God’s Word

Grace

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This has been defined as the unmerited favor and love of God.  It is because of the grace of God we can be saved.  Along our faith journey we will trip, we will stumble and we will get knocked down by sin and the sinful nature.  It is not a matter of if this will happen, rather it is about when it happens how do we choose to respond?  God’ grace provides us a way to get back up, to keep trying to do better.  The bible is filled with examples of people who stumbled significantly in their lives, we are not alone in our mistakes.  Jesus Christ came to save them and to save you and me.  No matter what the struggle is, no matter what level of darkness you feel like you are surrounded by…God’s grace is for you too.  He loves you and He sent His Son to give you the way back to Him and His love for you.  I pray we trust in God’s grace and love to guide us in overcoming all obstacles and for His way to lead us in our lives.  Amen.

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

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

Be Humble

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We have seen the example of what humility looks like when we look at Jesus Christ and His actions and behaviors while He was here.  He suffered as a human and yet was obedient to the will of God.  It was not easy, even for Him…He prayed so hard that it could go differently and then in the next breath gave everything to God.  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  -Luke 22:42  The only way we have a chance to learn about God’s will, is to be willing to surrender our own will.  One of my biggest obstacles in my faith journey is sustaining surrender…getting to the point of surrender is one thing, maintaining an attitude of surrender so God’s plan can unfold with His timing is yet another battle.  One thing I know for sure, as it is true for all of us…God’s not finished with me yet!  I pray that God will open the eyes of our hearts and wash over us with courage and patience.  Amen.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

The Message Of Hope

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No matter what is happening…no matter the circumstances in your life and relationships…even when you can’t see the way…The Word of God provides the message of Hope and a future with the Lord.  The world will provide false truths and absolutes…through the prophets of the Old Testament, through Jesus and the disciples in the New Testament, God provides Hope.  Throughout human history there has been suffering, tragedies and evil, God knows these things will occur in a fallen world filled with sin.  Yet only God can take the broken, suffering, worn down people of this world and give them a new perspective, a renewed strength and a belief in the Hope of good things even in the darkest hours.  Jesus Christ experienced the worst suffering and treatment that humankind can offer and God used that event to provide the greatest moment of Hope the world has ever seen.  I pray we take time to read about God’s message of Hope and believe in what God has in store for us and our lives.  Amen.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

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

God’s Presence

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Where do you see God?  When the road ahead looks dark and hopeless, seek Him…when you are unsure or afraid, seek His will…when you are frustrated and angry, trust in His way.  God is with you, no matter what, God created you and He loves you, just the way you are…He is the way to shine a light in the darkness.  Turn towards the Lord and live.  I pray we look for the ways God is with us in our everyday 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, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

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

Seek God’s Will

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We all have been given a conscience and we all have the ability to choose how we will respond to events and activity in our lives and the world.  Every day, every interaction with others is an opportunity to choose the way you will go.  We can’t get caught up in ‘the problems are too big’ or ‘they won’t listen to me’ or ‘I don’t have anything to offer others’…these are the words of darkness and evil trying to keep you from God’s will.  It may be only one moment in a day, one brief interaction or act of kindness but if you can do something to help or serve just one other person today, you have made a difference the world.  The world is broken and the problems, the suffering and the pursuit of selfishness and evil has people angry and fearful, for the human race overcoming all this alone is impossible but nothing is impossible for God.  I pray that we all will seek Him and His will for our lives.  Amen.

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“He has showed you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Micah 6:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park)

Listening

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A skill we all need to use more often and a way of communicating that could get us much closer to peace in our life.  If we were better at listening there would be less divorce and broken families…if we were better at listening there would be less violence and crime as hate and anger would not be stirred up so quickly.  Listening involves taking time to understand what the other person is saying, it involves empathy.  It means not being so quick to respond with your own will and desires as first priority…it takes humility to really listen…it takes a willingness to admit we don’t have all the answers.  Think about recent interactions in your life…when are you hearing and when are you listening?  I know I can do better.  Lastly, communicating with God takes more than just talking, if we are doing all the talking in prayer when do we take the time to listen to Him?  May we all be blessed with courage and humility to listen better.  Amen.

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“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; 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

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Perseverance

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Steadfastness…persistence…determination…purposefulness.  The story of our lives is not about when or how often we will get knocked down.  It will happen and sometimes it will happen with increased frequency.  It is in how we choose to respond to these events that will shape and define our character and our relationships.  We only need to look to the Cross and the Resurrection for the example of what sticking with God and His plan can be.  From what was one of the greatest tragedies in history to an even greater story of new life, hope and joy.  As it says in Romans 8:31 “What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”  We are His creation, He loves us and no matter what may trip us up along the way He will be with us.  May we all go out into the world today with the confidence that God is for us.

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“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:3-5

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

I Know You Are Near…

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Friends I don’t have many words for you today…my family and I are working through the process of my Dad passing away this past Friday.  When were discussing music for the service this hymn was mentioned, and it keeps coming back to me in my mind all morning long.  Please pray for us and know that God is near you too.  Below is a link to the hymn and the lyrics below that.  Peace be with you.

Yahweh, I Know You Are Near ~ Dan Schutte

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

[Verse 1]
Lord, you have searched my heart
And you know when I sit and when I stand
Your hand is upon me
Protecting me from death
Keeping me from harm

[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

[Verse 2]
Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there
If I fly to the sunrise
Or sail beyond the sea
Still I’d find you there

Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

[Verse 3]
Marvelous to me are your works
How profound are your thoughts, my Lord
Even if I could count them
They number as the stars
You would still be there

[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting

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“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Choices

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We all have them…we have them for little things…we have them for big things…we have choices to make everyday…even not deciding is a choice.  We are bombarded with messages about what we “should” want, what everyone “needs” and the quick and simple things you can do to have it all.  Um No.  This is evil and the sinful nature constantly at work telling us me, myself and I are the only important things to focus on.  Every step we take towards the sinful nature is a step we choose to take away from God.  We need to focus on the fruit of the Spirit “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”  (Galatians 5:22-23)  These are free, they are choices we can make in our everyday interactions.  Choose a life based on the foundation of Faith and trust in Jesus Christ with every aspect of your life.  May you be blessed with wisdom in the choices you make.

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“Do not conform any longer tot he 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 12:2

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

The Road That Leads To Life

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We all have different lives and different choices to make in our lives.  Depending on where we live, what the weather is like, the environment of our home and where we spend our days.  This can be all different…what is common among all people?  The place in our hearts that is made to be filled by God.  He is the Creator and He made us with this special space that can only be filled properly by companionship with Him.  Now that certainly hasn’t stopped the human race from trying to fill it with just about anything other than God.  If anything other than God is in that space you will not feel complete, content or know true peace.  Make time to be alone with God and invite Jesus into the place reserved for Him every day.  May you know God’s comfort and God’s faithfulness.

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“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in Madison County, Iowa)