prayer

Be Courageous

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Faith takes courage, to believe in what we hope for and not what we see.  It takes courage to trust, even when we are unsure how things will turn out.  The world may call you foolish, in fact based on the bible, you should expect it.  It will take courage to stay on your faith journey when things get hard or don’t go the way you want…what you need to focus on is Jesus Christ and God’s Word.  God is with you…trust in Him, seek His will and be courageous.  Amen.

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

Joshua 1:9

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

Self-less

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One of the most tragic afflictions of our time is selfishness.  The me first with a lack of consideration for others attitude, constantly assessing my place in the world compared to others and then determining my own value based on what others think about me.  This perspective pushes God to the side and puts me first as the top priority.  This has always been an affliction on human society and it seems to have grown exponentially since the explosion of social media.  One of the world’s greatest needs right now is more humility.  Imagine the impact on human relationships when people are looking to lift others up instead of tearing them down.  I am not suggesting we ignore self-care rather we put God first to guide us in the way we live.  I pray that we all take time to be humble and serve others more than we look to be served.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition of vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

A Servant Spirit

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Many of our frustrations, arguments and troubles in life originate in selfishness…either our own selfishness or because of somebody else’s selfish desires or wants.  The only thing we have the power to change is ourselves.  So how can anyone ever get along?  It starts with listening, compassion, and a willingness to work for the good of many not just a few.  None of us can attain this attitude of the Spirit without a strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Seek Him, learn about Him and follow His example.  Amen.

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“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Mark 9:35

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

If God Is For Us…

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What more could we possibly need?  He is our Creator.  The Old Testament tells us about the back and forth relationship between the people and God.  Eventually God decides there is only One way to save us and because of His great love for us, it is finished.  God tried many different ways to have relationships with people and Jesus Christ knows what it is like to be human in this world.  God knows you; He knows more about you than you realize and He loves you.  All that is good comes from God, He is with you and His plan is for good things in your life and even though things will go wrong because of sin in the world, He will still be with you to strengthen you and encourage you to keep going, keep trying and keep trusting in Him.  Seek out God and His plan and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us,who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

Romans 8:31-32

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

Gratitude

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There was only one way for sin to be properly punished and for the human race to have the opportunity for salvation.  When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples, He hit a very low point as a human…He knew what was about to happen worse yet He knew it was the only way to salvation for the world.  Jesus knows what it is like to struggle and suffer in this world and He prayed that God would remove Him from the situation…yet then He prayed something very few of us have ever prayed…He said, …“My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”  (Matthew 26:42) He offered Himself to God and God’s plan, for that we can have nothing but gratitude for Jesus Christ and His willingness to die for us.  Amen.

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8

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

Hope

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Our faith relies on hope and our hope is eternal because of Jesus and what He has done for us.  The events and circumstances of our lives are constantly trying to snuff out all hope…if we get distracted and put ourselves in the center of our lives instead of Christ, it becomes difficult to see any hope.  When we choose to live this way, focused on the self, we will be frustrated, disappointed and feel hopeless.  When we turn our attention to the Lord, when we read God’s Word and we pray we can find hope once again.  As it is written in Matthew 19:26 “…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  May the hope that is found in Christ be with you this day.  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 July of 2017 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconson)

God’s Word

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When we open up and read the Word of God, we can sense the Spirit that God has planted within us.  Our faith is living and breathing and needs to be fed.  God’s Word renews us, encourages us and centers us on Him and His plan for us.  His Word is truth, it is fact based on actual events in history and His Word gives us life.  May God’s peace be with you and flow through you each day.  Amen.

Word Of Life by Jeremy Camp

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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1

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

The Good Shepherd

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Jesus is described as our shepherd in many places in the bible.  This is not a common occupation in today’s world, yet the description of who The Good Shepherd is and what it means for us is extremely accurate for our relationship with Him.  He watches over us and ensures we have what we need…He guards us and keeps danger away…He knows everything about us…and most importantly He laid down His life to save us.  You can read more about Jesus the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of John, chapter 10.  We live in peace with The Good Shepherd watching over us.  Amen.

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“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalms 23

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

Trust

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Even when you can’t see the result…even when it feels like everything is working against you, He is working for your good…even when your feel your desires, wants and temptations are pulling you away from God, turn towards Him and be patient.  This can be so difficult to live out each day, yet by reading God’s Word and spending time with Him in prayer, He will renew your strength.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalms 27:1

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Pray

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God is listening…He has shown His love to us in His Word…You are not alone.

Confidence by Sanctus Real

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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.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)