Walking with God

Remain In Him

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“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

John 15:4

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

John 15:5-8

(This photo was taken in February of 2013 in a neighborhood near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Everyone Is Carrying A Burden

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Evey person you encounter everyday is fighting a battle you know nothing about…we all have burdens of some kind.  We are not here to judge whether one persons burden is greater than another…in love we are to strive to help others carry their burdens as much as we need someone to help us carry our own.  We should strive to ask the question…”how can I help?” more often than “why isn’t someone helping me?”  Jesus set the example for us and we would do well to follow Him.  Amen.

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“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:1-4

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 at White Sands National Park in New Mexico)

Covered By The Spirit

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When you are comforted and have courage…when all your worries, doubts and fears have subsided…when you have a sense of peace and calm that is beyond understanding and the Fruits of the Spirit flow through you effortlessly…that is when you know you are covered by the Spirit of God.  Amen.

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“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

(This photo was taken in October of 2018 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Walking With God

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When we are in step with God and His plan we will not feel weary, we will not feel weak.  Weariness is a warning sign that something we are doing or are spending time on is not part of God’s will for us.  When we are walking with Him there is no weariness or exhausted feelings as He provides energy and strength that we never knew existed.  Take time to assess where and how you are spending your time and pray to God to guide you to His will.  Amen.

“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31

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

Ephesians 2:10

(This photo was taken in March of 2018 while traveling in southern New Mexico)

Recharge

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Spend time alone with God in prayer.  Focus on your relationship with Him and your relationships with others.  When you pray don’t worry about using the right words, be open and honest with the Lord and speak from your heart…then sit quietly alone and listen…focusing your mind on Christ alone.  Do this every day and you will feel the nourishment of your soul, the unexplainable sensation of peace will wash over you and your spirit will be renewed.  Recharge your spirit each day and God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7

(This photo was taken in April of 2020 at a lake near Plymouth, Minnesota)

Peace And Hope

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Our source of peace, our source of hope…only God can provide peace and hope that can endure all troubles and suffering.  The peace of Christ in your heart will hold you up through the most painful moments in your life and the hope from God will guide you on your path as events and circumstances, that you do not control, change in your everyday life.  When we are willing to be humble, to confess that we have done wrong and we turn towards God and seek Him…we will find peace we never knew existed and we will have hope we have never seen before.  May God’s peace be with you.  Amen.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at the High Falls in Tettegouche State Park in noerthern Minnesota)

To Know Him

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Originally posted in December of 2015…interesting to see how my writing and post format have changed over time.

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There is a significant difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God.  It is all about relationship.  To know about Him is to know the right words, to memorize some stories and to even to be able to speak about Him.  I have lived this sort of existence for many years of my life and thought I was doing well.  Take a moment to think about people in your life…there are some you know about and there are others that you truly know very well.  God desires to be someone you truly know.

To truly know Him means to be in relationship with God daily.  Through reading, prayer and quiet time between just you and Him.  To experience his presence in your daily walk of life.  It means you are willing to share your highs and lows with God.  It means you love and trust Him.  No matter where you are in life the best way to engage this relationship is to accept His Son Jesus Christ into your heart.

“Do not conform any longer 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 12:2

The Holy Spirit

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Originally posted in October of 2019…

We have access to a guide, a comforter and one who will hold us up in our weakest moments…it is the Holy Spirit.  This is a gift from God.  If we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and we confess our sins, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.  This is a gift that is greater than anything we will encounter in life.  Listen for the Holy Spirit in your life and seek the peace that comes from knowing God is with you.  Amen.

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“All this I have spoken while still with you.  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.  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 14:25-27

(This photo was taken in July of 2018 on the shore of Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin)

Be Strong

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God is with us every day, everywhere, no matter what happens.  I can say this because He promised He would be…our relationship with God should not be part of our weekend “To Do” list.  Spending time with Him daily and recognizing He is our Creator; His Son is our Savior and He will guide us with the Holy Spirit takes courage and a willingness to commit to His Word…a willingness to trust in Him…Be Strong.  Bring your worries, your burdens, your fears…your everything to Him…everyday…no matter what.  Amen.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

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“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

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Glacier National Park in Montana)

Set A Good Example

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“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]

1 Peter 3:8-12

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“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

1 Peter 5:7-9

(This photo was taken in May of 2020 at Beaver River Falls in northern Minnesota)