ministry

Growing In Faith

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Our faith can grow and get stronger only if we feed it and exercise it just like our bodies…if we don’t eat food or exercise our muscles our bodies become frail and weak.  The same is true for our spiritual lives and our faith muscles, we need to feed on the Word of God and exercise our faith by how we interact with others in order for our faith to grow.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Seek Him First

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It is so easy to get caught up in the events and headlines of the world or within our own daily lives, and then begin to live in worry and stress constantly.  After much wringing of our hands and maybe lashing out at others, we sit and think how can I change what is happening?  We can’t do it alone, we need to turn to our Lord and Savior first and listen for his guidance.

The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 while on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Our Daily Prescription…

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The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…

“Jesus replied:  ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while driving in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

If

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This is one of the most powerful two letter words in the English language.  It summarizes cause and effect, it is clear, simple and straight to the point.

The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…

“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Matthew 21:22

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

Accountability

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Every word and every action in our lives flows out like ripples in the water, whether we intend them to or not.  We should always be aware of how we conduct ourselves on a daily basis.

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans…

“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Romans 14:12

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

Love

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“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because  fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:16-18

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Garden of the Gods park near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Treasure

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The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Jesus Lead On

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“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman.

‘Come, follow me’, Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’  At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Matthew 4:18-20

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

Humbleness

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“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving on Beartooth Pass in Montana)