Gratitude

I Will Praise You In The Storm

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:2-5 NIV

“Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 NIV

When the darkness seems overwhelming

What can we do?

Take refuge in the Lord and pray

He is our Rock

He is with us in this storm

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

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“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

He Is Worthy

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

As we travel on the journey of faith, we will encounter questions and doubts along the way

That is natural and it is ok

We need to remember that the one simple truth of faith is that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to save us and reconcile us to God because He loves us

His love for us will conquer every battle in our lives

He is worthy of our thanks and praise

Thank you God, for your Son Jesus Christ!

Is He Worthy? by Chris Tomlin

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“In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 5:12 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Renew Our Minds

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the 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 12:1-2 NIV

“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

Father God, we want every aspect of our lives to be honoring to You

Sometimes our thoughts get set on things that do not honor You

Help us each day to renew our minds – to replace negative thoughts with those that are good and pleasing to You

Help us remember Your truth in every moment

In Jesus name, Amen

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

His Love Endures Forever

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.”

Psalm 145:8 NIV

Troubles will come

We will experience suffering and loss in this world…yet we do not need to have fear and we do not need to be afraid

We are loved by God with a love that is greater than anything we face

Pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior and our Lord, meet with Him every day…

He sacrificed everything to save you because He loves you and His love will endure forever

Forever by Michael W Smith

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

Psalm 136:1 NIV

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

Seek Him And His Kingdom

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33 NIV

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:7-8 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to the world

Give us courage and strength to follow Him in the New Year

Regardless of our trials or temptations, help us to seek Him each day

Give us wisdom and endurance to pursue Him above all else

Guide us on sharing Him with others

In Jesus name, Amen

We Believe by Newsboys

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

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

A Psalm And A Song For Giving Thanks

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

Psalm 100:1-3 NIV

A spirit of gratitude is transforming for our perspective

Instead of worrying about what we don’t have, we can be thankful for what we have received

Rather than having anxiety about what might happen, we can be grateful that God is in control

Instead of dwelling in guilt and shame about our sins we can give thanks for Jesus Christ and that He has taken our punishment so that we can be redeemed and reconciled with God

Give thanks to the Lord

Thank You Isn’t Enough by Tasha Layton & The Choir Room

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“Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Thanks Be To God

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“…always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:20 NIV

What are you thankful for in your life today?

Giving thanks is not reserved for once a year in November

Being thankful and having gratitude is about changing your perspective to a positive point of view

It is easy to focus on what is wrong, what I don’t have and what I can’t do or even what other people are doing wrong

Be different

Take inventory of your life today…look around, what are you thankful for?

Pray about it and ask God to help you to continue to see the good

All that is good is from God and for that we give Him thanks

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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Today…

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“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV

“This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24 ESV

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“God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear his voice,
    do not harden your hearts.”[d]

Hebrews 4:7 NIV

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

Our Hearts

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:9-10 NIV

Father God, open our eyes to what we are truly devoting ourselves to

Help us as we fight against selfish desires and worldly ways

We want You at the center of our lives

When we drift away refocus our hearts and minds on You, and Your Word

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Amazing Grace

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“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.  21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:20-24 NIV

Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)