“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:2-6
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving on the north shore of Maui)
As we live our day to day lives and experience each and every detail of life we are easily distracted from recognizing God is with us. He is in everything…He is the Creator and the Author of our faith…“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Just like the two individuals in Luke 24, they were ‘On the Road to Emmaus’. They were busy discussing what had happened over the previous three days…Jesus of Nazareth who they believed was a prophet was handed over and crucified but he was supposed to be the one to redeem Israel. Them and all the disciples thought…’ok now we have a king who is powerful and will be sure to set things right for us in this world’…just like many of us today who latch on to something or someone and think ‘ok this is the thing or the person who is going to make everything right in my life’.
Then the two ‘On the Road’ encountered another while walking. He asked them questions and they explained their dismay at what had occurred, even though Jesus himself had told them several times before he died that it was going to happen…even though it was stated by many of the early prophets that He will come, be sacrificed and will be raised from the dead.
They couldn’t understand, they were so distracted by the events of their everyday life to even notice that Jesus was right there with them the whole time. He was walking right beside them listening, teaching them and when they had spent enough time with Him, while they were sharing a meal with Him…Finally! They could see He was right there with them the whole time.
Friends, God is with us…right here, right now. Jesus said in the Gospel according to John…
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery’, ‘Do not murder’, ‘Do not steal’, ‘Do not covet’, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Romans 13:8-10
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while visiting the Garden of the Gods park near Colorado Springs)
“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. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while visiting Pike’s Peak in Colorado)
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”
Psalm 28:7
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through northern Colorado)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set you hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while on the island of Maui)
“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:9-11
(This photo was taken in June 2013 while driving in Colorado)
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
(This photo was taken about 3 weeks ago on a lake in central Minnesota)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such an opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through northern Colorado)
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
Psalm 84:10-11
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 