Life

Wisdom

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We have so much to learn…it is easy to think that we have lived our lives long enough to know what is right for us.  We have experiences to draw on and we rely on feelings and emotions.  Yet God knew all of these things before we were even born.  He is our Creator and He loves us so much that He sacrificed His Son to save us…He knows what is best for us.  For example, how many people would believe that Saul could become Paul…the greatest enemy of Christians would become one of the greatest disciples?  You can read about it in Acts 9…this is the wisdom of God and it is far greater than any human wisdom.  Trust in the Lord and seek His will for you and your life.  Amen.

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“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

1 Corinthians 1:25

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in what is now officially White Sands National Park in New Mexico)

Choices

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Which race are you running?  The one the world lays out that is chasing after money, possessions and status among this world or the race that has been marked out for you by God?  God’s gift of free will does give us a choice…it is important to keep in mind that all choices come with a cost. The world’s race has been called the ‘rat race’ and in order to run that race we have to make choices that leaves a trail of broken relationships…if we choose to pursue the race that God has marked out for us we will be persecuted by others for not conforming to the way of the world.  Neither race is easier than the other, the biggest difference is that in choosing the race that God has marked out for us we will never be running alone and most importantly when it comes to the end of our race where we end up is significantly different.  Seek God’s wisdom for the path that you are on and the race that you are running.  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.”

Hebrews 12:1-2

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

Merry Christmas

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At Christmas time and throughout the year put Christ in the center of your life…with Christ you will know Hope, you will know Peace, you will know Joy and you will know that the Love of Christ in your heart will help you overcome anything this world can throw at you.

May we all see and know God’s blessings in our lives this Christmas and carry them with us all through the New Year.  Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime by Michael W Smith

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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:11-14

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Forgiveness And For Goodness

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These are the presents we receive from God, not only at Christmas, we receive these every day of our lives.  It is up to us to accept these gifts and to trust in the Lord.  We are forgiven because of Jesus Christ and we receive goodness from God’s Holy Spirit within us.  All throughout the bible the miracles performed included Jesus involving someone else in completing the miracle.  An example would be the little boy who had the fish and bread, that was to be multiplied for all to eat.  God wants us to accept the gift of forgiveness from Jesus and to open our hearts and minds to the goodness of the Holy Spirit and God wants each of us to participate in the story.  God loves you; God forgives you and He is ready to lead you to good things.  Accept these gifts from God.  Amen.

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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

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

Thanks Be To God

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There is hope…even at times when it feels like there is no hope…God is still on the throne in heaven and even though things don’t go the way we want them to, or how we want them to, or things don’t happen when we want…we still have hope for the future because of Jesus Christ.  No matter where you are or what is happening or not happening in your life, look around your life for what is good, look for what you can be grateful for and give thanks to God.  Amen.

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“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

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

Savior Of The World

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He came to save you and me…He took the punishment we all deserve…How many others have done that for us?  Sharing one of my favorite songs this time of year.  May the peace of the Savior be with you.  Amen.

How Many Kings by Downhere

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“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

The Name Of The Lord

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This time of year can be joyful and it can be painful…depending on your journey and the road you have traveled to get here.  The message of Christmas is the same today as it was thousands of years ago back in that manger.  Jesus Christ was born; the Savior has come to save us all from all of our sins.  He came to save all of us no matter who we are or where we came from, He came to save us no matter what we have done or what we have left undone…it is never too late to turn towards Jesus Christ, accept Him as your Savior and Lord and confess your sins.  He knows you; He loves you and He is waiting to hear from you.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
    the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

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

God With Us

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Emmanuel.

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

Medley by Michael W Smith

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

The Spirit Within Us

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How do you tune in to the Holy Spirit?  The faith journey begins by acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God, our Savior and the confession of our sins…it continues with the desire to turn away from sin in our daily lives.  How can our faith grow?  It must be fed… we should feed our minds and our hearts with God’s word, we should seek to do good things, to help those in need and share whatever we have received in abundance.  We are not equipped to do this alone, none of us are.  So how do we know when the Holy Spirit is guiding us…we need to find the best way to tune in…like back in the days when listening to music meant finding just the right spot on a radio dial that brought in a clear signal with no static…strive to find that place and that time where you can tune in and receive guidance from God’s Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2017 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Let Go

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The more we fill our lives with fear, shame, guilt, anger, bitterness and all our sins, the less room we have for the Fruits of the Spirit from God.  We must learn to let go of the worldly ways and worldly values that are holding us back and telling us lies.  In order to receive the goodness of the Lord we must open our hearts and minds to Him…it is a journey we all must take and Jesus Christ is waiting for each one of us to turn towards Him, because He is the only One who knows The Way.  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 2012 while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)