Set your minds on things above, NOT on earthly things. (Col 3:2)

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it OUR GOAL to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. (2 Cor 5:8,9)
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Be Careful [audio]
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SHE WHO IS IN BABYLON, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. (1 Pet 5:13)Who is the unnamed "she"? That remains a mystery, but regarding Babylon, we know:
Babylon the Great is filled with SIN (Rev. 17:5; 18:2), is a CITY of power (Rev. 18:10), and it will be destroyed (Rev. 14:8; 18:2; 18:21). The following details clarify that wicked city's identity:
In her was found THE BLOOD OF PROPHETS AND OF THE SAINTS, and of all who have been killed on the earth. (Rev 18:24)
In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day - - for surely no prophet can die outside JERUSALEM! "O JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:33,34)In NT times, JERUSALEM was the most obvious, vile city - outstandingly WICKED AND ANTI-CHRIST, but the unnamed Christian woman, cited in 1 Peter 5:13, remains a mystery.
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Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, SET YOUR HEARTS ON THINGS ABOVE, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS. (Col 3:1,2)The more you focus on things above, the less important temporary and material things become and the more SOULS will become the ultimate priority, (including our own precious soul). Remember: the SPIRITUAL realm influences our natural realm. Fight with your spiritual weapons: prayer, faith, the name of Jesus, the word of God and remained armed with those who go into battle.
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for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Eph 6:20)
As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. (Phil 1:13)
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Col 4:18)
I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. (Phile 1:10)All of the foregoing verses show, to some degree, Paul's EARTHLY LIFE, as does this next verse:
I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (Acts 20:23)
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Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still WOULD NOT BELIEVE in him. (John 12:37)THEN, AFTER that they "could not believe":
For this reason THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE, as Isaiah says: (John 12:39)Likewise, we read:
But the Jews who REFUSED TO BELIEVE stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (Acts 14:2)
But some of them became obstinate; they REFUSED TO BELIEVE and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. (Acts 19:9)Calvinism, on grace and SALVATION, is definitely UNSCRIPTURAL. A Takeaway Verse to Ponder:
Come near to God and he will come near to you.... (James 4:8a)
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(1) The typical Roman's Road gospel presentation leaves out KEY SALVATION truths. It presents a warped misleading message, often leaving out REPENTANCE (turning from sin).
(2) True Christian LOVE is a holy love based on God's TRUTH and opposing all wickedness; not their counterfeit of only being friendly and tolerant of everyone and everything, while especially 1 Cor. 13:6; Rev. 2:2; 2:20; etc. are ignored.
(3) In Catholicism, their Mary often supersedes and even, at times, cancels out Jesus, replacing him with their fabricated Mary, i.e, 'our LIFE, sweetness and hope' and more holy days of obligation for Mary than Jesus. A casual, superficial study of Catholicism will likely miss that demonic sleight of hand.
Not only has the Catholic Mary rivaled and superseded Jesus, but she has also (in Catholic pictures) apparently dethroned the Father with Mary being the only adult on the throne while she is holding the young Jesus (and there is no heavenly father to be seen anywhere).
In Luke chapter 1, various, Mary-exalting statements are made (Lk. 1:28; 1:42-43) - even to the point of Catholics saying Mary was SINLESS her whole life through - SHOCKING (and DEADLY).
As a consequence, Catholics focus on one chapter of the NT, while overlooking the remaining 259 chapters to construct and preserve their Mariolatry. IF Catholics would read the whole NT for themselves and believe/receive what they read, then various, VITAL PRECIOUS ETERNAL TRUTHS would be noticed. Here are three such truths, though there are certainly more:
(a) Stephen was also filled with grace, which means Mary was not the only one (Acts 6:8);
(b) Peter NEVER mentioned Mary, even indirectly, when preaching sermons or in his two epistles; and
(c) Shockingly, Mary, at one low point, thought Jesus was CRAZY (Mark 3:21 cf. 3:31).
In summary, the real Mary of the Bible is clearly NOT the fantasy Mary of Catholicism.
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Below are 6 translations of this particular verse; for the sake of brevity, many of the other translations are not included in this list.
New International Version
and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.New Living Translation
Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
English Standard Version
and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.Berean Standard Bible
and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.Berean Literal Bible
and because of being of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked. For they were tentmakers by the trade.New American Standard Bible
and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked together, for they were tent-makers by trade.Messianic Jews ARE WRONG AGAIN, as they present a different Apostle Paul than the one in Scripture to bolster their heretical, anti-gospel teachings.
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This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" (Mat 3:3)
A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. (Isa 40:3)
That if you confess with your mouth, "JESUS IS LORD," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom 10:9)
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For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from THE JEWS, WHO KILLED THE LORD JESUS AND THE PROPHETS and also drove us out. THEY DISPLEASE GOD AND ARE HOSTILE TO ALL MEN IN THEIR EFFORT TO KEEP US FROM SPEAKING TO THE GENTILES SO THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED. IN THIS WAY THEY ALWAYS HEAP UP THEIR SINS TO THE LIMIT. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. (1 Th 2:14-16)Jerusalem NOW is like VILE SODOM of the past, which was destroyed!
Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called SODOM AND EGYPT, where also their Lord was crucified. (Rev 11:8)
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He said to the king, "This is what the LORD says: 'YOU HAVE SET FREE A MAN I HAD DETERMINED SHOULD DIE. Therefore it is your life for his life, your people for his people.'" (1 Ki 20:42)Ponder that verse carefully and note how destructive it is to Calvinistic predestination.
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And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will TAKE AWAY from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Rev 22:19)MORE TRUTH CRUSHING THE OSAS DEMONIC LIE is the next verse:
"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' "His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. "'TAKE THE TALENT FROM HIM and give it to the one who has the ten talents. (Mat 25:24-28)
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TO THE JEWS I BECAME LIKE A JEW, TO WIN THE JEWS. TO THOSE UNDER THE LAW I BECAME LIKE ONE UNDER THE LAW (though I myself am NOT under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am UNDER CHRIST'S LAW), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I HAVE BECOME ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN SO THAT BY ALL POSSIBLE MEANS I MIGHT SAVE SOME. (1 Cor 9:20-22)
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NOTE: The Passover MUST be celebrated ONLY IN JERUSALEM and NO WHERE ELSE. It is also to be celebrated by JEWS:
"You must NOT sacrifice the Passover in any town the LORD your God gives you EXCEPT in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name. THERE you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary of your departure from Egypt." (Deut. 16:5,6)
"On the Sabbath day, make an offering of two lambs a year old without defect, together with its drink offering and a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil. This is the BURNT OFFERING FOR EVERY SABBATH, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering" (Num. 28:9,10).** The Passover must be done in Jerusalem and on every Sabbath burnt offerings must be made!
Messianic Jews and SDA people are really SABBATH BREAKERS who would have been STONED TO DEATH in Moses' day.
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Paul even openly opposed Peter at one point for his hypocrisy regarding eating with the Gentiles (Gal. 2:11-21).
Moreover, Paul (and Barnabas) had a sharp dispute and debate with some Jews teaching that circumcision, as taught by Moses, was needed to be saved (Acts 15:1,2). The foregoing dispute led to the Jerusalem Council and the concluding summary for Gentile believers, which OMITTED Jewish circumcision, customs, festivals and their special days (Acts 15:19-21).
Paul had great godly sorrow for the Jews' lost condition (Rom. 9:2-4), despite knowing they displeased God through their killing of the Lord Jesus, the prophets and even though they were hindering Paul, and others, from speaking out the Christian gospel for people to be saved (i.e., Acts 14:19), thereby heaping up their sins to the limit (1 Thess. 2:14-16).
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Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I [Paul] BECAME YOUR FATHER THROUGH THE GOSPEL. (1 Cor 4:15)Timothy, Titus and Onesimus:
For this reason I am sending to you TIMOTHY, MY SON whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Cor 4:17)
TIMOTHY, MY SON, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, (1 Tim 1:18)
You then, MY SON, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim 2:1)
To TITUS, MY TRUE SON IN OUR COMMON FAITH: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. (Titus 1:4)
I appeal to you for MY SON ONESIMUS, who became my son while I was in chains. (Phile 1:10)
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So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and while Jeremiah dictated all the words the LORD had spoken to him, BARUCH WROTE THEM ON THE SCROLL. (Jer 36:4)
So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to THE SCRIBE BARUCH son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them. (Jer 36:32)Baruch was Jeremiah's scribe and Tertius was Paul's:
I, TERTIUS, who wrote down this letter [the Book of Romans], greet you in the Lord. (Rom 16:22)While Baruch is mentioned often in Jeremiah, Tertius is only mentioned that one time.
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For the message of the cross is FOOLISHNESS to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18)
For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the SMELL OF DEATH; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Cor 2:15,16)* That, in part, is why the unsaved persecute us. Here is another reason:
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD. THAT IS WHY THE WORLD HATES YOU. (John 15:19)
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. (1 Pet 2:1)
Above all else, GUARD YOUR HEART, for it is the wellspring of life. (Prov 4:23)
So, how long was the MOST RIGHTEOUS MAN ON EARTH (at that time) in the "furnace of affliction" being tested (Isa. 48:10)? Only a few vague hints exist, but nothing clear:
Then they sat on the ground with him for SEVEN DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. (Job 2:13 - 3:1)
so I have been allotted MONTHS OF FUTILITY , and nights of misery have been assigned to me. (Job 7:3)That is all we have on the specific length of Job's tests. God apparently did not want us to know that detail. Maybe Job 30 gives us more hints as to its overall length, for those events listed took time.
Elsewhere, other RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE suffered differently:
... Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, DESTITUTE, PERSECUTED AND MISTREATED-- the world was not worthy of them. THEY WANDERED IN DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS, AND IN CAVES AND HOLES IN THE GROUND. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. (Heb 11:35-39)**YOU must be able to remain faithful to God through diverse, painful sufferings and uncertainties, which will surely come.
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... Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son .... (Ether 3:14)Comparing various scriptures, especially in the NT, it is impossible - even irrational, to believe Jesus is the person of the father:
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. (Luke 24:39)The second part of Luke 24:39 states a ghost (or spirit) does NOT have what Jesus has. Those truths prove that Jesus is different and can NOT possibly be the Father or the Holy Spirit, because the latter two are both spirit (Jn. 4:23,24); they do not have physical bodies of flesh and bones, as Jesus does.
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Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, HE GOT UP AND WENT BACK INTO THE CITY. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. THEN THEY RETURNED TO LYSTRA, ICONIUM AND ANTIOCH, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. (Acts 14:19-22)Their message was simple, but important to know, even for us today:
"We must go through MANY hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
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How could **ALL** the angels WORSHIP Jesus, IF Jesus himself were an angel - impossible?
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let ALL God's angels worship him [JESUS]." (Heb 1:6)How could **ALL** the creatures PRAISE and WORSHIP Jesus and the Father in heaven, IF Jesus himself were a creature - impossible?
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Rev 5:13,14)
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"Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorating her bodily entry into heaven, her role in SALVATION, and her status as an ancient feast day." [Diocese of Grand Rapides]
**That is a HIGHLY unscriptural DEADLY LIE and IDOLATROUS MYTH - nothing better. Do NOT go beyond the Bible or you will be deceived.
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As soon as I send ARTEMAS or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. (Titus 3:12)Artemas is mentioned this one time only, but whoever he was, he was at least trusted by Paul enough for him to be sent with Tychicus, (who was himself mentioned 5 times in the NT) as a possible replacement for Titus' work in Crete (Titus 1:5). [Paul sent various disciples on different assignments for a variety of reasons.]
BTW, Artemas is the masculine version of the female pagan goddess, Artemis of the Ephesians - Acts 19:28. Like the pagan god named "APOLLOS" (given to a powerful Christian debater), Artemas too shows what that part of the world was like in first-century Christianity. Hence, some who came to the Lord, in that time period, maintained their pagan names.
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I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with POWER from on high. (Luke 24:49)That KEY detail is missing in our DARK CHURCH HOUR. POWER is what we need, but for what purpose? Here's the answer:
But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)Jesus wants us ALL (including women) to be his witnesses in this wicked and adulterous generation. The Lord also told us this:
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM! (Luke 11:13)
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Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were MARY MAGDALENE, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. (Mat 27:55,56)
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: MARY (CALLED MAGDALENE) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. THESE WOMEN WERE HELPING TO SUPPORT THEM OUT OF THEIR OWN MEANS. (Luke 8:1-3)
It was also Mary Magdalene who first had the special honor of seeing the resurrected Lord Jesus in his glorified body:
Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, SHE TURNED AROUND AND SAW JESUS STANDING THERE, BUT SHE DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS JESUS. "WOMAN," HE SAID, "WHY ARE YOU CRYING? WHO IS IT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR?" THINKING HE WAS THE GARDENER, SHE SAID, "SIR, IF YOU HAVE CARRIED HIM AWAY, TELL ME WHERE YOU HAVE PUT HIM, AND I WILL GET HIM." JESUS SAID TO HER, "MARY." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" MARY MAGDALENE went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:10-18)It was Mary Magdalene who carried that VITAL JOYOUS NEWS back to the disciples. What an honor that must have been for her!
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Carefully ponder the following, and recognize who YOU are as a Christian (and who JESUS is):
But Christ as a son over his own house: whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. (Heb 3:6, WBT)
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize THAT CHRIST JESUS IS IN YOU--unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Cor 13:5)Then we have these wonderful verses:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
What agreement is there between THE TEMPLE OF GOD and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." (2 Cor 6:16)Christians are THE TEMPLE OF GOD; JESUS LIVES IN US. Do you realize that?
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Let us fix our eyes ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2)That verse is so important, as it excludes others who should NOT be the replacement of Jesus - or even placed alongside him. Remember that point.
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At 3 PM (Acts 3:1), this happened:
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. (Acts 3:6-8)Then Peter started his sermon:
When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" (Acts 3:12)That sermon was interrupted for them to be ARRESTED!
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. (Acts 4:1)The timing is stated here:
They seized Peter and John, and because IT WAS EVENING, they put them in jail until the next day. (Acts 4:3)**So, from soon after 3 PM to "evening", that sermon lasted. Was it 3 or 4 hours long? MAYBE, but we can't be precise.
Paul taught a very long time here:
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. (Acts 28:23,24)
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**THAT SIMPLE PROCEDURE WILL HELP YOU (AND OTHERS). Keep reviewing in your mind, and add more books and chapters from the NT, if you can. That practice will help with the command from Col. 3:1,2 to set our mind on things above, not on earthly things.
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