prayer

Trust In The Lord

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Raise your hand if you have ever prayed to God about a problem or a situation and you asked God to help you and then you go and do what you think should happen next only to find you have made it worse…my hand is up.  Trusting God with our words is one thing…living it out in our daily life is another level of spiritual growth.  If we truly want to see God’s work and God’s plan in our life we need to learn how to get out of His way.  I can think of several times when I have been praying about something and have not been patient enough to wait for the Lord.  As I have stated in the past…I tend to be a slow learner.  I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace and know He will be with us no matter how long it takes for us to learn how to trust in Him.  Amen.

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7

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

Wherever You Go…

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No matter how high you climb, no matter how low you go, no matter how far you have traveled or if you rarely leave your hometown…God is with you.  In every situation, every interaction, for every decision, He is there.  Our job is to seek Him, to ask in prayer and to listen to Him by reading God’s Word and attending worship.  Just because God does not do things the way you want, does not mean He is not there, it means His plan and your expectations are not aligned.  Surrender your desire to control the outcome and see what God has planned for you and your life.  Amen.

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“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

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

Forgiveness

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Everybody makes mistakes, everyone makes poor choices.  There are examples of this throughout history.  The most prominent names in the bible committed sins, except for one.  We are broken, we are weak, we give into temptation and the human race is responsible for bringing sin into the world.  Even still we can be saved…Jesus Christ the one without sin who was crucified and died…He is Risen and He is our Redeemer.  No matter what you have done or left undone, turn towards God and confess yours sins and you will be saved.  Amen.

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“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

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

Share With Those In Need

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We are blessed to be a blessing.  Sharing with those in need is about more than a financial giving.  It is sharing whatever God has provided in abudance.  Some have an abundance of wisdom, some the ability to be a good listener, some have a solution oriented mindset and some an abundance of posititvity.  These things and many others like them are blessings from God that can be shared with others.  When reflecting on what you have the ability to share look at your life from a Godly perspective not from the world’s point of view.  Be thankful for what God has given you and share as He has shared with you.  Amen.

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“Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Rest And Restoration

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With all that goes on in the world and in our lives we all need to find rest and to be restored.  It is how we are all made.  Balance is a key element in life.  Eating a balanced diet is best…balance in our speaking and listening time makes us better in relationships…balance in our fun and wild times with our quiet times.  The best recipes have a little bit of this and a little bit of that or a pinch of this and a pinch of that…excess will lead to destruction and definitely a poor tasting meal.  In order to be at our best we need balance in all aspects of our lives…physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  Seek the Lord and you will find rest and be restored. Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

(This photo was taken in September of 2019 at a lake in central Minnesota)

God’s Love

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There is nothing greater, nothing stronger and nothing higher than God’s love.  He showed the human race His love by sending His one and only Son into the world to save us.  No matter what the circumstances of your life are today, turn towards the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you see God’s love in your life.  Amen.

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:16

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

The Name Of The Lord

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When trouble comes, seek the Lord.  When you feel like you are being attacked, seek shelter by turning towards the Lord.  When you are filled with worries and anxiety, find comfort with the Lord.  When you have fear, get courage by seeking the Lord.  We you have joy, give thanks to the Lord.  Don’t limit the experience of a relationship with God by having Jesus as a Savior but not the Lord of your life.  He is with you, every day, everywhere you go.  Amen.

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

Proverbs 18:10

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

 

Commitment

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Devotion…dedication…faithfulness…self-sacrifice….love.  A commitment can be hard at times.  A commitment is not something to be taken lightly.  If you commit to something think carefully about how you will respond when things don’t go as planned or how you expect them to go.  God made a commitment to love us and to save us even though we are still sinners and it was tremedously difficult for Jesus to keep that commitment…yet He was able to fulfill the commitment by staying close to the Father in prayer and trusting the will of God.  Jesus is our example of how to get through the hard times and to remain committed to God and trust Him with all aspects of our lives.  Amen.

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“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:5

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

God’s Word…Our Actions

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Do these things connect easily in our daily life?  We read the words of Jesus and others in the bible and we look around at the world we live in and it really is difficult to see it in action.  Or is it?  Actions that reflect God’s love are happening all the time, all around the world every day…the real questions are where are you looking to see God’s love in action and what are you doing in your circle of influence in the world to show God’s love to others?  Just because the news and social media streams are obsessed with sin, evil, darkness and hate does not mean that is all that is going on in the world…it just means we are looking in the wrong places for Him.  Every single person of all backgrounds and expereicnes have a responsibility to show the love of God to others in some way.  If more people had a goal to show kindness, goodness and love to just one other person each day…it would make such a big difference in the world.  May the God’s love flow through you today.  Amen.

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“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for one’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”

James 1:19-22

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

Relationships

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Successful relationships are two way relationships.  Both people bring unique abilities and attributes to a relationship.  When it comes to parents and children a long term successful relationship is about honor and respect going both ways.  In the beginning of life the parents bring the most to the relationship, they should be sacrificing the most in the beginning to aid the growth and development of the child…over time this needs to shift to the child to be giving and sacrificing as the parents grow older and may need more assistance.  All along the way the best relationships are when all involved bring love, honor and respect to others.  No matter where this stands for you and your parents bring your relationship before the Lord, be thankful and seek His guidance.  Happy Mother’s Day to all you Mom’s out there, may the peace of God be with you.  Amen.

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“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Deuteronomy 5:16

(This photo was taken in March of 2013 in the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)