The words of Jesus according to the Gospel of John…
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
John 15:9-12
(This photo was taken by my daughter in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)
A song that David sang to the Lord after he was delivered from his enemies and the hand of Saul…
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies…”
Psalm 18:1-3
The entire song is the 50 verses of Psalm 18, may we all find our strength in God.
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame’.”
Romans 10:10-11
(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking near the North Shore of Lake Superior)
So I have aged another year and as I reflect I think about my physical age and my faith journey…I am still a child in spiritual growth but so grateful for the opportunity to grow by reading God’s Word, praying and fellowship and I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s presence!
On this day I thank you and praise you God for all you have blessed me with in life and I pray for my interactions with others that they can see you presence in my life and my actions.
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:8-9
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali beach on Maui)
Solomon the son of David became king of Israel and when God came to him and told him to ask whatever he wishes and it will be given to you…Solomon made a choice very few people would…
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
2 Chronicles 1:10
God blessed him with significant wisdom and knowledge, more than any other person had ever been given. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of many nuggets of wisdom spoken by Solomon and therefore it has many great instructions for life…and again most of these items are simple statements of truth that are not always easy to live out.
If you have had difficulty wondering where to start in looking at or reading the Bible, try starting in Proverbs it has so many great lessons to remember for everyday life.
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 19:20
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 during the sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians…
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…”
Ephesians 1:18-19
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving in northern Colorado)
Take Your Faith With You 