prayer

Forgiveness

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What we need in the world more than anything right now is forgiveness…the longer people hold on to the pain and bitterness of past events that can’t be changed the more people will suffer…if people want to truly see change in this world…look in the mirror and decide who do I need to forgive?  Pray about it and seek the courage to share that forgiveness so that healing can begin.  This is true for all people on all sides of every issue.  Seek to forgive and you will be set free.  Amen.

Forgiveness by Matthew West

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

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

Living Water

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The water of life comes only from Jesus Christ.  Just like our bodies must be fed and hydrated, we must feed and nourish our faith for it to be strong and to grow.  It is so easy to become too busy and to slip away from God with everyday life and events.  Our source of strength and hope is the living water that comes from Christ.  Amen.

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“Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13-14

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Start With These Things…

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When Jesus was here as a man, some people were unsure on how to respond to Him.  The Pharisees felt threatened by Him, not directly, but they couldn’t see beyond themselves and they were supposed to be the teachers for others…they were fearful of losing their place in the world.  They continually tested and questioned Jesus…the benefit for us is Jesus was asked direct questions about life and how to live and He gave all of us the answers.  If you want to know ‘what is my purpose’ or ‘why am I here?’  Ask Jesus in prayer and pay attention for the answers…Amen.

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“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:36-39

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui)

Wisdom That Comes From Heaven

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Spend time in worship…pray and give thanks to God for His mercy and grace.  Pick some bible verses that speak to you and put them in your heart…use them to fight off evil and darkness.  Seek the Lord and the wisdom that comes from heaven…and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

James 3:17

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

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)