The Father’s ❤️

Scripture 

“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:34-40‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Observation 

1. Everything begins w/ God. Especially relationship.
2. We are created in the image of God. The Imago Dei.
3. God, who is 3-in-1, exists in perfect harmony.
4. The Bible says He is LOVE.

Application 

Let ❤️ Lead

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:7-8‬ ‭NLT‬

Whose Standard?

‬‬

“People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges the reasons for everything they do. Do what is right and fair. The Lord loves that more than sacrifices.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:2-3‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“We justify our actions by appearances; GOD examines our motives. Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to GOD than religious performance.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:2-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Whose Values?

As long as we exalt “American Values” over Kingdom Values we will continuously break God’s heart.

• We must remember that while we are “In the world, we are not of it, we’re visiting”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Letter From A Birmingham Jail responds Southern Clergy That denounce his actions & tactics

You deplore the demonstrations taking place in Birmingham. But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations. I am sure that none of you would want to rest content with the superficial kind of social analysis that deals merely with effects and does not grapple with underlying causes. It is unfortunate that demonstrations are taking place in Birmingham, but it is even more unfortunate that the city's white power structure left the Negro community with no alternative. 

Matthew‬ ‭23:23-24‬ ‭ESV‬

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”

“Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek GOD know it inside and out.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28:5‬ ‭MSG‬‬

What Do We Do?

We can’t all be activists but we can all be active!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr./Letter From A Birmingham Jail responds Southern Clergy That denounce his actions & tactics

Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.

Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously.”

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The Father’s Heart

Isaiah‬ ‭1:13-17‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.”

Prayer

Father, break our hearts with the things that break Your heart. Open the eyes of hearts, so we can see what You. Strengthen us, so move toward action, as You would move. In Jesus’ name.

The New You

Scripture

Ephesians‬ ‭4:23-24‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him.”

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Observation

Colossians‬ ‭3:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledgeafter the image of its creator.”

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2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NLT‬

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

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Application

Social distancing does not mean social isolation.

1. Growth Groups
2.     Bible Study
3.     Serve on a team
4.     C.L.A.S.S.
• Membership
• Maturity
• Ministry
• Mission

• You can be a “New Christian” with Old Habits
• You got a “New Life” but an Old Mind
• You thought the denomination would save you but it was a band-aid, or band-age, used to cover up sin. But there was no healing in it. No power!!
• Just cause you wear a long dress don’t mean you ain’t a hot mess!
• Talking in tongues, but cussing out your kids!
• Preaching in the pulpit, but won’t talk to your spouse at home.
• Jesus wants to upgrade you, transform your life, make you new, so you can be whole!!

Titus‬ ‭3:4-5‬ ‭GW‬‬

“However, when God our Savior made his kindness and love for humanity appear, he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal.”

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Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭GW

“Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God’s compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect.”

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Prayer

I Need A Hero

Romans‬ ‭7:21-25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”

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‭‭‬‬OBSERVATION

While the law (Mosaic) identifies sin it is NOT a SOLUTION for or to sin

• The 1st 5 Books of the OT, the Pentateuch, are considered to be The Law of Moses (The Written Law).
• The law also includes “Oral law” which refers to Jewish traditions about how to put the written law into practice

Deuteronomy‬ ‭28:1-6‬ ‭NKJV

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”

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God’s Law, His instructions, His Commandments, were & are to be taken seriously 

• The quality of your life depends on your obedience 
• The welfare of your family depends on your obedience 
• So you embed the law in your heart

• I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you

Joshua‬ ‭1:6-8‬ ‭NLT‬

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

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Progressive faith & progressive obedience go hand-in-hand

Romans‬ ‭7:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”

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Romans‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“And sin found a way to use that command and make me want all kinds of things that weren’t mine. So sin came to me because of the command. But without the law, sin has no power.”

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You can’t violate a standard that doesn’t exist 

APPLICATION

I need Jesus to live right!

• I need the Word living in me to love right

“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:18-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ” The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:20-24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• Believing is a start, it’s good, but Belonging to Him is about remaining connected to Him

• “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.” John‬ ‭15:5-8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Romans‬ ‭8:3‬ ‭NLT

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”

PRAYER

Capes, Cowls, and Christ

“When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:6-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• Jesus has all authority, yet chooses to serve
• Leadership is service, not dominance 
• Parenting is leadership
• Pastoring is leadership
• Leadership is service, not dominance

• Jesus is on mission
• He has an assignment
• John‬ ‭12:44-45‬ ‭NLT‬‬ 
• “Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.”

“So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• Jesus, the Rabbi, removes His outer garment
• Jesus, the Rabbi, prepares to wash feet
• Jesus, the Rabbi, kneels to wash the feet of His followers
• Jesus, the Lord, the living God, takes on the roll of a slave

“When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:6-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

• Peter is conflicted & confused

“After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:12-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When The Hero Dies For The Villain

SCRIPTURE

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:1-14‬ ‭NLT‬

‬ “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. 

‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬a MSG

‬‬

OBSERVATION

RECOGNIZE - Verb

• To acknowledge
• To admit as being
• To take notice of
• To show appreciation

Rejection - Verb

• to refuse to accept
•       to refuse to consider
•       to refuse to submit to

Believe 

Accept 

Reborn

Douglas Mangum

For Jews, John’s use of logos would have evoked the phrase “the word of Yahweh.” This title was an important part of biblical traditions about Yahweh and His effective power over the universe. The phrase was regularly used to refer to Scripture as divine law (Isa 2:3), written instruction (Psa 119:11), and prophetic revelation (Hos 4:1; Ezek 6:1). More important, the “word of Yahweh” was depicted as an active force at work in the world to accomplish His will (Isa 55:11; Jer 23:29). This force was the agent through which Yahweh created the world (Psa 33:6, 9; Gen 1:3, 6, 11).

For Greeks, the idea of “the Word” as God’s active agent on earth would have resonated with the Greek notion that the Logos was the stabilizing principle of the universe.

“One day Jesus was in the Temple area teaching the people. He was telling them the Good News. The leading priests, teachers of the law, and older Jewish leaders came to talk to Jesus. They said, “Tell us what authority you have to do these things. Who gave you this authority?” 

Jesus answered, “I will ask you a question too. Tell me: When John baptized people, did his authority come from God or was it only from other people?” The priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish leaders all talked about this. They said to each other, “If we answer, ‘John’s baptism was from God,’ then he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe John?’ But if we say that John’s baptism was from someone else, the people will stone us to death. They all believe that John was a prophet.” 

So they answered, “We don’t know the answer.” So Jesus said to them, “Then I will not tell you who gave me the authority to do these things.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭20:1-8‬ ‭ERV‬‬

APPLICATION 

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us. We have been made right with God by the blood sacrifice of Christ. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger. I mean that while we were God’s enemies, he made friends with us through his Son’s death. And the fact that we are now God’s friends makes it even more certain that he will save us through his Son’s life.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:6-10‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Jesus Is My Super Hero - Do You Know What Time It Is?

Scripture

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:41-44‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Jesus came near Jerusalem. Looking at the city, he began to cry for it and said, “I wish you knew today what would bring you peace. But it is hidden from you now. A time is coming when your enemies will build a wall around you and hold you in on all sides. They will destroy you and all your people. Not one stone of your buildings will stay on top of another. All this will happen because you did not know the time when God came to save you.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:41-44‬ ‭ERV‬

‬

 “They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you. ”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:44‬ ‭NLT‬‬

OBSERVATION 

RECOGNIZE - Verb

• To acknowledge
• To admit as being
• To take notice of
• To show appreciation

“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the preceding chapter, and in the preceding sequences of Jesus’ life He encounters two men, who, on the surface seem similar. But they each received Christ differently, leading to two different outcomes.

The Rich Young Ruler

Luke‬ ‭18:18-25‬ ‭ESV

“And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth." When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

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Zacchaeus

Luke‬ ‭19:1-10‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. In Jericho there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a wealthy, very important tax collector. He wanted to see who Jesus was. There were many others who wanted to see Jesus too. Zacchaeus was too short to see above the people. So he ran to a place where he knew Jesus would come. 

Then he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see him. When Jesus came to where Zacchaeus was, he looked up and saw him in the tree. Jesus said, “Zacchaeus, hurry! Come down! I must stay at your house today.” 

Zacchaeus hurried and came down. He was happy to have Jesus in his house. Everyone saw this. They began to complain, “Look at the kind of man Jesus is staying with. Zacchaeus is a sinner!” 

Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “I want to do good. I will give half of my money to the poor. If I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four times more.” 

APPLICATION 

REPENTANCE - A change of attitude and action from sin toward obedience to God. The concept of repentance differs slightly in the Hebrew and Greek minds, but an emphasis upon right behavior is consistent throughout.

Jesus said, “Today is the day for this family to be saved from sin. Yes, even this tax collector is one of God’s chosen people. The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them.”

The Hebrew word that most closely approximates “repent” or “repentance” is translated into English as “return,” which basically means “to turn around and go in the opposite direction.” 

The Greek word for “repentance” derives from a verb meaning “to radically change one’s thinking.” “Repentance” refers to an event in which an individual attains a divinely provided new understanding of their behavior and feels compelled to change that behavior and begin a new relationship with God

REDEEMER One who pays a price on behalf of an impoverished relative, in order to effect the release of the relative or his/her property (Lev 25:25–54). The New Testament uses this term in reference to Jesus, whose death comes to represent both payment for sin and freedom for the believer.

Prayer - My God, thank You for loving me, helping me to recognize who truly are. I thank You for revealing my sin to me, allowing me to repent, and prompting me to restore to anyone that I’ve wronged. I love you.

All In This Together

SCRIPTURE

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“My dear friends, you always obeyed what you were taught. Just as you obeyed when I was with you, it is even more important for you to obey now that I am not there. So you must continue to live in a way that gives meaning to your salvation. Do this with fear and respect for God. Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-13‬ ‭ERV‬‬

Fear used here refers to reverential awe. Paul is not saying be afraid of God. He is saying do this out of reverential respect and awe of who God is. The All-Sufficient One!

OBSERVATION

The Novela Coronavirus Pandemic has changed our lives forever. COVID-19 has hit several countries incredibly hard. Many have lost their lives to this virus in China, Italy, and several other parts of the world. Here, in United States Novela Coronavirus has rolled in like a blanket of fog, descending on the country. Fear & confusion have swept through the land as Stay-At-Home Orders have been issued by various state governers. The speed, and lethality of this virus have rocked the country! 

Many ask “Where is God in this”? Others definitely say “This IS an act of God”!

My assignment today is to speak to the People of God.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world, and you offer them the teaching that gives life. So I can be proud of you when Christ comes again. You will show that my work was not wasted—that I ran in the race and won.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:14-16‬ ‭ERV‬‬

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭ERV‬‬

APPLICATION

• Yellows (Speak the language of People & Fun) can use their needs to be constructive, creating ways for people to experience fun/joy, instead of being destructive, by violating Social Distancing protocols because they’re experiencing Cabin Fever.

• Reds (Speak the language of Power & Control) can flip their needs and be an inspirational voice in a time of panic, fear, and confusion, by creating structures that provide a sense of normalcy. 

• Greens (Speak the language of Calm & Harmony) can be a center of calm. Creating a soft landing place for those whose lives have been disrupted by the darkness of this virus.

• Blues (Speak the language of Perfection & Order) can flip their innate wiring. They can be the Logistics Officer of the house, making certain that all necessary supplies have been gathered. Checking to see if people have what they need.

PRAYER

Father,  I thank You that nothing takes you by surprise. I know that You are aware of our situation. We call You Lord of all, and Lord in all!! You protect us, and keep us, comfort us, and lead us. And we love and thank You for it, in Jesus’ name.