Gratitude

Contentment

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I hope you have enjoyed the music and listening for God in the talent of those who have been blessed to share the Good News through song over the last few weeks.  This morning I am struck by gratitude for all the good things God has given.  There is so much to be thankful for and yet we often choose to wish for things to be different or to have more or less of something.  It seems to be human nature to desire more in some way, however, true joy and peace is found only in contentment.  Think about how much we can enjoy the present moments in life each day if we begin with gratitude and thankfulness for what blessings we have been given and put Christ in the center of our lives rather than ourselves and our desires.  Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and may the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

1 Timothy 6:6-7

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunset on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Attitudes And Behaviors

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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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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

 

Give Glory To God

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We do not live for ourselves…we were created by God with a purpose…our lives are not about us.  Selfishness and selfish behavior are poison in the world…they are harmful to us and to others.  Give and it will be given to you…seek and you will find what you are looking for…Take time reflect on what God has done and is doing in your life, give thanks and give glory to God.  Amen.

Not To Us by Chris Tomlin

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“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

Psalm 115:1

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

Father Of All

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To all the Fathers out there:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

God the Father, is the Father of all.  None of us will be as good of a Father as God is to us.  We will make mistakes, yet as long as we stay close to the Lord, He will encourage us, strengthen us and help us to do better.  Do your best…and leave the rest up to God.  Amen.

Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin

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“…one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2014 at a lake place in central Minesota)

Gratitude

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Gratefulness…appreciation…recognition…acknowledgment…thankfulness.  Expressing gratitude is one sure way of changing your perspective.  It focuses your attention on that which has been given to you rather than what you think you are missing.  If you are looking for a way to make a change in your life, start with gratitude and give thanks to God and His Son Jesus Christ for all that has been done for you.  Amen.

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

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

Psalm 100

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Attitude

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A way of thinking…a point of view…outlook…perspective…belief.  How would you define your attitude toward God?  What is His role?  How much time during a typical week are we thinking about God?  The Bible has many of examples of different people and their attitude towards God, it describes their beliefs and actions.  There is a lot for us to learn from those people.  From Genesis to Revelation, we read about those who put God at the center of their lives and those who did not.  The best example of an appropriate attitude towards God is that of Jesus Christ…He took time daily to walk with God and this is what He seeks from us as well.  Spend time with Jesus every day and define your attitude towards God.  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 2012 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Sacrifice

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An offering…to give up something of value to serve a greater cause or to help others.  During this Holy Week we recount the events that led to the greatest sacrifice in human history.  Jesus Christ suffering and sacrificing Himself to death on a cross in order to save us from our sins.  And just when we may wonder ‘what more could He do’…He spoke these words while hanging on the cross, “…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  – Luke 23:34  Whenever I reflect on these events, I typically end up asking myself the same question in my mind…’what have I done for Him, after He has done so much for me?’

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“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Greatness Of God

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Good morning and peace be with you.  The God of all creation is with you and ready to lead you today.  There is nothing on earth greater than God and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ His Son.  Be thankful for the blessings in your life and extend the peace of the Lord to others throughout your day.  Amen.

The song I share today was just released early this year…

The Greatness Of Our God by The Newsboys

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“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Psalm 145:3

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

Believe

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God loves you…God is with you…Bring all your worries and your fears to the Cross and trust in Him who died to save you.  Our faith is free but it is not cheap, when you plant the Word of God in your heart nobody can take that from you.  Believe in God the Father…believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord and live knowing…God loves you…God is with you.  Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“Do not let you hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Holy Living

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It is a choice we face every day…what is the way we are going to choose to live this day?  Others are going to do, say and think things and we do not control that.  Our response is up to us and nobody else.  The sinful nature is going to push hard for selfishness and putting the self before others, do we have the foundation of faith to be able to put on the full armor of God?  To learn more about the armor of God grab your Bible and look to  Ephesians chapter 6.  The truth in everything begins at The Cross…start there and see what happens next.  May the mercy and grace of God wash over us this day.  Amen.

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“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:  anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Colossians 3:7-10

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on walk in northwestern Wisconsin)