Jesus

A Strong Foundation

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The best things are built by starting out with the development of a strong foundation.  A solid foundation helps to support missteps, mistakes and accidents along the way.  If we try to build something without developing the foundation the endeavor will eventually fail and end up as a pile of rubble.  The foundation of our faith is our relationship and daily interaction with Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  These are the elements that will help us build and grow our spiritual life and sustain us through the most difficult things the world will throw at us.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12

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

Repentance

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To admit when we are wrong…to be accountable for our actions and behaviors…to walk in truth.  The hardest part is typically the first step when it comes to repentance.  It takes a level of humility that pride is fighting against.  Since we live in a broken and fallen world we know that judgement will come from others even though it is not theirs to deal out.  The foundation of our faith, a relationship with Jesus Christ is what we all need to be able to move through repentance and begin to turn away from sinful behaviors.  Offer up your repentance to God and His Son Jesus and begin to heal the wounds of guilt and fear.  Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

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

Saved By Christ

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A sacrifice…an offering of redemption…grace…mercy…humility…love…Savior.  There is nothing or no one in our lives as compassionate as Jesus Christ.  He lived a life on earth just like everybody else…only He suffered more than anyone else and He did it knowing it was going to happen the whole time.  He offered Himself up to take the punishment we all deserve and He did it to save you and to save me.  Give thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

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

Spiritual Battle

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The goal of the prince of darkness is to turn us away from God and keep us focused on other things.  He will use everything and anything available in this effort.  The more we choose the distractions and the less time and effort we spend on our relationship with Jesus and reading God’s Word the easier his job becomes.  God knows all about this battle and He provides us weapons of faith to fend off these attacks.  Take a look at Ephesians 6:10-18 and you will learn about the Armor of God.  Turn toward God in prayer and through the Holy Spirit, He will guide you during all the events in your life.  Amen.

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“Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

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

Identity Crisis

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Who are we trying to be?  What are our worries?  What are our concerns?  Are we pursuing to be who God created us to be?  How do we know?  Why am I doing this?  Where is God?  Why is this happening?  This is so hard…I don’t know how I got here…I don’t know what to do…

STOP…Pick up a bible

“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

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

1 Peter 5:7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“You were taught, with regard to  your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13

How do we know that this is the way…that this is the truth…and this is the life?

“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.”

John 3:16

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Amen.

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

Renew Your Mind

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A time for daily devotion and reading of God’s Word is critical to feeding your spiritual life.  It helps with perspective, attitude and gratitude, it can be a guide to living if we are willing to take time to know Him who saved us.  Jesus Christ is the center of our faith, He sacrificed everything to save us…we do not deserve God’s mercy and grace and yet He loves us so much that He offers it to us anyways.  We are sinful, but we are redeemed because of Jesus.  Renew your mind with God’s Word and a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Acknowledge Your Mistakes

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Mistakes and errors will happen, we all will make them, it is guaranteed because we are broken.  We need strength and courage that only comes from Christ to admit to our mistakes, to acknowledge them and then strive to do better.  If we spend our time always trying to conceal or hide things all we are doing is delaying the inevitable truth.  The best that we can do when we make mistakes is to be open and honest about them and learn from them…the truth is failure is not an end it is just one step closer to success for those who won’t give up.  Trust in the Lord and you will be amazed at what you can learn.  Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, his is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Colorado)

The Greatness Of God

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Good morning and peace be with you.  The God of all creation is with you and ready to lead you today.  There is nothing on earth greater than God and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ His Son.  Be thankful for the blessings in your life and extend the peace of the Lord to others throughout your day.  Amen.

The song I share today was just released early this year…

The Greatness Of Our God by The Newsboys

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“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Psalm 145:3

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

Patience

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Here is where I struggle in life…I know we all face trials in life but oh man, patience is where I need help every day.  I find it ironic that I depend so greatly on God’s patience with me because I have so much growing yet to do.  God’s Word is a big help and reading daily helps to renew and restore my perspective and attitude.  Here is the lesson that I need to keep learning…it’s not about me.  We face troubles and trials all the time and how we handle these things can indicate how much we truly believe in the faith we profess.  One of the most incredible people in the Bible to me is Job…talk about perseverance and a faith so strong it could survive such devastation and destruction, amazing.  I pray we all can develop the patience and perseverance provided by faith…no matter what we may face in this world.  Amen.

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

James 1:2-3

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

Light Of Life

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When the power goes out or we enter a place or a room that is dark…what do our instincts tell us to do?  Search for a light, why?  So we can see our surroundings and the way to move forward.  This is exactly the reaction we should have when our life feels like we are in the dark or surrounded by darkness.  Search for the Light, the Light of Christ to help us to see and to guide us forward.  So many of us stay in the darkness and spend days, weeks, months or even years trying to find our way around in the dark and we wonder why life is so hard?  Follow the instincts that God has placed inside you…seek the Light of Life so that you can see.  Amen.

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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 June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)