Hope

The Gift of Grace

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are  God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:4-10

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali Beach on Maui)

Our Source of Wisdom and Strength

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“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified:  a stumbling block for Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

1 Corinthians 1:22-25

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Believe

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Jesus speaking to his disciples in the Gospel of John…

” ‘You believe at last!’  Jesus answered.  ‘But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home.  You will leave me all alone.  Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

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 16:31-33

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while at Pike’s Peak near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Light Of The World

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“You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to the everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Light Of Life

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’.”

John 8:12

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

He Will Come Back

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through northern Colorado)

He Does Not Change

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“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.”

James 1:17-18

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving on the north shore of Maui)

All My Heart

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“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Praise be to you O Lord; teach me your decrees.  With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.  I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.  I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.  I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”

Psalm 119:10-16

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 as the the sun was rising on a lake in central Minnesota)

We Still Have Hope

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“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  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 5:1-5

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through northern Colorado)

Serve Others Faithfully

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:8-11

(This photo was taken in June of 2012 while driving in northwestern Wisconsin)