faith perspective

The Way Of Faith

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The way of faith is a wise way to live and a narrow path for life.  Simple yet not easy.  Commit your way to God, trust in Him and you will find peace.  Amen.

“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

“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

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in southern Colorado)

Friendships

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Originally posted in August of 2014…

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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 be 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…

“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

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.

Peace.

Perspective

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Originally posted in January of 2020…

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

Begin or continue to build a strong foundation for your everyday life…trust in the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconson)

The Path Of Peace

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“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?“

Mark 8:34-36

“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 August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Perspective

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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

Begin or continue to build a strong foundation for your everyday life…trust in the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconson)

Why Faith?

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Because, Jesus Christ…His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection embody the love of God for each one of us.  He is with you and He will never leave you.  For all the troubles and suffering we will encounter in this life…they can be overcome, because that is what faith can do.  Amen.

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in July fo 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

 

Attitude And Perspective

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These are two key elements that drive our thoughts, our actions and our behaviors.  The  amazing thing is we are in charge of our attitudes and our perspectives.  Which also means we are accountable for the attitude we choose or the perspective we believe about everything.  We try to blame the things we can’t control for why we choose the attitude or perspective we have, yet our responsibility is in how we choose to respond to events and actions or the behaviors of others.  At this time I would like to share an item written by Charles Swindoll that states a similar perspective about Attitude…

Attitude

by Charles Swindoll

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company…a church…a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past…we cannot change that people will act a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you…we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

I pray we look to the Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us to choose our attitude according to God’s will.  Amen.

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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 6:21

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)

The Light

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The Bible talks about Light in many ways.  When we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He is our Savior and Lord, we begin to get a sense of this Light as we study the Word of God.  When the Light of Christ shines in us we look different, we act different and we feel different than we use to.  Acknowledging the Light is a shift in perspective, it is purposefully looking for the goodness, kindness and love in our actions and in the actions of others.  It is being self-less, working for the good of others, it is coming along side someone and walking with them rather then trying to knock them down or push them aside to advance our own ideas.  Seek this Light and shine it out to others and you will find peace.  May God’s Light be with you.

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“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)

Perspective

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When you focus a portion of time each day communing with the Lord and reading the Scriptures you will begin to feed and develop your faith foundation.  This foundation can become what you stand on whenever you are faced with difficulties and challenges in everyday life.  We learn from the teachings in the bible that God is love and he loves us and he wants to have a personal relationship with us.

Seek to get to know God…just you and Him and that relationship will give you a new and refreshed perspective on your everyday existence.  May God’s peace be with you!

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“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

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)

Character

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“Do not conform any longer 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 12:2

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)