Fear

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Power

 But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.Exodus 9:16 ESVhttps://bible.com/bible/59/exo.9.16.ESV  Secular historians point to the lack of extra-biblical evidence of Hebrew slavery in Egypt and ensuing exodus. But here in this verse, God describes how this anonymous Pharoah has been immortalised in the annals of the Hebrews, so that God is proclaimed in all the earth. The mighty men of the world might think they can stand against God and win, but resistance is futile!  The more stubborn Pharoah was, the more the Lord was able to display His power. The more insistent Pharoah was of keeping his slaves, the more unreasonable he appeared. It was a battle of wills, and the will of Yahweh prevailed.  In the end, Pharoah will have been broken by the plagues. In the final plague, his own firstborn son was killed, the next in line to the throne of the world superpower. He might have tried to put a brave...
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Praise

  O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. Psalm 51:15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.51.15.ESV King David had been guilty of adultery and murder. Understandably, he felt muted. He didn't feel he could praise God publicly without coming across as a massive fraud. Yet David is described as a man after God's own heart. Yes, he fell deeply into sin. Yet this Psalm is a heartfelt prayer to God to restore Him. David knew that if God forgave him, he'd have a great testimony. There's hope for the worst of sinners! So he longed to open up his mouth in praises to God. Thankfully, God positively did answer his prayer. He did go on to praise God and write many more Psalms of worship to Him. Whatever we've done, there's hope for us yet, in the blood of Christ. 'Sovereign Lord, please help us to praise and worship You wholeheartedly, whatever our pasts may be. In Jesus' name we pray, amen'
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Poverty

 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me. John 12:8 ESV Taken in isolation, this verse seems harsh of Jesus, as though He's demeaning the poor. Taken in the context of Scripture however, we get a better picture of His compassion. He does however prioritise Himself over the poor. The Mosaic Law says something similar to the first half of this verse. Again, that seems harsh out of context. Yet in the very next phrase, Moses goes on to say that we should always be generous. Just because poverty is perennial in this life, doesn't mean to say that we can bury our heads in the sand, shrug our shoulders, and do nothing about it. We should be open handed towards the poor. We shouldn't be tight fisted with deep pockets. The second half of this verse explains that there's a priority over even the alleviation of poverty. Tackling poverty is important. Yet the worship of the LORD Jesus Christ is even more important. 'Dear Lord, may we worship You as...
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