Gratitude

Joy…Prayer…Gratitude

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, by Your grace, You have offered each of us a relationship with You.  We can be known by You, and we can know You.  Thank You for giving us peace that extends beyond our feelings and circumstances.  Thank You for protecting us in this dark world.  We give You thanks because we can experience joy and find peace with You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken at a State Park in northern Minnesota)

Attitude…Holy Living

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Attitude

by Charles Swindoll

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company…a church…a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change that people will act a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you…we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Different by Micah Tyler

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

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

Peace

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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 NIV

“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.“

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

Father God, I often find myself consumed by my circumstances that are beyond my control and I am distracted by things that don’t matter.  Forgive me for not consistently placing my trust in You.  No matter what I face, I know You are still with me.  You are the giver of peace, help me remember I can access Your peace whenever I draw near to You.  Remind me to make space in my heart and mind to be able to experience Your peace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Breathe by Michael W Smith

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

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

Choose Joy

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10 “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 15:10-11 NIV

Father God, thank You for our constant access to Your presence.  Because You are near, we can experience joy in all things.  Help us remember our joy is not based on our circumstances.  Too often, instead of trusting You, we let our problems direct our behaviors.  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so that we can strive to live with undefeatable Joy.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Joy by for KING & COUNTRY

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“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

(This photo was taken near Lake Dillon in Colorado)

Give To One Another

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“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

– John Wesley

Father God, You have shown us what matters most…and that is to love You and to love others.  Please help us align our ways with Your will.  Show us how to invest our time, resources, and money into things that have eternal value.  We want to give from the gifts and blessings You have graciously given to us.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV

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

He Makes All Things New

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“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NIV

Father God, thank You that each day we have the opportunity to live a new way.  Please help us approach life focusing on Your plan rather than making new worldly plans of our own.  Fill us with the Fruit of the Spirit.  Help us run the race You have put before us.  Thank You for making all things new in ways we could never imagine.  In Jesus name, Amen.

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

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

Encouragement From God’s Word

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16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, I know You have a plan for my life, and that You want to bless me.  Help me remember to lean into that promise.  It is hard to see past my present struggles.  Thank You for your faithfulness and for loving me even when I have doubts and fear.  Fill me with encouragement from Your Word, let it seep in to my heart and mind and give me hope and peace.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

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

Reflect with Gratitude, Go Forward with Hope

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful.  Thank You for making a way for me in this life.  When I reflect on past events give me an eye for gratitude in all circumstances.  Please show me how You are at work in my life.  I want to choose to patiently wait on You, becasue I know that You will finish the work You have started in me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset by a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

Thank You

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, thank You for the incredible gift of salvation.  Thank You for Your grace and mercy.  Thank You for sending Jesus to make it possible for us to have a relationship with You.  Help us to live in gratitude every day.  Show us ways we can share the Good News with others about Jesus.  In His Name, Amen.

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“Praise the Lord.[a]Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Psalm 106:1 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Do Your Best, Wherever You Are

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

Live out your day today…what is the next right thing to do?  Live in the present day, right where you are.  God is with you there…if we are always looking towards the past or the future or to when this or that happens we may miss what God is presenting to us right now…today.  Do your best for God today, wherever you are and He will take care of the rest!

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

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