Commitment

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

John 15:4 NIV

Father God, I want to seek You with all my heart

You are my everything…

Let my thoughts and actions match my words

Help me draw closer to You

Guide my decisions and inspire me with new dreams

I want to honor You with all that I am and all that I do

In Jesus name, Amen

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“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:7 NIV

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

The Holy Spirit

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV

Pay attention today and everyday…to your attitude, your thoughts, actions and your interactions with others

Let the Holy Spirit be your guide…He is God as much as the Father and the Son are God

Give thanks for the all that God is and what He has done and is doing in your life

May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you

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“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.”

John 14:15-17 NIV

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

God’s Word

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

When we have questions, need guidance or when we seek comfort, the Word of God can provide for us in all these situations…

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

Let it soak into your heart and mind

There is wisdom and guidance in there that we will not find anywhere else

No matter where you are, what you have done or left undone

Spend time with God’s Word

May the peace of the Lord wash over you on your journey

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

Psalm 119:105 NIV

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

God Of All Comfort

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:18 NIV

May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.”

Psalm 119:76 NIV

Good and gracious God, we need You – we always have

You are our source of strength, and You tell us to give You all our concerns

Replace any feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainity with Your peace and hope

Show anyone who is hurting that You are near, and You comfort those who call on You

Draw near to us as we draw near to You

In Jesus name, Amen

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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Come To The Lord

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

There is only one place to find the answers we seek and that is with the Lord

He is good, His love endures forever

He wants a relationship with us

Nothing is impossible for Him.

He is greater than any issue or circumstances in our lives…

No matter what it is you are facing come to the Lord

Come, Now Is The Time To Worship by Phillips, Craig and Dean

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

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

Persevere…Be Transformed

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4 NIV

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12 NIV

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Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

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

God’s Promises…

“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

You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:7 NIV

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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.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

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

Redeemed

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 NIV

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

He Is With You

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:5-6 NIV

He is with you!

No…matter…what!

No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, no matter how long you have stayed away or how long it takes you to learn a new way…

The Son of God came down from heaven

He sacrificed Himself on a Cross to free you from sin and death

And He has Risen!

He is with You…He is within You

God is with you and waiting to hear from you

Do you believe it?

Profess your faith, confess you sins and trust in the one who stays with you through all things

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

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

But God…

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

“David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.”

1 Samuel 23:14 NIV

My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26 NIV

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

Matthew 19:26 NIV

These are just a few of the verses that remind us no matter what we are facing

No matter what we think is not possible or unchangeable

God can do anything

The world will tear us down…Satan will lie to us…

Even our own flesh wants to do the things we do not want to do

Just remember, we are powerless on our own

But God can do anything…

And it is possible that the next moment of our life might be a “But God” moment

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Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:7-8 NIV

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