prayer

God Is Love

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Love is about more than words.  Love is about how we treat each other with our actions and our behaviors.  We all will make mistakes and need to be able to forgive as well as be forgiven.  In what relationship or situation in your life is there a lack of love?  Pray about it and ask God to guide you in love.  Amen.

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“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  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.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:8-10

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border between South Dakota and Minnesota)

A Light In The Darkness

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The world is filled with darkness…we all are searching for a light and a way to see more clearly…many of us have been told about The Light and some have even spent time looking towards The Light…yet often we look away and believe we don’t need it or believe that The Light isn’t really there.  Believe in Jesus Christ, He is The Light of the world.  Only He can shine as Light in this dark world…seek Him and you will see.  Amen.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

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

Get Back To God

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When we wander off in the world and go our own way, as opposed to staying connected to God, we eventually will get weary or bored and frustrated.  When what we are pursuing in life is not tied to God’s plan or God’s will for us it will become drudgery.  A personal relationship with Jesus Christ helps our spiritual awareness, we can learn to know when something is not right for us and we will have the courage to speak honestly about it.  Today’s verse below does not say ‘I can do anything I want…’, it is speaking about doing the things that God wants us to do even when we are unsure that we can do them.  Get back to God’s plan and His will and you will have peace.  Amen.

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

Philippians 4:13

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

The Solid Rock

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When trouble comes and we feel run down, overwhelmed, overextended, scattered and the pace of life seems to be spinning too fast…we can find peace and be restored by leaning on Christ our solid rock.  Jesus Christ, His birth, His life and teachings, His death and His resurrection are the foundation of our faith.  Nothing that we will face in this world can compare to what we have when we believe in Him and we trust in God’s Word.  No matter what difficulties and struggles are before you today, stand firm in faith and bring your burdens to Christ.  Amen.

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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 and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado)

Tomorrow

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None of us knows how many tomorrows we have…it isn’t up to us and it never was…the gift of life is about today…how you choose to think, what you choose to say and how you choose to treat others, today.  Because of Jesus Christ we know there is hope, tomorrow…let’s not waste today worrying about what may come.  As they say, we don’t know what tomorrow may hold…but we certainly know who holds us tomorrow.  Amen.

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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

With Prayer…

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Bring your worries, your concerns, your questions and your thankfulness to the Lord with prayer.  As with any relationship your personal relationship with Jesus will grow and become stronger the more you spend time with Him.  Think about the people in your life, your closest relationships…most of the time, these are the people you are interacting with the most in your daily life or you have spent a significant amount of time with them in the past.  The best investment of your time is to learn more about Jesus and you can do it at any time…He is waiting to hear from you.  Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

(Thsi photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Rest With Him

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As the summer is winding down and the schedule of activities and places to be cranks up, it is important to be consistent in taking time to rest in between the coming and going.  Making time and having a place to rest…truly rest…time to pray, read scripture and recharge your mind and spirit is so important.  We can’t be all things for all people all the time…been there, failed at that.  Even Jesus would make time to rest His mind and body…why do we think we could do more than Him?  Seek Him and ask Him to help you find rest in your daily activities.  Amen.

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“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:31

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Make Room For Jesus

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Life can be so full and busy; we often prioritize events by our wants and desires and we easily set God aside.  It seems we are always trying to manage time and a schedule of places to be and people to see.  This is not a new issue in society, sure lifestyles have changed, yet the central issue of being too busy to spend time with the Lord is the same.  When Jesus came into the world over 2,000 year ago, he was laid down in a manger, a structure for the animals to eat from, because there was no room for Him in the world.  Open your hearts and your minds to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, seek Him and spend time in prayer with Him.  Amen.

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“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.”

Luke 2:6-7

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Renew Their Strength

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Turn towards God.  Open your heart and mind in prayer and speak earnestly about your worries, your fears, your burdens.  Open up God’s Word and read the writings He has left for you.  If you believe that your circumstances are hopeless, read the Book of Job in the Old Testament…this person lost everything and He pleaded with God to tell him what was going on…Job wanted answers like many of us.  I have been reminded this morning, that God does not reveal His plan…He reveals Himself with His presence.  He gives us comfort, courage, warmth, perseverance, love, joy and peace.  We can renew our strength because He gives us hope through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31

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

Finding The Way

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We have choices…this way or that way…try this and say no thanks to that.  We will make mistakes, sometimes we will have the opportunity to go back and do it differently, more often we will need to do our best with where we are and what we have with us.  It can be overwhelming and deciding to not chose is also a path that many decide upon.  How do we know what is right?  How can we find out where we fit in best?  Put a relationship with Jesus Christ first in your life, every day.  Why?  Read Isaiah 55:8-9.  God knows best, He has a plan specifically for you and spending time with Him is the best way to learn about Him and His plan for life.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)