“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
“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
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
When you become tired and weary…frustrated and exasperated…
Looking for answers everywhere and your mind is swirling with questions…turn towards the Lord
Focus on Him, bring Him your worries and your burdens…
He will help to quiet your mind and bring peace to your spirit
The Lord is a refuge for those who seek Him and nothing in this world can take His place
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 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 40:28-31 NIV
(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 NIV
“Give us this day our daily bread…”
Matthew 6:11 NIV
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 NIV
(This photo was taken at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
In the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph is an example of what it looks like to trust God at all times
Joseph suffers many hardships at the hands of others and yet keeps his faith in God
He trusts God and lives his life with a God honoring attitude and perspective even on the most difficult days
This attitude focuses more on what God is up to for our good and less on what others are doing to us
We have a much better chance of learning about what God is up to if we are looking for God in all things
“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 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel.”[f]
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
Father God, we are holding tightly to our hope in You
We trust that You are faithful, and we believe that You will always fulfill Your promises
Thank You for promising to bring justice to unjust situations
Thank You for promising to fulfill Your plans for us
Thank You for sending Your Son and for promising to return to Your people
You are faithful, Lord-and we will trust in You
In Jesus name, Amen
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:8-11 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude
What feeds your perspective?
What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind?
What experience or experiences are framing your view?
All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude.
If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world
The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord. Jesus said;
“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
Perspective is about viewing things from a different point of view…trust in the Lord and seek His perspective for your life
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NIV
God is with you, He is for you
Every day and all the time
He will never leave you
No matter what happens, no matter what your circumstances
Remember what God has done and what God can do
Choose the attitude of gratitude and give thanks to God
“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Luke 1:37 NIV
“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26 NIV
Haven’t Seen It Yet by Danny Gokey
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you.”
John 14:15-17 NIV
Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 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 14:26-27 NIV
(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)
“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 NIV
Love is about more than words or a feeling
Love is about how we treat each other with our actions and our behaviors
In this fallen and broken world we all will make mistakes and need to be forgiven
Thankfully, God is love and put His love into the action by sending His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins
We have been forgiven
Now it is our turn to put love into action
In what relationship or situation in your life is there a lack of love?
Who in your life needs to experience love in action?
Pray about it and ask God to guide you in love
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 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. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
1 John 4:8-10 NIV
(This photo was taken near the border between South Dakota and Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 