“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
“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 Juny of 2016 in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James 1:19-20 NIV
What is the Lord trying to teach you? When we experience success, we give thanks and when we experience difficulty and failure we should turn to Lord and ask Him what do we need to learn from this situation? The thing about asking God about anything…you have to be ready to listen and maybe wait patiently for His reply. Trust in the Lord and He will guide you…you just need to remember to listen and be patient.
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.”
James 5:7-9 NIV
(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 NIV
God provides us with everything we need…it is up to us to choose how we will live out our time in this world. Will we seek a personal relationship with Him? How will we treat others? What will be the center of our lives? Self or Christ? God has given us free will…how will you choose to live?
“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 June of 2016 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)
“The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.
2 He lets me lie down in fields of green grass.
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths
for the honor of his name.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid.
You are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff
comfort me.”
Psalm 23:1-4 NIRV
“Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIRV
The peace and comfort we seek from worldly values and other people can only be found in our relationship with God and remembering that God has said that in this world we will have trouble but we need to remember He is walking with us through every moment of every day. He doesn’t take away the suffering He gives us the strength and courage we need to go through it. Put your trust in Him and give Him the worries and burdens of each day.
“So do not be afraid. I am with you.
Do not be terrified. I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you.
I will hold you safe in my hands.
I always do what is right.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIRV
(This photo was taken in August of 2016 at Sapphire Point near Dillon, Colorado)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations…”
Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV
God keeps His promises. We are responsible for how we live our lives and how we treat each other…God gave us free will. If we do our part and put our trust in Him and walk in the Light of Christ, He is faithful and will forgive us our sins and restore us.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:5-9 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2020 at sunset at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
Do you have doubts? Do you wonder where God is in your life? Especially when facing a difficult and important issue? No matter where you are…no matter what has been done…no matter what is before you…God has promised He will never leave you nor abandon you. In the Deuteronomy verse above, Moses is speaking to Joshua who will be taking over leading the people of Israel after Moses dies. Can you imagine trying to follow Moses as a leader? As expected, Joshua had doubts and concerns…Moses reassured Him God is with you. In the verse below, God Himself comforts Joshua directly promising that He will be with Him. This promise is not only for Joshua alone…it is for all believers in Jesus Christ. He knows what is happening in your life…He wants good things for you and He is waiting to hear from you. He is with you wherever you go. Amen.
“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
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 on the shore of Lake Superior at Temperance State Park in northern 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 NIV
When you don’t what to do next or how to respond to something…cry out to the Lord. When you feel content and you can sense His presence in your life…praise the Lord. No matter if things are good or difficult, for every season and for every reason turn towards the Lord.
Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher
“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 NIV
(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota)
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV
Pay attention today and everyday…to your attitude, your thoughts, actions and your interactions with others. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide…He is God as much as the Father and the Son are God. Give thanks for the all that God is and what He has done and is doing in your life. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you. Amen.
“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[a] in you.”
John 14:15-17 NIV
(This photo was taken in April of 2016 at a lake in central Minnesota)
“The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Exodus 33:14 NIV
Where and when do you encounter God? How do you respond? God promises His presence…He is with you and He is for you. What happens next is up to you…
“When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!”
And Moses said, “Here I am.”
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father,[a] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.”
Exodus 3:4-6 NIV
(This photo was taken in June of 2013 near Pike’s Peak in Colorado)
“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 NIV
“Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[c] paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.”
Proverbs 4:25-27 NIV
Keep going…learn from what has happened…know that God is working for good things in all situations…He is with you…it is His plan that is best…there will be plenty of opportunities to go your own way…stay on the path…walk with God. Amen.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
Psalm 145:8-9 NIV
(This photo was taken in July of 2016 in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota)
Take Your Faith With You 