Life

Put On Love

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Love is about actions…love is found in our behaviors and how we treat each other.  Words are cheap…love involves sacrifice, it is not a roller coaster emotion that rises and falls on a whim.  Paul describes the actions of love in 1 Corinthians 13…Jesus Christ lived the actions of love in everything He did and continues to do for you and me.  If you are wondering what should I do next…put on love and see where the Lord leads you.  Amen.

“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 4:11-12

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blow Hole on the island of Maui)

Stand Firm

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When a person stands firm in faith they are often persecuted and told that their thinking is outdated or wrong.  This is because the way of the world and the way of faith are constantly in conflict with each other.  The world wants faith to be convenient, easy, self-pleasing and self-serving.  The way of the world is about following the sinful nature.  The way of faith is not about the self-first…it is about God’s Word and Jesus Christ…the way of faith is about being humble, admitting that sin is wrong and confessing our sins…the way of faith is about surrendering your will and following God’s will according to His word.  The way of faith is about your relationship with Jesus Christ.  Stand firm in faith.  Amen.

“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

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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 August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Where Is Your Treasure?

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One of the most precious gifts in life is time…where we spend our time gives light to what we value.  When we spend too much time on things that are not aligned with God’s will for us, often we feel discouraged and drained.  When we seek God’s wisdom and we strive to live in His will and purpose for our lives we feel renewed, peaceful and content.  Take time to assess where you are spending your time and seek to look at your purpose through God’s will rather than the world’s perspective.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21

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

 

Do What It Says

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It is one thing to read or listen to the Word of God…it is the next step in your faith journey to do what it says.  We can go our whole lives reading the bible and listening to God’s word in church and if we never put it into practice in our lives…what have we accomplished?  The bible is filled with Action words and many of them came directly out of the mouth of Jesus Christ.  We are to go and do what He commands us to do.  May His peace go with you.  Amen.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34-35

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“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

James 1:22-25

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

God Knows

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No matter where you have been…no matter what you have done or left undone…God knows.  We may feel alone or trapped in our lives due to circumstances around us…don’t believe the lies that Satan is telling you…God knows about you…God loves you…He knows about everything and He knew it when He sent His Son to die for you.  You are not alone…God is with you and God loves you.  Turn towards God in faith and pray.  Amen.

God Only Knows by for King and Country

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“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 on a bridge near Winterset, Iowa)

Recharge

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Spend time alone with God in prayer.  Focus on your relationship with Him and your relationships with others.  When you pray don’t worry about using the right words, be open and honest with the Lord and speak from your heart…then sit quietly alone and listen…focusing your mind on Christ alone.  Do this every day and you will feel the nourishment of your soul, the unexplainable sensation of peace will wash over you and your spirit will be renewed.  Recharge your spirit each day and God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Cross

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Our Savior…He was flogged…He was beaten…He dragged that Cross as the crowds cursed Him and spit on Him.  He was crucified on it and took the punishment for our sins.  He died…for you and for me.  Why?  Because He loves us that much.  The best part is three days later God raised Him from the dead and Christ is alive.  We are loved, we are forgiven and it is up to us to spread the Good News…the message of The Cross.  Amen.

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“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

1 Corinthians 1:18

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

His Angels

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They are nearer than you think.  They are fighting for us against the forces of darkness.  They keep us safe and help guide us.  They aren’t looking for us to honor them, they do their work so that we will honor God.  When our time is up, they will usher us up to heaven.  Give thanks to God for the angels in your life.  Amen.

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“For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

Psalm 91:11-12

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 while on a walk in a park in central Minnesota)

Gratitude

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What are you thankful for today?  Instead of stewing on what’s wrong, what you don’t have or what you can’t do…think about what’s good, what you do have and what you can do and give thanks to God for the good things and good people in your life.  Don’t be too quick to overlook the gifts and blessings God has given you because He has promised to care for you and provide for your needs (Philippians 4:19; Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 41:10; John14:27).  Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and continues to do in our daily lives.  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 May of 2020 at Palisade Head along the north shore of Lake Superior)

Trust

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A core element of Faith.  It is usually based on the words and actions that are demonstrated to us in relationship.  It is interesting to think about how easily we trust ourselves or other people sometimes and yet we are resistant to trust God and His plan.  If anyone has made promises and delivered on them every time it is God not us.  Turn towards God for everything, trust in Him and His will and you will see the goodness of the Lord.  Amen.

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

Proverbs 3:5-6

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“Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

12 Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

Psalm 84:10-12

(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at sunset on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)