Courage

Freedom Isn’t Free

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

Freedom requires humility, sacrifice and a willingness to put the needs of many before one

Freedom is the result of human beings working together for a common cause…not by shouting and trying to tear others down

  Freedom is earned through courage and a belief in something greater than self

Jesus Christ is the one who provided the example of sacrifice and the willingness to forgive…

We all would do well to read about Him and His example of love

Jesus paid the price for our sin so we could be free to love one another

Time to put down the flaming arrows of hate and to serve one another in love

Thank you God, for Jesus sacrifice and for all the people who serve and have served in the military services of this country…

Thank you for their willingness to put themselves in the line of fire so others can prosper

I give thanks for them and their families that have sacrificed so much in the name of freedom for all of us

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or 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 NIV

(This photo was taken at Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

Faith Over Fear

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“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 NIV

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

We all have a choice in how to respond to events and circumstances in our lives

We can choose to let the world and our flesh lead us down the path of fear and anxiety

Or we can trust in God and His promises

He is the Creator of all things and He is greater than anything we encounter in life

Choose Faith over fear

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

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

Choose Faith Over Worry

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“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”

Hebrews 11:7 NIV

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“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

God Watches Over You

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, in You I have all I need

When trials come sometimes I forget that You are in control

I need You to make me strong and courageous

Please give me courage I need to trust in You

Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me no matter what happens

In Jesus name, Amen

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“The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.”

Psalm 121:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

God Is With You

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“When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

Do not be afraid

God is with you and through His Holy Spirit, God is within you

Every day…all the time

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6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

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

Keep God’s Word In Your Heart

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“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Luke 2:19 NIV

What are the verses of Scripture that speak to you?

What verses comfort you?

What verses remind you that God has got you?

This is the reason I share this blog “Take Your Faith With You”

Store up God’s Word in your heart and mind so that no matter where you are or what is happening

You have the ability to call on God for strength, courage and comfort

Here are some verese that have guided me on my journey…

“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?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

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

A Foundation Of Faith

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

Even though the world knocks you down, your foundation in faith will see you through

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalms 37:3-4 NIV

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

Our Rock…Our Stronghold

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“I love you, Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:1-2 NIV

Life is hard…there seems to be difficulties, struggles, pain and suffering, hardships of every kind everywhere we look

Yet there is hope!  How?  Where?  With the Lord who is our Rock and our refuge

The world rejects Jesus as Savior and His way seems upside-down according to the world’s values

But God, the Creator of all things, and following Jesus is the path to hope

God will have the final say about the world and He will make all things new again

Trust in the Lord, trust His will and His way…He is our Rock

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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?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Wisdom

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17 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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:17-18 NIV

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2 NIV

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“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.”

Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Renew Your Perspective

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“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.“

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)