Bible

Choose Love

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We live with free will…a gift from God.  We have the freedom to choose what we say, what we think and our behaviors.  We can choose how we respond to others and what attitude we are going to present in our interactions.  There are many influences trying to sway our choices both in this world and in the spiritual world.  If we take time to reflect on what we have chosen and less time worrying about what others think, say and do…we give ourselves the opportunity to grow…in our relationships and in our spiritual lives.  Our example to follow is Jesus Christ…how He lived and what He said while He was here, as well as what the Holy Spirit is saying to us each day.  The message is clear…we should choose love in all things…in our thoughts, in our words and in our behaviors.  May the love of God flow through each 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 October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Jesus

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He is all we need.  He is the way to God for us.  He took the punishment we deserve.  The words He spoke when He was here are written in red in the bible.  If you want to learn more about Him, pick up a bible and read the Gospel of John.  Believe in Him, He is the Son of God, our Savior and our Lord.  No matter what you are going through, no matter where you are and no matter what you have done, turn towards Jesus…He is waiting to hear from you.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Danny Gokey

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

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

If God Is For Us…

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What more could we possibly need?  He is our Creator.  The Old Testament tells us about the back and forth relationship between the people and God.  Eventually God decides there is only One way to save us and because of His great love for us, it is finished.  God tried many different ways to have relationships with people and Jesus Christ knows what it is like to be human in this world.  God knows you; He knows more about you than you realize and He loves you.  All that is good comes from God, He is with you and His plan is for good things in your life and even though things will go wrong because of sin in the world, He will still be with you to strengthen you and encourage you to keep going, keep trying and keep trusting in Him.  Seek out God and His plan and you will find peace.  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?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

Romans 8:31-32

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

God’s Word

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When we open up and read the Word of God, we can sense the Spirit that God has planted within us.  Our faith is living and breathing and needs to be fed.  God’s Word renews us, encourages us and centers us on Him and His plan for us.  His Word is truth, it is fact based on actual events in history and His Word gives us life.  May God’s peace be with you and flow through you each day.  Amen.

Word Of Life by Jeremy Camp

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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Trust

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Even when you can’t see the result…even when it feels like everything is working against you, He is working for your good…even when your feel your desires, wants and temptations are pulling you away from God, turn towards Him and be patient.  This can be so difficult to live out each day, yet by reading God’s Word and spending time with Him in prayer, He will renew your strength.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalms 27:1

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

Come As You Are…

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Come to the Cross…All are welcome…No matter what has happened or where you have been, Come lay down all your burdens and be healed.  As it says in today’s song, “earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal.”  Amen.

Come As You Are by Crowder

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“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:12-13

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

Father Of All

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To all the Fathers out there:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

God the Father, is the Father of all.  None of us will be as good of a Father as God is to us.  We will make mistakes, yet as long as we stay close to the Lord, He will encourage us, strengthen us and help us to do better.  Do your best…and leave the rest up to God.  Amen.

Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin

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“…one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:6

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

Comforted

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To restore a sense of well-being…to soothe…console…reassure…to ease the grief or burden.  To pursue your faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is about finding your starting point or ending point to each day.  It is about coming back to the place that most feels like home in your heart.  If you are seeking this comfort, choose a time that works for your situation and every day spend time with God…it will change your life in ways you can’t imagine.  Amen.

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

Romans 8:31

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Angels Watch Over Us

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Like in the story of Daniel in the bible…Daniel was faithful and trusted God and when danger was near God protected Daniel in the lion’s den.  There are many more stories of people who have had near misses in life…how many times have you heard, if it was a few seconds sooner or if it was a few inches more this way it would have been much worse?  I believe that God is working through His angels even today to protect people from danger.  Give thanks to God for the angels that keep us safe.  Amen.

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“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

Psalm 91:11-12

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)