Hope

Trust In The Lord

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What is an event or issue you sincerely brought to the Lord asked for Him to guide you and to take care of you and others?  What was the outcome?  It most likely wasn’t exactly the way you thought it was going to go or it wasn’t the way you wanted it to go…yet you may be thinking it all worked out in the end…it also could be that the issue worked out for the betterment of others, more than for you.  God is the God of all people.  Having a personal relationship with God doesn’t mean more things will go the way you want…it means you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and that you trust God even when you are unsure how things are going to turn out because you know He is working for the good in all things.  Put your trust and your hope in God.  Amen.

Find Rest by Francesca Battistelli

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“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Put Your Trust In God

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What do you put your trust in?  Who do you believe is trustworthy?  Take a moment and think about it.  The dictionary states trust is – firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.  So, who or what in your life do you trust?  The world is filled with deception, selfishness, lying, cheating, etc… these things were brought into the world by the human race.  There is still hope…there is One who is worthy of trust.  There is One who is reliable, who is the truth, who has the ability and the strength and He is the One who sacrificed himself to save us…Jesus Christ.  He is a Light in the darkness, turn to Jesus and put your trust in God.  Amen.

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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8

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

Hope

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Our faith relies on hope and our hope is eternal because of Jesus and what He has done for us.  The events and circumstances of our lives are constantly trying to snuff out all hope…if we get distracted and put ourselves in the center of our lives instead of Christ, it becomes difficult to see any hope.  When we choose to live this way, focused on the self, we will be frustrated, disappointed and feel hopeless.  When we turn our attention to the Lord, when we read God’s Word and we pray we can find hope once again.  As it is written in Matthew 19:26 “…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  May the hope that is found in Christ be with you this day.  Amen.

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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 2017 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconson)

He Loves Us

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There is nothing in the world like God’s love for us…He sacrificed His one and only Son to save us…sin and suffering are the result of human behavior, all that is good comes from God.  Seek Him and His will for you.  Amen.

How He Loves by David Crowder Band

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“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:17-19

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

What Is Faith?

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It is belief…it is trust…it is confidence…it is optimism…it is hope and it exists because of God’s love and what He has done for us.  It is not complex, it is simple.  Faith and religion are not the same thing.  Faith is about your personal relationship with Jesus Christ…religion is about the ways people choose to practice their faith.  Your faith is between you and God, first.  Start by seeking Him, believing in Him and trusting Him and He will guide you and your life from that point forward through any and all circumstances.  Amen.

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“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

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

Humility And Strength

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It’s not about me…it’s not about how everything affects me or makes me feel…I am not the center of everything.  Each of us is one person, created by God and how we choose to live and interact with others on a daily basis is what we can control more than anything.  Our actions and how we choose to respond to the actions of others is up to us.  Put God first, read His word and pray.  Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and give thanks to Jesus Christ for His love, His mercy and His grace…if you are wondering how will I ever do this or get through this…know that strength can be found in weakness.  Amen.

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“…For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Our Hope Is Found

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In Christ alone.  We are saved by His sacrifice, His mercy and His grace.  Give thanks to God for all that is good.  We can search high and low and all over this world for peace but our source of strength and hope and true peace will be found in Christ Alone.  Look for where God is at work in your life today.  Amen.

In Christ Alone by Brian Littrell

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

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

When Trouble Comes…

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We all face trials and struggles.  The one thing we can control during these times and situatons is how we choose to respond.  Many of us quickly try to gain control and take charge, determined not to let the situation get the best of us…others do an about face and get away from the situation as quickly as we can.  All of us can do better if we start with bringing the situation, the difficult time or difficult relationship, start with bringing our anxieties and worries to God…First!  Not waiting until after it gets worse or something unexpected occurs…going into battle against darkness and evil without God is like a soldier heading into a battle without any weapon.  The more we turn towards God first the more likely we will find peace and be able to overcome the troubles of life.  Amen.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)

His Sacrifice Saves Us

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No matter what you are facing…no matter what things are going on around you…no matter what decisions or worries you have…remember that Jesus Christ died once for all sins, for all people.  We all are broken, we all need His forgiveness for our sins.  God has shown us His grace and mercy through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Do not fret or be discouraged…trust in the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Renew Your Strength

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Many aspects of life on earth can make us weary and tired, shaping our perspective to approach life with negativity, doubt and fear.  We often forget, daily, that we can choose our attitude and perspective for this day.  If we focus all our thoughts and energy on the problem and why me, then we may get stuck and begin to spiral downward.  We can be renewed and draw strength by turning our focus to the Lord.  No matter what you are facing remember God is in control and if you put your trust in Him, your strength will be renewed.  Amen.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31

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