Jesus Lead On

What Is The Cost?

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The decision we make to follow Christ is ours to make…for free.  We have free will, a gift from God.  Now what?  We need to spend time learning about Jesus, His life and His message and how we can contribute.  We need to spend time reading God’s Word, we need to spend time in worship listening and we need to pray.  All of these things we help us grow stronger on the inside…on the inside, where selfishness and a desire to serve ourselves first has set-up base camp.  Here is where the battle gets difficult…in order to follow Christ we must be willing to make deciesions to deny the desires of self.  We must reject the negative thoughts and judgements in our minds, put to rest the anger and the selfish beliefs.  This is not an easy thing to do and don’t let anyone tell you it is, this is a battle and a struggle every day.  If you don’t believe it, look around the world…what do you see?  The decision to follow Jesus Christ is just the beginning…the cost to see it through is the rejection of sin and the sinful nature that the world promotes.  May God grant us wisdom, courage and strength to go with us each day.  Amen.

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“Then he said to them all:  “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” 

Luke 9:23

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

Spiritual Gifts

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We all have been blessed with certain gifts, talents and abilities.  It is important for us to learn about our gifts in order for us to use them in the world.  There are an overwhelming amount of books and tests and profile charts created by people to sort out what  “tendencies” we each possess.  Another way to understand more about our spiritual gifts is to pay attention to what comes naturallly to us and what things other people sometimes point out to us as a real gift.  As with anything, a assessment of your spiritual gifts should be done in consultation with Jesus Christ.  If we go into and through this process without being led by the Lord then all we are doing is finding out what the world thinks of us or what the world thinks we should do.  We are all created for a purpose and only God can guide us to the truth about what that is.  May peace and joy be with you on your faith journey.  Amen.

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park on Madeline Island in Lake Superior)

The Foundation Of Our Faith

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Jesus Christ.  His birth, His life, His words, His teachings, His love, His grace, His mercy, His willingness to forgive us, His ability to take our punishment, His death, His resurrection.  If you are looking for answers, seek Him…If you are struggling with a situation, ask Him what you should do…If you are grateful and thankful for blessings in your life, thank Him.  He is our Light in a dark world.  Open yourself up to Him and you will find peace and joy.  Prepare The Way of the Lord in your heart.  Amen.

Prepare the Way – Holy Redeemer Church, Performer: Daniel Schmit

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

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

Serving Others

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We have been saved by the grace of God our Father and the sacrifice of His One and Only Son…Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  We have been blessed so that we can be a blessing to others.  As you reflect on your life or this past year…how has God blessed you?  What are you thankful for?  What gift, talent or skill has God given to you and how can you use that gift to help and serve others?  Seek the blessings you have been given, give thanks and pursue the ways you can be a blessing to others.  Amen.

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10

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

To Be Different

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Around this time last year a new album came out and a new song by Micah Tyler…the title of the song is “Different.”  This song has resonated with me ever since the first time I heard it.  It is the truth about living a life of Faith and having Jesus Christ at the center of everything you do.  I am continuously amazed at how God uses the gift of music to communicate with us and I am so grateful for others willing to use their gifts to share Christ through writing and performing music.  Below are the lyrics and a link to a video…I pray that we are all able to see how we can be different for Christ. Amen.

Different – by Micah Tyler

I don’t wanna hear anymore, teach me to listen
I don’t wanna see anymore, give me a vision
That you could move this heart, to be set apart
I don’t need to recognize, the man in the mirror
And I don’t wanna trade Your plan, for something familiar
I can’t waste a day, I can’t stay the same

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
In me

And I dont wanna spend my life, stuck in a pattern
And I don’t wanna gain this world but lose what matters
And so I’m giving up, everything because

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different; oh-oh

I know, that I am far, from perfect
But through You, the cross still says, I’m worth it
So take this beating in my heart and
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
‘Cause I just wanna be different, ye-ey

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
‘Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Oh is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there’s something different
So come and be different
I just wanna be different
So could You be different
In me

Songwriters: Micah Tyler Begnaud / Kyle Lee

Different lyrics © Music Services, Inc

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 near Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico)

Courage

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To persevere…daring…to do something that makes us uncomfortable…strength in the struggle.  There are many things that can make us uneasy, cautious and fearful in our world.  We all need a source of encouragement, a source and a foundation from which we can draw strength…there is only one who has lived that can provide us the example of courage in the most devastating circumstances…Jesus Christ.  Not only did He show what true devotion and fortitude looks like He did all for someone else, He did it for you.  Take your fears and your worries to the Lord and let your Faith be stronger than your fear.  May we be surrounded in the comfort and courage of God’s love.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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

He Carries Us Through…

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Struggle…conflict…suffering…darkness…pain…difficulties…uncomfortable.  We all encounter these moments in our life.  There is no way to avoid them and if we spend our time trying to avoid them we are mostly likely hurting ourselves and others.  The one true source of peace, courage, strength and perseverance is Jesus Christ.  He is strength in the struggle, He is calm in the conflict, He is peace in the suffering, He is light in the darkness, He is healing for the pain, He is answers to the difficult times and He is our comfort when we are uncomfortable.  Nothing is impossible for our God.  Seek Him and His Word and you will find rest for your soul.  May you see and sense the presence of the Lord in your life.

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

The Answers Are Found At The Cross

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History is filled with events and stories of struggle, despair, war, judgement and injustice.  People of all generations have pressed for money, power and self-centered convenience.  This continues in the present day for all of us…I like everyone else am a sinner and have succumbed to temptations and poor decisions.  These behaviors are the result of human beings inviting sin into the world.  It seems like defeat is all around us and that is just how the prince of darkness wants you feel.  Yet even today there is hope…there is hope of goodness, faithfulness, kindness, peace, patience, love and joy.  And it begins at the Cross of Christ.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:5-8

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Let Jesus Lead The Way

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“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23

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

Jesus Lead On

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“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman.

‘Come, follow me’, Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’  At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Matthew 4:18-20

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