“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
Never Walk Alone by Hope Darst
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”
1 Peter 1:3 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Living a life with faith first…it sounds so simple, yet life in the world is hard
The Bible is a great guide for life…the world will tell you it is not
There are those who believe it is an outdated book filled with stories that are more like fairy tales
People say the world is so different now than when it was written that it is not applicable to life today
That is exactly what Satan wants us to think
The fact is the Bible is the truth, based on actual events…it is the Word of God
Take time to read it every day and it will change your life
“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 while driving in northern Colorado)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude
What feeds your perspective? What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind?
What experience or experiences are framing your view? All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude
If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world
The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord. Jesus said;
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Perspective is about viewing things from a different point of view…trust in the Lord and seek His perspective on your life
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“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 NIV
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
No matter what happens in your life today or in the Election tomorrow…Walk with Jesus and you will find peace
Walk With Jesus by Consumed By Fire
“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.”[a]
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.“
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
The power of prayer does not come from what words you say or what order you say them in
The true power of prayer comes from the One who answers prayers and whether you believe in Him
A prayer offered without belief or out of routine is not the same as one offered from the heart with honesty, sincerity and belief in God
Pray, believe and you will receive
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:22-24 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17 NIV
As we travel on the journey of faith, we will encounter questions and doubts along the way
That is natural and it is ok
We need to remember that the one simple truth of faith is that Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to save us and reconcile us to God because He loves us
His love for us will conquer every battle in our lives
He is worthy of our thanks and praise
Thank you God, for your Son Jesus Christ!
“In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Revelation 5:12 NIV
(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
“Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
Psalm 37:7-9 NIV
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Luke 11:9-10 NIV
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.“
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.“
Psalm 16:11 NIV
(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“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. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:7-9 NIV
Father God, despite our circumstances and anxious hearts, we can always find hope in You. Lord, You will never abandon us, You will never run out of love, and never give up on us. Renew our hope and strength. Encourage our hearts, so we can encourage others around us. In Jesus name, Amen.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?“
Psalm 27:1-2 NIV
(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)
“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
No matter what the circumstances or the possibilities
Turn your worry into prayer
He is with you…He is within you
God will lead and guide you
Every day, all the time…even when you can’t see it
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 