Come As You Are

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-29

Come, Now Is The Time To Worship by Brian Doerksen

DSC_0010 publish

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

Revelation 22:17

(This photo was take in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

God Is Greater Than __________

Feel free to finish that title with anything you want…God is greater.  No matter what you can think of, our God is greater.  This means whatever is on your mind, whatever is pulling on you or keeping you distracted, whatever burden you are carrying…God is greater than that issue, that problem, that worry, that concern, that guilt or shame.  It doesn’t matter if we are are talking about the past, the present or the future…God is greater than all things and He is with you right now.  Turn towards Him, talk to Him and trust in Him.  Amen.

“The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.”

2 Chronicles 2:5

“If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

1 John 3:20

DSC01215 publish

You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Isaiah 26:3

(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)

The Good News

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Luke 2:6-11

DSC06842 publish

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.”

John 3:16-17

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota)

Nothing Is Impossible

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 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.”

Matthew 17:19-20

DSC_0049 publish

“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

(This photo of a young Loon was taken this past weekend on a lake in central Minnesota)

Peace That Surpasses Understanding

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 14:27

DSC_0262 publish

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

God’s Presence

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:11

DSC_1554 publish

“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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Stand Firm On The Rock

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

1 Corinthians 16:13

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24

DSC_0939 publish

“I love you, Lord, my strength.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:1-2

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Trust God’s Way

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4

DSC_1549 publish

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Stay Patient

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him…”

Psalm 37:7

DSC_0216 publish

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 2021 at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Stay Focused

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Romans 8:5

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3

DSC_0054 (2) publish

Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:25-27

(This photo was taken in August of 2021 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)