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Pray

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“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 4:6-7 NIV

When We Pray by Tauren Wells

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“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Peace From God

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“

John 14:27 NIV

Good and Gracious God, thank You for promising to bring us peace.  In every situation, help us continue to keep our minds on You and Your good promises.  Because we trust in You, we know we don’t have to be anxious about anything.  Continue to remind us of this truth throughout every day.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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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

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

Nothing Is Impossible

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“Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:19-20 NIV

Father God, You make all things beautiful in their proper time.  Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish.  You are faithful to keep Your promises.  It’s easy for me to forget that You are not done working.  Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave.  When I grow weary or afraid, help me remember that You are with me, You are faithful and that nothing is impossible for You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

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

But God…

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“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

“David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.”

1 Samuel 23:14 NIV

“My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26 NIV

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

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“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“

Romans 5:7-8 NIV

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

God’s Promises

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“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

2 Peter 1:2-4 NIV

Father God, I trust that You are faithful, and I believe that You will always fulfill Your promises.  I am holding tightly to my hope in You.  Thank you for promising to fulfill Your plans for my life.  Thank You for promising to be with us and to never abandon us.  Thank you for promising the return of Jesus.  You are faithful Lord – and I will trust in You.  Amen.

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“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,…”

Isaiah 43:1-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

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)

Character Building

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“Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

Father God, I am Your child.  Thank You for adopting me into Your eternal family.  Please shape my heart.  Teach me how to act in a way that honors You in my daily life and circumstances.  Help me correct my thoughts and perspective along with any patterns of behavior in my life that displease You.  Replace these things with characteristics that show how much I love You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Wisdom

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:5 NIV

Good and gracious God, thank You for sharing Your wisdom with those who seek it.  As we grow closer to You, help us think more like You.  Today, we invite You into our decision-making.  Help us make wise decisions.  Show us how to process challenging circumstances according to Your Word.  Allow Your love to flow through us into every area of our lives.  In Jesus name, 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 NIV

(This photo was taken on a road trip while traveling through South Dakota)

Reflect with Gratitude, Go Forward with Hope

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful.  Thank You for making a way for me in this life.  When I reflect on past events give me an eye for gratitude in all circumstances.  Please show me how You are at work in my life.  I want to choose to patiently wait on You, becasue I know that You will finish the work You have started in me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset by a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

Allow Christ to Change You

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“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

Father God, take back my life.  Take my burdens and fears.  Replace my insecurities and my anxieties with Your peace.  Teach me to trust in Your promises and Your faithfulness.  Restore my joy and give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow.  Lord, I want to be different.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Different by Micah Tyler

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“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

(This photo was take in September of 2022 in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)