prayer

Our Refuge

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your strength in us

Because of Your work in our lives, we are not defeated by the darkness in the world around us!

Help us to remember that You overcame he who is in the world

You live in us, which means we can share in Your victory

Help us to remember who You are and all that You have done.  In Jesus name, 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?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

The Fruit Of The Spirit

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and was resurrected to save us from our sins and we confess our sins to God…the Holy Spirit will come into us

It is not a feeling and not an emotional state of mind it is the presence of God living in us and working through us

When we surrender our old way of thinking (worldly values and self-centeredness) and we live with the Holy Spirit pouring into our hearts and minds the results will be the Fruit of the Spirit flowing through us in our thoughts, words and our actions

May the Fruit of the Spirt flow through us during this season and all year long

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

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

Light Of Life

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When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to rescue us from a life separated from You

Today and during this season, please give us the courage to draw close to You, and to seek You with all our heart

Your Son is our Light in this dark world

Your Light is our salvaltion and guide

Please use us as a light in the world to show Your love, grace and mercy

In Jesus name, Amen

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“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.”

John 1:4-5 NIV

(This photo ws taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

We Have This Hope

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“See, I will create
    new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
    nor will they come to mind.”

Isaiah 65:17 NIV

All Things New by Big Daddy Weave

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“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:4 NIV

(This photo was taken in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Son Of God

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“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Jesus gave up everything and came down from heaven as one of us

He did it to save us by taking the punishment for our sins

He did it for you and me and everyone

He sacrificed himself for us because thats how much He loves us

Take time this Christmas season to reflect on what Jesus, the Son of God, has done for you and the people in your life

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“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Matthew 17:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at park along the St Croix River in Minnesota)

Advent Reflections – Hope

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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 NIV

Hope is being certian of the good things of God even when circumstances show no sign of things changing or getting better

Hope is to believe what God can do because you know what God has done

We Believe by Newsboys

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“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

Share The Good News

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“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

We live, we learn and we grow

As we read God’s word and learn about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ we are not only learning for ourselves…we also have a responsibility to share what we learn with others

Especially, the younger generations

Often the wisest people are those who choose to learn from life’s experiences

Each one of us has certain experiences that give us knowledge about different aspects of life…as we learn, we can share to help the future generations to benefit from our experiences

This is true for our faith journey as well…seek the Lord and share what you learn with the younger generation

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“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

Psalm 100:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Thankful For God’s Faithful Presence

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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 Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV

Father God, You are the bread of life, true nourishment for my soul.  Forgive me when I chase what the world offers, instead of You.  I want to pursue You and know You, rather than empty pleasures.  Thank You for your faithful presence in our world and my life.  Keep me focused on You and an attitude of gratitude today and all through the holiday season.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:9-10 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

What’s Different…Perspective

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.“

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

Different by Micah Tyler

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.  Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

God Is Greater

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“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.”

2 Chronicles 2:5 NIV

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

1 John 3:20 NIV

Put anything that comes to mind before this title and it will be a true statement…God is greater

No matter what you can think of, our God is greater

This means whatever is on your mind, whatever is pulling on you or keeping you distracted, whatever burden you are carrying…God is greater than that issue, that problem, that worry, that concern, that guilt or shame

It doesn’t matter if we are are talking about the past, the present or the future…

God is greater than all things and He is with you right now

Turn towards Him, talk with Him and trust in Him

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“You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

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