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Oh Gail ... if I only knew WHAT it was I'm supposed to be asking FOR!

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You and me both! But God has made provision for that:

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered... because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Romans 8:26, 27

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I fear that perhaps I just want something I can never have.

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I'm not sure what that is, but God is rooting for you and He wants nothing more than to make you happy and provide eternal peace and freedom for all of us.

And because he does, I also wish you the same for EVER

((((((( Nico )))))))

You are a very kind and caring person, Gail. I'm glad you're here.

I'm glad you're both here.

Over the next few days I will try to find some more verses that are hope-inspiring for here.

I would like others to share their favourite promises, too. I'm sure there are those among us who have taken courage through them as well

"For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

"For a small moment have I forsaken thee,; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

"In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer" Isaiah 54:6-8

Seek ye the Lord, while He may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Isaiah 55:6,7

If you were wicked and have forsaken that way of life, the promise is for you! If you are currently wicked and make that turn, the promise is for you!

I don't know if I know any truly wicked people, but I probably know a few who feel inwardly that they are. It doesn't matter what your state, if you turn to the Lord and your back on the evil you once followed, the Lord will fill in the gap. The promise says that he will abundantly pardon

Personally I believe this to be true in the case of backsliders as well- anywhere one has the opportunity to turn from darkness toward the Light

The thing that struck me as I read these verses is that the mercy is not for those who faithfully go to church and do all the right things

In this passage God's mercy is for those who are the wicked, in whatever form. Whether you are heavily guilt-burdened and feel wicked or whether you are steeped in wickedness, if you but make the 180 degree turn toward the Lord, the promise of MERCY is for you

That is so awesome!