relationship with god

A Life Verse

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The bible is full of wisdom and knowledge.  God has provided this for us to help us in this fallen world.  He knows we will face trails, temptations and suffering during our time on earth and he even has experienced it through the life of his Son.  One way to stay focused on the Word of God is to choose a verse or verses that keep you aligned with God in all areas of your life.  It can be different verses at different times of life, the important thing to remember is the source and the peace and comfort you get when you remind yourself of that verse.  Here are the verses I have been holding onto most recently…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo is one of my favorites, it was taken by my daughter in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Perspective

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Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians…

“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me.  Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:10-13

 (These photos were taken in December of 2013 in northwestern Wisconsin)

 

Which Way Should We Go

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“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Keep Feeding Your Faith

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“All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:25-27

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Comfort and Healing

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“Is any one of you in trouble?  He should pray.  Is anyone happy?  Let him sing songs of praise.  Is any one of you sick?  He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

James 5:13-16

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Custer State Park in South Dakota)

We Will Come Under Attack

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We need to be careful not to underestimate the power of evil and darkness in this world.  We should read the Word of God daily to help us keep God in the center of our lives.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:10-15

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park in South Dakota)

Be Transformed

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Falls Park in South Dakota)

Because He Lives!

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The answer to any question that speaks about what is possible…can be answered in some context with this phrase…”Because he lives…all things are possible with Christ.”  The joy and peace I feel on a day like this reflecting on who Jesus is and what he has done is incomparable to anything in this world!  Christ is Risen, he has Risen indeed!  Hallelujah!

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

(This photo was taken in the summer of 2014 in central Minnesota)

Below are the lyrics to a song recorded by Matt Maher a great song for this day!  Check him out on Youtube:  https://youtu.be/PBvU7arNhQs

“Because He Lives (Amen)”

I believe in the Son
I believe in the risen One
I believe I overcome
By the power of His blood

Amen, Amen
I’m alive, I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen, Amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives

I was dead in the grave
I was covered in sin and shame
I heard mercy call my name
He rolled the stone away

Amen, Amen
I’m alive, I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen, Amen
Let my song join the one that never ends

Because He lives
I can face tomorrow
Because He lives
Every fear is gone
I know He holds my life my future in His hands

Amen, Amen
I’m alive, I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen, Amen
Let my song join the one that never ends

Amen, Amen
I’m alive, I’m alive
Because He lives
Amen, Amen
Let my song join the one that never ends
Because He lives
Because He lives

Nothing Can Separate Us

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“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  As it is written:  ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  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 8:35-39

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

He Shows Us The Way

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“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.  ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’  he asked them.  ‘You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that should do as I have done for you’.”

John 13:12-15

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)