Savior

Repentance

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To admit when we are wrong…to be accountable for our actions and behaviors…to walk in truth.  The hardest part is typically the first step when it comes to repentance.  It takes a level of humility that pride is fighting against.  Since we live in a broken and fallen world we know that judgement will come from others even though it is not theirs to deal out.  The foundation of our faith, a relationship with Jesus Christ is what we all need to be able to move through repentance and begin to turn away from sinful behaviors.  Offer up your repentance to God and His Son Jesus and begin to heal the wounds of guilt and fear.  Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Sing Praise

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Today is a day of worship.  Give thanks and praise to the Lord.  May we be comforted by His mercy and grace and know that God is with us…Forever.  Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; his is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:9-11

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Saved By Christ

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A sacrifice…an offering of redemption…grace…mercy…humility…love…Savior.  There is nothing or no one in our lives as compassionate as Jesus Christ.  He lived a life on earth just like everybody else…only He suffered more than anyone else and He did it knowing it was going to happen the whole time.  He offered Himself up to take the punishment we all deserve and He did it to save you and to save me.  Give thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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

Isaiah 53:5

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)

Amazing Love

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There is no one in life that will be able to show us through their actions the love that God has demonstrated for us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross.  His love endures through every aspect of our lives.  Through the greatest joys and through the deepest of sorrows…God’s love is surrounding each one of us.  No matter where you are or what is happening turn towards the Lord and you will find comfort in His 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

(This photo was taken in October fo 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Savior…Sacrifice…Salvation

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The world tells us to pursue money, comfort and the easy life.  To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often, this is the sinful nature and it has taken hold in many people.  There is a way to be different and to live with purpose and it is based on your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father.  Spend time reading God’s Word and learn about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  May the peace of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Jesus

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We are saved because of Him.  We are forgiven.  We can find joy, peace and contentment in life because of Him.  Even when we have turned away from God, maybe for long period of time because we are frustrated or mad at God or we have been over come with doubt and fear.  He calls to us, He cares for us and He is The Way back to a relationship with God.  The things of this world will come and go…time, money, people and friendships.  The one constant for us, the one thing we know we can rely upon no matter what is happening or where we are in life…we can always rely on the love of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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

John 10:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Christ Died For Us

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As we read about the life of Jesus in the Bible, we hear about how His presence alone was powerful.  When He spoke it captured the attention of anyone around, it didn’t matter if what He was saying was making them feel good or made them feel fearful, everyone listened intently.  Something was different about this man, He was more different from any other person.  Then there were the miracles…healing the sick, feeding the hungry, bringing the dead back to life.  He was a friend to those that society had cast aside and He could see people in a way that no one else could.  He was God in human form and He came down from heaven to save us.  Before He began His public ministry, a ministry He knew would end with His death on earth…He spent 40 days in the desert fasting.  As of yesterday, we have entered a similar 40 day period…how will we take time to connect with Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord over the next 40 days?  May the peace of the Lord be with you on your journey.  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

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

Holy Living

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It is a choice we face every day…what is the way we are going to choose to live this day?  Others are going to do, say and think things and we do not control that.  Our response is up to us and nobody else.  The sinful nature is going to push hard for selfishness and putting the self before others, do we have the foundation of faith to be able to put on the full armor of God?  To learn more about the armor of God grab your Bible and look to  Ephesians chapter 6.  The truth in everything begins at The Cross…start there and see what happens next.  May the mercy and grace of God wash over us this day.  Amen.

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“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:  anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Colossians 3:7-10

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Hold On To Jesus

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It is said the tighter we try to grab on to the things of this world the more they slip through our fingers.  If I just do this or if we can just get to this point then everything will work out as we plan…as if it is all up to us and we are in control.  Then as we get older and begin to realize it is not up to us alone, there is the danger of going too far the opposite way…it doesn’t matter what I do, nobody cares anyways or I could just disappear and no one would notice.  Both directions of belief are extreme, as humans we tend to go too far one way or the other and we tend to get too high or too low…imagine a horizontal line of your beliefs intersecting with a vertical line of your emotions and you get…The Cross.  To find balance come to The Cross and hold on to Jesus.  Amen.

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I 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 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

My Rock, My Fortress And My Deliverer

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The Book of Psalms is filled with songs and prayers of David that express a wide range of emotions.  As you may know I believe in the power of music and its ability to stir us up in the deepest places of our hearts.  I am thankful to those who have been blessed to create and produce music and do so out the love and passion they have to share their gifts.  Today the words to one of David’s songs strikes me as comforting.  I encourage you to read the entire Psalm 18…I will share the verse that grabbed my attention this morning below.  Peace be with you on your journey.  Amen.

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

Psalm 18:2

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)