“Teacher which of these is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’.”
Matthew 22:36-40
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while climbing Pike’s Peak in Colorado)
In this world that is fallen and filled with sin and lies we have many thoughts and opinions speaking to us through many forms of communication. Yet while Jesus walked on earth he taught using the phrase “I tell you the truth…” He spoke this phrase more than 75 times as recorded in the New Testament. With so much input coming at us in the world from so many sources it is important to seek the one voice of truth.
This is not always easy…in fact when Jesus spoke he knew not everybody would openly accept the truth. In our lives the harder it is, often means it really is the right thing to do. Truth takes courage, truth takes trusting that no matter what happens God has got you in the palm of his hand. He knows what you are facing, He knows your fears and the temptations pressuring you…open your heart, mind and soul to Him. He has the truth and his Son delivered the message of truth personally to us.
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’.”
John 8:31-32
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 at Falls Park on the Big Sioux River in South Dakota)
At the beginning of the Book of Proverbs the first few verses in chapter 1 provide instruction for involving God in your everyday life decisions. It describes a purpose and theme for the proverbs of Solomon.
“for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Proverbs 1:2-7
(This photo was taken in the summer of 2013 while driving through Rocky Mountain National Park)
I have said many times how music has played a significant role in my faith journey. Every so often a song or hymn comes to mind as a message and because of technology I can go find it and listen to it.
This morning it was a song that was popular about 10 years ago but the message is still very true today. The story behind the music is the original composer wrote the song as an instrumental and asked his favorite novelist to write the lyrics. The composer then had the song performed for the first time at his mother’s funeral. It’s intent became that you can relate to it by applying it to your own personal life…I chose to use it as a worship hymn to God because in the end we can do nothing without Him. Here are some lyrics from “You Raise Me Up”…
Original composer Rolf Loveland, Original lyrics by Brendan Graham
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.
When Jesus was teaching his disciples he said:
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
John 15:9-11
Today how does our Lord raise you up?
One of the hardest parts of faith is living in this world where the rat race or the climb of the corporate ladder are deemed most important by society. Running around from here to there working longer and longer hours constantly putting pressure on ourselves to be more, to do more and to get more. Comparing ourselves in every way to someone else…it is exhausting and the worst part of all is that takes us away from the One thing we need most…time with God.
For me the best part about a major snowstorm is it makes everyone affected slow down…live life more in the present moment of where you are, whoever you are with…nobody needs electricity to read the bible or to talk about faith with someone or better still to pray and accept our Lord and Savior into your heart and life.
Our spiritual life is just like our bodies it needs to be nourished and fed otherwise it will starve and die. That nourishment comes from spending time in the Word, in peace and quiet and communicating with God. I pray we all make time to feed our faith so it can grow.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
(This photo was taken 2 years ago after a major storm in NW Wisconsin, that is a picnic table out on the deck.)
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
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:29-32
“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
Jesus states the following while speaking to his disciples…
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:37-38
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
Take Your Faith With You 