“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
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
Ephesians 2:4-5
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
It’s so easy to get blinded by worldly values and events that we lose sight of God. How quickly we forget His love, His mercy, His grace and what Jesus Christ did to save us. We have access to the instruction manual for life in God’s Word…it’s right there…yet we lay down our worries and burdens and ask Him for help…only to pick them up again and go our own way. He provides all that we need…let us give thanks to the Lord. Amen.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:1
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:5
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:26-27
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Whatever has been on your mind…whatever thoughts keep swirling…whatever is in your heart share it with the Lord. Seek Him and His Word. The Lord will lead and guide you and renew your mind. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)
God is with us every day, everywhere, no matter what happens. I can say this because He promised He would be…our relationship with God should not be part of our weekend “To Do” list. Spending time with Him daily and recognizing He is our Creator; His Son is our Savior and He will guide us with the Holy Spirit takes courage and a willingness to commit to His Word…a willingness to trust in Him…Be Strong. Bring your worries, your burdens, your fears…your everything to Him…everyday…no matter what. Amen.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.”
1 John 1:5-7
“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
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at sunrise along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
He gave us the greatest sacrifice to save us. He did it for love. God has promised to always be with you and God never breaks His promises. Jesus Christ died to save all of us and He has risen from the dead and it is because of His sacrifice and His resurrection that we have hope. Amen.
“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
1 Peter 3:8-12
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 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 5:7-9
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Beaver River Falls in northern Minnesota)
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 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 6:16-17
“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
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 