Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Walking The Clouds Over Bryce Canyon

Stormy Banks Of Oregon

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Are you weary and in need of rest? Do you need a trustworthy place to run? Do you need to be saved from your present trial? Do you need protection? Do you need confidence in your future? Do you need help from above? Consider calling upon the Lord!

Psalm 91

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge--
10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Riding Northern Fences

Trees Of The Pacific Coast

Levada Nizard

Monday, December 5, 2011

Leave Your Heavy Burden At The Cross

The Bible clearly teaches that we are not to worry. In fact, the Bible tells us what to do with our worries. We are to place them upon the Lord.

Psalm 55:22 - Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you.

This is a great deal. I need to take my problems and hand them over to Christ. I have limited ability to solve anything. What authority does Christ have? Ephesians 3:20 says that He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”.

I can ask for crazy big stuff and even if I can’t rightly ask for it … I can sure imagine big big stuff! But this verse says that Christ has the authority to do way way way more than that! It is saying that Christ has the authority to take your wildest need, worry or concern and blink it done. That’s authority! He can change your situation. And He wants to do that for you. We need to have faith in Him!

Most people take their problems to someone with limited capacity to solve the problem. If your kid comes home from college and asks you for a $5,000 loan … you may say no problem and write the check. But there is an amount that could be asked for where we would have to say no.

Not so with the Lord!

So you ask … Well, I have never seen the Lord so how do I know He is there? Seeing doesn’t prove everything. Some will say, you can’t see Jesus … so He isn’t there. Who has seen the wind? You know the wind is there by seeing what it does. You can’t see electricity but you probably won’t stick your finger in an electrical outlet more than once.

I have experienced the Lord in my life by seeing what He is doing and what He has done. Perhaps that is your story too. I pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to you. But today, I hope to encourage you who are having a tough go and want to remind you that the Lord is limitless in His ability and authority to alter your situation. I have seen this authority to alter situations in our family THIS WEEK. Praise the Lord!

There are so many people in this economic down trend that are in need of encouragement today. Gloom can be everywhere if you are in need. The Christmas season is upon us and you may be trying to be upbeat … but there is underlying concern in your life.

Some of you have already lost your jobs. Some are worried about their jobs right now. And there are some of you who are worried that their companies won’t survive this pinch.

I want to encourage you who are in the fire right now to take your problems and worries of these situations to the Lord. He is able to deliver you!

Find that Bible. Dust it off and read these for yourself. Underline them!

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Isaiah 41:10 - 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.

Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Deuteronomy 31:8 - 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."

Psalm 9:9-10 - The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Matthew 11:28-29 - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

John 14:27 - 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.

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As believer's in Christ, we need to stop living under circumstances. Jesus has all authority to change them and He can provide strength to live with them if that is His will. Call upon Him for help. No one ever cared for you like Jesus! Call to Him today.

NikonSniper Steve

South Vietnam Or The Colorado River

Jesus Is Still The Reason For The Season



Remember Jesus at Christmas
Santa lives at the North Pole. JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh. JESUS rides on the wind and walks on water.
Santa comes once a year. JESUS is an ever-present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies. JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes uninvited down your chimney.
JESUS stands at the door of your heart and knocks ... and will enter if you invite Him.
You have to stand in line to see Santa. JESUS is as close as a call on His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap. JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa has to ask you your name. Jesus knew you before He created the world.
Jesus knows your address, your history, and your future.
Jesus knows the number of hairs on your head.

JESUS has a heart full of love. JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says, "You better not cry".
JESUS says "Cast all your burdens and cares on me because I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys.
JESUS gives new life, mends wounded hearts, and repairs broken homes.
Jesus builds mansions.

Santa might make you chuckle but … JESUS gives you joy and strength.
Santa puts gifts under a tree … JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

Santa was at one time known as Saint Nicholas. Jesus WAS, and IS, and IS to come.
Is there really any comparison?

Jesus is still the reason for the season.
May the Lord bless and watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas.
May He guard you with His powerful arms. May He lift your tired spirit.
May He soak you with His love and provision.
And may you return your focus to Him in all things.


God bless you all in 2012.
NikonSniper Steve

Supply Shed