God’s love

Wherever You Go…

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No matter how high you climb, no matter how low you go, no matter how far you have traveled or if you rarely leave your hometown…God is with you.  In every situation, every interaction, for every decision, He is there.  Our job is to seek Him, to ask in prayer and to listen to Him by reading God’s Word and attending worship.  Just because God does not do things the way you want, does not mean He is not there, it means His plan and your expectations are not aligned.  Surrender your desire to control the outcome and see what God has planned for you and your life.  Amen.

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

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

God’s Love

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There is nothing greater, nothing stronger and nothing higher than God’s love.  He showed the human race His love by sending His one and only Son into the world to save us.  No matter what the circumstances of your life are today, turn towards the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you see God’s love in your life.  Amen.

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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.”

John 3:16

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blow Hole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

The Name Of The Lord

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When trouble comes, seek the Lord.  When you feel like you are being attacked, seek shelter by turning towards the Lord.  When you are filled with worries and anxiety, find comfort with the Lord.  When you have fear, get courage by seeking the Lord.  We you have joy, give thanks to the Lord.  Don’t limit the experience of a relationship with God by having Jesus as a Savior but not the Lord of your life.  He is with you, every day, everywhere you go.  Amen.

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

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

 

God’s Word…Our Actions

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Do these things connect easily in our daily life?  We read the words of Jesus and others in the bible and we look around at the world we live in and it really is difficult to see it in action.  Or is it?  Actions that reflect God’s love are happening all the time, all around the world every day…the real questions are where are you looking to see God’s love in action and what are you doing in your circle of influence in the world to show God’s love to others?  Just because the news and social media streams are obsessed with sin, evil, darkness and hate does not mean that is all that is going on in the world…it just means we are looking in the wrong places for Him.  Every single person of all backgrounds and expereicnes have a responsibility to show the love of God to others in some way.  If more people had a goal to show kindness, goodness and love to just one other person each day…it would make such a big difference in the world.  May the God’s love flow through you today.  Amen.

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“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for one’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”

James 1:19-22

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Believe

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You most likely know the information and the stories written about in the bible.  You know the names of most of the books of the bible and many of the names of the people.  There is one name that is above every other name, there is one who did the unthinkable for the undeserving.  Jesus.  You know about Him…the question is do you believe it?  Believe in the power of God…believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who died and was rasied to life and lives in you today…when you believe you can achieve anything.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“He replied, “Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, 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.”

Matthew 17:20-21

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

 

Peace From God

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I saw a story about Mother’s Day and that the most popular request from Mom’s is to get a day away from their families.  This is not true for all Mom’s, there was even an interview with one woman who was planning the whole day with her family and she spoke with a tone of…I know I am odd, but I just want to be with them.  Wow, the human race is really messed up.  We all, myself included, are so naive to look at life with ourselves in the center…we have allowed Satan to influence our perspectives so much that we have created a society in which “me time” is more important than anything else.  We treat each other so poorly, that makes it hard to trust others.  The only refuge, the one source of truth and peace is Jesus Christ.  Seek Him and you will find true peace.  Amen.

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

John 14:27

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

Prayer

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When we want learn more about someone or grow our relationship with them…what do we do?  We spend time with them, we talk with them often, we listen and we focus our energy on them.  This has always been how friends become best friends, this is how people who have just met grow into a relationship of love and this is what God wants to have with you and me…more than anything else.  A close personal relationship.  Spend time with Jesus and invest in your relationship with the Lord.  Amen.

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“pray without ceasing”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking along the north shore of Lake Superior)

God’s Word

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When we have questions or when we need guidance or when we seek comfort, the Word of God can provide for us in all these situations as well as in every other situation we may encounter.  There is a sense of peace not found in the world that can come over you when you make time to read God’s Word and pray each day.  There is guidance in there that we will not find anywhere else.  May the peace of the Lord be with you on your journey.  Amen.

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

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

Our Redeemer

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To redeem is to recover…reclaim…retrieve…return to…to get back…rescue.  A price has been paid to return us to God.  The way to find true peace is by inviting Jesus Christ into your heart.  We all will encounter hardships in this world and in our lives, they may be different hardships for different reasons, yet we all have to endure something…even if it doesn’t look that way on social media.  Through it all there is one who has suffered and endured the worst things in this world and He did it for you and for me…Jesus Christ is our Redeemer.  Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:31

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

God’s Grace

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We see it on display in His actions…He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to save us…He gives us an opportunity to learn from Him through His Word…even while we are still sinners He forgives us…He gives us the Holy Spirit as a guide through our daily life…He will never leave us or abandon us no matter what.  That is truly amazing grace.  Amen.

This Is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham

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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 – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephasians 2:8-9

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)