The words of Jesus speaking to his disciples in the Gospel according to Mark…
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 10:43-45
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling on Beartooth Pass in Montana)
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:1-6
(This photo was taken in August of 2015 on a lake in central Minnesota)
The words of Paul in his letter to the Ephesians…
“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 4:31-32
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
Our faith can grow and get stronger only if we feed it and exercise it just like our bodies…if we don’t eat food or exercise our muscles our bodies become frail and weak. The same is true for our spiritual lives and our faith muscles, we need to feed on the Word of God and exercise our faith by how we interact with others in order for our faith to grow.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving on Beartooth Pass in Montana)
It is so easy to get caught up in the events and headlines of the world or within our own daily lives, and then begin to live in worry and stress constantly. After much wringing of our hands and maybe lashing out at others, we sit and think how can I change what is happening? We can’t do it alone, we need to turn to our Lord and Savior first and listen for his guidance.
The words of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew…
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34
(This photo was taken in September of 2014 while on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Paul writes in his second letter to the Corinthians…
“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
(This photo was taken in October of 2014 near Kaanapali Beach on Maui)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Arches National Park in Utah)
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:16-18
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 at Garden of the Gods park near Colorado Springs, Colorado)
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while driving through North Dakota)
