Give Thanks

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What is on your mind?  What thoughts are you stewing on?  We easily slip into worries and fears even when things around us are calm and ok.  Choose to change your focus…what are you thankful for?  Think about yesterday and find what you are thankful for from yesterday.  Look at your current surroundings…what type of device are you reading this post on?  There are many things to be thankful for each and every day of your life…stop focusing so much time on what you can’t control; like what other people think, say and do.  Finally, give thanks to God for His Son, Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made to save us.  Amen.

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“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:17

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

God’s Presence

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He is with you…He is guiding you…He has been impacting your life in ways you cannot comprehend while living in this world.  The greatest experience in faith is experiencing and realizing God’s presence in your life…acknowledging the voice of the Holy Spirit when you sit quietly in prayer.  Learn to connect with the Lord daily…He is with you everywhere you go.  Amen.

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Our Refuge In The Storm

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When danger is approaching, where should we go to seek cover?  Where can we be safe?  Who can help us in our time of need?  God is our rock and our refuge…He shields us and delivers us from the things that try to take hold of us.  Our emotional reactions can quickly escalate and get out of control…God can help us with self-control.  A relationship with Jesus Christ is a strong foundation that can withstand anything in this world.  Seek the Lord in prayer and pick up a bible…read God’s word and take refuge from the storm.  Amen.

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Rest In Him

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Jesus invites us to come to Him…to bring all our worries and our burdens and lay them down at the foot of the Cross and trust in Him.  In this world that is filled with sinful thoughts, words and actions we all end up with a large load of burdens…some we are meant to carry…others are not meant for us to carry yet we take them upon ourselves anyways.  Then we think we can carry these burdens around all by ourselves and everything will be alright.  One of the most prominent messages in the bible is that of surrender…to know and to believe that God can do more good things with troubles and burdens than we ever thought possible.  It starts with our ability to surrender and trust in the Lord.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)

 

Seek Him

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Jesus Christ…He sacrificed Himself to save you.  No matter what has happened in your life, no matter what you have done or left undone…He is waiting for you with open arms, to pick you up, to forgive you and restore you.  He is ready to do that for you and for others in your life because He loves you and He loves them too.  Jesus Christ is the way…He is the only way to fellowship with God.  Amen.

The Way by Housefires

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)

Serve Those In Need

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Food, shelter, clothing, clean water.  Basic needs…these should be readily available to all people.  The world was created with more than enough resources to provide for everyone…yet the sinful ways of all humans in all parts of the world has created shortages.  If we have our basic needs fulfilled, we should take inventory of how we can help others and then give our time and resources to help those in need.  Ask yourself, ‘how can I help?’…pray about it, do your best and God will take care of the rest.  Amen.

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“…And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Grace

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It is hard to believe but truly anyone can be saved.  Yes, even that person in your life.  God’s grace is so much greater than our sins.  The bible is filled with examples of people who had so many and such hurtful sin in their lives that God forgives.  Read Jonah to see how much God will relent so that all people can be saved.  Find it in your heart to forgive and pray for that person in your life…let them see the light of Christ in you.  Amen.

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

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

Be Humble

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Treat others with respect…be willing and able to ask for help…be grateful…be patient.  When you are using your gifts to help and benefit others, they may say kind things to you and about you…give glory to God not yourself.  He created you and blessed you…give Him thanks for your blessings and be thankful for the courage to use your gifts.  The more we learn to be humble the greater we can be used by God.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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“ For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 14:11

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

His Love Endures Forever

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Trouble will come…we will experience suffering and loss in this world…yet we do not need to have fear and we do not need to be afraid.  We are loved by God with a love that is greater than anything we face.  Pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior and our Lord, meet with Him every day…He sacrificed everything to save you because He loves you and His love will endure forever.  Amen.

Forever by Michael W Smith

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

Psalms 136:1

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Be Strong And Courageous

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Meet with God daily.  Pick a time and quiet place for you to be with God.  He is our Creator…His Son is our Savior and He gives us the Holy Spirit as a guide for the darkness of this world.  God is with you and He loves you and wants good things for you and your life…be strong and courageous…turn towards God, trust Him and live.  Amen.

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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 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)