faith and life

He Restores You

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“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

1 Peter 5:10 NIV

We need time with God every day

When He is our source of life

We will know peace

We will be able to rest

He will renew us and restore us

If we try to go our own way…we will be consumed by sin

Trust in the Lord

He will restore your soul and give you all that you need

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“He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
    for his name’s sake.“

Psalm 23:2-3 NIV

(This photo was taken while driving through North Dakota)

To Make Him Known

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

As we learn and grow on our faith journey, we will be given opportunities to share faith

How, when or where we share the gospel is different for everyone

This is about living in the present moments of your life

If we are constantly stewing about the past or what might happen in the future we will miss that which is right in front of us

This is the journey, we will get distracted and sidetracked, it happens to everyone

In our efforts to get to know Him and make Him known, we will read stories of conversion and sharing and it will seem like, wow that person changed who they are instantly and began sharing the Good News with others…that’s not typical, at least it hasn’t been for me

I didn’t start daily devotions in my life until I was in my thirties…

I started posting on this blog in 2013…

I started posting something everyday late in 2015…

I began actually writing thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit on this blog everyday in the beginning of 2018…and here we are today

What you don’t know is all the other things that go on in a person’s life that impacts their journey

We all are part of God’s plan and on our life’s journey, God is helping me narrow the focus on this…

He created me to Know Him and to make Him Known, everything else should lead into that and I am still learning how that works

I want to take this moment to say Thank You for stopping by, reading, commenting and being part of the journey

May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you on your journey

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

Philippians 4:13 NIV

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

Remain In Him

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“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

John 15:4 NIV

If we choose to do things our own way and wander off from the Word

Ignoring the things Jesus has taught us

Our faith and our spiritual life will wither and die

Remain In Him and His Words

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:5-8 NIV

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

The Greatest Story Ever Told…

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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.”

John 1:1-5 NIV

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

From Genesis to Revelation the over-arching theme of the Bible is God’s love through Jesus

This love does not guarantee that life will be easy and always pleasant…yet it is a love that never changes

This love comes to us directly in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ

You are part of this story…God chose you

Open your heart and mind to Jesus, invite Him into every part of your life

As you learn this story, help tell others about it

It is the greatest story ever told

End Of The Beginning by David Phelps

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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 a lake in central Minnesota)

The Goodness Of God

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“The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:9 NIV

“The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,”

Nahum 1:7 NIV

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

Psalm 34:8 NIV

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1 NIV

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

God’s Faithfulness

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Good and Gracious God, thank You for Your never-ending faithfulness

No matter what we face You continue to guide, protect and strengthen us

Thank You for sending us Your Son and for our salvation

When unexpected things occur help us turn towards You first and put our hope and trust in You

In Jesus name, Amen

Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin

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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 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Plans

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

What plans are you working on?

What is the purpose of what you are doing?

For questions like this and others about our lives and purpose the best place to turn is towards Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord

He knows what is best for us according to His plans

He loves us

His ways are good

Ask the Lord to guide and direct you

Then watch and listen for His reply

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

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

Prayer

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“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14 NIV

When we have wandered off…messed things up…did things our own way and are feeling scattered and confused

The first step to reconnecting with God is to pray

When things are going well and we have a sense of courage and confidence…the first step of gratitude is a prayer of thanks to God

If we strive to make prayer a priority, we can move from reacting in prayer to proactively praying about each day and the events and issues we are facing every day

The more we pray the more our relationship with God will grow and the better equipped we will be for the journey

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 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 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii)

Trust And Faith

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

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

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

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

The Way Of Faith

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“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NIV

“My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

5 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 3:1-6 NIV

The way of faith is a wise way to live and a narrow path for life

Simple yet not easy

The way of faith is pursuing God’s Kingdom

God’s Kingdom is an upside down Kingdom when looking through the eyes of the world

Commit your way to God, trust in Him

Trust God’s way…follow Jesus and you will find peace

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern Colorado)