Learning

Together In Christ

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There is a section in Ecclesiastes 4 that speaks about going through life alone versus with others.  It provides a few examples of how much more difficult life can be alone.  We are made to be in community, to work together to support each other.  I am a sports fan and my favorite sport is football, today is a very big day in the football world…over the years I have reflected on the different sports and I have come to realize I often prefer team sports versus individual ones…it is not that individual sports are bad but I prefer a sport where we are more dependent on each other than individual talent alone…a sport that requires community for success.  At its basic level, in football it takes all 11 people on the field to find success, individuals willing to sacrifice for the good of the team…community, working together for the good of all.  May we all be engaged in community in our daily lives…if you are unsure of your community, turn towards God and seek His guidance.  Amen.

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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 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 4:1-6

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Custer State Park in South Dakota)

Learn, Teach, Give Thanks

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Faith is a journey.  Not an event, not something we do to check the box…it is a life learning and life-giving experience.  We learn by reading God’s Word, spending time in prayer and our own experiences…we share with others the things we have learned and we learn from others experiences…we help others by sharing the things we learn and we give thanks to God for all that He has done for us.  God is with you, right now, today and He wants a relationship with you…turn towards Him every day…learn from Him…share with others what you have learned and give Him thanks and praise.  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 June of 2013 while traveling in southern Colorado)

Believe

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Believe in the power of God…He is our Creator…He is our Savior…He will guide us with the Holy Spirit.  God can and will rescue you.  Don’t give up hope…don’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.  Believe in God’s saving grace, believe in God’s love for you.  Trust in the Lord and He will rescue you.  Amen.

Rescue by Lauren Daigle

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“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

Jesus Knows…

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He lived a life on earth…He was born as a baby…He was a toddler…He was a teenager, we don’t get to read about that time in the bible but He had to live it to get to the age of 33…He experienced hardship, pain, bad things that other people did to Him, He experienced unfair judgement by people that didn’t know Him, He was bullied…He experienced temptations of the devil and He suffered punishment as an innocent man.  Jesus knows about everything and anything you are facing in this life, not only because He is the Son of God but because He experienced life on earth with other people…just like you and me.  Jesus knows and He wants to walk with you on your journey…there truly is no better guide for us in life than Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 2:18

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Give Forgiveness

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We are forgiven…Jesus Christ died on the Cross to save us from our sins.  He has paved the Way for us to be forgiven.  It is up to us to respond with the thoughts, words and actions of our daily lives.  Who do you need to forgive?  Yourself?  Someone who has hurt you?  Forgiveness is not a free pass…it is a willingness to let go of the anger and bitterness that eats at our souls.  Make a choice to give forgiveness and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“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 4:31-32

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at a park near Dillon, Colorado)

Confidence

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Belief…trust…conviction…reliance…dependence…faith.  Don’t wait to seek the Lord as the last resort…if you are curious about faith, pick up a bible and read about God and His Son and the Holy Spirit…evil and darkness of the world has many ways to distract us and keep us away from our faith.  We can turn towards Jesus Christ with confidence…He has shown us how much He loves us and He is right here with us every step of the way.  Amen.

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“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
8 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

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

It Takes Courage…

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To move forward without knowing the outcome…to admit we don’t know the answers…to be patient…to share and be vulnerable with another person.  It takes courage to be humble…to surrender your plans for God’s plan…it takes courage to live the life that God has intended for you…and the best part is…a relationship with Jesus Christ will give you the courage to seek His will when you trust in Him.  Amen.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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

Trust

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Firm belief…confidence…faith…count on…believe in…truth…certainty…love.  The darkness and evil of the world are constantly working to turn us away from God and God is constantly speaking to us.  Seek Him, seek His will, believe He has good things planned for you and be patient.  Amen.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

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

Do Your Best

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The struggle is real…we strive and we press to finish and to see the result…only to find the race is not over…there is more that needs to be done.  We were made for community to lift each other up and encourage one another.  Each of us has been given different gifts to offer to others, we can’t be everything to everyone and if we try, we will be going off course with God’s plan.  Learn what God has planned for you and the blessings and abilities He has given to you for this life.  Seek to do your best according to God’s will and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

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