prayer

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)

I See Your Goodness All Over My Life

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

Nothing in our lives is wasted

God is near and always working for our good

Look closely and you will see God’s goodness

All over your life

Evidence by Josh Baldwin

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

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

Renew Our Minds

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

Do not conform any longer 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

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

Father God, we want every aspect of our lives to be honoring to You

Sometimes our thoughts get set on things that do not honor You

Help us each day to renew our minds – to replace negative thoughts with those that are good and pleasing to You

Help us remember Your truth in every moment

In Jesus name, 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 ESV

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

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)

Seek Him And His Kingdom

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33 NIV

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:7-8 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to the world

Give us courage and strength to follow Him in the New Year

Regardless of our trials or temptations, help us to seek Him each day

Give us wisdom and endurance to pursue Him above all else

Guide us on sharing Him with others

In Jesus name, Amen

We Believe by Newsboys

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17 NIV

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

Today And All Throughout the New Year

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

Nothing in our lives is wasted

God is still working

Do not be deceived by the enemy

God loves you

God wants you to live life to the full

Don’t give up

Don’t give in to sin

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

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“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 1:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at Kathio State Park 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)

God’s Plan

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

As we reflect on the year that is ending and look towards the New Year

May we all have the courage to surrender our plans

To ask God what is His plan for our lives

We know from His Word that His plan is for our good

Today and every day let God lead the way

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

John 15:7 NIV

(This photo was taken in a neighborhood in central Minnesota)

Wait For The Lord

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV

The world preaches immediate gratification, seek more…quickly

Obedience to God is upside down according to the world

God is with you and working for your good and His glory

Keep seeking Him…Keep praying

Trust in the Lord and wait for Him to complete His work on His timeline

It may be you just haven’t seen it yet…

Haven’t Seen It Yet by Danny Gokey

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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

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountian National Park)

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)