Bible

Filling the Void

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We all are born with a void in our spirit.  We all have free will, it is a gift from God.  As we go through this life we make choices about what is filling the void.  We choose sinful behaviors and we choose spirit led behaviors.  It is up to each and every one of us to invite Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives…He will not force His way in without an invitation from us.  Say a prayer and ask Jesus Christ into the void in you and see what God has planned for you.  Amen.

The Motions by Matthew West

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“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where this is no water.” 

Psalm 63:1

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

The One Who Is In You

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Don’t forget the power of the Cross.  The world is filled with violence, evil and darkness.  The attempts to distract us and pull us into the things of this world are relentless.  Read the Word of God and memorize some verses that speak to you…the verse you choose may change over time and different verses will come to mind as you plant the Word within you.  The prince of darkness despises the Scriptures and it will defeat him.  This is one of the foundational reasons I started to write this blog six years ago…so that we could learn how to take our faith with us…everywhere we go.  The Word of God planted inside us is greater than anything in the world.  May the peace found with Christ be with you.  Amen.

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“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

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

Practice What Is Preached

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The faith journey has two main elements…the first is learning about and getting to know God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit.  It is a transformation on the inside, a redemption.  The second element is about making Him known.  Taking what we have learned and have experienced and sharing it by helping others in need, whatever that looks in your life.  Both elements are vital to our spiritual life and to the Kingdom of God, as either one without the other has little lasting value or impact.  Take time to know Him and create space in your life to make Him known.  Amen.

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“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”

James 1:22

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

A Strong Foundation

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The best things are built by starting out with the development of a strong foundation.  A solid foundation helps to support missteps, mistakes and accidents along the way.  If we try to build something without developing the foundation the endeavor will eventually fail and end up as a pile of rubble.  The foundation of our faith is our relationship and daily interaction with Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  These are the elements that will help us build and grow our spiritual life and sustain us through the most difficult things the world will throw at us.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The Word Of God

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The Holy Bible…The Good Book…The Scriptures…The Word of Life…The Living Word…the Truth.  It is more than a compilation of stories about people who lived thousands of years ago…it is God speaking to us, teaching us principles of life and the story is not over at the end of the Book.  It lives on in all of us today because of Jesus Christ…He has risen and He lives!  Take time to read and hear the Word of God in your life, you will find the stories about struggles and comfort are very similar to our lives today…the principles are still the same.  The reason it is stood the test of time is because it is the Truth.  Amen.

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be throughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Identity Crisis

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Who are we trying to be?  What are our worries?  What are our concerns?  Are we pursuing to be who God created us to be?  How do we know?  Why am I doing this?  Where is God?  Why is this happening?  This is so hard…I don’t know how I got here…I don’t know what to do…

STOP…Pick up a bible

“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

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

“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 paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“You were taught, with regard to  your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

How do we know that this is the way…that this is the truth…and this is the life?

“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.”

John 3:16

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Amen.

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

Wisdom From Above

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What is wisdom?  The dictionary definition is…’the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgement; the quality of being wise.’  So in order to have wisdom we must have time invested in having experiences, time spent learning to get knowledge and have made decisions regarding an area of life in order to grow our experiences and knowledge.  Now if we reflect on our own lives and how we spend our time, what are our experiences, where do we get our knowledge from…what things do we make decisions about that help foster our growth?  How do our experiences, knowledge and good judgement align with faith and our spiritual life?  If we truly want to learn about where God is in our lives and what He is asking us to do…we need to spend more time gaining wisdom about heavenly things and spend less time on earthly wisdom.  Amen.

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“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:17

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through Colorado)

Consistent

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Steady…stable…unchanging…unswerving…unwavering…dependable…reliable…unfailing.  Always available, always with us.  How many things or people can you name in your life that meet this standard?  We all have faced and will continue to face trials and troubles, we will all suffer loss and feel like nothing is going right and think where is God in all of this?  He is right there with you…the most consistent and reliable thing in life is God’s Word and the one person you can always count on is Jesus Christ His Son our Savior and Lord.  Nothing in this world can compare to what is available to us through faith.  Read the Word of God daily and spend time in communication with Jesus and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

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The world tells us to pursue money, comfort and the easy life.  To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often, this is the sinful nature and it has taken hold in many people.  There is a way to be different and to live with purpose and it is based on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father.  Spend time reading God’s Word and learn about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

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

Our Hearts And Minds

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What are the thoughts and things that stir up your heart and your mind?  Sometimes, we make it too easy for evil to ensnare us.  We get so easily distracted and consumed by the things of this world and forget what we have learned from God.  Daily time with God’s Word and in prayer is the only resource I know of, for helping us to reset and refocus our hearts and our minds.  The self and the sinful nature will not give up on tearing you down and breaking you apart.  Find wisdom, strength and courage in Jesus Christ.  He knows more than anyone the battles we are facing as He too lived on earth and was tempted by the devil.  Seek Him and God’s Word and your heart and mind will be restored.  Amen.

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“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:1-2

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