“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.”
Proverbs 3:13-14
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18
(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
If we seek God first and not the things that the world values we will find comfort with Him. God has done and continues to do more than anyone else for us. He loves us…He cares for us…He wants good things for us. Trust the God of all comfort. Amen.
“May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.”
Psalm 119:76
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
Who better to lead us than our Creator? He knows everything about us…He knows about every aspect and every interaction of our lives. He knows and He still loves us and wants what is best for us, even when we don’t know what that is. Turn towards God and ask Him to lead you through this day and every day of your life. Amen.
“You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.”
Psalm 139:1
“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
(Thjis photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head along the north shore of Lake Superior)
When you pray leave room for God’s will and God’s plan to be the way you should go. We tend to think we have things all figured out and we just need to top it off with a quick FYI to God to get Him on board. Surrendering to God’s will and God’s plan means we are open to a new way for things to go…maybe in a way we haven’t considered or thought about yet…be open ended in your prayers…make room for God’s way in your life. Amen.
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.”
Psalm 143:8
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)
“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
Psalm 37:3-9
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)
A place to find redemption…a place to be forgiven…a place where we will know hope…a place where we will find peace. There is a place where you can find what you have been looking for…it is at the foot of The Cross. Amen.
The Cross Has The Final Word by Newsboys
“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.”
John 3:16
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)
Believing in Jesus Christ and following God’s Word does not mean all of our troubles will disappear. In fact Jesus stated the truth about our trials very clearly…
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
So we know that we will face struggles and trials, how we choose to respond in these times can provide us a path to peace. If we are praying for the trial to just go away…we need to go back to the verse above and remember that is not what we have been told. As we read the Scriptures we learn that the only way past our trials is to go through them and we can do that because we are not alone. When we follow Jesus Christ and the things He has taught us we can find our way through our trials and we can learn from them…and that growth will make us better prepared for trials we will face in the future. Trust in the Lord…spend time in God’s Word everyday and He will guide you through all parts of your life. Amen.
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
Love is about actions…love is found in our behaviors and how we treat each other. Words are cheap…love involves sacrifice, it is not a roller coaster emotion that rises and falls on a whim. Paul describes the actions of love in 1 Corinthians 13…Jesus Christ lived the actions of love in everything He did and continues to do for you and me. If you are wondering what should I do next…put on love and see where the Lord leads you. Amen.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:11-12
“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
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blow Hole on the island of Maui)
When a person stands firm in faith they are often persecuted and told that their thinking is outdated or wrong. This is because the way of the world and the way of faith are constantly in conflict with each other. The world wants faith to be convenient, easy, self-pleasing and self-serving. The way of the world is about following the sinful nature. The way of faith is not about the self-first…it is about God’s Word and Jesus Christ…the way of faith is about being humble, admitting that sin is wrong and confessing our sins…the way of faith is about surrendering your will and following God’s will according to His word. The way of faith is about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Stand firm in faith. Amen.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
One of the most precious gifts in life is time…where we spend our time gives light to what we value. When we spend too much time on things that are not aligned with God’s will for us, often we feel discouraged and drained. When we seek God’s wisdom and we strive to live in His will and purpose for our lives we feel renewed, peaceful and content. Take time to assess where you are spending your time and seek to look at your purpose through God’s will rather than the world’s perspective. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.
““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
Take Your Faith With You 