prayer

We Must Humble Ourselves

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It’s not about me.  There is a significant difference between self-care and self-centered.  To be humble takes courage, to admit that we make mistakes and poor choices with an attitude of seeking redemption is a path to peace.  Jesus taught us about humility…

“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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“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnestoa)

Walking With God

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A faith journey.  It begins with prayer.  It grows as we read the Scriptures, spend time in devotions, engage in our communities, serve others…it transforms us with a new attitude centered on God and His will for us.  Trust in God, spend time on your relationship with Jesus Christ and pray…pray about everything, every day.  Amen.

“Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly[a] with your God.”

Micah 6:8

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

Unfailing Love

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God’s love is everything for us…there is nothing like it and there is nothing on earth that can separate us from it.  Take time to worship and praise Him for His unfailing love.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:7-12

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“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8

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

The Way Home

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We all have choices and decisions to make in life and each one leads us either closer to or further away from God.  God provides all that we need, an instruction manual for life…the Bible…He has provided the One who can lead us…Jesus Christ.  Meet with Jesus regarding the path you are on and follow Him…He is the only Way home.  Amen.

Home by Chris Tomlin

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

John 14:6

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“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

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

Who Is It?

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Who is knocking on the door of your heart and mind?  If it is Jesus, go to the door and open it and invite Him in…do not be afraid.  If it is something else…if it is the sinful nature and the way of darkness, do not open that door…seek your relationship with Jesus Christ and He will go to that door for you…because that is what He did when He died on the Cross to save you.  Who is knocking at the door of your heart and mind?  Amen.

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 while standing on one of the covered bridges near Winterset, Iowa)

The Lord Is Near

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He is closer than you think…He knows what is on your mind.  Take your thoughts, your gratitude and your worries and your burdens to God in prayer.  Be patient and persistent…pay attention to His responses in the many ways He speaks to us.  Trust in the Lord.  Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 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 4:4-7

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

Praise The Lord

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Thanks be to God and Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord.  We are forgiven and we are renewed…our purpose now is to love the Lord with all that we are and share the Good News of the Gospel with others.  We are to praise the Lord.  Amen.

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150:6

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“I love you, Lord, my strength.

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

Psalm 18:1-2

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

A Solid Foundation

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When we stand on the foundation of faith and a personal relationship with God, we can trust that where we stand is firm ground and even though all around us is uncertainty, fear and anxiety we are held by God’s love and we will be guided through the troubling times if we stay close to Jesus and God’s word.  The only solid foundation we will find in this life is with God.  May His peace be with you.  Amen.

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“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12

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

Surrender Your Way

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Seek the way of the Lord.  Spend time with God.  Read God’s word.  Pray.  Seek to understand rather than judge.  Cast all your worries and fears on Him who sacrificed Himself to save you.  God loves you and He wants a personal relationship with you…turn towards Him in faith and trust His way.  Amen.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

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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 last night at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)