Jesus

Jesus

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We are saved because of Him.  We are forgiven.  We can find joy, peace and contentment in life because of Him.  Even when we have turned away from God, maybe for long period of time because we are frustrated or mad at God or we have been over come with doubt and fear.  He calls to us, He cares for us and He is The Way back to a relationship with God.  The things of this world will come and go…time, money, people and friendships.  The one constant for us, the one thing we know we can rely upon no matter what is happening or where we are in life…we can always rely on the love of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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

John 10:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Our Faith And Our Actions

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These two things are linked and interwoven together.  If we focus on only one without the other we are not complete.  A faith journey can begin on the inside, molding and shaping our thoughts and our attitude, as we grow, we begin to show what we have learned in our actions and our behaviors towards others.  We have had the best example possible set for us in the life of Christ.  He not only spoke the Words of faith and taught others, he went out and lived it…He befriended the hurting, the sick, the lonely and the mistreated and came to bring healing to our broken world.  When we are able to join our faith and our actions they feed us, help us to grow and bring joy and peace.  Amen.

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and 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 near Glacier National Park in Montana)

 

He Knows

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No matter how you are feeling or what thoughts are racing through your mind, remember that God knows what is going on in your life and in your mind and He is waiting for you to turn to Him and trust Him to be your guide and to care for you.  All that is good comes from God, all that is sin and suffering was brought into this world by us.  Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and come to Him for whatever you need.  The music of the world has been impacting more than usual over the last few weeks…I can’t help but think it is God speaking through others as some of the songs I have heard many times over and yet they seem to sound different lately or more like message.  Today I share a song by Jeremy Camp that He released 4 years ago.  May the God of mercy a grace be with you.  Amen.

“He Knows” by Jeremy Camp

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

 

Forgive As You Are Forgiven

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Many of us have something or someone in our life or in our past that stirs us up quickly.  Just the mention of that situation or person begins to increase our blood pressure and we feel the tension increase.  The bitterness and anger is only hurting us, we need to move through the pain and frustration to the other side, we need to seek to forgive.  To be clear this does not mean someone else is getting a pass for something that was wrong and hurtful, rather it is declaring that you are not going to allow that issue or problem to define your attitude going forward.  To forgive is to let go of the past and the pain and to embrace the new and the possible.  This is a process and takes time and God is ready to guide us and hold us up through it all.  Amen.

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32

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

Do Not Be Afraid

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One of the favorite weapons of evil is fear.  It can be paralyzing and stop us from doing good things.  It takes our focus off of God which is exactly where the prince of darkness wants us to be.  Do not listen to fear, listen for God.  What are you not doing because of fear?  What are you not taking part in or what are you not saying?  Take it to God and listen for Him to guide you.  Trust in the Lord and let you faith be greater than your fear.  Amen.

Here is an amazing and powerful song by Zach Williams regarding Fear…

“Fear Is A Liar” by Zach Williams

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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 June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

 

Christ Died For Us

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As we read about the life of Jesus in the Bible, we hear about how His presence alone was powerful.  When He spoke it captured the attention of anyone around, it didn’t matter if what He was saying was making them feel good or made them feel fearful, everyone listened intently.  Something was different about this man, He was more different from any other person.  Then there were the miracles…healing the sick, feeding the hungry, bringing the dead back to life.  He was a friend to those that society had cast aside and He could see people in a way that no one else could.  He was God in human form and He came down from heaven to save us.  Before He began His public ministry, a ministry He knew would end with His death on earth…He spent 40 days in the desert fasting.  As of yesterday, we have entered a similar 40 day period…how will we take time to connect with Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord over the next 40 days?  May the peace of the Lord be with you on your journey.  Amen.

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

Contentment

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Satisfaction…fulfillment…comfort…well-being…peace…serenity…tranquility.  This is not a popular word when it comes to many areas of society.  The messages are usually about more, more and more.  The perspective of faith encourages us to find contentment with worldly things and use our zeal in life to serve the Lord.  To be content does not mean to retract from engaging in or to stop pursuing something rather it is about priorities.  God can and does meet our needs, our job is knowing when we have enough and when we receive beyond that it is for us to share with others.  May the grace and peace of God be with you.  Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

1 Timothy 6:6

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

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)

Faith Makes You Stronger

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We will have troubles in this world and the troubles will feel relentless.  Hold on to your faith and pray.  I am sharing lyrics and musical talents of Mandisa this morning, as she is an artist who has had battles just like everyone else and it has led to her sharing her musical talent with the world to remind us that God has us and with Him nothing is impossible.  May strength and courage flow through our hearts and minds today.  Amen.

Stronger by Mandisa

Overcomer by Mandisa

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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 2015 while traveling through South Dakota)

Serve One Another

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We are comforted by the presence of the Lord in our lives.  A life of faith can lead to peace and joy that transcends worldly understanding.  As we are fulfilled, we are equipped to help others who are in need.  Our growth in our spiritual lives will shape us as a new creation, with new values, a new attitude and a new perspective.  God does provide all that we need and it is up to us to use the blessings we receive to care for ourselves, our families and others.  We are blessed to be a blessing.  Amen.

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command:  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13-14

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