Bible

Battles Along The Way

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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 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

We are not alone while on this journey of life

No matter who or what or how much trouble we are facing in this world nothing is too big for God Our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

Life should come with a warning label given to all at a young age…

WARNING: Life will be difficult do not try this alone

Take time to seek Jesus, read about His life on earth, His teachings, His sacrifice, His victory

It is all available for us to read in God’s Word

God made sure we would have the opportunity to see His Word and to know Him

May peace be with you on your journey

Remember turn to God for the battles along the way

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

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

(This photo was taken near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Teach Us Your Way

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“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

God invites us into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ

It is up to us to choose how to respond to that invitation

If we ignore God’s call and go our own way we will bring about more pain and suffering without God’s presence and guidance

We need to be willing to open ourselves up to God’s way and His plan, that happens with His timing

We need to be willing to surrender our self-centered ways to Him

God is not in a hurry, like we typically are in this world

God is faithful and will guide you and lead you if you are willing to put your faith and trust in Him and His Way

Father God, please guide us and teach us as we seek to live a life that honors You

Lead us into our calling, and lovingly correct our mistakes

Thank You for being the One we can confide in, and for loving us just as we are

You are good, and we am grateful for You  In Jesus name, Amen

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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32:8 NIV

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

Remember With God, All Things Are Possible

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“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37 NIV

“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

As we close out 2024 and look forward to the New Year…remember you have a Good Father in God and there is nothing He can’t handle in your life

When it looks and seems impossible

Know that God can conquer all things

He is with you…He is for you and He loves you

Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin featuring Pat Barrett

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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

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

To Know Him…

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“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

Colossians 1:9-12 NIV

Father God, Your Word is filled with wisdom and promises that offer guidance for our lives

Sometimes it is difficult for us to understand, please give us courage to trust Your faithfulness

Light our path, help us learn about You and Your way and give us clarity about how You want us to live

  In Jesus name, Amen

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“ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in Wyoming)

The Greatest Love For All People

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

There is no issue or circumstances too big for God

No matter what, God’s love is greater than anything or anyone

He offers this love to everyone, everywhere

He did this by sending His one and only Son

Tonight we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior and Lord

Merry Christmas to all people!

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“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:10-11 NIV

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

Joy Because God Is Good

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

Father God, thank You for being our good Father

We are so grateful we can always count on You

You bless us and Your love is poured into us

Thank You for Your mercy and grace

Thank You for sending us Jesus

Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face

In Jesus name, Amen

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Joy Because God Keeps His Promises

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

God promised to send the Messiah

God fulfilled that promise when He sent His One and only Son to save us

God has made many other promises in Scripture

He has kept every promise He made

The only promise we are waiting for Him to fulfill is the return of Jesus

It will happen…He will come again

I know because God keeps His promises

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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 the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Do Not Be Overcome

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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 NIV

The Bible tells us that we will have trouble in this world and it states clearly that we can persevere through trials and temptations

The Bible also gives us examples of others who lived and suffered and how they interacted with God and lived their lives by faith

At times it wasn’t pretty, they didn’t live lives that were sweet and easy all the time

Read about Abraham and Sarah, read about Joseph in Genesis.  Look through the pages of David’s life in 1 Samuel.  Take time to read about the life of Jesus

Just like them we will have struggles, trials and suffering…yet we need to remember that living a life by faith and trusting in God’s love doesn’t mean these will disappear…

What it does mean is when you believe and live by faith you will receive the courage and the hope to get through the difficult times

Do not be overcome by darkness and evil look to God, pray and you will see hope

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21 NIV

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

A Prayer For Peace

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

Father God, You know that we need You

We are sorry for all the times we have pretended that we are fine on our own

Please forgive us

Today, we come to You just as we are and we give You all of our anxieties, all of our cares and all of our worries

Please replace our worry with peace

Replace our anxiety with hope

And replace our concerns with confident trust in You

We know nothing is too hard for You and that You are greater than anything we face in this world

Grant us Your peace

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Blessings And Spiritual Gifts

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“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV

As God’s creation, each of us has been blessed and have God-given gifts and abilities

It is up to us to learn about and use the spiritual gifts God has given to us

We are blessed to be a blessing to others

What gifts has God given you?

What can you offer or provide to others in your family, your neighborhood or your faith community?

If you are unsure about your gifts, turn towards God in prayer and ask Him to help you to see

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“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8 NIV

(This photo was taken on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)