Month: February 2020

The New Self

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It’s not too late…it’s never too late to confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart and mind to be renewed and to create the new self.  What you need to know is you can’t do this alone and the changes must start on the inside not on the outside.  Real change occurs when we commit to a new attitude and we surrender our ways for His way.  Some bible verses that speak to the new self are; 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24, Romans 12:2 and many more.  Trust in the Lord to lead you and guide you to a new life.  Amen.

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Colossians 3:7-10

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Bontanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Be Courageous

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Let your faith and trust in the Lord be greater than your fear.  This is easier said than done…but it is not impossible…there is not a quick fix or a shortcut for convenience…there is a Way.  I know from personal experience, it does not mean all your troubles will go away and your life will be easy…yet I have never known peace in struggle and difficult times until I finally stopped trying to do things my own way.  Be courageous, turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer, confess your sins and ask Him into your heart and life and continue that journey by reading God’s Word and you will see what the Lord has in store for you.  Seek Him, be persistent, be patient, listen and you will know peace.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in April of 2019 at a park near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Gifts And Blessings

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As God’s creation, each of us has been blessed and have God-given gifts and abilities.  Our purpose in our lives is to love the Lord and to learn about and use the gifts He has given us to contribute to our communities.  What gifts has God given you?  What can you do or provide to others in your family, your neighborhood or your faith community?  If you are unsure, turn towards God in prayer and seek His will for you.  Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 on a golf course in northwestern Wisconsin)

For Us

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All of us.  God sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins…to reconcile us back to Him.  God loves us…God created us…He sent His Son to save us…He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us…He forgives us…nobody we meet in this life will ever be able to care for us like God cares for us.  Turn towards God and give Him thanks and praise Him for His never-ending love.  May you be comforted by God’s love today.  Amen.

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

Romans 5:8

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Forgiveness

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This is something we need to give as much as we need to receive it.  Forgiveness is more than God’s grace given to us through Jesus Christ…we need to be able to give forgiveness to others as well.  If we choose to hold on to the pain, the bitterness and the anger it will eat away at our very life and end up affecting our relationships with everyone.  To forgive is not to say someone gets a free pass for hurting you…it is the act of letting go of the things that are continuing to hurt you in your daily life.  Christ will help you through this…come to Cross and give thanks to Jesus for His forgiveness of your sins and ask Him to help you find your way to give forgiveness.  Amen.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

God’s Word

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It is the source of truth and our guide for living in this world.  There are so many ways it will help you and support you and it never changes.  People will come and go; people will try to twist it and use it for their benefit…stay close in your relationship with Jesus Christ and He will tell you the truth.  Pickup God’s word every day and you will see the many ways God speaks to us…a few examples from my life below…there are so many more.  Amen.

When I am focused on worry and fear…

“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

When I have doubt or confusion…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a] 

Proverbs 3:5-6

When I am led astray by temptations…

“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

If you want to know where is God in all this, open up His Word, seek and you will find.  Peace be with you.

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

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

I Will Rise

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In this world we will have trouble.  We will get knocked down, turned away, rejected and discouraged because we live in a fallen world, filled with our sin.  Do not be defeated…turn towards God in prayer, be encouraged and strengthened by His love, proclaim your faith in Jesus Christ, believe and He will help you rise.  Amen.

I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
    Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be my light.”

Micah 7:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Prayer Makes A Difference

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Do we always get what we want, when we want it?  No.  Does a child always get what they ask for?  Do they understand why?  No, they don’t…what we do know is that God wants us to pray.  It is another topic in the bible that is repeated often…Matthew 6:6, Luke 18:1, Philippians 4:6 and many more places.  This is something God encourages us to do and knowing that, means that even though we may not understand how it works, prayer does make a difference.  Amen.

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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 Thessolanians 5:16-18

(This photo was taken in july of 2018 on shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)