“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16-17 NIV
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, 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
Father God, forgive me for the times I have not be “all in.” Forgive me for the ways I have turned away from You physically, spiritually and emotionally. It You are not the center of my life, nothing else matters. Please lead me to live differently. Show me how to live a life that draws near to You and is devoted to honoring You and loving others. In Jesus name, 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 at Falls Park near Sioux Falls, South Dakota)
“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Hebrews 2:18 NIV
“May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.”
Psalm 119:76 NIV
Good and gracious God, we need You – we always have. You are our source of strength, and You tell us to give You all our concerns. Replace any feelings of anxiety, fear, and uncertainity with Your peace and hope. Show anyone who is hurting that You are near, and You comfort those who call on You. Draw near to us as we draw near to You. In Jesus name, Amen.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6 NIV
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 NIV
“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“
1 Peter 2:22-25 NIV
(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior)
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel.”[f]
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV
Father God, we are holding tightly to our hope in You. We trust that You are faithful, and we believe that You will always fulfill Your promises. Thank You for promising to bring justice to unjust situations. Thank You for promising to fulfill Your plans for us. Thank You for sending Your Son and for promising to return to Your people. You are faithful, Lord-and we will trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:8-11 NIV
(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“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. 25 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. 26 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. 27 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 NIV
Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)
“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Father God, thank You for the incredible gift of salvation. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for sending Jesus to make it possible for us to have a relationship with You. Help us to live in gratitude every day. Show us ways we can grow and share the Good News with others about Jesus. In His Name, Amen.
“Praise the Lord.[a]Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
Psalm 106:1 NIV
(This photo was taken while traveling through Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming)
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.“
James 4:7-8 NIV
Father God, I want to seek You with all my heart. Each day, help me draw closer to You. Guide me through each decision, and inspire me with new dreams. I trust You Lord and I want to honor You in all that I do. In Jesus name, Amen.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]“
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
Father God, You gave us Your Son, the Light of the world. Give me courage and strength of character to follow Jesus unconditionally. No matter what trials or temptations I face, I want to walk with Him. I want to experience a personal relationship with Him. Lead me and guide me to follow the narrow path. In Jesus name, Amen.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken near Winterset, Iowa)
“This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
Acts 2:23-24 NIV
“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.”
Luke 24:2-8 NIV
(This photo was taken at a park in Winterset, Iowa)
Take Your Faith With You 