joy

Your Father In Heaven

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“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.  Which of you if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask!  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:7-12

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Plans

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“To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue.  All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.  Commit to the Lord whatever you do,  and your plans will succeed.  The Lord works out everything for his own ends – even the wicked for a day of disaster.  The Lord detests all the proud of heart.  Be sure of this:  They will not go unpunished.  

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.  When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.  Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.  In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”

Proverbs 16:1-9

(This photo was taken in August 2016 at Arches National Park in Utah)

Choose A Life Verse

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I have found on my faith journey one important aspect of faith is to choose a verse or verses that best fit your faith life.  Memorize them and speak them at any time throughout your day.  This is how we can carry the Word of God with us in our hearts.  The following has been my life verse for quite a long time…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while driving through the State of Washington)

What is your life verse?

Live By The Spirit

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:22-25

(This photo was taken in July 2016 at Beartooth Pass Summit in Montana)

Be Strong

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“I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

(This photo was taken last week in Glacier National Park in Montana…can you see the waterfall near the bottom of the picture?)

Seek Love

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“Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need.  Practice hospitality.”

Romans 12:9-12

(This photo was taken earlier this week near Glacier National Park in Montana)

Seek Humility

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Faith is a journey because it is not something to be reviewed and learned once and then you check the box and move on because now you can say ‘I know about Jesus and who he was’…Faith is about a relationship with God our Father, Jesus his Son and the Holy Spirit.  It is a daily interaction with the Lord like all important relationships and it is a re-dedication to doing our best to seek Jesus and the words and examples he sets for us…in his life, death and resurrection…He is risen and alive today and he loves you!

Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians…

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should not look only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

(This photo was taken earlier this week at Glacier National Park in Montana)

Seek Joy

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“As the Father has loved me, so I have 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 is 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 this week while driving through Glacier National Park in Montana)

Getting To Know Him

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“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

(This photo was taken this past Saturday while driving through North Dakota)

A Strong Foundation

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Jesus speaking to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke…

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?  I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock.  When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation.  The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Luke 6:46-49

(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado)