“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2 NIV
“There is no one holy like the Lord;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
Purposeful…dedicated…courageous…committed…determined…resolute. It takes strength to run the race of faith. The evil in this world will bring us many forms of darkness and struggle, it will work hard, very hard to keep us away from God. We have to be willing to fight just as hard to stay close to God and trust in the hope that faith gives us…even when…especially when we can’t see it. Don’t give up, keep the faith, when you get knocked back or pushed down trust in God and keep running the race of faith. Amen.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 on Beartooth Pass in Montana)
“Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8 NIV
If ever there was a time to explore faith…to grab a bible, sit down and ask God the questions you want to ask…if ever there was a time to be able to step away from the busyness and read what God has said in the bible. As with everything, the current days are all about your perspective…you can choose to complain about what you can’t do or where you aren’t able to go…and focus on why a self-serving life is not satisfying…or you can take the opportunity to learn more about God your creator and to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ…take time to taste and see what faith is all about. Amen.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
1 Peter 2:1-3 NIV
(This photo was taken in December of 2018 while visiting the Bahamas)
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
A vital element to any relationship is trust. If there is a lack of trust everything else that comes after that will be filled with negativity and the relationship will erode and break apart. Trust takes effort, commitment and humility. Trust works like a bank account…you build it over time making deposits and it can disappear quickly with big withdrawals. The most important relationship for each of us is our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can trust in Him because of who He is and what He has done for us…to learn more read about Him, His birth, His life, His death and His resurrection and know that He did it for you…because He loves you. Amen.
“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.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking on the North Shore of Lake Superior)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 NIV
When we wander off course or make poor decisions…when we go our own way instead of drawing near to God…life is harder, we struggle more and get discouraged and defeated. When we turn towards God first with every decision, every day…the light of Christ will shine bright for us and illuminate our path. When we choose to put God first and we will see a light in the darkness. Thanks be to God for the Light of life. Amen.
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
(This photo was taken this morning at sunrise over a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 NIV
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Spend time in your relationship with God…remember the things He teaches us. Keep doing good things and doing your best according to His Word. Keep praying, keep believing…keep moving towards God. The next moment might be the best moment…a breakthrough is coming if you are willing to be persistent and patient. Anything is possible with God…God is working even when you can’t see it. Praise be to God.
Haven’t Seen It Yet by Danny Gokey
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 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 4:1-6 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“This is what the Lord says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV
Our purpose, to Know Him…our ministry, to make Him Known. Amen.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 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 4:4-7 NIV
The Bible is God’s Word given to us to lead us, teach us and encourage us in our lives. It is an instruction manual for life. Teaching us about how God wants us to live and about having a personal relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. It has been translated in to languages for people all over the world and it is continuing spread so that one day every person from any walk of life can connect to God through His Word. We can do our part by learning about what is says and putting it into action. Read God’s Word…Do what it says…and you will enjoy God’s peace. Amen.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.”
Isaiah 53:5-6 NLT
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 NIV
He came down from heaven and was born as a baby. He lived and taught…He was beaten, spit on and made to carry the Cross He would die on. He comitted no sin and took the punishment for all of our sins. He suffered, He was crucified, died and was buried and He did it all for you. Then God raised Him from the dead and He is alive! Thanks be to God for the sacrifice Jesus made for you and me so that we can be reconciled to God. Amen.
“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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.“
John 3:16-18 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.“
Psalm 9:10 NIV
Firm belief…confidence…faith…count on…believe in…truth…certainty…love. The darkness and evil of the world are constantly working to turn us away from God and God is constantly speaking to us. Seek Him, seek His will, believe He has good things planned for you and be patient. Trust in God. Amen.
“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.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2022 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 