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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus said to His disciples,

“You have been given the secret of the Kingdom of God.

But the others, who are on the outside, hear all things by means of parables,

so that,

‘They may look and look,
yet not see;
they may listen and listen,
yet not understand.
For if they did, they would turn to God,
and He would forgive them.’”

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– Mark 4:11-12 (GNT)

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REFLECTION…

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There are those who approach Jesus with love and humility

as well as with eagerness to believe,

to know and to learn more about His truth,

These find that Jesus will gladly enter their expectant hearts

and that He will caringly give them the gift of understanding.

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The meaning of His teachings, of His actions, of His example,

will then be revealed to them,

and they will slowly be enlightened

…and will acknowledge Him as Lord,

as the turn to Him

and seek to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

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On the other hand, there are those

who are blinded by their pride and egoism

and although they may appear to observe

– they do not actually see;

although they seem to listen

– they are not willing to understand.

They harden their hearts

and reject God’s grace.

Such are those whose pride steers them away from God,

and who arrogantly will not admit their self-centeredness.

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It is the humble who are forgiven.

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PRAYER…

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Here I am, Lord

– teach me.

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Here I am, Lord,

Your servant is listening

– help me understand Your truth.

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Here I am, Lord,

– open the eyes of my heart

that I may see Your glory.

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Forgive me and renew me, Lord.

Grant me the grace

to always love You

with all my heart, my mind, my soul and my strength.

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For this I pray. Amen.

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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O Lord, thank You for the gift of faith.

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