prayer

Greater Is The One Who Is In You

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“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

We are constantly under attack from Satan, the world and the flesh

The Good News includes this one critical point

God is greater than all of it

He is with you, He is within you

Greater by MercyMe

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“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?“

Romans 8:31 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Joy…Prayer…Gratitude

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“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, by Your grace, You have offered each of us a relationship with You

We can be known by You, and we can know You

Thank You for giving us peace that extends beyond our feelings and circumstances

Thank You for protecting us in this dark world

We give You thanks because we can experience joy and find peace with You

In Jesus name, Amen

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

(This photo was taken on a walk in central Minnesota)

In The Midst Of The Storm

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“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

No matter what is happening…no matter what has gone wrong in your eyes

Our God has promised to never leave you and never to abandon you, so don’t turn away from Him

Don’t ignore Him…seek Him because He is waiting to hear from you always…even in the midst of the storm

Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns

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“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

The Goodness Of God

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“The Lord is gracious, kind and tender.
    He is slow to get angry and full of love.
9 The Lord is good to all.
    He shows deep concern for everything he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9 NIRV

All that is good is from God

The evil, the darkness and terrible things in this world are the result of sin

God’s plan was the Garden of Eden before Eve and then Adam were disobedient

God doesn’t tempt us or make bad things happen

God is good

He forgives, He Heals, He renews and He restores us

Even though we don’t deserve it

The Goodness Of God by Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

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“Your kingdom is a kingdom that will last forever.
    Your rule will continue for all time to come.

The Lord will keep all his promises.
    He is faithful in everything he does.
14 The Lord takes good care of all those who fall.
    He lifts up all those who feel helpless.
15 Every living thing looks to you for food.
    You give it to them exactly when they need it.
16 You open your hand
    and satisfy the needs of every living creature.”

Psalm 145:13-16 NIRV

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

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

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“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV

“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“

1 Peter 2:22-25 NIV

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Holy Forever

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“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23-24 NIV

Father God, we want to honor, worship and praise You

So often, we fear people and circumstances more than we love You

Remind us that You are greater than any situation or person we encounter

We know You are Holy Forever

You alone are worthy of our worship and praise

Help us put You first in everything

Remove any distractions or fears that hinder us and keep us focused on You

Because You are Holy

Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 150:6 NIV

(This photo was taken near the Black Hills in western South Dakota)

Actions Of Hope

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

An action of hope means getting practical

It means working and doing things with trust in God’s plan even when the circumstances don’t reveal it

Actions of hope are a way to live in faith and to put your trust in God

In Jeremiah 32 there is a story of Jeremiah buying a field at a time when Babylon was coming to capture the city

This was not a logical action at the time rather an action of hope because God had said the people will return to buy fields, build houses and live in this land

Destruction was coming yet Jeremiah bought a field

Nothing in your life is wasted…God is at work

Turn towards God in faith and ask for His guidance for opportunities for you to take actions of hope in your life

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“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in North Dakota)

Wisdom From Heaven

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“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:13-18 NIV

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

There is a large difference between what is considered wisdom in the world and what is truly wisdom that comes from God.

So much of a difference that God’s Kingdom is considered an “upside down Kingdom” compared to the wisdom of the world

What kind of wisdom are you seeking?

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at Palisade Head along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Measuring Success

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“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV

The measure of success we have in our life depends on which race we have chosen to run

Have we decided to pursue the race of the world, chasing money and possessions, constantly consuming and comparing our standing or our place in the world with others on social media?

Or have we been working on pursuing the race marked out for us by God’s will?

Making faith more important than things, focusing on our relationships, how we treat others and seeking to grow in our spiritual life

God has given us the gift of free will and so we have the ability and the responsibility to choose which race we will run

No matter where we are today, God is with us and we can trust in Him by turning to Christ in prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit to guide our path

Best of luck to you and to everyone in your race today

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.“

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

God Is Our Rock

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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[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful

Thank You for making a way for us to know You

You are enough for us

  Please show us where You are working in our lives

  No matter what we face or what circumstances are before us, we will choose to wait patiently on You, our Rock

  We know that You will protect us and that You will finish the work that You have started in us

  In Jesus name, Amen

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“There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2 NIV

(This photo was taken at Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado)