Month: August 2025

Comfort

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“May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.”

Psalm 119:76 NIV

Our God is the God of all comfort

There is nothing and no one in the world that can comfort us the way God can

Turn towards God and you will find comfort and peace

And you will be fully equipped to share that comfort with others

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“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 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in central Minnesota)

By Faith

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“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV

When our faith is strong our foundation is solid

When we live by faith our motives and our purpose are clear

When we walk in faith our troubles will not disappear but God has promised to walk through them with us

By faith we will know hope that surpasses all understanding

By faith we will find peace that comes from God

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“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1

(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Perseverance

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“Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:3-5 NIV

When the world knocks you down, don’t stay down

Get up, stand up with your faith

Be strong and courageous because you know that Jesus Christ has already won victory for us

Perseverance is about your faith being greater than your fear!

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4 NIV

(This photo was taken while standing on a covered bridge near Winterset, Iowa)

The Truth

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“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 NIV

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

The Truth is what God says it is…

You Say by Lauren Daigle

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“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32 NIV

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

Treasures

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“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:19-20 NIV

What gets your attention quickly?

What is it that gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing faster?

What is it in your life that you have passion towards?

These are hints of your treasures

We all have something that drives to the heart of us…as we continue to grow on our faith journey the treasures tend to change

As knowledge and time spent on growing our relationship with Jesus Christ increases we begin to get a better understanding of the value of relationships

We also can begin to clearly see that the stuff and the things we have worried about in the past may have been foolish worries

We are humbled to learn that God in heaven knows us, loves us and forgives us and the things He has planned for us involve far greater treasures than those the world offers us

May the awe and wonder of our God be with you

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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21 NIV

(This photo was taken near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Wisdom And Understanding

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.“

Proverbs 9:10 NIV

“How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight rather than silver!“

Proverbs 16:16 NIV

Often times the writings in the Bible can be misunderstood because the true intent of the word has lost its meaning in society

  Take the word ‘fear’ as an example…in today’s world this strictly means to be afraid, danger or a bad feeling

In the Bible to fear the Lord is to regard God with reverence and awe, to be respectful

When we learn we gain wisdom and when we understand the writing becomes clearer

We would be wise to seek wisdom and to get understanding from God, not the world

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
    To him belongs eternal praise.“

Psalm 111:10 NIV

(This photo was taken on the shore on Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

A Better Way

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“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:15-17 NIV

“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

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“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-13 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in northern Colorado)

Strength From God

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“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.“

Philippians 4:12-13 NIV

When whatever you are facing feels too hard and overwhelming

Whether it is a difficult task or person

Remember your ability to move forward is not found in you

God knows all about you and your life

Seek Him and His Kingdom

He will guide you and lead you

Nothing is impossible with God

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“Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

Isaiah 40:28-29 NIV

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

Wisdom From Above

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“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.”

James 3:17 NIV

I don’t know…I’m not sure…I don’t understand…Can you help me…I need help

Statements like these make us vulnerable, they open us up, they make us humble

To the world these phrases can be seen as weak and needy

What we need is wisdom and a change in the attitudes and behaviors we choose

Wisdom from the world is self-focused, get more, hurry up, me first mentality

The most significant thing about choosing the wisdom of the world is we can lose the opportunity to pursue relationships with others

God our Creator, His Son Jesus Christ our Savior and the Holy Spirit have the all the wisdom that is so desperately needed in this world

Seek wisdom from God, not the world

And you will know peace and joy

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“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.”

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Gratitude For God’s Goodness

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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 NIV

Father God, nothing is impossible for You

You love me even when I am unlovable

You are good to me even when I do not deserve it

You are kind and compassionate toward me even when I mess up

You provide the example of what faithful love looks like

Thank You for never leaving or abandoning me

Today, remind me of the ways You have provided for me in my life so that way I can intentionally praise You and Your goodness

In Jesus name, Amen

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“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 NIV

(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)