Separate
34 Who then is the one who
condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised
to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or
persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:34-37
As
I was running this morning and walking this week on campus, I ran
across several cracks in the road and in a sidewalk. The areas where
there were cracks, there was no joint that was separating the sidewalk
pieces or the road from each other. When proper joints are placed in a
concrete pour, you are less likely to see cracking of the sidewalk
because the joint creates a buffer between the large pieces of concrete
that will tend to move with the earth. Now, you are probably wondering
why I am talking about concrete and cracks and joints. Well, this kind
of made me think of how Christ is the joint in our lives that separates
us from trouble, hardship and Satan. As long as we let Him be our
joint, He can protect us against cracking to the enemy's pressure and
the troubles all around us. He makes us stronger than we would be
without a joint to buffer against the pain and suffering. So let us
remember that God is there for us, loves us and keeps us strong. The
next time you see a crack in a sidewalk, think about how you are strong
without any cracks due to the joint of protection that Christ provides.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Fantastic Friday #381 - Might
Might
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
11 I have seen something else under the sun:
As fish are caught in a cruel net,
or birds are taken in a snare,
so people are trapped by evil times
that fall unexpectedly upon them. Ecclesiastes 9:10-12
We have all heard someone say that whatever you do, do it with all your might. God's Word is very powerful and not bad guidance when you read the rest of the passage and not just one simple phrase. We all have work that we do, and families that we lead, but do we really do them daily with all our might? The problem lies with running the race, because many think that we have to run swiftly in order to get where we need to be. When we run swiftly for things we think we should be chasing, some parts of life get missed along the way and the things that should be important to us get left behind. It is important that since we don't know the hour when our time will come, that we do everything with all of our might. When we focus our life on the good we have instead of being ensnared by the evil and swiftness so prevalent around us, we will gain wisdom and an understanding heart. With these things and all our might, we can better perform our jobs, lead our families and not miss things along the way.
Have a great weekend.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.
11 I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.
12 Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come:or the battle to the strong,
nor does food come to the wise
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance happen to them all.
As fish are caught in a cruel net,
or birds are taken in a snare,
so people are trapped by evil times
that fall unexpectedly upon them. Ecclesiastes 9:10-12
We have all heard someone say that whatever you do, do it with all your might. God's Word is very powerful and not bad guidance when you read the rest of the passage and not just one simple phrase. We all have work that we do, and families that we lead, but do we really do them daily with all our might? The problem lies with running the race, because many think that we have to run swiftly in order to get where we need to be. When we run swiftly for things we think we should be chasing, some parts of life get missed along the way and the things that should be important to us get left behind. It is important that since we don't know the hour when our time will come, that we do everything with all of our might. When we focus our life on the good we have instead of being ensnared by the evil and swiftness so prevalent around us, we will gain wisdom and an understanding heart. With these things and all our might, we can better perform our jobs, lead our families and not miss things along the way.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Fantastic Friday #380 - God's Love
God's Love
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
I saw a picture this week that was very interesting. The picture was of sand under a microscope. I will get back to that picture in a second, but I often hear people say, "does God really love me" or "does God really care about me and what happens to me?" For those who are very strong in their faith and relationship with God, this question probably doesn't come up. Or, does it come up but in just a different way. Have you ever asked God, "why" or "why now" when something has happened to you where you seem beaten down or hurt? Or, do you ever ask God, "where are you?" These are all forms of the first two questions, because there is doubt written all over them. I believe people can tend to portray in life that they have a strong faith, but being human we all can have doubt creep into our minds. Now if you look closely at this scripture, it is very clear that God loves us, and we should boast that He is right there with us through the Holy Spirit. Now, let's take a look at that picture of sand under a microscope.(See below & if you can't see the picture, Google Sand under microscope) If God created something which is that beautiful, but can't be seen by the naked eye, how much more beautiful are we as His creation to have a relationship with Him. Certainly God poured and pours His love over us regularly, we just need to have faith that whatever the circumstances we are in, that He loves us and is there for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
I saw a picture this week that was very interesting. The picture was of sand under a microscope. I will get back to that picture in a second, but I often hear people say, "does God really love me" or "does God really care about me and what happens to me?" For those who are very strong in their faith and relationship with God, this question probably doesn't come up. Or, does it come up but in just a different way. Have you ever asked God, "why" or "why now" when something has happened to you where you seem beaten down or hurt? Or, do you ever ask God, "where are you?" These are all forms of the first two questions, because there is doubt written all over them. I believe people can tend to portray in life that they have a strong faith, but being human we all can have doubt creep into our minds. Now if you look closely at this scripture, it is very clear that God loves us, and we should boast that He is right there with us through the Holy Spirit. Now, let's take a look at that picture of sand under a microscope.(See below & if you can't see the picture, Google Sand under microscope) If God created something which is that beautiful, but can't be seen by the naked eye, how much more beautiful are we as His creation to have a relationship with Him. Certainly God poured and pours His love over us regularly, we just need to have faith that whatever the circumstances we are in, that He loves us and is there for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, August 9, 2013
Fantastic Friday #379- Earthy
Earthy
do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior. Psalm 38:17-22
19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.1 Peter 2:19
I heard a famous DJ refer to the Bible as Earthy this
week.(@air1brant) When he began to explain what he meant, it made a lot
of sense. The Bible is full of a lot of good stories and and great
endings. However, with that good is a lot of bad that really isn't
talked about that much. That bad includes death, disease, murder, and a
lot of pain and sins that we don't highlight that much. "Very Earthy
stuff if you think about it" I believe was his quote. The things that
are highlighted a lot of times when we go to church are the really cool
stories and great endings, so much of the time our attention is easily
captured and all of the main points are simple to remember. So, you are
probably very confused right now by these thoughts I am making, but
let's put this into perspective. There is something about this Earthy
stuff that could really help us in our daily walk with Christ. We know
that God uses suffering and sin to reveal Himself to people every day.
Once we are Christians, I imagine some of us tend to focus only on where
we are heading next. This probably occurs because life happens and we
don't spend as much time in the Word as we should, or maybe we are
reading too many feel-good books about being a better follower of
Christ, leading a better mission-filled life, or being a better sharer
of the Gospel. However, if we do spend time in the Word, I assume we
might look at only the highlights of the feel good stories to remind us
of who we are and who God is in our life. Now, there is nothing wrong
with that because we are spending time in God's Word, but I am of the
belief that we need to also pay attention to the struggles and sin found
in the Bible and look at today's world. The reason for looking at sin
and the struggles of life is because the work that God has overcome for
us already through Christ's death and resurrection has already put those
things in their place. If we look at those sins and struggles closely,
the good stories mean a lot more, and your story will mean even more
than you thought. Very earthy, huh?
17 For I am about to fall,
and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause;
those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil
lodge accusations against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.
21 Lord, do not forsake me;and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;
I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause;
those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil
lodge accusations against me,
though I seek only to do what is good.
do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my Savior. Psalm 38:17-22
19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.1 Peter 2:19
Friday, August 2, 2013
Fantastic Friday #378- Heat
Heat
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:9-12
Today was a scorcher where we live. I walked outside in my shirt and tie and it was the first time that I have had a wind blowing in my face that actually made me more hot than cool. For whatever His reasons, God had the heat of the sun beating down on us today. I reflect on how it could have been like that in all of July but instead we have experienced our mildest July in many years. Days like today have been a nice reminder of who God is and how much in control He is of everything. If you took time today to notice how hot it was, how beautiful the morning sun is, how pretty the flowers were, how green or "brown" the grass was or how the hot wind blew against your face, you were actually noticing God's handiwork. If you didn't notice any of these things, you probably were moving too fast through your day and chasing the wrong things. I assume the rich who chase the worldly things of this life and those who don't have a true relationship with God tend not to notice the little things about living that really matter. You and I might have struggles in this world, but the more we focus on God and His plan for us, the more we will realize God's greater plan for our lives is not located here. So remember, the heat we might feel from time to time is for our good and growth, and allows us to focus on God's great glory.
Have a great weekend.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:9-12
Today was a scorcher where we live. I walked outside in my shirt and tie and it was the first time that I have had a wind blowing in my face that actually made me more hot than cool. For whatever His reasons, God had the heat of the sun beating down on us today. I reflect on how it could have been like that in all of July but instead we have experienced our mildest July in many years. Days like today have been a nice reminder of who God is and how much in control He is of everything. If you took time today to notice how hot it was, how beautiful the morning sun is, how pretty the flowers were, how green or "brown" the grass was or how the hot wind blew against your face, you were actually noticing God's handiwork. If you didn't notice any of these things, you probably were moving too fast through your day and chasing the wrong things. I assume the rich who chase the worldly things of this life and those who don't have a true relationship with God tend not to notice the little things about living that really matter. You and I might have struggles in this world, but the more we focus on God and His plan for us, the more we will realize God's greater plan for our lives is not located here. So remember, the heat we might feel from time to time is for our good and growth, and allows us to focus on God's great glory.
Have a great weekend.
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