“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalms 37:3-4 NIV
Believe that God is at work even when you cannot see it
Stay focused and keep going
Do not be afraid and do not give up
Commit your way to the Lord
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
There many elements of life working against those desiring to follow Jesus
The world, the flesh and Satan all are like a rushing river of water trying to keep us away from God and His Word
We must learn to stand firm in the faith
To speak the truth with respect, kindness and compassion
Remember God is with you, no matter what
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV
They are nearer than you think
Angels are fighting for us against the forces of darkness
They keep us safe and help guide us
They aren’t looking for us to honor them, they do their work so that we will honor God
When our time is up, they will usher us up to heaven
Give thanks to God for the angels in your life
“And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
2 Kings 6:17 NIV
“For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
Psalm 91:11-12 NIV
(This photo was taken while on a walk in a park in central Minnesota)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
James 1:5 NIV
“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV
Intelligence…understanding…insight…perception…discernment
Wisdom is gained through experience and learning…by taking action
Intelligence without common sense is not wisdom
When we can look beyond the current moment and not have ourselves as the center of everything then we are wise
True wisdom takes humility, above all else we should remember that any wisdom we gain, cannot be compared to God’s wisdom and God’s plan
It is up to us to seek Him and His Word to truly learn and grow throughout our lives
We will never know all the answers while we are here and that can be frustrating…but we have every opportunity to seek and to know the One who is and always will be the answer…Jesus
Seek wisdom and may the peace of the Lord be with you
“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.“
Proverbs 3:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
No matter what we have done or left undone…
God is with us and God is for us
Even when we don’t see Him or the work He is doing in our lives…He is near
Every promise God made has been kept…He is faithful and His only promise yet to be fulfilled is when Christ returns
Trust in the Lord and His Word…
He is trustworthy and faithful in everything
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
(This photo was taken at a field near Kimball, Minnesota)
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:29-31 NIV
“As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
31 For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and keeps my way secure.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he causes me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You make your saving help my shield,
and your right hand sustains me;
your help has made me great.
36 You provide a broad path for my feet,
so that my ankles do not give way.”
Psalm 18:30-36 NIV
(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”
Hebrews 11:7 NIV
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 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 6:31-34 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 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.“
1 John 4:7-9 NIV
There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing
There is no situation, life circumstances, no relationship or struggle that can separate us from God’s love
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:8-9 NIV
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2 NIV
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Father God, please guide us and teach us as we seek to live a life that honors You
Lead us into our calling, and lovingly correct our mistakes
Thank You for being the One we can confide in, and for loving us just as weare
You are good, and we are grateful for You and everything You do
In Jesus name, Amen
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.“
Psalm 32:8 NIV
(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 