God’s Promises

The Name Of The Lord

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This time of year can be joyful and it can be painful…depending on your journey and the road you have traveled to get here.  The message of Christmas is the same today as it was thousands of years ago back in that manger.  Jesus Christ was born; the Savior has come to save us all from all of our sins.  He came to save all of us no matter who we are or where we came from, He came to save us no matter what we have done or what we have left undone…it is never too late to turn towards Jesus Christ, accept Him as your Savior and Lord and confess your sins.  He knows you; He loves you and He is waiting to hear from you.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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

Proverbs 18:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while exploring Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

God With Us

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Emmanuel.

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

Medley by Michael W Smith

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

God’s Promises

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God has made many promises and He keeps His word.  Too often we think God has failed because we expect Him to work on our timeline, when we want or we believe is the right time or way for something to happen.  That is our mistake not God’s.  We are not in control; humankind did not create the world and we do not determine its outcome.  What God has asked us to do is to trust Him and to care for one another.  Read God’s word and learn about His promises, they are the only promises you know will be kept.  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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Utah)

Put Your Hope In God

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No matter what has happened in the past, no matter what you are facing today and no matter what you are worried about for tomorrow…you can find rest for your soul when you put your hope in God.  He alone knows what you are going through and He will never leave you or abandon you.  Trust in God and trust in His Son Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Find Rest by Francesca Battistelli

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“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:11

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Do Not Be Afraid

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God is with you…wherever you are…whatever your circumstances…no matter what you have done or left undone…God promised He would never leave you or abandon you.  If you can’t see Him…look at things differently than you have been.  Pick up God’s word and learn about Him so that you can see.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  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

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

This Is Love

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Sacrifice…Savior…Salvation.  The actions of God through Jesus Christ were done to save us.  We don’t deserve it, we can’t earn it by doing good things, it is given to us.  We can accept it; we can stay close to Him by meeting with Him daily and we can do good things to help others to learn and know about Him.  May the love of God comfort us today.  Amen.

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“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Be Transformed

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To change…modify…reshape…rebuild…reconstruct…renew.  A transformation is the creation of a new way, a new way of thinking, a new approach.  For something or someone to be transformed the old ways and old thoughts must be broken down so that the new way can be created.  Transformation is personal and it is not easy…we should be careful that we do not assume that one person’s transformation will be the same as another person.  The greatest power we have in the transformation process is prayer.  Take time to be with God in prayer and be transformed.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in October of 2018  at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

Seek God’s Will

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When we pray the Lord’s prayer, which is written in the Gospel of Matthew 6:9-13, verse 10 states…“your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Take a moment to think about that…we are asking for the will of God to be done on earth every time we pray this prayer.  So, after we speak the words, what’s next?  God’s will is done by people willing to seek Him and His will rather than their own wants and desires.  But then we think, ‘then I won’t get what I think is right for me.’  The thing is what we do receive is so much more than we ever imagined possible on our own with our own plan.  We need to learn to trust in the Lord and seek His will.  Amen.

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“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…”

Colossians 1:9-10

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

He Lives In You

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The Spirit of God resides in the heart of every believer.  You may ask, how do I know?  We know it not because we can see the Holy Spirit but rather, we can see what the Holy Spirit can do.  He comforts us during difficult times, He gives us courage and guides us when we don’t know what to do next and He gives us peace at the most unexpected times.  Trust in the Lord and listen for the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Timing

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We spend so much effort trying to line things up, make things happen just the way we want, just when we want…as if we are in complete control…when will we learn?  The timing of events in life are not up to us!  God is in control…we would do well to acknowledge Him and wait patiently for His timing.  Put your hope in God and trust He is doing good things in your life.  Amen.

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“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:25-26

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)