“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)
God’s love is for all of us…Jesus demonstrated God’s love by how He was willing to interact with and help people. He was criticized by others for who He chose to sit and eat with…Jesus loves you and He wants a relationship with you, meet with Him every day and listen for His response through other believers and by reading God’s word. Amen.
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Luke 15:1-7
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in Rocky Mountain National Park)
“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
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!”
Isaiah 30:18
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the north shore of Lake Superior)
Originally posted in July of 2018…
What gets your attention quickly? What is it that gets your heart pumping and your blood flowing faster? What is it in your life that you have passion towards? These are hints of your treasures. We all have something that drives to the heart of us. As we continue to grow on our faith journey the treasures tend to change. As knowledge and time spent on growing our relationship with Jesus Christ increases we begin to get a better understanding of the value of relationships. We also can begin to clearly see that the stuff and the things we have worried about in the past may have been foolish worries. We are humbled to learn that God in heaven knows us, loves us and forgives us and the things He has planned for us involve far greater treasures than those the world offers us. May the awe and wonder of our God be with you. Amen.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)
We continually wander off and get led astray and no matter where we go or what we get ourselves into…God is the only One who is our Way Maker to get us back on track…He gives us the ability to see…He gives us wisdom…He gives us courage…He makes the way clear. Trust in God and His will…He loves you and He is constantly working to be your Way Maker. Amen.
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Arches National Park in Utah)
Do not be anxious or worried…be persistent in doing good things and in prayer. God works on His own time table not ours. He knows what you need and He wants to give you good things. He cares for you, trust in the Lord. Amen.
“I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.”
Psalm 27:13-14
“Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
Psalm 37:7
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 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.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
Psalm 37:3-9
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:33-34
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)
Take Your Faith With You 