Follow Jesus

Light Of The World

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When we do not know where to turn…when darkness keeps us from moving forward…when it feels like the world is closing in on us…it is the Light of Christ that can lead us out of darkness.  We will encounter difficulty, troubles and frustrations in this life, everyone does…every single person is working through something.  In several places in the Bible we are told about The Light of Christ.  He is the Light of the World and He can shine best through you and me.  So when you need a little Light turn towards Jesus and pray or pick up a Bible and read God’s Word…the only way Light can be helpful is when it is shining bright…shine on!  May the grace and mercy of God’s love be with you.  Amen.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)

The Narrow Road

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As we move along the journey of Faith and grow in our relationship with Jesus we will begin to see differences in what people are pursuing (ourselves included) and what we read and learn about in the Bible.  When we read things like…“All people will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:22  or  “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10  And there are many other verses in the Bible that make us squirm in our seats…as people living in this world, when we read these things it makes some of us want to ask “really? persecuted? hated? and then forgiveness, kindness and compassion?”

It is at that moment that we should stop and think for minute…close our eyes and see the Cross, see Jesus Christ hanging there…He was beaten, hated, persecuted and crucified and He went through all that and offered a prayer of forgiveness just before He died…He did all of this for me and for you.  A life living in Faith is not a promise of easy street and all happiness all the time…in fact it is the life you will often find that needs to take the road less traveled and know in confidence that there is One who showed us how to travel that road.  May we all find refuge and comfort with Christ. Amen

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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.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Faith Drives Out Fear

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Fear is a bully, it takes away from who we truly are, it restricts us, it wants to control us and it will tell us lie after lie to get its way.  Faith in God is one of the greatest weapons against fear.  Belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came down from heaven, was crucified, died and has risen is the foundation to stand on to overcome fear.  All of us are fighting something that is trying to use fear against us…maybe other people know about your battle…maybe they don’t…God knows and He is willing to provide you the courage, the strength and the wisdom to defeat fear.  Our trust and in Faith in the Lord will carry us through any thing the world throws at us.  Bring your worries and your fears to the Cross and let Jesus lead the way.  May we all have new courage and strength against our fears because of our Faith.

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

Isaiah 41:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Courage

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To persevere…daring…to do something that makes us uncomfortable…strength in the struggle.  There are many things that can make us uneasy, cautious and fearful in our world.  We all need a source of encouragement, a source and a foundation from which we can draw strength…there is only one who has lived that can provide us the example of courage in the most devastating circumstances…Jesus Christ.  Not only did He show what true devotion and fortitude looks like He did all for someone else, He did it for you.  Take your fears and your worries to the Lord and let your Faith be stronger than your fear.  May we be surrounded in the comfort and courage of God’s love.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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

A New Creation

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Ok, I accept that Jesus Christ died to save me from my sins.  I believe that he is my Lord and Savior…now what?  Faith is a journey, not a destination.  Coming to the point that has you turning towards God is just the first step on a new road.  If you go about your daily activities and schedule with no change of thought or actions then you aren’t really turning towards God and following…it is more like you stopped what you are doing took a longer than usual look at a new road and then kept going on the one you were on.  To be engaged in your faith journey means a new way of doing things, it means looking at the same things with a new perspective, it means commenting on situations with a new attitude…to be a new creation.  It will mean being different from the crowd, it most likely will mean meeting a new crowd, it will mean putting on a new self.  God is with you, He will guide you and keep you safe…He loves you and He is waiting to hear from you.  May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through Nebraska)

Solid Rock

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Firm foundation…strength…courage…determination…a shield…a place of refuge.  When we think about solid rock it gives us the impression of strength to stand on or the protection to shield us.  All of us has a rock in our lives, whether it is another person, a place or something else.  The rock we all need is a solid relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is our firm foundation, He gives us strength and courage, He gives us the fortitude to keep going and He is our shield and protector.  Anything we could ever need will come from Him.  Make time to build your relationship with Jesus Christ our Solid Rock!  May you seek the Lord in your everyday life.

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Morrison, Colorado)

Courage

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It takes courage to be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.  It not always the easy way or even the logical way to live according to the world.  It means living with different priorities than many people.  It means there will be times when you must step out in faith and it means you must be willing to admit your mistakes.  One of the toughest parts can be gaining self-control and getting a handle on your emotions.  There are many examples in the bible of people who have made this journey and they did really well at times and they also stumbled and failed at times.  The lessons we can learn from their experiences are to be courageous, stand firm in your faith and trust in God.  Don’t look for things to always go the way you want or have planned, but seek His plan.  There is a phrase I think fits with faith pretty well…Faith – it’s simple but it’s not always easy.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

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

God’s Peace

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There will be times in life when we will be faced with our broken humanness.  It is unavoidable in this world.  We will be very conscious and aware of our inability to bring about change or peace.  These are the natural limits of our existence.  What we are not made to be able to accomplish can easily be handled by God.  The only way to achieve the peace our soul desires is to put our trust, our hope and our faith in the Lord.  Only God can provide true peace.  When we cannot see our way through or know what may or may not happen…true faith pushes on, not recklessly but faithfully in this darkness knowing that God will be there to lift us up.  Pray for God’s peace to be in your heart and continue to push on in faith.  May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The Good Shepherd

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The Shepherd, of all the roles on earth, we can read in several places in the bible that Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:11, John 10:11-18).  In today’s world a shepherd seems like a character in a story of a very different world, not an actual role in a society.  To understand more about why is Jesus the Good Shepherd we look more closely at Psalm 23.  Some of David’s words and descriptions of the Shepherd are as follows:  He leads me; He restores my soul; He guides me; I will fear no evil; they comfort me; my cup overflows.  A shepherd provides everything the sheep will ever need.  Leadership, a restoration hope, guidance, protection, comfort and blessings…love.  Most importantly for the sheep a shepherd will lay down his life for the sheep to keep them safe from evil.  Jesus Christ has done all things possible for you to have life, turn or return to Him as He is our Good Shepherd.  May God’s love and mercy be with you.

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“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

John 10:14-15

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 near the Minnesota and South Dakota border)

The Conclusion

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In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the Teacher explores several aspects of life on earth searching for meaning.  The word ‘meaningless’ is used repeatedly in this book.  The Teacher reviews wisdom, pleasures, time, toil, advancement, riches and often states similar phrases like‘…it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot.” (Ecclesiastes 5:18)  Finally after thorough discussion is complete in Ecclesiastes 12 a conclusion is reached…this is a lesson that every person can learn from, this is a lesson that keeps the values of eternity in view for all of us.  To summarize what the verses below state: Life without God is meaningless.  May you find peace and joy in the glory of God this day.

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“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

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