forgiveness

Spiritual Growth

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The growth that leads to spiritual maturity is the growth of your inner being.  The inner self is the driver of our attitude and our behaviors.  We all are equipped with a space in our inner being that only God can fill.  As humans we will try to fill this gap with many other things…a professional career, wealth, adventure and adrenalin, alcohol, gambling and many others.  This unique inner self only has one companion that fills us and makes us complete as God intended us to be and that is God Himself.  When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we do not grow tired and weary chasing after other things…we know that we are secure in God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s grace and God’s forgiveness.  Invite the Lord into your life and into your daily routine and activities…after all He designed us in His own image and He knows us better than anyone else ever could.  Seek spiritual growth and see how your life and the world changes from your perspective.  May God’s peace and love and joy be with you.

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…”

Ephesians 3:16-18

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

When We Are Wrong

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Another characteristic that seems to be very difficult to cultivate in today’s world is humbleness.  Admitting that we are in trouble, that we made mistakes and we need help.  The communication style of the world seems to be believe your own truth and punish those who disagree with you.  It is already difficult to be humble and admit when we are wrong…and the path the world is on makes this even more difficult.  As I am reading 1 John 1 today it talks about confessing our sins and forgiveness.  We all are going to find trouble in this life, it will be best for us and for others in our life if we work on being humble when we are in trouble and helping and supporting others when they are in trouble.  May God’s love and peace be with you and flow out of you.

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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”

1 John 1:9

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while driving through New Mexico)

Forgiving

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Everyone has been hurt by others in some way, at one time or another.  This is not a unique situation to be in, the key to peace and joy is what you do with the hurt and the pain…do we live with bitterness and anger at the sound of their name or place where the pain occurred?  Maybe for a period of time, eventually we must find a way to forgiveness.  We will be much better off to learn about what it means to forgive someone and proceed with removing the dark cloud from over our heads.  It won’t make the pain go away and we will live with the scar of past hurts no matter what we do…what it will do is open us up for other future possibilities, some that we could have never imagined if we were still angry and bitter.  Give forgiveness a try and see what God has in store for you.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Forgiveness

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Holding on to anger, rage and bitterness is unhealthy.  We know this is true.  Yet we still struggle to overcome the emotions of events.  To be able to exercise forgiveness we need to fully understand the intent.  It is not intended to say that an offender has been excused for their actions…rather it is a statement that we are not going to let the poor choices and actions of another keep us held in a state of  stress and anxiety.  Forgiveness should also be tied to some action to make a better future.  If we hold on to the anger and bitterness they will show up in all areas of our lives and this is a destructive pattern.  When we decide to forgive we are setting ourselves free from heading down a path of darkness.  Again I offer a musical reference to speak to this message…check out this song called Forgiveness by Matthew West.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  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 2016 near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

God Wants To Hear From You…

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When I first started my devotion time I had heard about and knew about God the Father, Jesus Christ his only Son and the Holy Spirit…I didn’t really know them or what a personal relationship with The Savior was all about.  I am realizing there is so much to learn and experience in growing and developing a relationship with them…God the Creator loves me unconditionally and Jesus his Son is the one person who sacrificed everything in order to save me.  And the Holy Spirit can be my guide through the ups and downs of life in a fallen world.

One of the hardest lessons is not to judge your relationship with God based on what you see in human relationships…all of us on earth are broken, even the people you think “have it all” and the sooner we can admit we need God the sooner we may find peace in our lives.  May God’s peace be with you!

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“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota)

New Year’s Eve; Reflect…Forgive…Love

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As the sun sets on another year today take time to reflect on your life and interactions with other people.  For the times you feel that you were wronged find a way to forgive others…not for them but for yourself…think also about how you will be a light of the love Jesus Christ gave to all us when he came down from heaven to save us.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

As I close this year of devotions I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians…

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

2 Corinthians 13:14

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

 

Elements Of Good Character

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)