Savior

God’s Faithfulness

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“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

No matter what circumstances we encounter in life…

God is with us and God is for us

Even when we don’t see Him or the work He is doing in our lives…He is near

Every promise God made has been kept…

He is faithful and His only promise yet to be fulfilled is when Christ returns

Trust in the Lord and His Word…

He is trustworthy and faithful in everything

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“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 NIV

(This photo was taken at a field near Kimball, Minnesota)

God Is Greater Than __________

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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

Feel free to finish that title with anything you want…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

What is it that you need to remind yourself that God is greater than?

Turn towards Him, talk with Him and trust in Him

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

1 John 3:20 NIV

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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)

Freedom Isn’t Free

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“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

Galatians 5:13-15 NIV

Freedom requires humility, sacrifice and a willingness to put the needs of many before one

Freedom is the result of human beings working together for a common cause…not by shouting and trying to tear others down

  Freedom is earned through courage and a belief in something greater than self

Jesus Christ is the one who provided the example of sacrifice and the willingness to forgive…

We all would do well to read about Him and His example of love

Jesus paid the price for our sin so we could be free to love one another

Time to put down the flaming arrows of hate and to serve one another in love

Thank you God, for Jesus sacrifice and for all the people who serve and have served in the military services of this country…

Thank you for their willingness to put themselves in the line of fire so others can prosper

I give thanks for them and their families that have sacrificed so much in the name of freedom for all of us

In Jesus name, Amen

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“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

Trust…Commit

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“Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalms 37:3-4 NIV

Believe that God is at work even when you cannot see it

Stay focused on the good things

Keep going, keep doing the next right thing to do

Do not be afraid and do not give up

Commit your way to the Lord

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

Proverbs 16:3 NIV

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

Think About Him…

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“A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us. 2 Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 He made it through these attacks by sinners. So think about him. Then you won’t get tired. You won’t lose hope.“

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIRV

When you are tired and run down or discouraged and defeated, think about Him…

When you are frustrated or angry with others, think about Him…

When you feel like there is no hope, think about Him…

Think about Him who endured death on a cross between two thieves…

Think about Him who was spit on and had a crown of thorns pushed onto His head…

Think about Him who had His beard plucked out and gave His back to the whip…

And think about Him who gave His blood and His life

He did it all for us

  He did it because He loves us and He wants good things for us

Rather than focus on the things of this world

Turn your attention towards Him and give Him thanks for who He is and what He has done

And you will find peace

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

(This photo was taken near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Patience and Persistence

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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 NIV

Don’t give up…don’t give in…be encouraged, trust in the Lord’s way

Continue to pray for that person or situation

God is with you and He will lead and guide you

When you grow tired rest in Him…find peace in God’s Word

The one who persists and is patient is the one who will see God’s plan and God’s timing

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“pray without ceasing…”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV

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

The Lord Of My Everything?

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“In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Sometimes I struggle with my faith when it comes to opening up to the Lord for all things

Not only the parts of my life and my heart I think He wants to be involved in…that would be God on my terms

I have come to learn…it does not work like that

God is the God of everything and Jesus Christ is Lord of all

All of creation, all people in all nations since the beginning of time and His love is for everything and everyone

His grace and His mercy will endure forever

It can be so difficult for my finite mind to comprehend the totality of God and His love

He is more than the God of Sunday morning or Wednesday evening…

He is more than the God of when I really need help or a crisis is happening…

He is more than a beautiful sunrise or sunset when we do feel more of His presence

He is also the Lord of housework, the Lord of daily errands, the Lord of trips to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, He is the Lord of where you work and He is the Lord what you do…He is the Lord of everything

The best part of all?

This means He is right there waiting to hear from you about everything

If He is your Lord and Savior that doesn’t mean everything will be easy and good…yet He is with you through all of it

May we know God’s presence, His love, His joy and His forgiveness

In everything

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“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of the life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Psalm 23:6 NIV

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

God Is With You

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“When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

Do not be afraid

God is with you and through His Holy Spirit, God is within you

Every day…all the time

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6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

(This photo was taken at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

By His Wounds We Are Healed

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“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24 NIV

Our sins leave a mark on us

Some sins mark our hearts and our minds

Some sins leave a mark on our bodies and some sins leave long lasting wounds that we try to bury deep within us

These wounds occur because we chase after sinful desires that hurt us and may hurt others

The Good News is the healing power of Jesus

Jesus took the punishment for our sins…

He sacrificed Himself for us because He loves us and He knows we are not capable of saving ourselves

Jesus Christ suffered, was crucified and died for us and it is by His wounds we are healed

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“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 NIV

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

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 NIV

Carry You by Amy Grant

“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 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)