Jesus

Forgiveness

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What we need in the world more than anything right now is forgiveness…the longer people hold on to the pain and bitterness of past events that can’t be changed the more people will suffer…if people want to truly see change in this world…look in the mirror and decide who do I need to forgive?  Pray about it and seek the courage to share that forgiveness so that healing can begin.  This is true for all people on all sides of every issue.  Seek to forgive and you will be set free.  Amen.

Forgiveness by Matthew West

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Trust Him

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God has fulfilled every promise He made to us, except one, and you can be sure that one will be fulfilled when Christ returns.  We so easily give trust to some that don’t deserve it and hold back our trust when we have more than enough evidence know that we can trust.  We will continue to struggle and be frustrated if we believe that other people and the things of this world are all we need.  We need God and when we read God’s Word we can learn about His past relationship with humanity and that when God makes a promise, He will fulfill it on His timeline, not ours.  Trust God believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord and connect with the Holy Spirit within your heart.  Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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

Living Water

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The water of life comes only from Jesus Christ.  Just like our bodies must be fed and hydrated, we must feed and nourish our faith for it to be strong and to grow.  It is so easy to become too busy and to slip away from God with everyday life and events.  Our source of strength and hope is the living water that comes from Christ.  Amen.

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“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14

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

He Knows…

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All that has happened in our lives and in history.  The greatest blessings can come from the greatest tragedies.  This has been true throughout history…going back to the resurrection after the crucifixion.  God knows all these things and He will guide us through everything and anything we encounter in life…it is up to us to seek Him and His Word.  Amen.

He Knows by Jeremy Camp

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“You have searched me, Lord and you know me.”

Psalm 139:1

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

Wait For Him

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There is a sickness sweeping over many people…it is the “hurry” sickness.  It is the sickness of faster, faster…always rushing, always scattered…rarely resting.  Too many things scheduled, always running behind, constantly looking for conveniences and more ways to jam more in…things can be different…it will take extra effort to change the tide of your own life…with God all things are possible so don’t try this alone.  God created you for a purpose and He loves you.  Turn towards the Him in prayer, read God’s Word and wait for Him to guide you.  Amen.

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“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for him!”

Isaiah 30:18

(This photo was taken in October of 2016 on the north shore of the island of Maui)

Start With These Things…

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When Jesus was here as a man, some people were unsure on how to respond to Him.  The Pharisees felt threatened by Him, not directly, but they couldn’t see beyond themselves and they were supposed to be the teachers for others…they were fearful of losing their place in the world.  They continually tested and questioned Jesus…the benefit for us is Jesus was asked direct questions about life and how to live and He gave all of us the answers.  If you want to know ‘what is my purpose’ or ‘why am I here?’  Ask Jesus in prayer and pay attention for the answers…Amen.

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“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:36-39

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

Wisdom That Comes From Heaven

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Spend time in worship…pray and give thanks to God for His mercy and grace.  Pick some bible verses that speak to you and put them in your heart…use them to fight off evil and darkness.  Seek the Lord and the wisdom that comes from heaven…and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:17

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while visiting Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Through Him…

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All things are possible.  When we can’t find the way forward or we don’t know what to do…we will find our way through Him.  There is absolutely nothing in this world greater or more powerful than God’s love.  Believe it…trust it.  Our hope is not found in what we can see…life in this world can be dark and seem hopeless…our hope is found in Christ and through Him we are saved.  Amen.

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

Romans 8:37

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

 

The Promise Fulfilled

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The birth of Jesus Christ fulfills the promises made in the Old Testament.  In Genesis 3 and Isaiah 7 as well as Isaiah 53 and in other verses the Lord makes known the coming of the Savoir…a new covenant…One who will be a Light for Israel as well as the Gentiles.  Jesus came down from heaven to reconcile us with God…He sacrificed everything He had and His life as a man for you and me.  God fulfills His promises…trust in Him for every area of your life.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

God Is Love

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Love is about more than words.  Love is about how we treat each other with our actions and our behaviors.  We all will make mistakes and need to be able to forgive as well as be forgiven.  In what relationship or situation in your life is there a lack of love?  Pray about it and ask God to guide you in love.  Amen.

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“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:8-10

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border between South Dakota and Minnesota)