Where do you see God? When the road ahead looks dark and hopeless, seek Him…when you are unsure or afraid, seek His will…when you are frustrated and angry, trust in His way. God is with you, no matter what, God created you and He loves you, just the way you are…He is the way to shine a light in the darkness. Turn towards the Lord and live. I pray we look for the ways God is with us in our everyday life. Amen.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui)
When we talk about hope, it mostly gets aligned with wishful thinking in general conversations. This kind of hope is not sure, not firm and carries many doubts. The hope talked about in the Bible is hope that believes and knows the Word of God and God’s promises for good things. The hope we receive from Christ is a hope that knows that God is for us and working for our good, even when, especially when the visible evidence is against it. The hope in the Word of God tells us to not give up or surrender to sin, rather know that God is with you and you can trust in Him…not for the things you believe you should have but for the things God knows that you need. May the God of all hope be present in your daily walk.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
(This photo was taken in September of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)
In our times of greatest need, the only thing that will uphold you or sustain you is the Lord. When things go sideways in your life according to your plans and it will happen I can promise you that much, any shred of hope, courage or peace will come from God. No matter what is going on in your life, in your mind or in your heart…take it to the Lord today. Share with God your fears, what you are worried about and trust in Him to uphold you…He promised He would and God never breaks His promises. The only way to find out if something is good is to taste and see for yourself. May God’s love and comfort surround you as it is surrounding all aspects of my family during this time of significant change.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8
(This photo was taken in September of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
Friends I don’t have many words for you today…my family and I are working through the process of my Dad passing away this past Friday. When were discussing music for the service this hymn was mentioned, and it keeps coming back to me in my mind all morning long. Please pray for us and know that God is near you too. Below is a link to the hymn and the lyrics below that. Peace be with you.
Yahweh, I Know You Are Near ~ Dan Schutte
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
[Verse 1]
Lord, you have searched my heart
And you know when I sit and when I stand
Your hand is upon me
Protecting me from death
Keeping me from harm
[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
[Verse 2]
Where can I run from your love?
If I climb to the heavens you are there
If I fly to the sunrise
Or sail beyond the sea
Still I’d find you there
[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
[Verse 3]
Marvelous to me are your works
How profound are your thoughts, my Lord
Even if I could count them
They number as the stars
You would still be there
[Chorus]
Yahweh, I know you are near
Standing always at my side
You guard me from the foe
And you lead me in ways everlasting
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass in Montana)
We all have them…we have them for little things…we have them for big things…we have choices to make everyday…even not deciding is a choice. We are bombarded with messages about what we “should” want, what everyone “needs” and the quick and simple things you can do to have it all. Um No. This is evil and the sinful nature constantly at work telling us me, myself and I are the only important things to focus on. Every step we take towards the sinful nature is a step we choose to take away from God. We need to focus on the fruit of the Spirit “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) These are free, they are choices we can make in our everyday interactions. Choose a life based on the foundation of Faith and trust in Jesus Christ with every aspect of your life. May you be blessed with wisdom in the choices you make.
“Do not conform any longer tot he pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)
It is true…He is with you…He gives to you…He holds you…He comforts you…He blesses you…He guides you…God is always with you. There will often be times in this world when you will feel like you are alone, that God has somehow left you. It is not true, when that happens take a moment to reflect on what you have been focusing on. I have found in my own life that usually means I have turned away from God for some reason, not the other way around. We can’t always expect the miracle event to prove that God is with us, let’s face it even people who lived to witness the miracles in person struggled to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It is a matter of faith to know and believe that God is with us. He did not bring sin into the world and the bad things that happen are from evil and darkness in the world and they want you to blame God for everything. God made sure you know that He created you, He loves you and He is with you…it is all written down for you to read for yourself. Trust in God and you will see the good things too. May the presence of God surround you and what you see today.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
I am finding myself seeing examples of the brokenness of people in my daily life interactions and experiences. Or at least I am more aware of these things than I used to be. It is discouraging. We are so willing to pull and push others down for a variety of reasons. It is so important to seek out what is good and what we have gratitude for in our lives. If we look around with the eyes the world wants us to, we will be very negative and feeling unworthy. If we trust in God and His goodness for our perspective it changes things dramatically. We are never going to know all the answers or understand them while we are here, however, if we trust in the Lord we know that He is working for the good in all things. May God’s joy and love be with you.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth , Minnesota)
No matter where we go or what we do God’s love and faithfulness are always more powerful than anything in this world. We spend our days searching for something…happiness, justice, peace of mind and we believe we will find it somewhere on earth. Yet the whole time God offers a path to find these pursuits. It begins with a belief in God and His goodness. Every promise He made He has kept and the last promise has yet to come, and Jesus Christ will come again. I pray we have the courage to stop putting our faith in things created by mankind and put our trust and faith right where it belongs…In God We Trust. May you see God’s love and faithfulness at work in your life.
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 115:1
(This photo was taken in June of 2015 on the side of the road while driving through South Dakota)
One of my struggles in faith is opening up to the Lord for everything. Not only the parts of my life and my heart I think He wants to be involved in…that would be God on my terms. It does not work like that. God is the God of everything and Jesus Christ is Lord of all. All of creation, all people in all nations since the beginning of time and His love for everything, His grace and His mercy will endure forever. It is so difficult for my finite mind to comprehend the totality of God and His love. He is more than the God of Sunday morning or Wednesday evening…He is more than the God of when I really need help or a crisis is happening…He is more than a beautiful sunrise or sunset when we feel more of His presence. He is the Lord of housework, the Lord of daily errands, the Lord of trips to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, He is the Lord of where you work and what you do…He is the Lord of everything. Period. The best part of all of this means He is right there waiting to hear from you about all of it. He is your Lord and Savior and even though that doesn’t mean everything will be easy and good He is with you through it all everyday. May God’s presence, His love, His joy and His forgiveness be present in your life everyday.
“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of the life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalm 23:6
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
A relationship with God is like no other. He can provide the greatest comfort in times of trouble, the greatest joy out of the worst of tragedy and He never will leave you or abandon you. God wants you to engage in a covenant with Him. An agreement that you will honor only Him as God and you will pursue to keep His commandments in your everyday life. You will accept His Son, Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, believing that He died and has risen to save you from your sins. If you strive to honor this covenant you will get a better sense of God’s presence in your life. God does not play favorites like humans, His covenant is not a quid pro quo situation where you scratch His back and He will scratch yours. God loves everyone and His forgiveness, His mercy and grace is available the same to anyone. The only the difference is how we choose to engage in our relationship with Him. May God’s peace and joy be with you.
“All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.”
Psalm 25:10
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
Take Your Faith With You 