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It’s Simple…

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Treat other people the way you want them to treat you.  When you stop and think about it…often times yelling and anger gets you more yelling and anger right back at you…and kindness and a smile often get a kind response back.  We are in charge of our attitudes and how we treat others and Jesus tells us the simple Golden Rule of life in the bible.  Read about what Jesus teaches us and follow the example He has set for us.  Amen.

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Luke 6:31

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“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Transformation

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Change…conversion…revision…reshaping…remolding…rebuilding…reworking…renewing.  God is our Creator and He made each and every one of us.  He made us with a purpose and as we live our lives we get influenced and distracted by the world, by worldly desires and worldly expectations and we lose sight of what God made us to be.  This is not about what you do as a job or career, that should not define you, rather it is about who you are as a person in your everyday life and interactions.  Turn towards Jesus Christ and your faith, revisit the person God made you to be according to His plan.  Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Walk In The Light

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Our faith is about more than what we believe…it is also about how we put what we believe into actions.  A faith journey is best lived inside-out…start with you…what do you believe…what is your relationship with Jesus Christ…your sin…your confession…this isn’t a check the box in the process type of thing, it is a daily surrender of self-centered desires.  As we build our faith on the foundation of coming to the Cross, we can take the things we learn and put them into practice in our daily lives and interactions…this is a journey that requires commitment, it requires a willingness to sacrifice and it provides peace and joy that is beyond our imagination.  May peace be with you.  Amen.

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“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.”

1 John 1:6-7

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

Wisdom From Heaven

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I pray we all seek the wisdom of God.  His message in the bible…the example His Son Jesus Christ set for us…the guidance His Holy Spirit provides us as that small voice in our minds.  The current times show how hurtful it is when we are selfish.  Because we are human, we all are convicted of selfish behavior at one time or another and when unity is what the world needs the selfishness of human behavior is magnified.  There are many people who are doing good things in the world right now to help others and I pray we hear more about those stories and we seek to live that way.  Lord, forgive us when we are selfish and teach us how to care for others just as you have cared for us.  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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:17-18

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through the state of Washington)

He Is With You

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No matter what, no…matter…what!  No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, no matter how long you have strayed or how long it takes you to learn…God is with you and waiting to hear from you.  Profess your faith, confess you sins and trust in the one who stays with you through all things.  Amen.

The God Who Stays by Matthew West

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

Don’t Stop Praying

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As I awake this morning there are 2 songs that I can’t stop hearing in my mind that are constant reminders to not give up…we must learn to be patient and persistent.  No matter how long you have been praying about something and you haven’t seen a change…don’t quit…keep praying…believe…many people fall away from God because He does not work on our time line.  Remember He is God and He knows what is best for us even if we can’t see it.  Trust Him in everything.  Amen.

Haven’t Seen It Yet by Danny Gokey

Blessing I Can’t See by Building 429

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“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Luke 1:37

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Way

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The way to get through times of difficulty and struggle is found with Jesus Christ.  The current days show clearly that what the sin of the world values is finite and can vanish instantly without warning…leaving us lost and our minds wandering with questions about our choices in life.  It is never too late to turn towards Jesus Christ your Savior and tell Him you believe in Him…confess your sins and let the Holy Spirit be your guide.  If you are searching for the way to get through difficult times, start there and see what God has in store for you.  Amen.

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6

(This photo was takne in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Word Of God

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It is a source of comfort…it renews us…it purifies us…it teaches us…it guides us.  If we plant the seeds of the Word in our hearts and minds it will come to us at times when we don’t have our bible with us.  It can calm our fears…it can relieve our stress and it can provide unexplainable peace.  Read God’s Word every day, build your faith, seek His wisdom for your life.  Amen.

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

Psalm 119:105

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Fruit Of The Spirit

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Even though we all know about the common thing that is impacting everyone in the world, there are still battles everyone is fighting that we don’t know about.  The impact of a pandemic goes far beyond are you sick or is someone in your house sick…there are people who were struggling with the basic needs in life before this ever started and it could be worse now…there are still people battling mental illness and this situation is adding another level struggle…the list could go on and on.  Life is hard and often unfair and if this pandemic has magnified anything it is this…how we treat each other in our daily life is so important…every person you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so be kind, live your life with the Fruit of the Spirit shining through your thoughts, your words and your actions.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)