God’s faithfulness

God Is My Rock

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

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful.  Thank You for making a way for me to know You.  You are enough for me.  Please show me where You are working in my life.  No matter what I face or what circumstances are before me, I will choose to wait patiently on You, my Rock.  I know that You will protect me and that You will finish the work that You have started in me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2 NIV

(This photo was taken at Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado)

Trust God

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Good and Gracious God, You are my source of strength and hope.  You are the foundation of my life.  With You, all things are possible.  I will place my hope in You.  Even when everything around me seems to be crumbling, I will put my trust in You.  I will not be afraid because You make my life secure.  Thank You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset while traveling in South Dakota)

God’s Timing

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“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

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“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.“

2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

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

The Goodness Of God

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

Father God, thank You for being our good Father.  We are so grateful we can always count on You.  You bless us and Your love is poured into us.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.  Thank You for sending us Jesus.  Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

God’s Presence Is All Around Us

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

Joshua 1:9 NIV

God Is With Us by Casting Crowns

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“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Big Sky, Montana )

God’s Faithfulness

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“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness, even when we have been unfaithful to You.  Thank You for Your presence in our lives.  You are always with us even when we are distracted and not paying attention to You.  We know that You are always working for our good.  Thank You for continuing to protect and strengthen us, help us continue to place our hope and trust in You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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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.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your promise of peace.  Thank You for sending Your Son to deliver the gift of peace to us.  No matter what we face, even though it is uncertain and difficult, we know that You and Your peace are bigger than any problems in our lives.  Help us remember that You are good.  You came to us as a baby and You have promised to always be with us…and that alone gives us peace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken during a previous Christmas at a place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Sacrifice…Savior

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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.”

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your only Son to save us.  Thank You for creating a way for us to be reconciled with You.  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice our mistakes are forgiven!  Help us never take this for granted.  Give us courage to glorify You in every area of our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:17 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

O Holy Night

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“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:30-33 NIV

My favorite songs of the season are the spiritual songs.  Music about the events that occurred in Bethlehem thousands of years ago.  These songs have endured the test of time.  This one in particular was written by a French poet in 1847, the poem was put to music and performed at Christmas Eve service that year for the first time.  My favorite version is below…Let the music of the season soothe your soul and be thankful that on that Holy Night our Savior was born.  Peace be with you.

O Holy Night by Point of Grace

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“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:8-12 NIV

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 while in the Bahamas)

Holy Spirit

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“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you.”

John 14:15-17 NIV

Father God, please draw close to us.  Help us rejoice in hope, to be patient in trouble, and to never stop praying.  Thank You for sending us the Holy Spirit, help us follow Him to prayer, worship and rest in You.  Becasue You are always with us we can find true joy at all times, especially when our circumstances distract us away from You and Your Word.  Continue to fill us with the Holy Spirit and guide us to live our lives with hope and undefeatable joy.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:26-27 NIV

(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)