Fantastic Friday #255- Sustain

Sustain

²² Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
²³ But you, God, will bring down the wicked
into the pit of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful
will not live out half their days.

But as for me, I trust in you. Psalm 55:21-23

What do you use to get you through the day? Is it that first cup of Starbucks in the morning, a diet soda, a good lunch, that afternoon super energy drink, or a protein shake to keep your body moving. That might take care of the physical jump start or longer needs, but what about the need to mentally sustain you throughout the hectic days we live in? You might think that some of that Starbucks might jump start your mind, but the mind needs more than a jolt of caffeine. In this world of unending, crazy busyness that is full of worldly focuses and pressure and stress to succeed, there is nothing physical that can jump start our mind and sustain it. But, there is God and He is always there to sustain us as long as we focus on what He has for our lives and not what the world tells us to have for our lives. Jump start your day by visiting with God by praising Him and thanking Him for all He has provided you physically and mentally and then ask for His sustaining power to get you through your day.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #254- Bad Day

Bad Day

¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
¹⁷ Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:16-18

I think I have heard this phrase from each of my children in the past week, and maybe from myself. "Today was a bad day." Now, if I would follow the advice of one of my friends who once said to me, "how can today be a bad day if the Lord made it" I would be pretty well off. However, it is very easy to forget this. Very wise words from a wise woman, but even wiser words can be seen from David here in this verse. If we sit and tell ourselves today is a good day because we are still alive, we have hope, we have grace, and there are so many other things to be thankful for, then maybe our bad day we think we had wouldn't look so bad. We need to remember to praise God for the good things He has given us and then look at what we think is "bad" and how God can make that good by teaching us something from that bad/good thing. God is always good and all comes from God, so how can anything in this life be bad.

Have a great day.

Fantastic Friday #253-Children

Children

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17

I looked at my children this week and observed a number of things. Most were good, a few rough moments, but the thing I noticed most is how much I love each and every one of them, and how unconditional that love is that I have for them. There were times when they cried out to me from across the house for one thing or another, and sometimes it sounded more like a kid yelling. I know there are some out there that don't have children or who have children that are grown, but you all are Children as well. Do you find yourself crying out to God asking for help? During our sufferings and times of need we cry out to God for this help and we can feel quite like a small child. One thing we can be secure of is that you are a child of God and if you have received Christ in your life you have the Spirit to guide you these moments of need. Remember, even the oldest child needs help and God is always there to help His children.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #252- Reflect

Reflect

¹⁹ As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart. Proverbs 27:19

Looking in the mirror, how would you describe yourself? Would you utilize any of these words: Righteous, forgiven, chosen, justified, accepted, blessed or reconciled? Or are you hard on yourself and use other words that would completely be the opposite of the words listed above? Or are you living a life that doesn't quite come close to reflecting these words. There are times in our life when I am sure we can question whether we are forgiven or blessed due to our perceived circumstances, but if you look carefully at your reflection after you have accepted Christ all these words above and more are a part of you. You just need to look deep in your heart and let your heart reflect what Christ has given you through His sacrifice. If you haven't truly accepted Christ, then look at what is missing from your life. Now it is up to you to reflect Christ in your life, and show others how blessed and forgiven you truly are because of Him.

Have a great weekend.