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The Spirit Of The Lord

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“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

Nothing is impossible for God

Darkness will continue to increase

Yet we will not be overcome by it

Jesus has sacrificed Himself to save us and set us free

We are free from the bondage of sin and evil

The Holy Spirit has come to be with us

Have courage and remember

Where the Spirit of the Lord is…there is Freedom

There Is Freedom by Josh Baldwin

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians 5:13 NIV

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

God’s Word

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“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 NIV

When we have questions, need guidance or when we seek comfort, the Word of God can provide for us in all these situations…

There is a sense of peace not found in the world that can come over you when you make time to read God’s Word

Let it soak into your heart and mind

There is wisdom and guidance in there that we will not find anywhere else

No matter where you are, what you have done or left undone

Spend time with God’s Word

May the peace of the Lord wash over you on your journey

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“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NIV

(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

He Cares For You

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10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 NIV

When situations in life bring us down or when we are struggling and our path is difficult

Our human minds may wonder, ‘does God care what is happening to me?’

God is always with you…when you find yourself with a thought like this, stop and pray

Not some memorized words, rather a real heart felt prayer asking God to help you see your way forward

God does care for you…He sent His Son to die on a cross to save you and to be able to have a relationship with you

Seek Him and His will for you and your life and you will find peace

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

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

It’s Simple…

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“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:31 NIV

Treat other people the way you want them to treat you

When you stop and think about it…often times yelling and anger gets you more yelling and anger right back at you…

And kindness with a smile often get a kind response in return

We are responsible for our attitudes and how we treat others

Jesus tells us this simple truth about life in the Bible

Read about what Jesus teaches us and follow the example He has set for us

It’s simple and yet nobody ever said or promised it would be easy…

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“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12 NIV

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

Be Persistent

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“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV

“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:14-15 NIV

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:9-10 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in central Minnesota)

Prayer…Peace

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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 NIV

Prayer is available to us anytime, anywhere

It is not a wishing well, rather it is a foundational element in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ

It is about communication with God about all things good and bad

It is listening, sharing your joys and your worries and most importantly, it is our quiet time with God

Which leads to peace

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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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.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:12-15 NIV

(This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)

Trust What God Says…

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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 NIV

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

You Say by Lauren Daigle

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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

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Come To The Lord

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

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

There is only one place to find the answers we seek and that is with the Lord

He is good, His love endures forever

He wants a relationship with us

Nothing is impossible for Him.

He is greater than any issue or circumstances in our lives…

No matter what it is you are facing come to the Lord

Come, Now Is The Time To Worship by Phillips, Craig and Dean

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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 NIV

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

Nothing Can Separate Us

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23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

No matter what we do or where we go, we are loved by God

We tend to think, not me, God deosn’t really love me…look at the things I have done and left undone

Look at what I said, look at my life and the things that have happened because of me

To these things I say look at the examples of people in the Bible…

Peter, rejected being associated with Jesus three times after Jesus was arrested and before He was crucified

Rahab in the Book of Joshua, she was a prostitute who acted with faith and courage to help God’s people capture the Promised Land

Saul who became Paul…

He hunted down and killed many of the followers of Jesus and yet the Lord still loved him and made him one of the greatest teachers of the faith in the New Testament

There are many more situations like these

We are not perfect nor will we ever be, we will make mistakes and do the wrong things

Inspite of it all God still loves us and wants to help us grow and mature in our faith

Trust in the Lord…nothing can separate you from Him

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31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Romans 8:31 NIV

37 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 at Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Listen…Do What It Says

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“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24 NIV

“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 NIV

Father God, give us courage to seek Your Word and to listen to Your guidance

Grant us wisdom to recognize the difference between what we think is best and what Your will is for our lives

In Jesus name, Amen

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken on Beartooth Pass in Montana)