Faith

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)

The Spirit Within Us

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How do you tune in to the Holy Spirit?  The faith journey begins by acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, our Savior and the confession of our sins…it continues with the desire to turn away from sin in our daily lives.  How can our faith grow?  It must be fed… we should feed our minds and our hearts with God’s word, we should seek to do good things, to help those in need and share whatever we have received in abundance.  We are not equipped to do this alone, none of us are.  So how do we know when the Holy Spirit is guiding us…we need to find the best way to tune in…like back in the days when listening to music meant finding just the right spot on a radio dial that brought in a clear signal with no static…strive to find that place and that time where you can tune in and receive guidance from God’s Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2017 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Let Go

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The more we fill our lives with fear, shame, guilt, anger, bitterness and all our sins, the less room we have for the Fruits of the Spirit from God.  We must learn to let go of the worldly ways and worldly values that are holding us back and telling us lies.  In order to receive the goodness of the Lord we must open our hearts and minds to Him…it is a journey we all must take and Jesus Christ is waiting for each one of us to turn towards Him, because He is the only One who knows The Way.  Amen.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 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 August of 2012 while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Compassion

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Care…concern…gentleness…tenderness…kindness…mercy…understanding…love.  God is compassionate.  If we would choose compassion over self-centered behavior more often it would make such a big difference in this world.  An act of compassion doesn’t have to be recorded and go viral to be meaningful…one act of compassion that benefits one person that nobody else knows about is just as valuable as one that encourages many.  Jesus Christ has set us the example of care, concern, gentleness, tenderness, kindness, mercy, understanding and love…let’s strive to follow His lead and show compassion to others.  May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.  Amen.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

A Giving Mindset

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The holiday season is a time to remind us to be grateful and to share with others where and when we are able.  The challenge is to maintain a level of a giving mindset throughout the whole year.  It is easy to slip into a self-oriented mindset for numerous reasons…the ability to stand firm and to change your perspective is possible by building and growing your relationship with Jesus Christ, every day.  He knows what it means to sacrifice for others, He knows how to have compassion and to be humble even when, especially when we don’t deserve it.  Ask God to help you find and maintain a giving mindset throughout the holiday season and beyond.  May we all find moments of peace and joy and opportunities to help those in need.  Amen.

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“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

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

Faith Over Fear

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When facing struggles and suffering, we have a choice to act based on our faith or on our fears.  Choose faith.  Fear is a weapon of evil and a powerful one.  When given the opportunity, faith can conquer fear.  As with most things there is a certain amount of fear that is healthy, protective instinct and we all need that level for personal safety.  An unhealthy level of fear is destructive and paralyzing and keeps us from the life God intends for us.  Bring your fears to the Lord and let your faith be greater than your fear.  Amen.

Fear Is A Liar by Zach Williams

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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

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico)

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)

Keep Doing Good Things

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Not for your benefit, rather for the benefit of helping others.  We reap what we sow in this life.  This does not mean we can earn our way into heaven by doing the right things…it means whatever we give out into the world will come back around to us at some point and none of us knows or can control how or when that will happen.  This is further proof that God is in control and it is our responsibility to choose our behaviors and our actions in our daily life.  We cannot control what others will think, say or do, yet we can control how we respond.  Let’s choose to keep doing good things.  May the Fruit of the Spirit flow through us each day.  Amen.

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“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:7-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Do Not Be Afraid

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God is with you…wherever you are…whatever your circumstances…no matter what you have done or left undone…God promised He would never leave you or abandon you.  If you can’t see Him…look at things differently than you have been.  Pick up God’s word and learn about Him so that you can see.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

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)