Savior

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

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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.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV

“He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“

1 Peter 2:22-25 NIV

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“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

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

God Is Our Rock

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful

Thank You for making a way for us to know You

You are enough for us

  Please show us where You are working in our lives

  No matter what we face or what circumstances are before us, we will choose to wait patiently on You, our Rock

  We know that You will protect us and that You will finish the work that You have started in us

  In Jesus name, Amen

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“There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2 NIV

(This photo was taken at Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado)

Joy Because God Is Faithful

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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

“You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness, even when we have been unfaithful to You

Thank You for Your presence in our lives and for never leaving us alone

We know that You will continue to guide us and protect us as You work in us and through us

Help us remember to place our hope and trust in You, so that we can experience true joy

In Jesus name, Amen.

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“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.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Battles Along The Way

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NIV

We are not alone while on this journey of life

No matter who or what or how much trouble we are facing in this world nothing is too big for God Our Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

Life should come with a warning label given to all at a young age…

WARNING: Life will be difficult do not try this alone

Take time to seek Jesus, read about His life on earth, His teachings, His sacrifice, His victory

It is all available for us to read in God’s Word

God made sure we would have the opportunity to see His Word and to know Him

May peace be with you on your journey

Remember turn to God for the battles along the way

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7 NIV

(This photo was taken near Colorado Springs, Colorado)

The Son Of God

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“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Hebrews 1:3 NIV

Jesus is ‘The Way’ to God

The world, our flesh and Satan will all attempt to lead us astray

No matter where you are

No matter what has happened to you or in your life

Turn in prayer to Jesus…trust in Him

The Son of God is waiting to hear from you

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day

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Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

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

An Ever-Present Help In Trouble

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“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

When you are stuck or in trouble, what do you do?

Who do you look to for help?

God has told us…He is here, He is with us

In every place we go and in all circumstances

Live each day with the knowledge and the comfort of knowing

He is with You and He is an ever-present help in trouble

The door to hope and help can be unlocked from the inside…open it and seek Him

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Narrow Path

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“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:5-6 NIV

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”

Luke 13:24 NIV

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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. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

(Thsi photo was taken in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Merry Christmas

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At Christmas time and throughout the year put Christ in the center of your life

With Christ you will know Hope

You will know Peace

You will know Joy

You will know that the Love of Christ in your heart will help you overcome anything this world can throw at you

May we all see and know God’s blessings in our lives this Christmas and carry them with us all through the New Year

Merry Christmas!

Christmastime by Michael W Smith

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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, 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 2:11-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

The Greatest Love For All People

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“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

There is no issue or circumstances too big for God

No matter what, God’s love is greater than anything or anyone

He offers this love to everyone, everywhere

He did this by sending His one and only Son

Tonight we celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior and Lord

Merry Christmas to all people!

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“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.”

Luke 2:10-11 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Perfect Peace

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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 NLT

There is one way to peace

It will not be found in worldly values, events or possessions

Our guide for perfect peace is Jesus Christ

When things are spinning out of control or chaos seems to be ruling the day

Step away to a quiet place and focus your thoughts on Jesus

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“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Romans 5:1 NLT

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