Jesus took all the punishment and all the judgement we deserve…He came into the world with a purpose and the result of His purpose is our salvation. Amen.
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 19:30
(Photo credit: Stockphoto)
Jesus gave up so much and suffered so much for you and me. In choosing a life led by faith we are gaining so much more than what the world and darkness is offering. The worlds standard of values and success are empty and fragile…the current pandemic shows us that more than anything. Just like Jesus said to Matthew who was sitting at a tax collector booth, He also says to you, “…Follow me” – Matthew 9:9 Amen.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Matthew 16:24-26
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
This is Holy Week…a time to reflect clearly on what Jesus truly did for you, to save you. He entered the city of Jerusalem to cheers and the waving of palms…and days later He left the city, beaten, bloody and dragging the very cross He would die upon…in order to reconcile us with God. It is all written down for us in God’s Word. I am a sinner, thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ…for His sacrifice, for His mercy and for His love. Thanks be to God. Amen.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””
Luke 9:10-14
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 near Dillon, Colorado)
Seek the way of the Lord. Spend time with God. Read God’s word. Pray. Seek to understand rather than judge. Cast all your worries and fears on Him who sacrificed Himself to save you. God loves you and He wants a personal relationship with you…turn towards Him in faith and trust His way. Amen.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
“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
(This photo was taken last night at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
It is needed now more than ever…the world focuses all it’s time on what is lost or has been taken away. Gratitude is an attitude, a choice. When you look at life you choose how you are going to view circumstances and that view depends on your beliefs. If your beliefs are based on the false truths the world teaches you are sure to be disappointed and have a negative view of life…if you build your beliefs on the foundation of a relationship with Jesus Christ you can seek the wisdom that comes from God and that can provide a peace that surpasses all understanding. Amen.
“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
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:18-20
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
The way to get through times of difficulty and struggle is found with Jesus Christ. The current days show clearly that what the sin of the world values is finite and can vanish instantly without warning…leaving us lost and our minds wandering with questions about our choices in life. It is never too late to turn towards Jesus Christ your Savior and tell Him you believe in Him…confess your sins and let the Holy Spirit be your guide. If you are searching for the way to get through difficult times, start there and see what God has in store for you. Amen.
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
(This photo was takne in June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
When you read the red letters in the bible, the very words of Jesus, He often spoke in a way that was comforting to others. Sometimes He needed to be firm and many times He had to repeat Himself, yet His overwhelming presence was comforting. He knows what it is like to live as a human on earth…He has experienced childhood, teenage years and interactions of many kinds during His life…He knows about weddings, friendships, helping others, betrayal, frustrations, temptations, pain and suffering and death. He knows what is happening in your life…today. Turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer and you will find comfort. Amen.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”
John 14:1
(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Let your faith and trust in the Lord be greater than your fear. This is easier said than done…but it is not impossible…there is not a quick fix or a shortcut for convenience…there is a Way. I know from personal experience, it does not mean all your troubles will go away and your life will be easy…yet I have never known peace in struggle and difficult times until I finally stopped trying to do things my own way. Be courageous, turn towards Jesus Christ in prayer, confess your sins and ask Him into your heart and life and continue that journey by reading God’s Word and you will see what the Lord has in store for you. Seek Him, be persistent, be patient, listen and you will know peace. Amen.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
(This photo was taken in April of 2019 at a park near Plymouth, Minnesota)
All of us. God sent His Son into the world to save us from our sins…to reconcile us back to Him. God loves us…God created us…He sent His Son to save us…He gives us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us…He forgives us…nobody we meet in this life will ever be able to care for us like God cares for us. Turn towards God and give Him thanks and praise Him for His never-ending love. May you be comforted by God’s love today. Amen.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8
(This photo was taken in June of 2016 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
In this world we will have trouble. We will get knocked down, turned away, rejected and discouraged because we live in a fallen world, filled with our sin. Do not be defeated…turn towards God in prayer, be encouraged and strengthened by His love, proclaim your faith in Jesus Christ, believe and He will help you rise. Amen.
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.”
Micah 7:8
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Take Your Faith With You 