Joy In God’s Promises

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel.”[f] 

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

“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.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

Father God, we are holding tightly to our hope in You.  We trust that You are faithful, and we believe that You will always fulfill Your promises.  Thank You for promising to bring justice to unjust situations.  Thank You for promising to fulfill Your plans for us.  Thank You for sending Your Son and for promising to return to Your people.  You are faithful, Lord-and we will trust in You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 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.”

Luke 2:8-11 NIV

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

He Won’t Fail

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Matthew 7:24-27 NIV

Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes

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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)

Thank You God

“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, thank You for the incredible gift of salvation.  Thank You for Your grace and mercy.  Thank You for sending Jesus to make it possible for us to have a relationship with You.  Help us to live in gratitude every day.  Show us ways we can grow and share the Good News with others about Jesus.  In His Name, Amen.

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Praise the Lord.[a]Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Psalm 106:1 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)

Come Near…Trust God

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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 NIV

Father God, I want to seek You with all my heart.  Each day, help me draw closer to You.  Guide me through each decision, and inspire me with new dreams.  I trust You Lord and I want to honor You in all that I do.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

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

The Road That Leads To Life

6 “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

Father God, You gave us Your Son, the Light of the world.  Give me courage and strength of character to follow Jesus unconditionally.  No matter what trials or temptations I face, I want to walk with Him.  I want to experience a personal relationship with Him.  Lead me and guide me to follow the narrow path.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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13 “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

(This photo was taken near Winterset, Iowa)

He Has Risen!

This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Acts 2:23-24 NIV

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They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’  Then they remembered his words.”

Luke 24:2-8 NIV

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

Good Friday…God’s Love

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

John 19:30 NIV

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation.  God has shown you just how much He loves you, cares for you and values you.  He sent our Savior, His Son, who sacrificed Himself for our Salvation.  Thanks be to God for His everlasting love.  Amen.

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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 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

A Foundation Of Faith

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] [a]

Matthew 17:20-21 NIV

Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes

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“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24 NIV

(This photo was taken near Dillon, Colorado)

It’s All About You…Jesus

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
    the righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Heart Of Worship by Michael W. Smith

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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

(This photo was taken while driving in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Palm Sunday

A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[c]

“Hosanna[d] in the highest heaven!”

Matthew 21:8-9 NIV

Yes You Are Worthy by Eagle Brook Music

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You are my God, and I will praise you;

    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:28-29 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling through Colorado)