Bible

Decisions…

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Don’t go it alone…don’t assume you have all the information…seek wisdom and knowledge…seek to understand.  So often we fail to speak with God about decisions.  We believe that God doesn’t care about this insignificant decision or event in my life…yet we know we can’t comprehend God’s infinite knowledge and the ways He is working in our life so who are we to say?  I continue to be amazed at where God shows up in life and I only realize it because I am trying to make a conscious effort to pay to attention and ask myself where did I see God today?  God is with you and He is working in your life…seek Him and His plan and ask God to help you see when you are making your decisions.  Amen.

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

Proverbs 16:3

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

Be Courageous

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Faith takes courage, to believe in what we hope for and not what we see.  It takes courage to trust, even when we are unsure how things will turn out.  The world may call you foolish, in fact based on the bible, you should expect it.  It will take courage to stay on your faith journey when things get hard or don’t go the way you want…what you need to focus on is Jesus Christ and God’s Word.  God is with you…trust in Him, seek His will and be courageous.  Amen.

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“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

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

A Servant Spirit

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Many of our frustrations, arguments and troubles in life originate in selfishness…either our own selfishness or because of somebody else’s selfish desires or wants.  The only thing we have the power to change is ourselves.  So how can anyone ever get along?  It starts with listening, compassion, and a willingness to work for the good of many not just a few.  None of us can attain this attitude of the Spirit without a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Seek Him, learn about Him and follow His example.  Amen.

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“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 9:35

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

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)