“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 NIV
“Give us this day our daily bread…”
Matthew 6:11 NIV
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34 NIV
(This photo was taken at sunrise on a lake in central Minnesota)
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12 NIV
In the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph is an example of what it looks like to trust God at all times
Joseph suffers many hardships at the hands of others and yet keeps his faith in God
He trusts God and lives his life with a God honoring attitude and perspective even on the most difficult days
This attitude focuses more on what God is up to for our good and less on what others are doing to us
We have a much better chance of learning about what God is up to if we are looking for God in all things
“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 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“
Colossians 3:1-2 NIV
Outlook…viewpoint…position…approach…frame of mind…attitude
What feeds your perspective?
What are you consuming with your eyes, your ears and your mind?
What experience or experiences are framing your view?
All of these are inputs into your perspective and they shape your attitude.
If we choose to allow our point of view to be shaped by what goes on around us in a world filled with me first, self-centered, get more attitudes we will become like the world
The best defense is to build a foundation within your heart and mind that is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
We can’t stop the world from trying to influence us, yet we can choose to turn away from the sin and run towards our Savior and Lord. Jesus said;
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 NIV
Perspective is about viewing things from a different point of view…trust in the Lord and seek His perspective for your life
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake place in northwestern Wisconsin)
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1 NIV
God is with you, He is for you
Every day and all the time
He will never leave you
No matter what happens, no matter what your circumstances
Remember what God has done and what God can do
Choose the attitude of gratitude and give thanks to God
“Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)
“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 NIV
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”
1 John 1:5-10 NIV
(This photo was taken at a park near Bayfield, Wisconsin)
“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you.”
John 14:15-17 NIV
Holy Spirit by Francesca Battistelli
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:26-27 NIV
(This photo was taken on Lake Superior near the Apostle Islands)
“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 NIV
We are constantly under attack from Satan, the world and the flesh
The Good News includes this one critical point
Greater is the God within you than the one who is in the world
He is with you, He is within you
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?“
Romans 8:31 NIV
(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Jesus Christ is alive…the promised Savior has come!
He was born, He lived and taught us how to live
He sacrificed Himself and was crucified and died for us
He has risen and is seated at the right hand of God in heaven
Now what does that mean for us?
What difference is He making in your life?
Are you aware of God’s presence in your daily life?
Believe in Him…seek Him…pray…read God’s Word…pay attention to how God is at work in your life
Choose to live different from the way of the world
Allow Jesus Christ to impact every area of your life and change your perspective
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV
(This photo was take in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming)
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 15:13 NIV
Father God, thank You for sending Your only Son to save us
Thank You for creating a way for us to know You personally
Becasue of Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins are forgiven!
Please help us never take that for granted
Help us to recognize and glorify You in every area of our lives
In Jesus name, Amen
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 NIV
(This photo was taken at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“I love you, Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:1-2 NIV
Life is hard…there seems to be difficulties, struggles, pain and suffering, hardships of every kind everywhere we look
Yet there is hope! How? Where? With the Lord who is our Rock and our refuge
The world rejects Jesus as Savior and His way seems upside-down according to the world’s values
But God, the Creator of all things, and following Jesus is the path to hope
God will have the final say about the world and He will make all things new again
Trust in the Lord, trust His will and His way…He is our Rock
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken in Glacier National Park in Montana)
Take Your Faith With You 