Reflect And Give Thanks

It is so easy to stay in “go” mode…day in and day out.  Moving from one thing to the next with the calendar driving how we spend our time.  When we learn to stop and reflect, we get the opportunity to realize and appreciate what blessings and gifts God has given us.  No matter where we have been, who we have been with or what we have done or left undone…God has been right there with us every day, every step of the way.  Take a moment to reflect on your life and give thanks to God.  Amen.

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Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

He Is Our Hope And Peace

Our Hope…

“…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 40:31

Our Peace…

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

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(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the south shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin.  The bible verse creation is courtesy of the Bible Lens App)

 

Nothing Can Separate Us

There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing.  Trust in the Lord…He sacrificed His life to reconcile us with God…this is the greatest gift you will ever receive.  Turn towards God and trust in Him.  Amen.

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No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

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

Commitments

How do we get better at staying the course?  This New Year’s resolution business is almost always a path to failure.  Some of the most common mistakes is over-committing to too many things or setting unrealistic goals and achievements as well as a lack of patience for change in this fast paced, immediately gratification world.  The biggest mistake we make is either not asking God to guide us or not listening and looking for His will for our lives.  We are easily distracted and believe we have to maintain everything on our own.  The best change we can make is turning towards God first in all aspects of our lives.  Amen.

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Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

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

Hope

There is always hope…if you can’t see it or don’t believe it…look again.  Life is not about whether or not hope exists, rather it is about what you see and what you believe…there is always hope.  If you don’t believe it maybe you are looking for it in the wrong place…have you ever lost something where you live, like keys or something similar and you are certain of the last place you saw them and you scour the area all around with no luck?  Then eventually you find them in a completely different place that has nothing to do with your original thought?  If you don’t see hope or don’t believe it exists you may be looking for it in the wrong place…pick up a bible and read, turn towards Jesus Christ and pray and you will find hope.  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 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

His Word

When we read His Word, we learn…when we read His Word, we are renewed…when we read His Word, we are encouraged…when we read His Word, we feel His love.  I recently came upon another way to enjoy God’s Word.  It is an app called the “Bible Lens”…when you download this app onto your phone it will look through your pictures and try to align a bible verse to your photos and create a new image with God’s Word on it.  As you can expect some have been “just ok” and others have been amazing.  Here is a photo from my phone regarding God’s Word…

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Make time and find ways to enjoy the Word of God in your daily life.  Peace be with you.  Amen.

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105

(This photo was taken in August of 2018 on a golf course in northwestern Wisconsin.  The bible verse creation is courtesy of the Bible Lens App)

His Sacrifice

Jesus Christ was in heaven with God the Father and He came down to live as one of us.  He was born as a baby just like you and me.  He lived a life on earth before He was crucified…three days later He rose and He lives today…and He did it all so that we could have a relationship with God…He did it because He loves you.  Turn towards Jesus, our Savior, give thanks and invite Him into your heart, every day.  Amen.

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 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 1:1-14

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

Saved By Grace

When we read in the Gospel of Matthew 26 and the Gospel of Luke 22 there is a section that describes Jesus taking 3 disciples with Him and going off to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane…in these moments of prayer we get to see both the human side and the Godly side of Jesus…He prays “…My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  – Matthew 26:39  In these moments right before He is to be arrested, which He knows is coming, Jesus pleads with God the Father to find a different way to save us…and in the same breath He shows us humility and God’s grace by surrendering to God’s will.  We have been saved from God’s wrath by God’s grace.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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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— not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:8-10

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Perspective

Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude.  What feeds your perspective?  What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind?  What experience or experiences are framing your view?  All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude.  If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world.  The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord.  Jesus said;

“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

Begin or continue to build a strong foundation for your everyday life…trust in the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

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

Repentance

Acknowledge…admit…regret…sorrow…to turn away from wrong doing…to change.  The prayer I have prayed the most in 2019 is Psalm 51…it was written by David after he had committed terrible sins…we are all broken, every person since the beginning of time, the sooner we can acknowledge where we are wrong the more we can grow in faith…come near to God and He will come near to you.  May God’s forgiveness and love flow through you in the new year.  Amen.

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“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

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