“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 NIV
Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.“
Psalm 18:2 NIV
(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.“
John 1:4-5 NIV
One of the most difficult things for many of us is being different from our surroundings
When the reason we are different is rooted in God we can be sure we are standing on solid ground
None of us is equipped to judge the actions and behaviors of others
When we are confused or lack understanding that is a time to pray, listen and learn
It is hard to be different yet God created each of us to be unique so that together we could build community and use our gifts to strengthen the body of Christ
I pray we all seek to learn how God wants us to use our gifts each day and shine the Light of Christ into this dark world
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
(This photo was taken while standing on one of the covered bridges near Winterset, Iowa)
“Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 NIV
Father God, I am Your child
Thank You for adopting me into Your eternal family
Please shape my heart
Teach me how to act in a way that honors You in my daily life and circumstances
Help me correct my thoughts and perspective along with any patterns of behavior in my life that displease You
Replace these things with characteristics that show how much I love You
In Jesus name, Amen
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
(This photo was taken at sunrise at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 NIV
One of the most difficult things for many of us is being different from our surroundings
When our foundation for being different is rooted in God and the Fruits of the Spirit we can be sure we are standing on solid ground
None of us is equipped to judge the actions and behaviors of others
When we are confused or lack understanding that is a time to pray, listen and learn
It is hard to be different yet God created each of us to be unique so that together we could build community and use our gifts to strengthen the body of Christ.
I pray we all seek to learn how God wants us to use our gifts each day and shine the Light of Christ into this dark world
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
(This photo was taken while standing on one of the covered bridges near Winterset, Iowa)
“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 NIV
Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes
“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 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)
“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.“
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
We have been saved
We have a fortress of salvation
We have been delivered by Jesus Christ to eternal life
Trust in the Lord, there is no greater strength than the love of God
Let the Word of God wash over you and flow through you in your attitude and behaviors
When we fall down He will pick us up…He renews us and restores us
His Word is a shelter from evil
When it feels like the world is crashing down around us we need to look to the Lord for He is our Rock
“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.”
Psalm 18:2 NIV
(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2 NIV
Father God, there is no one besides You. You are the only One who is holy and worthy of our praise. Thank You for being our Rock and the firm foundation we can build our lives upon! We are grateful that You are always faithful, never changing, and the One we can put our trust in. We love You! In Jesus name, Amen.
Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.”
Psalms 118:8 NIV
(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] [a]“
Matthew 17:20-21 NIV
Firm Foundation by Cody Carnes
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.“
Matthew 7:24 NIV
(This photo was taken near Dillon, Colorado)
“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.“
Isaiah 26:3-4 NIV
You have been saved…you have a fortress of salvation…you have been delivered by Jesus Christ to eternal life. Trust in the Lord, there is no greater strength than the love of God. Let the Word of God wash over you and flow through you in your attitude and behaviors.
When you fall down He will pick you up, He renews us and restores us. His Word is a shelter from evil. When it feels like the world is crashing down around you look to the Lord for He is our Rock. Amen.
“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.”
Psalm 18:2 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
Take Your Faith With You 