Savior

Consistent

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We all experience times and events that are good times and bad times.  Times when we can relax and be at peace and times when chaos reigns, it all occurs depending upon what is going on in our lives and who we are spending our time with.  The environment we choose to spend time in will always impact our highs and lows.  Who are we surrounding ourselves with, are we able to be ourselves or are we always performing for others consciously or subconsciously?  Throughout history there is only one thing that has created a firm foundation to stand on…the bible.  The Word of God and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The values and principles of a life following Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are documented, solid and unchanging.  If you are looking for a place to build your life on start with the greatest foundation available.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

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

Faith Begins With Belief

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In order to grow in faith and to experience spiritual growth in life it is important to renew our belief in Jesus.  To believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came down from heaven, to know that he came specifically to save human beings from their sins, to reconcile all of us with God…to believe He died on the cross and to have confidence that He has risen from the dead and He is going to come back again.  Our faith in God starts with the belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and He is with you each and every day of your life.  There is nothing in life that can compare to that fact.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Living Hope

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No matter what you are facing, no matter what struggle is pressing you down…when you devote your life to faith in Jesus Christ you will have access to a deep well of Hope.  Imagine what it may have been like for one of the disciples, living during Jesus time on earth…the Savior, the one who was coming to save the people, had been born and living on earth…healing the sick and living a life according to God, which was very different from many others on earth.  He had come and they were following Him…and then He allowed himself to be captured beaten and flogged and then crucified…because of who He was, imagine those three days after Jesus died…

Then the most amazing thing occurred and from the most tragic of circumstances, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to many of them…He conquered death.  This same Jesus is with you no matter what…put your Hope in Him.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Path To Peace

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The first steps to finding some peace for me have come from learning about faith and learning about Jesus.  Through weekly worship, daily devotions, listening to christian music and serving to help others in need.  The next steps to lasting peace are actually getting to know Jesus in personal relationship, through prayer and listening, taking time to sit outdoors in nature in the quiet and to be at peace.  The farther down the path you go the harder it can be at times because of the world we live in…that is when it helps the most to remember that Christ is with me, even if I don’t sense His presence.  Trust in God, trust also in Jesus as He is The Way to peace.  May God’s love and peace be with you.

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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 August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The Final Word

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Once again I find myself in worship through music.  This time it is a song by The Newsboys.  Our journey of life will have ups and downs, highs and lows, struggles and joy.  We can find our way through anything if we stay close to God and His Son Jesus.  He gave up everything for us and He did it because of love.  No matter the situation of the events in your life…remember God has the final word.  Give this a listen…The Cross Has The Final Word by The Newsboys.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“Nothing is all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Hebrews 4:13

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali Beach on the island of Maui)

 

Life By Faith

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Give it your best, know that your efforts are important to what is happening in your life.  Trust that there is goodness even if it is hard to see.  We must not give up hope…no matter what is present in your daily life, seek the Lord, consult with God in prayer and live with the hope of the resurrection in your heart.  From even the most tragic of circumstances God created a new hope for us all.  Live with the hope that God provides through His Son Jesus in every situation.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:7

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

True Peace

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There is only one way to find real peace while living on earth.  There is only one who is our Savior, who gave himself up for us so that we may have life.  There was no bargaining…He didn’t say I will do this for you if…He did it because He loves us unconditionally.  In all the world and in all of human history you can only find true peace in Christ Jesus.

Several years ago I was a chaperon for a lock-in with the youth at the church…we were playing a game through out the church, I forget the name, but if your got caught during the game you had to go to prison.  While in prison you would compete against others in bible trivia…if you answered correctly you were free to leave.  One young lady decided early on no matter what the question, she had one answer…Jesus.  She would say it quickly and excitedly even before I could finish reading the question…I would read ‘What was the name, Jesus! she would say…it seems she had figured out faith more quickly than most of us.  No matter what questions or situations you are facing in your life the only answer is…Jesus!

May God’s peace be with you.

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

1 Peter 5:7

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Be Led By The Spirit

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In order to make change in the world that will last the best place to focus on changing is  human behavior.  An excellent place to start is with yourself.  If you are willing to take on such a challenge you will find quickly that this type of change is difficult, especially for the human race.  A change that will last can’t be done alone…will power, will only get one so far because we are weak and broken and we live in a world of darkness.  A real change in behavior requires surrender.  After we live for so long trying every which way to do things the way we believe they should be done and we become exhausted with the results…we become ready to ask God for help.  This is just human nature.  He will still take us up on the request no matter when in life you ask.  When you realize that your only hope is in God and His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit…go all in…this doesn’t mean go quickly…it means go in wholeheartedly with all that you have to give…completely surrender to God’s plan and you may be surprised at what is in store for you, your life and your relationships with others.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

The Light Of Life

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We frantically run around looking for the answers to events we can’t possibly comprehend…we reach for futile attempts to feel in control. This has been true throughout human history…just pick up a book and read about it (I have one in particular I would recommend).  We are in the dark, evil and the prince of this world is real and he is very busy and he is very happy if you choose not to acknowledge him.  Another book I am currently reading is ‘The Case For Christ’ by Lee Strobel, as I read about his process of coming to Christ I reflect on things and wonder why have so many people in today’s world have given up on faith? The only answer I come to is…that is exactly what Satan is constantly working on anger, hate, selfishness, fear, worry and a whole host of sad human behaviors that keep us in darkness.  If we don’t turn to Jesus, if we don’t seek Him and the Word of God we will continue to be lost souls.  I pray you see God’s presence somewhere in the world today.

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

His Sacrifice For Us

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How often is it that we come across someone who literally has everything they need and everything they could want…a person that willingly decides I am ready to give up everything I have to help others?  It has happened and there are people in the world who have sold everything they own and gone overseas as a missionary.  I am pretty certain that is not what God has planned for me and my life…but to stop and think about the fact that Jesus was literally sitting at the right hand of God and came down to be born as a baby…to become one of us, in order to save us because of his love for us…that someone would willingly give up everything to help save you and me…I am eternally grateful for Him.  May God’s peace be with you.

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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, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14

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