“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 40:31
(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Keep going with prayer…don’t let the desire for immediate gratification discourage you…God’s will is not about your timing. Seek comfort from Jesus by spending time in prayer and reading God’s word, pay attention for God’s responses in your daily life. Align yourself with God’s plan and go after it with persistence and patience. God is with you and He loves you. Amen.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Glacier National Park in Montana)
It is simple yet very different from worldly values. It is about living a balanced life with Christ at the center. It is not about judgement or comparing oneself to others…it is about the Fruits of the Spirit shining through your thoughts, words and actions because in your heart you truly believe, you have confessed your sins and have an on-going personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not perfect and we never will be…it means you will still face difficulties and suffering in life but you will be better prepared to go through them with God as your guide. It is the only way to find true peace. Amen.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
How He Loves by David Crowder Band
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui, Hawaii)
Whatever the struggle…whatever the battle is in your life…physical, mental, emotional or spiritual…you are not alone in your fight. God is with you…He tells us over and over again in the bible…Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20 and several more times. Trust in the Lord, He has never broken a promise and His promise is to be with you for every day and for every situation…it is up to us to look, listen and to come near to Him. Amen.
“…because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Many of the Books in the New Testament are a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the people in the churches He started. They are meant to teach, encourage and guide the people. They are also His prayers for them. Paul, formally known as Saul, had an encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and from that point forward everything single thing He did the rest of his life was about shining a light on Jesus Christ. When we read his letters, we learn about Jesus and a new life that puts faith first. Amen.
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:16-19
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)
Your journey continues…keep going…be persistent…act with courage and kindness…pursue what is next with compassion and goodness…ask God to guide you and stay close to Him, because God’s not done with you yet. Amen.
God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:4-6
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)
Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin
“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 August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
The message in the bible is clear…we need to learn how to be humble. Selfishness and self-serving behaviors are running wild in the world. God knows it is a problem for the human race and He made sure it is talked about often in His Word…
“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.”
Romans 12:9-10
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:5-7
If you want to know more do an internet search on bible verses about humility. Turn towards Jesus our Savior and the one who set the example of how to be humble by caring for others. Amen.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
Being a parent requires a willingness to sacrifice to serve the needs of others. What we give up is nothing compared to the loving and nurturing relationship we can have with our children throughout life. Here to, God has set the example of a Father who has given up so much so that He can have a loving, engaging and nurturing relationship with you. We would do well to not take Him for granted…He is our Father, who loves us and wants good things for us. Take time to be with Our Father. Amen.
Good Good Father ft. Pat Barrett by Chris Tomlin
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Psalm 103:8
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 