God’s love

His Sacrifice For You

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“But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
    We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
    the sins of us all.”

Isaiah 53:5-6 NLT

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

He came down from heaven and was born as a baby.  He lived and taught…He was beaten, spit on and made to carry the Cross He would die on.  He comitted no sin and took the punishment for all of our sins.  He suffered, He was crucified, died and was buried and He did it all for you.  Then God raised Him from the dead and He is alive!  Thanks be to God for the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me so that we can be reconciled to God.  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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.“

John 3:16-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Obedience…Walk In Love

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“And this is love:  that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

2 John 6 NIV

The commandments that Jesus himself recognized as the greatest commandments are about love.  Jesus said…“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and prophets hang on these two commandments.”  (Matthew 22:37-40)  One the most popular parts of the Bible 1 Corinthians 13 is all about Love.  So what does it mean to walk in love?  It is about attitude and behaviors towards God, yourself and towards others.  It does not mean all behavior is permissible…sin is still sin.  However, we are all guilty, we are all broken and we all do not deserve His forgiveness.  No one sin is greater than another, that is worldly talk.  When you want a reminder of what it means to walk in love go back and read 1 Corinthians 13, it speaks specifically to us about what behaviors constitute love.  May we learn to walk in obedience to God’s Word. Amen.

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“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”

Romans 5:19 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Trust

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“Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.“

Psalm 9:10 NIV

Firm belief…confidence…faith…count on…believe in…truth…certainty…love.  The darkness and evil of the world are constantly working to turn us away from God and God is constantly speaking to us.  Seek Him, seek His will, believe He has good things planned for you and be patient.  Trust in God.  Amen.

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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.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2022 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Sharing Faith

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Colossians 4:2-6 NIV

That is the purpose of this blog.  To share faith in the Lord for every aspect of life…no matter what you face in this world know that…God is with you, God is for you and He will never leave you.  He promised and He sacrificed His Son to give us a way back to Him no matter how far we have strayed off course.  Put your faith in God for everything, for anything and share your faith with others.  Amen.

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“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.”

1 Peter 3:15-18 NIV

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

God’s Word

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God’s Word is the source of truth and our guide for living in this world.  There are so many ways it will help you and support you and it never changes.  People will come and go; people will try to twist it and use it for their benefit…stay close in your relationship with Jesus Christ and He will tell you the truth.  Pickup God’s Word every day and you will see the many ways God speaks to us…a few examples from my life below…there are so many more.  Pray with God’s Word.

When I am focused on worry and fear…

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

When I have doubt or confusion…

“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

When I am led astray by temptations…

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

If you want to know where is God in all this, open up His Word, seek Him and you will find.  Peace be with you.

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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 NIV

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

For All Of Us

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

God sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins…to reconcile us back to Him.  God loves us…God created us…He sent His Son to save us…He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us…He forgives us…nobody we meet in this life will ever be able to care for us like God cares for us.  Turn towards God and give Him thanks and praise Him for His never-ending love.  May you be comforted by God’s love today.  Amen.

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“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] 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 8:38-39 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

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

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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 September of 2022 in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

God’s Presence Is All Around Us

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“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

One of the most difficult things for us to accomplish is change.  A change that will last, is sustainable and makes a difference in us and how we interact with others.  One of the greatest changes in human history occurred when Jesus Christ changed Saul into Paul, His disciple.  We read about this is the Book of Acts, chapter 9.  What Jesus did to create and sustain this change was to illuminate His Presence to Saul.  To show His Presence and then to give instructions to Saul as to what he must do.  God is present in creation and in each of our lives everyday…we just need to do a better job of looking for Him.  His Presence exists in nature, the change of the seasons and in the Fruits of the Spirit that we receive and give in our interactions with others.  God is with you, He loves you and His Presence is what gives you strength.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Big Sky, Montana )

Pray

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“For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 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 3:14-19 NIV

Prayer…it is our way to interact with God.  It is how we can build our relationship with Him.  Communication is the foundation of any relationship.  Anyone can do it…it is not about using the right words or being in a certain position…it is all about speaking sincerely and from the heart.  We can pray about everything in our lives and the best part?  God is waiting to hear for you…He will listen…He will respond…that doesn’t mean you should expect everything to go the way you desire…that’s not how it works.  But God promises no matter what you are going through He will be with you…it is up to you to do your part.  God’s peace be with you.

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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.”

Philippians 4:6 NIV

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

Holy Living

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Holy living, it is a simple concept 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 yourself 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 confess 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 NIV

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