Surrender

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“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 NIV

His way is better than our ways

He is the Creator of all things and all people

He knows what you are going through and He cares for you

Turn towards God and trust in Him

I Give You My Heart – Hillsong Worship & Delirious?

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.“

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Believe…Live Out Your Faith

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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

Character and attitude…how we treat each other in our daily lives

These are the things that show what we believe

Love is action

Learn from the example that Jesus provided in His life, death and resurrection

Live out your faith

Showing others what you believe with your attitude and how you treat them in daily life

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in northern Colorado)

Make Time For Rest

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“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.””

Mark 6:31 NIV

The pace of life always seems to be increasing and so we must make a conscious effort to live a balanced and healthy life

This includes more than eating right and physical exercise…

We must also spend time nurturing our mind and our spirit

If we are always running at peak energy and activity we will eventually crash as the constant high high’s and low low’s is taxing on every part of who we are

Strive for balance…make time to go to a quiet place and rest

Jesus knows this is important for us and spoke about it in the Gospels

Follow His example…make time for rest

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.””

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Believe In Your Heart

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Are we fully committed to putting Christ first in life?

Our actions will always speak louder than our words

We know we can never be good enough on our own, yet we seem to keep trying to go our own way

Give thanks to God, for His mercy and His grace…

Because of His great love for us we can return to Him and confess our sins

When we believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was crucified, died and has risen

I know I struggle often when I reflect on my own actions…

The things I have done and the things I have left undone

It is at these moments that I imagine with my mind’s eye, kneeling at the foot of the Cross, laying down my sins and thanking Jesus Christ for His sacrifice

God is with you and me, He loves us and only He can lead us through the events in our lives

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.“

John 1:14 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is, There Is Freedom

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

There Is Freedom by Josh Baldwin

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“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[a] of God.”

1 Peter 2:16 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Share With Those In Need

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6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:6-8 NIV

We are blessed to be a blessing

Sharing with those in need is about more than a financial giving

It is sharing whatever God has provided in abudance

Some have an abundance of wisdom, some the ability to be a good listener, some have a solution oriented mindset and some an abundance of encouragement

These things and many others like them are blessings from God that can be shared with others

When reflecting on what you have the ability to share look at your life from a Godly perspective not from the world’s point of view

Be thankful for what God has given you and share as He has shared with you

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“Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

God’s Love For Us

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19 We love because he first loved us

1 John 4:19 NIV

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you”

John 15:9-12 NIV

No matter where you go

No matter what you do

God’s love for you will not change

You can’t earn it and you can’t lose it

Nothing you do will make God love you more

Nothing you do will make God love you less

God loves you.

Accept His love and share it with others

And your life will be transformed

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us

Romans 5:8 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Humility…Gratitude

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Father God, when we are overwhelmed by the brokenness and darkness we see, help us to remember You are near

You are in control

We can’t stop all the pain and injustice we witness, yet we can help overcome evil by doing good

Please help us to do that

Give us the courage and humility to love other people well

In Jesus name, Amen

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15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in northern Colorado)

Patience And Hope

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“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Our Rock…A Firm Foundation

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, there is no one besides You

You are the only One who is holy and worthy of our praise

Thank You for being our Rock and the firm foundation we can build our lives upon!

We are grateful that You are always faithful, never changing, and the One we can put our trust in

We love You!

In Jesus name, Amen

Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes

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“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.”

Psalms 118:8 NIV

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)