prayer

Facing Trials

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We are not made to do this on our own…so many people try to go it alone.  We need faith and a belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We need a community of believers to pray with us and for us.  Every trial can provide growth in our relationship with Jesus.  The trials will keep coming, that is just part of what we are facing in this fallen world.  There is hope, there is joy and there can be peace if you believe in God and trust Him with your life.  He has shown His love for us through the sacrifice of His One and Only Son.  Whatever are you are facing today…take it to the Lord in prayer.  Amen.

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, becasue you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”

James 1:2-3

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 while on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)

Our Plans…His Plan

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The faith journey can feel like a repetitive cycle.  We read God’s Word, we go to worship, we listen and learn.  We believe we understand and will now go and live according to what we have learned…then as humans tend to do, we try to take control and go off our own way and end up frustatred and wonder what happened?  Then it’s back to God’s Word and going to worship, etc.  How can this cycle be broken?  When we get to a point where we are about to take some form of action, something that we normally would do,  we need to pause, step aside and pray.  Ask God what do you want me to do here?  Ask Him to give us wisdom according to His plan and then wait and listen.  It could be we are spending a siginificant amount of our time on something God never intended for us to be doing.  The only way to find out is between you and Him.  Seek the will of the Lord for your life and live.  Amen.

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“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

God’s Purpose For You

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What is it?  When was the last time you asked Him, directly?  What would it look like to get a direct answer?  Or has this question been answered, several times, several ways and we just are not sure or we don’t like what is being said?  We were all made for a purpose and it is not always the purpose we think it should be…it actually is something better then what we come up with on our own.  To help us understand more about our purpose we should reflect and think about the things that come easy to us that we can do that another person may not be able to do for themselves.  Look around your life right where you are…if you are willing, God can use you there too.  Seek the will of the Lord for your life because He is with you every step of the way.  Amen.

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“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10

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

Nothing Can Separate Us

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No matter what we do or where we go, we are still loved by God.  We tend to think, not me, God deosn’t really love me…look at the things I have done and left undone.  Look at what I said, look at my life and the things that have happened because of me.  To this I say look at the examples of people in the Bible.  Peter, rejected being associated with Jesus three times after Jesus was arrested.  Rahab in the Book of Joshua, she was a prostitute who acted with faith and courage to help God’s people capture the Promised Land.  Saul who became Paul…he hunted down and killed many of the followers of Jesus and yet the Lord still loved him and made him one of the greatest teachers of the faith in the New Testament.  There are many more like these.  We are not perfect nor will we ever be, we will make mistakes and do the wrong things…inspite of it all God still loves us and wants to help us grow and mature in our faith.  Trust in the Lord.  Amen.

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“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

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

Hope

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Sometimes it is all we have…often times we have a hard time seeing it.  We get consumed by our circumstances and our emotions.  Our hope is because of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  All that is good is from God and all that is darkness and evil is from sin and the sinful nature.  We can trust in God to lift us up, to give us strength and to guide us to peace and joy.  It is up to us to seek Him and His will for us.  May the grace and mercy of God’s love be with us all.  Amen.

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“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave your nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

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

God’s Peace

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As hard as it may be to believe there is true peace available during life on earth.  To find it, we must be willing to seek Him.  We must be open to surrender.  We need to be persistent in allowing God to transform our attitudes and perspectives to be more like Christ.  Peace will not be found rushing from here to there, always in a hurry, scrolling through social media feeds for hours…there is no peace in those things.  The comforts and conveniences the world offers do not bring peace they bring an unsatisfied longing for more.  The world offers to help you “save time” but for what?  The peace in our realtionship with God can teach us to appreciate the time we have and it can calm our spirit.  True peace can be with you…if you believe in Jesus, the next step is to turn to God and ask Him for His help in finding it.  Amen.

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“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

Listen

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There is so much noise. So much useless information. So many false words and lack of integrity all around us. It becomes overwhelming and often the best thing to do is to turn…it…off. One of my favorite bible verses for bringing calm is Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God…” The society of the world and its desires are not interested in giving you peace. We must claim our time for quiet, we must prioritze sitting and listening for God’s voice above all others. It is the only source of true peace and real joy. God is with us, seek Him and listen. 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 them, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20

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

The Power Of Prayer

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We are children of God.  He wants to hear from us.  We may think, well He is God if He knows everything and life is supposed to go according to His plan why do I need to talk to Him?  Think about your relationship with your parents or if you are a parent think about your relationship with your children.  In both circumstances the relationship is always enhanced or stronger when we have good cmmunication.  The same is true with Father God.  Believe in the power of prayer.  Amen.

“When We Pray” by Tauren Wells

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

Philippians 4:6

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

Pray

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Communicate…petition…give thanks…ask..seek…listen, do all of it with an open heart and an open mind.  Prayer is not about the words you use rather it is about sincerity, belief and a willingness to trust.  Prayer is about our relationship with Jesus.  Because of Jesus we have the gift and ability to develop a deep and strong bond with God.  As with any relationship in our lives the best ones take a significant investment of time.  May we all take our greatest worries and biggest triumphs and share them with God in prayer.  Amen.

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“pray continually”

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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

Praise And Worship

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Tune your spirit to align with God.  When you find yourself in that moment you will know it.  There is nothing like it.  I have very few words to share with you this morning as my faith is best expressed through song.  May the love and joy of the Lord wash over you and bring you peace.  Amen.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Psalm 118:24

How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin

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“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spriritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

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