Category: <span>thoughts by Mary Pinckney</span>


“…I wrapped my cloak around you to cover your nakedness.” Ezekiel 16:8

In this passage of scripture, Ezekiel captures the heart of a loving Father as we witness Israel’s plight. God never walks away from us, even in our worst state. He covers us and speaks life into us in spite of our mistakes. It behooves us to accept such great love.

How do you and I receive such grace, knowing we are not worthy? He has seen us in our weaknesses and yet has never turned away. He’s witnessed our frailties, our shortcomings, yet he still calls us his own. He is the God of the universe, yet he still takes the time to soothe and comfort the pain of rejection many of us have felt from birth. He’s witnessed our plight, our cries for help.

We were left for dead in our sinful states — broken, confused and alone. It was then that God covered us. He has rescued us because he delights in us.

God has taken the time to cradle us and assure us of his love, yet how often have we turned away, rejecting that great love? The Lord knew we would turn away. He knew we would not remain faithful, but he still pursued us.

How can we not accept his great love? When others turned their backs, he was the one to hold us and console us back to spiritual health. He was the one Lord that you and I could always rely on to be there.

Let’s be grateful to be the recipient of a love so strong, so true — a love that covers me and you even when we fail to recognize it. What a God we serve!

Father, thank you for seeing me even in my broken state. Thank you for rescuing me because you delighted in me. May I never take the love, the concern, or the grace that you have bestowed upon me for granted. Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
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“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NLT)

Whose report will you believe today?

Will you continue believing what your current circumstances are speaking about you?

Will you continue listening to the lies of the enemy?

The lies of your past mistakes?

The opinions of others?

I challenge you today to believe the report God has written about you. As a born again believer, you are no longer defined by labels. God changed your name the moment you entered into relationship with Him. You are now considered righteous. The Bible tells us that when we accept Jesus as our Savior we become new creatures, old things are passed away, behold all things become new.  You may not always feel like new, but it’s still true.

Focus on what is true about yourself. In order to do so you must begin to renew your mind about what God says about you. Instead of being defeated by your own thoughts about yourself, fill your head and your heart with what God says. It is my prayer that you will embrace who you are in Him. No longer be a victim to the lies you have heard in your own heart or around you. You are important. You do matter. He has called you to walk in your new identity today. Enough of the lies. Enough of feeling insecure, insignificant. Believe what God says about you my friend.

Father, thank you for loving us enough to save us from our sins. Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son. May we always be mindful of what you have done for us and how you have set us free from sin, guilt, condemnation and destruction. In Jesus name, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
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“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

He smiled widely as he mounted the stairs and approached the front door to the house. One hand behind his back, obviously hiding something. As he walked through the doorway, he leaned over to kiss me and proceeded to tell me he was thinking about me on his way home. With the biggest grin ever, he pulled his hand from behind his back and handed me a stalk of cotton he picked from the field down the road from our house. I blushed like a schoolgirl who had just received her first bouquet of roses. Knowing my husband had me on his mind, and took the time to act on that thought, made that cotton one of the best gifts I ever received from him.

My husband’s thoughtful act that day reminded me of how God, in his infinite wisdom, thought of each of us before the foundation of this world and devised a master plan to ensure our salvation. Our Father wanted so much to be in fellowship with us that he was willing to give his only Son as a sacrifice for our sins in order to redeem us. Before we were even a thought on our parent’s mind, Jesus laid down his life to free us from the sting of death, hell, and the grave. What great love!

Have you received the free gift of salvation? The hard work was already done on the cross by Jesus. All you need to do is simply receive by faith the precious gift offered by our Heavenly Father.

Father, thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. Without his sacrifice, where would we be? You gave us the ultimate gift of eternal life. May we always be grateful and continue to share your love and the message of the cross with everyone we meet. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Go Deeper

What little thing can you do today that will make a loved one or friend smile? What little thing has our Lord done for you that still makes you smile?

By Mary Pinckney
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“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” Galatians 5:16-17 (NASB)

I began to question the Lord about some of the issues I had been dealing with recently. I felt like Paul. I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. Have you been there?

The Lord began to show me through the Word, that our lives are not to be controlled by what our flesh desires. Instead, born again believers should be led by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Here is the problem; when we do not take the time to feed our spirit man through prayer, fasting, and meditating on the Word, we will not be able to recognize the promptings of the Spirit. The one you feed the most will grow strongest.

On average, how much time do you spend reading the Bible and praying? If you desire to walk in the spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh, the key is increasing your time in these spiritual practices. The Word cleanses and transforms our hearts. Prayer helps to give us direction and allows us to see the traps of the enemy. Prayer is also essential in dying to our will and embracing God’s will.

My prayer for you today is that the eyes of your understanding will be enlightened as you study scriptures. I pray you will allow the grace of God to help you win the battle over your struggles. Be led by the Spirit as you pursue a closer walk with the Father.

Father so often we take for granted the tools you have given us to help us live a holy life that is pleasing to you. I pray that we will begin to examine our own ways, our motives, our thoughts and our desires. I pray that we will bring these to you so that you can help us to see clearly. Oftentimes what we want is not what you want. I pray that you will continue to draw us by your Holy Spirit and guide us in truth so that we may follow after you wholeheartedly. In Jesus name, Amen.

What necessary changes can you make today to begin to include time daily for the Word of God and prayer?

Begin to get quiet intentionally and listen for the Holy Spirit’s direction in your everyday life.

By Mary Pinckney
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As I sat this morning, quietly listening to the waves crash upon the shore, I heard the Holy Spirit say “write where you are.”  So here goes, my raw thoughts from this morning…

It’s morning, as I sit and watch the waves crash upon the shore, I can’t help but reflect on Your goodness. How Your love surrounds us and overshadows us, even when we fail to take notice. How Your blood washed over our dirty, sin filled souls. You cleansed us from all of our guilt and iniquity. Acts 10:15

It is times like these I want to just jump in and get wet; just to bask in Your presence until all my fears are gone. I want to dive into the sea of Your love and just be at peace, be at rest.

Life sometimes takes us by surprise, but You are always constant, just like the waves of the sea. You are always present. Your love never fades away. Your love is so refreshing, so breathtaking, it’s so hard to imagine life without it, life without You.

The stillness of this moment makes life so worth living. The birds fly without a care in the world. The sea roars in contentment, in worship, settled into what You created it to be. The sun fades away in the faint distance as the clouds give way to rain.

My heart, so heavy, so free at the same time because only You know how to wash away my pain. You took away what I once held so dear; my worries, my doubts, all my concerns and washed them all away. You reminded me of Your great love for me and how you will always stay.

You are always there, so constant, so consistent like the roaring sea. Why should I fear? Why should I be discouraged? You hold me all so near. You wrap me in the sea of Your love, now I have no fears.

I wade in a little bit deeper just to experience what I have been missing. Fear has kept me at arm’s length, never fully experiencing life’s fullness. Never fully launching out into the deep; the depths of Your love will never harm me.

So today, I give myself freely to You, Your love, Your touch; desiring Your healing Hand to restore every broken part of me. Every tear, every pain, every heartache I have contained, cast it into the sea of forgetfulness right now, I must. Longing to bask fully in who You are, in Your love so true. The sea of Your love has captured me. It stills my soul. It reminds me of Your great love; Your Son, Jesus You sent from above.

I’ll hold on to Your hand as You lead me to new depths in You; never forgetting You are with me, every step. You promised to not leave me, abandon me You won’t. It is the sea of Your love that holds me so close. So near I can taste You yet so far, I pant after You, not wanting to let go. You won’t leave me, no. You won’t ever let me go.

I sit and I watch in awe, in wonder at the works of Your hands. It’s so majestic, yet so refreshing all in the same breath. Your power so quaint yet well-defined with each wave. You have taken me captive. I can’t seem to pull away. So, I will just sit and be overtaken by Your great love. I’m here Lord, I’m here to stay.

By Mary Pinckney
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Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Father, teach us to rest in Your love for us. Too often we get sidetracked by the cares and the concerns of this world. We allow what we see dictate our belief, our emotions, our hope. We are so-o easily moved by the media and what is happening around us. Remind us of the need to cast our cares upon you. Remind us of the need to keep our attention on Your promises to us. Remind us to come to  You when we are worried, alone, tired, lonely, and afraid. Remind us that You are with us. You will never leave us nor forsake us. You are our hope. You are our peace. You are our shelter in the time of the storm. We trust You. We offer this prayer in Jesus name Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
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“Let your gentle spirit be made known to all men.” Philippians 4:5 (NASB)

We live in a society that is filled with hurting people, many of whom go unnoticed on a regular basis. Have you stopped to take notice of the people around you?

We often get so consumed with meeting the next deadline, competing for the next promotion, or running to our next obligation, that we lose sight of how we treat the people around us. Sadly, our busyness can lead to harshness, critical attitudes, frustration, or just being overwhelmed to the point that we treat the ones we love unfairly.

How many of your relationships are strained because you need to make an attitude adjustment this very moment? It’s time to push pause. Take a deep breath and release the weight of what you have been carrying. Remember, as a born again believer, you have been called to be a light to those around you. People are taking note of your every move. You are to exhibit Christ’s nature that is within. I know we all have our days… but ultimately, Jesus should be seen, not us.

I encourage you today to put on gentleness, even in the midst of those moments of frustration. Slow down and begin to pay attention to what really matters. It is not the to-do lists that are waiting to be tackled. It is the people connected to you. Let gentleness go before you today. The things you accomplish will mean very little if you have no one to share them with.

Father, help us to be mindful today of our attitudes. Help us to pay close attention to the ones we hurt because we are not paying attention to the little things. May our words and our mannerisms be seasoned with grace. May we pause to take time to commune with You in order to receive the love that we need to share with those around us. Lord, let Your love flow through us like never before. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Take Action: Develop a new habit of taking a deep breath the next time you are ready to lose your cool. Stop and whisper a prayer for God to help you remain calm and to allow His fruit to work in your everyday life.

By Mary Pinckney
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“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”   Isaiah 1:19-20

When our children were younger, we would often share with them the power of choice. It was simple — if you do well, you get rewarded. If you do wrong, you will suffer the consequences for that action. It didn’t take long for them to realize which choice was better. This lesson still helps to keep them on the right course today.

As we look to the Scriptures we see that God gave the children of Israel a similar choice. “If you are willing and obedient you will eat the good things of the land” (Isaiah 1:19). One would think this is an easy choice to make.

Of course we want the good, the best of the land. However, our sinful nature does not always allow us to choose what is best. We often make the wrong choice.

Before the covenant of grace, it was impossible to keep the law as God required. God knew this but wanted us to understand the difficulty of living life without Him. Under grace, we now can obey in the Spirit’s power. Even if we make the wrong choice, we have the Holy Spirit nudging us to get it right. We have an advocate in Jesus, going before the Father on our behalf, asking that we be pardoned.

Does it mean we willingly take advantage of that grace? Of course not. It simply means that if we choose wrong the first time, we have another chance to choose wisely. If we fail to do so, our consequences will soon help us to get back on track.

Father, guide me daily as I make decisions in my everyday life and relationships. Help me to see clearly the error of my own ways. I admit I need your grace in my life daily in order for me to experience your best. Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
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“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity.” Psalm 94:12-13 (AMP)

As I take a look at our key scripture, I am reminded of God’s love for us.

We are truly fortunate to have a Father that disciplines and instructs us. It is our job to be teachable and make sure we are paying attention.

This verse also stresses that the Lord gives us power to keep ourselves calm in the days of adversity. I believe it is a direct result of what we learn from the wisdom God gives in His Word. It is good to know that our God is strategic. Everything He does has purpose.  Nothing that we encounter surprises Him. He uses the hardships of our journey to mold us into a vessel that is pleasing to Him.

When you are faced with difficult issues take time to consult the Word of God. It is through His word that we find the ammunition that is needed to keep us firmly planted as the pressures of life mount. My prayer for you today is that you will begin to desire the sincere milk of the Word. Allow it to strengthen you in your everyday walk. Be teachable as the Lord to trains and instructs you in the way that you should go. It will be well with you.

Father your word teaches us that we can trust you in our daily lives. I pray that we will take the time needed to learn the lessons that you are teaching us. I pray that we will be students of your word, desiring your word as our necessary food. Amen.

How do you handle life’s difficult issues?

By Mary Pinckney
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I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Hebrews 13:5b

Pain can be a dreadful teacher when it comes to relationships. Think about it, we open our hearts to be loving and accepting to others at a young age. That innocence is betrayed at the first sign of disappointment, rejection or abandonment, leaving us with a pain that shakes us to our core. Through it all, we must face the inevitable decision to love again.

Vulnerability does not come easy after we have been hurt. We often brace ourselves for the next betrayal. The pain of it leaves us fearful and alone. It is easy to recoil instead of taking a chance at being hurt again. Recoiling causes us to retreat more and more into ourselves, our work, success, and other accomplishment or even addictions. When we do, we lose out on one of the greatest human experiences we can ever have; love.

If you are currently at a crossroads in your relationship, what choice will you make? Will you retreat to the frightful cave you built for yourself or will you be courageous and trust that through it all, God is with you? Regardless to how anyone else makes us feel, the pain they caused in our lives, we have a Savior that promises not to leave us nor forsake us. He will never abandon us, physically or emotionally. God’s love can bring about the freedom needed to love again. God’s love can heal our wounded souls and teach us how to open our hearts again even amid bouts of fear.

Father, you know the pain and the heartaches we have experienced in our relationships. You know the deep wounds that still bleed need mending. I thank you that you are the God that can bind up those very wounds and heal our broken hearts. Teach us to love again, I pray. Teach us to trust again. Teach us to give ourselves freely even amid fear. Teach us to be true to ourselves and set proper boundaries in place in all our relationships. It is in Jesus’s precious name we pray, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
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That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?Matthew 6:25-27 (NLT)

God has not forgotten about you.

He sees. He knows.

He is always aware of you.

That is the heart of a loving Father. Release your cares and concerns to Him today. He is well able to take care of each and every one. He can and He will, take care of you.

Lord, your love is so amazing. Your concern for us is sometimes baffling. Even when we don’t deserve Your grace, You are right there. Thank you for giving to us so freely. Forgive us for not always trusting You totally. We are so prone to letting fear and doubt cloud our vision. You have never let us down and we take this moment to thank You for always doing exceedingly abundantly above all we may ask or think, even in our times of doubt. Today we renew our focus. We recognize that You can and You will always take care of us, just as you do the sparrows. Thank you for Your amazing grace. Thank you for Your unfailing love. In Jesus name, Amen.

Grace and Peace,

By Mary Pinckney
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“…and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Exodus 33:19 (NASB)

In the movie, “The Shack”, there is a judgment scene. The angel and the young father discuss how God could forgive people that commit horrible acts. The father was placed in a position to judge what would happen to these people and then given the opportunity to judge one of his children to be condemned to hell because of their own wrongdoing. At that moment, it became clear to him that God shows grace to each of his children because of his love for us. God’s grace transcends understanding.

The issue of judgment is never an easy one. When the decision is left up to us, we might choose condemnation over grace. If we choose to step into God’s position as judge and condemn the actions of others, we’ll often forget about the grace moments we have received.

God doesn’t weigh sin the way we have a tendency to do. In his eyes, missing the mark is all the same. When we choose to step into the shoes of the one that violated us instead, witnessing where they stand and why they chose the path they did, we begin to see the need to extend compassion. It is then we recognize why God is the ultimate judge.

His choice of who receives his grace is based upon the heart of the individual and never solely on their actions. We may look at the outward appearance and actions, but God bases his decision of grace on so much more.

Father, teach me to see people through your gracious eyes and not through my own narrow view. I realize that I, too, have sinned and fallen short when it comes to living by your standards. Help me I pray to never take your grace moments for granted in my own life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Go Deeper — Take a moment to journal about the times that God has extended grace to you throughout your life. It often helps in the moments we need to extend grace to others to recall what he has done for you.

By Mary Pinckney
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Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”  Matthew 14:14 (NLT)

How do you keep doing for others in the midst of chaos in your own life?

Jesus withdrew to be alone after hearing that his cousin, John the Baptist, was beheaded. But when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. Compassion is defined as a desire to help someone who is sick, hungry, or hurting. Jesus wanted to ensure that the crowd had what they needed even at a time when he was in need and the disciples wanted to send the crowd away.

Jesus, knowing the needs of the people, did not turn them aside. He laid his own need aside to ensure the people were taken care of. After doing so, he continued to a place of solitude to pray. By making time to withdraw and pray, he stayed connected to his source and ensured that he would continue doing the will of the Father. This gave him the power, the grace, the instructions, and the wisdom to complete his assignment on earth.

God is asking us to serve others with a heart of compassion just as Jesus did, but at times our own selfish ambitions get in the way. Often, we are so fixated on our own needs or our own insecurities that we miss valuable opportunities right before us. The key to helping to meet the needs of others is first recognizing that God is always our source. When we come to him admitting our insufficiency, he takes what we have and multiplies it.

Lord, I come to you today asking that you fill me with a heart of compassion and love for others. I ask that you minister through me today to those who are in need of your love and grace. I desire to love as Jesus loves. Most of all, I desire to please you in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Mary Pinckney
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From: https://findingtruthwithin.com/

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Recently, I heard a man of God share with the news media that He was led by God to accept an invitation that was extended to him. His choice to accept the invitation was in direct obedience to God. Because the Pastor accepted the invitation, he was heavily criticized. It saddened my heart to hear the negative reports that came from both the media and the Body of Christ. As a Born-again believer, what should our stand be in situations such as this? Also, as the one who is walking in obedience to the voice of God, what should our response be?

My reflections took me to the Word of God. The more I reflected, I found that obedience often comes with consequences. As the Body of Christ, we must be careful how we handle what God has instructed others to do. It will benefit our brothers and sisters more when we actively cover them in prayer as they walk the walk of obedience. What a wonderful message it would send to those who are struggling in the area of obedience to know that they have support from Christian counterparts. Jesus already told us that in this world we would have troubles, but He overcame the world for us. He has already instructed us that we would be hated for His name sake. It is disheartening to hear the same hate that is in the world is now coming from those who we are joined to in the Kingdom.

Let’s look at Jeremiah 1, we find Jeremiah has been called as a young prophet to speak to the children of Israel (Jeremiah 1:5-7). He struggled with the call. I believe it wasn’t just because of his age, but also the fear of what he would have to endure because of the call. God confirmed to Jeremiah that He raised him up from the womb for the very task. What stood out the most to me about Jeremiah’s story is that God knew His obedience would not be popular with “people.” He knew they would attack Jeremiah for the prophecies he would give. Yet God still prompted Him forward.

Jeremiah was told in Jeremiah 1:17

“to get up and go. Do all that I command. Don’t let what they do or say frighten you or else I will make you look foolish before them.”

Jeremiah proceeded and time and time again we witness him crying out to God because of the mistreatment he received. Nevertheless, He obeyed. Even at the point of giving up, Jeremiah realized it was deeply embedded in him, look at
Jeremiah 20:9

“… his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.”

Who are we to expect anything different when we witness firsthand the countless times obedience brought about tribulation in scripture? As we walk in obedience, we must get used to people criticizing us. When we know who we are and what we have been called to, we are less prone to let the opinions of men deter us from that path. At the end of the day, God is looking for fruit from us in the Body of Christ. If there is concern that a brother or sister in the Lord maybe disobeying God or misrepresenting the Kingdom, let their fruit speak for them.

Even Jesus had to pass the test of obedience. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we observe Jesus asking for a release from the assignment He had been given to lay down His life for mankind. His resolution was to obey.

This too should be our final resolve when faced with the decision to fully obey the call, the assignment of our Heavenly Father. When we are moved by the opinions of others, it begins to cast a shadow of doubt on the assignment we have been given. God will often test us to see whom we will obey, Him or man. God is not concerned about the opinion of man. If He has assigned a work to our hands, He is fixated on the final outcome- the greater good.

The next time you are faced with a choice to follow through on what God has spoken or remain popular with people, choose wisely. Deuteronomy 30:19 clearly states,

I set before you life and death, blessings and curses; now choose life.”

When it is all said and done, God is the only one that we should be afraid of not pleasing. People will talk, let them. Eventually they will move on to the next big discussion. Our focus should remain on accomplishing the will of our Heavenly Father. He has called us for such a time as this!

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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You are my Rear Guard

…. for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard
Isaiah 52:12

You are my STRONG TOWER

For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. Psalm 61:3

You are my Shelter

…For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

You are my Strength

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:8

You are my Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

You are my Healer

for I am the LORD, your healer Exodus 15:26

You are my Portion

LORD, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future Psalm 16:5

You are my Shield, my Refuge, and my Savior

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

Lord, may we never forget who you are to us. May we always be reminded of your loving kindness, compassion, and grace in our lives in Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission
From: https://findingtruthwithin.com/

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