“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 NIV
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
The world, Satan and our flesh tell us
To look out for ourselves and satisfy ourselves first and most often
This is the sinful nature and it has taken hold of us
God has a plan to redeem us
He provided the Way back into a relationship with Him
To live with purpose and it is based on a personal relationship with His One and Only Son
Jesus Christ
He loves you, He gave His life to save you and His way is the only way to God the Father
He came down from heaven and sacrificed His life to save us from our sinful desires
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus is what we reflect on this week and this day
It is ‘Good Friday’ because of Who God is and What Jesus has done for us
Think about it…His Sacrifice as our Savior for our Salvation
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 NIV
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“All Scripture is inspired by God[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.“
2 Timothy 3:16-17 CSB
We all have choices
Go this way or that way…try this and don’t do that
We will make mistakes and it is important that we learn from those mistakes
How do we know what is right?
How can we find out which way is best?
Put a relationship with Jesus Christ first in your life, every day
Why? Read Isaiah 55:8-9
God knows best, He has a plan specifically for you and me
Spending time with Him and growing a personal relationship with Him is the best way to learn about His plan for life
May the peace of the Lord be with you
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken near Garden of the Gods Park in southern Colorado)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
A life if faith is not easy and we were never promised it would be…
In fact the Bible is clear that we all will face troubles in this world
Everyone is facing a battle of some kind and it takes courage to stand in faith and live with God at the center of your life
God knows our difficulties and struggles and Jesus lived as a man on earth for over 30 years and knows all too well the ways of the fallen world
Turn towards Jesus Christ, trust in Him to guide your life and stand firm on the foundation of your faith
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]
1 Peter 1:14-16 NIV
How do we know what God is calling us to do?
For life decisions and direction?
If we use the world’s measuring stick of ‘what we should do’ we risk missing God’s will entirely
To follow our call is to surrender self-serving desires
To be humble and patient and to have a foundation of a faith that is built on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ
Nobody ever said it is going to be easy
We will face trouble and struggles of every kind in life
Yet if we are willing to stand firm on the foundation of faith, we will persevere
Because God is always with us, guiding and protecting us
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.“
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:6-8 NIV
We are blessed to be a blessing
Sharing with those in need is about more than a financial giving
It is sharing whatever God has provided in abudance
Some have an abundance of wisdom, some the ability to be a good listener, some have a solution oriented mindset and some an abundance of encouragement
These things and many others like them are blessings from God that can be shared with others
When reflecting on what you have the ability to share look at your life from a Godly perspective not from the world’s point of view
Be thankful for what God has given you and share as He has shared with you
“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:13 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV
When we talk about giving and generosity, society and the world focuses on money and wealth alone
There is so much more to giving than money
To give of your time, your talents and your gifts
Giving generously is about perspective, attitude and encouragement of the spirit
So give whatever it is you have to offer, whenever you can
Give to those who are in need in your daily life and surroundings
Begin by thanking God for whatever it is you have been blessed with and ask Him to guide you to how you can share it
May each one of us seek a generous attitude with the gifts and blessings God has given us
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a Cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in central Minnesota)
“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 NIV
God’s Word is filled with His promises to us
If you have questions for God or about God, pick up a Bible and begin to read
I recommend starting with the Psalms or Proverbs and the Gospel of John
The Bible is the Word of God and no matter how many times you read something in it, you will find new learnings or a new understanding unlike anything else
It never changes yet you can be changed forever
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV
We are encouraged by the grace and mercy God our Father gives to us
We stumble and fall and yet He loves us the same
He walks with us daily and still there are days we yell ‘God, where are you?’
His love for us is greater than any we will find in human relationships but yet we put our time with Him off to the side or as a low priority that easily can be removed for our busy lives
We seek His forgiveness and He delivers everytime…
The Word of God never changes…
He created us; He loves us; He calls us by name…at that point it is up to us to respond
The greatest Dad there is, is God our Father
We are His children
We are comforted and encouraged by His love
“As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.“
Psalm 103:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in central Minnesota)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Psalm 32:8 NIV
Commitment is hard when things are difficult, when it feels like at every turn we try and failure is right there to greet us
When we commit to something we naturally put some level of our own expectations of how things should go or what we believe should be the outcome
Here is the issue with this approach…we are setting “our expectations” on the result with little regard for God’s will and God’s plan
Following our faith and trust in the Lord means we can be free from the limited results our own minds can generate and be open to new possibilities
For me this is hard to grasp and at times very difficult to embrace
Even Jesus in the last moments before He was arrested prayed breifly for a different outcome…
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” – Luke 22:42
Bring your commitments to the Lord in prayer and seek His will
Listen for Him and the Holy Spirit to guide you
Find your quiet place and quiet time and rest in Him
May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8 NIV
(This photo was taken near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
Take Your Faith With You 