Walking with God

Choose Joy Because We Are Forgiven

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Forgiveness by Matthew West

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Joy Because God Is Good

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“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

Father God, thank You for being our good Father

We are so grateful we can always count on You

You bless us and Your love is poured into us

Thank You for Your mercy and grace

Thank You for sending us Jesus

Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face

In Jesus name, Amen

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Joy Because God Keeps His Promises

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

God promised to send the Messiah

God fulfilled that promise when He sent His One and only Son to save us

God has made many other promises in Scripture

He has kept every promise He made

The only promise we are waiting for Him to fulfill is the return of Jesus

It will happen…He will come again

I know because God keeps His promises

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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. 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 NIV

(This photo was taken at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

The Fruit Of The Spirit

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and was resurrected to save us from our sins and we confess our sins to God…the Holy Spirit will come into us

It is not a feeling and not an emotional state of mind it is the presence of God living in us and working through us

When we surrender our old way of thinking (worldly values and self-centeredness) and we live with the Holy Spirit pouring into our hearts and minds the results will be the Fruit of the Spirit flowing through us in our thoughts, words and our actions

May the Fruit of the Spirt flow through us during this season and all year long

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

(This photo was taken while in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Light Of Life

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When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:12 NIV

Father God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to rescue us from a life separated from You

Today and during this season, please give us the courage to draw close to You, and to seek You with all our heart

Your Son is our Light in this dark world

Your Light is our salvaltion and guide

Please use us as a light in the world to show Your love, grace and mercy

In Jesus name, Amen

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“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.”

John 1:4-5 NIV

(This photo ws taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

The God And Father Of All

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“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

“…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10 NIV

People Like Us by Micah Tyler

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“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12 NIV

(This photo was taken along the shore of the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

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“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

Open The Eyes Of My Heart by Michael W. Smith

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

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Humility…Patience

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“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.“

Ephesians 4:1-2 NIV

Character and attitude shown by how we treat each other in our daily lives

Our attitude and character are the things that show what we believe

Love is demostrated by actions

Learn from the example that Jesus provided in His life, death and resurrection

Live out your faith through your attitude and by how you treat others in daily life

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in northern Colorado)

Sin Divides Us And Christ Unites Us

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“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:23-24 NIV

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

Galatians 5:16-26 NIV

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”

1 John 1:8-10 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota)

Allow Christ to Change You

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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. 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 NIV

Don’t ask God to change the circumstances around you…ask Him to change you and your perspective so that you can handle the things you are walking through in life

Father God, take back my life.  Take my burdens and fears.  Replace my insecurities and my anxieties with Your peace.  Teach me to trust in Your promises and Your faithfulness.  Restore my joy and give me strength for today and hope for tomorrow.  Lord, I want to be different.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Different by Micah Tyler

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“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

(This photo was take in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)