Posted by: Administrator | July 6, 2026

Faithful in the Stillness

Faithful in the Stillness
by Brenda D. Flowers

Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10, NKJV)

“Be still.” These simple words are hand stamped on a vintage silver plated teaspoon  (@GracefullySaidDesign) my daughter gave me after our vacation trip to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the end of June this year (2026). I knew she had purchased it at a craft fair in Calabash, North Carolina on the morning she and I had visited my sister.

   As I read the words, I thought about how one of our pastors at church the Sunday the week after we had returned from vacation had challenged our congregation to intentionally devote some time to being still. He reminded us of the importance of this practice of taking time to be still and quiet, waiting and listening to God.

    After church that same Sunday, I shared with my pastor how God had been teaching me to be still and to wait on Him. I shared how I had experienced God’s faithfulness and presence in a new way that same week when I had to be very still while going through daily radiation treatments. These treatments were recommended to help prevent the reoccurrence of breast cancer.

   For some people, this type of procedure could cause anxiousness or fear. But God had assured me of His care and had given me His peace. While going through each procedure, I had to lay very still on my back with my arms straight up. My right hand held onto a bar at the top of the table and my left hand held my right hand. 

   To stay still, I prayed, intentionally focused on Jesus and listened to what He was saying to me. As I rested during each procedure, I felt as though God was telling me that He was there holding my right hand and He was guiding the medical staff.  He  assured me He was with me, giving me His strength in my recovery process. I knew He had died on the cross for my healing. After each procedure, I tried to testify of God’s loving care and thanked the medical team for their service.

   After the procedures during times of rest, God reminded me of other times of stillness I have had with Him, admiring His creation. Memories of mountain top experiences, looking out over beautiful peaceful valleys came to mind.

This summer, I have experienced God’s faithfulness and presence in deeper ways through my experiences of stillness with Him.

God has been faithful to help me to know Him better in the still times I have had with Him. I trust He will do the same for you as you seek Him, the one true God. Whether you are on a mountaintop or in a valley, He is waiting to commune with you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for what you are teaching me in my times of stillness with You. I pray that these words I have shared will exalt Your great name and touch people in many nations as Your word says. Thank You for showing me Your amazing love and care. Your Spirit comforts me. In Jesus’s mighty name I pray. Amen

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Posted by: judyhitson | June 22, 2026

Faithful Counsel

Faithful Counsel
by Judy Hitson

Is. 25:2 NKJV O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You; I will praise Your name; for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

As I write this devotional, it is with sadness to share my husband of 60 years passed away two weeks ago today. Yet it is with joy I share, knowing he is absent from the body and present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:8.

Now looking to the Lord for His faithful counsel, I am assured His advice will guide me in this season of life. He is Wonderful Counselor, Is. 9:6. With thanksgiving and praise, I focus on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, from Heb. 12:2. He will lead me in His ways until He comes. May I hear His voice and follow Him day by day, even moment by moment.

Some women who lost their husbands shared that initially there was a lot of paper work to do. It seems overwhelming right now with many phone calls to make and in person appointments to plan to clear business matters. For example, who needs the death certificates I received from the funeral home and how do I settle matters for spouse benefits? An immediate concern is my husband’s pension cut off and waiting for my portion to live on in daily life. One widow, whose husband worked with the VA, said it took three months until she received her spouse benefits. With that in mind, putting funds in the regular checking account is a necessity to pay bills and handle regular expenses. Jack outlived his life insurance but praise God that a portion of his career benefits will be available for me to carry on as a widow.

With the Lord as my first love, I know He will show me the way to go. My trust is in Him with all my heart. I refuse to lean on my own understanding and in all my ways I will acknowledge Him, knowing He will direct my path as He promises in Pr. 3:5-6.

My faith is in Jesus Christ, my Lord, my God, my life, my all.

With sadness and joy, I choose to follow the Lord. As He leads me with His faithful counsel, I can be at peace with Him.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name by Your Spirit giving me life to live Christ. Thank You that Jack is with You in heaven, Lord, and that You are with me on earth. Amen.   

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Posted by: judyhitson | June 8, 2026

You Have Been Faithful

You Have Been Faithful
by Brenda D. Flowers

Are there songs in your life whose words speak to you in a special way or say the words you want to say? Over my lifetime, there have been several praise songs I have heard in church or on Christian radio that have resonated deep within me. When I hear them, I want to join in worship singing the words sincerely, coming from my heart.

 One of these praise songs that has touched me in this way in recent years is the song, “Goodness of God”. The lyrics of the chorus speak what I want to say to God to honor Him:

 “… all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

In doing on-line research regarding this song, I discovered it was first released in 2019 as part of the Bethel Music’s live album, Victory, featuring Jenn Johnson. Cece Winans also recorded a rendition of this song on her live album, Believe for It, released in 2021.

This year (2026), our blog posts have centered on the theme of faithfulness. I love the way God is faithful to speak to me through the words of anointed songs.

 My husband, three of our grandsons and I were in Cody, Wyoming a week ago this month (June, 2026), when I heard this song, “Goodness of God”, being sung by the worship leader of a small church we were visiting, my eyes teared up as I thought about God’s faithfulness to me.

All my life, I had wanted to go out west on a road trip to Yellowstone National Park to see the beauty of God’s creation in that part of our wonderful country. But honestly, I did not think I would ever get that opportunity. As the chorus rang in this little church, I realized how God had been faithful to fulfill my dream. That afternoon, my family and I were returning to Yellowstone. We were blessed to spend two and a half days exploring this magnificent park, the first national park of the United States of America.

Now, I am back from my road trip, thinking again about God’s faithfulness to me. As I traveled west through the various states from Tennessee to Wyoming and back, I realized even more God’s faithfulness not only to me but to America. What a beautiful country America is! When I saw the vast array of landscapes and read the history about how many faithful people were instrumental in building and protecting our country, I was impacted even more how God had blessed my beloved country.

Now when I sing the words to the song, “Goodness of God”, my praise will resound with an extra depth of understanding.

Yes, Lord, “Your goodness is following after me” and I want people to know how faithful You are. Praise You, God, for giving me the opportunity to see even more of Your magnificent creation and for the opportunity to see Your faithfulness in greater depths. May my songs of praise and the praises of fellow followers of Christ give You the honor You deserve. Amen

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Posted by: judyhitson | May 18, 2026

Faithful Gratitude

Faithful Gratitude
by Judy Hitson

Ephesians 5:20 NKJV giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A visiting pastor’s wife spoke at our church several years ago that made a deep impression on my heart. She challenged us to start each day with five things we are thankful for to develop a spirit of gratitude. If nothing comes to mind, she said, be thankful you can breathe, walk, talk, hear, etc.

At that time, I struggled with nagging and complaining. For sure, I was convicted of my sin and saw my need to confess my sin and choose to walk in repentance for a changed mind, changed heart and changed life. Praise God for His marvelous ways to persuade us to walk in His ways by the Spirit, experience victory in Jesus and refuse defeat walking in our fleshly ways. 

Yes, let us be faithful to thank God for simple, yet profound, important, needful things in our lives we may take for granted. This practice stamps out negativity. For me, it brings a smile to my face before the Lord, grateful for His many blessings and the victory we have in Christ Jesus.

1 Thess. 5:18 NKJV in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

That is in all circumstances and as our key verse says, “giving thanks always for all things,” We may wonder why God would say that or what we have to learn. Why would we be thankful, for example, in or for difficult trials in our lives? In those times, God is developing our character to be more like Jesus who endured the cross, Heb. 12:2. We are called to follow Him, to walk in His steps

After receiving the challenge to start my days by finding five things I’m thankful for, I prayerfully considered it. Then came the realization of the mighty things God has done in my life. I can say I have faithful gratitude for my salvation, deliverance, healing, provisions, intimate relationship with Christ by His Spirit giving me life and community in Christ with fellow believers day by day.

The Doxology comes to mind at this time of gratitude:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

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Posted by: Administrator | May 6, 2026

Faithful Peace Giver

Faithful Peace Giver
by Brenda D. Flowers

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)

“Are you sitting down? Is this a good time to talk?” These were the first words I heard from the nurse who was about to share the results of my breast biopsy.

If you have ever heard these or similar words from a nurse who is about to share medical test results, then you can probably relate to how I was feeling in those first moments of hearing her words. I immediately knew the results being shared were not the results I wanted to hear, “invasive ductal carcinoma”,  breast cancer. Yet, as I listened to those words, although I knew there would be challenges ahead, I suddenly felt a tremendous peace wash over me.

The afternoon I heard those words, I had spent time in Bible study and prayer. I had started my day focusing on Jesus and seeking God’s will. So as I heard these words, it was like my mind was already prepared. God was giving me His promised peace.

God has been faithful in His promise of giving peace throughout my life especially when I have faced difficult circumstances.

These are some of my favorite Scriptures where God tells me He is with me helping me have peace:

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, NKJV)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NKJV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4: 6-7, NIV)

What I have discovered is God even helps me when I am struggling to not be anxious. His Holy Spirit truly comforts me.

As I am writing this devotional, I know that tomorrow at 5:30 a.m., I am to be at the hospital which is 30 minutes away to have a lumpectomy and lymph node surgery. As I await the upcoming surgery, I could be feeling very anxious or fearful, but honestly, I am not.

I praise God for His peace that passes all understanding!

Heavenly Father, You have been so faithful to me over my lifetime. Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to save, heal and deliver me and all humanity from the bondage of sin, sickness and death. Thank You for giving us who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord., Your Holy Spirit to comfort and care for us. I trust You with tomorrow’s surgery and the upcoming healing journey. I trust You, Faithful God, with all the days of my life. What a wonderful Faithful Peace Giver You are! Amen

This prayer,  as is recorded in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV), is my prayer for you who read our blog posts:

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. In Jesus’s mighty name I pray. Amen

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Posted by: judyhitson | April 20, 2026

Faithful Friend

Faithful Friend
by Judy Hitson

Pr. 27:6a AMP Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern],…

The words in this key verse hit to the core of my heart as I reflect on a precious sister in Christ who discipled me as a young born again Christian over 40 years ago. I first met her in her home where I was invited to a Precept Bible Study, another friend of mine was leading. In those days, there were many changes in my life coming from a legalistic background of Christianity. That is, I knew about Christ but I did not know Him in a personal relationship. Following rules and regulations of my former denomination, I thought I was a Christian. I believed Jesus Christ was the Savior of the world, but when asked if He was my personal Savior, I couldn’t say that until I received the Holy Spirit at my second birth.

From that time forward, God blessed me with women in prayer groups and Bible studies who poured God’s Word and ways into my life.  

The faithful friend I’m writing about was amazing to come alongside me on a regular basis with phone calls and visits. She was a woman of the Word and would share Bible verses that hit to the core of my being with issues that came up in my life. I would share my personal struggles as a wife, mother, nurse, etc. and somehow God impressed her with His word that applied to the very struggle I was having at the time.

She had a servant heart that reminded me of Jesus and I saw Christ in her the hope of glory as we see in Col. 1:27. Here are a couple examples I’ll share: I remember a time at home with a sick child, my faithful friend called to see how I was doing. In tears, I explained my situation with a sick child and needing to make a doctor’s appointment but didn’t know if I could handle it with three young children. She dropped what her plans were for the day and came to help me. Another time, it was 2 A.M. when I was in labor with my fifth child. My husband was out of town to be with his mother in the hospital. My faithful friend agreed if I went into labor while my husband was gone, that she would take me to the hospital and she did.

Now as our verse says, Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], I think of the following example. It is vivid in my mind today. A friend of my husband and me got us a bronze statue of a naked man and woman embracing. I saw this as a beautiful work of art. My faithful friend had been praying with me about marriage and family at that time. When she saw the statue she said, “It might be good to get rid of that statue. It could be a temptation for your husband and is not a holy object for your children to see.” Ouch! I had been reading in the Bible about things to utterly destroy and sensed the Holy Spirit nudged me of old things in our home to destroy. The statue was one of them. My faithful friend was a blessing to correct me out of love and concern as Pr. 27:6 says.

Closing Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for faithful friends on earth and for You as our Best Friend. Amen. 

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Posted by: Administrator | April 6, 2026

Faithful Finish

Faithful Finish

by Brenda D. Flowers

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. (John 17: 3-5, NKJV)

At the time of the writing of this post, it is Resurrection Sunday as many Christians prefer to call Easter. I am sitting in my car looking at the beautiful blossoms on nearby dogwood trees, meditating upon God’s faithfulness in completing His rescue mission successfully.

As I write, I wonder how many people today or in the coming days will think about God’s faithfulness in planning and completing His mission to give all, who trust in Jesus, His resurrection life, eternal life with Him.

When you read this post, many days will have passed since our holiday to remember Jesus’s resurrection. Are we awake to His presence in our lives?

God sent His Son, Jesus, to be the Way for humanity to have eternal life. I believe God’s Word.

The more I read the Bible the more I see God’s planned rescue mission. I read the words of many prophecies that spoke of His mission.

I am awed by Jesus’s own words testifying of God’s plan as recorded in all of the gospels. But I am especially touched by Luke’s account of the two men on the road to Emmaus talking with Jesus.

These men had been in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. They had heard the astonishing testimonies by the women who discovered that Jesus’s body was no longer in the tomb and who had spoken to angels. They had heard the testimonies of disciples who had also gone to see the empty tomb for themselves and had confirmed that the tomb was empty just as the women had said. But these men still did not understand or believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. And in their doubt and disbelief, they did not recognize Jesus was with them, walking and talking with them.

As I read over Jesus’s words to them, I am challenged to evaluate my own daily faith:

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. (Luke 24: 25-27, NKJV)

When these men returned to Jerusalem to be with the other disciples, they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. (Luke 24: 35)

The testimonies of eye witnesses of Jesus in His resurrection body inspire me to trust in God’s faithful completion of His mission.

But I must admit there was a time in my life when I doubted. My faith was weak. I wanted to know for sure that Jesus really rose from the dead.

I confess that my doubts stemmed from the fact that I had not taken time to truly investigate the fullness of the Bible. I had heard Bible stories and I had often read verses out of context, but I had not truly read all the contents of the Bible allowing Holy Spirit to teach me.

I believe God understands when we struggle in our faith. It is in those times when He comes to us to show us Himself. He came to the two men on the road to Emmaus, He came to Thomas and He comes to us.

Every time I read the Bible, God personally reaches out to me.

I rejoice in knowing I have eternal life because of God’s faithful completion of His redemption plan. Because He lives, I can face today and everyday with peace and assurance of His great love. Thank You, God!

Dear reader, trust He will do the same for you as you trust He has faithfully done the work to redeem humanity.

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Posted by: judyhitson | March 30, 2026

Faithful Under Trials

Faithful under Trials
by Judy Hitson

James 1:12 GNT Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.

As I consider a present trial, being my husband’s caregiver, it can be challenging to say the least. He was diagnosed with early dementia in 2017. I am thankful I can care for him in our home. Yet it can be difficult and stressful with stages of decline. Looking to Jesus and keeping my focus on Him helps me rely on Him to love my husband well and be by his side each day.

Although we are in the ninth year since we were given his diagnosis, I continue to pray for his healing. Knowing God says that nothing is too hard for Him (Jer.32:17) and that He is Healer (Ex.15:26), I stand on God’s Word and declare the battle is the Lord’s (1 Sam. 32:17). Neither know I what to do but my eyes are on God (2 Chr. 20:12b).

This year we will celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary. Each year I gain more understanding of God’s Word: “And the two will be one,” especially as my husband needs more assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing. Our youngest son once explained to him, “Dad, You have taken care of Mom all these years. Now she will take care of you.” This was at a difficult time when my husband could no longer drive by doctor’s orders. Taking the keys away was difficult.

As my husband’s cognition and short term memory continued to decline; no longer able to write his signature or have conversations, it was heartbreaking. I assumed being power of attorney to care not only for my husband but also to care for business matters he took care of; paying bills, doing taxes and making decisions for household matters that he no longer understood. In sickness and health until death do us part takes on new meaning in our marriage. Praise God he remembers my name and the name of our children. Though he has difficulty remembering our grandchildren’s names.

As I think of receiving God’s reward of life promised for those who love Him and remain faithful under trials, I sense this life starts on this side of eternity. Caring for my husband in our home blesses us to enjoy each other, our children and grandchildren gathering here for holidays, birthdays, special events and spontaneous visits.

Our children once named our residence as “The Home Place.” Here we meet and share life, honoring the Lord and each other, building precious memories.

We have lived in our present home 50 years and await the coming of the Lord, discovering God’s reward of everlasting life on the other side of eternity. To be faithful under trials is to persevere until He comes.

Lord Jesus, help me remain faithful to You under, in and through trials in my life by Your Spirit. I can do nothing apart from You (John 15:5). Yet I can do all things through You who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13). Amen.

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Posted by: Administrator | March 20, 2026

Faithful Fulfillment

Faithful Fulfillment
Jesus is the Christ
by Brenda D. Flowers

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53: 4-6, NKJV)

During my personal Bible study, I was led to read Isaiah Chapter 53, partially quoted above. I had read these prophetic words in past studies, but this was the first time I devoted time to read the words silently and then slowly aloud to myself, asking God to illuminate my understanding as I read.

God promises to answer the prayers of one who seeks Him.

In the Introduction to Isaiah in my Hebrew-Greek Key Word NKJV Study Bible (AMG International, Inc., 2015, pg.859),  I read how God called Isaiah to share prophetic words to His people in Judah under the reigns of four different kings. Many of Isaiah’s prophecies revealed truths about the future Messiah. I was surprised to learn that the book of Isaiah contains more prophecies about the Messiah than any other book in the Old Testament.

 It is interesting that even Isaiah’s name means “The LORD saves” or “the LORD is Savior.” God loved His people so much, He used prophets like Isaiah to urge them to trust Him and His plan for salvation. Messianic prophecies like Isaiah 53 were recorded to help future generations of people to recognize the Messiah when He came to rescue them.

If one has read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament) and then reads Isaiah 53, it is easy to see God’s faithful fulfillment of this Messianic prophecy in Jesus. What is truly amazing is recognizing that Isaiah proclaimed these words around 700 years before Jesus was born.

  There are many interesting on-line articles on this topic. One article I discovered was entitled, “The Messianic Prophecies of Jesus” (lwf.org) based on a sermon by Adrianne Rogers, “Magnifying Jesus Through Worship and the Word”.  I have listened to Pastor Rogers on Bott Radio for many years. He is now in heaven but his messages live on. I love the way Pastor Rogers introduced his sermon as summarized in the on-line article I read:

“If you read the Bible and don’t find Jesus, go back and reread. It is His story.”

I realized that when I had reread Isaiah 53, I had found even more clearly how the words Isaiah recorded did point to Jesus. I recommend you read this article describing in detail how Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecies in Isaiah 53 and other Messianic prophecies.

The more I read the Bible the more I get to know Jesus.

God is opening the spiritual eyes of many today to see Truth. God is faithful to reveal Himself when we truly want to know Him. He did this for me and I trust He will do the same for you.

His Holy Spirit leads us to repentance.

This statement speaks volumes to me, “You cannot see what you will not look at.” (I found this quote on the site: rootedthinking.com)

I challenge myself and all those who are reading this post to look at the Bible daily with fresh unbiased eyes and read it aloud with listening ears. If you have doubts or questions, share them with God in your personal prayer time and ask God to help You understand His Word.

When we believe God can speak through the words of the Scriptures we are changed. We can see God’s faithfulness in the fulfillment of prophecies just like Isaiah 53.

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Posted by: judyhitson | February 23, 2026

Faithful Followers

Faithful Followers
by Judy Hitson

Rev. 17:14 NIV They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

When I was born again, it was a dramatic experience for me. Receiving God’s Spirit was a miracle in my life. The grass looked greener. The sky looked bluer. Everything was new like we read in 2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. I would look to the east, expecting Jesus to appear in the sky at any time and be caught up to meet Him in the air as we read in the Bible of the Rapture.

At first, in practical ways, I couldn’t help but share Jesus wherever I went and with whoever I saw, at home, at work, shopping, going to appointments, etc. However, many found me to be obnoxious. I was like Lazarus coming out of the grave with grave clothes.  As time went on, I learned to talk less and listen more. One Bible teacher said, “It is like putting your hands around a person’s soul to learn where they are spiritually.” That way, we meet people where they are, not where we are.

The following verse about popped off the page reading it, as though the Lord was calling me to persevere in it: Acts 6:4 NKJV but we will give ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

What does it look like to be a faithful follower of Christ? To start, I see the following spiritual disciplines:

Daily Quiet Time to hear God’s voice and follow Him
Spending daily time in prayer and God’s Word

Learning to live and walk in the Spirit is key to mature as a faithful follower of Christ and be about Father’s business like Jesus did on earth. He lived a sacrificial life, giving His life that we can live forever with Him.

The following question comes to mind, “Am I living sacrificially, selflessly following Jesus or am I selfishly living my own way?”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me follow You more closely today than yesterday, caring more for what is on Your heart for my life and follow You day by day, moment by moment. Amen.

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