“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)
Every day we have choices to make about how we live…what we think, what we say and what we do. These thoughts, words and actions are based on what we value. Whether it is conscious or an unconscious decision we are choosing to serve either our sinful nature or the life of the Spirit. Stay close to your relationship with Jesus Christ…by prayer and reading God’s Word…we will be renewed with hope, courage and faith to live by the Spirit. Amen.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
Believe in the power of God…He is our Creator…He is our Savior…He will guide us with the Holy Spirit. God can and will rescue you. Don’t give up hope…don’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Believe in God’s saving grace, believe in God’s love for you. Trust in the Lord and He will rescue you. Amen.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)
He is right there with you…no matter where you are…no matter what is happening…no matter what you are feeling…no matter what you are going through…God is with you…no matter what. Turn towards Him and pray…the Lord is near…trust in the Lord. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Belief…trust…conviction…reliance…dependence…faith. Don’t wait to seek the Lord as the last resort…if you are curious about faith, pick up a bible and read about God and His Son and the Holy Spirit…evil and darkness of the world has many ways to distract us and keep us away from our faith. We can turn towards Jesus Christ with confidence…He has shown us how much He loves us and He is right here with us every step of the way. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
The first time I highlighted some verses in my bible it was Matthew 6:25-34…they stood out to me. They told me something nobody else has ever told me about worries, fears and anxiety…those verses told me why I don’t need to worry all the time about everything. God is in control, He knows what we need and He knows what is best for us…now when we get off track and try to live our lives separate from God we end up getting ourselves in some pretty dicey situations…that is not God doing that to us that is all on us. So, if we want to see change in our lives and our situations it is up to us to put God first in our lives and to seek His will. Life will still have trouble but we know with God all things are possible. Amen.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
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. 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
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
It is powerful…it has been sent to us in the form of His one and only Son…it can flow through us when we show love to one another…it has stood the test of time and it will endure forever. Amen.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:9-12
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
Change…modify…reshape…rebuild…renew. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We are not able to do this alone, although we often try. In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us the answer to the question, ‘how can I change?’ “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 If you truly want to seek a change in your life seek your relationship with Jesus Christ first and you will be transformed. Amen.
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-24
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 ina neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Our Hope…
“…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
Our Peace…
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the south shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin. The bible verse creation is courtesy of the Bible Lens App)
Take Your Faith With You 