Wisdom

December 30, 2025·Rapha Abreu

The call continues

The special dates on the Christian calendar invite us to reflection, fellowship, and reunion with God. End-of-year services and messages about new beginnings warm the heart and renew hope. However, when the calendar turns and January arrives with its routine, God’s call must not lose its voice in our lives. Faith is not seasonal, and the Kingdom does not operate according to commemorative dates. Following Christ is a daily commitment that goes beyond emotional moments and reaches into the ordinary flow of life. The same God who spoke during a special service continues to speak on an ordinary Monday. The call does not end when the celebrations end; it continues to be lived out with consistency. Expiration date “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus ends His earthly ministry with the clear command to “go.” There is no deadline, no specific season, and no requirement for a favorable emotional state. The Great Commission is not limited to spiritually intense […]

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November 13, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Turned toward Christ

Father, I know that many times I’ve befriended what killed Your Son. The world offers sin that no longer seems so frightening. It’s presented in a way that looks comforting and normal. God, break the earthly ties that bind me, clothe me with Your truth, and free me from the silent slavery that pulls me away from You. Jesus conquered sin and triumphed over death, yet so many of us still stay close to what destroys. Purify my heart, Lord. Help me see that sin is not entertainment, rest, or escape, but separation from Your presence. Make me watchful and aware that the enemy advances slowly upon a sleeping heart. I want to surrender daily to Your Spirit and seek Your presence in every moment of my days. Reveal where there are errors and weaknesses in me. Lead me in the right path and make me sensitive to discern. Keep me away from places where what should be hated has been normalized. And if it is Your will for me to walk through such places, strengthen me to be a light, giving me clarity with every step. I long for a holy fear — not a paralyzing one, but the […]

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November 11, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Friends of sin

Sin never stopped destroying; it only learned to disguise itself better. What was once seen as abominable is now often treated as natural, acceptable, or even entertaining. What we forget is that the same sin that led Christ to the cross is the same one that tries to steal our spirit every day. When we befriend sin, we stop noticing how it slowly weakens us until it completely separates us from God. Comfort as a covering “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Sin never presents itself as destruction at first. It arrives softly, wrapped in comfort, as something harmless that seems to ease life’s weight. Little by little, it settles into our hearts and becomes part of our routine. An indifferent glance, a proud word, a selfish choice—each seems too small to cause great harm. But that’s exactly how sin works: a slow trap. It gives us a false sense of freedom while quietly making us slaves. The Christian life requires surrender, and the enemy knows how hard it is for us to let go. That’s why he makes sin attractive, offering temporary pleasure […]

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October 28, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Humility: The language of the Kingdom

Humility is the language heaven understands. In a world that values self-promotion and recognition, the Kingdom of God moves in the opposite direction: He exalts the humble and resists the proud. To be humble is to think less of oneself and more of Christ. Humility is the posture of one who recognizes that everything they have and everything they are comes from God. A bowed heart “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 Greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured by the ability to bow down. Jesus taught that whoever humbles themselves will be exalted. That’s because God is not looking for people who place themselves on top, but for hearts willing to sit at His feet. Humility is not weakness—it’s the strength of those who recognize their dependence on the Father. When we humble ourselves before God, we make room for Him to work. Pride closes spiritual doors, but humility unlocks them. God never rejects a broken heart that cries out to Him. Every time we acknowledge our limitations and surrender to His will, we allow His glory to be revealed in us and become more sensitive to His presence. Being humble […]

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October 16, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: God works through “yes”

Father, thank You that Your strength does not depend on mine, but that through my “yes,” You strengthen me to keep going. Thank You for teaching me each day that obedience is not following only when everything seems right, but believing and acting even before seeing. May I have the courage to obey Your commandments, even when my understanding fails, trusting that in every obedient step lies the seed of a miracle. Jesus asked the servants to fill the jars with water—and they witnessed a miracle. He asked Peter to cast his nets again after catching nothing all night—and it became the greatest catch of his life! So often, the miracle stands beside the act of faith, the obedient step, even when the situation appears impossible. Lord, do not let my faith be made of mere words or comfortable beliefs. Awaken in me a burning desire to manifest Your Kingdom through obedience, even when it costs me everything. Help me see that the true miracle is not only about visible results, but about the inner transformation that happens when I choose to trust You. May my life be marked by gestures of faith—by steady, daily actions in the details—that reveal […]

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October 14, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Miracle in obedience

Obedience is a key that opens doors human strength could never move. Many times, we wait to see the miracle before obeying—but God calls us to obey before seeing. In John 2:5, at the wedding in Cana, Mary said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you”. That simple instruction preceded Jesus’ first miracle—the transformation of water into wine. The miracle didn’t begin when the wine appeared, but when someone decided to obey. A Step Directed “Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.’” Luke 5:5 To obey is to acknowledge that God knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t understand the path. Peter experienced this when Jesus asked him to cast the nets again after a long, fruitless night. With a single act of faith, the impossible happened—the fish came, the boat overflowed, and Peter’s heart was transformed. Many times, the miracle we’ve been asking for is on the other side of simple obedience—a single step guided by God. The Kingdom of God moves by faith, and true faith is expressed through practice—through the daily “yes” we give to God without hesitation or […]

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September 25, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Seeking God’s “No”

Father, I don’t always understand Your ways. But I am grateful because, even when I feel like I can’t go on, You continue to care for me. May I understand that Your true care sometimes includes setting “limits” in my life. Not to hurt me, but to protect me, shape me, and teach me about dependence. When I face difficulties that seem beyond my strength, when I ask You to remove afflictions and yet they remain, help me remember that Your grace is sufficient for me. May I not feel abandoned, but secure in the truth that You are strengthening me and perfecting my faith in the place of my weakness. May Your grace be my foundation, even in silence and trial. May I not see my limits as failures, but as spaces where I can experience more of You. Give me patience to wait, courage to remain faithful, and wisdom not to rush ahead, trusting in the right time You have prepared for me. I know You will never stop loving me or working in my life. I trust that You are orchestrating something greater. I want to depend completely on You and on Your care. I don’t want […]

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September 11, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Unmatched power

Father, I know that many times I allow my anxiety, human expectations, or the weight of my own ideas to take the throne of my heart. Forgive me when I have trusted more in my own understanding than in Your perfection. Help me remember that nothing this world offers, no human power or earthly promise, can compare to Your greatness and sovereignty. Your power is unmatched! May I surrender my fears and expectations to You, knowing that trusting in Your love and Your plans is greater than trying to control everything by myself. May my faith not depend on what I can see or accomplish, but on Who You are: a God who sustains, guides, and acts on behalf of those who seek Him. Holy Spirit, come remind me that I have already overcome through the One who dwells in me. May this truth become the foundation so that I am not shaken by trials, comparisons, or moments of doubt, but instead that all of these transform and strengthen me. When the world seems stronger, may I fix my eyes on Your truth that never changes. Help me live by the dimension of Your Kingdom, where everything that is natural […]

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September 09, 2025·Rapha Abreu

What is more powerful than God

In Exodus 7 to 9, we see the narrative of the plagues of Egypt and the direct confrontation between the power of God and the illusion of human power. Pharaoh, hardened in his heart, believed he could resist the Lord, and his magicians tried to replicate the signs performed by Moses. For a time, it seemed they could imitate, but soon it became evident that only God had the true power. This story reminds us that, in our lives, the world may seem to offer strength, stability, or solutions similar to God’s, but nothing compares to the sovereignty of the Lord. Unsustained imitation “Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts. Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake…” Exodus 7:11 The magicians managed to reproduce some of Moses’ signs, like turning the staff into a snake or imitating the initial plagues. This shows that the world may offer alternatives that resemble God’s work: riches, power, pleasure, and even a false spirituality. However, this imitation cannot last long, for it lacks the true source. Human power, limited as it is, always tries to compete with […]

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August 28, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Reorganizing the heart

Father, so often my heart is like a house of negotiation: filled with distractions, selfishness, and motivations that pull me away from You. Forgive me for allowing human priorities, fleeting desires, and personal comfort to take the place that rightfully belongs to You. I cry out for You to flip the tables within me, just as Jesus did in the temple, so that the true altar of worship may be restored in my heart. I know You discipline those You love, Your chosen and set-apart children. Thank You because Your work is an expression of love and care, not meaningless punishment. Your correction has a purpose: to purify us and align us with Your heart. May I understand that what seems like chaos is not always destruction, but rather purification for what is to come. Holy Spirit, may every area of my heart be poured out before You and reorganized according to Your will. May Your work completely change my motivations, aligning my life with Your presence and not with the noise of the world. Allow me to fully live out Your plans for me; fix my eyes only on You. May God’s work within me not be temporary but […]

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August 26, 2025·Rapha Abreu

The God Who flips the tables

There are moments when God needs to intervene firmly within us. Just as Jesus entered the temple and overturned the money changers’ tables, showing that the house of God was not a place for bargaining, He also needs to bring order to our inner being. Our hearts often become filled with distractions, selfishness, and greed, and in His love, the Lord disrupts to reorganize, cleanses to sanctify, and flips tables to bring us back to the focus: His presence. The Heart as a Temple “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.” Matthew 21:12 Jesus’ act in the temple was more than just a reaction to religious corruption—it was a symbol of the purity God expects. The temple, a sacred place, had become a marketplace. The same happens in our hearts when we set aside what is holy to prioritize what is convenient. Allowing God to “flip tables” inside us means recognizing the areas contaminated by ego, haste, and the pursuit of personal gain. He must purify our inner being so that the true altar of worship can be restored. […]

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August 05, 2025·Rapha Abreu

By works or by the Spirit?

“I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?” Galatians 3:2 How often do we condition our relationship with God on earthly circumstances? We say we seek Him first, but deep down, we live as if we need certain achievements to truly draw near to Him. Galatians 3:2 confronts us with a crucial question: did we receive the Spirit through works or through faith? Every moment is the right moment to reevaluate where our heart truly is. Beyond the Conditions “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 We often say God is our priority, but in practice, we wait to seek Him “once life is in order”—when we have a more comfortable home, a better job, or a calmer routine. We condition our relationship with the Father on earthly stability, as if He needed those things to draw near to us. As if everything rested on the foundation of God, but He were the foundation of nothing. The Kingdom of God is not limited by circumstances. […]

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July 15, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Self-sufficient

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord’.” Jeremiah 17:5 The Danger of Trusting in Yourself “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 This verse is often interpreted as a warning not to trust those around us, but the original text goes further. It reveals the danger of relying solely on human strength—including, and especially, our own. When we make our flesh and natural abilities our main support, we risk turning our hearts away from the Lord. Total self-trust is a subtle form of pride and self-sufficiency that distances us from dependence on God. Trusting only in what we feel or think can lead us down paths of deception and disappointment. The wisdom that comes solely from ourselves is limited, but the wisdom that comes from above is pure, peace-loving, and full of good fruit (James 3:17). That’s why God calls us to abandon the idea of spiritual independence and recognize that without Him, we can do nothing. Unrestrained self-confidence leads to isolation, anxiety, and frustration, because we try to control […]

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July 03, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Dependent on the Spirit

God, I acknowledge my human weakness and limitations. Today, I cry out for Your powerful presence within me. Teach me to depend on Your Holy Spirit, for as Paul declared: “not with eloquence or human wisdom,” but with “a demonstration of the Spirit’s power” is how the human heart can be reached (1 Corinthians 2:1–4). May my life not be founded on my own wisdom, but on the power of Your Spirit. Reveal the mysteries of faith and renew my heart. Lord, open my spiritual eyes to understand truths that only the Spirit can reveal—but may I not wait for full understanding before choosing to follow You. Give me sensitivity to hear Your voice and courage to obey what You instruct, even when my mind cannot fully comprehend it yet. Jesus, You promised that Your Spirit would dwell in us and be our Comforter. I ask that He be my constant companion, so that I may walk beside Him every day and follow Him in every step. When fear, doubt, or insecurity come, may Your Spirit remind me of Your love and give me strength to persevere. Let me always remember: I was not saved to be led by my […]

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June 26, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Beyond fear

God, so often fear paralyzes and shames me, keeping me from living out what You have planned and dreamed for me. I know that fear does not make me less of a Christian, less loved, or less accepted by You. You know my frame, my limitations, my deepest longings. Teach me to bring my fears before You with honesty, choosing to walk beyond them, trusting that You welcome my weakness and equip me with every step. Help me to remember that faith is not the absence of fear, but the choice to trust above all. Just like Moses, who hesitated before the calling, and Joshua, who needed to hear “be strong and courageous” to move forward, I too need Your Word to remind me that I am not alone—I want to seek it before anything else. Strengthen my heart when I feel incapable, and show me that You do not abandon me in the middle of the battle. May my fear not drive me away from You, but draw me closer to Your embrace, where I find comfort and direction. Jesus, You know what it is to feel afraid. In Gethsemane, in drops of blood, in the anguish before the […]

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June 24, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Am I less of a christian for being afraid?

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.“ Psalm 56:3 Above fear “But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11 The story of Moses shows us that even the greatest leaders chosen by God faced fear. When the Lord called him to deliver the people of Israel, Moses immediately expressed his insecurity. He was afraid, questioned his ability, and even asked God to send someone else (Exodus 4:13), someone more qualified. This teaches us that fear is part of the journey but it cannot be the final voice that determines our decisions. Even in the face of his insecurity, Moses chose to obey. God reminded him that he wouldn’t be alone (Exodus 3:12). That promise was what sustained Moses to take the first steps. He didn’t go because he was fearless, but because God was with him, so he had nothing to fear. The same applies to us: God calls us for our obedience and trust in Him. Courage exists when, even with fear, we choose to walk forward. Many times we become paralyzed before even starting because we fear failure, feel incapable, or fear […]

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June 10, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Finding God in the pause

Lord, in the midst of so many commitments, voices, and tasks, I find myself distant from the silence that allows me to hear Your voice. Teach me, Father, to slow down. Show me that stopping is not wasting time, but gaining life. But also teach my heart to hear You amid the noise of the routine. Thank You for reminding me that even the Creator rested on the seventh day and contemplated creation and all that it offers. How precious it is to know that You do not demand constant productivity from me, but a surrendered trust. May I learn to trust that even when I stop, You are still sustaining all things. May rest be more than just physical pause—may it be soul restoration and a pursuit of Your presence. Help me rediscover the value of silence. In the moments when everything feels like noise and chaos, may I step away—even for a few minutes—to be with You in prayer, listening to everything You want me to hear. Like Elijah, may I recognize Your presence not only in grand manifestations, but also in the gentle whisper. Father, may I not live for results, but for Your will. May every […]

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May 29, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Be a Christian on Monday

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 The gospel is not just about attending services but about living like Jesus every day. Monday faith shows up in meeting deadlines, caring for people, being honest, showing empathy, and being consistent. A Christian After the Service “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Being a Christian is not an identity we put on for Sunday and then hang back in the closet until the next service. The true gospel shapes us in the ordinary — the day after the service, in traffic, at work, in simple conversations, and in daily choices. James 1:22 reminds us that hearing the Word is not enough; we must live it, especially in the ordinary days. We are called to be light. But light for whom? Lighting up where it’s already bright is simple and natural. While it’s important to be an example inside the church, we must be light especially in the dark places — among people who are far from God, where there are challenges, stress, pressure, and imperfect relationships. Our […]

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May 22, 2025·Rapha Abreu

The Master’s process

The Bible is not just a book of stories — it reveals processes, teaches principles, and invites us to see life from God’s perspective. When we look at Jesus’ journey, we often focus on His public ministry — the miracles, sermons, and healings. But there is a quieter part, barely detailed in Scripture, that holds immense value: the years of preparation, growth, and development. Jesus went through common processes while being continuously shaped by the Father. The process is part of the purpose, and even behind the scenes, God is forming something great within us. Walking in the Steps of the Son “After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:46-47 When we look at Jesus, we instantly recognize the Master — the One who taught multitudes, healed the sick, and performed miracles. We know He began His public ministry at the age of 30 (as cited in Luke 3:23), but we often overlook everything that happened before that. Jesus spent years being formed — silent to the world, but fully active before the […]

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April 01, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Waiting, Faith, and Perseverance

Lord, today I come before You to surrender every part of my life to Your perfect control. I know that everything has its appointed time, and nothing happens outside of Your sovereign plan. Help me to trust in You, even when I do not understand Your ways. Teach me to wait patiently, without demanding answers, knowing that each season has a purpose and that You are faithful to fulfill Your promises in my life. Father, strengthen my faith in moments of uncertainty. When the waiting feels long and the silence seems deafening, remind me that You are working behind the scenes. Just as You prepared every detail in the lives of Your servants in the Bible, I know that You are shaping my path. Help me to grow during this waiting period, to learn the lessons You want to teach me, and to remain steadfast in Your presence. May I not despair when doors close, but instead trust that You are protecting me from paths that could lead me away from You or even harm me. I want to rest in the assurance that Your plans are greater and better than mine. Renew my hope and fill my heart with […]

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February 20, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Sensitive to God’s Will

Lord, we seek to understand Your will for our lives. I know that our thoughts are limited, but Your ways are higher. Teach us to trust in Your guidance and to wait patiently for Your work, without rushing into our own choices. Father, we ask that Your Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts and minds. May we discern between our desires and Your perfect will. Deliver us from impulsive decisions and align our hearts with Your purpose so that every step we take follows Your plan. Help us to seek Your Word with diligence and consistency, for we know that in it we find the truth and direction we need. May our hearts be sensitive to Your voice, recognizing when You speak to us—whether through Scripture, prayer, or the circumstances around us. Surround us with wise and God-fearing counselors. May we learn from those who walk with You and be open to correction when needed. Let us never rely solely on our own understanding, but always lean on Your wisdom, knowing that You guide our steps. God, we are grateful because we know that Your will is always good, perfect, and pleasing. Even when we do not understand, our choice is […]

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February 18, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Discerning God’s Will

I’ve mentioned this a few times before, but I want to remind you again: Alone, you may get somewhere, but with God, you will go much further. Your work and strength may keep you moving, but only by walking with Christ will you reach a place far greater than what you had planned. Seeking God “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13 To discern God’s will, it is essential to seek intimacy with Him through prayer and the Bible. He is always here, guiding us and revealing His plans, but when we seek Him and dive deeper into His Word, we become more sensitive to His voice, developing a courageous heart full of trust in the Father. The Bible is a lamp to our feet (Psalm 119:105), illuminating the path we should follow. That’s why dedicating daily time to reading Scripture helps us understand divine principles and align our lives with God’s will. Moreover, throughout the Bible, we see that Jesus often withdrew to pray, understanding how essential that moment was for His ministry and journey. When […]

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January 28, 2025·Rapha Abreu

Zeal for the temple

The same zeal with which Jesus cleansed the temple in the story of Matthew 21 is necessary to purify the church today. We are called to this—to be purified and to also become a channel of purification. Jesus Cares for the Temple “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.’”Matthew 21:12-13 (NIV) When Jesus entered the temple and saw the merchants and money changers disrespecting God’s house, He reacted with righteous indignation. He did not tolerate corruption and irreverence because He understood the true purpose of that place: to be a house of prayer. Just as Jesus cleansed the physical temple, we must seek purity and holiness within the church, rejecting anything that dishonors God’s name. The church is not just a building or location but the Body of Christ. Jesus teaches us that zeal for holiness should be a priority because He desires a pure and blameless church. This zeal should motivate […]

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December 19, 2024·Rapha Abreu

Prayer: Free path

Some time ago, we talked about settling unresolved issues, asking for forgiveness, and forgiving others. Today, I want to pray with you so that in this new year, we can leave the past behind and embrace new things in Christ, free from any ties to what has been. Remembering that you don’t need to pray exactly as I’m going to say here. I know that everyone has their own way of communicating with the Father, and it is important that we seek this intimacy. Feel free to talk to the Lord in your way. But if you wish, I am here to accompany you in this prayer. Prayer Lord, I come to You with a heart willing to change. Help me to leave behind the hurts, wounds, and everything that keeps me from moving forward. Teach me to forgive with the same love You forgive us, to love as we are loved by You, and to give myself in service to others, just as You came into the world. May I walk lightly, with a heart filled with Your peace, ready for the new paths prepared by You. I want to leave the path clear for Your work. Father, give […]

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