attitude

Let The Light Of Christ Shine

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When we open ourselves up and invite Jesus into our heart and lives we will receive the gift of Holy Spirit to guide us and our thoughts.  Leading us to a life that is filled with the fruits of the Spirit.  In order to get there we must surrender the desire to serve ourselves be willing to serve the purpose that God has planned for us.  This is not easy and it is not a one moment event, it is a daily journey to learn to die to self and live to God, changing from the sinful nature of this fallen world to an eternal nature of the Spirit.  The world is dark but Jesus is the Light in the darkness.  Shine on.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

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

Always With You

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One of greatest mindset shifts that needs to occur on the faith journey is knowing no matter where you go or what you do God will always be with you.  It is up to you to recognize Him and to be aware of his presence through the Holy Spirit.  We all get off course and make mistakes or poor decisions as we live in a broken and fallen world.  God knows this and wants to have a relationship with you to help you through life.  Whatever is on your heart today…give it to Him…leave it at the foot of the cross and see what happens.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“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 1:9

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

Commitment

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Do what you say you would do…stay true to your word…demonstrate a willingness to be responsible…show integrity.   When you read these phrases and think about them none of them say this is going to be all about ‘fun’ or ‘personally convenient’ or ‘this is all about being happy all the time.’  Commitment is hard and it takes dedication, it takes time and it doesn’t always serve personal desires.

That is the point about commitment…it is not about you!  That is exactly why we need to build our personal relationship with Jesus, he knows what it means to be committed to something that is hard, not fun and not about him…yet he spoke openly with his father to help him keep moving forward and complete the task given to him…and he did it for you and me.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

Proverbs 16:3

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)

A Purpose For Everything

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As I have traveled on this faith journey I have on occasion asked, ‘Why God?’  ‘Why is this happening?’ and through the reading of the Word and in the quiet of my time with God an answer sometimes is revealed.  Maybe through the words of a song that comes to mind out of nowhere or in certain verses I am reflecting on.  To me to trust in the Lord means I don’t have to get an answer to all my questions because I trust he is working for good in my life and if I am truly honest as I look at my life I have many blessings and just need to focus on gratitude.  Eventually I come back to my purpose…To know Him and to make Him known…that is what I believe He has asked of me.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Choose Holy Living

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With each day the gift of free will means we can choose our attitude toward everything…we can choose our attitude towards what other people think, say or do.  We can choose to be kind and compassionate or we can respond with vicious words and wrath…nobody can make you do this, it is up to you how you respond even if you don’t take the time to think about your response you are still accountable for your behavior every day.  Choose patience…choose kindness and compassion…be forgiving and most of all no matter what choose to respond with love…after all that is what Jesus did for us.  May God’s peace be with you.

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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 whatever grievances you may have against one another.  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 June of 2016 at a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Living By The Spirit

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We receive messages all day long about “how we are to live”…”what we are to want”…as if we are missing out on something from this world if we don’t do or want the same things everyone else desires.  The Christian life is not better than others but rather different.  Dare to be different and trust God to guide your way.

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“Do not conform any longer 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 12:2

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

God Wants To Hear From You…

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When I first started my devotion time I had heard about and knew about God the Father, Jesus Christ his only Son and the Holy Spirit…I didn’t really know them or what a personal relationship with The Savior was all about.  I am realizing there is so much to learn and experience in growing and developing a relationship with them…God the Creator loves me unconditionally and Jesus his Son is the one person who sacrificed everything in order to save me.  And the Holy Spirit can be my guide through the ups and downs of life in a fallen world.

One of the hardest lessons is not to judge your relationship with God based on what you see in human relationships…all of us on earth are broken, even the people you think “have it all” and the sooner we can admit we need God the sooner we may find peace in our lives.  May God’s peace be with you!

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“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota)

A New Way To Look At Our Sufferings

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“…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:2-5

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

Sow The Seeds Of Faith

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“Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.“

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

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