“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Romans 10:10
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“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)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”
Romans 8:31-35
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[c] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 on the North Shore of Lake Superior)
We are all the same…we are all human. We all were born and we all will die. Yet we are all different. We are individuals…we are not groups. We all are created by God. We are all responsible for our actions and behaviors and we will be held accountable for our individual actions when we die and leave this world. The answer to all our worries, our fears and our burdens is Jesus Christ. If you believe in Him…turn towards Him in faith…pray with conviction…trust in Him and treat all other people with kindness, goodness, gentleness, patience and with love…the same love He has shown you we He died to save you. Amen.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:29-32
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10.12
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head on the North Shore of Lake Superior)
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”
1 John 4:7-9
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
(This photo was taken yesterday at Palisade Head on the North Shore of Lake Superior)
Today, we honor those who have served and sacrificed themselves for the greater good. These individuals knew that there are things much more important than self. They believed in serving to help others and fighting for those who could not fight for themselves. It takes courage and humility to do what they did and so we honor them with gratitude and respect for their sacrifice. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota)
You were created out of God’s love…He is with you…do not be afraid, be courageous. Amen.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.”
Micah 6:8
“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 July of 2016 at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park in Montana)
God has shown us how much He loves us by sending His One and Only Son to the Cross to die for us, even though we were still sinners. We didn’t earn it; it is a gift from God. No matter where you have been, no matter what you have done…Jesus Christ died to save you. Put your faith in God, trust in Him and you will find hope. Amen.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“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
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
Jeremiah 31:33-34
“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
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
Never under estimate the power of your faith. Your faith is about belief and trust. It is not how much you have rather it is about do you have any? If you believe in Jesus Christ and trust that God has good things in store for you then you will see the power of faith. Amen.
“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
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:12-13
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)
Take Your Faith With You 