Faith

Come Near…

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Listen to songs of worship…go to a quiet place and pray…read God’s Word…reflect on where and when have you seen God at work in your life…have gratitude and give thanks for the blessings you have in your life…share whatever you can with those who are in need…these are just a few of the ways you can come near to God…none of them cost money, only a willingness and a desire to have a relationship with Him.  Use this time to connect or reconnect with God the Father, Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

Light In The Darkness

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When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and we confess our sins, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…which is a light, the light that shines within us and enables us to walk in darkness.  We do not have all the answers, yet we have confidence in God for this life and the life to come.  Amen.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Redeemed

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We must be willing to give forgiveness, to let go of bitterness, anger and pain as our Father in heaven will forgive us.  Forgive, be forgiven and you will find peace.  Amen.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

God’s Timing

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One of our greatest struggles is trying to control or believing we are in complete control of time.  If we live like this, we will experience tiredness, frustrations, fatigue and lacking energy because we are living apart from God’s will.  God gives us free will and we have a responsibility in how we choose to live our lives and those choices have consequences.  If you want to learn more about God’s time, pick up the bible, read Genesis or Ecclesiastes or whatever Book in the bible you choose…our time in life is about so much more than the numbers on our devices.  Spend time with God each day and learn about His love, His plan and His time.  Amen.

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“Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

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

By Faith

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When our faith is strong our foundation is solid.  When we live by faith our motives and our purpose are clear.  When we walk in faith our troubles will not disappear but God has promised to walk through them with us.  By faith we will know hope that surpasses all understanding.  By faith we will find peace that comes from God.  Amen.

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

Hebrews 11:1

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

I Will Rise

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In this world we will have trouble.  We will get knocked down, turned away, rejected and discouraged because we live in a fallen world, filled with our sin.  Do not be defeated…turn towards God in prayer, be encouraged and strengthened by His love, proclaim your faith in Jesus Christ, believe and He will help you rise.  Amen.

I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
    Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be my light.”

Micah 7:8

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

Focus

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What are your thoughts like?  What is on your mind more often than other things?  What issues or actions grab your attention?  There is so much coming at us in our daily lives that we easily lose focus.  We are distracted, constantly shifting from one thing to the next, never getting anywhere.  So much of what is put before us is the work of evil and darkness, working to keep us away from God and our relationship with Jesus.  The more we take time to focus on God’s word and spending time in prayer the more clearly we can see the important things in life and let the other stuff fade away.  Renew your thoughts and your mind and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:2

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