Stand firm in faith. Trust God and His plan for you. We will not always see the way or understand His plan, yet we know that all good things come from God. Amen.
“Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.”
Psalm 37:5
“…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
We all have been given the gift of free will…to decide, to make decisions every day about how we will choose to respond to circumstances and situations in our lives. Yet we are often quick to allow the thoughts, words and actions of others to drive how we feel. Maybe that is how we are made, to listen and to be guided…unfortunately we have not chosen to listen to the only one worthy to guide and counsel us…our Lord and Savior. Seek Him…seek wisdom and listen to the Counselor who loves you. Amen.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Psalm 32:8
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
Our God is faithful to all His promises…forever. Amen.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of Gods in Colorado)
As we live and learn and grow on our spiritual journey, we slowly gain a greater understanding of God’s love. It is one thing to hear about it, read about it and know it in your head and it is something much greater to experience it and know it in your heart. God is love, He loves you and His love will never let you down. Amen.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:8
“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. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:9-12
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)
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)
Who we are in our daily lives says a great deal about our relationship with God. What we value and how we treat each other says more about us than our job title or the company we work for ever could. Cherish each day and the people in your life that mean the most to you. Live in God’s love. Amen.
“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 March of 2013 at the Botanical Gardens at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada)
When you become tired and weary…frustrated and exasperated…looking for answers and your mind is swirling with questions…turn towards the Lord. Focus on Him, bring Him your worries and your burdens…He will help to quiet your mind and bring peace to your spirit. The Lord is a refuge for those who seek Him and nothing in this world can take His place. Amen.
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 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 40:28-31
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“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.”
Psalm 37:7
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
The difference between faith and religion…faith is about trust and belief because we have experienced the Presence of God in our lives. Has it happened to you? It is hard to put into words…unexplainable…a time for me was putting together and delivering the eulogy at my father’s funeral. Not something I ever could have done alone…when I think about that time words are few, yet the ones that come to mind are comfort, unusual peace, clear thinking…that doesn’t fully cover it but what I can come up with…in the book of Exodus Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days with God without food or water, yet it does not say he felt hunger or thirst. An encounter with the Presence of God is unlike anything else in life. May His Peace be with you. Amen.
“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14
(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Where have you seen God at work in your life? When you look back across your past, what moments or decisions do you believe God was working on for your good? He loves us and is always with us. When you pray? How do you pay attention for His response? He speaks to us many different ways. Be persistent, be patient and wait for the Lord. Amen.
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 