“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.“
Proverbs 9:10 NIV
“How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to get insight rather than silver!“
Proverbs 16:16 NIV
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.“
Psalm 111:10 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore on Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 NIV
When the world knocks you down, don’t stay down. Get up, stand up by faith. God has told us we will be persecuted for following Jesus. We should expect it…don’t quit praying, don’t quit sharing and trusting in the Lord.
He is working even when we can’t see it. Be strong and courageous and push on…we know that Jesus Christ has already won victory for us. Persevere, don’t give up, let your faith be greater than your fear!
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:11-12 NIV
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 standing on one of the Bridges of Madison County near Winterset, Iowa)
“Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.“
Proverbs 4:26-27 NIV
The original navigtion tool in this world is God’s Word. Which way should I go? What should I do next? How should I handle this situation? How do I respond to that person? And so many more questions can be answered by spending time in God’s Word.
Pick it up and read it, listen to Him and put into action the things He teaches us. God’s Word is the ultimate guide for your path. Take time to reflect of where you have been and where you are going in life…what path are you on?
“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:8-9 NIV
God is patient and persevering with everyone…yes even with that person that came to mind for you and me when we see those words. The depth of His love is incomprehensible for our minds. Jesus suffered and died and was resurrected so that everyone has the opportunity to choose to follow Him.
No matter what happens in our lives…look at the people written about in the Bible? They showed their humanity and made sinful choices just like any of us do. This does not stop God from pursuing us and calling to us to come near to Him. God is relentless…He loves us and wants us to choose to believe in Him, love Him and trust Him with our lives. This is why I have chosen to love Him so much!
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:7-12 NIV
There is nothing on earth in your life that is more powerful than the love of God…nothing. There is no situation or life circumstances that can separate us from God’s love.
Trust in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…He came down from heaven and sacrificed His life to reconcile us with God…this is the greatest gift you will ever receive. Nothing can separate us from Him, trust Him with every area of your life and you will know peace.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39 NIV
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:3-4 NIV
Only God can do the things we wish we could control…only He can transform the way people think and change their hearts. Faith is about trusting His way and His timing…be still and wait patiently for Him. Keep doing good things according to God’s Word.
“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.”
Psalm 86:12 NIV
(This photo was taken in April 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NIV
No matter where you are…no matter what your circumstances…no matter what you have done or left undone…you can “Come” to the Lord Jesus Christ, just as you are…Come, now is the time to worship. Amen.
Come Now Is The Time To Worship by Brian Doerksen
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
Revelation 22:17 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota)
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25-26 NIV
Hurry and impatience are causing more bad things to happen to us than we are willing to admit. Why are we rushing around? This is not how God created us to be. Look at how Jesus lived on earth. He took time sit quietly alone with God and to pray. Filling our life with busyness is a sickness and will cause damage to our bodies and our relationships with others over time. If you are often tired and weary take a moment to slow down…pick up God’s Word and pray to the Lord. Remember God’s promises and wait for Him to guide you and lead you.
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!”
Isaiah 30:18 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2023 alomg the North Shore of Lake Superior)
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32 NIV
Faith in God means believing the truth. The truth that God sent His only Son to save us from our sins. If we allow temptation and sin to rule our lives…it will keep us away from God and we will be inviting trouble into everything we do.
If we follow the truth and put Jesus in the center of our lives, we will know peace. Peace that surpasses all understanding.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
(This photo was taken in September of 2022 at Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana)
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.[b]
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:3-9 NIV
God is good. The reason sin and evil are in the world is because of us. We have pain and suffering and we ask God why…yet we are the ones who have drifted away from Him. No matter what, God is patient with us and is always ready for us to turn towards Him and come near to Him. He knows us, He knows everything about us and yet He still sent He Son to die on the Cross to save us.
God is good and He is with you and He is for you, every day, all the time. Thanks be to God for His Goodness!
Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)
