This is one of my favorite life verses…
“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
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Badlands National Park in South Dakota)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
(This photo was taken in the fall of 2014 while driving on the north coast of Maui)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while driving through Colorado)
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while driving through parts of Colorado)
We are asked questions constantly in life, about everything and anything. We get questions about family, work, food, home, where we are and what we are doing. Often it gets overwhelming and we have so many little questions or less important questions such as “how are you doing?” that they become more like a greeting and not a question seeking a real answer.
When we are asked questions of deeper importance or questions that require time in thought we tend to get uncomfortable and unsure of our answer. When we dive into our faith journey we we all come to the moment when we hear the Lord ask…“Whom shall I send?” when we do hear that question it will be important to spend time in prayer and conversation to know when it is your turn to answer…
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 while driving the north shore of Maui)
It is not to be reserved for only for times in worship, before a meal or before going to sleep…as we work to mature on our faith journey, prayer is that communication with our Lord that we use to share our everyday moments with Him. It gives any of us the opportunity to express our joys, moments of praise and thanksgiving as well as our sadness or struggle with people and events in this world.
This photo is a picture of the original chapel that was used when our church began in the late 1800’s. Before this building the first families started out gathering in their homes to worship together. Today we are across the street in a much larger brick facility with over 600 families as members and countless others who attend and volunteer…I am confident some of the prayers of those original families included that this church should grow and develop to be able to sustain the faith of many in our community.
Prayer is a gift…it is my belief that every prayer is answered…the answers may not always be what we want or what we hope for, nevertheless God still cherishes every moment we talk with Him.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid you hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there you hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139:1-10
While we live our faith journey on earth we will always need to be aware of the three things working against us…the flesh, the world and Satan. We need to hold onto the Word and to prayer to nourish our faith and keep us strong. David wrote many prayers in the Book of Psalms…this is one of my favorites…
“O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you.
The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 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. Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.”
Psalm 143
There are times in our lives where we may begin to feel lost or distant from God. These occasions are the perfect time to turn towards faith by prayer and by reading the Word of God. In fact, even during good times it is appropriate to look to your faith and praise God for all that he has blessed you with in life. Transforming your thoughts to be more about your relationship with God and how he is working in your life can start in small ways. It can be a gratitude journal, morning and/or evening devotions, writing or reading books, maybe listening to christian radio. Whatever fits who you are and what you like to do…if you are not sure how to transform your thinking then ask God in prayer…invite him to help guide you…after all he made you and he knows what will be your way. The important thing to remember is that everyday in life is a gift and every thing we do…every step we take in life…either leads us closer to or farther away from our relationship with the Lord.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Peace to you.
“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
Take Your Faith With You 