Lead Me To The Cross by Chris and Conrad
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while standing on Beartooth Pass in Montana)
Acknowledge…admit…regret…sorrow…to turn away from wrong doing…to change. The prayer I have prayed the most in 2019 is Psalm 51…it was written by David after he had committed terrible sins…we are all broken, every person since the beginning of time, the sooner we can acknowledge where we are wrong the more we can grow in faith…come near to God and He will come near to you. May God’s forgiveness and love flow through you in the new year. Amen.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
Honesty…integrity…honor…purity…goodness. Seek to do good and good will come back to you. This is about who we are as a person in all aspects of life. When you seek to do good, there is no telling how long it can last in the world, especially when you do good to others. There is a quote from John Wesley who was an English evangelical clergyman, preacher, and writer in the 1700’s that still sums up what our goals for goodness should be:
“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
―
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Matthew 5:6
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
There is always hope for a new way and it begins by having a new attitude or new perspective. If you wish things to be different or you believe there is something missing in your life and you are not sure how to find it…you must begin by changing you. There is a phrase/quote that is used by some groups that sums this up really well…’the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result.’ The bible also tells us this, we must become new again and see things with new eyes and a new attitude. We don’t have to do this alone; we can begin by turning towards Jesus Christ and inviting Him into our hearts and minds. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you. Amen.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Busyness is a distraction that keeps us away from spiritual growth. Living life at a frenetic pace not only wears down the body physically it also wears down and dulls your inner spirit. We were made to be more balanced in our daily lives. The example has been shown to us by Jesus…He often went off to be alone and pray, even when many people were clamoring to be with Him or near Him. If you reflect on your life over the past few days, weeks and months…how much time have you spent quietly, in solitude, just you and God? Seek balance in your daily life and you will find peace. Amen.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
Mark 1:35
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Bayfield, Wisconsin)
We all are born with a void in our spirit. We all have free will, it is a gift from God. As we go through this life we make choices about what is filling the void. We choose sinful behaviors and we choose spirit led behaviors. It is up to each and every one of us to invite Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives…He will not force His way in without an invitation from us. Say a prayer and ask Jesus Christ into the void in you and see what God has planned for you. Amen.
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where this is no water.”
Psalm 63:1
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
A time for daily devotion and reading of God’s Word is critical to feeding your spiritual life. It helps with perspective, attitude and gratitude, it can be a guide to living if we are willing to take time to know Him who saved us. Jesus Christ is the center of our faith, He sacrificed everything to save us…we do not deserve God’s mercy and grace and yet He loves us so much that He offers it to us anyways. We are sinful, but we are redeemed because of Jesus. Renew your mind with God’s Word and a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus Christ. Amen.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2
(This photo was taken in September of 2014 on a walk in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
Good morning and peace be with you. The God of all creation is with you and ready to lead you today. There is nothing on earth greater than God and your personal relationship with Jesus Christ His Son. Be thankful for the blessings in your life and extend the peace of the Lord to others throughout your day. Amen.
The song I share today was just released early this year…
The Greatness Of Our God by The Newsboys
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.”
Psalm 145:3
(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling through southern New Mexico)
This is a way of being a leader that has care and empathy for others as much as anything. A servant leader understands that we is far greater than me. They include others in decision making, they pay attention to the growth and potential of those around them, they are not only good for a group or organization, their presence is necessary for sustainable growth and success. You know a servant leader when you see one as they tend to be different from the majority of leaders…they listen, they have high self-awareness and they are often shining a spot light on others. The greatest example of a servant leader we have is Jesus Christ…He gave of Himself to everyone and anyone, no matter what the “rules” of society were at the time. He taught others and set them up for growth and success, and with Him as their leader, the disciples spread the message that has changed the world like nothing ever has or ever will. They shared the Good News and it is still impacting the world today. They were leaders working to serve as they were taught, knowing the greatest success will come when you empower others to be future leaders. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ and His leadership as He is always working for your good. Amen.
“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 10:45
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 near the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior)
We often believe the most difficult battles will come from what the world and others are doing to us. The actual battle that is most difficult to fight is within, it is the battle against the self. The self is stubborn, persisent and demanding, always wanting to be at the center of life regardless of how that impacts our actions and others around us. We are blessed with the opportutnity to choose our attitude, our behaviors, our values and our beliefs. Self-awareness is the first step in learning our tendencies and noticing the habits we have developed in our thoughts and actions. Self-awareness is learned through self-reflection, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, understanding your values and learning what situations and people bring about an emotional response from you. It often helps to keep a journal and it is important to invite God into the process…after all, He created you. The more you learn the better prepared you are to grow and change. Peace be with you on your journey. Amen.
“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 in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wiconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 