How He Loves by David Crowder Band
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)
Truth
We Are Not Alone
Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…you are not alone in your fight. God is with you…He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20 and several more times. Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise and His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation…it is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him. Amen.
“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
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Transformation
The journey of faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ does not end with us coming to the Cross. We all must come to the Cross, confess our sins and ask Christ into our hearts and minds to help turn us away from sinful desires. After that transformation can begin…you see the journey continues as we must go back out into the world with a new attitude and a renewed mind and live the life God intended for us. As referenced yesterday, when Saul became Paul that was just the beginning of his transformation that led to the spread of Christianity across the world. Turn towards Jesus Christ and be transformed. Amen.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 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 12:1-2
(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
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An Encounter…
Many of the Books in the New Testament are a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the people in the churches He started. They are meant to teach, encourage and guide the people. They are also His prayers for them. Paul, formally known as Saul, had an encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and from that point forward everything single thing He did the rest of his life was about shining a light on Jesus Christ. When we read his letters, we learn about Jesus and a new life that puts faith first. Amen.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:16-19
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)
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Focus
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.
“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)
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Not Done Yet…
Your journey continues…keep going…be persistent…act with courage and kindness…pursue what is next with compassion and goodness…ask God to guide you and stay close to Him, because God’s not done with you yet. Amen.
God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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 1:4-6
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)
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Nobody…
Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
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Humility
The message in the bible is clear…we need to learn how to be humble. Selfishness and self-serving behaviors are running wild in the world. God knows it is a problem for the human race and He made sure it is talked about often in His Word…
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 12:9-10
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:5-7
If you want to know more do an internet search on bible verses about humility. Turn towards Jesus our Savior and the one who set the example of how to be humble by caring for others. Amen.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
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Contentment
What are we seeking in our daily lives? We all have needs and wants…at what point are we content with what we have? Ready to share any abundance we have received? This goes well beyond the financial status of our lives…though many of us get stuck on that one…the truth is if we are looking for contentment in the things of this world we will be disappointed as true contentment will not be found in money, a job or career, any human relationship or any amount of power or position…it can only be found in a relationship with God. Spend time in your relationship with Jesus Christ, read God’s word and you will give yourself the opportunity to know contentment that only comes from God. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii)
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Our Father
Being a parent requires a willingness to sacrifice to serve the needs of others. What we give up is nothing compared to the loving and nurturing relationship we can have with our children throughout life. Here to, God has set the example of a Father who has given up so much so that He can have a loving, engaging and nurturing relationship with you. We would do well to not take Him for granted…He is our Father, who loves us and wants good things for us. Take time to be with Our Father. Amen.
Good Good Father ft. Pat Barrett by Chris Tomlin
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Psalm 103:8
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 