INDEPENDENCE DAY - the 4th of JULY 2024

On this 2024 
4th of July
please take the time to pause 
and
PRAY for our NATION
my Call to All
(actually I believe it's God's Call to All!)
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I thought long and hard about this 4th of July as I prayed & decided to share this
 instead of what I previously posted (reverted to draft now for various reasons)

clip from "Independence Day" (1996) ofPresident Whitmore's speech, in this film, came from the inspiration of Robert (Bobby) Kennedy's speech made shortly after finding out Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot

"Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind." "'Mankind.' That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July and you will once again be fighting for our freedom … Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution … but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist." "And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: 'We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive!' Today we celebrate our Independence Day!" "

 I reflected much on our
INDEPENDENCE

May the words of this speech cause you to reflect on how very precious
our democracy of this republic really is

STAY ALERTMark 13:33-37 AMP1 Thessalonians 5:6-11 AMP1 Peter 5:8 ESVEphesians 6:18Matthew 24:42-44Luke 21:36PRAY ALWAYS💙

Again I ask you to consider taking a look at any of the 920 page pdf or project '25 manifestobefore voting in the 2024 election.
We have too much to lose!
We already are seeing
some of this.

[Even Yahoo had this recent article]
We need to make an informed vote in 2024.
Know everything about your candidate before you vote!
"Letters from An American"(a source I read & can count on)
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We celebrate the
4th of July
because it's when the 2nd Continental Congressestablished the United States of America(the separation of the colonies from Great Britain)with the adoption & ratification of theDeclaration of Independenceon July 4th, 1776

We do not need 
a king, a dictator, an autocrat!
We already declared our independence from this!
We cannot go backwards!
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Let's hope we still move forward and will commemorate
INDEPENDENCE DAY
in 2025
and our 250th in 2026!
Happy INTERdependence Day! 
seems a better word than just
 INDEPENDENCE DAY
because God created us to depend on Him & one another
 

HOLD STILL & REMAIN in CHRIST

During last week's FOCUS on PACE, I mentioned that we would be "Taking Inventory" this week, with the 4th of July being Thursday (thinking this past weekend, not next weekend would be the holiday weekend - so it's probably the entire week)😉 but so many times I wanted to come back and share more about PACE, from my own PACE experience and various readings that crossed my path, but I wasn't able to do that then. And the previous week with SILENCE, it was the same, however I was able to sneak in one blog post (because of an image that fit the theme of SILENCE from a great Summer Book Club) yet I remained in SILENCE when I was inundated with so much (and also at the same time, much of our state and others in this area were being inundated with flood warnings, watches and serious problems of rising waters) which gave me much to contemplate; so LITTLE and HONESTY (One Words) all came to mind with more to write, but I didn't and I don't think I will today either, even as "taking inventory" of those FOCUS One Words ... my heart is drawn in another direction. 

Last week was week 2 (Part 2) of the "Still Standing..." book club with Courtney Joseph Fallick and it was a jam-packed week of emotions (at least that's what I'm calling it) but this week - Week 3 looks like it will be even more impactful! [Courtney shares on her blog "Women Living Well"(WLW) and her WLW Facebook (FB) page daily and also "Good Morning Girls"(I think, since I don't have FB)] Plus see this page on 10 VERSES on her website (blog)

Let me go back and share some of Part 2 first "Overcoming the Darkness", which is definitely a need in this world in which we live, yet this was more on a personal level. In fact, the rest of the title of her book "Still Standing..." is "How to Live in God's Light While Wrestling with the Dark". WOW! I think for much of my life, I have tried and pursued to "live in God's Light" while surrounded what I perceived as darkness, and not nearly to the extent that is prevalent today (and in my personal life). I'm sure that there were (are) many times that I felt like I was "wrestling" alone with my darkness, even while being very active in the church and church life & volunteer activities (yet I did learn to PACE myself eventually-probably not soon enough for the two children (and at times dogs) that I towed along with me to many of these church events. Often though, I did go alone for just me & God times! I truly have always greatly needed more God time and to surround myself with God's people (community). 

I'll give you a glimmer into last week's readings just through the titles and that the opening Bible verse for the week was Psalm 139:1-18 NIV, but each of these sections ended with "Ten Verses for When You are ..." (in her book but also available in an excellent download provided by Courtney (the author) at Women Living Well in "100 Scripture Declarations"

6. "I'm So Scared" 7. "I'm So Angry" 8. "I'm So Embarrassed" 9. "I'm So Worried" 10. "I'm So Sad"

{I can't say which one I needed most, because I needed them all and the 10 verses,
which I still need to pray and read and list in my prayers}
Here's an example from the "Ten Verses for When You Feed Sad" from me:
(I had quite a few moments of overwhelming sadness)
Courtney writes: "God sees your tears and sleepless nights. He is for you."
The Scripture verse is: Psalm 56:8-9
My Prayer:O Lord, "You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in Your bottle." ...Thank You. Thank You for always being with me, and caring, even before I know how much I need You sometimes.I give thanks that "when I call" You turn back my enemies."This I know, that God is for me."I'm grateful to know that You are not against me.At times, in my sadness (or other feelings) I feel like You are,yet quickly I return to Your Word that assures meYou are for me. I am confident as I sing and declare this:
{In fact, I now sing this song (and there are others) "God is Not Against Me"}Elevation Worship or Brandon Lake
Week 3July 1-5
Part 3in "Standing Still ..."with Courtney Joseph Fallick
"Standing in the Light"
I'm so looking forward to this (reading 11 -15) but mostly in my life!
These are this week's readings:

11. "Finding Peace When... " 12."Finding Strength When..." 13. "Finding Contentment..." 14. "Finding Your Way Forward When You Feel Stuck" 15. "Finding Joy When..."

I just finished a YouVersion (YV) plan on PEACE for the month of June: Pause: A Month of Peace in Five Minutes a Day so today's reading on "Finding Peace..." is a good refresher and application, especially because Courtney once again adds "Ten Verses for Finding Peace ...". For the YV plan, the focus verse each & every day of the 30: Philippians 4:7. The verses from Courtney's book are: Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 26:3; Ephesians 6:10; Deuteronomy 31:8; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 11:28-30; Romans 15:13; Romans 5:3-4; John 16:33; Psalm 46:1 {certainly many of my favorites!}

The best things I can recommend, for today, are: 1) follow Courtney's blog (or Facebook or both); 2) get a copy of her book, and the free workbook & scripture declaration download and 3) participate with her Facebook or your own group & do the Reflection Questions (for yourself & if possible by sharing at least one with someone else). 

I know that I need #11, #12 & #15 for sure but as I read I always find something in each chapter and thankful & glad I am doing this book this summer. Thank you Courtney for your invaluable words! and emphasis on God's Words in "Standing Still". I hope that when I finish, that I too will be "Standing Still..." better than I have before and that I remain in Christ always.

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I might be back as I read this week!

(and "take inventory" starting with my PACE)

JUNE One Word Focus - 4 PACE

For the month of June, these will be the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

LITTLE

June 2nd

HONESTY

June 9th

SILENCE

June 16th

PACE

June 23

Interesting combination!

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[image credit] besides Ralph Waldo Emerson

This week I was going to just flip-flop the order, 

starting with the most recent

One WORD

PACE

but if you've already been keeping the PACE 

with the previous first 3 One Words

there's no need to scroll this week.

You can just click on the One Word above, 

which should be linked to that post

meanwhile keeping only the

PACE

right here, right now

with much

GRACE

 from His aMazing Grace

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So

this Week, we'll just

FOCUS

on

PACE

[leaving the other One Words behind]

looking at this week's devotional verse from

1 John 2:5-6 ESV

"... whoever keeps His word, in Him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: [6] whoever says He abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked. 1 John 2: 5-6 ESV

or as a new translation shares this:

"But for those who walk in His message, Creator’s love has found its true meaning and purpose. The ones who say they are in harmony with the Great Spirit must walk in the footsteps of Creator Sets Free(Jesus). This is how we know we are living in harmony with Him."

from First Nations: First Letter from He Shows Goodwill 2
recently introduced to me from💚a very special friend😉
so I just had to share!
I think First Nations would like the Emerson quote on nature
as we "live in harmony with Him"
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The other Scriptures for this week's devotion include:
1 Peter 2:21 ESV; Proverbs 4:25 ESV;Hebrews 12:1 NLT; 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV
There are not as many verses as previous weeks containing the One Word: PACE this week. One of my sources listed 21 verses. Bible Hub's Topical search has almost that many definitions for PACE (and an error on their first occurrence listed which should read "peace" not "pace")

The author shares the One Word: PACE a few times as we "run the race" and keep the PACE like Jesus "as He walked the earth, He allowed His PACE to ebb & flow" {I like that and the next statement too} - so besides that one, I've only chosen one other to share as we catch His PACE - some good advice from Cleere Cherry Reaves:
 

"Let's slow our PACE so that we can walk in peace and prioritize what actually matters."

The FOCUS TIP includes this by suggesting 
we remember the One Word: PACE
"and ask God to help us to walk in peace"
instead of running full speed at a faster PACE, let's slow it down
as Scripture tells us to "run the race" - and as the Olympics is kicking off
reminding us to "stay in our lane" and not get "our focus off the One 
we are running toward."
In life's marathon, we need to be sure we hand off our baton to our team,
keeping the flame of Jesus' Good News passed on to the world
and from generation to generation.

"Jesus, determine my PACE and guide my feet. Amen"

Yes, Lord Jesus
with You as my focal point - my eyes fixed on You,
I know You will set my PACE correctly to run the race
still before me so that it will complement,
not compete with Your purposes
and I will live at peace
with that PACE
🙏

just like runners set their 
PACE
for each race
teach me to set a PACE with my spiritual practices
to create a deeper walk with You, God!
I want to set my PACE to finish strong
in Jesus' mighty Name

I'm not sure of the drift of this week's devotional yet
but perhaps God will lead me back here
to pick up the
PACE

To the People of the Tribes of Wrestles with Creator 12:1 (FNVNT)

"We are surrounded by a great cloud of truth tellers who have shown us what it means to trust the Great Spirit . So let us lay to the side everything that weighs us down and the broken ways that so easily wrap around our legs to trip us . And let us run as if we are in a long-distance race, setting a steady PACE and heading toward the goal."

Thank you First Nations

for sharing Hebrews 12:1 so beautifully

and with such wise words.

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LOOKING AHEAD
Next Sunday, June 30th
can be another break for us with
FOCUS
unless you choose to be
"taking inventory"
on each of these 4 One Words
found on pages 95 & 96
in the book
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See you on July 7th (6 pm)
unless you're still celebrating the
4th of July!💙💗💙
(and then you can catch the blog post any time that week)

SILENCE

 

[image credit]

If you don't know about this

Summer Book Club

starting today, June 17th

of Courtney's 

newest book release 

"Still Standing"

please go visit her at 

Women Living Well

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Since our focus this week is

SILENCE 

I couldn't pass up sharing this image

when I saw it in Courtney's blog post today.

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YouVersion has a sample 5 day plan of

"Still Standing"

too

but the real book is always better

{I gifted mine to my daughter when she was interested}

Otherwise, this might have been a book review

but for now it's sharing a great book 

for this summer for all

who are facing struggles and

would like to be "Still Standing" just like

Courtney Joseph Fallick

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then

we can be

Still Stamding

stronger

with

God

even in the

SILENCE

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🙏🏼

with hope

Still Standing Book Trailer

as shared in Courtney's blog post website

JUNE One Word Focus - 3 SILENCE

For the month of June, these will be the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

LITTLE

June 2nd

HONESTY

June 9th

SILENCE

June 16th

PACE

June 23

Interesting combination!

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LITTLE did I realize that when I shared all 4 One Words for June that I would need to just use this one post to FOCUS for all of June with just a few tweaks here and there. Due to summer & circumstances out of my control, this is going to be a monthly post, just changes to update the next One Word in BOLD & Underlined. I decided this back in the blog post of June 9th.

If you read that week's blog post (linked above) and the one on HONESTY then you can just scroll ahead to each next section (indicated by another FOCUS image) until you arrive on this week's One Word.

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For the first week, June 2nd, the One Word is was:

LITTLE

The scripture verse from
Luke 16:10

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

As you can see, the author has chosen a verse this time with the
One Word: LITTLE(actually used twice in that verse)
The other scripture verses in the book this week:
Matthew 13:32 (ESV); Matthew 25:21 (ESV);John 6:9 (ESV); Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And the 3 quotes that I shared from the devotional with the One Word: LITTLE

"... We undermine the "big" that our God can do with our LITTLE step, so we clamor and reach for more before going forward." ...

"... The LITTLE is never actually LITTLE when it's in the Potter's hands." ...

"... May we give our LITTLE & our best so that He can make it big & do the rest."

"Jesus the LITTLE I give, much You can do."

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the 2nd One Word on June 9th:

HONESTY[linked to Bible Hub for definition & topical study]
The main scripture verse in the devotional (not using the One Word)

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.1 John 3:18 NIV

However there are scripture verses with the One Word
HONESTY/ or honest
in the Old Testament (50)
[quite a few in Proverbs; I have not listed them all]

Genesis 30:31 MSG; Genesis 30:33 AMP; Judges 9: 16 & 9:19 NASB; 1 King 9:4 CEB; 2 Kings 12:15 NIV; ...Psalms (7); Proverbs (15); Isaiah (12); Jeremiah (2)..

and in the New Testament (16)

Matthew 23:23 NLT; Mark 12:14 Voice; Luke 2:33 MSG Luke 3:13 TLB; Luke 8:15 Voice; Romans 3:7 TLB; Romans 15:8 AMPC; Romans 15:15 Voice; Romans 16:19 MSG;

Here are a couple scripture verses with HONESTY that stood out to me:

"And so while there has never been any question about your HONESTY in these matters—I couldn’t be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!" Romans 16:19 MSG

"May integrity and HONESTY protect me, for I put my hope in you." Psalm 25:21 NLT (also in GNT, GW, NCV with HONESTY)

Now without having read the devotional before I share this, I am highlighting (out of context) some quotes where the author used the One Word:
HONESTY

"... HONESTY is sometimes the last things we want to practice and therefore we must. HONESTY turns our heart back to Jesus."

"... HONESTY is the process of continually putting our trust in God and knowing that His grace is enough." "So, let's be HONEST - with ourselves, others, God, and the world around us. HONESTY will give space for lasting, true relationships & put us back in our rightful place at the feet of Jesus, where we belong."

The other scripture verses in the devotion this week:
1 John 1:6 NIV; Proverbs 12:22 NIV; 2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV; Proverbs 10:9 NIV
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[image credit]
for the 3rd week of June, the One Word is:
SILENCE
{The easiest way to do this post is just to let it remain in SILENCE and...}
 hopefully God will speak through this 
SILENCE
but  then we would miss out on our

FOCUS on SILENCEwith CCR, the author; & her devotional
This week's scripture verse:

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

I believe that I have heard it said that Jeremiah 33:3 is God's 911 number
This week's One Word: SILENCEhas plenty of Bible verses that include the One Word and the definition can be found at Bible Hub/ Topical Search ofSILENCE (80 occurrences listed with Bible Hub)
[216 verses containing SILENCE in another great source]
Yet Cleere Cherry Reaves chose to use God's 911 verse to write onSILENCE.[which makes me think how prophetic Jeremiah was before the 400 yearsof God's silence between the Old & the New Testament.] I can't imagine living that long without anyone hearing from God, because when I think God's silent in His relationship with me, I generally think it's me; either I'm not listening well; or sadly, at times, I wonder what I did or why. But I don't think God works that way. I often call out to God: morning, noon, and all through the night (lol), I'm very needy and have many others & concerns in this world that I constantly find myself reaching out, calling to Him & waiting for His answer - and searching & seeking His great unsearchable things I need to know. If you know me personally, you would know that I am not one (in my past) that enjoyed the SILENCE but now, more and more, I find myself hoping for SILENCE from this world's noise so I can hear more closely what God might be speaking to me, and others; if we would only focus & listen better. So let's see what the author has to say this week on SILENCE! (Remember, I have not yet read the devotional & only do a quick search for the One Word: SILENCE.) 
Here is my top choice, because there seems to be a few this week, but this one speaks directly to my spirit & heart (with a huge & loud "amen"):

"Sitting in SILENCE will be uncomfortable sometimes, but wisdom says we should get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Nothing is richer than a life of peace. May we take time to sit in SILENCE so we can hear the One who is capable of giving it."

The other scripture verses for the devotional this week are:
Philippians 4:9 NIV; Proverbs 3:6 MSG;Romans 10:17 NIV; John 10:27-28 ESV
The verses I have chosen so far with the One Word: SILENCE in the verse

"You hear us pray in words and SILENCE; all humanity comes into Your presence." Psalm 65:2 Voice

"Don’t be bluffed into SILENCE by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in His hands." Matthew 10:28 MSG

"Then I heard a great voice in heaven. A Voice: Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Anointed One have come. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who relentlessly accuses them day and night before our God, has been cast down and silenced." Revelation 12:10 Voice

Now to honor God once a day (as the Focus Tip suggests) and"sit in SILENCE, turn off the technology, and listen."
BE STILLand KNOW
HIM as GOD

Enjoy your moments ofSILENCEwith our King Jesusthe only One who is worthy!

JUNE One Word Focus Words - 2 HONESTY

For the month of June, these will be the 4 One Words for us to "Focus" on:

LITTLE

HONESTY

SILENCE

PACE

Interesting combination!

<>

LITTLE did I realize that when I shared all 4 One Words for June that I would need to just use this one post to FOCUS for all of June with just a few tweaks here and there. Due to summer & circumstances out of my control, this is going to be a monthly post, just changes to update the next One Word in BOLD & Underlined. If you read last week's blog post (linked above) then you can just scroll ahead to the next section (indicated by another FOCUS image) 

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For the first week, the One Word is was:

LITTLE

The scripture verse from
Luke 16:10

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

As you can see, the author has chosen a verse this time with the
One Word: LITTLE(actually used twice in that verse)
The other scripture verses in the book this week:
Matthew 13:32 (ESV); Matthew 25:21 (ESV);John 6:9 (ESV); Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And the 3 quotes that I shared from the devotional with the One Word: LITTLE

"... We undermine the "big" that our God can do with our LITTLE step, so we clamor and reach for more before going forward." ...

"... The LITTLE is never actually LITTLE when it's in the Potter's hands." ...

"... May we give our LITTLE & our best so that He can make it big & do the rest."

"Jesus the LITTLE I give, much You can do."

<><>
the 2nd One Word in June:

HONESTY[linked to Bible Hub for definition & topical study]
The main scripture verse in the devotional (not using the One Word)

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.1 John 3:18 NIV

However there are scripture verses with the One Word
HONESTY/ or honest
in the Old Testament (50)
[quite a few in Proverbs; I have not listed them all]

Genesis 30:31 MSG; Genesis 30:33 AMP; Judges 9: 16 & 9:19 NASB; 1 King 9:4 CEB; 2 Kings 12:15 NIV; ...Psalms (7); Proverbs (15); Isaiah (12); Jeremiah (2)..

and in the New Testament (16)

Matthew 23:23 NLT; Mark 12:14 Voice; Luke 2:33 MSG Luke 3:13 TLB; Luke 8:15 Voice; Romans 3:7 TLB; Romans 15:8 AMPC; Romans 15:15 Voice; Romans 16:19 MSG;

Here are a couple scripture verses with HONESTY that stood out to me:

"And so while there has never been any question about your HONESTY in these matters—I couldn’t be more proud of you!—I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!" Romans 16:19 MSG

"May integrity and HONESTY protect me, for I put my hope in you." Psalm 25:21 NLT (also in GNT, GW, NCV with HONESTY)

Now without having read the devotional before I share this, I am highlighting (out of context) some quotes where the author used 
HONESTY
{well, truthfully, I believe that she uses HONESTY in all she writes}
I mean that she used the One Word: HONESTY

"... HONESTY is sometimes the last things we want to practice and therefore we must. HONESTY turns our heart back to Jesus."

"... HONESTY is the process of continually putting our trust in God and knowing that His grace is enough." "So, let's be HONEST - with ourselves, others, God, and the world around us. HONESTY will give space for lasting, true relationships & put us back in our rightful place at the feet of Jesus, where we belong."

In a small way, I must HONESTLY let you know that I deal constantly with people not telling the truth and wonder if they are being truthful with their selves and in part, this is why I had to condense this blog post into just one for the month of June & perhaps in the future. I sense that someone is not HONESTLY being straight with me about much & I realize the damage it will do to our relationship (if I'm right) & I'll dislike finding out that I am being duped (played) or even being given half-truths. Yet, sad to say, sometimes individuals do this as a cover & quite HONESTLY perhaps they unconsciously do not realize this, because it's become a pattern/habit in their life or they find a need to continue this way to not disappoint & just deal & cope with their situation the best that they can. We, unintentionally, put others or keep others in this position; because they think that being honest (truthful) will upset or alienate, cause pain, rejection, anger, further hardship, hurt, & consequences they'd rather avoid, without knowing that the truth will set them free so they keep trying to keep the lie going until ... the truth is made known. This quite likely is not the drift of this week's devotional so I apologize for adding my 2 cents from my own life experience (but trust me, I have much more; as I wait for God to reveal more truth to me). He has in my past so I am very reluctant and perhaps why I am hesitant and very untrusting of others. I, too, went through times in my personal life when I failed to be honest, but God forgave me, showed mercy & extended much grace - as I should also now.
The other scripture verses in the devotion this week:
1 John 1:6 NIV; Proverbs 12:22 NIV; 2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV; Proverbs 10:9 NIV
That's why INTEGRITY is so important to me!{especially in our government leaders, & I'm using that word loosely}
It's takes character & integrity to be a leader. And also honesty.
"Jesus, I choose HONESTY, even when it's hard"
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Next week, I will move this one forward, eliminate & add the next One Word: SILENCE.