Learning

God’s Word

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

When we have questions, need guidance or when we seek comfort, the Word of God can provide for us in all these situations…

There is a sense of peace not found in the world that can come over you when you make time to read God’s Word

Let it soak into your heart and mind

There is wisdom and guidance in there that we will not find anywhere else

No matter where you are, what you have done or left undone

Spend time with God’s Word

May the peace of the Lord wash over you on your journey

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NIV

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

He Cares For You

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10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 NIV

When situations in life bring us down or when we are struggling and our path is difficult

Our human minds may wonder, ‘does God care what is happening to me?’

God is always with you…when you find yourself with a thought like this, stop and pray

Not some memorized words, rather a real heart felt prayer asking God to help you see your way forward

God does care for you…He sent His Son to die on a cross to save you and to be able to have a relationship with you

Seek Him and His will for you and your life and you will find peace

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

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

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

Nothing Can Separate Us

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23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

No matter what we do or where we go, we are loved by God

We tend to think, not me, God deosn’t really love me…look at the things I have done and left undone

Look at what I said, look at my life and the things that have happened because of me

To these things I say look at the examples of people in the Bible…

Peter, rejected being associated with Jesus three times after Jesus was arrested and before He was crucified

Rahab in the Book of Joshua, she was a prostitute who acted with faith and courage to help God’s people capture the Promised Land

Saul who became Paul…

He hunted down and killed many of the followers of Jesus and yet the Lord still loved him and made him one of the greatest teachers of the faith in the New Testament

There are many more situations like these

We are not perfect nor will we ever be, we will make mistakes and do the wrong things

Inspite of it all God still loves us and wants to help us grow and mature in our faith

Trust in the Lord…nothing can separate you from Him

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31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Romans 8:31 NIV

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39 NIV

(This photo was taken at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Redeemed

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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 NIV

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

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

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

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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. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

The world, Satan and our flesh tell us

To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often

This is the sinful nature and it has taken hold of us

God has a plan to redeem us

He provided the Way back into a relationship with Him

To live with purpose and it is based on a personal relationship with His One and Only Son

Jesus Christ

He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father

He came down from heaven and sacrificed His life to save us from our sinful desires

The life, death and resurrection of Jesus is what we reflect on this week and this day

It is ‘Good Friday’ because of Who God is and What Jesus has done for us

Think about it…His Sacrifice as our Savior for our Salvation

“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

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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)

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)