Learning

God Is Love

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“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.“

1 John 4:7-12 NIV

God’s love renews and restores us

Our relationship with God is an inside out relationship

We need to know and understand God’s love for us and that there is nothing we can think, say or do that will change God’s unconditional love

As we receive and understand God’s love, we are equipped to go out and give love to others in our daily life and interactions

May God’s love and peace be with you and flow through you

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?“

Romans 8:31-35 NIV

“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 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Different Gifts

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 “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Ephesians 4:15-16 NIV

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 or 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 spiritual gifts

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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 NIV

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

God Is Our Refuge

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“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Father God, nothing is impossible for You

You love us even when we are unlovable

You are good to us even though we don’t deserve it

You are kind and compassionate towards us even when we mess up and get ourselves into trouble

You are our faithful refuge

Thank You for never leaving us or forsaking us!

Remind us of how You have shown up in our lives so that we can intentionally give You praise

In Jesus name, Amen

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“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

Psalm 62:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken in Arches National Park in Utah)

A Strong Foundation

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“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 3:10-11 NIV

The best things are built by starting out with the development of a strong foundation

A solid foundation helps to support missteps, mistakes and accidents along the way

If we try to build something without developing the foundation the endeavor will eventually fail and end up as a pile of rubble

The foundation of our faith is our relationship and daily interaction with Jesus Christ and the Word of God

These are the elements that will help us build and grow our spiritual life and sustain us through the most difficult things the world will throw at us

May the peace of the Lord be with you

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“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:11-12 NIV

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

Keep Doing Good Things

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 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

We reap what we sow in this life

This does not mean we can earn our way into heaven by doing the right things

It means whatever we go out and do in the world will come back around to us at some point and none of us knows or can control how or when that will happen

This is further proof that God is in control and it is our responsibility to choose our behaviors and our actions in our daily life

We cannot control what others will think, say or do, yet we can control how we respond

Let’s keep doing good things

May the Fruit of the Spirit flow through us each day

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“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:7-9 NIV

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

Our Call

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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

That is what I have learned so far…nobody ever said it was going to be easy

We will face trouble and struggles of every kind in life and if we are willing to stand firm on the foundation of faith, we will persevere

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7

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

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

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“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.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV

“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“

1 Peter 2:22-25 NIV

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Teach Us Your Way

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“Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

God invites us into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ

It is up to us to choose how to respond to that invitation

If we ignore God’s call and go our own way we will bring about more pain and suffering without God’s presence and guidance

We need to be willing to open ourselves up to God’s way and His plan, that happens with His timing

We need to be willing to surrender our self-centered ways to Him

God is not in a hurry, like we typically are in this world

God is faithful and will guide you and lead you if you are willing to put your faith and trust in Him and His Way

Father God, please guide us and teach us as we seek to live a life that honors You

Lead us into our calling, and lovingly correct our mistakes

Thank You for being the One we can confide in, and for loving us just as we are

You are good, and we am grateful for You  In Jesus name, Amen

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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

(This photo was taken in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

To Know Him…

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“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

Colossians 1:9-12 NIV

Father God, Your Word is filled with wisdom and promises that offer guidance for our lives

Sometimes it is difficult for us to understand, please give us courage to trust Your faithfulness

Light our path, help us learn about You and Your way and give us clarity about how You want us to live

  In Jesus name, Amen

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“ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in Wyoming)

Blessings And Spiritual Gifts

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“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV

As God’s creation, each of us has been blessed and have God-given gifts and abilities

It is up to us to learn about and use the spiritual gifts God has given to us

We are blessed to be a blessing to others

What gifts has God given you?

What can you offer or provide to others in your family, your neighborhood or your faith community?

If you are unsure about your gifts, turn towards God in prayer and ask Him to help you to see

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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[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

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