“For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6 NIV
“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.“
Proverbs 3:13-14 NIV
“Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.”
Proverbs 4:7 NIV
(This photo was taken on the shore on Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24 NIV
Father God, my life is Yours
Please take every part of it
Every area of my life that does not honor You…take it
Every insecurity, every fear, every selfish desire and past mistake…I give it all to You
Please put those things to death so that I can experience Your abundant life
In Jesus name, Amen
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Father God, even in the midst of many troubles, You are faithful
When we are tired, overwhelmed, burnt out or grieving, Your love still covers us
Thank You for showing us kindness and mercy every day
Your steadfast love endures forever
Great is Your faithfulness!
In Jesus name, Amen
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
(This photo was taken in Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)
“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
Live in the present today…what is the next right thing to do?
God is with you, right where you are
If we are always looking towards the past or the future we may miss who or what God is putting right in front of us…today
Do your best for God today, wherever you are and no matter who is around you
He will take care of the rest!
“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
(This photo was taken near Glacier National Park in Montana)
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3 NIV
“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.”[a]
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
(This photo was taken at a park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.“
Deuteronomy 6:5-6 NIV
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Romans 8:5 NIV
(This photo was taken on a bridge near Winterset, Iowa)
“I bow in prayer to the Father because of my work among you. 15 From the Father every family in heaven and on earth gets its name. 16 I pray that he will use his glorious riches to make you strong. May his Holy Spirit give you his power deep down inside you. 17 Then Christ will live in your hearts because you believe in him. And I pray that your love will have deep roots. I pray that it will have a strong foundation. 18 May you have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to understand Christ’s love. May you know how wide and long and high and deep it is. 19 And may you know his love, even though it can’t be known completely. Then you will be filled with everything God has for you.
20 God is able to do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by his power that is working in us. 21 Give him glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. Give him glory through all time and for ever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 NIRV
We would do well to follow Paul’s example of prayer shown above when we pray for others to our Father
Who do you need to come to the Father about in your prayers?
He listens…He wants to hear from you because He loves you
Spend time talking with our good Father in heaven
“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 4:3-6 NIV
(This photo was taken by a friend at a lake in central Minnesota)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
We all have been given a conscience and we all have the ability to choose how we will respond to events and activity in our lives and the world
Every day, every interaction with others is an opportunity to choose the way you will go
We cannot get caught up in ‘the problems are too big’ or ‘they won’t listen to me’ or ‘I don’t have anything to offer others’…these are the words of darkness and evil trying to keep you from God’s will
It may be only one moment in a day, one brief interaction or act of kindness but if you can do something to help or serve just one other person today, you have made a difference the world
The world is broken and the problems, the suffering and the pursuit of selfishness and evil has people angry and fearful
It is impossible for the human race to overcome all this alone but nothing is impossible for God
I pray that we all will seek Him and His will for our lives
“He has showed you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 NIV
(This photo was taken at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park)
“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 NIV
Father God, it is so easy for us to worry about the circumstances in our lives
Each day, help us to remember that You are always in control
Help us trust in Your provision, protection and plans for our lives
Because we know You care about every need and desire we have…we know we can rest in You
Give us peace as we let go of circumstances that we can’t control and put ourselves into Your hands
In Jesus name, 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.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:4-9 NIV
(This photo was taken at sunrise at a lake in central Minnesota)
“The Lord gives me strength. He is like a shield that keeps me safe.
My heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart jumps for joy.
With my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7 NIRV
A close relationship with the Lord is uplifting, encouraging and provides strength to us
God has told us we will get knocked down in this world and yet He is always there to help us up
To guide us and keep us going
All things are possible with Him, even when…especially when we can’t see which way to go
I trust in God
Trust In God (feat Chris Brown and Isaiah Templeton) by Elevation Worship
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.“
Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
Take Your Faith With You 