“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
One act of kindness, compassion and thankfulness can set off a chain reaction…
“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.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Colossians 3:12-15
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.
41 Moved with compassion,[a] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.”
Mark 1:40-42
“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:35-36
(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
“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.”
Colossians 3:12-13
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:14
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’”
Zechariah 7:9-10
“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
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 18:10-14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.”
Romans 12:14-16
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
All that is good is from God…all that is suffering, troubling and leads to struggle is from darkness and evil…these are not from God. Jesus Christ was sent by God to save us becasue the darkness has come from our sins. Amen.
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
John 12:46
Goodness Of God – Jenn Johnson
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:8-9
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)
Sympathy…empathy…understanding…tenderness…gentleness…mercy…love. Amen.
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Psalm 103:8
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
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)
Originally posted in September of 2018…
To be helpful…thoughtful…aware of the suffering of others…a desire to provide help and support…understanding the needs of another. One of the strongest elements of humility is compassion. Being aware that others are suffering and need assistance and then going and doing something that provides help and support. We all have different roles in our relationships with others, which means there are many different ways for us to provide help and support depending on who needs us and what has happened to them. When you know or get a sense inside you that you should do something for someone else but you are unsure what it is you should do, do not ignore that feeling, turn to the Lord and ask Him to help guide you to what the other person needs…then listen and watch for His reply. Be careful not to do something you believe they need from your perspective, rather be sensitive and aware of what they say they need. Compassion does not have to be something difficult and complex in order to be helpful…often times it is the simple and thoughtful things that make the biggest difference for others. May God’s grace and mercy flow through us and into our relationships.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:8-9
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border between Minnesota and South Dakota)
Take Your Faith With You 