Don’t get misled by the ways and words of the world, develop a prayer habit and share what troubles you with Jesus…
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
As is it with anything in life the answers are within the Bible, take a few moments to look at the Book of Hebrews, chapter 11. It begins…
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
As it continues it provides several examples of faith represented in the lives of biblical heroes, who despite their circumstances, persevered in faith to trust God even when everyone around them told them differently.
The statement above is simple, living it out is not easy…we need daily interaction and a growing relationship with the Lord in order to stay on course.
Faith is not an event or a destination it is most definitely a journey! May God’s peace be with you today as you take a few more steps along the way.
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)
We live in a world filled with pessimism and darkness and we all have committed sins and made mistakes…also we have all seen the presence of or been associated with light and goodness and kindness. We have a choice everyday of every year, do we want to move towards the light or towards the darkness? Our decisions and our everyday interactions play a part in which way we are moving. One of the best gifts God has given every single person is free will…we get to choose…light of life or darkness?
When we choose to move towards the light of life one of the first steps and most difficult steps is to admit to our sins, to confess we have made mistakes and have done wrong…we need to be humble before God.
As stated, we have all committed sins and made mistakes, all the prominent names in the Bible committed sins, but how we respond to God regarding our mistakes is important. David committed the sin of adultery even after God had made him a King! We are all human and will all make mistakes…here are some of the words David used to repent in Psalm 51…
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2
Do be too hard on yourself when you make mistakes or have done wrong we have all done that…choose to respond by turning to God, acknowledge your sins and ask for his forgiveness…
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10-12
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving in northern Colorado)
We see the example set by Jesus on how to start our day…
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Mark 1:3
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
Psalm 100
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake near Minneapolis, Minnesota)
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 during the sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while exploring the north shore of Maui)
Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians…
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…”
Ephesians 1:18-19
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’.
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all on whom his favor rests’.”
Luke 2:10-14
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at sunrise on the island of Maui)
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:17
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 