Understanding

Compassion

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Sympathy…empathy…understanding…tenderness…gentleness…mercy…love.  Amen.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.”

Psalm 103:8

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“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:6-8

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

The Way Of Faith

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The way of faith is a wise way to live and a narrow path for life.  Simple yet not easy.  Commit your way to God, trust in Him and you will find peace.  Amen.

“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

1 Corinthians 3:18-20

“My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

5 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 3:1-6

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 while traveling in southern Colorado)

Wisdom And Understanding

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Often times the writings in the bible can be misunderstood because the true intent of the word has lost its meaning in society.  Take the word ‘fear’ as an example…in today’s world this strictly means to be afraid, danger or a bad feeling.  In the bible to fear the Lord is to regard God with reverence and awe, to be respectful.  When we learn we gain wisdom and when we understand the writing becomes clearer.  We would be wise to regard God with reverence and awe.  Amen.

“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.”

Proverbs 3:13-14

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

Patience

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Originally posted in May of 2018…

When we believe and we trust in God we will be required to develop patience in this world.  Circumstances will often look hopeless and many people will despair and be engulfed in sadness and fear, that is the way of evil.  We must never give up hope, we must trust in God to continue working for the good for us and for everyone.  God does not make bad things happen, He is not tempting you with things that are not good…that is sin in the world and we humans invited that sin into this world.  God is at work in all the bad we have created to bring out goodness, kindness and love.  Believe in Him who created us, believe in His one and only Son, Jesus Christ and see the good things that can happen in your life in this world.  May God’s peace and joy be with you.

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“I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 27:13-14

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)

Wisdom And Understanding

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When we seek wisdom, we are striving to learn and grow in our knowledge and experience.  The more we learn the greater the impact on our perspective and our attitude.  This increase in knowledge and shaping of our perspective also will help us gain understanding for many circumstances and situations in our daily life.  To put it another way…don’t assume something or judge others based on a social media post or a headline or as they used to say when I was younger…don’t judge a book by its cover.  Seek wisdom, seek to gain understanding.  Amen.

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“Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.”

Proverbs 3:13-18

(This photo was taken in October of 2014 on the island of Maui, Hawaii)

He Understands

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In the bible, Jesus is referred to as the Son of God and also as the Son of Man.  During His life on earth He was God in human form.  He knows what it is like to be one of us living on earth.  If you have ever thought, ‘God doesn’t seem to care about me’ or ‘God is far too busy to care about my problems’…take a look at Jesus, read about His life in the New Testament of the bible…He knows about life on earth, He understands what you are experiencing.  Trust in the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“Jesus wept.”

John 11:35

(This photo was taken in July of 2019 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Compassion

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Care…concern…gentleness…tenderness…kindness…mercy…understanding…love.  God is compassionate.  If we would choose compassion over self-centered behavior more often it would make such a big difference in this world.  An act of compassion doesn’t have to be recorded and go viral to be meaningful…one act of compassion that benefits one person that nobody else knows about is just as valuable as one that encourages many.  Jesus Christ has set us the example of care, concern, gentleness, tenderness, kindness, mercy, understanding and love…let’s strive to follow His lead and show compassion to others.  May God’s love, joy and peace be with you.  Amen.

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“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

Psalm 145:8-9

(This photo was taken in June of 2016 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Wisdom

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The ability to think and act using a combination of knowledge, experience, understanding, insight and common sense.  Wisdom does not promote the self or self-intelligence…it is humble, compassionate, faithful and understanding of the needs of others.  To continually seek to learn and grow and share what you have learned is to be wise.  Seek wisdom from the Lord and you will find peace.  Amen.

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 9:10

(This photo was taken in December of 2018 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Decisions…

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Don’t go it alone…don’t assume you have all the information…seek wisdom and knowledge…seek to understand.  So often we fail to speak with God about decisions.  We believe that God doesn’t care about this insignificant decision or event in my life…yet we know we can’t comprehend God’s infinite knowledge and the ways He is working in our life so who are we to say?  I continue to be amazed at where God shows up in life and I only realize it because I am trying to make a conscious effort to pay to attention and ask myself where did I see God today?  God is with you and He is working in your life…seek Him and His plan and ask God to help you see when you are making your decisions.  Amen.

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“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Proverbs 16:3

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)

Knowledge And Understanding

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We just want answers…to know what happened…why…who did this…where are they…when did that happen.  To admit we do not know something is the beginning of being humble.  Unfortunately the sinful nature leads humans to take advantage others and erodes the trust of people.  That sounds like something evil would do…anything to keep people away from God and behaviors that promote goodness, kindness and compassion.  When you want to seek knowledge and wisdom, when you are pursuing understanding, turn to the Word of God.  The bible is the Word of God and He has the information you are seeking.  He is the Creator, He knows the most about what we want to understand.  If you are unsure where to begin, I recommend Proverbs.  May the peace and joy of God be with you.

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“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 2:6

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior)