♥ Going From Bleak To Beautiful ♥

No matter how bleak the landscape of life may look, God can transform it into a glorious garden of color and fragrance. ~Julie Ackerman Link
(Job 42:12)

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♥ He Owns It All ♥

These days being frugal is not something that is desired by our society. Yet living within your means is one of the wisest things anyone can do. I want to be 'rich' society screams. Nothing wrong with getting rich if you can handle it. If you're a person that can't handle it, why would God ever bless you with it? The real reason to have great wealth is to advance and promote the Kingdom of God. If promoting the Kingdom of God is your goal, get ready because you've just positioned yourself to possess all the gold, silver and the cattle-that your Heavenly Father owns on a thousand hills. ~Donnie Alexander (Deuteronomy 8:18)

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♥ What The World Needs Now ♥

When all you have is God, you have all you need.
~Dennis Fisher
(Philippians 4:11)

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♥ His Sacrifice Of Love ♥

Whether we receive persecution or praise for our service to the Lord, may our focus always be loyalty to Him and gratitude for His sacrifice of love. ~David McCasland
(2 Corinthians 11:30)

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♥ The Power Of His Name ♥

God's names, which describe His character, can bring comfort when we need it most.

Elohim: the God above all gods
Jehovah Jireh: the God who provides
El-Shaddai: the almighty God
Jehovah Rapha: our healer God
Jehovah Shalom: our God of peace
Jehovah Shamma: our God who is present
Jehovah Yahweh: our loving , covenant-keeping God

Help us to remember your name in times of need and distress. ~Joe Stowell
(Proverbs 18:10

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♥ A Candidate For Increase ♥

When you pray for your enemies instead of hating them, you become a candidate for increase. When you turn away from immorality, you're turning toward blessing. When you see things in your life that you know aren't right and you correct them according to the Word of God, you're preparing yourself to handle greater financial abundance. ~Kenneth Copeland (Proverbs 28:20)

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♥ Who Is Supposed To Lift Me Up? ♥

Christ was lifted up that He might lift us up.
~Bill Crowder
(Psalm 12:1-2)

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♥ Look To The Hills ♥

We lift our eyes to the One who keeps us, guards us, and overshadows us in the face of all types of danger. He preserves us from evil and keeps us safely in His care for all eternity. ~Bill Crowder
(Psalm 121)

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♥ Freed From The Jaws Of Death ♥

Those who've been rescued from sin are best able to help in the rescue of others. ~Marvin Williams
(Luke 9:6)

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♥ The Hitching Post Of God's Guidance ♥

If there's one thing you can hitch your horse to - it's God's Guidance. His guidance in the past gives us grand courage for the future. ~Donnie Alexander
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

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♥ More Of The Word Equals Growth ♥

Spiritual growth is a serious subject in the body of Christ. Or maybe it's not, depending upon what church circle you are involved with. Nonetheless, more of the Word of God is the key to personal development in Christ! Use the Word to take thoughts captive, escape temptations, and to grow from "glory to glory." Remove and brandish your sword of the spirit for every hardship, every good time, every bad time, every battle, and especially when you're down and out. Memorize it, repeat it, listen to it, and most of all live it to the glory of God. Brandish the Word over and over each day and watch how you will blossom and become the person you were meant to be in the Kingdom of God.~Donnie Alexander (Hebrews 4:12)

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♥ Dependence Day Equals Freedom ♥

Our greatest strength comes from dependence on our strong God. ~Bill Crowder
(John 15:5)

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♥ The Power of Encouraging One Another ♥

As we serve each other, may we serve with the tender loving care of our Savior, encouraging each other in our spiritual journey. God pours His love into our hearts to flow out to others' lives. ~Dennis Fisher
(I Thessalonians 2:7)

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♥ Release It Into His Strong Hands ♥

There are plenty of worries that can weigh us down. But as we release them into God's strong hands, He will help us through our trials. Worry is a burden that God never meant for us to bear. ~Anne Cetas
(Psalm 3:1)

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♥ The Value Of His Death And Resurrection! ♥

Jesus' resurrection spelled the death of death.
~Dave Branon
(Romans 1:3-4)

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♥ How To Get Your Life Back On Track ♥

Confession is the path that leads to restoration.
~Bill Crowder
(I John 1:9)

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♥ Stake Your Claim To Stay Positive ♥

Feeling down? Have you recently failed miserably at work, sports, or in your relationship? Don't despair. Remember these four words: "Refocus on the positive." In that moment ponder all the good things in your life - including the ways you can assist others, your team, your spouse, and you may find that you have so many positives, you'll lose time for those negatives. Refocusing on the positive will help you see things the way the Lord sees them as: "Working together for your good!"
~Donnie Alexander (Romans 8:18)
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♥ Who Can I Depend On? ♥

The Christian life is a process in which we learn complete dependence on God. ~David McCasland
(2 Peter 1:8)

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♥ Having Christ's Concern For Others ♥

Caring for the burdens of others helps us to forget about our own. When we choose a course of action, we should ask ourselves, "Does this reflect Christ's concern for others, or am I only concerned for myself?" ~Dennis Fisher (Romans 13:10)

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♥ It's Never All Over With God ♥

You may think that you are finished, done, all over, and abolished. Stand tall. It's not over until the Lord Jesus says it's over and my Bible says If God be for me, who can be against me? So, no you're not done, you're not over, you've only just begun! Watch and see what your God can do! ~Donnie Alexander (Romans 8:31)

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♥ Rejoice! He Is A Helping King! ♥

Lord, I'm thankful that when I experience trouble
You are waiting and wanting to help. Teach
me to look to You and to rest in Your kind and
loving care until You deliver me safely home.
~Joe Stowell
(Psalm 46:1)

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♥ The Price Of Our Freedom ♥

The price of our freedom from sin was paid by Jesus' Blood. ~Julie Ackerman Link
(Romans 6:5)

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♥ I Asked God To Take It From Me ♥

I'll never forget when my Grandma Irene (1926-2014 RIP) shared a true story with me about how after decades of smoking, one morning she simply woke up and asked God: "Take it from me." I kid you not she had no withdrawals, no nicotine fits, and she said she never desired a cigarette since that day. This testimony stands so strong to me about a woman who believed that God would help her in her deepest hour of need. May we all be as believing as my beloved Grandma Irene. He will take it from you, whatever "it" is--simply ask Him and expect him to remove it from you. He'll do the rest!~Donnie Alexander (John 14:14)

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♥ The Ultimate Restoration Master ♥

Jesus specializes in restoration.
~David McCasland
(Colossians 3:10)

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♥ The Greatest Miracle Of All ♥

We know that salvation is ultimately a work of God and not something we can do for another. The songwriter Thompson said it best: "Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling--calling for you and for me; Patiently Jesus is waiting and watching--watching for you and for me! We plant and water, but God gives the increase. ~Randy Kilgore
(John 3:16)

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♥ One Thing Worth Being Concerned About ♥

In our drive to be productive for the Lord, let's remember the one thing worth being concerned about--enjoying time with our Savior. Jesus longs for our fellowship even more than we long for His.
~Poh Fong Chia (Luke 10:39)

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♥ Remembering God's Faithfulness Works! ♥

When we are feeling overwhelmed and forgotten, it's important to recall all that He has done for us. In remembering, we find the encouragement to trust Him in the present and for the future. ~Bill Crowder
(Psalm 103:2)

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♥ The Right Time To Die ♥

When is it the right time to die? My beloved grandmother passed away yesterday, so now I'm faced with this question once again. The scriptures say it's appointed for man to die once and then comes judgement and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Jesus Himself tells the thief on the cross 'today you will be with me in paradise.' I tell you the truth the right time to die for a Christian is anytime. More importantly though, my grandmother taught me to love everyone unconditionally and I think that she'd agree that dying to yourself daily and taking up your cross and following him is really the key to living here and in the hereafter. As Christians, we are to die daily to our own needs, wants, and desires, and then He in turn fulfills all of these things above and beyond anything we could imagine! We must trust Him. So as I say farewell for now to my beloved Grandma Irene, I know it's but for a moment, because I will be spending an eternity with her as I embrace the arms of my savior and my grandmother simultaneously and then live eternally in heaven forever surrounded by many mansions including my own. Blessed be His name! ~Donnie Alexander (John 3:16)

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♥ Smile You're Needed On Assignment! ♥

Lord, may my life be so pleasing to You that You are pleased to have Your face shine on me. May I then share your love with a smile. One smile could be a message of cheer from God to a needy soul.
~Joe Stowell (Numbers 6:25)

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♥ The Glorious Light Of The Lamb ♥

In eternity He will be the Lamp that lights our way. What a thrill it will be one day to live in the light of the Lamb! The Light of the world knows no power failure! ~Dennis Fisher (Revelation 21:23)

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♥ Children Need To Know God's Love ♥

Across the world are children who need to know of God's love for them. When we love the world's children, we honor our Father who adopted us into His family. Lord, help us to convey Your love to them with our hands, our help, and our hearts.
~Dave Branon (James 1:27)

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♥ Father's Teaching By Example ♥

We teach our children far more from how we live than by what we say.
~David McCasland
(Ephesians 6:4)

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♥ An Inheritance That Never Fades Away ♥

God is guarding our souls. Our inheritance is safe. Like a safe within a safe, our salvation is protected by God and we're secure. And our hope is based on the resurrected Christ. An inheritance in heaven is the safest possible place. ~Marvin Williams (I Peter 1:3-4)

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♥ Sons of The Most High God ♥

It is God's power that enables His work, not our own. God's Holy Spirit gives the power to our witness. ~Jennifer Benson Schuldt
(Ezra 5:11)

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♥ Have An Invaluable Honest Heart ♥

Live in such a way that when people think of honesty and integrity, they will think of you.
~David Roper
(I Chronicles 29:17)

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♥ God's Loving Hand Of Discipline ♥

Thank You Lord, for showing me my hidden
faults, for You treat me as Your dear child.
Help me surrender to Your cleansing work
till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
~Poh Fang Chia (Hebrews 12:3-11)

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♥ Can't Get No Satisfaction ♥

Lord, we do believe that You are the place where true satisfaction is found. But we're weak and sinful and easily distracted from Your best. Teach us to draw near to You, and may You, in turn, draw near to us. ~Anne Cetas
(Psalm 73:25)

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♥ Under His Wings I Safely Abide ♥

Because the Lord is watching over us, we don't have to fear the dangers around us.
~Julie Ackerman Link
(Deuteronomy 32:11-12)

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♥ Unlimited Room And Board ♥

Christ meets our needs now and for eternity.
~Dennis Fisher
(John 14:2)

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♥ The View From Above ♥

The clearest view of everything that happens comes from heaven. ~Jennifer Benson Schuldt
(Romans 8:28)

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♥ A Very Consistent Walk ♥

As we trust God to rule our hearts our feet can walk His way. ~Dave Branon
(Ephesians 5:15)

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♥ Going Forward In Him Anywhere ♥

The life of faith is a journey forward as we become like Christ.
~Bill Crowder
(Philippians 3:12-17)

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♥ Your Most Trusted Friend ♥

When everyone else fails, Jesus is your most trusted friend. ~Joe Stowell
(Lamentations 3:22-23)

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♥ The Value Of Christian Fellowship ♥

Christian fellowship builds us up and binds us together.
~Dave Branon
(Galatians 3:28)

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♥ The Place Of Refuge ♥

Refuge can be found in the Rock of Ages.
~Bill Crowder
(Psalm 59:16)

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♥ Trademarks Of The Family Of God ♥

Love is the family resemblance the world should see in followers of Christ.
~Bill Crowder
(I John 4:7)

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♥ The Solution For An Instant Society ♥

Through prayer, we have instant access to our Father. ~Dennis Fisher
(Hebrews 4:16)

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♥ Do We Look For Zacchaeus? ♥

God's good news is too good to keep to ourselves.
~Dave Branon
(Luke 19:9)

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♥ The Real Beauty Of A Woman ♥

I was in a great conversation at a pool party today and I overheard a quote I will never forget: "Men need to be less about the physical and learn to appreciate how a woman's beauty can also be found in her caring heart and constant love for her family over the years." This quote touched me deeply as it made me realize just how beautiful my wife is daily as she grows and cares for her husband and family without wavering or complaint and just how much she loves us all--through the good and bad times. That, my fellow husbands and friends, is worth adoring and cherishing forever. ~Donnie Alexander (John 15:5)

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♥ He Gave Us Victory Over Death! ♥

Because Christ is alive, we too shall live.
~Dennis Fisher
(John 5:28-29)

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