“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 1:22 NIV
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
Philippians 4:7 NIV
(This photo was taken at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
An action of hope means getting practical
It means working and doing things with trust in God’s plan even when the circumstances don’t reveal it
Actions of hope are a way to live in faith and to put your trust in God
In Jeremiah 32 there is a story of Jeremiah buying a field at a time when Babylon was coming to capture the city
This was not a logical action at the time rather an action of hope because God had said the people will return to buy fields, build houses and live in this land
Destruction was coming yet Jeremiah bought a field
Nothing in your life is wasted…God is at work
Turn towards God in faith and ask for His guidance for opportunities for you to take actions of hope in your life
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6 NIV
(This photo was taken while traveling in North Dakota)
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
No matter what circumstances we encounter in life…
God is with us and God is for us
Even when we don’t see Him or the work He is doing in our lives…He is near
Every promise God made has been kept…
He is faithful and His only promise yet to be fulfilled is when Christ returns
Trust in the Lord and His Word…
He is trustworthy and faithful in everything
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
(This photo was taken at a field near Kimball, Minnesota)
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NIV
Being a friend means listening…just listening
Being a friend means putting the needs of others before your own
Being a friend means making time to be together
Friends can share thoughts…
Thoughts about dreams and goals as well as disappointments and frustrations without judgment
Being a friend means laughing together…often
Being a friend means offering your shoulder when someone needs to cry because the pain is too great to bear alone
A friendship is a give and take relationship…
If your give and take are not balanced evenly the friendship will suffer
This give and take in relationships is also necessary in your spiritual life…
Your friendship with Jesus requires both give and take…
We all have a friend in Jesus
Begin or continue to listen, to make time, to share your dreams and frustrations, to laugh with your friend Jesus…
It is the one friendship that will definitely last forever
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know the master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
John 15:15 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in central Minnesota)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
Jesus Christ suffered and died for you and me because He loves us
He has risen
He is alive and wants to help us in this life and prepare us to spend eternity with Him
Give thanks to Jesus
Not only with words but also with how you choose to live your life every day
“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.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 NIV
(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude
What feeds your perspective?
What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind?
What experience or experiences are framing your view?
All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude.
If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world
The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord. Jesus said;
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Perspective is about viewing things from a different point of view…trust in the Lord and seek His perspective for your life
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)
“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV
“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 sunrise by a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NIV
“My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”[a]
Proverbs 3:1-6 NIV
The way of faith is a wise way to live and a narrow path for life
Simple yet not easy
The way of faith involves pursuing the Kingdom of God
God’s Kingdom is an upside down Kingdom when looking through the eyes of the world
Commit your way to God, trust in Him
Trust God’s way…follow Jesus and you will find peace
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken while traveling in southern Colorado)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”[a]
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
It’s not about you
The message in the Bible is clear you should not be at the center of your life
This is not to say that you don’t need to properly care for your mind, body and spirit that is clearly outlined in the Bible as well
However, everything that happens should not be viewed only from the perspective of self
We all have a purpose and a role in God’s story…
If you want to understand what that is, seek Him
Consider a different perspective…an eternal perspective
Trust in the Lord…His ways are higher than our ways
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2 NIV
(This photo was taken near Dillon, Colorado)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude
What feeds your perspective?
What experience or experiences are framing your view?
If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in this world that is filled with self-centered attitudes, darkness and evil we will become like the world
It would be better to build your perspective on a foundation of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet Jesus said:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Align your heart, your mind and your perspective with the will of God
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in northwestern Wisconson)
