Truth

The Power Of Love

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When you have fear, choose to overcome it with love.  When you are struggling, choose to keep going with love.  When you don’t know what to do, serve others with acts of love.  You may ask, ‘how do I do that?’  Start by reading 1 Corinthians 13…it explains fully what love looks like.  Jesus Christ is our greatest example of God’s love for us, if we believe that He is the Son of God and we confess our sins, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and that will help us do our best to show the love of Christ to others.  May the peace, love and joy of the Lord be with you.  Amen.

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“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:8-10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at a park near Dillon, Colorado)

Doubt

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Everyone has doubt.  We all experience moments when we question…’where is God in all of this?’ or ‘Why is this happening?’  This has happened to people throughout history.  Even the disciples, who lived during the life of Jesus on earth had doubts.  Having doubt and questions is natural and it is a starting point to explore and learn, so what do you do to find answers to your questions and your doubts?  God wants us to have questions and to ask Him…having doubt and questions is ok…what you do with those doubts and questions is key to your faith journey.  Amen.

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“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:28-31

(This photo was taken in July in 2016 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)

Be Transformed

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To change…modify…reshape…rebuild…reconstruct…renew.  A transformation is the creation of a new way, a new way of thinking, a new approach.  For something or someone to be transformed the old ways and old thoughts must be broken down so that the new way can be created.  Transformation is personal and it is not easy…we should be careful that we do not assume that one person’s transformation will be the same as another person.  The greatest power we have in the transformation process is prayer.  Take time to be with God in prayer and be transformed.  Amen.

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“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.  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 October of 2018  at a park near Winterset, Iowa)

Seek God’s Will

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When we pray the Lord’s prayer, which is written in the Gospel of Matthew 6:9-13, verse 10 states…“your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Take a moment to think about that…we are asking for the will of God to be done on earth every time we pray this prayer.  So, after we speak the words, what’s next?  God’s will is done by people willing to seek Him and His will rather than their own wants and desires.  But then we think, ‘then I won’t get what I think is right for me.’  The thing is what we do receive is so much more than we ever imagined possible on our own with our own plan.  We need to learn to trust in the Lord and seek His will.  Amen.

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“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…”

Colossians 1:9-10

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Our Source For Light

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When we admit we are broken and sinful and turn to Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord we will begin to learn about the Light of the world.  The world is filled with darkness and sin.  The thoughts, words and actions of worldly values is centered on the self and a selfish attitude.  A life centered on Christ can be a Light in the world when we are willing to surrender our plans for God’s plan.  The one true source of Light is God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Trust in Him and you will have joy and peace.  Amen.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

 

He Lives In You

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The Spirit of God resides in the heart of every believer.  You may ask, how do I know?  We know it not because we can see the Holy Spirit but rather, we can see what the Holy Spirit can do.  He comforts us during difficult times, He gives us courage and guides us when we don’t know what to do next and He gives us peace at the most unexpected times.  Trust in the Lord and listen for the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

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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

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Amazing Love

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Nothing compares to God’s love.  His love overcomes all things.  We are saved by the sacrifice Jesus Christ made at the cross.  God is love and His love is never-ending.  Amen.

You Are My King (Amazing Love) by The Newsboys

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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.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

1 John 4:9-10

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

He Is Worthy

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Hello and welcome to another day to worship and sing praise to God.  As we travel on the journey of faith, we will encounter questions and doubts along the way…that is natural and it is ok.  We need to remember that the one simple truth of faith is that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to save us and reconcile us to God because He loves us.  His love for us will conquer every battle in our lives.  He is worthy of our thanks and praise.  Thank you God, for your Son Jesus Christ…Amen.

Is He Worthy? by Chris Tomlin

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“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.  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 July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Show Compassion To One Another

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Everyone has troubles…everyone is fighting a battle most of us know nothing about.  Don’t assume the worst in others…don’t assume the thoughts, words and actions of others are all about you.  Have mercy, show compassion and pray about your interactions with others.  We were all created by God…all of us, and He loves every one of us.  We all are broken and Jesus died to save us from our sins.  Give your best to one another and shine the Light of Christ’s love to each other…even when we don’t think others deserve it.  Amen.

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“And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah:  “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”

Zechariah 7:8-10

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

 

The Fruit Of The Spirit

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The way we think…the words we say…the actions and behaviors we put into practice in our daily life can be built on the nine qualities described as the Fruit of the Spirit.  None of these things cost money, they are free.  It is up to us to choose how we live.  Our best life is one led by God and His Holy Spirit.  Seek Him and live your best each day.  Amen.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)