love

Thankful For God’s Faithful Presence

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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 NIV

Father God, You are the bread of life, true nourishment for our souls

Forgive us when we chase what the world offers, instead of You

We want to pursue You and know You, rather than empty pleasures

Thank You for your faithful presence in our world and our lives

Keep us focused on You and an attitude of gratitude today and all through every season

In Jesus name, Amen

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“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.”

1 John 4:9-10 NIV

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

Love And Faithfulness

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“All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.”

Psalm 25:10 NIV

When we are able to surrender ourselves to God and His plan and we follow Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we will grow and mature spiritually

We may believe we know a great deal about love and faithfulness and yet there is so much more God wants to show us

It will not be easy and we should take nothing for granted

Living in this world where sin and selfishness run wild, where temptations are lurking…we will never be perfect and we are not to be the judge of the ways of others

Love and faithfulness these are characteristics of the new creation God is making us to be

Seek the Lord and the life He has planned for you

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“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

His Invitation

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“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.”

Luke 5:27-28 NIV

Jesus invites us to follow Him

God’s love gives us the opportunity to choose to follow Christ and to live eternally in heaven and God’s gift of free will means we have a responsibility to own our choices

God wants a relationship with each one of us and a relationship is a two-way connection

He wants to be in relationship so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son to provide The Way

No matter where you are or what your life circumstances are, you are invited to follow Jesus Christ

How will you choose to respond to His invitation?

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

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

How We Choose To Live…

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“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 NIV

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in northern Colorado)

He Is With You Wherever You Go

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“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

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“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.

11 “All who rage against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
    will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10-13 NIV

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

Perfect Peace

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“You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.“

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

There is one way to peace

It will not be found in worldly values, events or possessions

Our guide for perfect peace is Jesus Christ

When things are spinning out of control or chaos seems to be ruling the day

Slip away to a quiet place and focus your thoughts on Jesus

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“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Romans 5:1 NIV

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

Trust God

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Good and Gracious God, You are my source of strength and hope

You are the foundation of my life

With You, all things are possible

I will place my hope in You

Even when everything around me seems to be crumbling, I will put my trust in You

I will not be afraid because You make my life secure

Thank You

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset while traveling in South Dakota)

To Know Him And To Make Him Known

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“This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV

Our mission…to Know Him

Our ministry…to Make Him Known.

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“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

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

To Know Him…

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“This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.“

Jeremiah 9:23-24 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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“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in Wyoming)

Trust And Obey The Holy Spirit

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“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 14:26 NIV

“May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.”

Romans 15:13 NIRV

Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli

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“If you love me, obey my commands. 16 I will ask the Father. And he will give you another friend to help you and to be with you forever. 17 That friend is the Spirit of truth. The world can’t accept him. That’s because the world does not see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you.”

John 14:15-17 NIRV

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