forgiven

Forgiveness

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9 NIV

“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 NIV

Forgiveness is not saying the pain or the wrong done to us is ok…it is acknowledging that we have been hurt and that we are not going to allow bitterness and anger continue to impact us in the future.  To learn about forgiveness seek wisdom in God’s Word…read or listen to the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis, chapters 37-50.  See how even when people intend to harm you, God can use it for good.

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“Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:4-6 NIV

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

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

As of today it has been more than 2 weeks since Resurrection Sunday and we must caution against taking our salvation for granted.  For most people by now they are focused solely on the tasks of work or daily tasks at home and the glory of Christ sacrifice for us is in the rear-view mirror.  Our faith journey and spiritual growth is about so much more than checking in on Sunday or on certain holidays and checking out the rest of the time because we are too busy.  Seeking your relationship with Jesus Christ every day and spending time with Him and in God’s Word is the Way to peace.  God sacrificed His only Son to reconcile us to Him.  Never forget the price of our salvation.  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 in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Cross Of Christ

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“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

1 Corinthians 15:56-58 NIV

Come as you are…no matter where you have been…no matter what you have done or left undone…come to the Cross of Christ…you have been forgiven and you will find peace.  Amen.

The Cross Has The Final Word by Newsboys

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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 in June of 2015 while traveling in South Dakota)

He Did It All For You

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“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV

From Genesis to Revelation the over-arching theme of the Bible is God’s love…this love is not a guarantee that life will be easy and always pleasant…yet it is a love that is consistent, based on facts and comes to us directly in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Open your heart and mind to Jesus every day…everything He did was done for you.  Amen.

End Of The Beginning by David Phelps

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

His Sacrifice For You

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“But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
    the sins of us all.”

Isaiah 53:5-6 NLT

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

Romans 5:8 NIV

He came down from heaven and was born as a baby.  He lived and taught…He was beaten, spit on and made to carry the Cross He would die on.  He comitted no sin and took the punishment for all of our sins.  He suffered, He was crucified, died and was buried and He did it all for you.  Then God raised Him from the dead and He is alive!  Thanks be to God for the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me so that we can be reconciled to God.  Amen.

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.“

John 3:16-18 NIV

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

Believe

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9 NIV

Believe.  Believe in God and His Son.  Believe that Jesus came down from heaven, was crucified, died and was buried…believe that He has risen and that He did it all for you.  It will change your life forever.  Believe it!

We Believe by Newsboys

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“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:10 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

God Is Greater Than…

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“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

No matter what you are facing, no matter what the circumstances are, no matter how bad the tragedy or trauma that has occurred…God is bigger than that…God is greater than anything you will encounter in this life.  Believe it and put your faith, your hope and your trust in Jesus Christ.

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

His Sacrifice For You

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“But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
    the sins of us all.”

Isaiah 53:5-6 NLT

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

Romans 5:8 NLT

He came down from heaven and was born as a baby.  He lived and taught…He was beaten, spit on and made to carry the cross He would die on.  He comitted no sin and took the punishment for all of our sins.  He suffered, He was crucified, died and was buried and He did it all for you.  Thanks be to God for the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me.  Amen.

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

John 3:16-21 NIV

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

Believe

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9 NIV

Believe.  Believe in God and His Son.  Believe that Jesus came down from heaven, was crucified died and was buried…believe that He has risen and that He did it all for you.  It will change your life forever.  Believe it!

We Believe by Newsboys

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“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:10 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Integrity

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 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 12:1-2 NIV

Honesty…honor…ethics…morals…decency…fairness…sincerity…truthfulness…trustworthiness.  It seems in the world of social media and the race to get more attention to the self; these characteristics have gone by the wayside.  The constant striving for likes, popularity, money and me first attitude have become overwhelming idols of this fallen world.  Now more than ever we need people turning towards God and transforming their hearts and minds to the purpose of life according to God.  It begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son, our Savior.  Wherever you are, whatever has been done turn towards Jesus and seek to know Him.  Amen.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 near Boysen State Park in Wyoming)