God’s Word

Start With These Things…

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When Jesus was here as a man, some people were unsure on how to respond to Him.  The Pharisees felt threatened by Him, not directly, but they couldn’t see beyond themselves and they were supposed to be the teachers for others…they were fearful of losing their place in the world.  They continually tested and questioned Jesus…the benefit for us is Jesus was asked direct questions about life and how to live and He gave all of us the answers.  If you want to know ‘what is my purpose’ or ‘why am I here?’  Ask Jesus in prayer and pay attention for the answers…Amen.

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“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: ‘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.’”

Matthew 22:36-39

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui)

Wisdom That Comes From Heaven

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Spend time in worship…pray and give thanks to God for His mercy and grace.  Pick some bible verses that speak to you and put them in your heart…use them to fight off evil and darkness.  Seek the Lord and the wisdom that comes from heaven…and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:17

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

Peace

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Peace comes from hope, trust and love.  Peace is available to all of us.  It is a quiet confidence in God and His Son.  It comes to us when we are willing to bring our worries, our fears and our burdens and lay them down at the foot of the Cross.  If we constantly assess our lives based on the world’s view or what others think, say and do…we will not find peace.  Peace is about gratitude and sharing the gifts and blessings God has given us with one another.  May the peace of the Lord be with you!  Amen.

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Patience And Persistence

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Keep going…learn from what has happened…know that God is working for good things in all situations…He is with you…it is His plan that is best…there will be plenty of opportunities to go your own way…stay on the path…walk with God.  Amen.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

The Promise Fulfilled

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The birth of Jesus Christ fulfills the promises made in the Old Testament.  In Genesis 3 and Isaiah 7 as well as Isaiah 53 and in other verses the Lord makes known the coming of the Savoir…a new covenant…One who will be a Light for Israel as well as the Gentiles.  Jesus came down from heaven to reconcile us with God…He sacrificed everything He had and His life as a man for you and me.  God fulfills His promises…trust in Him for every area of your life.  Amen.

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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 July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Life Verse

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Which one do you prefer most often?  I am finding at different times a different verse speaks most clearly to my heart and mind.  This is the wonder of God and God’s word…it is new every day.  God speaks to us through His word.  When negative thoughts come to mind or selfish and sinful ways pop up, we can cast them out by remembering and repeating a verse in our minds.  Spend time reading God’s word and finding some verses that resonate with you.  This is one of the best ways to put on the armor of God.  Amen.

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Madeline Island in Lake Superior)

A Light In The Darkness

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The world is filled with darkness…we all are searching for a light and a way to see more clearly…many of us have been told about The Light and some have even spent time looking towards The Light…yet often we look away and believe we don’t need it or believe that The Light isn’t really there.  Believe in Jesus Christ, He is The Light of the world.  Only He can shine as Light in this dark world…seek Him and you will see.  Amen.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

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

Get Back To God

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When we wander off in the world and go our own way, as opposed to staying connected to God, we eventually will get weary or bored and frustrated.  When what we are pursuing in life is not tied to God’s plan or God’s will for us it will become drudgery.  A personal relationship with Jesus Christ helps our spiritual awareness, we can learn to know when something is not right for us and we will have the courage to speak honestly about it.  Today’s verse below does not say ‘I can do anything I want…’, it is speaking about doing the things that God wants us to do even when we are unsure that we can do them.  Get back to God’s plan and His will and you will have peace.  Amen.

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“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

The Solid Rock

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When trouble comes and we feel run down, overwhelmed, overextended, scattered and the pace of life seems to be spinning too fast…we can find peace and be restored by leaning on Christ our solid rock.  Jesus Christ, His birth, His life and teachings, His death and His resurrection are the foundation of our faith.  Nothing that we will face in this world can compare to what we have when we believe in Him and we trust in God’s Word.  No matter what difficulties and struggles are before you today, stand firm in faith and bring your burdens to Christ.  Amen.

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado)

Be Present

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Each day is a gift.  Nobody is guaranteed to wake up to a new day.  Keep your thoughts and actions focused on the present people and circumstances…for all areas of life we should pray and seek God’s will for us.  God is with us and He is working for good things for all of us.  Amen.

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

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)