Purpose

Plans…Purpose

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

If we try to do things our own way for our own purposes all the time we will only find discouragement and frustration

Our purpose comes from God, our Creator

His purpose is based on who He is and His love

If we are willing to seek Him and follow Him we will find His way is better for us

His plan is for our good and His glory

We can put our hope in the Lord and trust His plan and purpose for our life

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

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

Plans…Purpose

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

DSC_0199 publish

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

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

God’s Way

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a] “

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

“I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:24-26 NIV

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

Where Is Your Treasure?

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““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

Father God, You know everything about us.  You know all of our thoughts, desires and intentions.  Help us turn our focus to treasures in heaven.  Please remove any ideas or behaviors that will keep us from becoming the people You created us to be.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

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

God’s Way

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a] “

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

Perspective

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“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

One of the most precious gifts in life is time…where we spend our time gives light to what we value.  When we spend too much time on things that are not aligned with God’s will for us, often we feel discouraged and drained.

When we seek God’s wisdom and we strive to live in His will and purpose for our lives we feel renewed, peaceful and content.  Take time to assess where you are spending your time and seek to look at your purpose through God’s will rather than the world’s perspective.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 NIV

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

Plans…Purpose

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

If we try to do things our own way for our own purposes all the time we will find discouragement and frustration.  Our purpose comes from the Lord, our Creator.  His purpose is based on love and if we are willing to follow Him we will find His way is better for us, His plan is for our good, we can put our hope in the Lord and trust His plan and purpose for our life.  Amen.

DSC_0199 publish

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

He Knows You

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 “I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come. 12 Then you will call out to me. You will come and pray to me. And I will listen to you. 13 When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIRV

Have you had moments like this?  “That’s not what I meant”…”I wish they knew me better”…”I don’t feel like I fit in”…”Nobody understands me.”  I have been there before.  You can be surrounded by people but feel like you are isolated.  God knows who you are, He knows what you can do, He knows how you think and He cares for you.  If you feel like you are off the rails in your life, it is time to get back to God.  He is waiting to hear from you.  He is the Creator, the one who formed you and has been right there with you every step of the way in life.  Turn towards God.  Trust in Him.  May you see the blessings from God in your life each day.  Amen.

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

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

Plans…Purpose

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

If we try to do things our own way for our own purposes all the time we will find discouragement and frustration.  Our purpose comes from the Lord, our Creator.  His purpose is based on love and if we are willing to follow Him we will find everlasting joy and peace.  Amen.

DSC_0199 publish

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Daily Living By Faith

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

“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

Each day is a new opportunity to live out our faith.  To surrender to the Holy Spirit that God has placed in our hearts and strive to live out our purpose.  God’s Word has told us to love God, love others and share the Good News.  He has given us the example of how He wants us to live in Jesus Christ…in the way that Jesus lived and by what He taught in His ministry.  God has prepared everything for us…and He has given us free will to choose how we want to respond…how will you choose to live your life today?

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:1-2 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 during sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)