His Way

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

Father God, sometimes it is hard to surrender our lives to You

We make the mistake of thinking our plans are better than Yours

We know Your purpose for us is far greater than we can imagine, so help us let go and release all control to You

We invite You into our decision-making

Please inspire our thoughts and actions each day

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through the state of Washington)

His Angels

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“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV

They are nearer than you think

Angels are fighting for us against the forces of darkness

They keep us safe and help guide us

They aren’t looking for us to honor them, they do their work so that we will honor God

When our time is up, they will usher us up to heaven

Give thanks to God for the angels in your life

 “And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

2 Kings 6:17 NIV

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“For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

Psalm 91:11-12 NIV

(This photo was taken while on a walk in a park in central Minnesota)

Wisdom From God

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“Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

1 Corinthians 1:20 NIV

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a]

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 NIV

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“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 12:2 NIV

(This photo was taken near Arches National Park in Utah)

It Takes Courage…

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Courage is not the absence of fear

Courage is the willingness to move forward without knowing the outcome

Having courage is placing your trust in God ahead of fear

It is about not allowing fear to stop you or defeat you

It takes courage to seek the Light…to surrender your plans for God’s plan

Where can you find strength for courage?

In a relationship with Jesus Christ

There you will find joy, peace, patience, and strength for courage

Seek Him and His will and live with hope from God

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Remember…

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, help us to remember who You are and all that You have done

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

The One Thing That Matters

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“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 4:4-6 NIV

“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

The most important thing we need, is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior

We need this more than anything else in this life

From that relationship all aspects of our lives will be impacted…

That personal relationship with Jesus is the one thing everyone needs

It is the one thing that matters

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

Believe And Overcome

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The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

Believe…God is for us…God is with us

He is the Creator of all and He knows us personally

He knows what we are facing and He will be right by our side

He will carry us through the darkness to the otherside

God loves us…trust Him to lead and guide us

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“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 John 5:5 NIV

(This photo was taken near Winterset, Iowa)

Today and Always

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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

Nothing in our lives is wasted

No matter what happens today

God is still on the throne of heaven and working for the good

Do not be deceived by the enemy

God is with us and God loves us

God wants us to live life to the full

Do not be afraid

Have faith in God

He is with us…He is for us

Today and always

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

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“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at Kathio State Park in central Minnesota)

The Lord Is My Strength

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
    the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.”

Psalm 28:7 NIV

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

Renew Your Perspective And Strength

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Many aspects of life on earth can make us weary and tired, shaping our perspective to approach life with negativity, doubt and fear

We often forget, daily, that we can choose our attitude and perspective for this day

If we focus all our thoughts and energy on our problems and why me, then we may get stuck and begin to spiral downward

We can be renewed and draw strength by turning our focus to the Lord

No matter what you are facing remember God is in control and if you put your trust in Him, your strength will be renewed

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;  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 40:29-31 NIV

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