prayer

Trust In The Lord

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“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    nor will you let your faithful[a] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:7-11

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

With God…

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…there is hope, so don’t give up.  Anything is possible when we put our trust in God, anything.  Amen.

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

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

Philippians 4:13

(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Transformation

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Confess your sins…Believe in your heart…and Pray.  Some examples in the Bible of transformations…the woman at the well in John 4 and Saul becomes Paul in Acts 9.  God wants a relationship with you.  Make time to be with Him.  Amen.

“But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[a] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:8-10

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

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

Humility

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“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Luke 18:10-14

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“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.”

Romans 12:14-16

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

Problem Solving And Decision Making

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The Book of Proverbs is full of good stuff…advice that is straight to the point, understandable and most of them are less than 140 characters…

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
    the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Proverbs 18:10

“Plans fail for lack of counsel,
    but with many advisers they succeed.”

Proverbs 15:22

“Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and at the end you will be counted among the wise.

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

Proverbs 19:20-21

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Turn Towards God

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This is the first thing we should do with every aspect of our lives.  We often try to go it alone and then turn to God as a last resort…even then He will be there for us because of His mercy and grace.  No matter what the circumstances are…bring it to the Lord, trust in Him…it is never too late.  Amen.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Be Different

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“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:15-17

“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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“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

Pray

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When wondering about prayer, Jesus set the example for us.  He not only gave us the words of the Lord’s prayer…He lived it in His actions and behaviors.  Prayer works…true, sincere, honest and from the heart prayer works.  It is not about granting you what you want, when you want it.  It is about your relationship with God.  If you struggle with prayer…think about when a child is learning to talk…they don’t use the right words the right way when they first speak, yet it gets better over time.  They also do not get everything they ask for but the communication is still very important for their relationships.  Dedicate time to prayer every day.  Amen.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Luke 5:16

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

Luke 6:12

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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

Daily Living By Faith

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 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 12:1-2

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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“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

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