Reflect And Give Thanks

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When someone asks us, “Where have you seen God in your life?” We often quickly scan the last few days and maybe even the last week in our minds and come up with something…mostly in order to not disappoint those who are asking the question.  What if we took more time to reflect?  What if we look back 5 years ago or back to our childhood or teen years depending on what season of life we are in?  The next time you are alone with God think about it, looking back now…”Where have you seen God in your life?”  After all, He has been there all along, even when we were completely oblivious to Him.  Thanks be to God for His love, His mercy and His grace.  Amen.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

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

Tomorrow

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None of us knows how many tomorrows we have…it isn’t up to us and it never was…the gift of life is about today…how you choose to think, what you choose to say and how you choose to treat others, today.  Because of Jesus Christ we know there is hope, tomorrow…let’s not waste today worrying about what may come.  As they say, we don’t know what tomorrow may hold…but we certainly know who holds us tomorrow.  Amen.

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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Be Present

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Each day is a gift.  Nobody is guaranteed to wake up to a new day.  Keep your thoughts and actions focused on the present people and circumstances…for all areas of life we should pray and seek God’s will for us.  God is with us and He is working for good things for all of us.  Amen.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

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

The Past…Redeemed

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What has happened in the past is done and can’t be changed…we can learn from it…we can change today.  Don’t let what has happened be chains around you that are dragged with you everywhere you go…Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins and He is our Redeemer…bring your past, your shame and your guilt to the Lord and He will set you free.  Amen.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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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 October of 2018 at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

Past, Present And Future

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The Lord redeems us from our sinful past, He washes away the guilt and the shame and makes us new again…The Lord walks with us in the present, He encourages us to engage in the current moments and experiences, with every interaction and event in life…The Lord will take care of tomorrow.  His ways are greater than our ways and His plans are higher than our plans.  Trust in the Lord…He forgives us, He is with us and His plans will take care of us in the future.  Amen.

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Wait Patiently

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This can be very difficult…just about every single part of society is pushing to go faster, hurry up, cram more into less time.  Instant messaging, immediate gratification and my favorite at work…’did you see the email I just sent?’  At some point we will all encounter a situation or circumstances that will require patience and we will be poorly prepared.  If we fail to learn patience, we could be setting ourselves up for greater frustrations and disappointments.  Turn to God’s Word and pray for God’s help in teaching you patience.  Amen.

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park)

With Prayer…

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Bring your worries, your concerns, your questions and your thankfulness to the Lord with prayer.  As with any relationship your personal relationship with Jesus will grow and become stronger the more you spend time with Him.  Think about the people in your life, your closest relationships…most of the time, these are the people you are interacting with the most in your daily life or you have spent a significant amount of time with them in the past.  The best investment of your time is to learn more about Jesus and you can do it at any time…He is waiting to hear from you.  Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

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

Rest With Him

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As the summer is winding down and the schedule of activities and places to be cranks up, it is important to be consistent in taking time to rest in between the coming and going.  Making time and having a place to rest…truly rest…time to pray, read scripture and recharge your mind and spirit is so important.  We can’t be all things for all people all the time…been there, failed at that.  Even Jesus would make time to rest His mind and body…why do we think we could do more than Him?  Seek Him and ask Him to help you find rest in your daily activities.  Amen.

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“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Make Room For Jesus

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Life can be so full and busy; we often prioritize events by our wants and desires and we easily set God aside.  It seems we are always trying to manage time and a schedule of places to be and people to see.  This is not a new issue in society, sure lifestyles have changed, yet the central issue of being too busy to spend time with the Lord is the same.  When Jesus came into the world over 2,000 year ago, he was laid down in a manger, a structure for the animals to eat from, because there was no room for Him in the world.  Open your hearts and your minds to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, seek Him and spend time in prayer with Him.  Amen.

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“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Luke 2:6-7

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Renew Their Strength

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Turn towards God.  Open your heart and mind in prayer and speak earnestly about your worries, your fears, your burdens.  Open up God’s Word and read the writings He has left for you.  If you believe that your circumstances are hopeless, read the Book of Job in the Old Testament…this person lost everything and He pleaded with God to tell him what was going on…Job wanted answers like many of us.  I have been reminded this morning, that God does not reveal His plan…He reveals Himself with His presence.  He gives us comfort, courage, warmth, perseverance, love, joy and peace.  We can renew our strength because He gives us hope through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:29-31

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)