Jesus Saves

The Past…Redeemed

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“I know that my redeemer[c] lives,
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.”[d]

Job 19:25 NIV

What has happened in the past is done and can’t be changed…we can learn from it…we can change today.  Don’t let what has happened be chains around you that you drag with you everywhere you go…Jesus Christ has paid the price for our sins and He is our Redeemer…bring your past, your shame and your guilt to the Lord and He will set you free.  Amen.

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.“

John 3:16-17 NIV

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

The One Thing

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“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

The most important thing we need, is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior more than anything else in this life.  From that relationship all aspects of our lives will be impacted…that personal relationship with Jesus is the one thing everyone needs.  Amen.

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12 NIV

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

Easter Sunday – He Has Risen!

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“The Spirit of the God who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. So the God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your bodies. He will do this because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

Romans 8:11 NIRV

“I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God’s love. Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can separate us. 39 Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can separate us. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.”

Romans 8:38-39 NIRV

What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship

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“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said.  “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid him.”

Mark 16:4-6 NIV

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

Jesus

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

He is all we need.  He is the way to God for us.  He took the punishment we deserve.  The words He spoke when He was here are written in red in the bible.  If you want to learn more about Him, pick up a bible and read the Gospel of John.  Believe in Him, He is the Son of God, our Savior and our Lord.  No matter what you are going through, no matter where you are and no matter what you have done, turn towards Jesus…He is waiting to hear from you.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Danny Gokey

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

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

Surrender

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“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

James 4:7-10 NIV

Believe…put your trust in the Lord.  Spend time reading God’s Word, take time to get to know Him.  Turn away from self-centered living and begin to strive for God centered living.  He loves you…He is with you…He is for you.  Amen.

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“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Our Refuge And Help

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“You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.”

Psalm 119:114 NIV

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

Our troubles can be overwhelming and lead us down a dark path.  We often seek relief in the things of this world and find ourselves disappointed and frustrated.  There is one place where we can find shelter and be safe from the storms of life…that is in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  With Him is where we can find peace and help in difficult times.  Turn towards the Lord first not as a last resort…for He is our refuge and our source of help.  Amen.

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Believe In Your Heart

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“…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Are we fully committed to putting Christ first in life?  Our actions will always speak louder than our words.  We know we can never be good enough on our own, yet we seem to keep trying to go our own way.  Thank you, God, for your mercy and your grace…because of His great love for us we can return to Him and confess our sins because we believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was crucified, died and has risen.  I know I struggle often when I reflect on my own actions…the things I have done and the things I have left undone.  It is at these moments that I imagine with my mind’s eye, kneeling at the foot of the Cross, laying down my sins and thanking Jesus Christ for His sacrifice.  God is with you and me, He loves us and only He can lead us through the events in our lives.  Amen.

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:9-10 NIV

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

Jesus

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

Immanuel…Light of the World…King of Kings…Lord of Lords…The Good Shepard…Bread of Life…Living Water…Prince of Peace…Wonderful Counselor…Lamb of God…The Truth…The Way…The Savior of the World.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

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

God’s Grace

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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

We can’t earn it…we don’t deserve it and yet God offers it to us.  God is holy and God is love.  Because He is holy our sin separates us from Him…because of His love He sent His one and only Son to take the punishment we deserve so that we can be reconciled with Him.  Choose to believe…confess your sins…give thanks to God for His grace.  Amen.

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Battles Along The Way

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Portions of this posted were originally published in January of 2019…

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

John 14:6 NIV

We read in the Bible about what this life will be like in this world, these are the words of Jesus…“In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Yet all of us attempt to get through things alone.  We are not alone on this journey…no matter who or what or how much trouble we are facing in this world nothing is too big for God Our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  Maybe in order for more humans to take note, life should come with a warning label given to all at a young age…WARNING: Life will be difficult do not try this alone.

Take time to seek Jesus, read about His life on earth, His teachings, His sacrifice, His victory.  It is all available for you to read in God’s Word and God made sure you would have the opportunity to see it and to know Him.  Peace to you on your journey.  Amen.

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Colorado Springs, Colorado)