“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 NIV
“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7 NIV
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Many aspects of life on earth can make us weary and tired, shaping our perspective to approach life with negativity, doubt and fear
We often forget, daily, that we can choose our attitude and perspective for this day
If we focus all our thoughts and energy on our problems and why me, then we may get stuck and begin to spiral downward
We can be renewed and draw strength by turning our focus to the Lord
No matter what you are facing remember God is in control and if you put your trust in Him, your strength will be renewed
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV
(This photo was taken while traveling through southern New Mexico)
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
If you find yourself weary and weak…struggling and feeling defeated
There is Hope
Review our relationship with God. When have you last spoken with Him?
Is He a part of everyday or just here and there as needed?
I know I have found myself guilty of living distracted by my circumstances more often than I like to admit…
Walking with God takes time and effort on our part
God offers us so much yet we still have to do our part to make a commitment to follow Him
He will give you strength when you are weary and weak. Trust in the Lord and you will find strength
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
Jeremiah 31:25 NIV
(This photo was taken at The Chapel of Transfiguration in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)
“All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.”
Psalm 25:10 NIV
When we are able to surrender ourselves to God and His plan and we follow Jesus as our Savior and Lord
We will grow and mature spiritually
We may believe we know a great deal about love and faithfulness and yet there is so much more God wants to show us
It will not be easy and we should take nothing for granted
Living in this world where sin and selfishness run wild and where temptations are lurking…
We will never be perfect
We need to be careful not to become the judge of others
Love and faithfulness are characteristics of the new creation God is guiding us to become
These are some of the Fruit of the Spirit
Seek the Lord and His ways
He created you for a purpose and has a life He planned for you
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
(This photo was taken at sunrise on the island of Maui, Hawaii)
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.”
Psalm 143:8 NIV
When danger is approaching, where should we go to seek cover?
Where can we be safe? Who can help us in our time of need?
God is our rock and our refuge…He shields us and delivers us from the things that try to take hold of us
Our emotional reactions can quickly escalate and get out of control…God can help us with self-control
A relationship with Jesus Christ is a strong foundation that can withstand anything in this world
Seek the Lord in prayer and pick up a Bible…read God’s word and take refuge from the storm
Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
We are not in control of what happens in the world
The daily news and events make that abundantly clear
The only thing we can control is how we choose to respond to things that do happen
The best thing we can do is turn towards Jesus first
Give thanks to the Lord for the good things
Ask for help and guidance for the difficult things
We don’t know and can’t control what will happen tomorrow
Yet we can trust in Him who sits on the throne of heaven
It is by drawing near to Him that we can find rest and be renewed
“ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7 NIV
(This photo was taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)
“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.“
Psalm 28:7 NIV
A close relationship with the Lord is uplifting, encouraging and provides strength to us
God has told us we will get knocked down in this world and yet He is always there to help us up
To guide us and keep us going
All things are possible with Him, even when…especially when we can’t see which way to go
I trust in God
Trust In God (feat Chris Brown and Isaiah Templeton) by Elevation Worship
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.“
Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
Father God, in You I have all I need
When trials come sometimes I forget that You are in control
I need You to make me strong and courageous
Please give me courage I need to trust in You
Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me no matter what happens
In Jesus name, Amen
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:7-8 NIV
(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
When you become tired and weary…frustrated and exasperated…
Looking for answers everywhere and your mind is swirling with questions…turn towards the Lord
Focus on Him, bring Him your worries and your burdens…
He will help to quiet your mind and bring peace to your spirit
The Lord is a refuge for those who seek Him and nothing in this world can take His place
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV
(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV
Even though the world knocks you down, your foundation in faith will see you through
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalms 37:3-4 NIV
(This photo was taken in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
