Salvation

Lay Down Your Burdens

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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.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

Carry You by Amy Grant

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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 May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Forgiven

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“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave

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

2 Corinthians 5:17

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

The Way Of The Lord

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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

“Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.”

Psalm 27:11

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“I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Park in New Mexico)

His Sacrifice, Our Salvation

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Nobody loves us as much as God loves us…Jesus gave up heaven with the Father to come down to earth as one of us…from the glory of the angels singing to a manger as a baby on earth, because there was no room for Him.  Make room for Him in your heart, seek Him and trust in God.  He loves you and wants good things for you.  Amen.

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

Romans 8:31

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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

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The One Thing

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God came down from heaven…He did it to save us…He did it because He loves us.  Amen.

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:30-33

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“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:6-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Carry Your Cross

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The bible does not say, if you follow Jesus, your life will be easy and worry free.  One of the most difficult elements of faith is commitment…no matter what is happening, no matter where we are, no matter how difficult life can become…we must remain committed to Jesus Christ and our faith.  The Good News is we don’t have to do any of this alone…

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

Jesus Christ knows what it is like to suffer in this world…He has carried His Cross and because He did, we are saved.  We cannot choose the things that will happen to us…yet we are 100% responsible for how we choose to respond.  Follow the example of Jesus our Savior…carry your cross.  Amen.

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now 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 August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

Peace

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If you are looking for peace in your life turn towards the One who brings peace to all who follow Him…Jesus Christ.  Amen.

“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 14:27

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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

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a laek near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Rejoice

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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

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 3:16-17

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on Paradise Island in the Bahamas)

The One Thing

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The one most important thing we need, is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord more than anything else in our life.  From that relationship all other aspects of our lives will be impacted…that is the one thing everyone needs.  Amen.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6

“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

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