Faith

Humility In Relationships

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“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

1 Peter 5:5 NIV

Father God, You invite me into a peaceful relationship with You where I can be fully known and loved.  You also invite me to pursue peace with others around me.  Please help me to appraoch my relationships with humility, grace and wisdom.  Grant me knowledge to recognize when I should speak and when I should listen as I pursue peace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:1-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

The God Who Stays

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

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“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 NIV

(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

The Words Of Jesus

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“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:8 NIV

Father God, thank You for giving us Your Word.  Scripture is full of truth and life, and we never want to take it for granted.  We know that we are easily distracted, and yet You give us the strength to persevere.  Show us how to meditate on your Word.  Teach us to prioritize our relationship with You above all else.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

(This photo was taken along the shore of Lake Supereior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

The Voice of Truth

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

While Jesus walked on earth he taught using the phrase “I tell you the truth…”  He spoke this phrase more than 75 times as recorded in the New Testament

With so much input coming at us from the world, the flesh, and the devil…it is important to seek the One voice of truth

Listening to and believing God’s Truth takes courage

Following God’s Truth means trusting that no matter what happens He has got you in the palm of his hand

He knows you…He knows what you are facing

He knows your fears and the temptations pressuring you

Open your heart, mind, and soul to Him

He has the truth and His Son delivered the message of truth personally to us

Voice Of Truth by Casting Crowns

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“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.“

John 8:31-32 NIV

(This photo was taken at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)

Gratitude For God’s Goodness

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, nothing is impossible for You.  You love me even when I am unlovable.  You are good to me even when I do not deserve it.  You are kind and compassionate toward me even when I mess up.  You provide the example of what faithful love looks like.  Thank You for never leaving or abandoning me.  Today, remind me of the ways You have provided for me in my life so that way I can intentionally praise You and Your goodness.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Trust…Commit…Be Still

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“Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

“Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.”

Psalm 37:5-6 NIV

No matter what the situation or circumstances you are facing

Good, bad, unknown

Put your trust in the One who knows you, loves you and is walking with you through every moment

Commit it all to Him and He will guide you on your path

Be still and wait for Him

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“Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.“

Psalm 37:7 NIV

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

I Surrender All

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“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

Father God, I surrender my life to You.  You can have it all.  All my doubts, all my fears, all my worries…every insecurity, every selfish desire and past mistake…I give it all to You.  Every area of my life that does not honor You…take it.  Take it all and use me, change me, transform me, love me and love others through me.  Take all that I am, and use it for Your glory.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 NIV

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

Your Grace Is Enough

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher

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“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

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

Our Purpose

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Love God

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV

Love Others

“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]””

Luke 10:27 NIV

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Share The Good News

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Love God…Love Other People…Share the Gospel

(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Redeemer

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“I know that my redeemer[c] lives,
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.”[d]

Job 19:25 NIV

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer

No matter what has transpired in our lives, we know we can come to Jesus

He is alive and He lives in us

Redeemer by Nicole C Mullen

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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

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