Month: September 2021

Nothing…

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“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[a] against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[b] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”

Romans 8:31-35

Graves Into Gardens featuring Brandon Lake by Elevation Worship

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana-Wyoming border)

God’s Promises

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“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.”

Isaiah 43:1-3

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

These are only a few verses about the promises of God…to learn more, look to doing daily devotions in God’s Word.  One of my devotion tools is the YouVersion Bible App…they post a daily devotion materials to help you in your study of God’s Word.  Here is a link to today’s story.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

Strength…Hope…Trust

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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

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

(This photo was taken in August of 2021 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Compassion

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Care…concern…warmth…kindness…gentleness…tenderness…love.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;”

Psalm 103:8-13

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“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:25-26

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

His Ways…

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It’s not about you…the message is clear you should not be at the center of your life.  This is not to say that you don’t need to properly care for your mind, body and spirit that is clearly outlined in the bible as well.  However, everything that happens should not be viewed only from the perspective of self.  Consider a different perspective and trust in the Lord.  Amen.

“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

“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

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

Colossians 3:2

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)

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

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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

(This photo was taken in September of 2021 at Kathio State Park in central Minnesota)

The Spirit He Gave Us

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“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

1 John 3:21-24

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“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 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 them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

1 John 4:13-18

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Faithfulness

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“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 3:3-4

“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.”

Deuteronomy 5:32-33

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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

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

The Fruit Of The Spirit

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

But God…

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We reflect and remember this day…evil attacked…thousands lost thier lives…this was a great tragedy.  We also must remember that it is from great tragedy that God can bring about the greatest good.  Jesus Christ died on the Cross…But God raised Him to life.  On 9/11 we honor and remember those we lost and we can say with confidience…But God brought unity to our nation or (fill this statement with whatever good has come from this tragedy).  May God’s comfort and peace be with us and show through on this day.  Amen.

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“

Genesis 50:19-20

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21

(This photo was taken in June of 2021 at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery)