“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.”
Micah 6:8
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
(This photo was taken in July of 2012 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)
The Book of Proverbs is full of good stuff…advice that is straight to the point, understandable and most of them are less than 140 characters…
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
Proverbs 9:10
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10
“Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 15:22
“Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:20-21
“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 in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalms 37:3-4
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
An action of hope means getting practical. Working and doing things with trust in God’s plan even when the circumstances don’t reveal it. Actions of hope are a way to live in faith and to put your trust in God. In Jeremiah 32 there is a story of Jeremiah buying a field at a time when Babylon was coming to capture the city…this was not a logical action at the time rather an action of hope because God had said the people will return to buy fields, build houses and live in this land. Destruction was coming yet Jeremiah bought a field. Turn towards God in faith and ask for His guidance for opportunities for you to take actions of hope in your life. Amen.
“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling in North Dakota)
The Word of God will uphold you and sustain you…it will provide peace and calm in your mind and in your heart. Take time to memorize some verses…whichever ones speak to you. You will know them when you read them…then put them deep in your mind and in your heart where nothing and no one can reach them. Then at anytime and in any situation you can remember them to lead you and guide you. God’s Word is a gift and one of the ways He communicates with us. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)
“The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.”
Psalm 119:130
“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105
(This photo was taken in July of 2018 at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
(This photo was taken this past weekend at sunrise at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
James 3:17-18
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6
(This photo was taken this morning at sunrise over a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
When you made a recent decision or were experiencing a crisis…did you meet with God about it? Did you pray for guidance or wisdom? As I have stated before in matters of faith, I think I am a slow learner. It has taken most of my life and many “how did I get here?” moments to learn that I need to walk with God and not race out in front of Him thinking I have everything figured out. His way is better…it won’t align with worldly views and perspectives…it will be different yet better. Take everything in your life to God…the worries, the relationships, the decisions, the things you struggle with…everything and then the most important part comes next…look and listen for Him and His reply. 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
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 while walking the dog in a neighborhood near Plymouth, MN)
Take Your Faith With You 