Transformation

The Peacemakers

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Our faith journey is a process without a ending point.  As we learn about Jesus and we read God’s Word the process begins by helping us transform on the inside…we open our hearts and minds to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit becomes our guide.  This is not the end of the process…as we continue to learn and grow the intention is for us to have this Spirit of peace and goodness flow through us to our neighbors and others.  We are not saved just to be saved alone…we are to become a channel of God’s peace every day.  The Light of Christ should shine through us so that others can see God in who we are and what we do.  Think about it…in what other person in your life have you seen God shining through?  May we be comforted by God’s peace.  Amen.

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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Matthew 5:9

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

We Are Being Transformed

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Trials and temptations will come and our faith will be tested…God can use these times to transform us into something new.  Take a look at James 1:2-18 for more about this.

Diamonds by Hawk Nelson

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“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

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

Alive With Christ

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All people are unique and different in some way.  Yet all of us suffer from similar temptations and the sinful nature.  We are sinners because of things we do and the things we do not do.  Because of God’s love, God’s mercy and God’s grace we have been saved and we can become a new creation that is alive with Christ.  He took upon Himself the punishment we all deserve and He did this because of His love for each of us.  Nothing and no one on earth can do what Jesus Christ has done for us.  Amen.

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“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

Ephesians 2:4-5

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)

Integrity

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Honesty…sincerity…trustworthy…truthfulness…decency…morality…respectable.  These are rare qualities in today’s world.  We all have sinned and have done things against the will of God.  Admitting we are wrong is so difficult when the world keeps sending out messages that ‘Me’ first is how we should want to live.  It is true that God is love, however, this does not mean any and all behaviors are acceptable to Him…take a look at Proverbs 6:16-19 or Proverbs 8:13 for some examples of behaviors God despises.  We live in a fallen and broken world and our ability to admit and confess when we are wrong is the starting point to turning away from behaviors that hurt ourselves and others.  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 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Beyond Forgiveness

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We have been saved…the price has been paid…God has forgiven us for our sins.  However, this is not the end of the story.  It is the beginning of the rest of your story and your faith life.  There is more for you to learn and do…there is a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ beyond forgiveness.  Jesus is your Savior but is He the Lord of your life?  Turn toward God in prayer and ask Him to help you see what’s next?  Amen.

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2018 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

The New Creation

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We often believe the most difficult battles will come from what the world and others are doing to us.  The actual battle that is most difficult to fight is within, it is the battle against the self.  The self is stubborn, persisent and demanding, always wanting to be at the center of life regardless of how that impacts our actions and others around us.  We are blessed with the opportutnity to choose our attitude, our behaviors, our values and our beliefs.  Self-awareness is the first step in learning our tendencies and noticing the habits we have developed in our thoughts and actions.  Self-awareness is learned through self-reflection, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, understanding your values and learning what situations and people bring about an emotional response from you.  It often helps to keep a journal and it is important to invite God into the process…after all, He created you.  The more you learn the better prepared you are to grow and change.  Peace be with you on your journey.  Amen.

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

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

What’s Different?

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How has your faith shown up in your daily life?  When you reflect on your attitude, your perspective and your daily living and compare it to a previous point in time, what do you notice has changed?  Some of our old ways have faded, some are taking longer to adjust…this is the process of spiritual growth.  Not everyone will encounter a burning shrub in the desert like Moses or directly encounter Christ on the road like Saul who became Paul.  Our journey will be different, yet our God who is with all of us is the same.  Be aware of who you are, the people in your life and what you can offer someone in need right where you are and pray.  Pray for wisdom and courage, pay attention to what God is up to in your daily life.  That alone will be different than the way we were before.  Amen.

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.  Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)

We Are In His Hands

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No matter where we are, no matter what our circumstances, we are held in God’s hands.  He is our Creator, our Savior and our Guide for this life.  Things will go wrong, people will make mistakes and darkness will try to overcome all.  What we need to remember is God knows us, God loves us and He is working for the good in our lives today and everyday.  He can renew us, restore us and strengthen us…when we invite Jesus into our hearts and minds and trust in Him.  Let go of the things that are not for you to control and know God has you in the palm of His hand.  Amen.

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23-24

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)

 

Transformation

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What does it look like?  How should it feel?  What is different?  I certainly can’t answer these questions for others as this is a process of spiritual growth and the cornerstone of the spiritual life is our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  For me it is still going on, as I have mentioned in the past, I am a slow learner.  This process is about the change of perspective…when the bible talks about the dying of self and the rising of my focus on Christ, it is 100% in contrast with what I see and experience in the world.  I have spent a significant amount of time talking about the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22 because for me these behaviors are the keys to transforming my life.  There are plenty of days and moments when I get derailed and the desires of the self bully there way into life…hey I’m only human…it is not about that we will make mistakes, what is more important is how we respond when the mistakes happen.  That is one way things can be different in transformation.  Have a talk with Jesus about it for yourself and look and listen for ways to change and to be transformed.  Amen.

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“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:2

(This photo was taken in September of 2014 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Accept One Another

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In our broken and fallen world, it seems everybody is a judge of someone.  One of the principles of being kind and having compassion is rooted in the fact that we as humans don’t know everything we think we know about other people.  We are not created to judge one another…we are created to bear the Fruits of the Spirit to one another.  There are several examples in the New Testament of how Jesus treated those that the rest of society had cast aside.  We would do well to follow His example.  I pray for the wisdom and courage to accept others for who they are and who God created them to be.  Amen.

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“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept on another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

Romans 15:5-7

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)