Savior

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)

Once For All

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Never give up hope.  Out of the most tragic circumstances can come the greatest peace and the greatest joy.  Look at the people alive when Jesus was here on earth.  They believed in him as the one person who was going to save them from corrupt government and tyranny.  Then the most tragic set of events occurred…he died…he was crucified even though he was with out sin.  For three days they mourned and were very frightened for there own lives.  Then the most amazing and unexpected thing happened next…he was raised from the dead.  Can you imagine the unbelievable joy they sensed when they were speaking with him?  Incredible…yet without his death and the death of our sins there could be no resurrection.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.  The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 6:9-11

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

Christmas Day

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“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:11-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in central Minnesota)

Christmas Eve…A Silent Night

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“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)   And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:1-7

(This photo was taken in December of 2017 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)