attitude

A Full Life

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“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:9-10 NIV

A full life…according to what definition?

The world defines a full life very differently than what Jesus is speaking about

The worldly way is about money, possessions, popularity and finding the easy, most self-centered convenient way

The worldly way asks what can I get others to do for me?

God’s way is a very different perspective…

It is about the Fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

God’s definition of a full life is about loving God, loving others and sharing the Good News

His way asks what can I do today to show the love of God?

What can I do today to love others?

How will you choose to define a full life?

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 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 12:1-2 NIV

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

Thankfulness

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

What are you thankful for today?

How often are we able to see something to be thankful for during difficult times?

It is not easy…yet it is a choice

An attitude of gratitude may not come naturally to us but we should strive for it

It can make such a big difference in our lives and the lives of others

We don’t have to do it alone

Start by thanking God for Jesus Christ and what He did for you at the Cross and see where you can go from there

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 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 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through North Dakota)

Gratitude

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“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8 NIV

What are you thankful for today?

Instead of dwelling on what’s wrong, what you don’t have or what you can’t do

Think about what’s good, what you do have and what you can do

Give thanks to God for the good things and good people in your life

Don’t be too quick to overlook the gifts and blessings God has given you

He has promised to care for you and provide for your needs

Take a look at these verses Philippians 4:19; Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 41:10; John14:27

Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and continues to do in our daily lives

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100 NIV

(This photo was taken at Palisade Head along the north shore of Lake Superior)

Give Thanks To The Lord

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“Praise the Lord.[a]

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Psalm 106:1 NIV

We are saved by grace

We cannot earn it nor do we deserve it

It is a gift from God

Let us give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for us

He is with us, He loves us and He will never leave us

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:1-5 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Love In Action

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“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV

Love is more than a feeling

It is expressed in the things we think, say and do

Jesus Christ showed His love for you and me by sacrificing Himself

How can we show our love for Him and others?

Love and honor God

Love and serve one another

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“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

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

His Ways…

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

“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

It’s not about you

The message in the Bible is clear you should not be at the center of your life

This is not to say that you don’t need to properly care for your mind, body and spirit that is clearly outlined in the Bible as well

However, everything that happens should not be viewed only from the perspective of self

We all have a purpose and a role in God’s story…

If you want to understand what that is, seek Him

Consider a different perspective…an eternal perspective

Trust in the Lord…His ways are higher than our ways

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“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:2 NIV

(This photo was taken near Dillon, Colorado)

Humility…Perspective

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

“…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:5-7 NIV

When something needs to change…start with your perspective

Different by Micah Tyler

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

Servant Leadership

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Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13:14-17 NIV

A servant leader is one who understands that We is far greater than me

They include others in decision making, they pay attention to the growth and potential of those around them

They are not only good for a group or organization, their presence is necessary for sustainable growth and success

You know a servant leader when you see one as they tend to be different from the majority of leaders…they listen, they have high self-awareness and they are often shining a spot light on others

The greatest example of a servant leader we have is Jesus Christ…

He gave of Himself to everyone and anyone, no matter what the “rules” of society were at the time

He taught others and set them up for growth and success, and with Him as their leader, the disciples spread the message that has changed the world like nothing ever has or ever will

They shared the Good News and it is still impacting the world today

They were leaders working to serve as they were taught, knowing the greatest success will come when you empower others to be future leaders

Seek the Lord Jesus Christ and His leadership as He is always working for your good

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45 NIV

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

Choose To Live A Holy Life

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“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

God created us and gives us free will to choose how to live

Our lives and how we live will either show that we love God and trust in Him or that we reject God and His will for us

Each of us gets to decide how we will live and how we will treat others

We cannot control what others will think, say or do…we can control how we choose to respond

Father God, guide us and help us make decisions that honor you and show love for each other.  Amen.

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass near the border between Montana and Wyoming)

He Restores You

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“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

1 Peter 5:10 NIV

We need time with God every day

When He is our source of life

We will know peace

We will be able to rest

He will renew us and restore us

If we try to go our own way…we will be consumed by sin

Trust in the Lord

He will restore your soul and give you all that you need

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“He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
    for his name’s sake.“

Psalm 23:2-3 NIV

(This photo was taken while driving through North Dakota)