Closer To Heaven
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8 June 2025 | Over nine institutions gathered at Andrews University for the annual Adventist Bioethics Consortium Conference on May 12 and 13, under the theme, “Know Mission, Know Margin.” According to the article written by Lake Union Herald, This theme was directly inspired by the phrase “no margin, no mission,” which explores how to […] Source: https://atoday.org/adventist-bioethics-consortium-conference-integrates-christ-centered-practical-to-medical-research/
Lesson 11: Ruth and Esther
11.2 Ruth and Boaz
The Redeeming Kinsman as a Type of Christ………………………………………………………………….
IntroductionIn a world where many people live in material abundance yet remain spiritually impoverished, the story of Ruth and Boaz speaks to us in surprisingly contemporary ways. Naomi’s bitterness—her wish to be called “Mara”—reflects the mindset of those whose lives are shadowed by disappointment and resignation. Yet at the threshold of that despair, God’s rescuing care emerges: He has not forgotten us, and often His freeing work begins in the smallest acts of kindness. Thus, the text of Ruth 2:5–20 leads us to a turning point that not only brings new luster to an ancient tale but also fills our modern lives with hope.
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Bible Study – Ruth 2:5–201.Ruth’s Initiative and God’s Guidance (vv. 5–7)
– Ruth ventures out on her own into the fields to glean what remains of the harvest. Her loyalty to Naomi drives her into uncertainty, yet in that selfless act God leads her directly into Boaz’s field.
2.Boaz’s Generosity and Integrity (vv. 8–16)
– Boaz notices Ruth, offers her protection, and instructs his workers to leave extra grain for her. He acts not out of duty alone but from a heart obedient to God’s commandments.
3.Ruth’s Gratitude and Testimony (vv. 17–20)
– That evening Ruth returns with an ample harvest. Naomi marvels at the extent of God’s provision and learns that the man who sheltered Ruth is a relative of Elimelech—a future redeemer and bearer of hope.
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Answers to the Questions
Question 1: Read Ruth 2:5–20. Why is this such a decisive moment in the story?This moment marks the shift from desperate need to tangible rescue. Up to this point, Ruth and Naomi depend entirely on alms and chance. But when God guides Ruth into Boaz’s field, it becomes clear that His care is purposeful and personal. He not only provides food but also reveals a plan that will end Naomi’s years of dislocation and reward Ruth’s loyalty. It is the moment when mere survival gives way to a fresh beginning.
Question 2: Why do you think Naomi’s discovery of her benefactor’s identity was such good news?The revelation that Boaz is not only kind and generous but also a kinsman of Elimelech offers Naomi the prospect of permanently securing her inheritance. She realizes that her family’s poverty is not an unchangeable fate. A kinsman-redeemer can restore both the land and the family name. This insight awakens in Naomi the hope that God’s covenant faithfulness can cause lost roots to flourish again.
Question 3: Imagine that the Creator not only became part of His own creation but also died for it. How should this astonishing truth affect how we view our own existence?When we grasp that Jesus as the “Son of Man” was not merely an observer but truly our kinsman who died in our place, our self-image is radically transformed. We are no longer strangers before God but beloved family members whose inheritance is secured by His sacrifice. Our spiritual poverty becomes not a stigma but the very context where God’s liberating grace shines. In this light, we value ourselves not for our performance but for His unlosable love.
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Spiritual PrinciplesGod acts concretely and personally.
He makes His will visible in everyday circumstances: in a field, in a friendly word, in a hidden act of care.
Faithfulness in small things is rewarded.
Ruth’s willingness to glean at the edges of the field becomes the catalyst for God’s blessing.
Trusting God’s covenant faithfulness brings new perspectives.
Just as Boaz’s family obligation served God’s purposes, so Christ’s actions and sacrifice fulfill God’s ancient covenant in the most unexpected way.
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Application for Daily LifeRecognize God’s invisible guidance: Pay attention to small signs—an unexpected conversation, an offer that helps you, or a timely phone call.
Act even when you are alone: Just as Ruth courageously entered the field, we can take initiative during dark times—encouraging friends or tackling a task even if the outcome is uncertain.
Believe in your divine inheritance: Don’t be driven by feelings of unworthiness. Our dignity rests in Christ, the true “kin” who has redeemed our right of possession.
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ConclusionThe encounter with Boaz in the grain field is more than a historical anecdote—it is a picture of divine intervention in our present. God has not forgotten us; in the rustle of everyday life He reveals Himself where we least expect Him. Through Jesus, the ultimate kinsman-redeemer, our spiritual poverty is transformed into precious riches, and our roots are reestablished.
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Thought of the Day“The hand that sows in secret is the same hand that reaps in the dark.”
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Illustration – Autumn in the BackyardLea breathed in the cool morning mist as she walked along the overgrown gravel path toward the community garden. For months she had retreated into her grief: the loss of her life partner, the termination of her fellowship, the painful estrangement from friends. Her heart had become a barren field. But today—driven by a quiet conviction—she came to gather what others had left behind.
In the dawn light, she spotted a few remaining snails on withered cabbage leaves when she saw him for the first time: Viktor, the garden manager, a man in his fifties wearing blue overalls and rubber boots, emerging from the small shed. He carried handfuls of surplus tomatoes and distributed them to the first waiting visitors. His eyes rested on Lea as she bent down to pick up some partly spoiled berries.
“Would you like these?” he asked curtly, noticing the small net bag in her hand. She shook her head emphatically. Yet his tone was not dismissive but warm. “They’re still perfectly fine. Take them.” He handed her another box filled with fresh salad greens.
Surprised, she looked up. “Thank you,” she murmured. There was no pity in his smile, only recognition. She knew then that anyone humble enough to glean displayed an unbreakable will to survive. Viktor nodded, turned, and vanished into the shed.
With trembling fingers Lea opened her messenger app—and found a message from him:
“If you like, you can stop by the greenhouse this afternoon. We still have spots in our urban farming project. Your plant knowledge could really help us.”
Her heart leaped. For weeks she had met only rejection; now someone offered her a role that valued her expertise and love for nature. Was it coincidence? Ruth had dared to enter a foreign field, and God had led her directly to her kinsman-redeemer. Had she found her own Boaz-field today?
That afternoon she entered the greenhouse. It smelled of damp soil and fresh greenery. Viktor was adjusting a new irrigation line among the pepper plants. He looked up when she walked in and smiled: “Glad you could make it.”
In the weeks that followed, not only did the vegetables flourish but so did Lea’s hope. She took charge of nurturing small tomato seedlings. Her tender plants thrived—a reflection of her own renewed life. Every evening she wrote in her journal:
“Today I was not just a recipient but part of the care.”
One morning, as she inspected the row of red tomatoes, Viktor spoke:
“You know, my family once owned land just outside the city. But after wartime upheavals and expropriations, we all had to flee. I stayed behind to carry on the tradition.” He gestured toward the ripe fruit. “This harvest is for my family—and now for you, too.”
Lea swallowed. It was as if she heard Naomi’s voice: “A kinsman has redeemed your inheritance.” Not by blood, but by spiritual kinship—two hearts joined by a shared purpose: preserving and passing on life.
On the day of the harvest festival, she placed a bowl of plump tomatoes on Viktor’s bench. She handed them to him with the words: “Thank you for not overlooking me.” His eyes glistened. “God sees you,” he whispered. “He brought us together.”
In that moment Lea knew: God’s hand had guided her—from her bitter despair to newfound vitality. Her field was no longer barren but a garden of hope. And like Ruth at the end of the book, she could say: “Your God is my God.”
In the heart of the city someone had sown—and in her, God’s harvest had begun.
June 9, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Exodus 4 – Moses and the Burning Commission
From Doubt to Authority – God Equips for Service══════════════════════════════════════════════
Bible Text – Exodus 4 (KJV)1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
5 That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
6 And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
10 And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
14 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.
18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
19 And the Lord said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.
20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
21 And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him.
25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.
26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
27 And the Lord said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
30 And Aaron spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.
31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
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IntroductionIn Exodus 4, Moses encounters God in the wilderness and receives miraculous signs to validate his calling. Despite his initial fears and reluctance, God transforms Moses’s weaknesses into powerful testimonies. This chapter teaches us how the Lord takes our doubts and insecurities and makes them stages for His glory.
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Commentary1. God’s Questions and Moses’s Doubts
Fear of Rejection: Moses worries the Israelites won’t believe him or hear God’s voice.
Sign of the Staff: The turning-staff-to-serpent and back demonstrates divine authority.
Healing Sign: A leprous hand and its restoration symbolize God’s power over disease and His promise of restoration.
Public Miracle: Water from the Nile turning to blood offers a third, unmistakable sign.
2. Overcoming Inadequacy with Aaron’s Help
Moses’s Excuse: He protests his lack of eloquence.
Divine Assurance: God reminds Moses He made the human mouth and will guide his speech.
Aaron’s Commission: When Moses hesitates, God appoints Aaron to speak on his behalf, forging a partnership in ministry.
The Staff Remains: Moses’s staff continues as the instrument through which signs are performed.
3. Return to Egypt and God’s Warning
Farewell from Jethro: Moses departs in peace to rejoin his people.
Divine Summons: God reassures Moses that those who sought his life are dead.
Stark Warning: Perform the wonders before Pharaoh, yet his heart will harden until the final judgment on Egypt’s firstborn.
4. Crisis at the Lodging and Zipporah’s Intervention
Life Threatened: On the journey, God confronts Moses—an unexpected divine showdown.
Circumcision as Deliverance: Zipporah’s quick action saves Moses, reminding us of the covenant’s life-preserving power.
5. Reunion with Aaron and the First Gathering
Brothers United: Aaron meets Moses on the mountain, embracing him warmly.
Public Confirmation: Together they present God’s words and the miraculous signs to Israel’s elders.
Faith Illustrated: The people believe, bow, and worship upon hearing of God’s concern for their suffering.
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SummaryGod meets Moses in his insecurity, equips him with astonishing signs, and pairs him with Aaron for support. Even Moses’s speech impediment and fear become avenues for demonstrating God’s strength. United, Moses and Aaron lead Israel to its first act of repentance and worship.
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Message for TodayGod doesn’t call the perfect, but the obedient. He knows our weaknesses and equips us precisely there. When we hesitate, He provides a “third” or “fourth” way until we grasp: He is the one with the commission, not our own abilities. In partnership with fellow believers—our “Aaron”—we can guide others into the experience of His deliverance.
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Thought ImpulseWhere do you feel your own “speech impediment” or reluctance to obey God’s call?
Who is your “Aaron” encouraging and supporting you in your faith journey?
What “sign” of God’s presence have you experienced that assures you of His help today?
Pause now, reflect on your doubts, and ask God to strengthen you with His power and companionship as you step forward.
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June 8 – 14, 2025 WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 10 The Tower of Babel Read online here
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IntroductionAfter the Flood, Noah’s family was to repopulate the cleansed earth. But soon Shem, Ham, and Japheth revealed distinct character traits that persisted in their descendants. At the center stands the sinful building project on the plain of Shinar: a city with a tower meant to reach the heavens. God’s intervention by confusing their language halted construction and simultaneously fulfilled His plan to scatter humanity across the earth.
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Commentary1.1 The Three Sons and Their Lines
Noah’s blessing on Shem and Japheth versus his curse on Canaan.
Inherited traits: godliness in Shem’s descendants; corruption in Ham’s line.
1.2 Consequences for Their Descendants
Shem: God’s chosen people and heirs of the covenant.
Japheth: Participants in the blessings of the Gospel.
Canaan: Degeneration into pagan idol worship and eventual slavery.
2.1 Reasons for Unity and Building
Desire for security and unity after a shared history.
Fertile land and a false sense of independence from divine threat.
2.2 Architecture as a Symbol of Power and Religion
The city as the center of a future world empire.
The tower as a monument to human wisdom, security, and idol worship.
2.3 Motives and Misbelief
Doubt in God’s promise: “No further Flood will come.”
Quest for scientific “understanding” of the Flood’s causes.
3.1 Confusion of Languages
The relay system of communication collapses.
Complete dispersion through incomprehensible speech.
3.2 Destruction of the Structure and Scattering
A lightning strike as a sign of divine displeasure.
Fulfillment of God’s original plan: distribution of nations and languages.
4. Theological Significance
A warning against human arrogance and estrangement from God.
Demonstration of God’s patience, mercy, and righteous judgment through history.
A foreshadowing of later “Babel” phenomena: unity apart from God’s Word leads to chaos.
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SummaryThe Tower of Babel illustrates how human pride and the attempt to unite independently of God lead to confusion, dispersion, and divine judgment. God’s intervention preserved His original design to fill the earth with diverse nations and languages.
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Message for Us Today“Babel” projects still exist: ideologies that challenge God’s authority and promise unity apart from biblical truth. We are reminded to align our plans with God’s Word and to approach His sovereignty with humility.
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Reflection QuestionWhat “towers” are we building today—in technology, culture, or religion—that draw us away from God? How can we foster genuine unity through obedience to truth?
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June 8 – 14, 2025 WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 11 The Tower of Babel Read online here
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IntroductionAfter the Babel dispersion and worldwide idolatry, God chose Abraham from Shem’s line to preserve His law and promises for future generations. Born into a family surrounded by pagan superstitions, Abraham faithfully responded to God’s call and thus became the father of the nation from which the Savior of the world would come.
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Commentary1.1 The World after Babel
Idolatry spreads and people turn away from God.
God allows the unrepentant to follow their own paths.
1.2 Shem’s Line and the Preservation of Faith
A continuous transmission of divine revelations from Adam through Noah and Shem.
Abraham as heir of this sacred heritage.
2.1 Promises and Conditions
Many descendants and a great name.
Through him, all nations on earth will be blessed.
2.2 Testing through Obedience
The command to leave his homeland and relations.
Faith described as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
3. Abraham’s Responses and Experiences
3.1 Departure for Haran and Canaan
Obediently sets out into the unknown, accompanied by relatives and Lot.
Key stops: Haran as a temporary home, then Shechem and Bethel—each marked by an altar.
3.2 Life and Trials in Canaan
A fertile land occupied by pagans with their altars.
Abraham builds altars to signify God’s presence.
3.3 Famine and Flight to Egypt
A test of humility, patience, and faith.
Abraham’s lapse of faith: presenting Sarah as his sister.
3.4 God’s Protection and Lessons Learned
Pharaoh is afflicted by plagues, then honors Abraham.
Lessons about God’s safeguarding and the consequences of human distrust.
4. Theological Insights
True faith requires leaving behind familiar securities.
Trials serve to purify character and prepare for God’s work.
God’s promises remain steadfast despite human shortcomings.
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SummaryGod called Abraham to leave a pagan environment and follow Him in faith. Abraham obeyed, faced tests in Canaan and Egypt, yet remained faithful despite his mistakes. In doing so, he laid the foundation for the chosen people and revealed God’s protection and patience.
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Message for Us TodayWe too are invited to trust God’s promises and may be called to leave our comfort zones. Trials expose our weaknesses, but they also shape our character and demonstrate God’s faithfulness even in our failures.
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Reflection QuestionWhat “callings” from God in your life might require stepping into uncertainty and making sacrifices? How can you express your faith through obedience and trust in your daily life?
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/9-6-2025-exodus-chapter-4-believe-his-prophets/
9.6.2025 | With God’s Word in Your Heart on the Right Path | HEART ANCHOR
Psalm 37:31 as a Compass for Your Life
Psalm 37:31⸻
Bible Text“The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.”
– Psalm 37:31
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Devotional“The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.”
This verse isn’t merely a pious formula but a living reality: God’s Word isn’t some foreign object we check off externally, but becomes an inseparable part of our inner being. When school pressures, conflicts with friends, or the temptation to take shortcuts surround us, God’s Word can grant us inner clarity.
Deeply Rooted: Just as a plant with deep roots stands firm in storms, the Word we read and cherish gives us steadiness in our choices.
Shaping Thoughts: Our thoughts shape our actions. Reading a psalm each morning changes how you view others, conflicts, and goals. Psalm 37:31 reminds you to let God’s standards flow into your thinking.
Daily Orientation: Instead of reacting impulsively to likes, peer pressure, or rumors, pause and ask, “What would God be saying to me through this verse today?”
Joy and Peace: Those who understand God’s commands not as a burden but as a love message experience freedom: the peace of walking in harmony with the Creator rather than being driven by fears.
When God’s law dwells in our hearts, it guides us not by external coercion but by inner inclination—we want to do what pleases God because He first loved us.
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Story – Autumn in the Community Garden: Lea’s Step into a New BeginningLea is 16 and about to start at a new high school. In her old class, she was part of a clique that loved parties and gossip. Yet her newfound trust in God shows in her morning Bible reading via an app. One day, a classmate invites her to a big party by a secluded lake—everyone is excited, planning to post photos online afterward. Lea immediately senses: this doesn’t align with what she’s read in God’s Word (e.g., Ephesians 5:11, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”).
Courageously, she declines and suggests they instead cook together in the evening and talk about God. The others are surprised, but some join her. By the end of the year, the clique fondly recalls that cozy cooking night rather than a wild party. God’s Word in Lea’s heart kept her from going astray.
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Thoughts on the Devotional – What Does Psalm 37:31 Mean for You?Heart Posture: Having God’s Word in your heart means not just knowing it, but loving and practicing it.
Daily Compass: Before every decision—whether about friends, online trends, or helping others—ask, “Is this in line with what I’ve learned in Psalm 37?”
Steadfastness: Temptations have less power when we remember who we’ve become through God’s Word: children of the King.
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Impulses for TodayHeart Bible Reading: Choose a short verse (e.g., Psalm 119:105) and set it as your phone’s wallpaper.
Decision Checklist: Before you say “yes” to anything today, pause and ask, “Does this contradict what I’ve absorbed from God’s Word?”
Invite a Friend: Ask someone to share a Bible verse with you and discuss how it can be put into practice in your daily lives.
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PrayerLord Jesus,
Your Word is precious. Write it deep in my heart so that in every situation I do not stray from Your path. Grant me the courage to remain faithful in small and big decisions, even when it’s hard. Help me to hear Your voice amid the multitude of voices in this world and to follow it. Amen.
My Jesus is… 💬 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54bNqUwHXJM
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