God’s Word

Peace Prayer

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Prayer of St. Francis by Sarah McLachlan

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy

O Divine Master, grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
And it’s in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born to Eternal Life
Amen

“Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.”

Matthew 5:9

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

Wisdom And Understanding

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Often times the writings in the bible can be misunderstood because the true intent of the word has lost its meaning in society.  Take the word ‘fear’ as an example…in today’s world this strictly means to be afraid, danger or a bad feeling.  In the bible to fear the Lord is to regard God with reverence and awe, to be respectful.  When we learn we gain wisdom and when we understand the writing becomes clearer.  We would be wise to regard God with reverence and awe.  Amen.

“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.”

Proverbs 3:13-14

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

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

Give Thanks To The Lord

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Jesus has paid the price for our sins…He has reconciled us to God.  We are redeemed…we are loved.  God will teach us and guide us through His Word…He can transform our hearts and minds…He comforts us and strengthens us.  Give thanks to the Lord.  Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1

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

Be Patient

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Do not be anxious or worried…be persistent in doing good things and in prayer.  God works on His own time table not ours.  He knows what you need and He wants to give you good things.  He cares for you, trust in the Lord.  Amen.

“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

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“Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7

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

Open Your Heart

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Let the Word of the Lord wash over you and cleanse you…clear your mind and share what is on your heart with the Lord.  Spend time reading God’s Word…let the peace of  Jesus into your daily life.  Amen.

“Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

James 1:21

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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.”

Colossians 3:15

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

 

Listen

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God speaks to us many ways…most often it is through the words in the Scriptures.  When we read the bible, we are reading the very words of God.  Things He wants us to know…a guide for living with peace in our hearts.  In our relationship with the Lord we should not be the one doing all the talking, otherwise we will miss out on hearing God’s will and God’s plan for our lives.  Listen and you will learn and gain wisdom from God.  Amen.

“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5

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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32:8

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

With All Your Heart

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The Lord asks for all of you…not just Sunday morning you or Wednesday evening you and not just some quick memorized words at meal time or just before bed…He wants more than that from each of us.  He wants a relationship with you…He wants communication with you every day.  He wants to hear from you with all your heart and He wants you to listen to Him.  Commit your way to the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-6

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while exploring the island of Maui, Hawaii)

God’s Grace

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The Word of God tells us about God’s grace in many passages.  Here are a few to reflect upon and give thanks to God for His mercy and grace…

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”

Ephesians 2:8

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Ephesians 4:7

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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

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

Redeemed

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Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

“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

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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

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

A Servant Spirit

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It takes discipline and a willingness to sacrifice self-serving ways.  It is not about fame and fortune or ‘likes’ and ‘followers’.  There are many in our society that choose a vocation to serve and it shows the goodness that comes from God that can shine through us.  It really is a choice for each of us, how we want to live…what attitude we are going to put on each day.  If and when you are finding it difficult due to the sinful nature of this world…turn towards God in prayer and put some of God’s Word in your heart to renew and refresh your spirit.  I have often used Psalm 51:10-12 to help my spirit.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

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