Hope

Our Living Hope

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One of the greatest strengths of our faith is the hope we have because of Jesus Christ.  When we read from God’s Word about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the way He lived when He was here on earth, we find there were many times when circumstances looked really bad and the people seemed to have very few choices of how to respond.  Yet Jesus would help and find new ways to work things out…not necessarily the way the people wanted but in a way that was better for everyone involved.  Just because we cannot see the way forward during trails and suffering does not mean the situation is hopeless, it just means we are not putting our trust in the Lord.  Look to Jesus in all situations good and bad and there we will find our Hope.  Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the north shore of the island of Maui, Hawaii)

Put Your Hope In God

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Good morning.  Welcome to a new day.  There are many things happening in your life today, yet God is still with you because He loves you.  Sharing the lyrics and music of the song on my mind this morning.  Here is “Find Rest” by Francesca Battistelli

“Find Rest”

He never sleeps, He never slumbers
He’s been awake at every hour
No tear catches Him by surprise
He’s never lost, He never runs out
He never lives in the shadows of doubt
No fear catches Him by surprise

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

He always is, He always will be
He always has been everything I need
How can this be catching me by surprise
He’s ever strong, He’s ever faithful
His love is real, now nothing is impossible
‘Cause nothing catches Him by surprise

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

I close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of mercy holding me
I close my eyes, and I can see
The arms of Jesus holding me

Find rest my soul
Put your hope in God
Put your hope, put your hope in God

Put your hope in God
Put your hope in God

Songwriters: Francesca Battistelli / Ian Eskelin / Jared Anderson
Find Rest lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, Capitol Christian Music Group

 

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“Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:11

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

There Is Hope…

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Where can you apply this phrase in your life?  We get tired, we get frustrated and we get discouraged…and when this occurs it is important to remember with God all things are possible, even if and especially if we can’t see the way ahead or we can’t figure out how this is going to change or get better.  Because there is hope we can keep going, keep trying, keep giving our best to that situation in our life…we persevere because there is hope.  With God the most desperate time in human history when Jesus Christ was crucified, died and was buried became the greatest event of Good News.  He was this baby born on Christmas morning who brought peace, healing and joy…He became a man performing miracles everywhere He went and then…He was gone…I can’t imagine what it must have been like for those days between His death and His resurrection.  But because Jesus Christ has risen and He lives there is always Hope!  May we all be strengthened and encouraged by the hope God has poured out for us through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love in to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:5

(This photo was taken in December of 2013 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Do Not Be Afraid

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Fear can be powerful, if we let it.  It can stop growth and progress, it can create major detours in our lives and relationships that none of us planned on taking.  It is a weapon of evil that is used frequently on everyone.  We can overcome fear, we can proceed with care and caution while still moving forward on the path God has put before us.  We can’t do this alone and the good news is we don’t have to.  God sent Jesus Christ into the world to save us and to teach us.  We are not alone and if you find yourself in circumstances wondering ‘how is this going to change or get better?’  Remember, all things are possible with God.  I pray we take our worries and our fears to the Lord and let Him guide our way.  Amen.

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“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Luke 2:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

The Message Of Hope

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No matter what is happening…no matter the circumstances in your life and relationships…even when you can’t see the way…The Word of God provides the message of Hope and a future with the Lord.  The world will provide false truths and absolutes…through the prophets of the Old Testament, through Jesus and the disciples in the New Testament, God provides Hope.  Throughout human history there has been suffering, tragedies and evil, God knows these things will occur in a fallen world filled with sin.  Yet only God can take the broken, suffering, worn down people of this world and give them a new perspective, a renewed strength and a belief in the Hope of good things even in the darkest hours.  Jesus Christ experienced the worst suffering and treatment that humankind can offer and God used that event to provide the greatest moment of Hope the world has ever seen.  I pray we take time to read about God’s message of Hope and believe in what God has in store for us and our lives.  Amen.

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“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 July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)

Love Conquers All

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The driving force in any relationship is love.  It is described by specific behaviors to us in 1 Corinthians 13, so that we know what it means to love.  These words are read at more weddings than any other bible verse…just hearing or reading the words alone is not enough.  How do each of us as individuals put the words in 1 Corinthians 13 into actions and behaviors in our lives and relationships?  When we look at the life of Jesus…He did not only tell people to pray, He did it…He did not only teach people to help others in need, He did that to…He did not only speak about love…He did the one thing that showed the world His love for all people, for everyone and anyone who ever lives to see.  True love that shows up in our actions and our behaviors will always win over the most difficult and tragic situations.  How can we get better at practicing love in our lives?  I pray we seek to understand where we need to be better at love in our relationships.  Amen.

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“There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

1 John 4:18

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)

Living Hope

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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.

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“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)

He Will Restore You

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Keep going…be steadfast and determined to find a way…don’t quit…don’t give up on them.  With so much of the world focused on convenience and saving time there seems to be less and less stories about the long journey of success.  The truth about most accomplishments is that they occur over a significant period of time.  In athletics people will tell stories of an “overnight success”  a player just emerged from out of nowhere.  When the truth is that individual worked their tail off for the last 5, 10 or 15 years to get to that moment and the world just noticed them now.  Hard work is expected to achieve anything.  Dedication, commitment and a willingness to fail and try again, these are the things that lead to success.  Especially in relationships and faith.  If you or someone you care for is struggling, start or keep on praying, don’t give up on the situation.  The world and society throw people away all the time…be different, believe in hope and God will restore the situation one way or another.  May God bless you with courage and strength.

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“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

1 Peter 5:10

(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

 

With All Your…

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Distractions are everywhere.  Our focus shifts from one thing to the next so quickly, especially in the age of social media.  When I was young I remember people using a phrase attributed to Mark Twain, ‘If you don’t like the weather; wait five minutes!’  Well in today’s society it could be ‘if you don’t like the top story of the day; wait a few minutes!’  With schedules and activities; things to do; places to go and see and access to so much information, it is no wonder people are filled with worry, anxiety and feeling exhausted.  We end up putting any time with God and prayer as a line item in our never ending busy lives.   God is not looking for you to be a social media friend or follower, who checks in on your feed to see what’s what…rather He is asking for your full attention, daily.  Your all…your everything…everyday.  May God bless you with wisdom and courage.

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“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.”

Deuteronomy 6:5-6

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)

Home

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We all want a place where we feel like we belong. A place where the majority of the time people are interacting with kindness, goodness and love. The boom of electronic devices has created an invasion in our houses or places to be in community. It is interesting to me that we look down and draw into ourselves with these devices as our life and relationships are enriched when we look up, listen and engage with others and nature. One of the reasons I focus so much time and attention on nature in photography is because it is God created. He made the earth a place for us to live before we go to our eternal home. Wherever your home is invite God into it and invite Jesus into your life every day. The lessons we learn during life on earth are all to help us thrive in eternity. May you see God’s blessings in your life and relationships.

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“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4

(This photo was taken this morning on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, Wisconsin)