Learning

The Light Of The World

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When we are discouraged and defeated it may be because we are clinging to the things of this world and we are living in darkness.  Comparing ourselves to others, believing our worth and our value comes from something or someone other than God.  If we are struggling to see, we need to remember the Light of the World…Jesus Christ…our Savior and Lord.  Let Him lead you and guide you…read God’s Word about His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection and remember He did it all for you.  Amen.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Persistence And Patience

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Keep going with prayer…don’t let the desire for immediate gratification discourage you…God’s will is not about your timing.  Seek comfort from Jesus by spending time in prayer and reading God’s word, pay attention for God’s responses in your daily life.  Align yourself with God’s plan and go after it with persistence and patience.  God is with you and He loves you.  Amen.

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“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Colossians 4:2

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)

Holy Living

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It is simple yet very different from worldly values.  It is about living a balanced life with Christ at the center.  It is not about judgement or comparing oneself to others…it is about the Fruits of the Spirit shining through your thoughts, words and actions because in your heart you truly believe, you have confessed your sins and have an on-going personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is not perfect and we never will be…it means you will still face difficulties and suffering in life but you will be better prepared to go through them with God as your guide.  It is the only way to find true peace.  Amen.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17

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

Start With Gratitude

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It’s an incredible thing…choosing to start with gratitude is a clear path to changing your perspective.  Ask yourself, ‘what am I thankful for?’ and it leads your thoughts and your mind to search for what is good, positive and optimistic.  If at first it is difficult and you find yourself quickly slipping into ‘what I don’t have’ or ‘the way things used to be’ consciously stop yourself and make a list of 2-3 things that you are grateful for.  The more we put this into practice the more our perspective will change.  If you struggle with this turn to Jesus Christ in prayer and ask Him to help you see the good that is all around you.  Trust in the Lord and give Him thanks for all that He has done for you.  Amen.

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2     Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

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

We Are Not Alone

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Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…you are not alone in your fight.  God is with you…He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20 and several more times.  Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise and His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation…it is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him.  Amen.

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“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

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

Not Done Yet…

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Your journey continues…keep going…be persistent…act with courage and kindness…pursue what is next with compassion and goodness…ask God to guide you and stay close to Him, because God’s not done with you yet.  Amen.

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:4-6

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Humility

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The message in the bible is clear…we need to learn how to be humble.  Selfishness and self-serving behaviors are running wild in the world.  God knows it is a problem for the human race and He made sure it is talked about often in His Word…

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Romans 12:9-10

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:5-7

If you want to know more do an internet search on bible verses about humility.  Turn towards Jesus our Savior and the one who set the example of how to be humble by caring for others.  Amen.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

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

 

He Has Set An Example

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Throughout history the phrase “What would Jesus do?” has shown up in popularity and faded and shown up again.  Taken at its most basic level the question is valid to reflect upon.  His behaviors, His kindness, His generosity, His goodness, His mercy, His forgiveness, how He treated others and especially, His love.  We would do well to learn more about what He would do according to the Scriptures.  May the peace of Christ be with you.  Amen.

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“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

John 13:15

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Different Gifts

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We each have been made by our Creator God and we all have different gifts and abilities according to His will.  When each of us use our God given talent to the best of our ability our community is made stronger.  It does no good to compare ourselves to others and to covet their abilities.  God created you, He loves you and He wants good things for you in life…when things go sideways or off track that is our sinful nature leading us astray.  Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer and seek God’s plan for your gifts.  Amen.

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“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your 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, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”

Romans 12:6-8

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