Faith Journey

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)

Turn Towards God

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“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 4:6-7 NIV

This is the first thing we should do with every aspect of our lives

We often try to go it alone and then turn to God as a last resort…even then He will be there for us because of His mercy and grace

No matter what the circumstances are in your life…bring it to God in prayer

Trust in Him…it is never too late

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

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)

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 reason for 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)

All People

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“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Revelation 7:9-10 NIV

“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 NIV

All people are created by God

All people

He has a plan and He values all people

If we choose to judge others by the standards of the world, we are forgetting what God teaches us

Often times we know very little about others we encounter in our daily life…yet we are quick to assume things about them

Pick up God’s word and strive to see people through the eyes of Jesus

Like many aspects of our faith journey it is simple, but it is not easy

We were never promised easy

Peace be with you

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“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

James 2:12-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

Actions Of Hope

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

An action of hope means getting practical

It means working and doing things with trust in God’s plan even when the circumstances don’t reveal it

Actions of hope are a way to live in faith and to put your trust in God

In Jeremiah 32 there is a story of Jeremiah buying a field at a time when Babylon was coming to capture the city

This was not a logical action at the time rather an action of hope because God had said the people will return to buy fields, build houses and live in this land

Destruction was coming yet Jeremiah bought a field

Nothing in your life is wasted…God is at work

Turn towards God in faith and ask for His guidance for opportunities for you to take actions of hope in your life

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“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in North Dakota)

Measuring Success

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“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV

The measure of success we have in our life depends on which race we have chosen to run

Have we decided to pursue the race of the world, chasing money and possessions, constantly consuming and comparing our standing or our place in the world with others on social media?

Or have we been working on pursuing the race marked out for us by God’s will?

Making faith more important than things, focusing on our relationships, how we treat others and seeking to grow in our spiritual life

God has given us the gift of free will and so we have the ability and the responsibility to choose which race we will run

No matter where we are today, God is with us and we can trust in Him by turning to Christ in prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit to guide our path

Best of luck to you and to everyone in your race today

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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. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.“

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

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

The Price Of Salvation

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“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

John 15:13 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your only Son to save us.  Thank You for creating a way for us to know You personally.  Becasue of Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins are forgiven!  Please help us never take that for granted.  Help us to recognize and glorify You in every area of our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Persevere

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4 NIV

Father God, please give us strength to run the race of faith.  Often times darkness in this world will bring us many forms of struggle and we are easily distracted and drift away from You.  Fill us with courage to stay close to You and trust in Your promises…even when…especially when we can’t see clearly.  You are the source of our endurance to keep going, when we get knocked back or pushed down we know we can trust in You and keep running the race of faith.  Thank You for all You do for us.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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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.”

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Nothing Is Impossible

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“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:19-20 NIV

Father God, You make all things beautiful in their proper time.  Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish.  You are faithful to keep Your promises.  It’s easy for me to forget that You are not done working.  Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave.  When I grow weary or afraid, help me remember that You are with me, You are faithful and that nothing is impossible for You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo of a young Loon was taken on a lake in central Minnesota)