God’s love

Prayer Makes A Difference

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Do we always get what we want, when we want it?  No.  Does a child always get what they ask for?  Do they understand why?  No, they don’t…what we do know is that God wants us to pray.  It is another topic in the bible that is repeated often…Matthew 6:6, Luke 18:1, Philippians 4:6 and many more places.  This is something God encourages us to do and knowing that, means that even though we may not understand how it works, prayer does make a difference.  Amen.

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“ Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessolanians 5:16-18

(This photo was taken in july of 2018 on shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

The Light Of The World

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When we are discouraged and defeated it may be because we are clinging to the things of this world and we are living in darkness.  Comparing ourselves to others, believing our worth and our value comes from something or someone other than God.  If we are struggling to see, we need to remember the Light of the World…Jesus Christ…our Savior and Lord.  Let Him lead you and guide you…read God’s Word about His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection and remember He did it all for you.  Amen.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Persistence And Patience

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Keep going with prayer…don’t let the desire for immediate gratification discourage you…God’s will is not about your timing.  Seek comfort from Jesus by spending time in prayer and reading God’s word, pay attention for God’s responses in your daily life.  Align yourself with God’s plan and go after it with persistence and patience.  God is with you and He loves you.  Amen.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Colossians 4:2

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

Holy Living

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It is simple yet very different from worldly values.  It is about living a balanced life with Christ at the center.  It is not about judgement or comparing oneself to others…it is about the Fruits of the Spirit shining through your thoughts, words and actions because in your heart you truly believe, you have confessed your sins and have an on-going personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is not perfect and we never will be…it means you will still face difficulties and suffering in life but you will be better prepared to go through them with God as your guide.  It is the only way to find true peace.  Amen.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

We Are Not Alone

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Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…you are not alone in your fight.  God is with you…He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20 and several more times.  Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise and His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation…it is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him.  Amen.

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“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

An Encounter…

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Many of the Books in the New Testament are a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the people in the churches He started.  They are meant to teach, encourage and guide the people.  They are also His prayers for them.  Paul, formally known as Saul, had an encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and from that point forward everything single thing He did the rest of his life was about shining a light on Jesus Christ.  When we read his letters, we learn about Jesus and a new life that puts faith first.  Amen.

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)

Not Done Yet…

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Your journey continues…keep going…be persistent…act with courage and kindness…pursue what is next with compassion and goodness…ask God to guide you and stay close to Him, because God’s not done with you yet.  Amen.

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:4-6

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)