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God Speaks To Us

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“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105 NIV

God’s Word is filled with His promises to us

If you have questions for God or about God, pick up a Bible and begin to read

I recommend starting with the Psalms or Proverbs and the Gospel of John

The Bible is the Word of God and no matter how many times you read something in it, you will find new learnings or a new understanding unlike anything else

It never changes yet you can be changed forever

Word of God Speak by MercyMe

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“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Persevere Under Trial

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 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 1:2-5 NIV

Don’t give up…keep praying…keep trying…be persistent…have courage…believe

  Everyone is challenged by something in life

Everyone is fighting a battle of some kind

It is in these situations that we can see the power of God

We can see His mercy and His grace when we shift our perspective off of worldly treasures and worldly ways

God is holding on to you through everything the world is throwing at you

Trust in Him…Hold on to Him and persevere through trials

I Am by Crowder

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12 NIV

(This photo was taken standing on one of the Bridges of Madison County near Winterset, Iowa)

God’s Timing

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“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

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“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.“

2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

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

To Make Him Known

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

As we learn and grow on our faith journey, we will be given opportunities to share faith

How, when or where we share the gospel is different for everyone

This is about living in the present moments of your life

If we are constantly stewing about the past or what might happen in the future we will miss that which is right in front of us

This is the journey, we will get distracted and sidetracked, it happens to everyone

In our efforts to get to know Him and make Him known, we will read stories of conversion and sharing and it will seem like, wow that person changed who they are instantly and began sharing the Good News with others…that’s not typical, at least it hasn’t been for me

I didn’t start daily devotions in my life until I was in my thirties…

I started posting on this blog in 2013…

I started posting something everyday late in 2015…

I began actually writing thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit on this blog everyday in the beginning of 2018…and here we are today

What you don’t know is all the other things that go on in a person’s life that impacts their journey

We all are part of God’s plan and on our life’s journey, God is helping me narrow the focus on this…

He created me to Know Him and to make Him Known, everything else should lead into that and I am still learning how that works

I want to take this moment to say Thank You for stopping by, reading, commenting and being part of the journey

May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you on your journey

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“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13 NIV

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

Jesus

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“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:17 NIV

We are saved because of Him

We are forgiven

We can find joy, peace and contentment in life because of Him

Even when we have turned away from God, maybe for a long period of time because we are frustrated or mad or we have been overcome with doubt and fear

He calls to us, He cares for us and He is The Way back to a relationship with God

The things of this world will come and go…time, money, people and friendships

The one constant for us, the one thing we know we can rely upon no matter what is happening or where we are in life…we can always rely on the love of Jesus Christ

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

(This photo was taken while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Rest…Hope…Joy…Peace

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

The Heart Of Worship by Michael W Smith

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

(This photo was taken while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park)

His Love Endures Forever

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.”

Psalm 145:8 NIV

Troubles will come

We will experience suffering and loss in this world…yet we do not need to have fear and we do not need to be afraid

We are loved by God with a love that is greater than anything we face

Pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior and our Lord, meet with Him every day…

He sacrificed everything to save you because He loves you and His love will endure forever

Forever by Michael W Smith

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“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.”

Psalm 136:1 NIV

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

Humility

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“Pride leads to disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.”

Proverbs 11:2 NLT

Modesty…humbleness…meekness

Let go of pride and trust the Lord to lead you

It may be uncomfortable, it will be difficult…God never promised life would be easy but He has provided the Way, the Truth and the Life through His Son

Invite the Lord Jesus into your heart and your circumstances

No matter what you have done or what you have not done, He wants to hear from you

God is with us…not because what we do rather becasue of who He is…

Who Am I by Casting Crowns

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“Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and he will come near to you…”

James 4:7-8 NIV

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

Renewal And Restoration

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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

Begin again

trust God to guide you

surrender your heart and mind

with God all things are possible

Trouble will come, things will get messed up and times will be difficult, this is to be expected

Focus on what you can control…how will you choose to respond?

Will you choose hatred, anger, malicious talk and put your efforts into tearing down others?

Many have chosen this way and it brings nothing but destruction

Will you choose kindness, compassion, listening and patience?

Even with your enemies?

Every single person was created by God…clearly it is time for the human race to go back and read the instructions for life found in God’s word

If you are unsure where to begin try the Book of Proverbs or look into the story of Joseph in Genesis

God can renew and restore us if we are willing to turn towards Him

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“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12 NIV

(This photo was taken on Paradise Island of the Bahamas)

Merry Christmas

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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

At Christmas time and throughout the year put Christ in the center of your life

With Christ you will know Hope

You will know Peace

You will know Joy

You will know that the Love of Christ in your heart will help you overcome anything this world can throw at you

May we all see and know God’s blessings in our lives this Christmas and carry them with us all through the New Year

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime by Michael W Smith

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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:11-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)