God’s Presence

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

Father God, I know that You are near.  I know that You are faithful and good.  You are with me on my best days, and You carry me through the worst.  You are my protector and my guide.  Please continue to show me how You are working in my life and in the lives of those around me.  Help me keep my focus on You and to be a witness to Your work in the world.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 NIV

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

Sacrifice…Savior…Salvation

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

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

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

There is a better way to be different and to live with purpose

Based on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ

He loves you, He gave His life to save you

He is with you, He is for you

Spend time in God’s Word and learn about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus

He did it all for you

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“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

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

Courage…Patience

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

The pace of world keeps getting faster with new technologies all being offered in the name of convenience

Yet God is the same today as He was over two thousand years ago, He does not change according to popular opinion

His timing is perfect, our timing and our plans are based on our worldly desires

God is with you and God is for you

He is working in your life, even if you can’t see it

Have the courage to trust in the Lord and wait for Him to lead you

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I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Growing In Faith

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

Father God, I want to submit to You.  Please fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and other people.  Guide me to speak in a way so that my words can bring life and encouragement to others.  Transform me into a new person by helping me grow from the inside out.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

(This photo was taken while driving on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

In The Midst Of The Storm

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 NIV

No matter what is happening

No matter what has gone wrong in your circumstances

God has promised to never leave you and never to abandon you

Seek Him because He is waiting to hear from you always

Even in the midst of the storm

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

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

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 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.”

1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Complete Trust

“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 NIV

Father God, when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  I will rely on You no matter what comes my way because You are my source of strength and safety.  You guide me and fight for me.  When I draw close to You, I have nothing to fear, because You are in control and You are all I need.  Thank You Father!  I choose to put my complete trust in You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

(This photo was taken in a field near Buffalo, Minnesota)

The Truth

“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

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

The Truth is what God says it is…

You Say by Lauren Daigle

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To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32 NIV

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

Listen And Be Encouraged

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

James 1:19-21 NIV

Father God, we are so grateful that we can come to You with any situation, and You will hear and answer us.  Today, we come to You with questions, concerns and plans for the future.  Please help us to listen to Your voice, and trust Your Word.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Power In The Name Of Jesus

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

There Is Power by Lincoln Brewster

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Grace Is Better

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.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Love and grace come from God

Not because we have earned it

Rather because He wants us to have it

Grace Wins by Matthew West

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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 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)