Peace From God

“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

Good and Gracious God, thank You for promising to bring us peace.  In every situation, help us continue to keep our minds on You and Your good promises.  Because we trust in You, we know we don’t have to be anxious about anything.  Continue to remind us of this truth throughout every day.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Peace Be Still by Hope Darst

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You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in central Minnesota)

Nothing Is Impossible

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:19-20 NIV

Father God, You make all things beautiful in their proper time.  Nothing is too hard for You to accomplish.  You are faithful to keep Your promises.  It’s easy for me to forget that You are not done working.  Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave.  When I grow weary or afraid, help me remember that You are with me, You are faithful and that nothing is impossible for You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo of a young Loon was taken on a lake in central Minnesota)

God’s Promises

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

2 Peter 1:2-4 NIV

Father God, I trust that You are faithful, and I believe that You will always fulfill Your promises.  I am holding tightly to my hope in You.  Thank you for promising to fulfill Your plans for my life.  Thank You for promising to be with us and to never abandon us.  Thank you for promising the return of Jesus.  You are faithful Lord – and I will trust in You.  Amen.

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“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush[a] and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
    and because I love you,…”

Isaiah 43:1-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

God Is My Rock

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful.  Thank You for making a way for me to know You.  You are enough for me.  Please show me where You are working in my life.  No matter what I face or what circumstances are before me, I will choose to wait patiently on You, my Rock.  I know that You will protect me and that You will finish the work that You have started in me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“There is no one holy like the Lord;
    there is no one besides you;
    there is no Rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2 NIV

(This photo was taken at Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado)

Trust God

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

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Good and Gracious God, You are my source of strength and hope.  You are the foundation of my life.  With You, all things are possible.  I will place my hope in You.  Even when everything around me seems to be crumbling, I will put my trust in You.  I will not be afraid because You make my life secure.  Thank You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset while traveling in South Dakota)

Reflect with Gratitude, Go Forward with Hope

Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

Father God, thank You for being faithful.  Thank You for making a way for me in this life.  When I reflect on past events give me an eye for gratitude in all circumstances.  Please show me how You are at work in my life.  I want to choose to patiently wait on You, becasue I know that You will finish the work You have started in me.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset by a lake in Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Goodness Of God

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

Father God, thank You for being our good Father.  We are so grateful we can always count on You.  You bless us and Your love is poured into us.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.  Thank You for sending us Jesus.  Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

God’s Faithfulness

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness, even when we have been unfaithful to You.  Thank You for Your presence in our lives.  You are always with us even when we are distracted and not paying attention to You.  We know that You are always working for our good.  Thank You for continuing to protect and strengthen us, help us continue to place our hope and trust in You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

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

Trust Because Anything Is Possible

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

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Father God, I believe in You.  No matter what happens or what my circumstances, I believe that You have overcome the world.  You are my constant source of peace.  I know anything is possible for You, just by looking at Jesus, His birth, His teachings, His death and His resurrection.  I praise You because You are the One in whom I can trust.  Thank You for sending Jesus and for saving me.  I know You are in control and that with You anything is possible.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Renew Our Minds

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2 NIV

Good and gracious God, when we look at the world around us, the news, social media etc. we feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and our thoughts start to spiral.  Father God, please help us change the way we think.  Your thoughts are better than our thoughts, Your ways are better than ours.  You provide hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak.  Help us take every thought captive as we give You our concerns and renew our minds by reminding us of our purpose.  Help us remember that You are near and that You are walking right along with us every day.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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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 in July of 2021 at at Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)