Life

Seek God’s Will

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When questions seem never-ending in life, we often look for easy or convenient answers in worldly places.  If we just knew all the answers than life would be easy…becareful what you wish for.  Easy has never been promised to anyone and even if you think there is a person or people who have it easy than most likely you don’t know the whole story about them or their lives.  We all have troubles, we all are broken in some way.  The one constant, the only thing that we know we can count on is God’s love.  He is our Creator, He knows everything about our lives and His plan is far better than anything we can cook up ourselves.  Seek God’s will for your life and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

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

Acknowledge Your Mistakes

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Mistakes and errors will happen, we all will make them, it is guaranteed because we are broken.  We need strength and courage that only comes from Christ to admit to our mistakes, to acknowledge them and then strive to do better.  If we spend our time always trying to conceal or hide things all we are doing is delaying the inevitable truth.  The best that we can do when we make mistakes is to be open and honest about them and learn from them…the truth is failure is not an end it is just one step closer to success for those who won’t give up.  Trust in the Lord and you will be amazed at what you can learn.  Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, his is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through Colorado)

Wisdom From Above

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What is wisdom?  The dictionary definition is…’the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgement; the quality of being wise.’  So in order to have wisdom we must have time invested in having experiences, time spent learning to get knowledge and have made decisions regarding an area of life in order to grow our experiences and knowledge.  Now if we reflect on our own lives and how we spend our time, what are our experiences, where do we get our knowledge from…what things do we make decisions about that help foster our growth?  How do our experiences, knowledge and good judgement align with faith and our spiritual life?  If we truly want to learn about where God is in our lives and what He is asking us to do…we need to spend more time gaining wisdom about heavenly things and spend less time on earthly wisdom.  Amen.

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“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:17

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through Colorado)

Gifts And Serving Others

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Each person is unique is some way.  Everyone has a different combination of strengths and weaknesses.  No individuals were made to stand alone or to be isolated from the community.  We are designed to work together to use our blessings to help fulfill the needs of others and for others to help fulfill our needs.  The things that get in the way are sin…pride and selfishness, judgement and favoritism…these exist in everyone on all sides of every issue.  Each of us should assess ourselves and understand what are our strengths and gifts to offer…the important thing to remember is the value of our gifts in God’s eyes not value according to the world’s perspective…because even if what we can offer will change life for just 1 or a few other people, we are still changing the world for good in the eyes of God.  Peace be with you on your journey.  Amen.

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“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in is various forms.”

1 Peter 4:9-10

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 while driving near the South Dakota and Minnesota border)

The Greatness Of God

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Good morning and peace be with you.  The God of all creation is with you and ready to lead you today.  There is nothing on earth greater than God and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ His Son.  Be thankful for the blessings in your life and extend the peace of the Lord to others throughout your day.  Amen.

The song I share today was just released early this year…

The Greatness Of Our God by The Newsboys

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“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”

Psalm 145:3

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

Return To Sender

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It is true…we will get exactly what we give in this life.  If we choose to stomp around with anger, deceit and selfish motivations, always screaming and yelling about our rights…there is no reason to expect others to treat us any differently.  Take a moment to reflect on any recent interaction you have had that didn’t go well from your perspective.  Who was first to start the interaction?  You or the other person and what was the tone and demeanor of the first person to act?  If things started from a place of anger and tension then I would guess it continued and escalated or even if it started out just fine something must have happened that turned it into something unpleasant.  We are wired to react and respond and if someone doesn’t stop the reaction response mentality things get to the point where people get hurt or killed.  There must be a better way…The Good News is just that…a better way.  We can choose to be different, we can be kind and compassionate with patience if we are willing to turn towards Jesus Christ and invite Him into our hearts and minds and we read the Word of God to learn about this Way every day.  Amen.

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“The one who sows to please the sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

Galatians 6:8

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

Believe

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God loves you…God is with you…Bring all your worries and your fears to the Cross and trust in Him who died to save you.  Our faith is free but it is not cheap, when you plant the Word of God in your heart nobody can take that from you.  Believe in God the Father…believe in Jesus Christ His Son our Lord and live knowing…God loves you…God is with you.  Amen.

We Believe by The Newsboys

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“Do not let you hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.”

John 14:1

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

Patience

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Here is where I struggle in life…I know we all face trials in life but oh man, patience is where I need help every day.  I find it ironic that I depend so greatly on God’s patience with me because I have so much growing yet to do.  God’s Word is a big help and reading daily helps to renew and restore my perspective and attitude.  Here is the lesson that I need to keep learning…it’s not about me.  We face troubles and trials all the time and how we handle these things can indicate how much we truly believe in the faith we profess.  One of the most incredible people in the Bible to me is Job…talk about perseverance and a faith so strong it could survive such devastation and destruction, amazing.  I pray we all can develop the patience and perseverance provided by faith…no matter what we may face in this world.  Amen.

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

James 1:2-3

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Consistent

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Steady…stable…unchanging…unswerving…unwavering…dependable…reliable…unfailing.  Always available, always with us.  How many things or people can you name in your life that meet this standard?  We all have faced and will continue to face trials and troubles, we will all suffer loss and feel like nothing is going right and think where is God in all of this?  He is right there with you…the most consistent and reliable thing in life is God’s Word and the one person you can always count on is Jesus Christ His Son our Savior and Lord.  Nothing in this world can compare to what is available to us through faith.  Read the Word of God daily and spend time in communication with Jesus and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Light Of Life

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When the power goes out or we enter a place or a room that is dark…what do our instincts tell us to do?  Search for a light, why?  So we can see our surroundings and the way to move forward.  This is exactly the reaction we should have when our life feels like we are in the dark or surrounded by darkness.  Search for the Light, the Light of Christ to help us to see and to guide us forward.  So many of us stay in the darkness and spend days, weeks, months or even years trying to find our way around in the dark and we wonder why life is so hard?  Follow the instincts that God has placed inside you…seek the Light of Life so that you can see.  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 June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)