Believe

Freedom In Christ

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.“

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

Many have been sacrificed for freedom to exist in the United States

The most important sacrifice of life for the freedom of others came from Jesus Christ

He came down from heaven, set an example for us on how to live and then died on the Cross so that we can be reconciled with God

Let’s not take for granted what others have done for our freedom to exist…especially the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His saving Grace

May we be filled with joy and peace and serve others with love because of Him who died to save us

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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32 NIV

(This photo was taken at The Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cementary)

What Matters Most

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“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

John 3:18 NIV

Believe

  In the Apostles’ Creed there are three statements that begin with ‘I believe…’

Those statements refer to God the Father, Jesus Christ His only Son and the Holy Spirit

Faith is a journey and one of the first and most important steps on this journey is to face the question…What do you believe?

What you believe guides your values and your perspective and those will drive your words and your actions

  Every day is a new opportunity to feed your mind information about what you believe

No matter what your past has been…start or continue today to read the Word of God and what Jesus Christ said about life, love, faith and hope

What matters most is what you believe

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9 NIV

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

Faith Over Fear

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

God is greater than anything we face in life

No challenge or difficulty is too much for God to handle

He is the Creator of the universe…He knows you…He loves you

He is with you every day, all the time

Put your faith in God and let your faith be greater than your fear

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

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

When You Pray…

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“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Matthew 6:5-8 NIV

Amazing things can happen that only God can do, when you pray

It is not about the right words or the proper position…it is about what you believe!

Prayer is for all circumstances

Prayer is communication with God…and your relationship with God will grow

When you pray…

When We Pray by Tauren Wells

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Mark 11:24 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Moountain National Park in Colorado)

Believe…Seek Him

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33 NIV

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:7-8 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to the world

Give us courage and strength to follow Him

Regardless of our trials or temptations, help us to seek Him

Give us wisdom and endurance to pursue Him above all else

In Jesus name, Amen

We Believe by Newsboys

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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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

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

Strength To The Weary

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“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 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 40:28-31 NIV

If you find yourself weary and weak…struggling and feeling defeated

There is Hope

Review our relationship with God.  When have you last spoken with Him?

Is He a part of everyday or just here and there as needed?

I know I have found myself guilty of living distracted by my circumstances more often than I like to admit…walking with God takes time and effort on our part

God offers us so much yet we still have to do our part to make a commitment to follow Him

He will give you strength when you are weary and weak.  Trust in the Lord and you will find strength

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“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”

Jeremiah 31:25 NIV

(This photo was taken at The Chapel of Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

He Is With You Wherever You Go

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“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

“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 NIV

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 “All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10-13 NIV

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

Commitment

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“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.”

Matthew 22:37-38 NIV

“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23 NIV

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in South Dakota)

Search Me

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“The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit,[a]
    exposing every hidden motive.”

Proverbs 20:27 NLT

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“Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Anything Is Possible With God

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

No matter what, anything is possible with God

If you are discouraged or defeated and thinking this is never going to change or get better…turn towards God, put your trust in Him

If you are frustrated and at your wits end with your circumstances or another person don’t give up…pray to God and draw near to Him

In the Bible look at the story of Saul who became Paul…Saul was filled with anger and hate and he was leading the charge to kill believers in Jesus and yet this was the person God chose to change so he could help lead the charge to spread the Good News about Jesus…you can read more about him in the Book of Acts

If God can change Saul to Paul, He can change you or someone you are praying for as well

Anything is possible with God!

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

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