When Jesus was talking with Nicodemus one night, he said this…
“Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born or water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again’.”
John 3:5-7
(These photos were taken in October of 2014 at the Nakalele Blowhole on the island of Maui)
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’.”
Revelation 21:4-5
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 at Kaanapali Beach on the island of Maui)
“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
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the island of Maui)
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
(This photo was taken in March of 2013 at Hoover Dam)
“Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.
Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.”
Psalm 86:1-13
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 and is a view from Pike’s Peak in southern Colorado)
“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:6-9
(This photo was taken in September of 2014 in a neighborhood in central Minnesota)
It is said that people can learn about other people by watching their actions. This is very prevalent with toddlers and young children. When we are little we are like a sponge soaking up whatever we are exposed to…when a child is playing with something and gets frustrated and exclaims “Dammit” the adults will look in surprise and wonder where did you hear that? Well they don’t come up with it all by themselves…they have witnessed it either live in-person or on TV or some other form of media.
This ability to learn by watching others does not disappear completely when we become adults. Yet in our self-centered world we forget the impact our actions have on those around us. The most popular verse around this thought is John 13:35…“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” There is also a popular christian song entitled “They will know we are Christians by our love”…it has been covered many times by groups like Jars of Clay, For King and Country and artists like Rebecca St. James.
All of this points to one simple fact, people will know what you stand for by how you act in every situation and every interaction…so when you think about your daily life…What do others see in you?
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
(This photo was taken in the fall of 2013 by my daughter in central Minnesota)
In the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7 all the words are red. It is all teachings from the mouth of Jesus. It is all clear instructions about we should live while here on earth. I pray we all spend more time reading these words and putting them into practice in our everyday lives. At the end of chapter 7 Jesus says this…
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27
(This photo was taken in July of 2015 at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado)
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.”
Psalm 37:3-8
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Garden of the Gods Park near Colorado Springs)
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving through Colorado)
