God’s Promises

Life By The Spirit

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Every day we have choices to make about how we live…what we think, what we say and what we do.  These thoughts, words and actions are based on what we value.  Whether it is conscious or an unconscious decision we are choosing to serve either our sinful nature or the life of the Spirit.  Stay close to your relationship with Jesus Christ…by prayer and reading God’s Word…we will be renewed with hope, courage and faith to live by the Spirit.  Amen.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Believe

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Believe in the power of God…He is our Creator…He is our Savior…He will guide us with the Holy Spirit.  God can and will rescue you.  Don’t give up hope…don’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.  Believe in God’s saving grace, believe in God’s love for you.  Trust in the Lord and He will rescue you.  Amen.

Rescue by Lauren Daigle

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“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

The Lord Is Near

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He is right there with you…no matter where you are…no matter what is happening…no matter what you are feeling…no matter what you are going through…God is with you…no matter what.  Turn towards Him and pray…the Lord is near…trust in the Lord.  Amen.

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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

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

Persistence

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Perseverance…determination…patience…endurance…dedication…commitment.  Stay the course…don’t give up.  This is what it takes to find what you are looking for…no matter what it is.  Reflect on what you have been “thinking about doing,” what have you been “wishing were different” in your life…is it related to your finances?  Is it related to your weight?  Is it related to a relationship?  Your faith?  Something else?  Begin again and this time bring it to the Lord first, seek His wisdom and be persistent.  Amen.

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“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:7-10

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

Worry And Anxiety

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The first time I highlighted some verses in my bible it was Matthew 6:25-34…they stood out to me.  They told me something nobody else has ever told me about worries, fears and anxiety…those verses told me why I don’t need to worry all the time about everything.  God is in control, He knows what we need and He knows what is best for us…now when we get off track and try to live our lives separate from God we end up getting ourselves in some pretty dicey situations…that is not God doing that to us that is all on us.  So, if we want to see change in our lives and our situations it is up to us to put God first in our lives and to seek His will.  Life will still have trouble but we know with God all things are possible.  Amen.

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

 

Trust

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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.  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

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Do Your Best

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The struggle is real…we strive and we press to finish and to see the result…only to find the race is not over…there is more that needs to be done.  We were made for community to lift each other up and encourage one another.  Each of us has been given different gifts to offer to others, we can’t be everything to everyone and if we try, we will be going off course with God’s plan.  Learn what God has planned for you and the blessings and abilities He has given to you for this life.  Seek to do your best according to God’s will and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Transformation

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Change…modify…reshape…rebuild…renew.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  We are not able to do this alone, although we often try.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the answer to the question, ‘how can I change?’  “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6  If you truly want to seek a change in your life seek your relationship with Jesus Christ first and you will be transformed.  Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 ina neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Nothing Can Separate Us

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There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing.  Trust in the Lord…He sacrificed His life to reconcile us with God…this is the greatest gift you will ever receive.  Turn towards God and trust in Him.  Amen.

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] 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 8:37-39

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

Repentance

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Acknowledge…admit…regret…sorrow…to turn away from wrong doing…to change.  The prayer I have prayed the most in 2019 is Psalm 51…it was written by David after he had committed terrible sins…we are all broken, every person since the beginning of time, the sooner we can acknowledge where we are wrong the more we can grow in faith…come near to God and He will come near to you.  May God’s forgiveness and love flow through you in the new year.  Amen.

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“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

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