“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 near the border of Minnesota and South Dakota)
Believe in the power of God…He is our Creator…He is our Savior…He will guide us with the Holy Spirit. God can and will rescue you. Don’t give up hope…don’t keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Believe in God’s saving grace, believe in God’s love for you. Trust in the Lord and He will rescue you. Amen.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana and Wyoming border)
He lived a life on earth…He was born as a baby…He was a toddler…He was a teenager, we don’t get to read about that time in the bible but He had to live it to get to the age of 33…He experienced hardship, pain, bad things that other people did to Him, He experienced unfair judgement by people that didn’t know Him, He was bullied…He experienced temptations of the devil and He suffered punishment as an innocent man. Jesus knows about everything and anything you are facing in this life, not only because He is the Son of God but because He experienced life on earth with other people…just like you and me. Jesus knows and He wants to walk with you on your journey…there truly is no better guide for us in life than Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Hebrews 2:18
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on a hike near Bayfield, Wisconsin)
We are forgiven…Jesus Christ died on the Cross to save us from our sins. He has paved the Way for us to be forgiven. It is up to us to respond with the thoughts, words and actions of our daily lives. Who do you need to forgive? Yourself? Someone who has hurt you? Forgiveness is not a free pass…it is a willingness to let go of the anger and bitterness that eats at our souls. Make a choice to give forgiveness and you will find peace. Amen.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at a park near Dillon, Colorado)
Belief…trust…conviction…reliance…dependence…faith. Don’t wait to seek the Lord as the last resort…if you are curious about faith, pick up a bible and read about God and His Son and the Holy Spirit…evil and darkness of the world has many ways to distract us and keep us away from our faith. We can turn towards Jesus Christ with confidence…He has shown us how much He loves us and He is right here with us every step of the way. Amen.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
To move forward without knowing the outcome…to admit we don’t know the answers…to be patient…to share and be vulnerable with another person. It takes courage to be humble…to surrender your plans for God’s plan…it takes courage to live the life that God has intended for you…and the best part is…a relationship with Jesus Christ will give you the courage to seek His will when you trust in Him. Amen.
“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 July of 2018 on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)
Firm belief…confidence…faith…count on…believe in…truth…certainty…love. The darkness and evil of the world are constantly working to turn us away from God and God is constantly speaking to us. Seek Him, seek His will, believe He has good things planned for you and be patient. Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
The struggle is real…we strive and we press to finish and to see the result…only to find the race is not over…there is more that needs to be done. We were made for community to lift each other up and encourage one another. Each of us has been given different gifts to offer to others, we can’t be everything to everyone and if we try, we will be going off course with God’s plan. Learn what God has planned for you and the blessings and abilities He has given to you for this life. Seek to do your best according to God’s will and you will find peace. Amen.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
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. That is what I have learned so far…nobody ever said it was going to be easy. We will face trouble and struggles of every kind in life and if we are willing to stand firm on the foundation of faith, we will persevere. Amen.
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)
It is so easy to stay in “go” mode…day in and day out. Moving from one thing to the next with the calendar driving how we spend our time. When we learn to stop and reflect, we get the opportunity to realize and appreciate what blessings and gifts God has given us. No matter where we have been, who we have been with or what we have done or left undone…God has been right there with us every day, every step of the way. Take a moment to reflect on your life and give thanks to God. Amen.
“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling along Beartooth Pass in Montana)
Take Your Faith With You 