Truth

Do Your Best

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The struggle is real…we strive and we press to finish and to see the result…only to find the race is not over…there is more that needs to be done.  We were made for community to lift each other up and encourage one another.  Each of us has been given different gifts to offer to others, we can’t be everything to everyone and if we try, we will be going off course with God’s plan.  Learn what God has planned for you and the blessings and abilities He has given to you for this life.  Seek to do your best according to God’s will and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

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

Transformation

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Change…modify…reshape…rebuild…renew.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  We are not able to do this alone, although we often try.  In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the answer to the question, ‘how can I change?’  “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6  If you truly want to seek a change in your life seek your relationship with Jesus Christ first and you will be transformed.  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

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 ina neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Our Call

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How do we know what God is calling us to do?  For life decisions and direction?  If we use the world’s measuring stick of ‘what we should do’ we risk missing God’s will entirely.  To follow our call is to surrender self-serving desires, to be humble and patient and to have a foundation of a faith that is built on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  That is what I have learned so far…nobody ever said it was going to be easy.  We will face trouble and struggles of every kind in life and if we are willing to stand firm on the foundation of faith, we will persevere.  Amen.

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“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)

Reflect And Give Thanks

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It is so easy to stay in “go” mode…day in and day out.  Moving from one thing to the next with the calendar driving how we spend our time.  When we learn to stop and reflect, we get the opportunity to realize and appreciate what blessings and gifts God has given us.  No matter where we have been, who we have been with or what we have done or left undone…God has been right there with us every day, every step of the way.  Take a moment to reflect on your life and give thanks to God.  Amen.

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“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

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

He Is Our Hope And Peace

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Our Hope…

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Our Peace…

“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

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(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the south shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin.  The bible verse creation is courtesy of the Bible Lens App)

 

Nothing Can Separate Us

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There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing.  Trust in the Lord…He sacrificed His life to reconcile us with God…this is the greatest gift you will ever receive.  Turn towards God and trust in Him.  Amen.

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“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:37-39

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Commitments

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How do we get better at staying the course?  This New Year’s resolution business is almost always a path to failure.  Some of the most common mistakes is over-committing to too many things or setting unrealistic goals and achievements as well as a lack of patience for change in this fast paced, immediately gratification world.  The biggest mistake we make is either not asking God to guide us or not listening and looking for His will for our lives.  We are easily distracted and believe we have to maintain everything on our own.  The best change we can make is turning towards God first in all aspects of our lives.  Amen.

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Hope

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There is always hope…if you can’t see it or don’t believe it…look again.  Life is not about whether or not hope exists, rather it is about what you see and what you believe…there is always hope.  If you don’t believe it maybe you are looking for it in the wrong place…have you ever lost something where you live, like keys or something similar and you are certain of the last place you saw them and you scour the area all around with no luck?  Then eventually you find them in a completely different place that has nothing to do with your original thought?  If you don’t see hope or don’t believe it exists you may be looking for it in the wrong place…pick up a bible and read, turn towards Jesus Christ and pray and you will find hope.  Amen.

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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

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

His Word

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When we read His Word, we learn…when we read His Word, we are renewed…when we read His Word, we are encouraged…when we read His Word, we feel His love.  I recently came upon another way to enjoy God’s Word.  It is an app called the “Bible Lens”…when you download this app onto your phone it will look through your pictures and try to align a bible verse to your photos and create a new image with God’s Word on it.  As you can expect some have been “just ok” and others have been amazing.  Here is a photo from my phone regarding God’s Word…

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Make time and find ways to enjoy the Word of God in your daily life.  Peace be with you.  Amen.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105

(This photo was taken in August of 2018 on a golf course in northwestern Wisconsin.  The bible verse creation is courtesy of the Bible Lens App)

His Sacrifice

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Jesus Christ was in heaven with God the Father and He came down to live as one of us.  He was born as a baby just like you and me.  He lived a life on earth before He was crucified…three days later He rose and He lives today…and He did it all so that we could have a relationship with God…He did it because He loves you.  Turn towards Jesus, our Savior, give thanks and invite Him into your heart, every day.  Amen.

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“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:1-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)