The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman.
‘Come, follow me’, Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Matthew 4:18-20
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving on the north shore of Maui)
The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Luke…
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:37-38
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer 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 August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
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)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)
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)
“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)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
It is so easy for us to get distracted by events and the words of this world that make us feel terrible. That is about the time we let our self-talk, you know, the talk in our minds about how alone we are, how nobody really understands…been there, done that myself, too often!
The thing is Jesus does know, he came down from heaven and lived as a man on earth. He lived an everyday life, not just a miracle making life. He interacted with people, he got frustrated with others, he felt grief and sorrow, he went to weddings and funerals, he was treated poorly by many and treated with love and respect by others.
He lived a life on earth just like you and me…no matter where you are, how you are feeling, trust in Jesus, talk to him about it today…
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.
Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Nebraska)
Solomon the son of David became king of Israel and when God came to him and told him to ask whatever he wishes and it will be given to you…Solomon made a choice very few people would…
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
2 Chronicles 1:10
God blessed him with significant wisdom and knowledge, more than any other person had ever been given. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of many nuggets of wisdom spoken by Solomon and therefore it has many great instructions for life…and again most of these items are simple statements of truth that are not always easy to live out.
If you have had difficulty wondering where to start in looking at or reading the Bible, try starting in Proverbs it has so many great lessons to remember for everyday life.
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 19:20
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
Take Your Faith With You 