Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 7, 2024 7:42:09 GMT -6
Grace
"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
A nineteenth-century book of illustrations and quotes says: “Look to Him as the Divine and only Redeemer, as an all-sufficient and ever-present Friend, as your wisdom, your righteousness, your sanctification, your complete, and full, and everlasting redemption.”1
When the apostle Paul asked God to relieve an area of suffering in his life, the Lord left the suffering in place. But He wrapped it in soothing layers of grace—sufficient and more than sufficient. He’ll do the same for you. One day we’ll be free of suffering, but in this earthly life God doesn’t always take away our pains. Instead, He wraps them in His grace. He wraps Himself around us, and His grace is sufficient because He is more than sufficient. He abundantly satisfies us (Psalm 36:8), abundantly pardons us (Isaiah 55:7), and is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
Ask God to help you appropriate His grace, learning you need no resource but Him. When you are weakest, His grace is strongest—for He Himself is our strength.
"Do not despise your weakness, for it leads you to trust in God’s strength." Henry Blackaby
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 8, 2024 7:54:09 GMT -6
Pressure
"Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD." Proverbs 24:10
The BBC recently interviewed boxer Anthony Joshua about the frustrations of his career. He said, “People create this narrative and put pressure on me. It’s too much. Gone are the days when it was fun…. I just want to be normal, I don’t want to put myself under pressure.”1
A lot of people could say the same about their own careers or lives. Our pressures increase, our responsibilities multiply, and we feel distracted and overwhelmed. Our “strength is too small.”
We can take everything to the Lord and commit it all to Him in prayer. Life becomes a drudgery when we feel responsible to carry all our burdens on our own shoulders and bear all our responsibilities in our own strength. Today ask God to help you cut out the things you should not be doing and to continue doing what you should be doing in the strength He gives, knowing that He will strengthen you.
"When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God." Billy Graham
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 9, 2024 7:48:57 GMT -6
Season of Hope: The Impulsive One
"And Peter said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” John 21:17
Peter was an apostle marked by impulsiveness.
When the Lord Jesus was being arrested, Peter whipped out his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant (John 18:10-11). Later, he would deny knowing Jesus three separate times; though when Jesus predicted these events, Peter claimed he would never deny Him (Matthew 26:33-35).
Immediately after the third denial Peter remembered Jesus’ prediction. Guilt-ridden, he went into hiding with the other disciples (Matthew 26:69-75). When Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection, He talked with Peter, and Peter was restored (John 21:15-19). He was forgiven! The Resurrection changed Peter, but it was the restoration of Peter that truly changed him.
Peter had been to the lowest part of his life, felt the forgiving love of Christ, and had a new power and urgency to spread the Good News. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. God can and does use somebody after they have failed. Peter is a wonderful illustration of that.
Are you impulsive like Peter? Because of the Cross, you, too, can be restored and used by God to further His Kingdom!
"The Spirit of God gives a sense of restraint to impulsiveness." Oswald Chambers
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 10, 2024 6:20:53 GMT -6
"Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." Psalm 73:25-26
My Prayer: O Lord, there is none who can compare to Your majesty! Every breath that I breathe comes from You. You are all that I need!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 11, 2024 6:59:07 GMT -6
Psalm 5
"Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies." Psalm 5:8
Life doesn’t always go our way from the looks of things. Satan attacks us in ways we can hardly discern; problems arise from nowhere; burdens descend in multiples; and sometimes our own emotions work against us, causing layers of sadness, weariness, or discouragement to radiate through us.
That’s when we need Psalm 5! David begins by asking God to hear his voice (verses 1-3). He reminds the Lord of His righteous power (verses 4-6), and offers himself as a worshiper who prays, “Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies” (verses 7-8). David describes his enemies to the Lord, and then he exhorts himself and all of us to rejoice and put our trust in our Almighty God (verses 9-12).
When we find ourselves attacked by the enemies of God, we should remember our Lord is in control. You can do that today by turning Psalm 5 into a personal prayer. Remember God’s character of faithfulness and remind yourself of His constant care. Make up your mind to rejoice today.
"In singing these verses, and praying them over, we must engage and stir up ourselves to the duty of prayer, and encourage ourselves in it, because we shall not seek the Lord in vain." Matthew Henry
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 12, 2024 6:52:14 GMT -6
When Things Get Hot
"When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." Isaiah 43:2
One night last year, Shane McCrea, a retired Marine, was driving down a North Carolina highway when he saw a car on fire. He and another passerby ran to the burning car and saw a man inside, unconscious. They struggled to get the man out, and then gave him CPR. The man survived. One of the rescuers said he is seldom out late at night, but that evening, he said that it was God who sent him there.
The Lord has a million ways of getting us through the fiery crashes of life. When the three Hebrew boys were thrown into the fiery furnace, the Fourth Man came and walked among them.
God promises to be with us when we walk through the fire. He is with us in whatever circumstances we find ourselves: illness, divorce, financial issues, joy, loss, and so on. He promises to be with us, and He keeps the flames from harming us. Offer God a prayer of thanksgiving that we’re never alone—we can experience the presence of God even when things get hot.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. “How Firm a Foundation”
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 13, 2024 6:55:15 GMT -6
How to Have Success
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8
Imagine the biggest, most challenging task you have faced—or could face—in your life. Perhaps managing a life-altering medical condition, getting married and starting a family, moving overseas to a new country and culture, or starting over after surviving a natural disaster. Or, in the case of Joshua, leading a million or more people into a new land and setting up an orderly nation.
God promised Joshua he would be prosperous and successful if he would do one thing: meditate on and faithfully obey God’s Word. In God’s Word Joshua would not find detailed solutions to every problem he faced. But he would find principles of faith, obedience, guidance, service, and submission that would lead him to the answers he needed. Paul echoed the same sentiment centuries later in 2 Timothy 3:16.
Every day fill your heart and mind with life principles from Scripture. Let God use His Word to guide you and give you “good success.”
"The Word of God is either absolute or obsolete." Vance Havner
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 14, 2024 7:00:41 GMT -6
Draw Me Nearer
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret." Matthew 6:6
Dick Eastman wrote a book about starting and maintaining a daily time of Bible study and prayer. He called the book The Hour That Changes the World. Eastman said he grew up singing the old hymn “Draw Me Nearer,” yet it wasn’t until his thirties he discovered the secret of spending an hour each day with the Lord in prayer, praise, Bible study, and biblical meditation.
When we get alone with God and open His Word, we’re entering a nuclear reactor, a treasury building, a communications center, a vast library, an illumined chamber, a music hall, and a dear friend’s house—all at once. All of that is in our “closet.”
If we want to walk according to God’s Word, we mustn’t pick and choose things from it but follow all of it, accepting it cover to cover. We must follow it exclusively, not change it or hold any other words as more valuable. We have a treasury of wisdom and comfort between the covers of our Bible. Don’t miss the hour that can change both you and the world!
"When we neglect the closet of prayer we remove ourselves from the focus of God’s power." Dick Eastman
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 15, 2024 6:57:50 GMT -6
Secret Prayer
"Night and day praying exceedingly." 1 Thessalonians 3:10
The author of an old book about prayer, The Kneeling Christian, said, “It is not too much to say that all real growth in the spiritual life—all victory over temptation, all confidence and peace in the presence of difficulties and dangers, all repose of spirit in times of great disappointment or loss, all habitual communion with God—depend upon the practice of secret prayer.”
When we think God doesn’t hear our prayers, it’s not because He’s far away. He is nearer than we can imagine. Perhaps He knows our request isn’t really for our good. Or maybe the timing isn’t right. Sometimes we must “wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). Perhaps a sinful habit is hindering our prayers.
Remember—God is always very near and working on our behalf. When we see immediate answers to our prayers, we should rejoice. When He doesn’t answer immediately, we should trust. The time we spend in prayer is precious because we are entering into and recognizing the presence of a God for whom nothing is impossible. Give Him time to work!
"A child of God ought to expect answers to prayer. God means every prayer to have an answer; and not a single real prayer can fail of its effect in Heaven." Unknown
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 16, 2024 7:16:17 GMT -6
Season of Hope: The Meeting Room
"Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19 After His triumphal entry, Jesus instructed Peter and John to secure a large room in a house in Jerusalem where they could meet and partake in the Passover meal.
On Sunday evening the disciples were gathered in that same Upper Room, still mourning the loss of their Savior and also probably talking about how they could escape the wrath of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly a Man appeared in the room. The disciples were terrified, for the Man in the room had not come through the door, and the door was still locked. Was it a ghost? But then the Man showed them His nail-scarred hands and His side. It was Jesus! He had indeed risen from the dead! One disciple, Thomas, was absent on that evening and did not believe when they told him the good news. So a week later the resurrected Lord appeared again in the Upper Room, allowing Thomas to personally feel the nail prints in His hands and touch the hole in His side from the spear. And Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
We can be thankful that God reaches out to us where we are, like He did for Thomas, to erase our doubts and support us in our weaknesses.
"Our loving Lord is not just present, but nearer than the thought can imagine—so near that a whisper can reach Him." Amy Carmichael
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 17, 2024 6:23:14 GMT -6
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Our struggles, our battles, our daily toiling against the forces of this present darkness are naught compared with the marvellous riches and captivating glory to which we are called and in which we will soon partake. What matter our suffering? What matter our failures? What matter any measure of suffering when held against the surpassing beauty and permanence of our heavenly hope!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 18, 2024 7:01:21 GMT -6
When the Fig Doesn’t Bud
"O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?" Habakkuk 1:2
The book of the prophet Habakkuk contains three chapters. In the first two, Habakkuk complained about his nation. He was discouraged. But the Lord told him to trust—for the just must live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4). In the final chapter, Habakkuk responded by composing a hymn. He rejoiced in God’s splendor and glory, and he said that even if the fig didn’t blossom or the fields yield food, he would still rejoice in the Lord. He ended by saying, “The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills” (Habakkuk 3:19).
Like Habakkuk, we sometimes question what God does or what He doesn’t do. Yet we must walk by faith, remembering who He is and how He works. Meditating about God’s character and all the good things He has done can help us remember He has a plan. In all hard situations, ask God to help you take things one step at a time, standing on the firm foundation of His love.
"Nothing is beyond God’s control. His sovereignty is absolute." Joni Eareckson Tada
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 19, 2024 7:28:52 GMT -6
Spiritual and Material
"I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God." Philippians 4:18
When ending a conversation with a friend who is in the midst of a difficult situation, we often say, “I’ll be praying for you.” And that’s good; we should pray for those who are experiencing a season of difficulty. But often a time of trouble disrupts life’s normal routines, like grocery shopping, preparing meals, mowing the lawn, and taking children to school, not to mention possible financial pressures from missed work. So there is more we can do in addition to praying. Instead of asking, “How can I help?” we can take care of obvious needs that need to be met.
When the apostle Paul was under house arrest in Rome, the Philippian church sent material provisions to him. And they had done so before, multiple times, when he was in need in Thessalonica (Philippians 4:15-16). We don’t know exactly what they sent—food, clothing, or funds—but whatever it was, it reminded Paul that God is always able to meet our needs, often through fellow believers (Philippians 4:19).
When possible, tend to the material and physical needs, as well as the spiritual needs, of those going through a difficult time.
"Love is service rather than sentiment." John R. W. Stott
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 20, 2024 7:03:48 GMT -6
What’s Most Important?
"Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments." 2 Timothy 4:13
If you were exiled to a deserted island, what one thing would you take with you? While something similar happened to the apostle John (Revelation 1:9) and likely to others throughout history, the chance of it happening to us is nil. But it does raise the question: “What do we value most?”
The apostle Paul was exiled to a “deserted” place near the end of his life—the Mamertine Prison in Rome. A notoriously dark and punishing place, Paul seems to have been confined with little or nothing in terms of possessions. When writing to Timothy, he asked his young protégé to bring his cloak, no doubt to ward off the cold in his damp confines. But he also asked for something else: “the books, especially the parchments.” These were no doubt copies of the Old Testament Scriptures, in whole or in part. With the end of his earthly life in sight (2 Timothy 4:6-8), he desired his most cherished possessions: his copies of God’s Word to comfort and sustain his spirit.
May we never take for granted our access to God’s Word. May it be our daily source of strength and inspiration.
"The health of our souls requires that we take the whole Bible as it stands and let it do its work in us." A. W. Tozer
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 21, 2024 7:42:33 GMT -6
What to Do?
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
It happens—sometimes we don’t know what to do. We think we know the path ahead, then the door which appeared open, closes. In our proactive world, it seems the reasonable choice is to choose another path immediately and forge ahead. But is that the best option?
There was a time in the apostle Paul’s life when he seemed not to know what to do. On his second missionary journey he intended to travel into the region of Bithynia “but the Spirit did not permit them” (Acts 16:7). So he left that region and traveled by land to the city of Troas, a seaport on the coast of Asia Minor—apparently without any clear direction. Then one night in Troas while he was sleeping, Paul had a vision of a man in Macedonia across the Aegean Sea, beckoning Paul to “come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9). After waiting on the Lord, Paul got the answer he needed.
It’s always acceptable to “wait on the Lord” for direction and refreshment. Our timing needs to conform to God’s timing in all things.
"Men give advice; God gives guidance." Leonard Ravenhill
Dr. David Jeremaih
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 22, 2024 6:55:07 GMT -6
How to Wait
"Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:4-5
Waiting is a fact of life. The question is not, “Will we have to wait?” but, “What do we do while we wait?” Before the advent of cellphones, many people carried a book in their purse, briefcase, or backpack to read while waiting. Today, nearly everyone has a phone with them, so they spend time scrolling through headlines, emails, or texts.
But waiting is not just something that happens in modern life. Waiting also happens in the spiritual life. Sometimes we are “forced” to wait on God to answer or act; other times we choose to wait as a way to gather our thoughts or recharge our physical or spiritual batteries. In the case of spiritual waiting, what should we do while we wait? Psalm 25:4-5 suggests two priorities: prayer (“Show me Your ways, O Lord”) and meditation on God’s Word (“Lead me in Your truth and teach me”).
When you are waiting, wait prayerfully and meditatively. Let God speak to your heart by His Spirit and His Word.
Teach us, O Lord, the discipline of patience, for to wait is often harder than to work. Peter Marshall
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 23, 2024 7:21:47 GMT -6
Season of Hope: The Holy City
"For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.” Psalm 132:13-14 Located on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains, the city of Jerusalem is the location where Jesus Christ died on the Cross and was resurrected. Jerusalem is sacred and widely considered to be a holy city. The Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, the Mount of Olives, and Mount Zion are all located there.
The Bible mentions Jerusalem more than eight hundred times—demonstrating God’s zeal for the city of David. The temple, where God dwelt, was built by Solomon in the city.
The city is also where Jesus preached, healed people, and was crucified for the sake of mankind. Joyfully, it is also where He “rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4).
Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey that first Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40) marked the beginning of the week which led to His death on Good Friday and culminated in His resurrection on Easter Sunday. The prophecies were fulfilled! Jerusalem is not merely a symbol of Christianity but a promise of the presence of God: Through His victory over death, we have victory as well!
"To open the Bible is to open a window toward Jerusalem, as Daniel did." N. T. Wright
Dr. David Jeremaih
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 24, 2024 6:20:39 GMT -6
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21
How beautiful! How simple! Amazingly, God pours forth all His mercy, love and great blessings to those who call upon His majestic name. By placing all faith in Christ, the believer is given the ultimate promise: glorious eternity with his Creator and Saviour. This demands praise and rejoicing to the Most High God. For He is worthy.
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Post by Murph on Mar 25, 2024 7:09:31 GMT -6
Infallible Proofs
"He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs." Acts 1:3
Though Mark McGee grew up in a Christian home, he became a confirmed atheist and hosted a radio show that spouted geysers of liberal opinions and atheistic arguments. When the owner of the radio station changed to religious programming, Mark began interviewing Christians and playing Christian music. One day McGee interviewed Dr. Henry Morris, and he was amazed at Morris’ sound intellectual defense of Christianity. That led McGee to study the evidence for the truthfulness of Christianity—including the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. McGee received the Gospel for himself, and his radio listeners were soon shocked to hear him expounding the very Bible he once labored to discredit.
When people study the resurrection of Christ from an historical point of view, they often come away convinced it is true. And it is! Thank God today for Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection through which we have the free gift of salvation.
"The historical evidence for the resurrection convinced me Jesus is the Son of God. But if you ask me today why I believe, it’s because I’ve known Jesus personally now for 38 years." Lee Strobel
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Post by Murph on Mar 26, 2024 7:05:46 GMT -6
The Same Power
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:11
You arrive home from work on a Friday evening and carelessly leave the car door ajar, so the interior courtesy lights remain on. You don’t drive the car on Saturday, but Sunday morning you discover a dead battery. Only one thing will help: an infusion of electrical power from another source—provided by your neighbor with his jumper cables.
Our life is somewhat analogous to the dead-battery situation. Paul writes that before knowing Christ we were “dead” in our sins (Ephesians 2:1, 5; Colossians 2:13). But then he writes that the same God that raised Jesus from the dead “will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” That will surely happen at the resurrection, but it also happens now as our spiritually dead bodies are given an infusion of God’s power to bring us to new life (Romans 8:10-11).
Depend—believe, trust—that you have power from God today, by His Spirit who dwells in you, to overcome every challenge.
"Christianity is not merely a program of conduct; it is the power of a new life." Benjamin B. Warfield
Dr. David Jeremiah
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