“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 12:9-13
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving through North Dakota)
Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians…
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:1-6
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving northern in Colorado)
Paul writes in a letter to Titus, a pastor serving in Crete…
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of re-birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:4-7
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
The words of Jesus according to the Gospel of John…
“As the Father has loved me, so have I 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 in 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 by my daughter in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)
A song that David sang to the Lord after he was delivered from his enemies and the hand of Saul…
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies…”
Psalm 18:1-3
The entire song is the 50 verses of Psalm 18, may we all find our strength in God.
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)
“Train a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Custer State Park in South Dakota)
The following is a wonderful verse for everyday life…
“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
We will often have questions and not understand the reason that things happen. We must remember that the world is being ravaged by sin and people choosing to pursue sin and ignore God. There are just as many events that show the light of God in the world everyday…unfortunately, people choose to ignore those stories and seem to enjoy spending all their time sharing and talking about events of darkness and evil.
We are to Trust…trust that God is still on the throne of glory and because of free will we can choose to seek him and events that reflect His will.
May we seek to see the work of God today!
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
So I have aged another year and as I reflect I think about my physical age and my faith journey…I am still a child in spiritual growth but so grateful for the opportunity to grow by reading God’s Word, praying and fellowship and I am thankful for the Holy Spirit’s presence!
On this day I thank you and praise you God for all you have blessed me with in life and I pray for my interactions with others that they can see you presence in my life and my actions.
“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:8-9
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali beach on Maui)
The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
Solomon the son of David became king of Israel and when God came to him and told him to ask whatever he wishes and it will be given to you…Solomon made a choice very few people would…
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
2 Chronicles 1:10
God blessed him with significant wisdom and knowledge, more than any other person had ever been given. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of many nuggets of wisdom spoken by Solomon and therefore it has many great instructions for life…and again most of these items are simple statements of truth that are not always easy to live out.
If you have had difficulty wondering where to start in looking at or reading the Bible, try starting in Proverbs it has so many great lessons to remember for everyday life.
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 19:20
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
Take Your Faith With You 