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Sip Your Way to Salvation with Spiritual Water
2008-05-08 23:42:00
We've all seen the clever marketing schemes designed to sell you on the latest craze and/or products with Jesus as the holy pitchman. And here's another one....Spiritual Water . Here's an excerpt from denverpost.com :Spiritual Water, the faith-inspired venture of two Sunrise, Fla., businessmen, offers its drinkers clearer focus, positive thinking and connection to a higher power. Spiritual Water joins a broad slice of feel-good products — Testamint, Bible Gum and other bottled holy waters — emerging at the intersection of religion and commerce, entrepreneurship and pop culture."The whole idea is for people to feel better and to know God is with them," he says."Everybody always has bottled water with them. In the car. At home. In the gym. Because it's the most important liquid for the body. The ingredients are the image and the prayer, which is for your body and soul. It's water from God. It purifies your soul and helps you to think positive."Nothing like making false promise...
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Howdy....
2008-05-06 19:14:00
I'm back, sorta. Still working out some things.I don't want to make an idol of anything, even if it's something good and noble like a Christian blog so I will post as I feel lead and continue spending time with the Lord.God bless you all.

Shameless Plug for Simple Simon Says...
2008-04-07 02:47:00
Introducing....my gorgeous, perfect hubby, Mark, and his new site - Simple Simon Says. He writes about American and global politics from a Christian point of view, and also gives practical application of God's Word in your daily life. He's just started out but what he's got are good reads. He'll be posting more as he gets time...he's away from home a lot due to his job. (and no laptop)Just an FYI, he's extremely opinionated and climbs on his soapbox fairly frequently and it takes a long time to knock him off. :)Politically he's a Libertarian, professionally he's a teacher, personally he's a nice guy, and he's practically insane. (He told me to write this)Don't let his rugged looks fool you, he's really a sweet, Godly man. We were just having fun with clothing and lighting today for this picture. :) So if you like talking about politics as they relate to God's Word, or just politics in general, he's your man.
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Perseverance Award
2008-03-29 07:12:00
I would like to thank Sidharth, of Imrah Ministries, who is also a contributor for Understand Cancer, for this nifty Perseverance Award .The description is as follows:To acknowledge those bloggers who have invested their very life in their blogs so as to encourage, build and warn others.I've never seen this one before, it's cute.Like I said previously (somewhere), if I am able to do any of those things, then may God be glorified, not me and I mean that. I know there is nothing I can do apart from Him.I am supposed to pass this on to 7 people but I don't have the list yet, but I will soon.God bless. And again....

Signs and Wonders - Snakes and Fakes!
2008-03-25 17:23:00
The topic of whether signs and wonders ceased has reared it's ugly head again and after much avoidance, I decided to do my own study. I stated publicly before that I never studied this, and that I was leaning towards 'no' they are not for today but I wanted to be sure. My reason was largely due to the countless false TV evangelists with their false miracles, manifestations, and scandals. Another reason is that I have never witnessed any miracles, not in the way some TV evangelists claim.So, being aware of my bias against signs and wonders, I knew I had to pray that the Lord would remove that bias, forget everything I've been taught or read, to not read into the text, and give me fresh eyes in which to read.Just so I'm clear, I do not claim to have a lock on the truth. I'm simply stating my findings and in the end, what I believe. I encourage you all to do your own study, ask that the Holy Spirit to teach you, and not to listen to me or anyone else.Who are the gifts for?An obje...
More About: Snakes , Signs , Wonders , Signs and Wonders , Fakes

Who Hardened Pharaoh's Heart? God or Pharaoh?
2008-03-22 06:13:00
We all know the story of Moses freeing the Israelites from Pharaoh in Egypt after the many plagues. But there seems to be a contradiction over who hardened Pharaoh's heart and for good reason. Some verses say it's God, other's Pharaoh. Let's look...God hardens Pharaoh's heart:Ex 4:21 21 The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.Ex 7:3 . 3 But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you.Ex 9:12 12 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses.Pharaoh hardens his heart:Ex 8:15 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.Ex 8:32 32 But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and w...
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Laughing with the Lord
2008-03-20 22:04:00
I bought new pillows and cases the other day and yesterday I put everything together. Looking at my pillow and my husband's I noticed that mine had a little lump in it which was a little leftover poofy-stuff, so I switched pillows. I didn't realize this at the time but later, the Lord brought this to mind and I realized that I had been selfish. That I had in fact sinned because I thought myself higher than another person. Sin is sin no matter how large or small. So during my devotional time with Him I confessed this, but here's the funny part...I actually tried to justify my actions by stating that 'he's only home two days a week anyway' and 'I always give him the bigger piece of meat', and "I always give him the last bite of something' etc but while I was saying these things, I was laughing out loud!!! I was laughing at how ridiculous I sounded and that I was trying to justify my actions and I KNEW I couldn't put one over on the Lord! I knew I was wrong all along but I s...
More About: The Lord , Laughing

Praise Jesus for His Correction!!!! A Personal Testimony
2008-03-17 05:44:00
I am so happy right now I could burst!!! I just had to blog about this because I cannot keep this to myself. I don't mind telling of my faults because in the end, the Lord is glorified and so I'm going to type away..First some background....I have this friend in California named John. He is Christian brother and we've been friends for at least 5 years over the internet. We're very close; we've talked on the phone countless times and he even talks to my parents, my brother, and friends. Even though we are close, we have this love/hate relationship. We argue over doctrine constantly, we fight, stop speaking, then we make up. We also fight because he says something, I read into it and take it apart with surgical precision, and get mad at him. We eventually make up and all is well and back on the roller coaster we go.Well yesterday was one of those days. While I didn't fly off the handle, I held ill feelings in my heart (which is still sinful). He was more verbal than I was which ...
More About: Personal , Jesus , Praise , Testimony

United Methodist Church Groups Targeting Israel
2008-03-15 03:42:00
(Note: Yet another step to fulfilling prophecy. We are her only ally but we are slowly turning our backs)"Widespread parts of the United Methodist Church bureaucracy are claiming one primary solution to Middle East violence: punish Israel ." -- Mark Tooley, Executive Director UMAction Contact: Loralei Coyle, 202-682-4131, 202-905-6852 cell, lcoyle@TheIRD.org; Radio Interviews: Jeff Walton, jwalton@TheIRD.org; both with The Institute on Religion and Democracy WASHINGTON, March 5 /Christian Newswire/ -- Several groups within the 7.9 million member United Methodist Church are targeting Israel with divestment proposals and hostile publications. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society (GBCS), the church's official Washington-based lobbying office, is urging church members and church agencies to divest from Caterpillar, Inc. Their resolution, which will go before the United Methodist General Conference in April 2008, accuses Peoria-based Caterpillar of facilitating Israel'...
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Real-Life Case of Demon Possession Documented
2008-03-15 03:09:00
GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE Real -life case of demon possession documented Woman levitated, spoke other languages, showed paranormal powers Posted: March 13, 200811:29 pm Eastern © 2008 WorldNetDaily An American woman who levitated, demonstrated paranormal psychic powers and spoke foreign languages unknown to her was clearly demon possessed, according to a board-certified psychiatrist and associate professor of clinical psychiatry at New York Medical College. The unnamed woman, with a long history of involvement with Satanic groups, was observed by a team of priests, deacons, several lay assistants, psychiatrists, nuns, some of whom also had medical and psychiatric training, levitating six inches off the ground while objects flew off shelves in the same room, according to Dr. Richard E. Gallagher, who documented the case in the February issue of the New Oxford Review. "Periodically, in our presence, Julia would go into a trance state of a recurring nature," writes...
More About: Life , Possession , Case , Demon

Homeschooling Under Attack! and DOS
2008-03-11 20:45:00
Note: This is copied from Shalene's site as this is a very important issue. Please pass this on and/or put on your blog. Thank you.Whether you are a proponent of homeschooling or not, you should be aware of something that has happened here in California recently, related to homeschooling. The reason you should be aware of it, and be worried about it, is that it's a fact that California sets the precedent for many other states with regard to laws and such. If a law is passed here, it is often copied in other states. The thing that is most disturbing to me, is not so much the homeschooling issue, as the fact that our rights as parents are being stripped! Here's the breakdown:Recently, a homeschooling family went to court, and was told that they could not homeschool their child, because it was harmful to the child's welfare for them to do so. That saddens me, for that family, but it gets worse. The three judges who heard this case then decided to apply their decision to all familie...
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Five Crosses or Three?
2008-03-10 21:06:00
There is a post on The Warfare Journal's site that lists “contradictions” in the Gospels, then he goes on to rectify these differences by explaining that there were five crosses instead of three. He lists the reasons that lead him to this conclusion and I will examine these in detail.Note: I don't claim to know everything, I certainly have NO credentials whatsoever and frankly, I've got a lot to learn. So the following is what I believe based on my study all morning. (and boy do I need a break!) I am in no way attacking The Warfare Journal – in fact I really enjoy his blog. I think he speaks a lot of truths and has good insight into things and it's just a joy to be there. So even though I disagree with him in this one post, it in no way changes my view of him or his blog. In fact I recommend his blog!Ok, here we go...First, he compares Matthew and Luke's account of the other crucified criminals and because different words were used, “robber”, “thieves” in Matthew,...
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Avoiding the "Why" Question
2008-03-10 11:04:00
I was reading from Isaiah the other day:Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.The little lamb cannot understand the power, or the language, or even the world of the shepherd but he/she could sense the warmth of his heart and voice, the security of his embrace and the goodness of his soul.Then I thought of all the animals I have seen on airplanes being carried along on the trip by their masters. I remember scenes of the owners putting their dear pets into the little box-kennels, with the fearful nervous eyes of the pet, and the anxious movements - and all the while, the owner is speaking softly and reassuring the pet in such a way that the pet lies quietly in trust and loyalty in such a strange situation.I thought of how, without an understanding or even a hope of understanding, of the 'why' those animals would quietly trust and wait...still a little nervous, with ...
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Affliction: Punishment from God or Blessing?
2008-03-07 20:27:00
No one wants to be afflicted with anything or go through any type of hardship. That's human nature. But does the affliction ONLY involve and affect us or do our afflictions have a greater purpose? Is there any correlation between our afflictions and our relationship with Jesus? Do we see affliction as a punishment or judgment from God? Let's see what the Bible says about this....Affliction :Promotes the glory of God:John 9:1-3 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.John 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.John 21:18-19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stre...
More About: Punishment , Blessing

Did God Callously Give David's Wives to Absalom to Rape?
2008-03-02 17:44:00
Note: I did not write this. I found this article and thought I'd put it up because I never could offer an explanation for this. Source here.This was part of a stream of questions from a dear, but agonized, soul who was/is convinced that God hates women... What about when God gives 10 women to be raped to punish David for sleeping with Bathsheba? I understand about the culture but for God to treat an individual womans' body as a man's possession speaks volumes, about how he hates/devalues women? I think I have some good news for you about this passage, friend--it has nothing at all to do with "rape"...nor does it remotely teach that a woman's body is a man's possession...and, although there are some cultural issues associated with this passage, even when those are taken into account we still won't be able to conclude fairly that God committed some atrocity here... Let's look at the passage and the dynamics in it, and hopefully you will agree... After David committed the treac...
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Does God Tempt? (Resolving a Supposed Bible Contradiction)
2008-03-01 07:07:00
Genesis 22:1 (Genesis 22:1-18)KJV: And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.NIV: Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.James 1:13 (James 1:13-14)When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. The apparent contradiction here stems from the KJV's use of the word "tempt." The definition of "tempt" (from the Merriam-Webster dictionary) is: 1 : to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain2 a obsolete : to make trial of : TEST b : to try presumptuously : PROVOKE c : to risk the dangers of3 a : to induce to do something b : to cause to be strongly inclined "Tempt" in Genesis 22:1 refers to definition 2a, as shown by the NIV translation. The verse comes from the account of God's testing of Abraham by telling him to sacrifice his son Isaac. God was testing Abraham to see ...
More About: Bible , Contradiction

Is It Right To Expose False Teachers?
2008-02-14 15:48:00
False teachers are free to spread their poisonous doctrines today because there is a conspiracy of silence among many bible believers. Wolves in sheep’s clothing are thus enabled to ravage the flock, thereby destroying many.John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Saducees (the religious leaders of his day) “a generation of vipers” (snakes) (Matt.3:7). Today, he would be accused of being unloving, unkind, and unchristian.Jesus said to the religious Pharisees, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt.12:34). To many evangelicals and some fundamentalists, this would be unacceptable language today, but it is biblical language and it came from the mouth of the Son of God.Standing face to face with these false teachers, Jesus Christ the Son of God, called them “hypocrites,” “blind guides,” “blind,” “whited sepulchres,” “serpents,” and “ye generation of vipers” (...
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God is Sovereign - That's it
2008-02-08 19:05:00
I've been thinking of all the horrible things that we may be in store for. I'm not into politics that much but I know enough to know that our next president is going to turn this country upside down. There is going to be some major changes in our economy, business, and the world. Other changes may/will include the ostracization of Christianity and the Bible, persecution, being treated unfairly, no property rights, and our country becoming socialist. Some of these things are happening now but we haven't much of this in the USA.More people are leaning toward relativism, evil has become good and good, evil and moral decay will continue to plummet. A lot of wrong will be done to us by our government, family, and friends. The ONLY thing that comforts me is that God is Sovereign ! That's it. There's nowhere else to turn to or to lean on. I'm settled in knowing that our future plans may not come into fruition. Plans of buying that house and saving money - gone! But God is Sovereign!So...

I'm Still Here
2008-02-01 22:35:00
No, I didn't fall off the planet or anything. I haven't posted recently because there has been a change on the home front. (nothing bad) And yet another change today which will challenge my time management skills. So I will get back to blogging on this blog as soon as I can.I miss you guys.May the Lord bless each and every one of you.Love,Carol

Vain Worship Part 6 of 6
2008-01-25 18:28:00
Our Lord says in Mark 7:7, "And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." When we follow the commandments of men instead of God’s instructions, our worship becomes vain. If our worship is vain, it is empty, hollow, and useless. It will do us no good. If it is vain, it would be as though we had not worshipped God at all and we will be lost. When we worship in the way "we want" then God is dishonored and insulted. When we worship the way God has told us in His word, God is honored and glorified. As we read in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." To worship in truth is to worship as the word of God directs. Jesus said in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." Since the word of God is truth, when we worship God in truth, we worship Him according to His word. The only way God will accept our worship is to follow His directions in the Bible. Any worsh...
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Acceptable and Unacceptable Worship Part 5 of 6
2008-01-23 00:43:00
God has shown, in the Bible, His approval with those who follow His will and His displeasure and wrath with those who refuse to worship Him the way He has directed. God has always been clear about how he is to be worshipped, but man has not listened. An example of acceptable and unacceptable worship in the Old Testament is that of Cain and Abel. Cain and Abel both worshipped God. Abel did as God directed, but Cain tried to worship God the way he saw fit. We read in Genesis 4:3-5, "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering." Why did the Lord have respect for Abel’s offering and why did He reject Cain’s offering? Hebrews 11:4 tells us, "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain." Notice Abel offered his sacrifice "b...
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Worshipping God in Truth Part 4 of 6
2008-01-20 18:07:00
Jesus says in John 4:24, "God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." We must worship God in truth. Since His word is truth, we must worship Him according to His word. Here the Lord is telling us that everything we do in worship, we must have God's divine approval. Truth is not arbitrary. Truth for one person is the same as truth for the next. God has not spoken in unclear ways. God has specified in the Bible the acceptable way He is to be worshipped. He is not to be worshipped according to the evil and vain imaginations and devices of men. Whatever that is not commanded in scripture in our worship to God is forbidden if we are to worship God in truth. God is not obligated to accept our worship just because we offer it to Him. We dare not substitute what we want for what God has commanded if we want to please Him and go to Heaven. There are many ...
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Worship is Not for our Entertainment Part 3 of 6
2008-01-17 15:50:00
There is an erroneous idea today that the main reason we attend worship is to "get something out of the service", rather than going there to give our worship to God. This is a selfish motive on our part. This is the reason people cannot be satisfied with the worship service when their emphasis is not on the proper object of worship, God. People want to "do their own thing" in the worship of the church. What the Bible has to say about worship for many people is of little consequence as long as they are happy and feel good. We must be concerned with what God says on how He is to be worshipped instead of what we might want to offer Him. The United States has produced the most entertainment-oriented people the world has ever known. We have more forms of amusement than has ever been know to man, but we still want more. In our age everything is designed to appeal to our emotions and to entertain us. Our pleasure-mad society gives little thought about pleasing God in their wor...
More About: Entertainment , Worship , Part , Part 3

Comic Relief...
2008-01-15 13:38:00
Just a couple of video's I thought I'd share with you for comic relief. I rarely put up light-hearted things so I thought I'd put up some funny videos. This Goli Mar video had me going through several emotions when I first saw it. First, I was in shock, then disbelief, then horror, then intrigued, then I thought it was funny.Ok - back to reality.
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Worshipping God in Spirit Part 2 of 6
2008-01-13 23:55:00
Worshipping God "in spirit" means with reverence, attentiveness, and having the right purpose of honoring God, while understanding what we are doing. Hebrews 12:28-29 says, "Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire." Our worship must glorify God. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, "For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." In order to worship God in the right spirit, we must take time before worship to make ready our hearts and emotions so we will be in the proper frame of mind. We read in Psalms 89:7, "God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him." Our worship must show great reverence toward God. He is our creator and He holds our eternal destiny in His hands. We must strive to please Him. We should not have to rush or hurry to worship, arriving late but should always...
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The Purpose of our Worship of God Part 1 of 6
2008-01-12 06:45:00
The purpose of our worship is to glorify, honor, praise, exalt, and please God. Our worship must show our adoration and loyalty to God for His grace in providing us with the way to escape the bondage of sin, so we can have the salvation He so much wants to give us. The nature of the worship God demands is the prostration of our souls before Him in humble and contrite submission. James 4:6, 10 tells us, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up". Our worship to God is a very humble and reverent action. Jesus says in John 4:23-24, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." It doesn’t say we can worship God anyway we want, but we "must worship Him in spirit and in truth". The word "must" makes it a...
More About: Worship , Purpose , Part

Carol - Raw!
2008-01-09 23:57:00
This post is not going to be about warning, rebuking, or scare tactics of any kind. I'm not going to give my opinions on false teachers, false teachings, or comment on the moral decay. I'm also not going to talk about twisted texts, seeming contradictions, or concern myself with the workings of Satan right now. Are you shocked? Me too!Before you ask, yes this really is me, Carol . :)The Lord has given me such a joy today and I didn't want to spoil it with my usual spiel. And if I try to explain why exactly, you won't get the full effect through mere words. So I'll do the best I can.I began to spend time with the Lord in prayer, confession, and Bible reading but honestly, my heart wasn't in it. I was thinking that I'd rather be on the couch watching my animal shows. I was wondering if I was lukewarm and double minded (inspired by the post before this) because my lips were praising Him but my heart was far away. The last thing I wanted to be was a hypocrite. I also didn't want...

Double Minded
2008-01-09 09:42:00
Right off the bat you might be thinking that this doesn't apply to you and it may not. Then again there are people who think idolatry is the worshipping of a golden calf only and cannot understand the broader application. So I think it would behoove us all if we examined this to make sure we are not double minded.First, the definition: Original Greek: Dipsuchos – wavering, uncertain, doubting, divided in interest. (Strong's 1374)An example of wavering or uncertainty can be found in Rev 3:15-18. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy me of gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the sha...
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Abomination Nation - My New Site
2008-01-03 02:46:00
My new site, Abomination Nation , has just been launched. This is a resource of false teachers and movements. This is a non-interactive blog - it is for informational purposes only. The header tells of my reason for creating this blog.Many of you may not be happy as I'm sure some of your favorite preachers are on this list. It is not my intention to upset anyone. But everything presented is not based on my opinion but rather on facts of which you can verify yourself. Many people are lead astray by these false teachers and I'm trying to do my piddly little part in warning them.It is my wish that if you follow one of these preachers, that your eyes be opened. And if they are already opened, then this could be a source of information. I myself have learned a lot.God bless you all.
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All About Hearts
2008-01-01 18:10:00
At the core of deception, lies, motives, temptations, and sins lies our hearts. It drives every decision we make, it drives what we believe, and our actions. It can change for the better or worse. It can become hard or tender. We live in a world with unrelenting evil and filth and if we don't examine our hearts and ask the Lord to protect them, we might succumb to the world's pull. May you be convicted and/or comforted by the following verses.What is the focus of your heart?:“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21“If riches increase, do not set your heart on them." Psalm 62:10A heart that loves God:"...you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and...
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