Month: December 2023

Sacrifice…Savior

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“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your only Son to save us.  Thank You for creating a way for us to be reconciled with You.  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice our mistakes are forgiven!  Help us never take this for granted.  Give us courage to glorify You in every area of our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:17 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Worship And Praise

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“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23-24 NIV

Father God, we want to honor, worship and praise You.  So often, we fear people and circumstances more than we love You.  Remind us that You are greater than any situation or person we encounter.  You alone are worthy of our worship and praise.  Help us put You first in everything.  Remove any distractions or fears that hinder us and keep us focused on You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150:6 NIV

(This photo was taken near the Balck Hills in western South Dakota)

O Holy Night

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“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:30-33 NIV

My favorite songs of the season are the spiritual songs.  Music about the events that occurred in Bethlehem thousands of years ago.  These songs have endured the test of time.  This one in particular was written by a French poet in 1847, the poem was put to music and performed at Christmas Eve service that year for the first time.  My favorite version is below…Let the music of the season soothe your soul and be thankful that on that Holy Night our Savior was born.  Peace be with you.

O Holy Night by Point of Grace

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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. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 NIV

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 while in the Bahamas)

Holy Spirit

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“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you.”

John 14:15-17 NIV

Father God, please draw close to us.  Help us rejoice in hope, to be patient in trouble, and to never stop praying.  Thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit, help us follow Him to prayer, worship and rest in You.  Becasue You are always with us we can find true joy at all times, especially when our circumstances distract us away from You and Your Word.  Continue to fill us with the Holy Spirit and guide us to live our lives with hope and undefeatable joy.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:26-27 NIV

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

Love One Another

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“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12 NIV

Lord Jesus, You have shown us what true humility looks like.  You gave up so much to save us.  Thank You!  Help us to replace our pride with humility and help us to replace our self-centeredness with a desire to love and serve one another.  Change the way we think, our actions and our behavior to a way that shows Your love to others and guides us to live our lives in a way that honors You.  In Your name we pray, Amen.

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

(This photo was taken at Cascade River State Park in northern Minnesota)

Renew Our Minds

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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

Good and gracious God, when we look at the world around us, the news, social media etc. we feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and our thoughts start to spiral.  Father God, please help us change the way we think.  Your thoughts are better than our thoughts, Your ways are better than ours.  You provide hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak.  Help us take every thought captive as we give You our concerns and renew our minds by reminding us of our purpose.  Help us remember that You are near and that You are walking right along with us every day.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at at Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Light In The World

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When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to rescue us from a life separated from You.  Today and during this season, please give us the courage to draw close to You, and to seek You with all our heart.  Your Son is our Light in this dark world.  Your Light is our salvaltion and guide.  Please use us as a light in the world to show Your love, grace and mercy.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.”

John 1:4-5 NIV

(This photo ws taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Peace And Rest

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

Father God, it is so easy for us to worry about the circumstances in our lives.  Each day, help us to remember that You are always in control.  Help us trust in Your provision, protection and plans for our lives.  Because we know You care about every need and desire we have…we know we can rest in You.  Give us peace as we let go of circumstances that we can’t control and put ourselves into Your hands.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

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

God’s Presence

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“You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 NIV

Father God, You are the foundation upon which I build my life.  You are my source of protection and strength.  I know that you fight for me, You protect me, and You are leading me through difficult times.  Because of Your presence, I am never alone or abandoned.  Thank you Lord!  Thank you for watching over me and for being my source of strength.  Thank you for guiding me closer to You and never leaving me.  Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota)

Do What Is Good

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:9-10 NIV

Father God, when we are overwhelmed by the brokenness we see, help us to remember that You are in control.  We cannot stop all the pain and suffering we witness, yet we can help overcome evil by doing good.  Please help us to do that.  Give us courage and humility to love other people well today.  Amen.

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“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 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 4:29-32 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2023 along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota)