I am reminded this morning of this statement.  When we fix our eyes on Jesus and not on the pain, struggle and our self-serving desires, we are able to rise above those things carried by the love of God.  If we allow the hurt and pain of the past to rule our present day then we are missing out on so many opportunities to know joy and peace, to be thankful for what is good.  If we desire forgiveness for our sins, we need to be just as willing to forgive others.  The sacrifice has already been made for us, the race is already been won, death is defeated and Christ lives.  Let us turn towards God in prayer and thanksgiving for His everlasting love.  Amen.

“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

1 John 4:15-16

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)