God’s love

God Is Greater Than __________

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“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.”

2 Chronicles 2:5 NIV

Feel free to finish that title with anything you want…God is greater

No matter what you can think of, our God is greater

This means whatever is on your mind, whatever is pulling on you or keeping you distracted, whatever burden you are carrying…

God is greater than that issue, that problem, that worry, that concern, that guilt or shame

It doesn’t matter if we are are talking about the past, the present or the future…

God is greater than all things and He is with you right now

What is it that you need to remind yourself that God is greater than?

Turn towards Him, talk with Him and trust in Him

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

1 John 3:20 NIV

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“You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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

God Is Love

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“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:8 NIV

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:11 NIV

GOD is Love

God IS Love

God is LOVE

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“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

1 John 4:16-21 NIV

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

Faith Over Fear

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

We all have a choice in how to respond to events and circumstances in our lives

We can choose to let the world and our flesh lead us down the path of fear and anxiety

Or we can trust in God and His promises

He is the Creator of all things and He is greater than anything we encounter in life

Choose Faith over fear

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

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

Life With Purpose

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

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park in Montana)

Trust…Commit

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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.”

Psalms 37:3-4 NIV

Believe that God is at work even when you cannot see it

Stay focused on the good things

Keep going, keep doing the next right thing to do

Do not be afraid and do not give up

Commit your way to the Lord

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

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

Choose Faith Over Worry

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“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”

Hebrews 11:7 NIV

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“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:31-34 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Think About Him…

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“A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us. 2 Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 He made it through these attacks by sinners. So think about him. Then you won’t get tired. You won’t lose hope.“

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIRV

When you are tired and run down or discouraged and defeated, think about Him…

When you are frustrated or angry with others, think about Him…

When you feel like there is no hope, think about Him…

Think about Him who endured death on a cross between two thieves…

Think about Him who was spit on and had a crown of thorns pushed onto His head…

Think about Him who had His beard plucked out and gave His back to the whip…

And think about Him who gave His blood and His life

He did it all for us

  He did it because He loves us and He wants good things for us

Rather than focus on the things of this world

Turn your attention towards Him and give Him thanks for who He is and what He has done

And you will find peace

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 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 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Stand Firm In The Faith

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

There many elements of life working against those desiring to follow Jesus

The world, the flesh and Satan all are like a rushing river of water trying to keep us away from God and His Word

We must learn to stand firm in the faith

To speak the truth with respect, kindness and compassion

Remember God is with you, no matter what

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“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

He Is With You Wherever You Go

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“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

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

Joshua 1:9 NIV

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11 “All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10-13 NIV

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

Our Good Father

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“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

Being a parent requires a willingness to sacrifice to serve the needs of others

What we give up is nothing compared to the loving and nurturing relationship we can have with our children throughout life

Once again God has set the example of a Father who has given up so much so that He can have a loving, engaging and nurturing relationship with us

We would do well to not take Him for granted

He is our Father, who loves us and wants good things for us

Take time to be with Our Good Father

Good Good Father ft. Pat Barrett by Chris Tomlin

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“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8 NIV

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