“Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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 40:30-31 NIV
While I’m Waiting by John Waller
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?”
Matthew 6:25-27 NIV
It can consume us if we allow it to…worry. What does it do for us? Nothing.
We have a choice; we can sit and worry and stew about things or we can make use of the time we have by meeting with God about these things and trust in Him to guide us and lead us. Do not worry, seek the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34 NIV
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NIV
We must be willing to give forgiveness, to let go of bitterness, anger and pain just as our Father in heaven forgives us. Forgive, be forgiven and you will find peace. Amen.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV
He gave us the greatest sacrifice to save us. He did it for love. God has promised to always be with you and God never breaks His promises. Jesus Christ died to save all of us and He has risen from the dead and it is because of His sacrifice and His resurrection that we have hope. Amen.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 NIV
Today is 3.16…take time to share the Good News of John 3:16 with someone today. It could be just the thing they need to hear. Today is the day, may the peace of God be with you. Amen.
Today Is The Day by Lincoln Brewster
“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.“
John 3:16 NIV
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
“Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[a] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Psalm 46:8-11 NIV
Be Still And Know by Amy Grant
“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
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
“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 4:4-6 NIV
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 us. 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 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
Commitment…dedication…devotion…faithfulness. The faith journey is more than a one time decision to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and life…that is absolutely the right first step. The journey continues and spiritual growth occurs with a daily giving of ourselves to the will of God for our lives. It is prayer about everything, it is learning to let go of those things we cannot control. It is about learning to accept the love and forgiveness of God in your heart and mind and then turning outward toward others to share that truth in service and kindness. My prayer is for all of us to follow Jesus each day. After all, He gave all He had of His life in this world to save us. Amen.
“Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23 NIV
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at City Park in Winterset, Iowa)
“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
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
If we try to do things our own way for our own purposes all the time we will find discouragement and frustration. Our purpose comes from the Lord, our Creator. His purpose is based on love and if we are willing to follow Him we will find everlasting joy and peace. Amen.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
“Praise the Lord.[a]
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
Psalm 106:1 NIV
We are saved by grace. We can not earn it nor do we deserve it. It is a gift from God. Let us give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for us. He is with us, He loves us and He will never leave us. Amen.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)
Take Your Faith With You 