“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
Romans 5:19
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
A place to find redemption…a place to be forgiven…a place where we will know hope…a place where we will find peace. There is a place where you can find what you have been looking for…it is at the foot of The Cross. Amen.
The Cross Has The Final Word by Newsboys
“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 June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South 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When a person stands firm in faith they are often persecuted and told that their thinking is outdated or wrong.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)
Our Savior…He was flogged…He was beaten…He dragged that Cross as the crowds cursed Him and spit on Him. He was crucified on it and took the punishment for our sins. He died…for you and for me. Why? Because He loves us that much. The best part is three days later God raised Him from the dead and Christ is alive. We are loved, we are forgiven and it is up to us to spread the Good News…the message of The Cross. Amen.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
Originally posted in January of 2019…
We have been saved…the battle has been won. Jesus Christ gave of Himself to save us and to reconcile us back to God. We are not made to do life alone, God our Creator made us out of His love and His Son sacrificed His life because of His love for us and the Holy Spirit is guiding us through our days with God’s grace. We haven’t earned it, we don’t deserve it. It has occured because of the mercy and grace of God our Father. He is not a distant figure in the sky looking for ways to punish us for every mistake, He is doing everything for our good, not according to our plans rather according to His. We would do well to turn towards God and thank Him and seek to grow our relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling through northern Colorado)
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.”
1 John 1:5-7
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:8-9
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
When you start with this…everything else falls into place. May His peace be with you. Amen.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)
Are created by God. He has a plan and He values all people. If we choose to judge others by the standards of the world, we are forgetting about what God teaches us. Often times we know very little about others we encounter in our daily life…yet we are quick to assume things about them. Pick up God’s word and strive to see people through the eyes of Jesus. Like many aspects of our faith journey it is simple, but it’s not easy. Peace be with you. Amen.
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
James 2:12-13
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park in Winterset, Iowa)
“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)
Our sins leave a mark on us. Some mark our hearts or our minds, some leave a mark on our bodies and some sins leave long lasting wounds. These wounds occur because we chase after sinful desires that hurt us and may hurt others. He took the punishment for our sins…He sacrificed Himself for us because He loves us and we are not capable of saving ourselves. Jesus Christ suffered, was crucified and died for us and it is by His wounds we are healed. Amen.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2:24
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5
(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at a lake in central Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 