Learning

Finding The Way

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“All Scripture is inspired by God[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.“

2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB

We all have choices

Go this way or that way…try this and don’t do that

We will make mistakes and it is important that we learn from those mistakes

How do we know what is right?

How can we find out which way is best?

Put a relationship with Jesus Christ first in your life, every day

Why?  Read Isaiah 55:8-9

God knows best, He has a plan specifically for you and me

Spending time with Him and growing a personal relationship with Him is the best way to learn about His plan for life

May the peace of the Lord be with you

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)

Courage

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

A life if faith is not easy and we were never promised it would be…

In fact the Bible is clear that we all will face troubles in this world

Everyone is facing a battle of some kind and it takes courage to stand in faith and live with God at the center of your life

God knows our difficulties and struggles and Jesus lived as a man on earth for over 30 years and knows all too well the ways of the fallen world

Turn towards Jesus Christ, trust in Him to guide your life and stand firm on the foundation of your faith

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Holy Living

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“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]

1 Peter 1:14-16 NIV

How do we know what God is calling us to do?

For life decisions and direction?

If we use the world’s measuring stick of ‘what we should do’ we risk missing God’s will entirely

To follow our call is to surrender self-serving desires

To be humble and patient and to have a foundation of a faith that is built on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ

Nobody ever said it is going to be easy

We will face trouble and struggles of every kind in life

Yet if we are willing to stand firm on the foundation of faith, we will persevere

Because God is always with us, guiding and protecting us

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.“

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NIV

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

Share With Those In Need

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6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:6-8 NIV

We are blessed to be a blessing

Sharing with those in need is about more than a financial giving

It is sharing whatever God has provided in abudance

Some have an abundance of wisdom, some the ability to be a good listener, some have a solution oriented mindset and some an abundance of encouragement

These things and many others like them are blessings from God that can be shared with others

When reflecting on what you have the ability to share look at your life from a Godly perspective not from the world’s point of view

Be thankful for what God has given you and share as He has shared with you

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“Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13 NIV

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

Be A Cheerful Giver

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“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV

When we talk about giving and generosity, society and the world focuses on money and wealth alone

There is so much more to giving than money

To give of your time, your talents and your gifts

Giving generously is about perspective, attitude and encouragement of the spirit

So give whatever it is you have to offer, whenever you can

Give to those who are in need in your daily life and surroundings

Begin by thanking God for whatever it is you have been blessed with and ask Him to guide you to how you can share it

May each one of us seek a generous attitude with the gifts and blessings God has given us

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“Remember this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a Cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV

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

God Speaks To Us

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

Psalm 119:105 NIV

God’s Word is filled with His promises to us

If you have questions for God or about God, pick up a Bible and begin to read

I recommend starting with the Psalms or Proverbs and the Gospel of John

The Bible is the Word of God and no matter how many times you read something in it, you will find new learnings or a new understanding unlike anything else

It never changes yet you can be changed forever

Word of God Speak by MercyMe

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“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Father God

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“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

We are encouraged by the grace and mercy God our Father gives to us

We stumble and fall and yet He loves us the same

He walks with us daily and still there are days we yell ‘God, where are you?’

His love for us is greater than any we will find in human relationships but yet we put our time with Him off to the side or as a low priority that easily can be removed for our busy lives

We seek His forgiveness and He delivers everytime…

The Word of God never changes…

He created us; He loves us; He calls us by name…at that point it is up to us to respond

The greatest Dad there is, is God our Father

We are His children

We are comforted and encouraged by His love

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“As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.“

Psalm 103:13-14 NIV

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

Commitment

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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32:8 NIV

Commitment is hard when things are difficult, when it feels like at every turn we try and failure is right there to greet us

When we commit to something we naturally put some level of our own expectations of how things should go or what we believe should be the outcome

Here is the issue with this approach…we are setting “our expectations” on the result with little regard for God’s will and God’s plan

Following our faith and trust in the Lord means we can be free from the limited results our own minds can generate and be open to new possibilities

For me this is hard to grasp and at times very difficult to embrace

Even Jesus in the last moments before He was arrested prayed breifly for a different outcome…

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  – Luke 22:42

Bring your commitments to the Lord in prayer and seek His will

Listen for Him and the Holy Spirit to guide you

Find your quiet place and quiet time and rest in Him

May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you

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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

Psalm 143:8 NIV

(This photo was taken near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

He Knows You

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

“That’s not what I meant”…”I wish they knew me better”…”I don’t feel like I fit in”…”Nobody understands me.”

Have you had moments like this?

I have been there before…

You can be surrounded by people but feel like you are isolated

God knows who you are, He knows what you can do, He knows how you think and He cares for you

If you feel like you are off the rails in your life, it is time to get back to God

He is waiting to hear from you

He is the Creator, the one who formed you and has been right there with you every step of the way in life

Turn towards God

Trust in Him

He knows all about you and loves you unconditionally

May you see the blessings from God in your life each day

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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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

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

Perspective

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“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV

Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude

What feeds your perspective?

What experience or experiences are framing your view?

If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in this world that is filled with self-centered attitudes, darkness and evil we will become like the world

It would be better to build your perspective on a foundation of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet 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 NIV

Align your heart, your mind and your perspective with the will of God

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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 NIV

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