God * offers rest and repose, often to a people who refuse to listen * discerns insincerity and hypocrisy * is a source of strength for those who turn back the battle at the gate.

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Don’t let the “what if’s” keep you from answering God’s call. He won’t ask you to go anywhere He hasn’t already been. He’ll supply all the confidence, courage, and resources you need to accomplish His will. – TV

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God is at work around us all the time. Sadly, most people are oblivious, and many even deny His activity in the world and in their lives. To turn the Nile – a river of life to the people of Egypt – into a river of death was a stunning miracle, but in Exodus 7, Pharaoh refused to acknowledge God’s hand. An even greater miracle occurs on a more personal level when Jesus washes our scarlet sins in His blood and makes us white as snow. Be aware and grateful for the incredible things only God can do. Your life will become a song of His praise! – TV

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Father God, thank You for the privilege of constant access to Your heart as Your beloved child. I know that You hear my every request and that You respond to each one with wisdom and righteousness. You don’t give a snake when I ask for a fish or a scorpion when I ask for an egg (Luke 11:11-12). Every good and perfect gift comes from Your good and perfect hands (James 1:17). Today, dear Father, I’m especially grateful for those occasions when I ask of You and the answer is, “Wait.” My inclination is to doubt, to question whether what I’ve asked for displeases You or to brace for a disappointing “no.” It’s during those times that You test me. You actually purpose to teach me the disciplines of trust, patience, hope, faithfulness, and confidence in You alone. You chip away at my motives to help me see whether my desire is for the gift – or the Giver. May I always come to the end of my waiting with the assurance that my true satisfaction and answer is found in You – and nothing else. Grateful to ask all things, at all times, in the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.

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God is perfectly righteous. His perfect judgment will come to pass. Because He acts in His perfect timing, we may grow weary and discouraged when we see evil apparently prevail. Just as He preserved a faithful remnant in Israel, He now preserves His faithful ones who wait with confident assurance that He’ll soon return to make all things right again. Persevere, my friends. – TV

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“The cross simultaneously stands as a constant reminder of (Jesus’s) willingness to pay the bill, and as an indictment on us when we are unwilling to do the same for others.” – Brant Hansen

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” – Psalm 19:1-3