Understanding

Unity

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Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians…

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:1-6

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

Hope Because of God’s Mercy and Grace

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Paul writes in a letter to Titus, a pastor serving in Crete…

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing of re-birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Titus 3:4-7

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

God’s Presence

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The words of Jesus according to the Gospel of John…

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you.”

John 15:9-12

(This photo was taken by my daughter in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)

Strength

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A song that David sang to the Lord after he was delivered from his enemies and the hand of Saul…

“I love you, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies…”

Psalm 18:1-3

The entire song is the 50 verses of Psalm 18, may we all find our strength in God.

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

Anyone

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“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame’.”

Romans 10:10-11

(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking near the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Trust

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The following is a wonderful verse for everyday life…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

We will often have questions and not understand the reason that things happen.  We must remember that the world is being ravaged by sin and people choosing to pursue sin and ignore God.  There are just as many events that show the light of God in the world everyday…unfortunately, people choose to ignore those stories and seem to enjoy spending all their time sharing and talking about events of darkness and evil.

We are to Trust…trust that God is still on the throne of glory and because of free will we can choose to seek him and events that reflect His will.

May we seek to see the work of God today!

 

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)

Possibilities

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 8:28-31

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)