God’s faithfulness

Spiritual Battle

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“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:13-18 NIV

We are caught in the spiritual battle every day

Jesus Christ has won the war and defeated death and evil

Yet darkness is still working to keep us away from God

Be aware the battle continues because of sin

And we know that God will work all things for our good and His glory

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“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:18 NIV

(This photo was taken near Arches National Park in Utah)

Love That Can Change The World

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“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:7-12 NIV

Jesus came down from heaven and sacrificed Himself on the Cross

He did it for you…He did it because He loves you and wants a relationship with you!

Give thanks to Him, chose to love God and love others

This is what God wants us to do.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

One Hope

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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

Even when we feel surrounded by darkness and evil

We can find hope when we turn towards God, His Word and His Son

We can find hope when we remember that after the brutal and tragic death of Jesus

God raised Him to life

We can have hope because of what God has done and is doing in our lives

It is up to us to seek Him

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Persevere

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:6-9 NIV

Father God, You call us to always be faithful and obedient, especially during difficult times

Thank You for providing Your Word as a guide for us

Remind us that no matter what our struggle is, You are near and will renew our strength and provide us endurance to persevere

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

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

Wisdom From God

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“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[a]

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV

Nothing we encounter in this world is greater than God

Do not be deceived by the wisdom the of the world

Seek God’s wisdom

Read His Word and learn about life from His perspective

He is our Creator

He is our Savior

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“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Faith Commitment

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Success in life is most often tied to commitment

When you learn the details of a success story there is always a moment or moments along the way that a person had to make a choice to stay committed to a vision or mission in order to see it through

It is a willingness to commit that leads to success in relationships and our everyday life

When we reflect on our lives, we all are committed to something right now…what is it for you?

Ask yourself this question, how do my commitment(s) tie into my faith and my relationship with God?

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken near Arches National Park in Utah)

He Knows

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“You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.”

Psalm 139:1-4 NIV

God knows all about you

He is your Creator

He made you to be who you are

You are enough for Him

Whatever you are worried about or struggling to overcome

Whatever ‘it’ is…He Knows

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

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

The Goodness Of God

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“The Lord is gracious, kind and tender.
    He is slow to get angry and full of love.
9 The Lord is good to all.
    He shows deep concern for everything he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9 NIRV

All that is good is from God

The evil, the darkness and terrible things in this world are the result of sin

God’s plan was the Garden of Eden before Eve and then Adam were disobedient

God doesn’t tempt us or make bad things happen

God is good

He forgives, He Heals, He renews and He restores us

Even though we don’t deserve it

The Goodness Of God by Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

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“Your kingdom is a kingdom that will last forever.
    Your rule will continue for all time to come.

The Lord will keep all his promises.
    He is faithful in everything he does.
14 The Lord takes good care of all those who fall.
    He lifts up all those who feel helpless.
15 Every living thing looks to you for food.
    You give it to them exactly when they need it.
16 You open your hand
    and satisfy the needs of every living creature.”

Psalm 145:13-16 NIRV

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

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

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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

“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“

1 Peter 2:22-25 NIV

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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 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

How We Treat Each Other

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“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12 NIV

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.“

John 15:12-13 NIV

You will get what you give in this life

God’s Word gives clear instructions and Jesus lived the example we can follow

Love and serve one another

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 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 4:29-32 NIV

(This photo was taken at St. Croix State Park in northern Minnesota)