Savior

Come Near To God

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“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.”

Psalm 145:18 NIV

God changed everything by sending His one and only Son into the world

Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer, He has paid the price for our sins and reconciled us back to God, forever

Come near to God and stay close to Him…no matter what comes your way

God Is With Us by Casting Crowns

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“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

James 4:8 NIV

(This photo was taken at Temperance State Park on the shore of Lake Superior)

Advent Reflections – Peace

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15 NIV

In this world peace is defined as the absence of conflict

The biblical definition of peace is more expansive and is speaking about having completeness or wholeness

It is referred to as the taking of something that is broken and making it complete once again

Jesus gives us peace by taking our broken relationship with God because of our sin and restores it to completeness by His sacrifice on the Cross

We can learn about this peace by spending time in God’s Word and doing daily devotions

Find whatever resource works best for you to spend time studying and learning about Jesus

May the peace of God be with you and flow through you each day

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“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 NIV

(This photo was taken in the Black Hills in western South Dakota)

Our Refuge

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“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your strength in us

Because of Your work in our lives, we are not defeated by the darkness in the world around us!

Help us to remember that You overcame he who is in the world

You live in us, which means we can share in Your victory

Help us to remember who You are and all that You have done.  In Jesus name, Amen

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)

The Son Of God

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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 NIV

Jesus gave up everything and came down from heaven as one of us

He did it to save us by taking the punishment for our sins

He did it for you and me and everyone

He sacrificed himself for us because thats how much He loves us

Take time this Christmas season to reflect on what Jesus, the Son of God, has done for you and the people in your life

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“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Matthew 17:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at park along the St Croix River in Minnesota)

Advent Reflections – Hope

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NIV

Hope is being certian of the good things of God even when circumstances show no sign of things changing or getting better

Hope is to believe what God can do because you know what God has done

We Believe by Newsboys

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“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

Thankful For God’s Faithful Presence

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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 NIV

Father God, You are the bread of life, true nourishment for my soul.  Forgive me when I chase what the world offers, instead of You.  I want to pursue You and know You, rather than empty pleasures.  Thank You for your faithful presence in our world and my life.  Keep me focused on You and an attitude of gratitude today and all through the holiday season.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:9-10 NIV

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

The God And Father Of All

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“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 NIV

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

John 10:10 NIV

People Like Us by Micah Tyler

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

Romans 12:12 NIV

(This photo was taken along the shore of the island of Maui, Hawaii)

God Is Greater

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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

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

1 John 3:20 NIV

Put anything that comes to mind before this title and it will be a true statement…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

Turn towards Him, talk with Him and trust in Him

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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)

God’s Way

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“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a] “

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

“I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:24-26 NIV

(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)

God’s Faithfulness

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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

Good and Gracious God, thank You for Your never-ending faithfulness

No matter what we face You continue to guide, protect and strengthen us

Thank You for sending us Your Son and for our salvation

When unexpected things occur help us turn towards You first and put our hope and trust in You

In Jesus name, Amen

Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)