Friday, November 25, 2011

Fantastic Friday #290-Tossed

Tossed

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15

When you spend your week being tossed back and forth by everything coming at you, who do you listen to? Do you listen to the right people, or do you listen to those who lead you down a rocky and treacherous path. One thing we see today is people who will lie, cheat and steal to get things they want, and won't care who they hurt. Instead of being tossed around by the false and deceitful words of others to get what you think you want, why not listen to the truth spoken by our Lord and Savior who will provide you what you need.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Fantastic Friday #289- Crack

Crack

12 Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says:

“Because you have rejected this message,
relied on oppression
and depended on deceit,
13 this sin will become for you
like a high wall, cracked and bulging,
that collapses suddenly, in an instant.
14 It will break in pieces like pottery,
shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
for taking coals from a hearth
or scooping water out of a cistern.” Isaiah 30:12-14

Have you ever taken a close look at a crack on the sidewalk, the side of a house, or a road. The crack always begins with something very small and if gone unfixed, the crack can grow longer and larger and eventually can cause great damage or destruction. Sin is like that in our lives. Sin can start off with something very small that rejects God and what He wants for us. If that sin is ignored, then it can grow into other sin to where it can create a giant chasm between God and us. God has the tools to fix the crack in our lives. So take steps to fill in the cracks in your life with the Lord and stop the spread of that crack before your life crumbles.

Have a great weekend.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Fantastic Friday #288- Prayers

Prayers

7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him... Hebrews 5:7-9

It is interesting to look back on your prayers and see where God has worked in your life or how He answered something you had prayed for diligently. So when you pray, do you offer up prayers with a heart of humble thanks, or do you look to your prayers as some words and phrases you hope God will listen to and answer for you? If you look carefully at this scripture, Jesus was faithful in prayer and petitions and He did it with a great deal of emotion. He also in other verses took time and prayed alone. While prayers said in group are a good thing, prayers in private are very personal and relational. I know that if our hearts and emotions are placed into our prayers, we can only strengthen our relationship with our Father in Heaven. The next time your prayers are said, lift up the One who suffered for us for our salvation, then focus on humble thanks and let the Spirit guide you through your prayers.

Have a great weekend.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Fantastic Friday #287 - Night

Night

5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:5-8

What do you think about at night? Is it the choices you made during the day, the choices you didn't make, the time spent with family, the time spent with friends, the problem you face tomorrow, or is it something else? Do you think God thinks about you at night? I assure you he isn't thinking about what you did wrong during your day but I am pretty sure he is thinking about what He wants you to do. So many times we get caught up in the SWCS during our night reflection. This is the Shoulda Woulda Coulda Syndrome that we all suffer from and sometimes confusion can be a side effect of SWCS. The SWCS can drag us further away from our Lord if we let it consume our Nightly thoughts. Remember, the best antibiotic for Shoulda Woulda Coulda Syndrome is our Lord who counsels us away from negativity.

Have a great weekend.