prayer

Holy Living

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As we learn about Jesus and we read God’s Word, we find that the life God wants for us is not all about money…that message comes from sin and the world, that message is about selfishness.  To live a holy life doesn’t cost money, it is about who you are and how you treat others.  If you spend all your time comparing yourself to others and worried about what you don’t have you are setting yourself up to be miserable.  Trust God, listen to the words of Jesus and live as God’s Word has taught us to live.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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

Colossians 3:12-14

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Trust Requires Patience

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God is working for good things in our life…we must be willing to wait for Him.  If we believe and know Jesus Christ is the Son of God and we confess our sins, and we know the sacrifice that Jesus made to save us…then we know how much God loves us and how far He will go to care for us.  As it says in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Trust in the Lord, wait for Him and good things will come.  Amen.

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“I remain 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.”

Psalms 27:13-14

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

Our Source Of Strength And Hope

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We face difficulties and struggles each day and in so many different situations.  We look for help within the world…yet everyone else is struggling as well.  What are we to do?  Who can we turn to?  There is one who we should turn to and put our trust in, only one, it is Jesus Christ, Our Savior and Our Lord.  He is the source of comfort, courage, strength and hope…find your hope and find new strength in Christ Alone.  Amen.

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

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

 

Pray Faithfully

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No matter what your circumstances are, make time to pray.  If everything is going well and you are feeling good, say a prayer of thanks.  If it feels like the world is crashing down around you, say a prayer for courage and strength.  Prayer is our primary way of connecting with the Lord.  It is about spending time with Him and walking with Him.  Think about it this way…if God is like that person you pass in the hall at work or at school every day and you only exchange a hello or hi and never have a real conversation, how can you know God and His plan for you any better than you know this person?  Invest time in your relationship with God, pray faithfully.  Amen.

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

Philippians 4:6

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

Stand Firm In The Faith

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Faith is most difficult when everything around us is telling us to doubt and have fear.  The overwhelming message from the world is don’t believe…it takes courage to believe and to stand firm in your belief and if you have a solid relationship with the Lord, He will give you courage when it seems hopeless.  If you are unsure of your relationship with God…begin a daily time for prayer and reading God’s Word and stick with it.  There is no right way or wrong way to make time to be with God, the best way is to just start doing it.  All things are possible with God.  Amen.

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

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Listen

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Prayer doesn’t always have to be about you talking…listening is just as important to your relationship with God.  If we are always the one speaking how can we be open to hearing what God is trying to tell us?  This is an especially hard thing to do if we lack patience.  The world keeps giving us the messages of faster, now, immediate gratification and savings!  Yet God does not exist on our time table.  Whatever is weighing you down, whatever is troubling you or has you worried Today…surrender it to Jesus Christ, ask Him to guide you with it, don’t pick it up again, leave it at the foot of the Cross then wait and listen for God.  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 July of 2016 while traveling on Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Trust In The Lord

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When you are facing trouble in this world…when it seems like everything you try or do is failing…when you don’t know what to do next…pray and trust in the Lord. Do something good and wait patiently for God and His will. Trust is hard, especially when we have put our trust in things that have let us down in the past…you can trust in the Lord, He keeps His promises and He is always with you. Amen.

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“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Take Heart!

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In the bible we are told over and over that in this world we will have trouble…there will be suffering.  The prince of darkness and evil does not stop working to keep us away from God…and in some cases we make it very easy for him.  And yet we are surprised that things go wrong or don’t work that way we want them to.  The Word of God is clear and the words of Jesus are written in red ink for us in the bible…who is blessed, how to live, how to pray, ways to share and serve others…and it is all repeated for us from 4 different writers to be sure we get the message…pick up a bible and read what Jesus Christ had to say.  God loves you; He is with you and He forgives you.  Seek a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ and you will have peace.  Amen.

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“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

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

Living Hope

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Hope in this world mostly gets aligned with wishful thinking in general conversations.  This hope is not sure, not firm and is not based on belief.  The hope talked about in the Bible is hope that believes and knows God’s promises for good things.  This hope is supported by our actions and behaviors.  The hope we receive from Christ is a hope that knows that God is for us and working for our good, even when, especially when the visible evidence is against it. The hope from God’s Word tells us to not give up or surrender to sin and doubt, rather know that God is with you and you can trust in Him…not for the things you believe you should have but for the things God knows that you need.  May the God of all hope be present in your daily walk. Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in September of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)

Sing To The Lord

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Music can be an expression of what resides deep within us.  It touches on feelings and emotions.  Music is a language that spreads across the world, to all cultures and to all generations.  It is a gift from God and it is a beautiful way to offer praise to the Lord.  Amen.

Lifesong by Casting Crowns

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“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”

Psalm 95:1-2

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