Renew

Transformation

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Change…conversion…revision…reshaping…remolding…rebuilding…reworking…renewing.  God is our Creator and He made each and every one of us.  He made us with a purpose and as we live our lives we get influenced and distracted by the world, by worldly desires and worldly expectations and we lose sight of what God made us to be.  This is not about what you do as a job or career, that should not define you, rather it is about who you are as a person in your everyday life and interactions.  Turn towards Jesus Christ and your faith, revisit the person God made you to be according to His plan.  Amen.

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Come Near…

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Listen to songs of worship…go to a quiet place and pray…read God’s Word…reflect on where and when have you seen God at work in your life…have gratitude and give thanks for the blessings you have in your life…share whatever you can with those who are in need…these are just a few of the ways you can come near to God…none of them cost money, only a willingness and a desire to have a relationship with Him.  Use this time to connect or reconnect with God the Father, Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

James 4:7-8

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

I Will Rise

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In this world we will have trouble.  We will get knocked down, turned away, rejected and discouraged because we live in a fallen world, filled with our sin.  Do not be defeated…turn towards God in prayer, be encouraged and strengthened by His love, proclaim your faith in Jesus Christ, believe and He will help you rise.  Amen.

I Will Rise by Chris Tomlin

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
    Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
    the Lord will be my light.”

Micah 7:8

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Rest With Him

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What can we do…where can we go…to get a moment of rest?  True rest and refreshment of your mind, body and spirit is found when we take time to rest with God.  It can be in prayer, reading God’s Word or even just sitting quietly in a peaceful environment.  There are these and many more ways to spend time in your relationship with God…how you do this is between you and Him…if you do this, well that is all up to you.  Take time to rest with Him.  Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while visiting Rocky Mountain National Park)

Be Transformed

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To change…modify…reshape…rebuild…reconstruct…renew.  A transformation is the creation of a new way, a new way of thinking, a new approach.  For something or someone to be transformed the old ways and old thoughts must be broken down so that the new way can be created.  Transformation is personal and it is not easy…we should be careful that we do not assume that one person’s transformation will be the same as another person.  The greatest power we have in the transformation process is prayer.  Take time to be with God in prayer and be transformed.  Amen.

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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.  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

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

The New Has Come

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God renews us…God restores us…He takes away the sin and darkness and makes us new again.  All that we have done wrong and messed up, only He can make new again.  Our hope is found in Christ…if you are staring at a new beginning or change of direction begin by humbling yourself and surrendering your plans for God’s plan.  He truly does make all things new.  Amen.

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:7

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake place in central Minnesota)

Renew Their Strength

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Turn towards God.  Open your heart and mind in prayer and speak earnestly about your worries, your fears, your burdens.  Open up God’s Word and read the writings He has left for you.  If you believe that your circumstances are hopeless, read the Book of Job in the Old Testament…this person lost everything and He pleaded with God to tell him what was going on…Job wanted answers like many of us.  I have been reminded this morning, that God does not reveal His plan…He reveals Himself with His presence.  He gives us comfort, courage, warmth, perseverance, love, joy and peace.  We can renew our strength because He gives us hope through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)

The Fruit Of The Spirit

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When we come to Christ and seek Him, we are renewed.  The Holy Spirit within us encourages us to live by the Fruit of the Spirit more and more and to leave the evil, anger, hatred and darkness behind.  The more we use the Fruit of the Spirit when thinking about ourselves and while helping others the better our life will be.  Most of us are too hard on ourselves and too hard on others…things can be different.  Pick up God’s Word and read about it, pray and ask for forgiveness of your sins and to have the Fruit of the Spirit stirred up in you.  May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.  Amen.

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

Galatians 5:22-23

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

Renew And Be Restored

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Begin again…trust God to guide you…surrender your heart and mind…with God all things are possible.  Trouble will come, things will get messed up and times will be difficult, this is to be expected.  Focus on what you can control…how will you choose to respond?  Will you choose hatred, anger, malicious talk and put your efforts into tearing down others?  Many have chosen this way and it brings nothing but destruction.  Will you choose kindness, compassion, listening and patience?  Even with your enemies?  Every single person was created by God…clearly it is time for the human race to go back and read the instructions for life found in God’s word.  If you are unsure where to begin try the Book of Proverbs or look into the story of Joseph in Genesis.  God can renew and restore us if we are willing to turn towards Him.  Amen.

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“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 December of 2018 on Paradise Island of the Bahamas)

 

Renew Your Strength

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Many aspects of life on earth can make us weary and tired, shaping our perspective to approach life with negativity, doubt and fear.  We often forget, daily, that we can choose our attitude and perspective for this day.  If we focus all our thoughts and energy on the problem and why me, then we may get stuck and begin to spiral downward.  We can be renewed and draw strength by turning our focus to the Lord.  No matter what you are facing remember God is in control and if you put your trust in Him, your strength will be renewed.  Amen.

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“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)