The Author and Perfecter

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such an opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

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

Walk with the Lord

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“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.  For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”

Psalm 84:10-11

 (This photo was taken in June of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Call to the Lord

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“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.  I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.  When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.”

Psalm 138:1-3

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui)

Be Compassionate and Humble

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“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

1 Peter 3:8-9

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas)

When We Are Troubled

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 4:6-7

(This photo was taken in August of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)

To Know Our Father

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“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

1 John 3:1-3

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

Trust and Courage

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The Lord said while speaking to Joshua…

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you;  do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:6-9

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving the north shore of Maui)

Overwhelmed

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It is so easy to become stressed and overwhelmed by all that goes on in our everyday lives.  This is not a new concept to people living on earth.  It goes back to the beginning of time.  When you read some of the individual accounts of life and times in the book of Genesis and the book of Exodus you will read about men and women who were constantly stressed out and full of anxiety.  Nobody gets the easy life…even the people you see on Facebook or other social media sites.  We are only seeing the good parts for public distribution, sometimes we do see some of the bad of someone’s life but it is limited.  Remember this, every person is fighting a battle in life, most of the time it is a battle we know nothing about, yet they are living it everyday.

When Moses had reached a point of frustration between God and His people, that he led out of Egypt, he tells God his true feelings.  He expresses his desire to understand…he was expressing his battle to God…and God replied with a statement we need to remember everyday as we fight our battles.

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.  Remember that this nation is your people.  The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’.”

Exodus 33:13-14

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali Beach on the island of Maui)

When We Are Tempted

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“When tempted, no on should say, ‘God is tempting me.’  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.”

James 1:13-18

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)