17 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 NIV
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2 NIV
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.“
James 4:10 NIV
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
We are not in control of what happens in the world
The daily news and events make that abundantly clear
The only thing we can control is how we choose to respond to things that do happen
The best thing we can do is turn towards Jesus
Give thanks to the Lord for the good things and ask for help and guidance for the difficult things
We don’t know and can’t control what will happen tomorrow yet we can trust in Him who sits on the throne of heaven
It is by drawing near to Him that we can find rest and be renewed
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Mark 6:31 NIV
(This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 NIV
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
The pace of world keeps getting faster with new technologies all being offered in the name of convenience
Yet God is the same today as He was over two thousand years ago, He does not change according to popular opinion
His timing is perfect, our timing and our plans are based on our worldly desires
God is with you and God is for you
He is working in your life, even if you can’t see it
Have the courage to trust in the Lord and wait for Him to lead you
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken while traveling in southern New Mexico)
“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 NIV
God has promised to be with you wherever you go…every day, all the time
When we look around at the world or at our own worries, fears and frustrations…it’s easier to shrink back than to be bold and courageous, to play it safe rather than to go forward trusting in God
This is how living by faith is different than living the way the world tells you to live
We are inundated with messages of self-center living and behaviors
It takes courage to strive to be true to God’s Word
Put your hope and your trust in God and His promises…follow the example of Jesus Christ
Be courageous
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass near the Montana-Wyoming border)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
The God Who Stays by Matthew West
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 NIV
(This photo was taken at Big Sky Resort in Montana)
“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 NIV
Father God, thank You that no matter how hard life is, I can always find hope in You. You will never abandon me, never stop loving me, and never give up on me. Renew my hope and strength. Encourage my heart, so I can encourage others. In Jesus name, Amen.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken along Beartooth Pass near the Montana-Wyoming border)
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”
1 Timothy 6:6-9 NIV
Father God, thank You for being faithful. Thank You for making a way for us to know You. You are enough for us, and You make us enough. Please show us how You are at work in our lives. We will choose to patiently wait on You, because we know You will finish the good work You have started in our lives. In Jesus name, Amen.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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 4:11-13 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Fear Is a Liar by Zach Williams
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 NIV
Father God, when we are overwhelmed by the brokeness we see, help us to remember that You see us. You are in control. We cannot stop all the pain and injustice we witness, yet help us overcome evil by doing good. Help us to walk in the Light with You. Give us the courage and humility to love people well today. In Jesus name, Amen.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.”
1 John 1:5-7 NIV
(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
“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.”
Romans 12:1 NIV
Father God, help us surrender our ways to You. You can have all of us…every thought, action, behavior and desire. Guide us to Your way in all that we do. Help us listen and obey You. Thank You for sending Your Son to save us so that we can have a personal relationship with You. Take all that we are and help us to be a Light in the World for others all year long. In Jesus name, Amen.
“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 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 