Month: March 2024

Saved By Grace

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4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:4-7 NIV

Father God, I sometimes struggle to give myself grace.  It can be hard to forgive myself for things I have done, yet I know that You have forgiven me.  Knowing that You have forgiven me, I can forgive myself.  I ask You for wisdom to learn and understand Your Word and Your truth about grace.  I give You thanks for Your mercy and grace that has saved me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Surrender and Rest

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“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

Father God, please show us what in our lives we are withholding from You.  We want to live fully surrendered.  Teach us how to prioritize following You and loving others.  No matter how hard it may be, we want to daily deny our self-focused desires and seek You first.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

God Is Greater

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“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.”

2 Chronicles 2:5 NIV

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

1 John 3:20 NIV

Father God, You know what is on my mind and has me distracted and worried.  For the things in my past, help me to let them go and to find peace in You.  For my current day struggles, guide me to draw near to You and be patient.  For my ‘what if’ thoughts about the future, remind me to put my trust in You because You ave overcome this world and You are greater than anything or any situation I will encounter in my life.  Thank You God for who You are and all that You do for me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.“

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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

Trust In The Lord…Praise Him

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“Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

Father God, when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  You are my source of strength and protection.  You guide me and fight for me.  When I draw near to You, I have nothing to fear, becasue I know You are in control.  Thank You!  I put my trust in You and give You praise for who You are.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.”

Psalm 86:12 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Gifts And Serving One Another

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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 NIV

Father God, remind me what humility and serving others looks like.  Thank You for the gifts and blessings You have provided me.  Change the way I think and act, and teach me to put others first in a healthy way that honors You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in is various forms.”

1 Peter 4:9-10 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling near the South Dakota and Minnesota border)

Our Purpose

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Love God

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 NIRV

Love God and Love Others

“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]””

Luke 10:27 NIV

The Commission by CAIN

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Share The Good News

“So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”

Matthew 28:19-20 NIRV

Love God…Love Other People…Share the Gospel

(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Freedom According To God’s Word

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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

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

There Is Freedom by Josh Baldwin

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“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[a] of God.”

1 Peter 2:16 NIV

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

Believe…Trust

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“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:22-24 NIV

Father God, I believe in You.  No matter what comes my way…I believe You have overcome the world.  Even though trouble is all around me, You are my constant source of peace.  Nothing is too difficult for You to accomplish.  You guide me and protect me.  I praise You because You are the One in whom I trust.  Thank You for all that You have done and are doing for me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Put Your Hope In God

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“Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!”

Psalm 42:11 NLT

Father God, we know You have a plan for our lives and that You want to bless us.  Help us lean into that promise.  Sometimes it is hard to see past our present struggles.  Fill each of us with Your hope and give us peace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Find Rest by Fracesca Battistelli

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“Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)