“Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV
While I’m Waiting by John Waller
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 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 4:1-6 NIV
Character and attitude…how we treat each other in our daily lives.
These are the things that show that we believe. Love is action. Learn from the example that Jesus provided in His life, death and resurrection. Live out your faith with your attitude and how you treat others in daily life.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in northern Colorado)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
We are not in control of what happens in the world…the daily news and events make that abundantly clear. The only thing we can control is how we choose to respond to things that do happen.
The best thing we can do is turn towards Jesus…believe in Him, confess our sins and do our best to live according to God’s Word. Give thanks to the Lord. We don’t know and can’t control what will happen tomorrow yet we can trust in Him who sits on the throne of heaven. It is by drawing near to Him we can find rest and be renewed.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
(This photo was taken in September of 2022 in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
Jesus Christ suffered and died for you because He loves you. He has risen…He is alive and wants to help you in this life and He wants to spend eternity with you.
Give thanks to Jesus, not only with words but with actions and your behavior…choose to live your life every day with a thankful heart.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.“
Romans 12:9-13 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
Colossians 1:9-12 NIV
There are two important aspects of faith…To Know Him and To Make Him Known. God is the Creator of all and He wants a personal relationship with each and every one of us…so much so that He sent His Son to die for us so that we can be reconciled to Him. Make time for your realtionship with Jesus and get to know Him.
“ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)
“Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[a] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Psalm 46:8-11 NIV
Be Still And Know by Amy Grant
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 NIV
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 NIV
The pace of world keeps getting faster with new technologies all being offered in the name of convenience. Yet God is the same today as He was over two thousand years ago, He does not change according to popular opinion.
His timing is perfect, our timing and our plans are based on our worldly desires. God is with you and God is for you. He is working in your life, even if you can’t see it. Have the courage to trust in the Lord and wait for Him to lead you.
“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 March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)
“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)
“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)
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[b] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
Colossians 1:9-12 NIV
From the very beginning God created us out of his love. As we try to find satisfaction and happiness in worldly things we will come to find that only by God’s grace will we find true joy and peace in life. Wisdom is found in spending more time with God and less time on social media and watching the news.
The more we know Him rather then just know about Him…the more our eyes are opened and the better we begin to understand that we are broken, sinful people in need of a Savior and that Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Redeemer. Seek Him and learn to Know Him.
“ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 