“Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.”
Psalm 37:5 NIV
Stand firm in faith. Trust God and His plan for you. We will not always see the way or understand His plan, yet we know that all good things come from God. Amen.
“…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”[a]
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]
Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV
God is always with us…if God feels distant, it is because we have wandered off and away from Him. Believe in Jesus, confess your sin and invite Him into your life daily. He will be with you and He will lead and guide you forever. Thanks be to God.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.”
Psalm 136:1 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
Why should we have hope? Because the God of the universe, our Creator, loves us and He wants good things for us. How do we know? Because He sent His Son as a sacrifice to do for us that which we cannot do on our own…save us from our sinful ways. From the greatest tragedy, Jesus Christ death on the Cross, God brought about the greatest triumph, the resurrection of our Savior. No matter what has happened, no matter where you are…whatever you have done or left undone…there is hope because of God’s love for you and because He wants good things for you. Turn towards the Lord and bring everything to him. Amen.
“Let us hold firmly to the hope we claim to have. The God who promised is faithful. 24 Let us consider how we can stir up one another to love. Let us help one another to do good works. 25 And let us not give up meeting together. Some are in the habit of doing this. Instead, let us encourage one another with words of hope. Let us do this even more as you see Christ’s return approaching.”
Hebrews 10:23-25 NIRV
(This photo was taken in June of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“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 NIV
When we feel weak and tired…when frustrations seem overwhelming…when the way forward is difficult or unknown. God the Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son and the Holy Spirit lift us up and renew us. Everything and anything in life is going to be better when God is at the center of our lives. Spending time in devotions and prayer, reading God’s Word these are ways to build your relationship with Jesus. The more our relationship grows the more we begin to sense His presence in our lives which can lead us to courage and strength at times when we need it most. We were never promised a life of faith would be easy…the promise is “…he will never leave you nor forsake you.” –Deuteronomy 31:6 The Lord is good and He is the provider of all we need. I pray we seek the will of the Lord and trust in Him. Amen.
Shout To The Lord by Darlene Zschech
“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?”
Matthew 6:25-27 NIV
It can consume us if we allow it to…worry. What does it do for us? Nothing.
We have a choice; we can sit and worry and stew about things or we can make use of the time we have by meeting with God about our worries and concerns. We can trust in Him to guide us and lead us. Do not worry, spend time with the Lord and you will find peace. Amen.
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
Living a life with faith first…it sounds so simple, yet living in this fallen world it is often hard to do. The bible is a great guide for life…the world will tell you it is not…there are those who believe it is an outdated book filled with stories that are more like fairy tales…people say the world is so different now than when it was written that it is not applicable to life today. That is exactly what Satan wants us to think. The fact is the bible is the truth, based on actual events and it is the Word of God…take time to read it every day and it will change your life.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 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 6:31-34 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while driving in northern Colorado)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Attitude
by Charles Swindoll
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past…we cannot change that people will act a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude…I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you…we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.“
Colossians 3:15-17 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2014 at a lake place in central Minnesota)
“When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” [21] [a]
Matthew 17:14-21 NIV
We Believe by Eagle Brook Music
“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:29 NIV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Arches National Park in Utah)
“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 NIV
God has promised to be with you wherever you go…still when we look around at the world or at our own worries, fears and frustrations…it’s easier to shrink back than to be bold and courageous, to play it safe rather than to go forward trusting in God. That is how living by faith is different than living the way the world promotes life. We are inundated with messages of self-center living and behaviors and it takes courage to strive to be different. Put your hope and your trust in God and His promises…follow the example of Jesus Christ. Be courageous.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 along Beartooth Pass near the Montana-Wyoming border)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
As God’s creation, each of us has been blessed and have God-given gifts and abilities. Our purpose in our lives is to love the Lord, love others and to learn about and use the gifts He has given us to serve in our communities. What gifts has God given you? What can you do or provide to others in your family, your neighborhood or your faith community? If you are unsure, ask God in prayer and seek His will for you. Amen.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:6-8 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2021 on a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
Take Your Faith With You 