Renew Your Perspective

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV

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Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Love One Another

“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.”

1 John 3:11 NIV

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

1 John 3:16-18 NIV

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And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

1 John 3:23-24 NIV

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

Keep Doing Good Things

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

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

We reap what we sow in this life

This does not mean we can earn our way into heaven by doing the right things

It means whatever we go out and do in the world will come back around to us at some point and none of us knows or can control how or when that will happen

This is further proof that God is in control and it is our responsibility to choose our behaviors and our actions in our daily life

We cannot control what others will think, say or do, yet we can control how we respond

Let’s keep doing good things

May the Fruit of the Spirit flow through us each day

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Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:7-9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Joy Because God Is Good

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

Father God, thank You for being our good Father

We are so grateful we can always count on You

You bless us and Your love is poured into us

Thank You for Your mercy and grace

Thank You for sending us Jesus

Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face

In Jesus name, Amen

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

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

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Today And All Throughout the New Year

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

Romans 8:28 NIV

Nothing in our lives is wasted

God is still working

Do not be deceived by the enemy

God loves you

God wants you to live life to the full

Don’t give up

Don’t give in to sin

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

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“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at Kathio State Park in central Minnesota)

Wait For The Lord

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV

The world preaches immediate gratification, seek more…quickly

Obedience to God is upside down according to the world

God is with you and working for your good and His glory

Keep seeking Him…Keep praying

Trust in the Lord and wait for Him to complete His work on His timeline

It may be you just haven’t seen it yet…

Haven’t Seen It Yet by Danny Gokey

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountian National Park)

The Light Shines In The Darkness

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.”

John 1:4-5 NIV

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Compassion Of Christ

“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

41 Moved with compassion,[a] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.”

Mark 1:40-42 NLT

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Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Matthew 9:35-36 NLT

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

The Goodness Of God

The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:9 NIV

The Lord is good,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,”

Nahum 1:7 NIV

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson

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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Psalm 107:1 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)