Holy Living

We are broken but we are saved.  We are sinful but we are forgiven.  We live in a dark world but Jesus Christ is the light of the world.  For every statement about human life on earth God has provided an answer and hope for a future.  There is no need to dwell in negativity and sadness for an extended period of time.  Pick up the Bible and read God’s Word.  Read the stories of those who came before us and the real struggles they went through even when Jesus Christ was here on earth.  We will never be perfect but we will always have hope because of God’s love.  Choose positive responses to life’s questions and live your best holy life according to God’s Word.  May God’s peace and contentment be with you.

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Holy Spirit – Counselor

There are many times when we are praying to God and we just want Him to tell us in an easy to understand way, what should I do?!  One of the greatest freedoms God provides is free will.  He provides us the ability to decide our attitude and our behavior.  Better still He has given us the instruction manual for life, the Bible and the guide to walk along with us, the Holy Spirit.  The key to unlocking these resources?…Time.  In order to understand the instructions and to sense the direction of the Holy Spirit, we need to spend time studying the Word and time in prayer.  Jesus our Savior came and has saved us all from the defeat of sin and before He ascended into heaven He told of the Holy Spirit coming.  Tune in to the Counselor and seek direction and guidance from the Word of God.  May God’s love and joy be with you.

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“All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:25-26

(This photo was taken yesterday while walking the dog in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Hope Everyday

We are blessed with the love God has for us and because of His love we have hope that is never-ending.  We will experience trials and suffering, it is expected because we live in a world filled with selfishness and brokenness.  Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him is where our hope can be found.  Even when things are at the darkest hour, hope is the glimmer of light Christ provides.  He has overcome anything this world can throw at us and He is waiting to guide you through everything you have going on in your life.  May God’s hope and love be with you.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 14:8

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Be Led By The Spirit

In order to make change in the world that will last the best place to focus on changing is  human behavior.  An excellent place to start is with yourself.  If you are willing to take on such a challenge you will find quickly that this type of change is difficult, especially for the human race.  A change that will last can’t be done alone…will power, will only get one so far because we are weak and broken and we live in a world of darkness.  A real change in behavior requires surrender.  After we live for so long trying every which way to do things the way we believe they should be done and we become exhausted with the results…we become ready to ask God for help.  This is just human nature.  He will still take us up on the request no matter when in life you ask.  When you realize that your only hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit…go all in…this doesn’t mean go quickly…it means go in wholeheartedly with all that you have to give…completely surrender to God’s plan and you may be surprised at what is in store for you, your life and your relationships with others.  May God’s peace be with you.

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

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

A New Way To Look At Our Sufferings

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“…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:2-5

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

Encouragement

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The words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy…

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

The Gift Of The Holy Spirit

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“…And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:2-5

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 near New Salem, North Dakota)

Hope

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)