“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 wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV
While I’m Waiting by John Waller
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NIV
We must be willing to give forgiveness, to let go of bitterness, anger and pain just as our Father in heaven forgives us. Forgive, be forgiven and you will find peace. Amen.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Hebrews 4:8 NIV
“The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.”
Psalm 145:18 NIV
Take time to sit alone with God…pickup His Word and read. Acknowledge Him and give thanks to Him for where you have seen Him…give Him thanks for the blessings He has given you…they are there and you will see them if you look for them. Spend time with your Savior, come near to Him and He will come near to you. Amen.
“If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.”
Psalm 91:9-13 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
James 4:7-10 NIV
Believe…put your trust in the Lord. Spend time reading God’s Word, take time to get to know Him. Turn away from self-centered living and begin to strive for God centered living. He loves you…He is with you…He is for you. Amen.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV
(This photo was taken in September of 2020 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Galatians 6:7-10 NIV
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 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 3:12-17 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)
“My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry. 20 Human anger doesn’t produce the holy life God wants. 21 So get rid of everything that is sinful. Get rid of the evil that is all around us. Don’t be too proud to accept the word that is planted in you. It can save you.”
James 1:19-21 NIRV
“Lord, show me your ways.
Teach me how to follow you.
5 Guide me in your truth. Teach me.
You are God my Savior.
I put my hope in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NIRV
Wisdom is important in living…Wisdom comes from learning…learning comes from reading or listening to God’s Word…spend time with God, pray, be apart of worship in some way. Put God first in your life…look for Him…listen for His guidance and learn how He wants you to live. Amen.
“Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way.
It is like a light that guides me.”
Psalm 119:105 NIRV
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.”
Psalm 119:114 NIV
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
Our troubles can be overwhelming and lead us down a dark path. We often seek relief in the things of this world and find ourselves disappointed and frustrated. There is one place where we can find shelter and be safe from the storms of life…that is in the arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ. With Him is where we can find peace and help in difficult times. Turn towards the Lord first not as a last resort…for He is our refuge and our source of help. Amen.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 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.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:1-8 NIV
The truth about life is we will see troubles in this world. Jesus tells us directly in John 16:33, that trouble will come…not maybe or they might come…you will have troubles in this life. So, if we know life is hard, we should be more focused on how to get through our troubles and see what we can learn from them so we can share with others. God has provided the Way through difficult times…Jesus, His Son our Savior and God’s Word will guide us and see us through. Think about a trial in your past…looking back where do you see God in it? Trust in the Lord and persevere through trials. Amen.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 NIV
Today is 3.16…take time to share the Good News of John 3:16 with someone today. It could be just the thing they need to hear. Today is the day, may the peace of God be with you. Amen.
Today Is The Day by Lincoln Brewster
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.“
John 3:16 NIV
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV
God is always with us…even when we don’t feel His presence or think He isn’t doing enough for us. We must remember His ways are better than our ways. We are sinful and distracted by the world, our flesh and Satan. He has made a way for salvation, for everyone. Put your faith in God, trust in Him for great is His faithfulness. Amen.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2021 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 