“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NIV
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.”
Job 19:25 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 on Beartooth Pass in Wyoming)
“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 NIV
No matter what you are facing or up against…no matter what your circumstances in life, you can always find Hope in God’s Word. The Bible is God speaking to us directly in the case of Jesus and through others as well. Believe in Jesus and spend some time reading God’s Word every day. You will not find hope in the things of this world…yet the Creator has provided His Word to lead us, guide us and to give us Hope. Amen.
“You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.”
Psalm 119:114 NIV
(This photo was taken in September of 2022 at Big Sky Resort in Montana)
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NIV
When things go side-ways or take an unexpected turn…what do we do first? Ask questions, try to figure out what happened, look for ways to get control of what is going on? All of these are natural human rections yet the first thing we should do is turn to the Lord and pray for help, pray for wisdom, pray for guidance. This is where our help really comes from and we typically wait to call on God as a very last resort. As you go through this day or this weekend try turning to God first for anything and everything…He loves you, He knows you and He wants to give you good things. Amen.
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 NIV
God’s grace is greater than all of our sins. We know we are weak and we live in a fallen world…God knows us too. He knew we needed a way of salvation and He provided it through Jesus Christ. When temptation comes we need to turn towards God and His Word to strengthen us, the same way Jesus spoke the Scriptures when Satan tempted Him in the desert. When you do make a mistake or fail to resist temptation…remember this phrase, But God,… call on Him because His Grace is greater than our sin. Amen.
“God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
(This photo was taken in September of 2022 at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)
“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
“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
“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 4:6-7 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glaciaer National Park in Montana)
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2 NIV
“Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“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.”
John 14:26 NIV
“May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.”
Romans 15:13 NIRV
Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
“If you love me, obey my commands. 16 I will ask the Father. And he will give you another friend to help you and to be with you forever. 17 That friend is the Spirit of truth. The world can’t accept him. That’s because the world does not see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you.”
John 14:15-17 NIRV
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake in central Minnesota)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 NIV
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2 NIV
Wash your heart and mind with the truth in God’s word. We all are broken and sinful in this world and we need Jesus. The world will flood us with lies about what to believe and turn us away from God. We need to seek the wisdom that comes from God not from the world…plant the Word deep into our hearts daily to guide our attitudes and perspectives and to live out the love He has given us in every aspect of our lives. Amen.
“But that is not the way of life in Christ that you learned about. 21 You heard about Christ and were taught about life in him. What you learned was the truth about Jesus. 22 You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That’s because it has been made impure by the desire for things that lead you astray. 23 You were taught to be made new in your thinking. 24 You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is.”
Ephesians 4:20-24 NIRV
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Falls Park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;”
Psalm 46:10 NIV
It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness, the quick to respond without thinking speed of the world. Yet our God does not operate according to our worldly ways…it may be better to be still and wait for God. How can we know what He is doing or where He wants us to be? By staying in close contact and communication with Him, every day. The more we can take time to be with Him the better we can understand what He is saying to us through His Word and through others. Be still…be patient…trust His way. Amen.
“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
“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 4:6-7 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 NIV
Everything we do should come from love for God and love for one another…we can trust in Him; He will provide for our needs. For some of us the hardest part about faith is believing that God wants good things for us. Either because of shame or guilt we know we don’t measure up to God’s standard…yet God knows all of this and that is why He sent Jesus Christ to save us. Don’t wait until you’ve turned your life around to say you are ready to come to God. Go now…go to your Savior and Lord and confess your sins and He will lead you and guide you so that you can share His love with others. Amen.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 at Bear Lake in Yellowstone National Park)
Take Your Faith With You 