A place to find redemption…a place to be forgiven…a place where we will know hope…a place where we will find peace. There is a place where you can find what you have been looking for…it is at the foot of The Cross. Amen.
The Cross Has The Final Word by Newsboys
“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.”
John 3:16
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Badlands National Park in South Dakota)
Believing in Jesus Christ and following God’s Word does not mean all of our troubles will disappear. In fact Jesus stated the truth about our trials very clearly…
“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
So we know that we will face struggles and trials, how we choose to respond in these times can provide us a path to peace. If we are praying for the trial to just go away…we need to go back to the verse above and remember that is not what we have been told. As we read the Scriptures we learn that the only way past our trials is to go through them and we can do that because we are not alone. When we follow Jesus Christ and the things He has taught us we can find our way through our trials and we can learn from them…and that growth will make us better prepared for trials we will face in the future. Trust in the Lord…spend time in God’s Word everyday and He will guide you through all parts of your life. Amen.
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
Love is about actions…love is found in our behaviors and how we treat each other. Words are cheap…love involves sacrifice, it is not a roller coaster emotion that rises and falls on a whim. Paul describes the actions of love in 1 Corinthians 13…Jesus Christ lived the actions of love in everything He did and continues to do for you and me. If you are wondering what should I do next…put on love and see where the Lord leads you. Amen.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:11-12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blow Hole on the island of Maui)
When a person stands firm in faith they are often persecuted and told that their thinking is outdated or wrong. This is because the way of the world and the way of faith are constantly in conflict with each other. The world wants faith to be convenient, easy, self-pleasing and self-serving. The way of the world is about following the sinful nature. The way of faith is not about the self-first…it is about God’s Word and Jesus Christ…the way of faith is about being humble, admitting that sin is wrong and confessing our sins…the way of faith is about surrendering your will and following God’s will according to His word. The way of faith is about your relationship with Jesus Christ. Stand firm in faith. Amen.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
One of the most precious gifts in life is time…where we spend our time gives light to what we value. When we spend too much time on things that are not aligned with God’s will for us, often we feel discouraged and drained. When we seek God’s wisdom and we strive to live in His will and purpose for our lives we feel renewed, peaceful and content. Take time to assess where you are spending your time and seek to look at your purpose through God’s will rather than the world’s perspective. May God’s peace be with you. Amen.
““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
It is one thing to read or listen to the Word of God…it is the next step in your faith journey to do what it says. We can go our whole lives reading the bible and listening to God’s word in church and if we never put it into practice in our lives…what have we accomplished? The bible is filled with Action words and many of them came directly out of the mouth of Jesus Christ. We are to go and do what He commands us to do. May His peace go with you. Amen.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
James 1:22-25
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 on Beartooth Pass in Montana)
No matter where you have been…no matter what you have done or left undone…God knows. We may feel alone or trapped in our lives due to circumstances around us…don’t believe the lies that Satan is telling you…God knows about you…God loves you…He knows about everything and He knew it when He sent His Son to die for you. You are not alone…God is with you and God loves you. Turn towards God in faith and pray. Amen.
God Only Knows by for King and Country
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Psalm 103:8
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 on a bridge near Winterset, Iowa)
Spend time alone with God in prayer. Focus on your relationship with Him and your relationships with others. When you pray don’t worry about using the right words, be open and honest with the Lord and speak from your heart…then sit quietly alone and listen…focusing your mind on Christ alone. Do this every day and you will feel the nourishment of your soul, the unexplainable sensation of peace will wash over you and your spirit will be renewed. Recharge your spirit each day and God’s peace be with you. Amen.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Our Savior…He was flogged…He was beaten…He dragged that Cross as the crowds cursed Him and spit on Him. He was crucified on it and took the punishment for our sins. He died…for you and for me. Why? Because He loves us that much. The best part is three days later God raised Him from the dead and Christ is alive. We are loved, we are forgiven and it is up to us to spread the Good News…the message of The Cross. Amen.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
They are nearer than you think. They 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. Amen.
“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 July of 2018 while on a walk in a park in central Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 