It goes much deeper than happiness…it comes from down in your soul where you are most closely connected to the Lord. It comes from your perspective based in trust, faith and hope…choose joy. Amen.
“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Lake Dillon in Colorado)
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Joshua 1:7-8
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)
This is the first thing we should do with every aspect of our lives. We often try to go it alone and then turn to God as a last resort…even then He will be there for us because of His mercy and grace. No matter what the circumstances are…bring it to the Lord, trust in Him…it is never too late. Amen.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:15-17
“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 12:2
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
When wondering about prayer, Jesus set the example for us. He not only gave us the words of the Lord’s prayer…He lived it in His actions and behaviors. Prayer works…true, sincere, honest and from the heart prayer works. It is not about granting you what you want, when you want it. It is about your relationship with God. If you struggle with prayer…think about when a child is learning to talk…they don’t use the right words the right way when they first speak, yet it gets better over time. They also do not get everything they ask for but the communication is still very important for their relationships. Dedicate time to prayer every day. Amen.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Luke 5:16
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”
Luke 6:12
“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
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“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
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
“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
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 during sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
An action of hope means getting practical. 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. Turn towards God in faith and ask for His guidance for opportunities for you to take actions of hope in your life. Amen.
“…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
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling in North Dakota)
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
(This photo was taken this past weekend at sunrise at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:1-4
“We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”
1 John 4:19-21
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)
God’s love is for all of us…Jesus demonstrated God’s love by how He was willing to interact with and help people. He was criticized by others for who He chose to sit and eat with…Jesus loves you and He wants a relationship with you, meet with Him every day and listen for His response through other believers and by reading God’s word. Amen.
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Luke 15:1-7
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in Rocky Mountain National Park)
Take Your Faith With You 