faith and life

Prayer

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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.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii)

Living A New Life

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The Holy Spirit will guide us and lead us to living a new life.  A life of faith with Jesus Christ in our hearts.  A life that strives to turn away from sin and sinful behavior…don’t think for a minute that evil and darkness will stop trying to deceive you and lead you astray.  Put your hope in God and feed your faith so that it can grow.  Pray to the Lord and seek His peace for every aspect of your life.  Amen.

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“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Renew

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To speak about faith as a journey is to remind us that it is ongoing…it is not a one-time event or ceremony…it is not something to ‘check the box’ as done and move on.  It is a journey of good times and hard times.  It is a daily recognition that we are broken and sinful and we live in a fallen world…it is about learning to surrender your plans to God and His plan…it is about finding the best version of you that God intended for your life.  Pick up a bible every day and renew your faith for your journey.  Amen.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while standing on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Spiritual Renewal

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Our spiritual life, our souls rely on being fed and nourished just like our physical bodies.  If we take time to feed our faith, ask questions, seek to learn and grow through many activities, we are encouraged and our faith can grow stronger.  If we set aside our faith and seek only self-satisfying activity our faith will be weak, withered and unable to stand up against sin and destructive behaviors.  This is not about fitting time with God into our lives, rather it is surrendering and having God lead us and guide us to the people and activities that need us.  Spend time with the Lord each day and be renewed by His presence.  Amen.

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“One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.”

Psalm 27:4

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

A Different Attitude

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A change in perspective…focusing on eternal values rather than worldly values…living with the Fruit of the Spirit in mind at all times…getting rid of pride, selfishness and worldly ambitions and being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Lord, help us to be different, not better than but different from the ways of the world.  Amen.

Different by Micah Tyler

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“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 12:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Why Faith?

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Because, Jesus Christ…His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection embody the love of God for each one of us.  He is with you and He will never leave you.  For all the troubles and suffering we will encounter in this life…they can be overcome, because that is what faith can do.  Amen.

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in July fo 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

 

Faith

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Trust…belief…confidence.  Faith is not about the quantity of it that you have…it is more focused on do you have it or not?  We sometimes think, ‘if I just had more faith’ or ‘if I just prayed the right way,’ things would have gone the way I wanted them to…as if we are somehow in control of the outcomes in life.  God, our Creator and Father of all, gave us the gift of free will to choose how we will live and what we will believe…He loves us and wants a personal relationship with each one of us.  The facts of faith are in the bible and the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are events that happened here on earth…so as you think about your life, your relationships and your circumstances ask yourself…’what do I believe?’  As for me, my response is the words of the Apostles Creed.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Matthew 21:21-22

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

He Lives In You

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Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith.  Not only because of what He did when He was human on earth and not only because He sacrificed Himself for us and died on a cross or because He rose…He is the foundation of our faith today because of all these things and the fact that He Lives in us.  Before He ascended, He promised the Holy Spirit would come to those who love Him and do as He commands.  In the Gospel of John 14, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and explains our connection to Him through the Spirit.  The love of God can be found in the hearts of people and can be shared with others…it is up to each of us to seek Him and trust in His way rather than our own.  May you be encouraged by the Holy Spirit within you today.  Amen.

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“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.  Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father,and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

John 14:20-21

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

Listen

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I sense a need for less talking and more listening.  Choose whatever way you can best connect with God by listening.  For me, of course, I listen to music that has been created by Christian artists that God has blessed with talent to share the Good News.  For a period of time, not sure how long, I will be talking less and sharing messages through God’s Word and song and gathering new photos.  May the peace and comfort of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

He gives us strength…He gives us courage…His is the voice of truth.

Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

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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; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

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

Life With The Spirit

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We can be content knowing God is in control.  No matter what the world does to try and keep us away, God is always with us.  We do not need to live in worry and anxiety when we put our trust in the Lord and seek His Word.  The bible talks about becoming a new creation, choosing to live different from the way of the world and the sinful nature.  Ask God to help you open the eyes of your heart and to see with the eyes of Jesus.  Live with God at the center of your life and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)