Weaknesses

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

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>> Are you aware of your weak spots, where Satan will attack you with temptations?

Wonderful Mystery

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Luke 23:32-43 (NIV)
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

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Listening

Psalm 5:3 (NLT)
Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

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>> God always listens to you—are you willing to listen to him?

Change Of Address

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Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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Don't Rust Out

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1 Timothy 6:11-16 (NIV)
Paul's Charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

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Pleasure

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

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>> Do believe that God wants to limit your pleasure or increase it?

Stability

Psalm 62:2 (NLT)
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

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>> What if you lost everything that is most dear to you? Do you have the eternal stability that comes from knowing God?

Comfort Food

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Romans 15:1-7 (NIV)
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me." 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

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Worry

Psalm 55:22 (NLT)
Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.

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>> What is your biggest worry today? How can you give it over to God?

My biggest worry today is about dryness in job. I've been working on the same project coming 3 months now, and the mundaneness of it is soaking up my motivation and passion for my job. In addition there was couple of projects that were heading my way that was not fun to do as well.

In my desperate moment when I felt truly vex by this series of projects, I prayed to God that all these things be taken away if it's His will, but if not, grant me the strength to carry these tasks out as they are still my projects after all.

Praise God for answering my prayer so quickly today. After a few hours, the first additional project was said to be taken care of by another company. Before I left office, my colleagues were discussing about an exciting new project that is to come. It is something that I really wanted to do.

God answered my prayer again when my group head mentioned that he will hire a freelancer to clear the mundane job that I was supposed to do, while I can get to work on this exciting project.

Past experiences tell me never to worry, for God is managing the bigger picture. What’s more, He keeps His watchful eye on you. I just want to thank God again, that I did not worry but chose to give it all up to Him instead. He showed the way. I just want to encourage you that God is faithful, and He _will_ show you the way.

Do not worry.

An Audience Of One

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Matthew 6:1-6 (NIV)
Giving to the Needy

1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ..."

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Only one life, 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last

O Lord, I pray for better understanding on today's message. Teach me and grant me Your wisdom Lord in my daily walk with You. Though I may not understand it now, I'll discuss with my fellow siblings-in-Christ in hope to gain a better picture.

In the meanwhile Father, You are still the One I seek, the One that I stem my life upon. Nothing gives me greater encouragement to know that You are watching over me, leading my path, and protecting me every step of the way.

I am nothing by myself Lord. In You, let the greatest things be done. Thank You Father. Amen.

Following

Matthew 4:19-20 (NLT)
Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" And they left their nets at once and followed him.

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>> Have you accepted Jesus' invitation to follow him?

I would want to believe that I had accepted Jesus' invitation. However, for those who really followed Jesus, they left whatever that they were doing, and went wholeheartedly to learn more about God.

For me, I do think I need to spend more time reading upon His Word, so that I can be considered as truly accepting His invitation. There's just so much more that I want to know about Him.

The King's Colors

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John 13:31-35 (NIV)
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

33 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

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Father first off I really want to thank You for the opportunity You have provided today that I was able to hang out with my brother. Though he is not a believer yet, I was able to use this opportunity that You have prearranged in Your good time for me to share about Your Truth to him.

The next thing that I want to give thanks for is for my sister Clara. Praise be unto Your Name Lord, for through prayers and petition, You have answered her deepest desire. You had even extended protection for her against the evil one. Thank You Lord, for you have held her together through this rough period.

Finally I want to give thanks for my siblings-in-Christ, namely Clara, Harry and Cherlene. With them, I am able to share my thoughts and feelings about Your Word on a daily basis. Through daily fellowship with them, I am really drawing closer and closer to You. I hope to be able to bring this to an even larger circle of siblings Lord, so that the world may see Your love working in every one of us.

Finally I pray for a better management of my time Lord. Help me to keep a close watch on my friends so that I know when to reach out to them. Instill in me the alertness to act when there's a chance Lord. Let me not stay comfortable with where I am. Wherever You call Father, I want to be able to answer. Thank You for always leading me in faith. Amen.

Success

Proverbs 16:3 (NLT)
Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

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>> What kind of success have you been pursuing?

I've been placing earthly success for some time now. My career has just started about 2 years ago and I really want to do even better with whatever I'm doing. Even when I'm pursuing earthly success, I never forget to come back to God to spend quality time with Him.

Though I've purposed in my heart that I want to start attending courses at ChristianCourses.com, it seems that I've yet to take that step forward because of again, my earthly ambitions.

It's about time to start doing something about this.

Foundation Of The Heart

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Psalm 131 (NIV)
A song of ascents. Of David.

1 My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.

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Hallelujah and let all praises be unto You Father. Indeed You have the greatest plans and the most perfect of timings for Your seeds to germinate.

Today's message not only speaks to me alone Lord, but to my dear sister Clara as well. She had been very troubled lately over relationship issues and I fear that her faith may be shaken. This precious message that You had prepared today Lord, must have been intended to prepare her heart for what’s to come tomorrow, and I believe it wholeheartedly.

This message also speaks to me on a personal level as well. I thank You Lord for always knocking on my door, so that I may always be reminded that You want to sup with me. It's only because of this truth Lord, that I can never be too far away from You.

I yearn for a deeper relationship with You Lord, a wider perspective of things around me, and to be a cleaner vessel so that You may work through me. Lay in me a solid foundation that will not waver against any adverse situation Lord.

Calm me down and quieted my soul Lord, for all I want to do is to place all my faith and trust in You for Your perfect timing according to Your perfect will. Amen.

Hallelujah

Verse 1
You are my life
You are my breath
You are my hope
My righteousness
You broke the curse
Sin had on me
You saved my life
You set me free

Chorus
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord

Verse 2
Sustainer God
Almighty King
I come to rest
Under Your wing
Bowing my knees
I call Your name
Lifting my hands
I give You praise

Trust God

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.

Spiritual Dryness

Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT)
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. ... They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

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>> Where do you go to receive spiritual nourishment from God?

There 4 places that I will go to receive spiritual nourishment from God.

1. Church
   This is main place to receive God's nourishment as the messages preached always brings fresh perspective to a lot of things happening in my life.


2. Cell Group
   I love to fellowship with my cell group members. We are all very close to one another and I feel very free to share all my thoughts and troubles with them. In turn they render biblical advice and it really gives me the spiritual nourishment that I needed mid-week.


3. Ministry
   Fellowshipping with my siblings-in-Christ who shares the same passion in serving God always brings me fresh anointing every week. We work together in one heart through the Holy Spirit and I really think it encourages me a whole lot.


4. Siblings-in-Christ
   On and off whenever I needed some clarifications or am troubled, I truly thank God for the siblings that He had placed in my life. I no longer feel alone and sound advice is always around.

God's Restraint

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Psalm 76 (NIV)
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1 In Judah God is known;
his name is great in Israel.
2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.

Selah

4 You are resplendent with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 Valiant men lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 You alone are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, O God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.

Selah

10 Surely your wrath against men brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

11 Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.

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O Father, reading today's message brings me back to a conversation I had with my colleague on Friday. Through all trials, both of us agreed that we need to have the heart of Job, that we will remain faithful to Your Word and promises. We both agreed that there should not be a single moment that we might falter in our faith.

Recently though, I felt that I'm being very distracted by a single thought. Through months of prayers and waiting, things are seemingly beginning to brighten up. However, that is not true yet as I have hoped.

Today had been a good day of reflection Lord, and I truly thank You for allowing me to pour out my heart to You. I begin to reassess my emotions and Your Word, and I come to a conclusion: if this is Your trial of faith for me that I need to be patient and trust You for opportunities, I will learn it and not waver in my walk with You.

Keep the evil one away from me Father. At moments like these I truly need You to work in my heart. Send me wisdom of words and the courage to act when it is Your time Lord. Till then, I just want to be the salt of the earth and light of the world to others through You in my daily life. Amen.

Pascal's Prayer

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Philippians 4:4-13 (NIV)
Exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put in into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

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The Foot-Washing God

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John 13:1-5 (NIV)
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

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Potential

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ... let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

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>> How can you let God's love shine through you more brightly?

This kind of brings me back to a debate we were having in cell a few months ago. Do we do street evangelising? Or do we evangelise by loving our neighbours, so that when they see us being different from the general crowd, they will naturally want to know more about why we are different and in turn, about God?

I think both sides of the argument will let God's love shine through us more brightly.

If we do street evangelising, people will start wondering what faith it takes for us to approach complete strangers to share with them the Good News. When we explain about God's love, they may bask in His light and will take a step towards their salvation.

On the other side, according to Luke 10:27, "Love your neighbour as yourself", we can really let God's love shine through to all the people we interact daily. Ultimately, God has planted us on that field so that we may in turn, plant seeds into our neighbours' hearts. In His good time, they will grow.

Phenomenal!

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Psalm 8 (NIV)
For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David.

1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
above the heavens.
2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

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Father I'm grateful for what happened today.

I was happy and excited with anticipation for the coming weekend, I was angry because of what the devil was doing with my sister-in-Christ's thought life, and I was grateful for a good time of sharing over lunch with a fellow brother-in-Christ, who gave me encouragement and prompted me to read the bible in a year.

O Lord, for all that happened it must have had happened for a reason; to draw closer to You. When I draw closer to You, it reaffirms my relationship with You, and again I am amazed by Your wonderful works and how the process You went through to create me.

I seek a closer walk with You Father, and I pray that I may be a positive influence, and worthy reflection of You to my fellow siblings-in-Christ. With this I give You praise. Amen.

Gentleness

Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

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>> How can you work on developing gentleness?

As Paul says it best, having love for others is the best way to develop gentleness. I believe having that extra patience, going that extra mile, lending an extra ear, all helps in developing gentleness. In addition to these, sensitivity is also a must. Ask when it's appropriate, and listen when it's appropriate.

Be humble too, and do not think of yourself more highly than another.

Whose Side Is God On?

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2 Chronicles 15:1-15 (NIV)
Asa's Reform

1 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. 2 He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. 4 But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. 5 In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. 6 One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 7 But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

8 When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the portico of the LORD's temple.

9 Then he assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them, for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him.

10 They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth year of Asa's reign. 11 At that time they sacrificed to the LORD seven hundred head of cattle and seven thousand sheep and goats from the plunder they had brought back. 12 They entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul. 13 All who would not seek the LORD, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. 14 They took an oath to the LORD with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. 15 All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.

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O Lord, thank You for this timely message.

Recently I've been troubled. Sometimes I feel I'm guessing what's Your will and plans for me, and whether the things that I'm doing is according to Your will or not.

I do not wish to guess wrong O Lord, and the only right way to do this is to stop guessing altogether. Lord I choose to be on Your side, as only on Your side will I be protected by You, and be in Your favour.

I want to seek You daily Father; Let my thoughts be all from You. Deliver me from temptations from the evil one, and let not his corruption corrupts me. Better is a day in Your courts than thousands elsewhere, so lead me Lord, and keep me forever close to You. Amen.

Loneliness

Psalm 145:18 (NLT)
The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

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>> When you are lonely, do you draw closer to God?

When I used to be alone, many times I prefer to do other things rather than seeking God. Games and shows seem to have much appeal and attraction to my life. However, whenever I chose to instead draw close to God, I always felt that special something.

It’s something that's felt at very close proximity to my heart that wants me to find out more about God, to read the bible more. These days, though I always still have things to do, I want to draw closer to God, and know and understand His plans for me.

One Small Choice

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Joshua 24:15-24 (NIV)
"... 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

16 Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! 17 It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God."

19 Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you."

21 But the people said to Joshua, "No! We will serve the LORD."

22 Then Joshua said, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD."

"Yes, we are witnesses," they replied.

23 "Now then," said Joshua, "throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel."

24 And the people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and obey him."

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I can no longer remember the day when I first felt Your loving presence, but You know.

I can no longer remember the exact day when I chose to follow You, but You know.

But this I know, I have chosen to follow You all the days of my life, but You already know. :)

Praise You O God that because Your love never fails, I can never turn my way from You. I want all the people to know that my choice, my stand and my all came from Your love. Nothing else can replace it, nothing ever will. Amen.

Another Chance

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Philemon 1:8-19 (NIV)
Paul's Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16 no longer as a salve, but better than a salve, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

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Father Lord, thank You for the chances that You have provided, that I may come to know of Your infinite mercy and grace, to become the person I am today.

Both You and I know too well Father, that I am still a long way from the ultimate pot that You want to mold me into. I place my faith in You Lord that in due time, through Your loving hands, I may be transformed and be able to bring out the best from You to share with the world.

Lord I thank You for the opportunities that You have provided me to grow and be molded. I want to continue to place my trust in You for I know that You have only plans that are good for me. Amen.

In God's House

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Psalm 84 (NIV)
For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.

Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, O God of Jacob.

Selah

9 Look upon our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty,
blessed is the man who trust in you.

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Chip Off The Ol' Block

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Ephesians 5:1-5 (NIV)
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

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Gathering Sticks

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Acts 28:1-10 (NIV)
Ashore on Malta

1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

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Feed My Sheep

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John 21:15-17 (NIV)
Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. ..."

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The Same Hand

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Exodus 15:22-27 (NIV)
The Waters of Marah and Elim

22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was biter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"

25 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.

There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. 26 He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

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"This Is It!"

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 (NIV)
The Coming of the Lord

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

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Heaven

John 14:2 (NLT)
There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

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>> Are you confident that Jesus is preparing a place for you in heaven?

I am confident that my Lord Jesus has prepared magnificent dwelling places for all who believed in Him for eternity. For He has died, risen, and provided salvation as a free gift for all who accepts, how else can there be any room left to doubt?

True Teamwork

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1 Corinthians 9:19-27 (NIV)
19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

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The phrase "when someone is won to Christ, the only loser is Satan" shook me the most in today's message. How true O Lord, that we're not fighting or competing with fellow believers or pre-believers. The only one that we are fighting against is Satan, the deceiver of our age.

Father, teach me the way of Your agape love. I'm not the extrovert I wish I am, who is able to share Your gospel with no fear of rejection. Sometimes I may even have my reservations for people who aren't close to me. To people who might have offended me before, I may never open to them again.

But Father God, I just want to remember of the words that Jesus said, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?" Matthew 5:46

Teach me to have true teamwork with fellow siblings-in-Christ, and mold my heart to become one that forgives. Let me not hold on to trespasses against me, but rather, a heart to love my enemies like Jesus who loves and forgives all who came to Him. I want to live for You and obey Your will Father.

As Your children gains saltiness and shines light throughout earth, the ultimate loser is only Satan, who will be cast away into the Lake of Fire for eternity. Amen.

Pray For Our Leaders

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

The Eye Of God

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2 Chronicles 16:7-14 (NIV)
7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8 Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."

10 Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.

11 The events of Asa's reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. 13 Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers. 14 They buried him in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier covered with spices and various blended perfumes, and they made a huge fire in his honor.

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Today is a special day Father. I have new revelations of certain concerns that were in my heart ever since the beginning of the year. I know You must have heard my persistent prayers and cries, and thus have answered.

Will I act as a usual man, giving You praise only when things go my way? Or even if things do not work out I will still give You praise for the chances that You laid in front of me? Lord I pray for a heart of the latter.

Father I thank You for answering my prayers, and showing me a direction I should take. I thank You for the people You have placed around me, who have helped me to get to where I am today. But Lord, I cannot thank You enough, for You kept Your eye on me that I may even come till this day.

There's still a long way ahead Father God, and I really sincerely pray that You will continue to see me through. Let my assurance and confidence stem from You and nothing else, so that Your strength may manifest in me.

I seek You first Father. Please guide me. Amen.

Open The Shutters

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Ephesians 5:8-14 (NIV)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:

"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

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The Greatest Race

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1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
Love

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

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The Singapore Song

This is a song composed and sung by my church's Senior Pastor Rony Tan.

I really want to thank God for this heart of his, for it really inspired and touched me deeply. For many years of my life, National Day probably just meant a plain and simple public holiday; a day to have fun and be free.

The question is how are we able to experience the fun and freedom now, if our forefathers never paid the price? It was a price that we could *never* comprehend or experience; the pain, suffering, poverty and struggle. How many of us actually know how it feels like to _struggle to survive_?

Even as I write this post, strong emotions are crashing upon my heart. I'm thankful for God's protection over this land, that we may have peaceful days, a clean government with no known corruption, an island that's free from natural disasters, and a considerably safe society that we can be assured of our safety when we're out on the streets.

All these are things that are too easy to be taken for granted when we are born and raised in a time of peace. With this song, I do feel a lot more appreciative for this land that I stay and live in. This is the place that I call...

Home.

God's Training School

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Romans 8:12-17 (NIV)
12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

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The Apprentice

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Joshua 1:1-7 (NIV)
The LORD Commands Joshua

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ..."

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Spiritual Therapy

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Psalm 88 (NIV)
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.

1 O LORD, the God who saves me,
day and night I cry out before you.
2 May my prayer come before you;
turn your ear to my cry.

3 For my soul is full of trouble
and my life draws near the grave.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man without strength.
5 I am set apart with the dead,
like the slain who lie in the grave,
whom you remember no more,
who are cut off from your care.

6 You have put me in the lowest pit,
in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me;
you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.

Selah

8 You have taken from me my closest friends
and have made me repulsive to them.
I am confined and cannot escape;
9 my eyes are dim with grief.

I call to you, O LORD, every day;
I spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you show your wonders to the dead?
Do those who are dead rise up and praise you?

Selah

11 Is your love declared in the grave,
your faithfulness in Destruction?
12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness,
or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD;
in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me
and hide your face from me?

15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death;
I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.
16 Your wrath has swept over me;
your terrors have destroyed me.
17 All day long they surround me like a flood;
they have completely engulfed me.
18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me;
the darkness is my closest friend.

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A Place To Stand

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1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (NIV)
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

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Tell Me The Story

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1 Corinthians 10:1-11 (NIV)
Warnings From Israel's History

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.

6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

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They Are The Problem

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2 Corinthians 10:12-18 (NIV)
12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man's territory. 17 But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

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The Midwife's Tale

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John 3:1-8 (NIV)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

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