Tag: devotional

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A Packaged Deal

Suggested Reading – John Chapter 7

While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.”

John 7:28-29
History, Rituals, and Irony

Jesus challenges the Jewish people with this statement from verses 28-29, a statement that brings into question who they are – basically a rerun of the conversation He had with the Jews He addressed in Jerusalem, noted in chapter 5. Both conversations took place during the 7-day “Feast of Booths”, also known as the “Festival of Tabernacles”. The Festival was a celebration commemorating Israel’s journey through the wilderness. Because it was rich with history and rituals the crowd would have been large and the city crowded which means this conflict would have been all the more intense and public. Don’t miss the irony, a festival where God’s people are celebrating their ancestor’s journey through the wilderness and they’ve just been told by Jesus, the Son of God, that they don’t even know God.

The rituals of this festival reminded the people of how God had provided for Israel during their journey out of Egypt. 

Bibleref.com @ John7:2
Where in the world

The people contended that they knew where Jesus was from and that this meant He couldn’t be the Christ because no one would know where the Messiah was from, vs 27. So, He shouts out, acknowledging they knew where He was from – well, at least they knew where in this world He was from – but what they didn’t know, or who they didn’t know – was God, the One who sent Him. Basically He repeats the message He delivered to the Jews in Jerusalem just days earlier. Jesus wants them to understand that it’s the One who sent Him that they do not know. 

This is a direct criticism of Israel's spiritual state, and an extremely personal reproach. Israel's ultimate point of pride was its identity as God's chosen people. No other nation could make that claim—and here, Jesus tells God's chosen people that they do not know God! Their rejection of God (John 5:39–40) has resulted in a rejection of the One sent by God (John 6:29). Stubbornness and pride have made them resistant to the truth (John 7:17).     Bibleref.com @ John 7:28
You Can’t Have One Without the Other

I noticed three specific things in these two verses:

  1. God sent Jesus to the people
  2. Jesus always points to the Father for those who come to Him must believe in the One who sent Him, (John 5:24).
  3. Jesus speaks with humble but certain authority.
My Response
  • To live like Jesus means I cannot shrink back when others challenge or threaten what I know is truth from God
  • I should speak with humble authority-
  • I should always promote God and Christ above myself and all others
My Prayer

Father, You are the One who sent Jesus, the One who comes in Your Name and authority to save those who believe in Him and in You who sent Him! Father, I have believed – Help me and use me to share the message of the Gospel which is Your power to save. In Jesus’ Name – Amen and Amen!

Be sure and check out today’s LGG Blog Post

Love God Greatly Blog

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This is a Difficult Saying

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.

John 6:68-69 NLT

Suggested Reading: John 6:59-71

Some Context

Jesus had been teaching and talking with some Jews in the synagogue who didn’t understand His teaching that He was the “bread of life”, specifically the teaching that He was the “bread that came down from heaven.” Bread, that would allow those who ate from it to live forever (6:52-58) It turns out that the comment they make here in verse 60, about it being a difficult statement and “who can understand it”, was more than simply a ‘we don’t understand what you mean’ response. The phrase is perhaps better translated – “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” or “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” The statement indicated, according to one commentary1, that they were offended by or couldn’t tolerate the statement. It seems most of His disciples or followers were deeply offended by the teaching because they were looking for a conquering hero, not one who sacrifices His life but of great and visible victory.

The phrase "hard saying" here comes across in English with much less force than it does in Greek. The teachings of Jesus are being described here as sklēros, which means "offensive or intolerable." To these people, Jesus' words are not merely "difficult," they are "unacceptable."  BibleRef.com on John 6:60
Are You In or out?

The passage says because of the offense “many of His ‘disciples’ quit following Him.” (Please note, in this situation the word “disciples” isn’t referring to His inner circle of 12 but rather to the large crowd of followers.) This is when Jesus holds the 12 accountable – questioning them as to their intentions – and receiving a staunch declaration of allegiance from Peter on behalf of them all it would seem. “Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God!” What I love most about this statement is that Peter’s determining factor was the truth of who they believed Jesus to be.

So, Who Do You Say He Is and Why?

The only good and right application here, it seems to me, is to echo Peter’s words and allegiance to Christ – “The Holy One of God”. We mustn’t be naive though – this is no easy allegiance – but it is the best and right one! There is no one like Jesus, no one who can offer eternal life, and no other Son of God!

Prayer

Father, thank you for leading me to “Team Jesus.” Thank you for calling me and saving me from my self and the ways of the world! Thank you for Peter’s reminder that there in NO BETTER WAY, and thank you for all the ways You have shown me the TRUTH of who JESUS IS

Don’t forget to visit the LGG page for today’s blog post

1Biblereference.com @ John 6:60

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One Required Deed

 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:35 NLT
Satisfaction

Through Jesus we are made right with God. You see, God is satisfied with Christ’ death on the cross for through His one act on the cross our sins are atoned for and our debt is paid in full. Through Jesus, all who come to Him and believe in Him are also satisfied – for by the giving of His flesh and the shedding of His blood He completely satisfies the hunger and thirst of our souls, unlike the bread and fish he had given the 5000 for their physical need.

God’s One Requirement

God sending manna from Heaven day after day in the wilderness was amazing but God sending “the true bread from heaven is miraculous. The miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish was amazing but the laying down of one’s life for undeserving sinners is life altering. Which is why Jesus declares to the crowd that they are working for food that disappears when what they really need is the food that remains to eternal life, food that He Himself will provide.

Still thinking that they needed to work for or earn “the food” the crowd wants to know what is required of them. Jesus doesn’t answer with a list of requirements but simply one – “believe in the one whom God sent”.


Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.’

John 6:26-27
Eternal Security

Note the repetitious message of Jesus in these 33 verses. He makes it abundantly clear that He was the Way to Eternal Life. He wanted the people, especially the Jews who had become hostile toward Him to understand that eternal life was available to all who believe – it was so important to Him that in this one passage He uses the phrase bread of life, or a reference of it, at least 14 times … and He equates partaking of or believing in this “bread” with eternal life at least 11 times. He made it very clear that while He had satisfied their physical needs the more important truth was that He could forever satisfy their spiritual hunger and thirst.

So, what does this one requirement mean for us today? Simply, yet profoundly, It means that God has offered us (everyone who believes) security for eternity if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ – the whole Gospel package:

  • that He was with God in the beginning
  • that He is God the Son
  • that He is the bread of God sent from heaven
  • that He was sent by God the Father to give life to the world
  • specifically, that He came to bring eternal life to all who believe in Him
Prayer

Father, thank you for sending us the Bread of Life – flesh and blood – that we might have eternal life. Thank you that through Him we can know contentment knowing that our eternity is secure in Him and that we will be raised up on the last day. How great is Your love!

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Stay the Course

Read John 6:16-24

They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, 20 but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” 21 Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!

John 6:19-20
Missing Jesus

In our last reading (John 6:1-15), after feeding the 5000 Jesus had slipped away to the other side of the lake to be alone. We aren’t told what the disciples did after He left but we can surmise from the gathering that they could have been ministering or resting or tending to things that needed to be done. Whatever the case, “when evening came” they began to miss Jesus and started across the lake to be with Him. Despite the strong winds and rough sea they did not turn back but stayed the course of getting to where Jesus was.

Our passage tells us that as they rowed closer to where He was they looked and saw Him coming towards them, walking on the water. You can imagine their shock and how it would have startled them to see Him – or anyone for that matter – walking on the waters of the stormy lake. Jesus sensed their fear and spoke peace to them, assuring them it was Him and they had no need to be afraid. It is clear from the rest of the passage that just to know it was Jesus brought them peace. What a beautiful example of the calming peace of His presence.

Move Toward Jesus?

Do you ever find yourself missing Jesus? Maybe you reach the end of the day and realize you haven’t seen Him for awhile, you wonder where He has been? You’ve been busy with work or kids or both or perhaps you’ve been enjoying a much needed day of rest or dealing with some of life’s demands. Whatever the case you begin to realize you lost sight of Him at some point in the day. What now? Do you just wrap up the day and decide to get with Him tomorrow – or do you head toward Him as soon as you notice the space between you? Or maybe the scenario is a little different – maybe you’ve been pulled away from Him by cares of the world or by the desires of this life and you realize that you are no longer walking with Him. So now what? Do you stay where you are – missing Him but not wanting or knowing how to return – or do you move toward Him?

No matter which scenario is yours – move toward Jesus. Draw near to Him and, like the disciples, you will find Him drawing near to you. You may be tired from the day but move toward Him and the relief of stress and the hope and comfort that His presence brings. If the way between you is dark and the winds of the world are blowing or the waves of life are rough just keep moving toward Jesus. Listen, hear Him say – “It is I. Do not be afraid.” Let the calm of His voice and His presence flood your soul for there is no darkness or impending danger so great that it will keep Him from you.

Prayer

Father, thank You for introducing me to Your Son and for revealing Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, and the life giving peace of His presence. Keep me ever near Him – for He is my way to You. Alert me when or if I drift – so that I might always be moving with or toward Him and never away. In His name –Amen and Amen!

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The Prophet

Read John 6:1-15 and SOAP John 6:14

When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!”

John 6:14
Miraculous Sign #4

Following His conversation with the Jewish leaders about who He was and His relationship with God the Father (chapter 5), Jesus got away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Because such a large crowd, somewhere around 5000, was following Him He decided to feed them. This was only possible by a miraculous sign involving 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread that, after Jesus gave thanks, became enough to feed the crowd with 12 baskets left over.

The People Saw

The miracle couldn’t be missed. 5 loaves and 2 fishes and approximately 5000 who ate all they wanted and had left overs for 12 more. That my friends is what we call a miracle and the people were talking about it – connecting it with something they remembered from the teachings of Moses, referring to Him as the “prophet” they were expecting. Keep in mind that Jesus was doing the miracles knowing they would reveal His glory, John 2:11, so He wasn’t surprised that they were talking about who He was. However, He also knew “the time had not yet come”, so once again He quietly slipped away, alone.

Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.

Deuteronomy 18:15
They didn’t miss it – are we?

There is much to be seen in this passage – such as Jesus’ attentiveness and how He looks for ways to reach the people and is willing to meet their needs. I love seeing how He uses these opportunities to give them a glimpse of who He is. Surely we should learn from this and live and love like Him in this way. However, I also noticed how the people weren’t too busy to notice what Jesus was doing either. Sure they were following Him with the intent of seeing miracles but how easy is it to get in a crowd and especially in times of hunger or other needs become distracted and miss what is going on around us. They didn’t miss it. They were attentive to Him. Then, they talked about it – and were reminded of what was said through Moses and passed down through the Scriptures and generations. A reminder for us – that we should know the Scriptures – so that we too don’t miss the signs of what God has made known about what is to come.

Prayer

Father, You are good and You are attentive to Your children. You care about us You use need and opportunities to reveal Your glory – to show us who You are. You have given us Your Word that we might know Your Son – the image of You – and that we might know Your love and Your purpose and plan. Help us be attentive to You Father and to the signs and the wonders of the day. Guard us from distractions that would take our attention away from You and help us to not miss Him and the work You are doing around us or the signs of Your coming. – All of this for Your glory – Amen and amen!

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Thoughts and Manna for the Sabbath

The Love God Greatly Challenge

This week, our reading (from the LGG Study, Our Security for Eternity) focuses on a section in John explaining how Jesus is the Bread of Life. Read Exodus 3, 14, and 16 and notice or record the similarities you find in these chapters to our reading in John regarding how God displays control over nature, specifically water, and how He provides bread for His people.

Our Memory/Focus verse for the week is John 6:35, where Jesus refers to Himself as the bread of life. Come along with me on the journey this week and let’s explore the truth to this name of our Savior. Let’s dig deeper to see what it means and to understand how it applies to us.

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:35 NLT
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When it Becomes Personal

Suggested Reading: John 4:43-54 and SOAP: John 4:53-54

 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. 54 This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.

John 4:53-54 NLT
Miracle Worker or Jesus?

What drew you to Jesus? The official in our story today had heard about Jesus, the miracle worker. So, naturally, when he heard Jesus was back in town he went looking for him – not just to gawk at the “miracle worker” but to ask him to help his sick son. The official pleaded with Jesus to “come down and heal the boy but instead, Jesus simply told the father that the boy would live and sent him home. The father did not continue to beg and plead but chose to believe what Jesus had said and headed toward home – no doubt to see the boy for himself and confirm the miracle – which is exactly what happened. Actually, before he even saw the boy he was greeted with the news that his son was going to live and that the improvement had happened at the time Jesus had told him, “your son will live.” Because of the miracle, not only did the boy’s father believe but his servants believed. The official had heard about a miracle worker and sought him out to heal his son – but he found so much more – for he found Jesus, the Son of God.

Life-Changing

It is a life-changing moment when we see Jesus not just as a miracle worker but as the life-giving Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the real and present, intimately involved with His people, Son of God. The One who sees us and hears us and the One who gives and restores life. We must come to Him believing, but like the official in today’s account of the second miracle, we must often move forward believing without seeing … believing expecting Him to do great and wonderous things … believing and knowing He will do what is good and right and perfect according to His plan … believing and trusting and rejoicing that what is done will be for our good and His glory … believing and sharing our hope all along the way.

Prayer

Father, surely we are attracted by the wonder of who You are and what You can do- but there is nothing so special as when we know You to be a personal God full of grace and mercy, and power and love. May we not hide but share Your miraculous works

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Living Water – The Hope of Eternal Life

Suggested Reading: John 4:1-42; SOAP John 4:13-14

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14

Before and After Notes

I believe to fully appreciate and grow from verses 13 and 14 it is helpful to stop and look at some things that happened before and after Jesus’ well known words, “Everyone who drinks some of this water will never be thirsty again”.

Before
  • First, there’s the fact that Jesus, a Jew, asked the Samaritan woman for water at the well. I believe we do ourselves an injustice if we do not attend to the fact that the woman entered into conversation with Jesus (9). She could have simply given Him a drink and gone on about her business or either of them could have ignored the other altogether, instead she entered into conversation with Jesus – and so it began.
  • Second, enhancing the conversation, is the fact that the woman was versed in some of the history and truth and hope of God’s people – which was the Messiah to come – the very One who stood before her.
After
  • As their conversation continued she began to realize who she was talking with and she left her water jars and ran to tell the people in the town. (28-30) You see, when we “see” Jesus for who He really is we will share Jesus – and when we share Jesus others will see Him for who He is – and they will believe … and they will “know” for themselves that He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world (41-42).
  • While there may be many other things I haven’t noted from these 40 verses that surround our focus verses – there is one other thing did jump out at me … The woman was changed when she realized that Christ knew everything about her and yet he did not turn away from her or condemn her (29, 39). (On a personal note: This is the very thing that forever changed my relationship with Christ from one of a religious nature to an intimate one.)
In Between

Packaged neatly in between the before and the after are the words Jesus spoke to the woman in verses 13 and 14. It is here where we see that not only did she enter into conversation with Him – but He took time with her. He listened and answered and guided her to the TRUTH of who He was and what it meant for her.

Our Response

When we read or listen to the Word and engage with Him – we will hear and see the truth and be forever changed. Hopefully, in turn, we will want others to Know the TRUTH and be forgiven and set free and so we will tell others who He is and what He’s done.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word and the hope it reveals. Help us to stop, to pay attention, to enter IN – so that we might hear and see the TRUTH and be forever changed – and then Father, grace us with the courage and the passion to share the TRUTH with others – so that they too might be saved. Amen and Amen!

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The One Who Believes and the One Who Doesn’t

35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things under his authority. 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him.

John 3:35-36 NET

The Message Continues

We last looked at John 3:16-17 and how God loved the world so much that He sent His only son to die on a cross for things He didn’t do- in order to save everyone who would believe in Him. In today’s passage we see how He loves Jesus, the only begotten son and how that love spills over to everyone who believes.

  • Out of God’s love for Jesus, His only begotten Son, God places all things under Jesus’ authority. This is the great news for us as believers because it means He has the power to save, to forgive, to rule over every other spirit and authority on our behalf, and it means He is equal to God the Father and no one can pluck us from His hand – we are eternally safe (secure) when we belong to Him. We will read more about this in John chapter 10.
  • Out of His love for the world God gives eternal life to all who believe in His only begotten Son.
  • Out of His love for the Son, we also see that God’s wrath remains on all who reject Jesus, His son. God wants all men to come to Him, He wants no one to perish and He has made a way for this to happen but for those who blatantly refuse Him and His gift of salvation there is only a coming judgment which ultimately includes the lake of fire – which “…According to the Bible, the lake of fire is the “second death.” This is the ultimate consequence of sin, which is to be totally cut off from God. The lake of fire will be a place of perpetual suffering and misery. Scripture indicates that every person whose name is not in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire”1 (Revelation 20:15). 

Eternal Life Versus The Wrath of God

Eternal Life

Remember, the Bible says we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory and that the cost of sin is death, Romans 6:23. This certainly sounds like we have nothing to hope for but the good news is “God so loved the world” and sent His gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Because of that gift we do have hope and the promise of eternal security – if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Wrath of God

So, what happens to those who don’t believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? The Scripture is clear that for those who do not place their faith in Jesus Christ there is no hope of escaping God’s wrath. There is no promise of eternal security, and there is no forgiveness of sins. Actually, our focus passage today says that the one who doesn’t – “rejects the Son” – will not even see life.

The wrath of God is a fearsome and terrifying thing. Only those who have been covered by the blood of Christ, shed for us on the cross, can be assured that God’s wrath will never fall on them. “Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him!” (Romans 5:9).

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.

Romans 2:5-6

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Acts 16:31

1As explained by gotquestions.org @ https://www.gotquestions.org/lake-of-fire.html

Do you want to know Him as your personal Savior? Consider these truths and believe in Him to be saved. Turn it into a prayer, tell Him you believe you are a sinner and your are coming to Him in faith – trusting Him to save you from your sins. 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Claim the eternal security (John 3:16) and the new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) He has promised to all who believe in Him.

Please let me know if you have chosen to believe in Christ and be saved. I would love to send you a gift to celebrate your new life in Christ. If you have questions just message me I would be happy to connect with you and help you understand this amazing gift of God.

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God’s Gift of Love

Read: John 2:23-3:21 and SOAP verses 16 and 17

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-17
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 Deep the Father’s Love

These words, from the hymn – How Deep The Father’s Love For Us, by Stuart Townsend, came to mind as I read and began to soap this passage. It’s a perfect description of the love of God. The God who knew what was in the heart of man – yet would send His one and only son into the sin cursed world to rescue everyone who would believe in Him. Surely, there is no greater love than this – a love that would lead Him to turn His face away from His only son … a love that allowed my sin to hold Him on the cross … a love that allowed deep wounds to inflect Him on my behalf … and a love that worked in such a way that left me no room to boast – except in the cross of the One who paid my ransom.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (HCSB)

The Gift and Its Benefit

The gift of God’s love was Jesus Christ, His only son and the benefit or blessing of the gift was salvation for all who would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul affirms this in Romans 6:23 where we read that, “The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” and again in Ephesians 2:8-9 where he writes, “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith and this is not form yourselves it is the gift of God through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

While the chief benefit of God’s gift is salvation we must not miss the secondary benefit, the freedom from condemnation of our sin. Paul affirms this benefit as well in Romans 8:1 where we read, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”

Our Response to a Love Like This

  • Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ so that we can share in the gift (16)
  • Accepting the free gift (16)
  • Living free from the power of sin (Romans 6:1-2, 14)
  • Walking in the freedom of no condemnation (18)
  • Practicing the truth so that others may see, hear, and know God. (21)

What Believers Need to Remember and Unbelievers Need to Know

We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory, we need a savior. Roman 3:23

Jesus is the only Way to eternal security. John 14:6

He was crucified, dead, buried, and raised to life to be our redeemer. Ephesians 1:7

Believing that – having faith in what Jesus Christ has done for you and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

Hear what God’s Word says – “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

An Invitation

Do you want to know Him as your personal Savior? Consider these truths and believe in Him to be saved. Turn it into a prayer, tell Him you believe you are a sinner and your are coming to Him in faith – trusting Him to save you from your sins. 1 John 1:9 says that when we confess our sins He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Claim the eternal security (John 3:16) and the new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) He has promised to all who believe in Him.

Please let me know if you have chosen to believe in Christ and be saved. I would love to send you a gift to celebrate your new life in Christ. If you have questions just message me I would be happy to connect with you and help you understand this amazing gift of God.

Don’t miss today’s Love God Greatly Blog