He Has Risen!

This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Acts 2:23-24 NIV

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They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’  Then they remembered his words.”

Luke 24:2-8 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

Surrender

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, my life is Yours.  Please take every part of it.  Every area of my life that does not honor You…take it.  Every insecurity, every fear, every selfish desire and past mistake…I give it all to You.  Please put those things to death so that I can experience Your abundant life.  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)

A Foundation Of Faith

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] [a]

Matthew 17:20-21 NIV

Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes

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“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24 NIV

(This photo was taken near Dillon, Colorado)

The Voice of Truth

“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

Good and Gracious God, thank You for the gift of salvation and for being the one true way.  The world desperately needs Your truth and light.  Guide our steps to be bold in sharing Your truth with those around us.  Use each of us to point others towards You, and bring us back to Your way and Your truth when we stray.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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)

Commitment

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

John 15:7 NIV

Father God, I want to seek You with all my heart.  You are my everything…so let my thoughts and actions match my words.  Help me draw closer to You.  Guide my decisions and inspire me with new dreams.  I want to honor You with all that I am and all that I do.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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

He Did It All For You

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.
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

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 the Black Hills in western South Dakota)

We Are Forgiven

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

Romans 5:8 NIV

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

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Father God, You always give me grace when I mess up, and I want to extend that same grace to others.  Help me to be quick to forgive others because You are quick to forgive me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Luke 23:34 NIV

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

Gratitude

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
    Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Psalm 100:1-3 NIV

Gratitude by Brandon Lake

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Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

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

God Says…

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11 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

You Say by Lauren Daigle

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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

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

God Is Greater

“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.”

2 Chronicles 2:5 NIV

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

1 John 3:20 NIV

Father God, You know what is on my mind and has me distracted and worried.  For the things in my past, help me to let them go and to find peace in You.  For my current day struggles, guide me to draw near to You and be patient.  For my ‘what if’ thoughts about the future, remind me to put my trust in You because You ave overcome this world and You are greater than anything or any situation I will encounter in my life.  Thank You God for who You are and all that You do for me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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