“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you which can save you.”
James 1:19-20
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Garden of the Gods Nature Center near Colorado Springs, Colorado)
“Therefore, I urge you , brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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 12:1-2
(This photo was taken in August of 2015 on a lake in central Minnesota)
“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached – how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen – by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name’.”
Acts 10:34-43
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
Romans 5:1-5
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Colorado)
Jesus said while speaking to his disciples…
“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. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Luke 11:9-10
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving the north shore of Maui)
“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”
1 John 3:21-24
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunrise on Maui)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 on a lake in central Minnesota)
It takes courage and a strong personal relationship with God to surrender our will and focus on God’s will for our life. The world and the forces of evil want desperately for us to choose the easy path, the convenient way and not bother with God. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus was not focused on easy. In fact, it shows us and sets the example of what sacrifice looks like and what putting our trust in God can result in. A wonderful Pastor friend in my life taught me a lesson around Easter a few years ago…from the greatest of tragedies, pain and suffering comes the greatest joy, jubilation and triumph.
Jesus while praying in Gethsemane shortly before he was arrested, in one moment was pleading with God to ‘take this cup from me’ and then in the next moment he surrenders, ‘Yet not what I will, but what you will’ Mark 14:36 He knows what it means to suffer…He knows more about suffering, pain and tragedies in this world than many of us will ever see. Trust Him because He did it all for you.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Psalm 37:5-7
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Badlands National Park in South Dakota)
An essential element of spiritual growth is spending some quiet time with the Lord…there are so many ways to get distracted and overwhelmed with this world. When Jesus was here he often would seek time to be alone with God the Father. Our faith is similar to the physical body it needs to be nourished to be healthy. God made us and he loves us no matter what…No If’s, And’s or But’s about it! He loves you and he longs for you to seek His voice.
Jesus said the following while speaking to the Jews…
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given then to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:27-29
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a prime listening time, sunset on the water, on a lake in central Minnesota)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 on a lake in central Minnesota)
