Truth

Do Not Worry

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It can consume us if we allow it to…worry.  What does it do for us?  There is a famous quote that is attributed to many different individuals…I believe it is famous for what it says not because of who said it:

“Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere”

We have a choice; we can sit and worry and stew about things or we can make use of the time we have by meeting with God about these things and trust in Him to guide us and lead us.  Do not worry, seek the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

“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

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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

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The Gift Of God

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The Spirit with in us.  It guides us and leads us…not with anger, bitterness and disrespectful behaviors, rather is provides the Fruit of the Spirit for all aspects of our lives.  Amen.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

2 Timothy 1:6-7

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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

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Commit Your Way

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Stand firm in faith.  Trust God and His plan for you.  We will not always see the way or understand His plan, yet we know that all good things come from God.  Amen.

“Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.”

Psalm 37:5

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“…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

 

Courageous

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You were created out of God’s love…He is with you…do not be afraid, be courageous.  Amen.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly[a] with your God.”

Micah 6:8

Courageous by Casting Crowns

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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

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park in Montana)

 

Our Counselor

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We all have been given the gift of free will…to decide, to make decisions every day about how we will choose to respond to circumstances and situations in our lives.  Yet we are often quick to allow the thoughts, words and actions of others to drive how we feel.  Maybe that is how we are made, to listen and to be guided…unfortunately we have not chosen to listen to the only one worthy to guide and counsel us…our Lord and Savior.  Seek Him…seek wisdom and listen to the Counselor who loves you.  Amen.

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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Psalm 32:8

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)

Help Wherever You Can

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There is a quote by John Wesley who was an English clergyman from the 1700’s that best sums up daily life and serving those in need.  If more people took the time and effort to help someone else in a way that they can there would be fewer people in need of the basics in life of food, shelter and clothing.  None of us can solve the whole problem alone yet we can help when we do whatever we can.  Amen.

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

-John Wesley

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“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:40

(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)

Faithful God

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Our God is faithful to all His promises…forever.  Amen.

Forever by Chris Tomlin

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of Gods in Colorado)

God Is Love

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As we live and learn and grow on our spiritual journey, we slowly gain a greater understanding of God’s love.  It is one thing to hear about it, read about it and know it in your head and it is something much greater to experience it and know it in your heart.  God is love, He loves you and His love will never let you down.  Amen.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:8

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“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:9-12

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)

Be Thankful

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What are you thankful for today?  How often are we able to look for something to be thankful for during difficult times?  It is not easy…yet it is a choice.  An attitude of gratitude may not come naturally to us but we should strive for it as it can make such a big difference in our lives.  We don’t have to do it alone…start by thanking God for Jesus Christ and what He did for you at the Cross and see where you can go from there.  Amen.

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:15-17

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Faith, Trust…Hope

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God has shown us how much He loves us by sending His One and Only Son to the Cross to die for us, even though we were still sinners.  We didn’t earn it; it is a gift from God.  No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done…Jesus Christ died to save you.  Put your faith in God, trust in Him and you will find hope.  Amen.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

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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 June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)