“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Fear Is a Liar by Zach Williams
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6 NIV
“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.“
Proverbs 3:13-14 NIV
“Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.”
Proverbs 4:7 NIV
(This photo was taken on the shore on Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24 NIV
Father God, my life is Yours
Please take every part of it
Every area of my life that does not honor You…take it
Every insecurity, every fear, every selfish desire and past mistake…I give it all to You
Please put those things to death so that I can experience Your abundant life
In Jesus name, Amen
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Father God, even in the midst of many troubles, You are faithful
When we are tired, overwhelmed, burnt out or grieving, Your love still covers us
Thank You for showing us kindness and mercy every day
Your steadfast love endures forever
Great is Your faithfulness!
In Jesus name, 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 NIV
(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”
Ephesians 2:8 NIV
“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 NIV
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
Ephesians 4:7 NIV
The Word of God tells us about God’s grace in many passages
It also reminds us that God’s grace is for all people
Give thanks to God for His mercy and grace…
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
(This photo was taken on a lake in central Minnesota)
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”[a]
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
(This photo was taken at a park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
“I bow in prayer to the Father because of my work among you. 15 From the Father every family in heaven and on earth gets its name. 16 I pray that he will use his glorious riches to make you strong. May his Holy Spirit give you his power deep down inside you. 17 Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in him. And I pray that your love will have deep roots. I pray that it will have a strong foundation. 18 May you have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to understand Christ’s love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. 19 And may you know his love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.
20 God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us. 21 Give him glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. Give him glory through all time and for ever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 NIRV
We would do well to follow Paul’s example of prayer shown above when we pray for others to our Father
Who do you need to come to the Father about in your prayers?
He listens…He wants to hear from you because He loves you
Spend time talking with our good Father in heaven
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:3-6 NIV
(This photo was taken by a friend at a lake in central Minnesota)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
We all have been given a conscience and we all have the ability to choose how we will respond to events and activity in our lives and the world
Every day, every interaction with others is an opportunity to choose the way you will go
We cannot get caught up in ‘the problems are too big’ or ‘they won’t listen to me’ or ‘I don’t have anything to offer others’…these are the words of darkness and evil trying to keep you from God’s will
It may be only one moment in a day, one brief interaction or act of kindness but if you can do something to help or serve just one other person today, you have made a difference the world
The world is broken and the problems, the suffering and the pursuit of selfishness and evil has people angry and fearful
It is impossible for the human race to overcome all this alone but nothing is impossible for God
I pray that we all will seek Him and His will for our lives
“He has showed 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 with your God.”
Micah 6:8 NIV
(This photo was taken at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do we always get what we want, when we want it?
No. Does a child always get what they ask for?
No. Do we or they understand why?
No, we don’t…what we do know is that God wants us to pray
It is our way to communicate and stay connected to God
The greatest gift we have received is we can have a personal relationship with God
Connect with God through prayer…it will make all the difference in life
“ Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessolanians 5:16-18 NIV
(This photo was taken on shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.“
Psalm 23:1-4 NIV
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
Take Your Faith With You 