God’s love

God’s Grace

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

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

Ephesians 2:8-10

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Give Thanks To The Lord…

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It’s so easy to get blinded by worldly values and events that we lose sight of God.  How quickly we forget His love, His mercy, His grace and what Jesus Christ did to save us.  We have access to the instruction manual for life in God’s Word…it’s right there…yet we lay down our worries and burdens and ask Him for help…only to pick them up again and go our own way.  He provides all that we need…let us give thanks to the Lord.  Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Psalm 118:1

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

Be Strong

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God is with us every day, everywhere, no matter what happens.  I can say this because He promised He would be…our relationship with God should not be part of our weekend “To Do” list.  Spending time with Him daily and recognizing He is our Creator; His Son is our Savior and He will guide us with the Holy Spirit takes courage and a willingness to commit to His Word…a willingness to trust in Him…Be Strong.  Bring your worries, your burdens, your fears…your everything to Him…everyday…no matter what.  Amen.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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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

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

Angels All Around Us

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“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

2 Kings 6:16-17

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“For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

Psalm 91:11-12

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota)

The Goodness Of God

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God is good all the time…and all the time God is good.

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

Psalm 34:8

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:8

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head on the north shore of Lake Superior)

Come Near To God

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We often ask ‘where is God in all of this?’  Yet so often we think nothing of Him in our day to day life.  Think about your relationships in your life and who would you feel most comforted by in your time of need.  Is it that person you pass by frequently in familiar places…you have seen each other often…you have exchanged Hi’s or Hello’s and maybe even some small talk and you may know each other’s name but not much else?  Is that the person you would run to first and wonder why they are not doing more to help you in crisis?  Ask yourself…how much better do you know God and have spent time seeking Him than that acquaintance?  If you truly want to know God and what He says and what He is doing…seek Him…come near to Him and spend time with Him…He is waiting to hear from you.  Amen.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 4:7-8

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“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Beaver Bay Falls in northern Minnesota)

The Path Of Peace

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“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?“

Mark 8:34-36

“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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Trust In The Lord

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

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“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

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Faith Over Fear

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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

Give Me Jesus by Danny Gokey

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

Romans 8:31-35

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[c] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Friendship

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Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that we are His friends.  Friends take care of each other, they are loyal, respectful, trustworthy and they support each other through difficult times.  Friendship is a two-way street…sometimes you are giving in your friendship and sometimes you are receiving.  Take time to reflect upon your friendships…especially your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Amen.

“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. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

John 15:12-15

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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

(This photo was taken yesterday in Temperance State Park on the north shore of Lake Superior)