God’s love

Humility

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14 “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 NIV

Good and Gracious God, please show me the things I am withholding from You.  I want to walk humbly with You.  Teach me to prioritize Your ways over my ways.  No matter how difficult the circumstances, I want to deny my self-centered desires and seek You first.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“He must become greater; I must become less.”

John 3:30 NIV

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in 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 NIV

Father God, thank You for taking care of us.  You are our strength and our support.  You promise to watch over us and fight for us.  Today, remind us that You are near and that You are working for good in our lives.  Teach us to trust in You at all times and in all circumstances.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Pray

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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

When We Pray by Tauren Wells

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“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

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

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 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.  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)

Nothing Is Impossible

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“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, 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 17:19-20 NIV

Father God, You make all things beautiful in their proper time.  Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish.  You are faithful to keep Your promises.  It’s easy for me to forget that You are not done working.  Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave.  When I grow weary or afraid, help me remember that You are with me, You are faithful and that nothing is impossible for You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo of a young Loon was taken on a lake in central Minnesota)

Encouragement From God’s Word

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

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, I know You have a plan for my life, and that You want to bless me.  Help me remember to lean into that promise.  It is hard to see past my present struggles.  Thank You for your faithfulness and for loving me even when I have doubts and fear.  Fill me with encouragement from Your Word, let it seep in to my heart and mind and give me hope and peace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

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

Wisdom

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17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:17-18 NIV

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2 NIV

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“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.”

Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV

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

He Knows

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“You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.”

Psalm 139:1-4 NIV

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:13-14 NIV

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

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)