Comfort

Walk In The Light

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“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.”

1 John 1:5-7

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Come Near To God

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We often ask ‘where is God in all of this?’  Yet so often we think nothing of Him in our day to day life.  Think about your relationships in your life and who would you feel most comforted by in your time of need.  Is it that person you pass by frequently in familiar places…you have seen each other often…you have exchanged Hi’s or Hello’s and maybe even some small talk and you may know each other’s name but not much else?  Is that the person you would run to first and wonder why they are not doing more to help you in crisis?  Ask yourself…how much better do you know God and have spent time seeking Him than that acquaintance?  If you truly want to know God and what He says and what He is doing…seek Him…come near to Him and spend time with Him…He is waiting to hear from you.  Amen.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 4:7-8

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“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Beaver Bay Falls in northern Minnesota)

Hope

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What drives it?  Why do we have it?  It comes from belief…it comes from trusting.  Even when no one believes there is any hope…hope persists.  Think about the day Jesus was crucified…nobody, not even the disciples had hope.  Jesus, their teacher, the one who performed miracles had died…yet with God anything is possible.  Jesus is risen!  He is risen indeed, Alleluia!  The stories of hope with God in the bible go on and on…Sarah who was barren has a son…Moses and the Red Sea…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace…Daniel in the lion’s den…Mary the virgin gives birth to Jesus and on and on it goes.  Don’t give up hope…trust in God.  Amen.

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“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

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

Renewing Of Your Mind

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The information overload we receive each day has intensified with current world circumstances.  Distractions and inaccurate information are running wild creating misunderstandings and leading to people act on false perceptions.  We need a solid foundation of truth to stand on more than ever…that foundation can be found with God’s Word.  It is the truth about God, His Son and the Holy Spirit.  Pick up the bible and spend time renewing your mind.  May God’s comfort and peace be with you.  Amen.

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2

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

Jesus Comforts Us

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When you read the red letters in the bible, the very words of Jesus, He often spoke in a way that was comforting to others.  Sometimes He needed to be firm and many times He had to repeat Himself, yet His overwhelming presence was comforting.  He knows what it is like to live as a human on earth…He has experienced childhood, teenage years and interactions of many kinds during His life…He knows about weddings, friendships, helping others, betrayal, frustrations, temptations, pain and suffering and death.  He knows what is happening in your life…today.  Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer and you will find comfort.  Amen.

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

John 14:1

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Jesus

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What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship

Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin

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“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11

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

Persistence And Patience

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Keep going with prayer…don’t let the desire for immediate gratification discourage you…God’s will is not about your timing.  Seek comfort from Jesus by spending time in prayer and reading God’s word, pay attention for God’s responses in your daily life.  Align yourself with God’s plan and go after it with persistence and patience.  God is with you and He loves you.  Amen.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Colossians 4:2

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

Prioritize

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Put first things first…when you don’t know what to do…when a decision is lingering and you are procrastinating…turn towards God’s word and pray.  The more we put our relationship with Jesus first, the better we will be able to function in our daily lives.  Too often, we want to keep God in a box off to the side with a sign that states ‘In Case of Emergency Break Glass.’  God wants more of a relationship with you every day, for every part of your life.  Assess your relationship with the Lord and make spending time with Him top priority.  May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:31-34

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)