“If you make the Most High your dwelling – and you say ‘the Lord is my refuge’ – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Psalm 91:9-12
(This photo was taken this past Saturday on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Psalm 62:5-8
(This photo was taken in July of 2015 while visiting Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado)
We must try to remember that God has a plan for each and every one of us…we will find the Fruits of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in His plan not in our own ideas about how life should be.
” ‘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
(This photo was taken last month on a lake in central Minnesota)
The Lord said while speaking to Joshua…
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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 1:6-9
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving the north shore of Maui)
It is so easy to become stressed and overwhelmed by all that goes on in our everyday lives. This is not a new concept to people living on earth. It goes back to the beginning of time. When you read some of the individual accounts of life and times in the book of Genesis and the book of Exodus you will read about men and women who were constantly stressed out and full of anxiety. Nobody gets the easy life…even the people you see on Facebook or other social media sites. We are only seeing the good parts for public distribution, sometimes we do see some of the bad of someone’s life but it is limited. Remember this, every person is fighting a battle in life, most of the time it is a battle we know nothing about, yet they are living it everyday.
When Moses had reached a point of frustration between God and His people, that he led out of Egypt, he tells God his true feelings. He expresses his desire to understand…he was expressing his battle to God…and God replied with a statement we need to remember everyday as we fight our battles.
“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest’.”
Exodus 33:13-14
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali Beach on the island of Maui)
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Colorado)
” ‘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
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while driving through Colorado)
In all of our busy lives we typically spend time focusing our energy and effort on what we believe is important. The question then becomes what is important to you and your life?
There are many things that can be on this list and I have found the most peace, joy and contentment in the world comes when I put “follower and believer in Christ” first on that list. The world will not make this easy for you to do but we were never promised easy that was lost as soon as the fruit was eaten from the tree that was off limits. We are promised something and that something is only offered by God…
We are promised his Presence, Forgiveness, Mercy, his Grace, his unconditional Love, an answer to Prayers, comfort when were are stressed and so many more gracious gifts. If only we will choose to put him first in our daily life and spend time reading his Word will learn about and be reminded of all that he offers us. What comes first can make all the difference for everything else in our lives.
May his Peace be with you!
Take Your Faith With You 