The words of Jesus while speaking to his disciples in the Gospel according to John…
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving through North Dakota)
Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians…
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:1-6
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving northern in Colorado)
The words of Jesus according to the Gospel of John…
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
John 15:9-12
(This photo was taken by my daughter in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)
A song that David sang to the Lord after he was delivered from his enemies and the hand of Saul…
“I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies…”
Psalm 18:1-3
The entire song is the 50 verses of Psalm 18, may we all find our strength in God.
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame’.”
Romans 10:10-11
(This photo was taken in August of 2012 while hiking near the North Shore of Lake Superior)
The following is a wonderful verse for everyday life…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
We will often have questions and not understand the reason that things happen. We must remember that the world is being ravaged by sin and people choosing to pursue sin and ignore God. There are just as many events that show the light of God in the world everyday…unfortunately, people choose to ignore those stories and seem to enjoy spending all their time sharing and talking about events of darkness and evil.
We are to Trust…trust that God is still on the throne of glory and because of free will we can choose to seek him and events that reflect His will.
May we seek to see the work of God today!
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
Solomon the son of David became king of Israel and when God came to him and told him to ask whatever he wishes and it will be given to you…Solomon made a choice very few people would…
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
2 Chronicles 1:10
God blessed him with significant wisdom and knowledge, more than any other person had ever been given. The Book of Proverbs is a collection of many nuggets of wisdom spoken by Solomon and therefore it has many great instructions for life…and again most of these items are simple statements of truth that are not always easy to live out.
If you have had difficulty wondering where to start in looking at or reading the Bible, try starting in Proverbs it has so many great lessons to remember for everyday life.
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.”
Proverbs 19:20
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
It is a new day and the beginning of a New Year and no matter where you are, no matter what stage of life you are in and no matter what your past is filled with you need to know that the same truth that existed thousands of years ago is still as true today as it ever was…God loves you!
He made the greatest sacrifice that can be made…
“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
Not only did God send Jesus to earth to save us, which alone is amazing to think about…Jesus was already in the kingdom of heaven, he was already in the place of eternal life where there is joy and peace, but he sacrificed all of that to come down to save you. Then Jesus did something unfathomable…
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:8
Although scared himself, as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane to God the Father to find another way to help humankind, Jesus followed through with God’s plan because he loves you that much.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
So please know that no matter what your circumstances are today, you are loved by God the Father, Jesus his Son and by the Holy Spirit.
May you live and experience all the fruits of the Spirit in 2017 Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
Happy New Year!
(This is one of my favorite photos from 2016 it was taken in August in Mount Rainier National Park. Did you notice the cross the trees form on the right hand side?)
Take Your Faith With You 