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So, because"); document.writeln("Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to"); document.writeln("persecute him. In his defense Jesus said to them, My Father is always at his"); document.writeln("work to this very day, and I too am working. For this reason they tried all"); document.writeln("the more to kill him, not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even"); document.writeln("calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.¹

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Throughout the"); document.writeln("Bible, we see God at work in the lives of different people. Sometimes He acts in a dramatic"); document.writeln("way, such as in the parting of the waters of the Red Sea. At other times, it"); document.writeln("may seem like He is not doing much. For example, Mary and Martha sent him the"); document.writeln("message that their brother was dying, but the Lord Jesus was slow to come to"); document.writeln("them (John 11:3-6).

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Our Father has"); document.writeln("given us the Holy Spirit to help us recognize His presence and His work. The"); document.writeln("Spirit cultivates discernment in us so that we can understand when and where He"); document.writeln("is at work. We must also develop patience, because God acts according to His"); document.writeln("timing, not ours. After being promised numerous offspring, Abraham had to wait"); document.writeln("years before Sarah conceived, a time when they were both very old.

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The actions of God can bring delight, as was the case when Hannah gave birth to a child (1 Samuel"); document.writeln("1:27-2:1). His plan can also lead to painful times, as was the experience with Joseph."); document.writeln("Before the Lord elevated him to a position of authority, Joseph was sold into"); document.writeln("slavery and wrongfully imprisoned.

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We will be"); document.writeln("encouraged and strengthened when we recognize how the Lord is operating in us"); document.writeln("and around us.

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Suggested"); document.writeln("Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You keep working. Whether in a"); document.writeln("dramatic way or a way that teaches me patience, You are still working. Lord,"); document.writeln("You have given us the Holy Spirit to recognize Your presence and Your work. Help"); document.writeln("me to develop patience because You act according to Your timing and Your will,"); document.writeln("and both are perfect. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

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1. "); document.writeln("John"); document.writeln("5:16-19 (NIV).

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The Encounter for"); document.writeln("today was written by: Rosina N.

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