy.
But, we also read in Isa 56 & 57 and then Psalm 103 (a beautiful passage!) that when we choose what pleases Him, bind ourselves to the Lord, love His name, worship Him we will have joy, and an everlasting name. He wants to draw near, to bless us, forgive us, redeem us, satisfy, heal and restore. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, and from everlasting to everlasting He is established and faithful. We do not have to drown in our beer – it’s chuckle worthy and silly, but true.
Ending our reading with this verse is a wonderful praise for the start of today. Indeed, praise the Lord. Thanks be to God.
‘Praise the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul.’ Psalm 103:22
I am reminded of the hymn “The Love of God”. A few versions available on Youtube by Reawken Hymns, Mercy Me and a few others. It’s worth a listen and fitting for today and this season of Lent✝️
Indeed! Amen! We do see that often…just go drink away our woes! But God..WE know a better way! Praise God! He is our ONLY comfort, hope, and truth!!
“…remember how deep our disobedience is and how perfect Christ’s love and payment is.” Love this! Psalm 103:12 “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions” Happy Monday sweeties, slept in a tad longer as Monday’s are always hard for me and I worked for 2 hours in childcare at church last night.
Hey she’s, I’d love prayer for anxiety and panic I’ve been having. It comes and goes without a specific reason and once it starts it’s hard to calm it. ❤️
Praying you can sense God’s presence and peace
Prayers and love sent
That would be hard, praying! I love Psalms 55:22 “CAST your cares on the Lord and He WILL sustain YOU. He will NOT let the righteous be shaken!” (emphasis mine)
We say in Jesus name- Panic and Anxiety be gone from M E and give peace today.
Prayers to overcome ❤️
Praying God’s peace on your heart M E.
May His Spirit be the calming balm for your soul. ❤️
Praying for peace
Oh, my SRT sister
The peace of the Lord, M E, the peace of the Lord.
Nothing, nothing is too difficult for Him.
There’s nowhere, no nowhere you are, or can go, where He has not already been.
2 Corinthians 10:5
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
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M E, though that verse is ‘taken out of context’, it still strengthens me to take captive my errant thoughts. Praying with our sisters here for relief from this anxiety! ❤ Hugs!
❤️ hugs and praying over you. Father give M the strength, the sling shot and the stones to aim and to slay the giant of anxiety and panic. Let her enemy be no more! May you anchor her mind and emotions to calm the storm within her. Be blessed and be in peace dear sister.
Praying ❤️
Healing and Peace! Don’t you just love that “title” before even reading today’s scripture and devo?! We are all in need of a healing! I think of the woman that had been bleeding for 12 years. She was not only suffering physically, but would have been unclean- condemned and shunned by everyone! Can you imagine suffering on your own, no money left for doctors. Desperation. But she KNEW of the Healer! And she just had to get to Him NO MATTER the stakes!! And as He passed, the crowds, but she had to reach for his garment. Healed! We have that same Healer today, to physically heal us, but even so, to HEAL us of our emotional, mental, and Spiritual! The Healer!
The Healer of relationships.
The Healer of brokenness, of hurts, of doubts.
The healer of my bad decisions, harsh words, and shallowness.
All in the name of Jesus, the touch of His garment! My action of reaching, he is there, but do I seek him, do I touch him?
He is my healer, with Mercy and Grace, and soft caring hands, he gently strokes my head, and says, You are my beloved, you are my daughter! I will care for you, and heal your battered soul.
I can’t even get started on our sins being thrown out, never to be brought up again!! We can’t fathom, WE don’t even let them go. We hold on and condemn ourselves. But he didn’t make us to tend a grave…We were made for More!! In him we are free, free indeed!! Amen!!
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❤️ powerful!
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After reading the beginning of Isaiah for so many weeks, verses like…
“He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities…”
Stand out in such a stark contrast!
How blessed we are to have Jesus! How mind boggling is it that God sent His Son to pay for the sins of people like me?
May we never forget the price that was paid so we can have communion with the Lord!
Happy Monday everyone! May this week leading up to Palm Sunday be blessed!
Yes, Amen!! So true!!
Yes, Meagen C!
The sins of people
like me!
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Praise God for His forgiveness & mercy! I’m not sure if my comment posted on our Thursday devotional, but my friend’s brother was hit by a semi and is fighting for his life in a trauma ICU unit. I know our God is a healer! Please pray for Seth if you find room in your heart and on your prayer lists to do so! Thank you!
Prayers for Seth!
Praying for Seth ❤️
Thank you!
O, Lord, plz be with Seth and his family!
Thank you Kelly!
Oh my – how tragic! Praying for Seth, and for his family.
Thank you!!
Praying for Seth and his family ❤️
Praying for Seth!
Oh, no, Susan! Praying for Seth to find the strength to fight his way back. Prayers, too, for your friend and family in the waiting. Please keep us posted! ❤
Praying for Seth and his family for wholistic healing!
Thank you!!
Praying His mighty hand of healing for Seth.
Thank you Lisa!
Will, indeed… please keep us posted. ❤️
Praying for Seth ❤️
As I was reading Isaiah 57… I was thinking of the atrocities of this world, and the people who are affronting God in these ways. Then I had the thought, “Am I guilty of that too?” My sins may not be the same as theirs, but sin is sin, right?
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Praise Him that He doesn’t leave me there, but speaks Psalm 103 over me!
The difference is Jesus, through him I am different, I have a Savior that is cleansing me and making me white as snow! I sin less and less because of His Holy Spirit. Quick to receive corrections!! Yes, Praise God!
Amen!!
We exalt You, O Holy One of Israel! Be exalted in us!
Heavenly Father. Thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for your beautiful and righteous word. Thank you for salvation and and future with You!!
Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for desiring to dwell with the contrite and lowly. ❤️
Thank You Jesus for Your life saving, life giving , mercy showing, Grace abounding Blood! Amen!
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One thing is clear, the wicked will be punished.
Blessed are those who fear Him, keep justice and do righteousness. He will revive the spirit of the humble and repentant.
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Isaiah 56:7 For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.
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Praying for my nation and all nations to come to the Lord.
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I love Psalm 103:11-12
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
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I’ll be humming Bless the LORD, Oh My Soul today – the tunes of songs from Scripture come right back to us, don’t they?
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Prayer requests for older family friend as med team works to figure out what’s going on, and for a dear friend’s family member adjusting to needed lifestyle changes.
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL- praying for Jonathan
TAMI – praying
MEAGAN C – praying
KELLY (NEO) praying for your young mama
FOSTER MAMA – praying
CEE GEE ❤️
MERCY ❤️
LYNNE FROM AL ❤️
Praying❣️
Prayers for answers and for changes in lifestyle. ❤️
Praying for your requests, Searching. ❤️
Searching, Psalms 103:11–12! Yes, Bless the Lord , Oh My Soul, thanks for the reminder of that song!
Amen to all you posted, Searching! Joining you in prayer for diagnosis needed and for those lifestyle changes. Bless you, sister, as you bless us! ❤
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Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy Name. One of my old favorites!
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“This is what the Lord says:
‘Preserve justice and do what is right,
for my salvation is coming soon,
and my righteousness will be revealed’.”
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Seems like a simple ask, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to maintain justice and do what is right?
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Well left to ourselves, no one. That is what’s so shockingly sad about our sin-filled condition.
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“BUT GOD”
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He knows and promised (and delivered) salvation and a way for His righteousness to be accomplished. Thank You, Jesus.
Only through You can it even be possible to do what the Father asks.
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MIA FAITH ❤️
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ALEIDA POLANCO – did Victor find a place? Praying for you family.
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JESSA OLSON – are you sticking with us through this study?:-)
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DONNA WOLCOTT – how’s your back pain?
Kelly, thank you for asking. The surgeon wants to go a different route then spinal fusion for now. I will get two steroid injections the day after Easter and on May 1, he will implant some electrodes on my spine. After a month I will have a remote to activate twice a day, with the goal of rebuilding the muscular support. Slow process but may delay surgery and hopefully decrease pain. I have been here each day, but behind the conversations. Praying for you all.❤️
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Amen❤️
Giving Thanks and Hallelujah praising God for Jesus! Right now, in this moment!!!
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OMG! I am so very glad I am living in these times and not the B.C(before Christ) times.. I mean.. Oouchhh!
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I do not say I am not as sinful as those in Isaiahs time, but I DO have to say, having the gift of Jesus is a game changer in our lives now!
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BUT GOD..
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He has NEVER stopped loving His people, His children. Whether they/we went rogue or against Him, He wants His best for us! Even in those days of Isaiah, God was still promising to heal, promising to lead, to help, to comfort, to bring peace..
The love of God, is unmatched.. Agape, the highest form of love, the love of God, has been since time began.. He has never faltered or changed since the beginning of time.. The same yesterday, today, tomorrow..
What a love!
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What a God!
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Forever thankful for God’s love, grace, mercy and care covered in the hope of Jesus.. I really don’t know where or who is be without Him.
Thank you Father God, for the healing and peace I have when I turn to YOU, when I look to YOU, when I am focused on YOU, when I see my life’s gift of Jesus, my Saviour, my Hope..
Thank you Father God, thank you, from this very humbled and grateful heart..
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My soul, bless the LORD,
And all that is within me, bless His Holy name…❤
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AMEN.
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Happy Monday my dears covered in much love and prayers for a God present and blessed day..❤❤❤
Amen, Tina ❤️
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Oh yes Tina, Jesus is the game changer! I so agree with you about not wanting to live in the BC time period. To live in the AD and have Christ’s gift of salvation described in the Bible is such a Blessing.
Oh, amen!
So well said Tina!
AMEN! (heart!)
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Amen! ❤️
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Amen! ❤️
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