What Matters Most

Belief.  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?  Your beliefs guide 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.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Believe It!

The Creator of all things knows you.  He loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.  He is greater than anyone and anything you will encounter in this world.  When we walk with Him, we can conquer anything in this life.  You are loved…you are forgiven…you have been saved.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Stand Firm In The Faith

Faith is most difficult when everything around us is telling us to doubt and have fear.  The overwhelming message from the world is don’t believe…it takes courage to believe and to stand firm in your belief and if you have a solid relationship with the Lord, He will give you courage when it seems hopeless.  If you are unsure of your relationship with God…begin a daily time for prayer and reading God’s Word and stick with it.  There is no right way or wrong way to make time to be with God, the best way is to just start doing it.  All things are possible with God.  Amen.

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Be Present

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)

Attitudes And Behaviors

Attitude

by Charles Swindoll

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company…a church…a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change that people will act a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you…we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Different by Micah Tyler

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12:2

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

 

Be Strong

There is nothing greater, nothing stonger, nothing that can separate us from the love of God.  You were created by God the Father, you have been saved by Jesus Christ, His Son our Lord and you are guided by the Holy Spirit.  No matter what the world throws at you today…stand firm in faith.  Amen.

Our God by Chris Tomlin

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Believe

God loves you…God is with you…Bring all your worries and your fears to the Cross and trust in Him who died to save you.  Our faith is free but it is not cheap, when you plant the Word of God in your heart nobody can take that from you.  Believe in God the Father…believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord and live knowing…God loves you…God is with you.  Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“Do not let you hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Do Not Be Afraid

One of the favorite weapons of evil is fear.  It can be paralyzing and stop us from doing good things.  It takes our focus off of God which is exactly where the prince of darkness wants us to be.  Do not listen to fear, listen for God.  What are you not doing because of fear?  What are you not taking part in or what are you not saying?  Take it to God and listen for Him to guide you.  Trust in the Lord and let you faith be greater than your fear.  Amen.

Here is an amazing and powerful song by Zach Williams regarding Fear…

“Fear Is A Liar” by Zach Williams

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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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)