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Monthly Archives: November 2013

Tell them the truth

29 Nov

1 Corinthians 3:4-6   For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

Yesterday I had a talk with someone about the some of the pastors that are so popular in our culture today. Many of them are preaching false gospels, many of them are smiling preachers that pick out what they want people to hear that will grow their wallets. We have one such preacher in our midst in Charlotte. I told him that my only prayer was that for those that come to know Christ under these ministers, that they cultivate time with God in prayer and his Word. In that time God may grant them discernment, and open the eyes and heart to the false teachings of them. Keep your eyes on the message, and not the messenger in all circumstances. I was surprised to see this as my post from one year ago today; I felt I must share it again.

Tell them the truth
2 Timothy 4:3-4   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
“Yea, I know but the truth hurts; I don’t want to embarrass them; I don’t want to hurt their feelings.” You need to tell them. Are you a true friend? True friends tell you the hard truths about yourselves; the painful things that are ignored otherwise. I sure wish at many times looking back on my life I had true friends to rescue me from painful circumstances. We so many times think we may be protecting someone by ignoring something, when in reality we are furthering the damage. These people in your life become the only ones in your life that matter, when truth is revealed.
Paul was trying to encourage Timothy to remain true to God’s Word and His Gospel. To preach the Truth at all times. Paul was so concerned that Timothy stay grounded, he emphasized this by using the word truth 11 times in his two short letters to Timothy. There were so many false teachers of that day that could lead others astray by filling their ears with what they wanted to hear. A feel good gospel; no pain all gain. Their is power in the conviction of the Holy Spirit; a power of  conviction and repentance of sin and change. The Apostle John speaks of this power; John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Our society, even our churches have become soft; lacking the spine to take a stand and tell the truth. . Their is pain and consequences in this world; there is a need of the power of the Holy Spirit to tell us these truths that hurt as when a true friend does. Everything is not as it seems; everything must be revealed; everything may hurt. When we come to know the truth through sound doctrine and the power of the Spirit; there is spiritual growth within us. Paul commanded Timothy to remain grounded; to preach the whole truth, not just selected pieces that make the listeners feel good about themselves and life. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. “You cannot grow in Christ without pain”, Dr. Michael Youssef said yesterday in his radio broadcast. Do you only tell others what you think they want to hear? If so are you their friend?

 
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Posted by on November 29, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Psalm 147 (NIV)

28 Nov

Psalm 147 (NIV)

1 Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him! 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the exiles of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. 8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. 10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. 12 Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion, 13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. 14 He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. 15 He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. 16 He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. 17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? 18 He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow. 19 He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. 20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD.

 
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Posted by on November 28, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Weighted

27 Nov

Weighted

1 Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

I have been laying in bed this morning reflecting on yesterday, and trying to figure out how to tell my story without making it too personal. A couple of my friends were sharing on FB the urgency of the Gospel. They had come to know Jesus Christ, but yet they also looked inward towards the commands of Christ to share what they now possess. They know the changed life, but are they keeping it to themselves? Even a famous atheist was quoted recently saying, ““How much do you have to HATE somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” (Penn Jillette) That is radical coming from a person who does not believe in God. Even in some twisted way, he sees the urgency of the Truth.

God laid someone square on my heart earlier this year. With many excuses, I was disobedient to what He was telling me to do. I had justified it in so many ways to keep my mouth shut for so long. A turn of events put us alone yesterday; a turn of events that could have taken many turns, but I KNEW it was God placing us together, for both of our sakes. A true test of my heart, and possibly a true test of theirs. I was obedient and laid it all out there; only God knows what is to come of the hope that I shared. What if God did not give me that timetable? What if God removed them and I took to my grave the knowledge of my disobedience that could have played a part of their eternal pain? How much did I hate them as that atheist claimed? Whoa…..

Paul was sharing the weight laid on his heart for Christ. Paul was sharing the NECESSITY that he felt for sharing the Gospel. The weight that God had placed on him for sharing with all others the weight of the sacrifice of His Son. God is saying, “Do you not see what I did for you? Do you not see what He did for you?” How can we not feel that burden to share? The great Charles Spurgeon wrote, “”Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself, be sure of that!” I humbly, agree with that statement of arguable the greatest preacher of all time. If you do not feel a great burden to share the Gospel, do you truly possess what you claim?

 
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Posted by on November 27, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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What is a Doxology?

26 Nov

What is a Doxology?

Jude 1:24-25     Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

This morning I started my quiet time out in the book of Jude. The book of Jude is only one chapter, 25 verses, and power packed in that short time. Jude was the brother of Jesus Christ, and James the apostle. At the end of this book is the closing doxology, and that was what stopped me in my tracks this morning. I had grown up with the term all my life in church; it was printed in every church bulletin; I recited it as I was supposed to, yet I had no clue of it’s meaning till today.

Doxology is a brief formula for expressing praise or glory to God. Doxologies generally contain two element, an ascription of praise to God (usually referring to in the third person) and an expression of His infinite nature. The term “doxology” (word of glory) itself is not found in the Bible, but both the Old Testament and the New Testament contain many doxological passages. Doxologies are found in many contexts, but one of their chief functions has been as a conclusion to songs, psalms, and prayers, where they possibly served as group responses to solo singing or recitation. (Holman Bible Dictionary)

We are only a few days from Thanksgiving, the day when we are told to give thanks for all that we have. Shouldn’t we truly be thankful for all that God has given us? Shouldn’t our greatest gratitude fall in praise for the gift of grace found in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ at the Cross for our sins? A doxology represents all that God is; Sovereign, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient. Everything in life, and life itself are under God’s design, Will, and control. I cannot begin to wrap this into a OneMinuteMinistry, but I pray that you will draw closer to God this Thanksgiving Week and pray for Him to open your heart and mind to the glimpses of his glory that draw your heart to thanksgiving and praise for all that he is to you and all creation.

 
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Posted by on November 26, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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What is a Fast? Huh?

25 Nov

This is a re-post from this date last year………really been on my mind.

What is a Fast? Huh?

25 Nov

What is a Fast? Huh?

Matthew 6:16-18   “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Have you ever heard of Fasting? It has not been but a few short years ago that I had not either. Since then my eyes have been opened to a way to draw closer to God. There are mixed views on Fasting in today’s religions; but I personally attest of the power of extended Fasting. A Fast is simply denying yourself the pleasure of food as a means to draw closer to God. There are daily Fasts also, but they lack the benefit of the cleansing of an extended Fast. It takes a 7-10 days for your body to purge all the preservatives that are in everything you put into your body daily. Matthew Henry said, “It is an act of self-denial, and mortification of the flesh, a holy revenge upon ourselves, and humiliation under the hand of God. The most grown Christians must hereby own, they are so far from having any thing to be proud of, that they are unworthy of their daily bread. It is a means to curb the flesh and the desires of it, and to make us more lively in religious exercises, as fulness of bread is apt to make us drowsy.” Once you get over the withdrawals, that is where you find God.

Fasting was a large part of the culture at the time of Christ. Very ritualistic, religious Fasts set on calendars as part of ceremonies. Private Fasting was done also, but many of the Pharisee’s would draw attention to themselves during these Fasts, and that was what Christ was condemning. A private Fast is just between you and God. In Matthew 6, much is spoke about the private time with God and the rewards that come of it. Matthew 6:6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Prayer is a central theme in Fasting and where you go when the hunger pains come. You will naturally draw closer to God as a result of the increase in prayer to Him. Your sensitivity to God and the things of God will become heightened; you will see many things in a different light.

We have all heard the scripture of faith and prayer that can move mountains. Prior to that scripture, Christ had just freed a child of a demon spirit that His disciples were not able to do. Christ had rebuked them for their lack of faith. Matthew 17:20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” If you have a mountain in your life, consider a Fast to draw closer to God for that ability to move that which seems immoveable.

 
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Posted by on November 25, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Wrestling

23 Nov

Wrestling

2 Corinthians 11:12-15     But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

I am mentally exhausted. Part of me wants to write about the reason why, part of me does not want to share. If this blog is truly sharing my journey with Christ, then I must share whatever road he has me going down, for on each journey I seek to point you to him. I am living proof of the power of God’s grace and mercy. I have been given a gift in both of them that at my hearts core I seek to share the hope and understanding with you that it is available to all of you. There ain’t nothing special about me; I am nothing but an ol’ country boy with a heart for God. But in that understanding, comes the understanding that my enemy knows this also.

Last night I went toe to toe with one as such described in the scriptures above. Spiritual warfare on a tangible plain that was evident to all. It provoked me in a way I have not been provoked. It was scary to say the least; it was very real. Me and one other person somewhat grasped the spiritual warfare of what was unfolding. The details of the encounter are not important, and to be honest, even seem a blur this morning. What I seek to share with you is the reality of your life as a Christian; in that reality that you have an enemy. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. When you answer that tug God has placed on your heart, repent of your sins, and make Jesus the Lord of your life, you step out into traffic in this world. You are no longer under the ruler of this world (Satan), you are a child of God forever sealed into eternal paradise. But that does not mean it will be an easy ride for your time here.

I have only experienced one other encounter such as this; it left me just as confused as this. Satan and his angels are the greatest manipulators, great deceivers, and very intelligent in their tactics. God will protect you through them, you are secure in Him. Through them you will come to see a deeper need for Him; you will come to a desire to pursue Him more in his Word and prayer. The more time you spend daily with the God in prayer and his Word, the greater your discernment becomes. The greater your discernment becomes, the less likely you are to being deceived. In this dark world in which we live, discernment is as vital for survival.

 
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Posted by on November 23, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Rubber Bands

22 Nov

Rubber Bands

2 Corinthians 1:3-4   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I am mentally exhausted….the past couple months have been a whirlwind of emotions, incredible highs and lows. I, in trying to describe what things have been like, have told others to pick an adjective and likely I have experienced it. The amazing personal thing to me, knowing my own struggles with anxiety, is that I have not experienced an anxiety attack. Now don’t get me wrong, worry has abounded, but their is a huge difference in the two; apples and oranges let’s say. I have been a Thanksgiving recipe for an attack with these strains, but yet none have come. In all of it, I have been seeking God; in all of it I have been praying, even with a few daily fasts. In all of it He has been my rock, my fortress, my comforter, my hope, my security, my enabler, my guide, my father, my God. I have been told through Godly wisdom that the reason for my missing anxiety attack is that I am in the center of God’s Will for my life; Satan can’t touch me. That is far from a prideful statement, it is a humbling example of what you can have too when you truly seek God. It is a means that I can share of the hope that lies within me; a tangible way I can articulate the power of God in my life to those that are struggling with life. It is the power of God in my life; it is the power of God when you truly seek him every, single, day; every day to remain in his Will for your life for that day. If you will do this one thing, He will do the rest. Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

There are so many in my circle of friends, family, and influence that are really hurting right now. So many of them have had great big things land in their laps this week. Some closest to me have been at their wits end with the daily demands and troubles of life. It can be great mental strains and even physical strains. Many of them are truly hurting inside, and I am so thankful that so many of them are so strong in their faith. My sermon last week was one about the trials of life and how they serve as distractions to take our eyes off Christ; we have countless examples in each of our live that we can recognize as such. But when in the middle of them, when we receive the comfort of our faith in them, we are blessed by and through them. We are able to see God in them, and witness of our faith through them, This scripture above is the witness to what God does in each of them.

 
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Posted by on November 22, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Bigger than MNF

20 Nov

Bigger than MNF

Mark 6:7-12    Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. 8 He sent them off with these instructions: “Don’t think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. 9 10 “And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. 11 “If you’re not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.” 12 Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different.(The Message)

‘They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different”; the power of the Gospel in a life transformed by the hearing of it, by the hearts response to it, by the work of Christ in and through it. Jesus was giving his disciples their marching orders; it was time to put feet on their faith and go out into the streets and share the hope that lied within them. The were to go and make disciples. They were to go and spread the hope found in the Gospel that Jesus Christ was bringing to the world that was lost in sin. Our world today is just as far as lost in depravity as the day the disciples went out; we are not in-errantly good, we are at our core evil. In the New King James version of this text, listen to the words of Christ in regard to those that will not hear the Good News. 11 And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” 12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. Most of us know that those cities were destroyed by God by reigning fire down from heaven on them as condemnation of great sins.

On my only mission trip I spent about 10 minutes with our evangelist with us. He really poured into me this urgency of the Gospel, and it was a key point I took home from our trip. How can we talk about the Panthers win for a week, and not about the Gospel for eternity? How can we talk about the weather, and not who controls it? How can we stand before God and account for all those lost opportunities that we missed, that may have been those that stood before us last opportunity? My prayer is that God would stir your heart with excitement and urgency for the Gospel. My prayer is that you seek to share your faith today with someone new. What if you did not see them tomorrow, and you and they missed that eternal opportunity?

 
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Posted by on November 20, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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The Last Chapter

19 Nov

The Last Chapter

Ephesians 1:13-14    In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Ephesians 1 leading up to this passage is packed full of the sovereignty of God with big words like predestination, adoption, dispensation, mystery, and the list could go on. In those passages is wrapped up God’s plan for humanity lost in sin, and the saving power of the Gospel of Salvation by his Son at the cross. There is so much packed into those passages, you must just simply take your time to read them. After those passages, the author Paul writes and prays for the readers to have spiritual wisdom; for God to grant the readers understanding. He knows his writings connected by the “Therefore”(vs.13) are weighty and powerful. This is not a passage in the Bible to be skimmed over; one needs God to open our minds to these truths.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth–in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

The Bible is not a book to be read to get finished and see how it ends. The book of Revelations is a book of the prophecy of the end of time, yet as a believer in Christ, all the world will suffer will not matter if you believe in Him and the rapture of the saints whom are His disciples. Slow down and read the Bible word for word. When you get perplexed, begin to truly study His Word. He will reveal the truths found in it to a heart that is ready for it. The more time you spend daily in this study and prayer, the more He reveals to you. The Holy Spirit that comes to live inside of you found in that promise of verse 13, is who opens the truths of God to you. Without Him, the Bible is just another book you speed through to get to finish and see how it ends. Without Him, you will not like the last chapter.

 
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Posted by on November 19, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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Turn from______________

18 Nov

Turn from______________

Acts 2:11   Has a nation changed its gods,which are not gods?But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. (ESV)

Israel were God’s chosen people. God had delivered them from slavery in an incredible way. God had guided them through the desert for 40 year and provided for their needs. He had taken them into a land of milk and honey, yet in all of this they fought among themselves and began to worship other gods. They were a stiff-necked people; they are the pinnacle example of the mercy of God. Their people group still exists today as the evidence of a loving God that will not break his eternal promises, a God that shows mercy when total wrath is what is deserved. They are the proof, that we are to all look inwardly at ourselves for the evidences of His mercy.

I relate to Jeremiah so much. I know in my ministry I am called to one of repentance. I had my idols, my pride, my life that was far from God. He humbled me greatly, and continues to do so in so many ways. In my testimony I have seen and feel that need for a repentant life; more than a repentant life for Salvation, but a lifestyle of repentance to pursue an abiding relationship with Christ. I and you fail daily, therefore we should repent daily. What if today were your last, and you carried those un-repented sins to the feet of Jesus? What would you say? What would He say? King David gives us the example of a humble heart seeking God’s forgiveness in Psalm 51 where he repented of his sins with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,[a]
And blameless when You judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

 
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Posted by on November 18, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

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