“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Romans 10:10
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Each of us can do good work that helps at least one other person in need. We can’t be everything to everybody…yet we can be somebody who helps another. Turn towards God in prayer and ask Him how you can help someone today…then pay attention to each part of your day and He will show you where you are needed. God’s peace be with you. Amen.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
“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. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:8-10
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)
What are you thankful for today? How often are we able to look for something to be thankful for during difficult times? It is not easy…yet it is a choice. An attitude of gratitude may not come naturally to us but we should strive for it as it can make such a big difference in our lives. We don’t have to do it alone…start by thanking God for Jesus Christ and what He did for you at the Cross and see where you can go from there. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)
When we seek wisdom, we are striving to learn and grow in our knowledge and experience. The more we learn the greater the impact on our perspective and our attitude. This increase in knowledge and shaping of our perspective also will help us gain understanding for many circumstances and situations in our daily life. To put it another way…don’t assume something or judge others based on a social media post or a headline or as they used to say when I was younger…don’t judge a book by its cover. Seek wisdom, seek to gain understanding. Amen.
“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.”
Proverbs 3:13-18
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the island of Maui, Hawaii)
When you start with this…everything else falls into place. May His peace be with you. Amen.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
Deuteronomy 6:5
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 in White Sands National Monument in New Mexico)
True peace is from God. It is a perspective and an attitude that is not rooted in worldly desires amd motives. The path to peace begins when we turn in faith towards Jesus Christ and trust in His way. Amen.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
This is Holy Week…a time to reflect clearly on what Jesus truly did for you, to save you. He entered the city of Jerusalem to cheers and the waving of palms…and days later He left the city, beaten, bloody and dragging the very cross He would die upon…in order to reconcile us with God. It is all written down for us in God’s Word. I am a sinner, thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ…for His sacrifice, for His mercy and for His love. Thanks be to God. Amen.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””
Luke 9:10-14
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)
Treat other people the way you want them to treat you. When you stop and think about it…often times yelling and anger gets you more yelling and anger right back at you…and kindness and a smile often get a kind response back. We are in charge of our attitudes and how we treat others and Jesus tells us the simple Golden Rule of life in the bible. Read about what Jesus teaches us and follow the example He has set for us. Amen.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Luke 6:31
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
(This photo was taken in July of 2012 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
The information overload we receive each day has intensified with current world circumstances. Distractions and inaccurate information are running wild creating misunderstandings and leading to people act on false perceptions. We need a solid foundation of truth to stand on more than ever…that foundation can be found with God’s Word. It is the truth about God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. Pick up the bible and spend time renewing your mind. May God’s comfort and peace be with you. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
I pray we all seek the wisdom of God. His message in the bible…the example His Son Jesus Christ set for us…the guidance His Holy Spirit provides us as that small voice in our minds. The current times show how hurtful it is when we are selfish. Because we are human, we all are convicted of selfish behavior at one time or another and when unity is what the world needs the selfishness of human behavior is magnified. There are many people who are doing good things in the world right now to help others and I pray we hear more about those stories and we seek to live that way. Lord, forgive us when we are selfish and teach us how to care for others just as you have cared for us. Amen.
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 while traveling through the state of Washington)
Take Your Faith With You 