Friday, January 11, 2013

Jesus Calling: January 11

Trust Me by relinquishing control into My hands. Let go, and recognize that I am God. This is My world; I made it and I control it. Yours is a responsive part in the litany of Love. I search among My children for receptivity to Me. Guard well this gift that I have planted in your heart. Nurture it with the Light of My Presence.
     When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results. When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way. If you keep on stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension. When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mind-set becomes much more positive. Thankful prayers keep your focus on My presence and My promises. 
Psalm 46:10
Amplified Version
Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

Colossians 4:2
English Standard Version
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

2 Peter 1:3-4
English Standard Version
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

My Prayer
Lord, you created. You saved. You reign. It's all about You. So, daily my task is believing this. It's believing that you know what You are doing in my life and therefore, I don't have to worry or be concerned. I can rest, be obedient to Your words, and be satisfied. You are God.

Lord, you have chosen Me. That's the amazing thing. You have chosen Me. Of all the people in this world, we are Your chosen ones. Each day I see people far from You. I see people living in the world, walking the way of the world, trusting in themselves solely. But, in me, you have chosen Me. How can I just then live a life that isn't in direct service to You? How could I live a life of just pleasure and be no different than in any other person I see except for the simple fact that my eternal destiny is different. Fire me up. Light me up. Increase my love for You. Increase my faith in You. May my life really look different because it is different.

When I pray Lord, my prayers should be with confidence and not with question. They should be steeped in Holy Hope. Move me to confidence in You.

Train me to walk in your divine power; to subscribe to it; to live in it. It is life. It is godliness. We mirror His divine nature then versus living in the corruption that is in the world, subscribing the entire time to sinful desires. Shift me Lord. Shift Me away from this world.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

151 comments:

  1. What a way to start the day! Thank you for sharing :)

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  2. Readin this Jesis calling really give me a better start to my morning ❤️

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  3. The world encircles us and presses it's agenda on us. Lord help us to trust in you and look past the pressures of our daily lives to live in your holiness.

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  4. God protect my family and home.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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    1. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

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    2. Ahhh... Take the tension out of praying from a place of urgent need by thanking HIM for solutions already in motion. AMEN!

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    3. Amen Audra! Claiming, thanking and believing 🙏🏼

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  5. God I'm praying only for your strength and your will being done in my life, in this situation that's on my heart. I'm scared God that the weight of this trial will be too heavy to bear! Amen

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  6. In Luke 5:12-16, a leper approaches Jesus and says (prays), “Lord, if you chose, you can make me clean.” There was no doubt in the leper’s mind about the power Jesus had. It was a question of what Jesus willed to do. The people had quickly come to be impressed by the power Jesus displayed but it would be a while before they would grasp the essence of the driving force behind the choices Jesus made. “I do chose.” Jesus said, “Be made clean.” Jesus love for the leper (whom everyone else had to keep their distance) made Him reach out and put His hand on the man and return wholeness to his life. As we lift our prayers to our Lord, like the leper, let us have full confidence in His power and His willingness to act because He loves us. It is because of that love we can offer the prayers of thanksgiving as suggested in the reading for today.

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    1. Amen and thanks Bob! We must come to Him with gratitude and unwavering faith, with full confidence that He can heal us or our loved ones, or guide our paths, or change our situations. He is Almighty and can do all things! Jesus, we trust in You.
      Wonderful devotion and prayer today! Let us walk, speak and live as His blessed chosen ones and reflect His light and peace in al we do.

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    2. Your will be done , not mine…..
      Another way of saying I accept whatever is happening today in my life, and my loved ones lives, I trust in You
      Another way of saying Your answer may not be the answer I am requesting but I trust in you
      Another way of saying everything will be in Your time
      not my time, I trust in You
      Another way of saying thanks for having by back at all times even though sometimes my “trust” is a little shaky
      I think it was on this blog I read recently that Gods answer to our requests can be Yes, No, or Not Yet..
      I pray for the faith to trust Your answers whatever they may be especially when they are not the answers I want to hear…

      I trust in You🙏

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    3. Amen! These words are so perfect and exactly what I want to do! Shift me Lord! Shift me away from this world! Help me to be steadfast in my trust in You, Heavenly Father! ❤️🙏

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    4. Such beautiful and powerful words of Gods promises, the living word!
      I love today’s devotional, scriptures and Chris’s prayer!
      I love this family of believers.
      Lifting you all up in prayers of blessings
      God is so good
      🙏❤️😇🥰🙌🏼

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  7. Great thoughts Bob, loved your comments yesterday. Jesus help me to strengthen my "trust muscle", in ALL things. Help me to step back from my impulsive, immediate gratifying request for answers and direction. Help me to know that my vison and path are NOT often your will and path. Help me to keep my heart open, not just my eyes. Patience...faith...trust. Amen.

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  8. Thankfulness is a matter of the heart. It shows your love of others when you are thankful for their presence in your lives... parents, children, and dear friends... it cannot be hard then to see that Father, Son, Spirit live in a perfect 3 in one love.

    So, Thanks seems to simple of a word for the transformation we get by simply uttering in prayer those words to the Father... yet He promises that thankfulness is indeed the "heart of the matter". Thank you Lord.

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  9. Auntie Jeanne - Praying comforting prayers for Your Friend who is suffering deep grief as she bids goodbye to her husband of 41 years. She is in my heart and prayers. Be comforted dear friend of Auntie Jeanne.

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    1. Praying for you, Auntie Jeanne, and your friend. Jesus have mercy.

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    2. I love today’s Devotional, scriptures and prayers!
      Love and prayers Chris, Jeanne, Sassy mom, Madfox, Bob and for all our JC family
      Thank you Jesus for blessing us so. I love you Jesus, I trust you Jesus
      🙏❤️🙏

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  10. Today I am grateful for the Jesus Calling Blog and Payton family and each and every one of YOU! Since I started reading this (EVERY COMMENT AS WELL) MY life has been taken to a new level, almost like when I first accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord. It is amazing how my day turns around if I am anxious when I simply say, "Thank you Lord for knowing what's best for me and manifesting your purpose in my life, I am willing and I know you are able." It justs helps me refocus on what I SHOULD be doing and get out of the funk quickly! May your day be filled with unexpected miracles today.
    IN HIS LOVE

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    1. Dear God's daughter, A voice from the past, Bernard of Clarvaux, suggested there are four stages of faith that we all pass through. Stage one: we enter the world in love with our self; Stage two: we love God for the benefits; Stage three, we love God simply because God is so lovable. It appears you have moved into stage three in your growth in Christ. The final stage of growth which I alluded to in this blog a couple of days ago occurs when we love our self for the glory of God. This stage is characterized by moving from indulging the self according to our desires to making choices as God wills for us, a.k.a. obedience. We make the choices according to the purpose for which God has created us which reflects His goodness to the world. John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30). Stage four is eternal life. God be with you.

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    2. Thank you, Bob, I think I'm in between 3 and 4. Everything seems meaningless except my Lord and Savior and then I slip back to this world. Jesus I trust in you.

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    3. I have read this post from Bob every year since it was written. Interesting to me is not until today did I really understand it. Thanks for this gift Bob, and to Chris Payton for the design of this blog that allows for return visits along our path to a closer relationship to God.

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    4. And deeper understanding still comes when re-reading. Thanks again Chris Payton and Bob! ♥️

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  11. Father, thank You for the constant reminder of the benefits of Trusting You and living in Your Presence!
    With what's going on in the world today, the reminders are much needed. We tend to lean on our own understanding at times and each time we do, we fail, but thank You Lord for the acknowledgement of the Holy Spirit that puts us back on course.
    This morning, I just lift my voice up to You and declare that I am and can do NOTHING without You, so JESUS, I TRUST YOU, take complete control!

    THANK YOU for being my SOLID Rock on which I stand, because when I stand firm, all other grounds are sinking sand!

    THANK YOU JESUS!, I relinquish control over to You because You have my BEST interest at heart, I have no reason to fear. I TRUST YOU!

    JC family, I am standing in the gap and lifting all the prayer requests to our trusted Father and thanking Him for the outcomes!
    Stay blessed in the blessings of the Lord.

    Maplewood NJ

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    1. Amen and amen Maplewood, my songbird. Thank you Jesus, thank you, thank you for everything.

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    2. So true, dear Maplewood! The best we can do is come to our Lord in our neediness and give Him our burdens to carry; and empty ourselves of all the chaff so He can fill us according to His Will and Plan. Each new day has its own possibilities in His sweet presence.

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  12. Thank you Jesus. I am so grateful for my life you have given me. I trust you completely in everything. I thank you for answering my prayers in your ways, not mine. Thank you also for all these JC warriors! KS

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    1. KS --- Your prayer is my prayer. AMEN and AMEN!!!

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    2. Yes, KS, thank you JC Warriors and Payton family. Jesus has blessed us with a safe haven and we are thankful for this blessing.

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    3. Thanks, KS. That is the goal and goals are good to set my eyes on. Here is a thought from Henri Nouwen that is a measuring stick of how I am doing. Does a little criticism make me upset? Does a little rejection make me depressed? Does a little praise lift my spirits? Does a little success excite me? Nouwen suggests that if that be the case, my soul and my trust resembles a small boat on the ocean, at the mercy of the waves. Nouwen goes on to affirm we belong to God and when we trust that to be true, we live above all the standards of the world that would like to define us. That would be trusting God completely. This must be my goal. Praise God it is yours. Thank you for helping me with it. God be with you.

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    4. Amen! The first word on my mouth is Thanks! He is so good to us and worthy of all our Praise and Thanksgiving. What a daily joy to have this safe haven to come to where we are all of one accord! 😊💗🙏

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  13. Amen. "Oh how I love Jesus. Because he first loved me." Thank you, Father.

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  14. Enlightenment comes a little at a time. I've heard many times, "Let go and let God." This morning it came to me how we, in our human condition, ask for God's help then wait impatiently for him to remove whatever is bothering us. Ours is to trust God and leave the bother in his hands knowing that his answer is forthcoming. The answer may not be as WE have designed, but our trust in HIM can provide peace knowing that HE has our LONG TERM best interest in his plan. Lord, help me to trust your eternal plan for my life. (and accept, with peace, the frailty of our earthly bodies)

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  15. Auntie Jeanne - praying for you and for your friend! May God bless you as you help her through her journey ahead.

    Norah - sharing in your praises on the good news regarding your SIL.

    Maplewood- thank you so much for all of the passages yesterday. I will continue to reread them.

    On this day, and every day, I need to and will remind myself that I trust in You, Jesus! I know you are with me always. I need Your help. I know trust is believing; having faith. I struggle because I am human. Things are difficult in my life, and have been for quite a while. I know I need to thank you, my Lord, for the answers that are on the way. Thank you for this daily reminder with Jesus Calling and with each person's comments. Jesus, You know me and my heart; You know that I am working daily on trusting You. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Amen. CO

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  16. This has not left me and is strong on me now so I'll share.
    My prayer for us tonight... since God is love, may we trust in Love with all our hearts and when our hearts fail us, may Christ's heart in our heart trust for us. (When I am weak then He is strong). Prov 3:5 Keith's amplified version and commentary.

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    1. Keith --- It is comforting to know the Lord has us in his grip--no matter what.

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    2. Thank you Keith! And Amen JJ. So very comforting! Blessed Assurance!

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  17. Thank You Jesus. Praise the Lord continually and always 🙏. I am so grateful, blessed, and honored to be Your child Lord. Help me to do Your will and not my own. Help me Holy Spirit. Take control of my mind, steps, words, and actions to walk in the way of the spirit and not the world. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen 🙏.

    Father, Father, can't You see
    How I'm crying out to thee
    I want to climb the highest tree
    With You is where I want to be
    Praises I do give to thee
    Hallelujah's are all free
    Help me be all I can be
    You I love, I give You me


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    1. AMEN! ❤

      Blessings from France

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    2. Amen, Janet, lovely little poem. And you got baptized yesterday and Heaven rejoiced! When I learned that they rejoice in Heaven when we get Baptized I can picture singing and dancing and the biggest smiles on all faces. What a wonderful life event for you and I too have a big smile and happy tears.God Bless you! Love, Kathy

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    3. Janet dear🥰 rejoicing with you & JC family for being baptized🥳🎊🎉. The heavens are in celebration!

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    4. What a joy to rejoice with my family for you dear Janet! Wonderful poem that left me smiling.
      Dear Kathy, I love that smiles were coming down and singing and dancing from heaven as our Janet was baptized! Amen sweet Jan! We were in the best of company celebrating!

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    5. Thank you all so very much for your prayers, love, and rejoicing. I feel truly blessed with you in the Lord.

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  18. Good morning loved ones. The four stages of faith Bob mentioned above are very interesting and encouraging. For brevity I will just say it comes down to an adventure into discovering Love that is already inside us as He perfected His love in us. What a beautiful thought. In our limited understanding, the process does not always feel pleasant but it helps me to remember that this is an adventure into deeper love.

    May His love be freely recieved by you today through the unity and love shared by one another here as we are encouraged in our journey of discovering truth and Joy that is residing inside us.

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    1. Good morning dear Keith! Thank you for your insight. We are all on our faith journeys and just like my baby grandson is delighted with himself, we begin our lives not even aware of God’s love. But as time goes by, we realize only His love is trustworthy, unconditional, limitless and everlasting. We love Him because He loves us. It’s hard to completely put others first but little by little we are getting there. I’m sure God puts those little gold stars on our foreheads for our good efforts.

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    2. Amen Keith and Jeanne. Our love in God grows every moment and spreads from one to another. Hallelujah.

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  19. In my journey of discovery, this one simple exercise helps me relinquish control: since God is Love I can therefore say;

    Trust me by relinquishing control into Loves hands. Let go and recognize that I am Love.

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  20. Maplewood, prayed for you this morning. Rest & bask in the healing presence of Jehovah Rapha.

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    1. Me too! Praying you are resting well after your successful surgery.

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  21. Okay- just checking on you Brie. Singing songs and praying for you as you often have already encouraged and inspired us by now. 🎶😍

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    1. Thank you Grace Takes Time!
      Today's devotion was a great reminder for me to remain in Thanksgiving mode to God for His Answers that He has already set into motion long before I am discerning results. Thanksgiving prayers are helping me keep focused on His Presence and His Promises. Love and Blessings to you and our entire JC Family.

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  22. Dear JC family, I am asking for prayers of protection and guidance. I am in a siege against the evil one. I am trusting God. I am holding HIS hand and not letting go. Please pray for me.

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    1. Dear sweet4G, Praying for God’s protection, strength and guidance to carry you through your difficult time. Put His Armor on and Be not afraid! He us fighting with you and for you.

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    2. Thank you my dear sister!❤️

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    3. Father, please protect sweet4g. Lift her up with You above the evil forces and hold firmly with Your mighty hands. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen 🙏.

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    4. I stand with you in this siege

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  23. As I begin my day I pray for all of you, and I thank God for answered prayers, protection and love her has covered us with.
    As I read above, I am affirming we belong to God and when we trust that to be true, we live above all the standards of the world that would like to define us. That would be trusting God completely. This must be my goal. In Jesus's name, I pray, I thank. Not from hopelessness of circumstances in our fallen world, but from faith and trust that God is in charge, and you can't beat that 😉

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  24. Trusting God above all and expecting His faithfulness and more answered prayers. Thank You, Jesus! We trust in You. Remind us all to stay in your presence and peace today, and to be still in Your Love.

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  25. Praising the Lord and thanking prayer warriors for praying for my neighbor Miss Pat who has been suffering unbearable pain since before Christmas and couldn't get an appointment until Jan 14. Yesterday my church prayed she could get an earlier appt. Praise the Lord there was an early cancellation first thing this morning. RELIEF FOR MISS PAT!!!!!

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    1. Amen Sassy Mom and Hallelujah for Miss Pat 🙌 🙏.

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    2. Thanking God for her earlier appointment. Praying for her relief, healing and peace. 🙏

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  26. Continued prayers for all listed above and for all silent requests. Stay connected to The Vine.

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  27. Praying for all of you, dear JC Family! Watching, War Room. Love to all of you as we pray for our families, our Country, Our President.

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    1. Please add our President Elect and our Vice President Elect to your prayers.
      Thanks!

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    2. Praying for all of that, Brie. <3

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    3. Amen, Praying for a peaceful transition and a blanket of healing and peace across our Country.

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  28. Victory dance for Pat, Sassy mom! Continuous prayers for healing and recovery Maplewood. Prays for Madfox as well. I'll never hear the song"its gonna be OK" and not think of and pray for you Madfox. Prayers for our JC family and meditating on today's devotion of thanking god for answers that are already in motion. Mindy

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  29. Amen Mindy and Norah, He’s already busy answering our prayers.

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  30. Thank You Father for Your healing that is going on right now in us and in our loved ones. Thank You that you are already making things better in our lives, leading our unsaved dear ones to seek you with a sincere heart. Thank You that you are ridding this world of Covid and all its variants, and bringing all those who are suffering back to perfect health. You are providing the needs of your people and comforting their broken hearts. You are making a way in their wilderness. Thank You that You know all our prayer requests before we even utter a word. You are preparing our tomorrows and our futures according to Your marvelous Plan. Strengthen our hearts of trust and give us patience in the waiting. Thank You for all this in Jesus Name. Amen

    This is from today's wonderful prayer.
    When I pray Lord, my prayers should be with confidence and not with question. They should be steeped in Holy Hope. Move me to confidence in You. Amen!
    Please pray my sister Janet and her hubby get negative results from their PCR tests today. Thanks. Much love to all.

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    1. Praying dear Jeanne for excellent results! Bless your day🙏💕
      Very rushed this morning to see chiropractor/dentist about TMJ.

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    2. Continued prayers for your Janet and her hubby.
      Hope the Chiropractor and Dentist appts went well, Jan!

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    3. Thanks for the prayers dear Jan and Norah.
      Jan I hope your appointments brought good results because God is in charge.
      Norah, Hope you're getting your rest. We are praying for each other.

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  31. On Monday, I was surprised to see a young woman in her early 30's who I've come to know in the infusion room. When she first arrived, she couldn't walk, was wheelchair bound, was vomiting most days, and was bald and chose not to wear a wig (an occasional hat). Yet, she was always kind to staff, smiled often, and stayed positive. We didn't talk for months... seemed to never have a good opportunity due to her challenges.

    One day she joined a football discussion and that opened the door to get to know her. She now speaks to me by first saying in the southern way: "Hey Mr. MadFox (well, my real first name) can I ask a question..." Her presence in my life is such a  BLESSING as her attitude is unbelievable with a far worse cancer situation. PRAISE: She is now walking in, looks so much better, and still proudly shows her beautiful bald head!

    She was scheduled for a stem cell transplant yesterday!  I previously mentioned a book that I had received from the transplant team that was written by a patient who detailed the entire process. Our family highlighted and tabbed all over it! I asked if she would like it and subsequently gave it to her before Christmas - not expecting to see her for a few months. Due to her hospitalization over Christmas, the trip got delayed a week. So she gave me back the book yesterday and said after reading the first half, she bought it for her entire family. I feel God was in this connection for this very reason as her family has taken her stage 4 diagnosis hard.

    One thing I don't do is share personal contact info unless asked. She said Mr. MadFox would you be willing to trade cell numbers so I could text you from the hospital with questions. And of course the answer was "absolutely." Please add codename MARY who will be in Ohio for a stem cell transplant to the powerful JC Warrior prayer list around the 17th or so. I believe God has connected me so that you all can bring healing. THANK you. And yes, I tolerated everything well at the new lower levels today and had great monthly lab test results. PRAISE. And as today's lesson says, let Him manage your prayer requests in His love and timing... and simply thank Him. Thank you for answering these prayers Father, Amen.

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    1. Got it MadFox. Praying for Mary.🙏💕

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    2. Praying for Mary🙏

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    3. Prayers and thanks to God for Mary and her successful treatments!

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    4. So good to hear about these blessings from what was once considered terrible news upon your diagnosis.

      May God continue to receive glory as He patiently teaches us to trust in Love (God)

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    5. Thanks Keith. While any cancer diagnosis is "terrible news" the reality is that early stage multiple myeloma is very often quite treatable for decades. I do have a genetic variant that is more aggressive but am hopeful that prayer/faith, good docs, and positivity will get me many years longer perhaps even to point where they've found a cure! That's my thanks to God in advance for all that suffer from any type of cancer!

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    6. Joining Prayers for Mary and a successful procedure and a good recovery. She sounds like an angel. I can already feel her heart. Thanking God for all to go well to the point where they've found a cure! Thank You Jesus!
      Thank You Father for MadFox's great results, and for Mary's procedure to be successful in the Name of Christ Jesus, our Risen Lord. We trust You and we wait on You.

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  32. Lord please continue to watch over Mr. Madfox and Codename Mary🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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  33. Prayers for Mary and you, Mr. MadFox. I'm sure that the JC Warriors prayers for you all along have been that your MM journey would be as brief as it could be, and maybe it has been the normal amount of time. But it is clear that God has you where you are for a reason. God bless.
    Today's message of thanking God for the answers he has set into motion is one I have clinged to over the past year or two. My two sons who each gave his heart to Jesus as a little boy and who were raised in the church are each going through a prodical phase in their mid twenties. I can't see where God is leading them, but I have to trust. I know that God loves them even more than I do.

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    1. Praying for those PEBG boys! I have 2 and the oft mentioned struggling post cv19 RN daughter who left NY. Both boys are in their mid 30s and thru college and 20s seemed to be "prodigal" as well. Neither in church still except on Easter or mom's bday but it's been 2+ years now! no question my situation and the pandemic have them discussing faith and praying. Marriage and a child has refocused the eldest. The middle has always been blunt that faith doesn't require a church but he believes.

      Thanking God for the PEBG boys to get back to Him sooner than later in ways only the Father, Son, and Spirit know.

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    2. PEBG..Many of us have been prodigals. Trust God, the Father will welcome your son's home. Just as He did me. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" ( Proverbs 3,:5). Throughout my wandering wilderness years, He remained faithful to His Word; "As the scripture teaches, `Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. ' (Prov. 22:6.). Keep on trusting and thanking Him in faith for their return to His Fold.

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    3. Praying with you PEBGDesigns. I have a couple, too - adult son and daughter who have decided they don't believe. I hold the verses that Peter listed above very close to my heart. I know they will return. And as I told them, "I was there the day you confessed....The Word says it's incorruptible seed, so you you'll be there kiddos." Then we move on. Sigh.

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    4. Finally getting a chance to check in at the end of the day. Thanks to all of the JC Warriors for your words of encouragement and prayers. I love this group.

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    5. Dear PEBGDesigns, Joining prayers for your 2 dear sons to return to the Lord. May God call them in a very loud voice in His own way to bring them back. Continue to trust in the Lord and lean not unto your own understanding. He has their backs because He loves them dearly. Thank You Jesus!

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  34. Jesus, I Trust in You! Help me to be grateful for the path set before me, even when I am not quite sure where I am going. I am comforted knowing you are with me every step of the way. Jesus , I Do Trust in you. Amen.

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    1. Perfect prayer ABC. Amen and Amen! We never walk alone and He is the light in our wilderness.

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  35. Amen Chris/Paytonfamily. Lord Jesus please " Fire me up. Light me up. Increase my love for You. Increase my faith in You. May my life really look different, because it is different.

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  36. Praise report: My husband had a normal nuclear stress test yesterday! He found out he has high blood pressure which will be treated, but he does not have a high risk of heart disease based on this test. So SO grateful! Thanks for the prayers!

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    1. Thanking God for his good results. So very happy for you and him. God is so faithful. Praying for you and your sons in love too.

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  37. Adding a praise report as your prayers and God's mercy continue to help BIL Paul manage to handle logistics he wants handled before his passing. Family prayer is a regular part of our gratitude for each day. We remain thankful and trust in God's timing not ours and are finding peace there. May you all be blessed today in a special surprise way. Thank you Jesus, I love you Jesus, I trust you Jesus.

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    1. Thanks Audra! God is pulling all the loose ends together for Paul because he has put Him in the center of his life. God's timing is perfect. All will go well as He leads Paul through the rest of his life. Your gratitude, trust and love surround him and he feels it. The Lord is with all of you supplying you with love, strength, comfort, guidance, patience and so much peace.

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    2. "some" of us are having a little trouble with the patience and Peace part, so that makes two I need to hold up and keep positive 😉

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  38. Praying for each of you and so enjoyed your report from hospital, MadFox. I could picture the whole thing - God has worked diligently through you and you have remained faithful to reach out to people. Mary will be in our prayers. What a great thing is happening.
    We had one that happened yesterday. At my Dear Hub's last appt in November, the Dr. talked to him about the "strong possibility" that treatment will be needed again. My DH told the Dr. he felt great, didn't have any of the symptoms that had been discussed and since then we have continued to pray. Yesterday, his 'misbehaving phone,' downloaded several voicemail messages that hadn't come through before. One of them was from 11/23/21, the hospital where we go for his checkups. The Nurse proceeded to say that the Dr. received the last two tests and was "so very please at the numbers. No treatment in the foreseeable future!" We jumped up and down (well, I did - LOL), we both got teary and hugged and thanked God for this great news. We go next week or his next visit and we are actually looking forward to it.
    I think what blessed us both as much as the news is that neither of us felt or got downtrodden over the possibility of treatment. We both said we'd cross that bridge IF and when we got to it.
    Please pray with us for great results again next week. We will be doing tests on his Voice Mail downloads! :) So thankful to all of you and for our loving Heavenly Father.

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    1. Halleluia! What awesome news Norah! Our prayers have been answered in such a big way. Praying your DH's results next week will be the same. Thank You dear faithful Jesus!

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  39. And with all of that written up there and prayers for Mary, I forgot to tell you how BLESSED I was to hear about your PRAISE REPORT, MadFox!!! Love to you, Brother!

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  40. What a wonderful message to start the day!

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  41. Good morning JC family 🌅. Thanking God for each of you. Praying for each requests that have been posted. The devotional today put me back on course. I tend to whine in my prayers at times instead of leaving them at His feet & thanking Him in advance for however He desires to answer them. Our God is gracious in that He understands my shortsightedness & shortcomings. Hallelujah! Be blessed family as you bless others today! Sing praises, sing praises to Him! The Lord of the universe! Amen! 😍🙏🌈

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    1. Thanks dear Jan! I really needed this devotional today.
      Your sweet words lifted me too! When I start to worry I just keep thanking Jesus for taking care of me and my dear ones. I thank Him for answering my prayers. Through my day I stop and call His sweet Name. He is a very present Help in times of trouble. Hallelujah!

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  42. Just in need a prayer. Today is a court date for me and I really needed to go in my favor I feel really prepared but I still suffer with the anxiety. I am actually very thankful for how prepared he has made me however the anxiety tends to just take over. So I want to be able to just pray for thankfulness today.

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    1. I understand anxious thoughts, Tanya, even thought I know God is with me and for me. What helps me in these times is to have praise music playing...and while in court you can't have music, BUT you can play it in your head, right?! I tend to "play" mine over and over in my head and it helps push out anxious thoughts. Here is a great joy-filled song by CeCe Winans and if you can watch in addition to listening....great video with powerful lyrics!:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LFpy9tRTw8

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    2. Joining in prayers for you Tanya. May our heavenly Father remove your anxious thoughts and replace them with His perfect love, comfort, and strength. He goes before us and with us -- ALWAYS! It is finished! Thank You Jesus 😊. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen 🙏. Shalom.

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    3. Wonderful song and reminder! You folks and this blog are So very helpful to me each and every morning! My prayers are with you and I agree. Heavenly Father shift me from this world. I've got Jesus!🙏❤️

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    4. Joining in prayer for you this morning Tanya. Thanking God for His Peace that will far outweigh your anxieties. 🙏

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    5. Joining all prayers that your court date will be a good and fruitful one and go in your favor. May God’s Spirit supply you with all the words to say. Thank You Jesus.

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    6. Thank you everyone for your prayers today went better than expected this is just a personal testimony that having a thankful heart and y'alls Collective prayers was just unbeatable🙏🙏🙏

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  43. Praying for each of you today. Tanya, you will be in my prayers. I heard in a teaching, recently, "Thankfulness is the Believer's Prozac!" I believe it. Thankfulness calms us, reminds us of our many blessings. I'm with you, Jan Gridley - at times I whine instead of giving thanks. Every day is a new day...today, I am thankful: for each of you, for our wonderful Lord and Savior; for God's many blessings, which I will count instead of borrowing worries.
    :)

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    1. Thanks for your prayers! Praying with you and for you.

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  44. "Trust Me by relinquishing control into My hands. Let go, and recognize that I am God. This is My world; I made it and I control it."
    Our God controls everything from the micro (infinitesimally small) to the macro (unimaginably vast).
    Everything is within Him, and He is within everything.
    He is aware of every thought, every intention and every motive of every person alive right now, everyone who has ever lived and everyone yet to be born.
    1 Chronicles 28:9 (MSG)
    And you, Solomon my son, get to know well your father’s God; serve him with a whole heart and eager mind, for God examines every heart and sees through every motive.
    Colossians 1 15:17 (MSG)
    We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.
    For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels - everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.
    He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.

    At times life can be a rollercoaster ride, sometimes it's plain sailing.
    Who are we to think we can control anything thing in our lives when we can't even know what the next 5 minutes will bring?
    Better to give full control of our lives to the God who gave His life for us; He alone know us completely, from the beginning, to the end of our life on Earth.
    We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

    Psalm 139 1:16 ( MSG) "God, investigate my life;
    get all the facts firsthand.
    I’m an open book to you;
    even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
    You know when I leave and when I get back;
    I’m never out of your sight.
    You know everything I’m going to say
    before I start the first sentence.
    I look behind me and you’re there,
    then up ahead and you’re there, too—
    your reassuring presence, coming and going.
    This is too much, too wonderful—
    I can’t take it all in!
    Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
    If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
    If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
    You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
    Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
    At night I’m immersed in the light!”
    It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
    night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.
    Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
    I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
    You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
    You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
    Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
    The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day."

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    1. Amen Peter 🙏. God is life!

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    2. Thanks dear Peter! Amen. Our life is an open book to Him and He is the Author.

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  45. Thanks Again! Such wonderful words, prayers and reminders! This blog renews me this morning and each morning. Thank you Lord, help me to Know and Do your Will!❤️🙏

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  46. This morning, I'm on a hunt to give into the definition of propitiation as I stumbled on it in 1 John 4-12. Join me?

    pro·pi·ti·a·tion
    /prəˌpiSHēˈāSH(ə)n/

    noun
    the action of propitiating or appeasing a god, spirit, or person.
    "he lifted his hands in propitiation"
    atonement, especially that of Jesus Christ.

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    1. Thank you dear Audra! I love learning!

      Ecclesiastes 7:12b "but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it."

      Proverbs 27:17 "People learn from one another, just like iron sharpens iron."

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  47. You fed me well my brother! Thanks 💗🙏
    Joshua 1:9
    Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

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  48. Amen! He knows our hearts completely! He cares so much. Stop and breathe and feel Him surround you with His peace and presence and a love like no other.

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  49. Thanks dear Audra! You learn something new every day! God bless you and all our JC Family.
    Thank You Father for answering our prayers and guiding our paths in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

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  50. Amen and Amen dear Sister JJ!! Our Great God is above all. He is Sovereign. He is Almighty, and He has the last word in everything. His peace, love, and power have no bounds. And we Belong to Him. Our Good Shepherd looks after His Sheep. Thank you for your powerful prayer. Trusting in Him and His Faithfulness, Hope, Promises and Comfort always.
    Thank you Father God for continuing to bless me and my dear ones and this JC Family in every way and all of our dear ones and every part of our lives in the Name of Christ Jesus. Amen.

    Psalm 37:3-10
    Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

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  51. Praying with you all for Charlie’s amazing healing. Nothing is impossible for our great God! Thank You Jesus!

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  52. Amen JJ 🙏. Hallelujah!!!

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  53. The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. (Psalm 145:15). Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ((Galatians 5:1).

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    1. Thanks Janet! Amen!
      Dear ABC, May we thank God always for every new day. Some people will not receive a tomorrow.

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  54. Preach Sister JJ! What great reminders! That was awesome. THANK YOU! I'm sharing that with a friend whose husband was just dx with an esophogeal tumor. She is overwhelmed with worry. She is a believer...I think your words will give her comfort. I know they did me! Blessings and God's hedge of protection around you, JJ, and our JC warriors today! In Jesus' name, amen!

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  55. Amen JJ!!❤️

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  56. Beautiful words from you all. ♥️

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  57. Thank you JJ, Jeanne , Janet and ABC ❤️
    Todays reading touched me deeply today. I found myself meditating on EVERY sentence - so powerful and todays comments , right from the top, we’re so so impactful. So thankful and blessed to be a part of this JC community ❤️❤️

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  58. Thank you, JJ, for the fire in your heart you share with us here. ♥️

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  59. A powerful reference to face the day, indeed!

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    1. I never fail to be encouraged by all your beautiful words and posts, and God’s Word. Thank you! Goodnight dear family. Rest well and know that God is in charge and He never sleeps. Hallelujah

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    2. Absolutely Jeanne! Much encouragement. Much beauty in words on this blog. God IS present everywhere. Amen.

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