Trust God

He Makes All Things New

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Anything is possible with God

God can make all things new

Not on our timeline or when we want it…rather according to His plan and His timing

His plan and His way is better

God is with you and God is for you

He has shown you how much He loves you by sending His Son to the Cross to die for you and through the resurrection He has made your relationship with Him new

Choose God’s way and His plan…He makes all things new!

All Things New by Steven Curtis Chapman

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“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Courage

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Father God, thank You that no matter how hard life is, I can always find hope in You.  You will never abandon me, never stop loving me, and never give up on me.  Renew my hope and strength.  Encourage my heart, so I can encourage others.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass near the Montana-Wyoming border)

Contentment

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

1 Timothy 6:6-9 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful.  Thank You for making a way for us to know You.  You are enough for us, and You make us enough.  Please show us how You are at work in our lives.  We will choose to patiently wait on You, because we know You will finish the good work You have started in our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Do Not Fear

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“So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Fear Is a Liar by Zach Williams

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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Peace Of God

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27 NIV

Father God, we often find ourselves overwhelmed by circumstances that are beyond our control, and we are easily distracted by things that don’t matter.  Please forgive us for not consistently placing our trust in You.  Even when we are faced with intense situaitons, You are still near.  You are the Creator of peace, and we can have access to Your peace-filled presence whenever we draw near to You.  Help us to make room in our hearts and minds to experience the peace You freely give.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 NIV

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

Surrender

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“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

I once read in a daily devotional these words…”God does not need our help or cooperation in establishing purpose in our lives…only our surrender”

We need to remember that God is with us and within us always and at all times…instead of thinking He is only near when we pay attention or recognize His presence

We need to ask ourselves…What have I been trying to plan and control that I need to surrender to God?

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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 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Joy Because Of Who God Is

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“Shout for joy, you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;
    burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”

Isaiah 49:13 NIV

We can have Joy because God is who He says He is

God’s character, His love, His grace, His mercy, His compassion and the comfort of His presence are reasons to celebrate and praise Him

We can have Joy when we choose to believe in Him and have a personal relationship with Him

Seek the Lord and you will know Joy

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Trust…Rest

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight”.[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Father God, it is easy for us to worry about circumstances in our lives.  Each day, help us to remember that You are always in control.  Today, we are trusting in Your protection, provision and plans for us.  Because we know You care about every need and desire we have-we know we can rest.  Give us peace as we give You control of our lives.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Why Worry?

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“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?”

Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

Lord Jesus, I trust You.  I do not need to understand everything that is happening – I just need to be still, and know You.  You fight for me.  You died for me.  You are for me.  Thank You!  You are enough for me, and so I will place my hope, my trust, my joy and my future into Your hands.  I believe in You.  In Your name, Amen.

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“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

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

When Trouble Comes…

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“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

Father God, You are strong and faithful.  Thank You for encouraging me through Your Spirit, even when I am struggling.  Help me never give up but to continue to follow after You regardless of my circumstances.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Botanical Gardens in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)