prayer

Thank You God!

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So I have aged another year and as I reflect I think about my physical age and my faith journey…I am still a child in spiritual growth but so grateful for the opportunity to grow by reading God’s Word, praying and fellowship and I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s presence!

On this day I thank you and praise you God for all you have blessed me with in life and I pray for my interactions with others that they can see you presence in my life and my actions.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

1 Peter 3:8-9

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali beach on Maui)

Rest In Him

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The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

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

Jesus Knows How You Feel

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“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

It is so easy for us to get distracted by events and the words of this world that make us feel terrible.  That is about the time we let our self-talk, you know, the talk in our minds about how alone we are, how nobody really understands…been there, done that myself, too often!

The thing is Jesus does know, he came down from heaven and lived as a man on earth.  He lived an everyday life, not just a miracle making life.  He interacted with people, he got frustrated with others, he felt grief and sorrow, he went to weddings and funerals, he was treated poorly by many and treated with love and respect by others.

He lived a life on earth just like you and me…no matter where you are, how you are feeling, trust in Jesus, talk to him about it today…

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Nebraska)

Perseverance

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Don’t get misled by the ways and words of the world, develop a prayer habit and share what troubles you with Jesus…

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

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

What Is Faith?

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As is it with anything in life the answers are within the Bible, take a few moments to look at the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11.  It begins…

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

As it continues it provides several examples of faith represented in the lives of biblical heroes, who despite their circumstances, persevered in faith to trust God even when everyone around them told them differently.

The statement above is simple, living it out is not easy…we need daily interaction and a growing relationship with the Lord in order to stay on course.

Faith is not an event or a destination it is most definitely a journey!  May God’s peace be with you today as you take a few more steps along the way.

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)

 

Repentence

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We live in a world filled with pessimism and darkness and we all have committed sins and made mistakes…also we have all seen the presence of or been associated with light and goodness and kindness.  We have a choice everyday of every year, do we want to move towards the light or towards the darkness?  Our decisions and our everyday interactions play a part in which way we are moving.  One of the best gifts God has given every single person is free will…we get to choose…light of life or darkness?

When we choose to move towards the light of life one of the first steps and most difficult steps is to admit to our sins, to confess we have made mistakes and have done wrong…we need to be humble before God.

As stated, we have all committed sins and made mistakes, all the prominent names in the Bible committed sins, but how we respond to God regarding our mistakes is important. David committed the sin of adultery even after God had made him a King!  We are all human and will all make mistakes…here are some of the words David used to repent in Psalm 51…

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.  Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

Psalm 51:1-2

Do be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes or have done wrong we have all done that…choose to respond by turning to God, acknowledge your sins and ask for his forgiveness…

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Psalm 51:10-12

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving in northern Colorado)

Reflect and Give Thanks

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“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)

A New Day, Live A New Way

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“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.  Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

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