When you start with this…everything else falls into place. May His peace be with you. Amen.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)
What drives it? Why do we have it? It comes from belief…it comes from trusting. Even when no one believes there is any hope…hope persists. Think about the day Jesus was crucified…nobody, not even the disciples had hope. Jesus, their teacher, the one who performed miracles had died…yet with God anything is possible. Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! The stories of hope with God in the bible go on and on…Sarah who was barren has a son…Moses and the Red Sea…Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace…Daniel in the lion’s den…Mary the virgin gives birth to Jesus and on and on it goes. Don’t give up hope…trust in God. Amen.
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)
The information overload we receive each day has intensified with current world circumstances. Distractions and inaccurate information are running wild creating misunderstandings and leading to people act on false perceptions. We need a solid foundation of truth to stand on more than ever…that foundation can be found with God’s Word. It is the truth about God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Pick up the bible and spend time renewing your mind. May God’s comfort and peace be with you. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
When you read the red letters in the bible, the very words of Jesus, He often spoke in a way that was comforting to others. Sometimes He needed to be firm and many times He had to repeat Himself, yet His overwhelming presence was comforting. He knows what it is like to live as a human on earth…He has experienced childhood, teenage years and interactions of many kinds during His life…He knows about weddings, friendships, helping others, betrayal, frustrations, temptations, pain and suffering and death. He knows what is happening in your life…today. Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer and you will find comfort. Amen.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
John 14:1
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong Worship
Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:9-11
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Keep going with prayer…don’t let the desire for immediate gratification discourage you…God’s will is not about your timing. Seek comfort from Jesus by spending time in prayer and reading God’s word, pay attention for God’s responses in your daily life. Align yourself with God’s plan and go after it with persistence and patience. God is with you and He loves you. Amen.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)
Put first things first…when you don’t know what to do…when a decision is lingering and you are procrastinating…turn towards God’s word and pray. The more we put our relationship with Jesus first, the better we will be able to function in our daily lives. Too often, we want to keep God in a box off to the side with a sign that states ‘In Case of Emergency Break Glass.’ God wants more of a relationship with you every day, for every part of your life. Assess your relationship with the Lord and make spending time with Him top priority. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you. Amen.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:31-34
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Jesus Christ…He sacrificed Himself to save you. No matter what has happened in your life, no matter what you have done or left undone…He is waiting for you with open arms, to pick you up, to forgive you and restore you. He is ready to do that for you and for others in your life because He loves you and He loves them too. Jesus Christ is the way…He is the only way to fellowship with God. Amen.
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)
I received one of those calls…something has happened with Dad…it is not good…Mom is riding in an ambulance on the way to the hospital…roughly 30 minutes later…a follow-up call…Dad’s gone…
Life can change forever in 30 minutes…I am here to tell you, the only way to walk through the pain and struggles of life is with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He truly carries us in the most difficult moments…if we are willing to surrender our ways and our plans for His ways and His plan…we can find peace and comfort that we never knew was possible. Truly I tell you, our God is an awesome God…Amen.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 