He Will Renew Their Strength

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9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

When you become tired and weary…frustrated and exasperated…

Looking for answers everywhere and your mind is swirling with questions…turn towards the Lord

Focus on Him, bring Him your worries and your burdens…

He will help to quiet your mind and bring peace to your spirit

The Lord is a refuge for those who seek Him and nothing in this world can take His place

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“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

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

Today Is The Day

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“This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24 NIV

“Give us this day our daily bread…”

Matthew 6:11 NIV

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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)

Look For God In All Things

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12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 NIV

In the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph is an example of what it looks like to trust God at all times

Joseph suffers many hardships at the hands of others and yet keeps his faith in God

He trusts God and lives his life with a God honoring attitude and perspective even on the most difficult days

This attitude focuses more on what God is up to for our good and less on what others are doing to us

We have a much better chance of learning about what God is up to if we are looking for God in all things

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

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

Joy In God’s Promises

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“Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel.”[f] 

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

Father God, we are holding tightly to our hope in You

We trust that You are faithful, and we believe that You will always fulfill Your promises

Thank You for promising to bring justice to unjust situations

Thank You for promising to fulfill Your plans for us

Thank You for sending Your Son and for promising to return to Your people

You are faithful, Lord-and we will trust in You

In Jesus name, Amen

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“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:8-11 NIV

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

The Presence Of The Lord

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20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Revelation 3:20 NIV

When have you felt like you could sense the Presence of God?

When have you felt like God has come near to you?

Where were you?  What was going on in your life or around you?

Where do you see God in this life?

All that is good is from God…all that is dark and evil is from the Satan, the world and our flesh

Look to see the Presence of the Lord in your life and you will see that He has been with you every step of the way

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Perspective

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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. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude

What feeds your perspective?

What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind?

What experience or experiences are framing your view?

All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude.

If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world

The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ

We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord.  Jesus said;

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

Perspective is about viewing things from a different point of view…trust in the Lord and seek His perspective for your life

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Transform

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“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.”

Colossians 3:15-16 NIV

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“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 3:17 NIV

(This photo was taken in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Spirit Within Us

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22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

How do you tune in to the Holy Spirit?

The faith journey begins by acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, our Savior and the confession of our sins

It continues with the desire to turn away from sin in our daily lives

How can our faith grow?

It must be fed… we should feed our minds and our hearts with God’s word, we should seek to do good things, to help those in need and share whatever we have received in abundance

We are not equipped to do this alone, none of us are

So how do we know when the Holy Spirit is guiding us…we need to find the best way to tune in

Like back in the days when listening to music meant finding just the right spot on a radio dial that brought in a clear signal with no static

Strive to find that place and that time where you can tune in and receive guidance from God’s Holy Spirit

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“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

We Are Not Alone…God Is With Us

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6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…

You are not alone in your fight

God is with you

He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20 and several more times

  Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise

His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation

It is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him

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“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

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

The Attitude Of Gratitude

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“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

God is with you, He is for you

Every day and all the time

He will never leave you

No matter what happens, no matter what your circumstances

Remember what God has done and what God can do

Choose the attitude of gratitude and give thanks to God

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)