No matter what…no matter where…no matter what you have done or left undone…He is with you. Give thanks and find peace with Jesus. Amen.
There Was Jesus by Zach Williams, Dolly Parton
“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 August of 2012 while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
The Lord asks for all of you…not just Sunday morning you or Wednesday evening you and not just some quick memorized words at meal time or just before bed…He wants more than that from each of us. He wants a relationship with you…He wants communication with you every day. He wants to hear from you with all your heart and He wants you to listen to Him. Commit your way to the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.
“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.”
Deuteronomy 6:5-6
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while exploring the island of Maui, Hawaii)
The post below was originally posted in January of 2020…my how the world has changed since January…we need courage to do the right things now more than ever…we need to trust in the Lord. Amen.
“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
To move forward without knowing the outcome…to admit we don’t know the answers…to be patient…to share and be vulnerable with another person. It takes courage to be humble…to surrender your plans for God’s plan…it takes courage to live the life that God has intended for you…and the best part is…a relationship with Jesus Christ will give you the courage to seek His will when you trust in Him. Amen.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)
Who better to lead us than our Creator? He knows everything about us…He knows about every aspect and every interaction of our lives. He knows and He still loves us and wants what is best for us, even when we don’t know what that is. Turn towards God and ask Him to lead you through this day and every day of your life. Amen.
“You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.”
Psalm 139:1
“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
(Thjis photo was taken in May of 2020 at Palisade Head along the north shore of Lake Superior)
“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
Psalm 37:3-9
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)
When a person stands firm in faith they are often persecuted and told that their thinking is outdated or wrong. This is because the way of the world and the way of faith are constantly in conflict with each other. The world wants faith to be convenient, easy, self-pleasing and self-serving. The way of the world is about following the sinful nature. The way of faith is not about the self-first…it is about God’s Word and Jesus Christ…the way of faith is about being humble, admitting that sin is wrong and confessing our sins…the way of faith is about surrendering your will and following God’s will according to His word. The way of faith is about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Stand firm in faith. Amen.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
A core element of Faith. It is usually based on the words and actions that are demonstrated to us in relationship. It is interesting to think about how easily we trust ourselves or other people sometimes and yet we are resistant to trust God and His plan. If anyone has made promises and delivered on them every time it is God not us. Turn towards God for everything, trust in Him and His will and you will see the goodness of the Lord. Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.”
Psalm 84:10-12
(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at sunset on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Originally posted in August of 2014…
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.
Originally posted in December of 2018…
Good morning. Welcome to a new day. There are many things happening in your life today, yet God is still with you because He loves you. Sharing the lyrics and music of the song on my mind this morning. Here is “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli
“Find Rest”
He always is, He always will be
He always has been everything I need
How can this be catching me by surprise
He’s ever strong, He’s ever faithful
His love is real, now nothing is impossible
‘Cause nothing catches Him by surprise
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:11
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Originally posted in June of 2019…
Even though the world knocks you down, your faith will see you through.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalms 37:3-4
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 