Faith is about being certain of God and His love and faithfulness beyond our visible circumstances and surroundings.

“We live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Faith is about being certain of God and His love and faithfulness beyond our visible circumstances and surroundings.

“We live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Attitude
by Charles Swindoll
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change that people will act a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Romans 12:2
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)
With God we will find strength and courage because all things are possible with Him.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
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)
We can be conquerors of sin…we can overcome obstacles…we can be blessed with wisdom to find our way. If we are willing to cast our worries and burdens on Him and trust His love for us anything is possible. There is nothing that can separate us from God’s love and God’s plan for us. Believe and you will receive. Amen.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
We can be content knowing God is in control. No matter what the world does to try and keep us away, God is always with us. We do not need to live in worry and anxiety when we put our trust in the Lord and seek His Word. The bible talks about becoming a new creation, choosing to live different from the way of the world and the sinful nature. Ask God to help you open the eyes of your heart and to see with the eyes of Jesus. Live with God at the center of your life and you will find peace. Amen.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)
Begin again…trust God to guide you…surrender your heart and mind…with God all things are possible. Trouble will come, things will get messed up and times will be difficult, this is to be expected. Focus on what you can control…how will you choose to respond? Will you choose hatred, anger, malicious talk and put your efforts into tearing down others? Many have chosen this way and it brings nothing but destruction. Will you choose kindness, compassion, listening and patience? Even with your enemies? Every single person was created by God…clearly it is time for the human race to go back and read the instructions for life found in God’s word. If you are unsure where to begin try the Book of Proverbs or look into the story of Joseph in Genesis. God can renew and restore us if we are willing to turn towards Him. Amen.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 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 December of 2018 on Paradise Island of the Bahamas)
During your time at work or at home…with family or friends…on an adventure or relaxing on a beach…or just trying to keep up with a busy schedule…God is watching over you. Too often we are turning away from Him, going off on our own and then making some sort of mess of things. To read a similar story, pick up the bible and look at Luke 15:11-32…the story of the prodigal son. God is just like a father that welcomes us back every time we come home to Him. Seek the Lord and walk with Him in all that you do. Amen.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Chirst Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at one of the covered bridges near Winterset, Iowa)
Raise your hand if you have ever prayed to God about a problem or a situation and you asked God to help you and then you go and do what you think should happen next only to find you have made it worse…my hand is up. Trusting God with our words is one thing…living it out in our daily life is another level of spiritual growth. If we truly want to see God’s work and God’s plan in our life we need to learn how to get out of His way. I can think of several times when I have been praying about something and have not been patient enough to wait for the Lord. As I have stated in the past…I tend to be a slow learner. I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace and know He will be with us no matter how long it takes for us to learn how to trust in Him. Amen.

“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)
Don’t give up…keep praying…keep trying…be persistent…have courage…believe. Everyone is challenged by something in life. Everyone is fighting a battle of some kind. It is in these situations that we can see the power of God, we can see the His mercy and His grace when we shift our perspective off of worldly treasures and back on to Jesus. God is holding on to you through everything the world is throwing at you. Trust in Him and persevere through trials. Amen.

“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 October of 2018 standing on one of the Bridges of Madison County near Winterset, Iowa)