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Choose Faith Over Fear

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In today’s world it seems we are constantly being asked…Where do you stand?  Which side are you on?  What is your position on this issue?  Social media has intensified everything and because we are human and filled with sin and evil desires, social media has become a disaster, I heard this quote not long ago “social media the cesspool of questionable human behavior” -Dr. Donald Mallard, fictional character on NCIS.  Human behavior…that is the primary reason we are right where we are in today’s world.  A significant number of people have chosen to pursue anger instead of love, worry instead of peace, jealously instead of joy of another’s success, self-serving instead of acting to serve others, resentment instead of happiness and most tragically the majority of people have chosen fear instead of faith.  God is still offering mercy and grace, forgiveness for all…turn to Jesus, invite Him into your heart and life.  Ask the Lord how should I respond, I promise you Faith over Fear will do much more to protect and save people than anything the human race can create on its own.  I pray that more people will come to Christ today.  May God’s peace be with you.

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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.  If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.  From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 14:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving through North Dakota)

Prayer Does Matter…

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When we don’t know what to do…we should pray.  When someone acknowledges us with a positive comment…we should say a prayer of thanks.  When something happens that makes us angry…we should stop and pray for God to guide our response.  When we are blessed with an increase in pay…we should pray to ask God how can we share some of it.  When we we are feeling alone in the world…we should pray to God to show us His presence.  When a friend or family member is suffering from illness…we should pray to God to be with them with healing comfort.  And one of the most important parts of prayer is not only speaking to God…we also need to be ready to Listen…there many ways God can speak to us…pay attention to your surroundings and what you hear and see in your everyday life.  Prayer matters to God, how do I know?  I know because Jesus told us it does…it is not about the right words or the right prayer or the right time…it is just about doing it, always and let God be your guide.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“pray continually”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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

He Knows

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No matter what you are going through in your life, whether you are filled with joy and gratitude about how well things are going or if you are struggling with sadness, pain and sorrow…God knows right where you are.  In your every day He is with you, His Son came to earth and lived as a man and in His life here He experienced a wedding, friendship with individuals and a group, sadness, struggle with temptations.  He traveled and experienced many of the same things we do today, just at a different time in the history of the world.  The point is He knows what it feels like to feel all alone and to be tempted by evil and Satan himself.  Trust in God and especially Jesus Christ His Son…He knows exactly what you are going through and is waiting to connect with you.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:18

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

Parenthood

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A parent, when you “sign-up” for this role like many things it is not a destination or finish line process or position…no matter how you become a parent you are being entrusted with growth and development of a young person in the world.  This will require sacrifice, if you are unwilling or unable to sacrifice either time or other endeavors you planned at one time in life…you are setting yourself and the child up for a significant amount of suffering on top of what struggles come with the job and being a parent will be so much harder than it already is in life.  The best step to take as a parent at any point in the parenting process is a very important step, that is to examine yourself and your relationship with God…because the role of a parent requires sacrifice of self, your relationship with God will be a good indicator of your ability to set yourself aside when necessary to help and support others.  Parenthood…this is not about you…seek God and use God’s Word to learn how to be a parent just as God the Father is a parent to you.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

We Are Saved By Grace

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We don’t deserve it, we didn’t earn it and we are definitely not entitled to it.  It isn’t our right to be saved from our sins.  Our hope of salvation is strictly based on the mercy and grace of God.  No person on earth will ever be able to do for you what Jesus Christ has done for you and no person on earth is going to be able to love you to the level of God’s love for who you are…the only way to find peace, love, joy, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience, gentleness and self-control is to commit your life to accepting and knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and spend time making Him known to others.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

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

The Light Of Life

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We frantically run around looking for the answers to events we can’t possibly comprehend…we reach for futile attempts to feel in control. This has been true throughout human history…just pick up a book and read about it (I have one in particular I would recommend).  We are in the dark, evil and the prince of this world is real and he is very busy and he is very happy if you choose not to acknowledge him.  Another book I am currently reading is ‘The Case For Christ’ by Lee Strobel, as I read about his process of coming to Christ I reflect on things and wonder why have so many people in today’s world have given up on faith? The only answer I come to is…that is exactly what Satan is constantly working on anger, hate, selfishness, fear, worry and a whole host of sad human behaviors that keep us in darkness.  If we don’t turn to Jesus, if we don’t seek Him and the Word of God we will continue to be lost souls.  I pray you see God’s presence somewhere in the world today.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Transformation

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A process of change or alteration…on our faith journey this is a core element in growing your faith.  We come with questions, doubts, fears and hesitation.  All the answers eventually end up at Jesus.  It takes a different amount of time for each person to process the questions and doubts and fears but we all end up at the cross.  That is not the end…Jesus and the cross are the answers and when we continue in our life and journey we take that knowledge and face many of the same questions, doubts, fears and hesitations only now we approach the things of this world with a new perspective because we have been transformed.  The faith journey continues with the Holy Spirit guiding us, we can’t stop at the cross and not go out again into this fallen world…the love of God will change our perspective and we are to share that with others.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

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

Don’t Give Up

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Our lives are filled with moments and memories…some are good times and some are difficult.  We all tend to embellish a bit in our memories, the memory of good times seem to be really good and the memory of bad times seem to be really bad.  For many there seems to be more bad memories that start to take a person down a road where even the present moments are seen through their eyes with a negative perspective.  This is a quick spiral downward and we can get stuck in the swirl of negativity.  We have to have the courage to choose a new perspective, a more balanced view things and we are fed that perspective when we read the Word of God.  When times are hard and it feels like you are making no progress on anything…don’t give up, keep pressing on, keep believing…that is your faith at work.  Goodness will come to those who believe in the hope that God provides through Jesus Christ.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Colossians 3:12

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

Come To Jesus

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There can be great moments of peace in prayer and worship and one way of worshiping that makes a significant impact on me is listening to Christian music.  All my senses come alive through music and song…I want to share one simple and yet very significant song with you today.  The message is clear and the answers for many questions can be found in one place…with Jesus.  Take a listen and May God’s peace be with you.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Self-less

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One of the most tragic afflictions of our time is selfishness or being self-focused.  The look at me, make sure I have more than others, constantly assessing my place compared to others and then determining my own value based on what others think or tell me they think about me mentality.  This perspective pushes God to the side and puts me first as the top priority.  This has always been an affliction on human society and it seems to have grown exponentially since the explosion of social media.  One of the world’s greatest needs right now is more humility and less selfies.  Imagine the impact on human relationships when people are looking to lift others up as often as they care for themselves.  I am not suggesting we ignore ourselves rather we strive for a better balance in the way we live.  I pray that we all take time to be humble and serve as much as we look to be served.  As usual with faith it’s simple but not easy.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

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