The Goodness Of God

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17 NIV

Father God, thank You for being our good Father.  We are so grateful we can always count on You.  You bless us and Your love is poured into us.  Thank You for Your mercy and grace.  Thank You for sending us Jesus.  Remind us of Your goodness in everything and help us remember You are greater than any circumstances or difficulties we face.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Goodness Of God by Jenn Johnson | Victory

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

(This photo was taken in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)

Teach Me Your Way

Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 25:4-5 NIV

Father God, please guide me and teach me as I seek to live a life that honors You.  Lead me into my calling, and lovingly correct my mistakes.  Thank You for being the One I can confide in, and for loving me just as I am.  You are good, and I am grateful for You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 32:8 NIV

(This photo was taken along the North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota)

Surrender

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Luke 9:23-24 NIV

Father God, my life is Yours.  Please take every part of it.  Every area of my life that does not honor You…take it.  Every insecurity, every fear, every selfish desire and past mistake…I give it all to You.  Please put those things to death so that I can experience Your abundant life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Work In Progress

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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 1:4-6 NIV

God’s Not Done With You by Tauren Wells

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“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

(This photo was taken at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Trust In The Lord…Praise Him

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

Father God, when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  You are my source of strength and protection.  You guide me and fight for me.  When I draw near to You, I have nothing to fear, becasue I know You are in control.  Thank You!  I put my trust in You and give You praise for who You are.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.”

Psalm 86:12 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Persevere

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.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 4:6-9 NIV

Father God, You call us to always be faithful and obedient, especially during difficult times.  Thank You for providing Your Word as a guide for us.  Remind us that no matter what our struggle is, You are near and will renew our strength and provide us endurance to persevere.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

(This photo was taken on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Trust In The Lord

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
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

Father God, thank You for taking care of us.  You are our strength and our support.  You promise to watch over us and fight for us.  Today, remind us that You are near and that You are working for good in our lives.  Teach us to trust in You at all times and in all circumstances.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

(This photo was taken while hiking along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Trust God

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Good and Gracious God, You are my source of strength and hope.  You are the foundation of my life.  With You, all things are possible.  I will place my hope in You.  Even when everything around me seems to be crumbling, I will put my trust in You.  I will not be afraid because You make my life secure.  Thank You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:3-4 NIV

(This photo was taken at sunset while traveling in South Dakota)

Trust Because Anything Is Possible

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.”[a]

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Father God, I believe in You.  No matter what happens or what my circumstances, I believe that You have overcome the world.  You are my constant source of peace.  I know anything is possible for You, just by looking at Jesus, His birth, His teachings, His death and His resurrection.  I praise You because You are the One in whom I can trust.  Thank You for sending Jesus and for saving me.  I know You are in control and that with You anything is possible.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

(This photo was taken in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

God’s Way

Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Proverbs 19:21 NIV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.[a

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a park in Winterset, Iowa)