The Cross

Focus

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What are your thoughts like?  What is on your mind more often than other things?  What issues or actions grab your attention?  There is so much coming at us in our daily lives that we easily lose focus.  We are distracted, constantly shifting from one thing to the next, never getting anywhere.  So much of what is put before us is the work of evil and darkness, working to keep us away from God and our relationship with Jesus.  The more we take time to focus on God’s word and spending time in prayer the more clearly we can see the important things in life and let the other stuff fade away.  Renew your thoughts and your mind and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:2

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

The Cross Of Christ

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Come as you are…no matter where you have been…no matter what you have done or left undone…come to the Cross of Christ…you have been forgiven and you will find peace.  Amen.

The Cross Has The Final Word by Newsboys

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now 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 June of 2015 while traveling in South Dakota)

Jesus

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Immanuel…Light of the World…King of Kings…Lord of Lords…The Good Shepard…Bread of Life…Living Water…Prince of Peace…Wonderful Counselor…Lamb of God…The Truth…The Way…The Savior of the World.  Amen.

Give Me Jesus by Jeremy Camp

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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

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

Seek Him

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Jesus Christ…He sacrificed Himself to save you.  No matter what has happened in your life, no matter what you have done or left undone…He is waiting for you with open arms, to pick you up, to forgive you and restore you.  He is ready to do that for you and for others in your life because He loves you and He loves them too.  Jesus Christ is the way…He is the only way to fellowship with God.  Amen.

The Way by Housefires

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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 near Glacier National Park in Montana)

Forgiveness

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What we need in the world more than anything right now is forgiveness…the longer people hold on to the pain and bitterness of past events that can’t be changed the more people will suffer…if people want to truly see change in this world…look in the mirror and decide who do I need to forgive?  Pray about it and seek the courage to share that forgiveness so that healing can begin.  This is true for all people on all sides of every issue.  Seek to forgive and you will be set free.  Amen.

Forgiveness by Matthew West

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“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Matthew 6:14-15

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

Come As You Are…

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Come to the Cross…All are welcome…No matter what has happened or where you have been, Come lay down all your burdens and be healed.  As it says in today’s song, “earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal.”  Amen.

Come As You Are by Crowder

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“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:12-13

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in northern Colorado)

Trust His Plans

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We have so many thoughts and ideas about ‘how things should go’ or ‘ the way things should be done’…we put our own expectations on situations and interactions and how many times have we heard or thought, ‘well that is not how I thought that would go’ or ‘wow that was unexpected.’  Yet we still struggle to learn that we are not in control of anything other than our own actions, reactions, attitude and behaviors.  Take your worries, your burdens, your fears and your frustrations to the Cross…lay them down at the feet of Jesus and surrender your life to God’s will.  Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at Clark Tower in Winterset City Park in Iowa)

Good Friday…God’s Love

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Sacrifice…Savior…Salvation.  God has shown us just how much He loves you, cares for you and values you.  He sacrificed His Son, our Savior 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

(Photo credit: Stockphoto)

Sacrifice

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An offering…to give up something of value to serve a greater cause or to help others.  During this Holy Week we recount the events that led to the greatest sacrifice in human history.  Jesus Christ suffering and sacrificing Himself to death on a cross in order to save us from our sins.  And just when we may wonder ‘what more could He do’…He spoke these words while hanging on the cross, “…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  – Luke 23:34  Whenever I reflect on these events, I typically end up asking myself the same question in my mind…’what have I done for Him, after He has done so much for me?’

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“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45

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