God’s Grace

Trust…Rest

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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

Father God, it is easy for us to worry about circumstances in our lives

Each day, help us to remember that You are always in control

Today, we are trusting in Your protection, provision and plans for us

Because we know You care about every need and desire we have-we know we can rest

Give us peace as we give You control of our lives

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

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

Saved By Grace

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“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Nothing we do will make God love us more

Nothing we do will make God love us less

We have been saved by the Grace of God

It is a gift from God

We can either accept it and choose to follow Jesus

Or we can reject it and face the consequences of that choice

We are saved by Grace

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

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

Amazing Grace

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Below are the words to Amazing Grace…may we be blessed to listen to this song and let it sink into our hearts and minds.  May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.

Written by John Newton

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God…”

Ephesians 2:8 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through North Dakota)

God’s Grace

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

We can’t earn it

We don’t deserve it and yet God offers it to us anyway

God is Holy and God is love

Because He is Holy our sin separates us from Him

He demonstrated His love when He sent His one and only Son to take the punishment we deserve so that we can be reconciled with Him

Choose to believe…confess your sins

Give thanks to God for His amazing grace

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

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

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)

Joy Because God Is Faithful

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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

“You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness, even when we have been unfaithful to You

Thank You for Your presence in our lives and for never leaving us alone

We know that You will continue to guide us and protect us as You work in us and through us

Help us remember to place our hope and trust in You, so that we can experience true joy

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 a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

A Prayer For Peace

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

Father God, You know that we need You

We are sorry for all the times we have pretended that we are fine on our own

Please forgive us

Today, we come to You just as we are and we give You all of our anxieties, all of our cares and all of our worries

Please replace our worry with peace

Replace our anxiety with hope

And replace our concerns with confident trust in You

We know nothing is too hard for You and that You are greater than anything we face in this world

Grant us Your peace

In Jesus name, Amen

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“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 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

No Matter What…

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“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

God is with you…no matter where you go

God is for you…no matter who is against you

God loves you…no matter what happens

Seek Him, believe Him, trust in Him…No matter what

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in New Mexico)

Our Refuge

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your strength in us

Because of Your work in our lives, we are not defeated by the darkness in the world around us!

Help us to remember that You overcame he who is in the world

You live in us, which means we can share in Your victory

Help us to remember who You are and all that You have done.  In Jesus name, Amen

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

Amazing Grace

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“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.  21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:20-24 NIV

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)