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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/25/2008 8:02:28 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 2167
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today's devotion...
One
John 1:14 We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
What difference can one make? In a world of over 6 billion people, what can one do? In Jesus’ three years of ministry on this earth, thousands followed Him. Thousands needed Him. Out of the thousands Jesus ministered to, one mattered …
the one waiting at the pool of Bethesda .
the one leper who was healed.
the one woman at the well.
the one whose son died.
the one who touched the hem of His garment.
the one whose demon was cast out.
the one whose sight was restored.
One matters. One can also make a difference. One has power.
One mattered to us as a ministry when we received a plea through our prayer line. She was about to take her life. She felt she had nothing to live for, no reason, and no hope. We heard her cry, the soul-reaching, heart-breaking cry of one.
At Proverbs 31 Ministries, the cry of one stops our “normal” work day noise and we gather together to pray. As we joined hands and prayed for the cry of this one, the room was filled with God’s presence and His love for this one. He answered our prayer for one and, with praise and thanksgiving, she cried out again:
“Lord, Jesus, I give you praise and humble thanks. I was in extreme distress. I screamed out in pain into cyberspace, overwhelmed and gripped in an attack. I was caught in a suicide space, falling and planned to die. I was trapped and could not escape this. I was terrified and ashamed, caught in a deep undercurrent of self destructive feelings. There was no way out. The pressures were too much. Then I received an answer to my cries. Help, love and concern flooded into this dark space, people who cared and stayed with me, passing all kinds of lifelines, they prayed for me. Thank you Lord for these dear and true daughters of Yours.”
As daughters of Christ, His chosen ones, it is our delightful purpose to reflect Jesus, the One and only, to one at a time.
Sometimes it can be overwhelming to think of Jesus sending us into the world to preach the good news. But it doesn't have to be. When we reach out to just one person in Jesus' name, we change the world.
Did you know that you are one of 250,000 subscribers to our Encouragement for Today devotion? Just think if every one receiving this devotion reached out in Jesus' name today to pray for a hurting soul, help a neighbor, bless a co-worker, encourage a child, mentor a friend, or come alongside a ministry and partner together to reach just one. What a difference we could make!
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (NIV)
James 1:22, “But prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Lord, in this world, one seems insignificant. But with You, one is very powerful. It is my desire to be one who reflects and pleases You in everything I do, everyday of my life. Forgive me when I fall short. Help me see the world through the lenses of Your eyes, and respond to what I see with the actions of Your hands and Your feet, with the words of Your mouth and the thoughts of Your mind.
I may be only one...but when I am one with You, great and mighty things can be done. I praise You, God...for the great and mighty things You will do through me. Make me an "effectual doer", Lord. All these things I pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/25/2008 8:14:05 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8649
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Beautiful, Kimberly. *huggles*
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/25/2008 9:47:07 PM
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Grace-N-Mercy
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kj88il
One
John 1:14 We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
What difference can one make? In a world of over 6 billion people, what can one do? In Jesus’ three years of ministry on this earth, thousands followed Him. Thousands needed Him. Out of the thousands Jesus ministered to, KIMBERLY mattered …
the one waiting at the pool of Bethesda.
the one leper who was healed.
the one woman at the well.
the one whose son died.
the one who touched the hem of His garment.
the one whose demon was cast out.
the one whose sight was restored.
the one who needed a job.
One matters. One can also make a difference. One has power.
<snip>
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (NIV)
<snip>
Lord, in this world, one seems insignificant. But with You, one is very powerful. It is my desire to be one who reflects and pleases You in everything I do, everyday of my life. Forgive me when I fall short. Help me see the world through the lenses of Your eyes, and respond to what I see with the actions of Your hands and Your feet, with the words of Your mouth and the thoughts of Your mind.
I may be only one...but when I am one with You, great and mighty things can be done. I praise You, God...for the great and mighty things You will do through me. Make me an "effectual doer", Lord. All these things I pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
(((((Kimberly))))) I'm still praying for you, but I wanted to reflect back some of your devotion from this morning. That's some powerful stuff up there. The first thing that struck me was that you fit right into that list of people that Jesus ministered to. You are no less significant than those, and your concern matters to Him. I know you're not very happy right now, but He will minister to you and he will take care of you. I will continue to pray for you!!!
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<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/25/2008 10:02:49 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 2167
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oh, michelle. thank you. thank you!
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/25/2008 10:07:06 PM
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kj88il
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as i sat here crying....i realized have never truly felt i matter....not even to God.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/26/2008 8:08:39 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 2167
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From: IL (NW Central)
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today's verse:
Rom 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know they help us develop endurance.
Lord, I know You're here. And I know You're reminding me that You are in this. But you're just gonna have to carry me today. Fill me with Your Spirit...because I feel all kinds of hurt and anger just simmering below the surface. As tempting as it is to just go off...or give up...help me to cling to Your peace instead. Show me what I need to do next. I praise You in advance for the miraculous way You're gonna get me thru this...and for the blessings I will receive because of this test of faith. I surrender...again. All these things I pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
< Message edited by kj88il -- 9/27/2008 10:53:11 AM >
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/26/2008 11:21:02 AM
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BlessedAngel1983
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(((((Kimberly)))))
Love you my friend. I'm here if you need to talk.
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Reflecting with Terri
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
AKA AngelInWaiting1983
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/26/2008 10:54:57 PM
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BlessedAngel1983
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From: South Carolina
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{{{{{{KIMBERLY}}}}}}
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Reflecting with Terri
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings
AKA AngelInWaiting1983
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/27/2008 12:04:18 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 2167
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
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i had time over coffee...this morning to go back to yesterday's verse. listen to this other version (from my new Bible...which i'm totally loving!)..and the verses that follow:
Rom 5:3-5 ...we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us.
ya know how we say people with lots of wrinkles on their face just show 'a lot of character'? well...if my life was truly reflected on my face...i'd look like clint eastwood!!! (no offense, mr eastwood....i think you're handsome as all get-out!)
as i drove home thursday nite...after getting the bad news about my job...i called my mama (of course!). and while i knew she'd just make me mad...and tell me all the ol standards like 'kimberly, you're just gonna have to pull yourself up by your bootstaps again,' and 'honey, we're gonna get thru this...just like all the other times.' (isn't it sweet that she said 'we'? dontcha just love mamas? no matter how old you are...they always consider YOUR problems THEIR problems!)
now...i'll be honest and tell you that while i wasn't rude...i did tell her (thru my tears) i knew all that...but i just didn't feel it that night. that night i was TIRED of always having to struggle with my life...of always having the rug pulled out from under me. so i was going home to cry and would talk to her the next day. (okay....yeah...i was pouty. so sue me.  )
and when i got home...i called my daughter. and as i told her everything i yelled and cried. and she didn't disappoint me. my baby...she's sooooo like her mama.  she told me 'that sucks, mama. i'm sorry you're going thru this again.' ahhhhh...THAT'S MY GIRL. no flowery sentiments from her! just absolute acceptance of the situation and commiseration. she always knows to wait til i start bouncing my options off her to offer any of her own. she doesn't try to fix it or downplay it. she just lets me get it out...and offers her total support. talking with her is like talking to another part of myself. she just 'gets me.'
since the day i conceived her (and i know the exact day...i wrote it in my journal) i have thanked God for her...because i know that He gave her to me because He knew she would be the only thing to keep me alive on this earth. and when i say He GAVE her to me...i mean it!! i was on 2 forms of birth control and still got pregnant. (i call her my 'little miss less-than-1%.") God overrode all that and created that miraculous little being because He knew i would never be strong enough on my own over the coming years. she would be the only person that would be with me through everything i would have to go through. she would be the only reason i had to be strong and keep going on. she would be the very best thing i could ever dream of, or hope to be. she would be my greatest love. SHE would be the embodiment of Christ in my life.
so it boils down to this: affliction...endurance...character...and hope.
Lord, i praise You as You begin to guide me through yet another affliction. i praise You for the endurance i have developed through all these years of struggle. i praise You for the character i possess...and that which You will continue to refine in me. and i thank You, God, for the Hope of Your Holy Spirit that You pour into my heart when it seems nothing but an empty shell. Lord, i thank You for my babies (especially my love bird)...and my parents...and for my CW friends...who are always there to offer their support and prayers. I don't know what's in store for me next...but i trust Your will. May Your wil be done. All these things i pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/29/2008 12:40:16 PM
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kj88il
Posts: 2167
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From: IL (NW Central)
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today's devotion...
Upside Down
Matt 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
Everything in my closet is shrinking! Do you notice it too? It is amazing how a little extra around my waist causes my pants to rise above my ankles! And I am sure that since I hit the 50 mark, the Michelin Tire Man has taken up residence inside my skin. I don’t need an inner tube when swimming in the lake with my grandkids; I have one permanently affixed to my middle!
Recently I made a commitment to get back on track with my eating habits, choosing vegetables instead of bread, and fruit instead of snacks. Even though I know this is the right approach, I have found that it tends to consume my thoughts. Aren’t we funny creatures? We seem to major in the minors of life.
The Bible teaches us to put first things first; to seek God before all else. And yet, we continually put Him somewhere on the to-do list with everything else. He has proven to me over the years that if I put Him first, all the other things will fall into place. So why is it so hard to do that on a day-in, day-out basis?
1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” So what do I do instead of seeking the Lord? Often I seek my own will or pleasure before I seek God. Sometimes I’m more interested in getting what I want before I ask what He wants. Other times, I operate in my own logic and strength – calling my own shots according to what seems right to me.
When I live that way, I turn the guidance of the scriptures upside down. Matthew 6:33 clearly instructs us, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
So here is what I’ve learned recently on my quest to eat right. When I begin my day seeking Him, my appetite stays in check. Period. When I truly focus on my relationship with Him, eating is just where it needs to be. It becomes part of my day but not the focus of my day. God’s ways do work – we just have to follow them. So I challenge you, turn your logic upside down this week and begin each day seeking the One who created you.
Matthew 7:7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 12:31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Acts 17:27 God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.
Lord, thank You for being enough. Teach me each day to seek Your face before all other things in our lives...especially as I have so many 'unknowns' staring me in the face again. Remind me to listen for Your guidance. I praise You in advance for showing me the way and for all the blessing You have in store for me. All these things I pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/30/2008 7:55:14 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 2167
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
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today's devotion...
Ps 104:24, 31 How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures . . . May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works
Modern technology is amazing. I remember as a child watching high-speed photography of a flower budding and blooming. The photography captured days of nature’s movement and beauty, so that in a few minutes I could see and understand what took place in my garden.
Even though we can see pictures, movies, and read books on the wonder of nature, there is nothing like experiencing it for ourselves.
So often, we miss the glory of God in nature. Stress and busyness hinder our senses from recognizing the beauty of God’s creation. We allow life’s mundane tasks to strip us of opportunities to increase our faith. Yet the earth’s Creator gifted us with the five senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. He did this so we can experience His character and personality.
Our God rules nature—nature does not control God. The Creator spread out the stars in the heavens and set the foundations of the earth. He covered it with water and then set the boundaries of the seas. He assigned the rivers to their places in the mountains. He provides water to all living things. God causes grass and plants to grow. He provides nutrition and lodging for His creatures. He enables us to cultivate and work the earth so we, in return, will glorify Him.
The Lord has given us proof through nature that He exists and that He provides for His creation. My faith increases when I stop to think about the miraculous beauty of nature. If God can take care of the mighty heavens and the spinning earth, then I know He is able to take care of me.
Ps 8:3-4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
Ps 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
Lord, open my eyes to Your wonders. Forgive me for taking for granted so many things that are amazing creations formed by Your hands. As I watch for nature to display Your wonder, increase my faith in You, my Creator. All these things I pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
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Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 9/30/2008 8:01:55 AM
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Grace-N-Mercy
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Good morning, Kimberly!! I read your prayer request this morning... I'm praying for ya!
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<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 10/1/2008 7:55:22 AM
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kj88il
Posts: 2167
Joined: 3/3/2008
From: IL (NW Central)
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today's devotion....
Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
I pulled in the driveway, grateful to be home after a five-day conference. I pressed the remote and the garage door rolled open. Bloodied water trickled toward me as I stepped from my car. I knew immediately what had happened - the freezer had gone out. All the meat had thawed and the bloody, watery juices had drained out of the freezer into a maroon stream that slowly ran toward the driveway. Yuck.
Mark, my husband, was out of town. I stood in my garage disgusted and slightly freaked out. Of course, I called my husband for help. I didn’t care if it was late and there was a three-hour time difference between us.
He patiently said, “Check the G.F.I.”
“The what?”
“The ground fault interrupter. It’s in the electrical outlet where the freezer is plugged in.”
Sure enough, the G.F.I. had tripped and in response the freezer shut down. Nothing was technically wrong with the freezer, except now it had hundreds of dollars of rotting food sitting inside it. Because of a tripped G.F.I., my evening turned from one of anticipated relaxation to hours of vexing cleanup.
Isn’t our faith sometimes like that, too? We are believing and trusting the Lord, when all of a sudden something unexpected happens – our own G.F.I (God Faith Interrupter) gets tripped. In response, our faith shuts down, and we melt like a gallon of vanilla ice cream in a hot garage.
It’s certainly difficult to understand the twists and turns in our journey of faith. When a God Faith Interrupter occurs, we grope in the darkness for something to reassure us that regardless of our circumstance, the Lord is loving, merciful, and He will guide us. God Faith Interrupters might shake our faith. They can be scary. They certainly will be unexpected and uncomfortable, but the Lord holds the charge of power to uphold our faith even when it shuts down temporarily. We must turn to Him.
Express to the Lord your fear of a “God Faith Interrupter” tripping you up. Then thank Him that He will be with you, showing you mercy and loving-kindness, no matter what happens in the days ahead. Then resolve to stay plugged into Him, no matter what.
Jer 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
Gen 39:20b-21 But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness, and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
Ps 57:1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings, until the disaster has passed.
Lord, I prefer those times when my life goes smoothly. However, I ask for an extra measure of faith when my life takes an unexpected twist. Teach me to trust Your sovereignty in my life, and to rely on Your strength. For I trust Your will...may Your will be done. All these things I pray...in Jesus' name...amen.
_____________________________
Kimberly (aka KJ)
Shifing Gears w/ Kimberly
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 10/1/2008 9:28:47 AM
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JustJeannie
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Amazingly point-on devotion today, KJ. I really needed that one.
LOVE YOU, GIRL!!!
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Jeannie
'Cause I'm cool like that....
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 10/1/2008 2:47:06 PM
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ShallbeRebuilt
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That is awesome!!
shallbe
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RE: Shifting Gears with Kimberly - 10/1/2008 3:43:14 PM
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iwillfearnoevil
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thanks for posting these devos kimberly ... i'm subbed and read them even if i don't comment ...
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