Peace

Our Response To Trials

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Believing in Jesus Christ and following God’s Word does not mean all of our troubles will disappear.  In fact Jesus stated the truth about our trials very clearly…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

So we know that we will face struggles and trials, how we choose to respond in these times can provide us a path to peace.  If we are praying for the trial to just go away…we need to go back to the verse above and remember that is not what we have been told.  As we read the Scriptures we learn that the only way past our trials is to go through them and we can do that because we are not alone.  When we follow Jesus Christ and the things He has taught us we can find our way through our trials and we can learn from them…and that growth will make us better prepared for trials we will face in the future.  Trust in the Lord…spend time in God’s Word everyday and He will guide you through all parts of your life.  Amen.

“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Peace And Hope

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Our source of peace, our source of hope…only God can provide peace and hope that can endure all troubles and suffering.  The peace of Christ in your heart will hold you up through the most painful moments in your life and the hope from God will guide you on your path as events and circumstances, that you do not control, change in your everyday life.  When we are willing to be humble, to confess that we have done wrong and we turn towards God and seek Him…we will find peace we never knew existed and we will have hope we have never seen before.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in noerthern Minnesota)

Contentment

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Originally posted in July of 2019…

I hope you have enjoyed the music and listening for God in the talent of those who have been blessed to share the Good News through song over the last few weeks.  This morning I am struck by gratitude for all the good things God has given.  There is so much to be thankful for and yet we often choose to wish for things to be different or to have more or less of something.  It seems to be human nature to desire more in some way, however, true joy and peace is found only in contentment.  Think about how much we can enjoy the present moments in life each day if we begin with gratitude and thankfulness for what blessings we have been given and put Christ in the center of our lives rather than ourselves and our desires.  Thanks be to God for all He has done for us and may the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

1 Timothy 6:6-7

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunset on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Patience

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Originally posted in May of 2018…

When we believe and we trust in God we will be required to develop patience in this world.  Circumstances will often look hopeless and many people will despair and be engulfed in sadness and fear, that is the way of evil.  We must never give up hope, we must trust in God to continue working for the good for us and for everyone.  God does not make bad things happen, He is not tempting you with things that are not good…that is sin in the world and we humans invited that sin into this world.  God is at work in all the bad we have created to bring out goodness, kindness and love.  Believe in Him who created us, believe in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ and see the good things that can happen in your life in this world.  May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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

Psalm 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Power Of Prayer

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Originally posted in February of 2019…

We are children of God.  He wants to hear from us.  We may think, well He is God if He knows everything and life is supposed to go according to His plan why do I need to talk to Him?  Think about your relationship with your parents or if you are a parent think about your relationship with your children.  In both circumstances the relationship is always enhanced or stronger when we have good cmmunication.  The same is true with Father God.  Believe in the power of prayer.  Amen.

“When We Pray” by Tauren Wells

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Philippians 4:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Our Refuge

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“As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 18:30

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“Trust in him at all times, you people;
    pour out your hearts to him,
    for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62:8

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

Receive The Holy Spirit

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“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 5:5

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“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 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 14:26-27

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Renew Your Mind

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Whatever has been on your mind…whatever thoughts keep swirling…whatever is in your heart share it with the Lord.  Seek Him and His Word.  The Lord will lead and guide you and renew your mind.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

“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 12:2

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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.”

Philippians 4:8

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

Walk In The Light

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“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 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 1:5-7

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)