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From Faith Comes Hope

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“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:1-5

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

Community Growth and Unity

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“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Ephesians 4:15-16

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

Show Love

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“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.  And this is his command:  to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.  Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them.  And this is how we know that he lives in us:  We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

1 John 3:21-24

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunrise on Maui)

 

Gratitude

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)

God Cares For You…Stand Against Evil

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“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”

1 Peter 5:6-9

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving the north shore of Maui)

Strength Through Faith

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Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians…

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:12-13

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

Our Refuge

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“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62:5-8

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 while visiting Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado)

Surrender

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It takes courage and a strong personal relationship with God to surrender our will and focus on God’s will for our life.  The world and the forces of evil want desperately for us to choose the easy path, the convenient way and not bother with God.  The life, death and resurrection of Jesus was not focused on easy.  In fact, it shows us and sets the example of what sacrifice looks like and what putting our trust in God can result in.  A wonderful Pastor friend in my life taught me a lesson around Easter a few years ago…from the greatest of tragedies, pain and suffering comes the greatest joy, jubilation and triumph.

Jesus while praying in Gethsemane shortly before he was arrested, in one moment was pleading with God to ‘take this cup from me’ and then in the next moment he surrenders, ‘Yet not what I will, but what you will’ Mark 14:36  He knows what it means to suffer…He knows more about suffering, pain and tragedies in this world than many of us will ever see.  Trust Him because He did it all for you.

“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:5-7

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

He Gives Hope

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We must try to remember that God has a plan for each and every one of us…we will find the Fruits of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in His plan not in our own ideas about how life should be.

” ‘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 last month on a lake in central Minnesota)

Know Him, Know Peace

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“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

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)