God’s Word

Saved By Grace

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We do not choose God, He chose us.  He is our Creator, He sent His Son to reconcile us with Him.  He continues to be involved in our everyday with the Holy Spirit.  We have not earned this love nor do we deserve it for our behavior in this world.  God gives to you freely out of His deep abiding love for you.  No matter where you are or what is going on in your daily life…God loves you unconditionally…that is Grace.  Turn to Him, seek Him and His Word.  He is waiting to hear from you.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

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

Renew Strength

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In order for the journey of faith to be strengthen we need to visit the rest stops in life and spend time reading the Word of God.  Devotional time gives us an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and God.  No matter what is going on He is still on the throne, His presence is still with us, even at times when He feels distant.  The Word of God is truly a light in the darkness of this world and it is a guide for strengthening us for life.  Spend time at a rest stop with God.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.  He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Patience

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One of the hardest characteristics to develop and grow in this world is patience.  All around us is convenience, time-saving, be first, get it done…hurry hurry, we want it now!  Whew…take a moment…breathe.  The “rat race” as it has been called consumes so many people.  Let’s stop and think about that phrase…’rat race’…it has origins of a mouse or hamster in a cage running on a spinning wheel.  Working so hard and going nowhere.  We need the courage and strength to step off the spinning wheel.  The goals of the rat race give us nothing but anxiety, stress and the desire to move the bar higher causing more of the same pain and suffering.  One of my favorite quotes from Albert Einstein…‘the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result,’ sounds like the rat race to me.  Time to start making a change in how we live and the only way we can change is with patience and persistence.  Take a least one step each day out of the rat race and get into the race of faith…for the reward in that race is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  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 March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

The Story Continues Today

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The Bible is not a book that tells a story about past events and is not relevant to today.  It is the Word of God and how God made the world out of love.  The people of the world both back then and now have chosen to reject God, so the stories of the old testament and the new testament are about God’s pursuit of the people in creation.  It is about the things He was and is doing to bring people back to His love.  In the old testament it was battles, kings and prophets and in the new testament it is the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ His one and only Son.  These stories are about God’s pursuit of humanity and it continues today.  Pick up a Bible and see your place in God’s pursuit of you and people all over the world.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

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

Confidence

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The bible is filled with promises by God and He fulfills those promises, not according to our standard rather, according to His.  We are always trying to fit God into our view of how things should be instead of surrendering ourselves to His view.  Every promise God has made has been completed, except for one.  He promises that Jesus will come back again to take us home and based on the history of promises kept a believer should have every confidence that Jesus will return.  It is written, He will come down from heaven, check…He will heal the sick and help the poor, check…He will be crucified and die, check…He will be risen and ascend to the Father, check…He will come again, still pending…this promise will be fulfilled according to God’s standard not ours.  May God’s peace be with you.

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

Psalms 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2012 while traveling through northwestern Wisconsin)

A Walk With God

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How can we feed our faith?  Why does it feel like faith is separate from the rest of life?  Where can I see God at work in my life?  All these questions and many more can be answered…by doing one thing in our life.  Take a daily walk with God.  Choose a time and a place, make it a top priority…other things will come up against it but don’t give up.  It takes a willingness to commit and you can pray for the strength to stick to it.  There is nothing more valuable to me and my faith journey then my time with God each morning.  There isn’t only one way or one time to do this, just be sure to have a version of the Bible that is right for you.  God knows you, He knows about your life, He knows about your joy and He knows about your sorrow…He even knows the things that very few people on earth know about you.  Take time to be with Him because He loves you like nobody else can.  Spend some time and take a walk with God every day.  May God’s peace and love be with you.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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

Prayer Does Matter…

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When we don’t know what to do…we should pray.  When someone acknowledges us with a positive comment…we should say a prayer of thanks.  When something happens that makes us angry…we should stop and pray for God to guide our response.  When we are blessed with an increase in pay…we should pray to ask God how can we share some of it.  When we we are feeling alone in the world…we should pray to God to show us His presence.  When a friend or family member is suffering from illness…we should pray to God to be with them with healing comfort.  And one of the most important parts of prayer is not only speaking to God…we also need to be ready to Listen…there many ways God can speak to us…pay attention to your surroundings and what you hear and see in your everyday life.  Prayer matters to God, how do I know?  I know because Jesus told us it does…it is not about the right words or the right prayer or the right time…it is just about doing it, always and let God be your guide.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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“pray continually”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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

Perspective

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When you focus a portion of time each day communing with the Lord and reading the Scriptures you will begin to feed and develop your faith foundation.  This foundation can become what you stand on whenever you are faced with difficulties and challenges in everyday life.  We learn from the teachings in the bible that God is love and he loves us and he wants to have a personal relationship with us.

Seek to get to know God…just you and Him and that relationship will give you a new and refreshed perspective on your everyday existence.  May God’s peace be with you!

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Salvation Comes Through Christ

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“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

1 Peter 1:8-9

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