Enjoyment
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
What do you find great enjoyment in during your daily life? Is it the sunrise in the morning, long walks, TV shows, sports, teaching others, family time, and I know this list can go on and on. If you think of the things you enjoy during a day, how much of it is related to money or wealth? Then look at how much you enjoy is related to God and His provision. Some of the times of most enjoyment for me are the times I spend with my family in activity, discussion or just being together. This last week my wife was out of town, my kids were moving in all different directions, and we ended up spending very little time together as a family this week. It continues to make me realize that first my enjoyment comes from God in all he provides, and a huge enjoyment is the time we spend together as a family. During these busy times in our life, we need to remember to focus on our family time, build each other up, and gain enjoyment out of what God has given us. Stop pursuing enjoyment in things that are uncertain, but place your enjoyment in the things that are certain.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
Fantastic Friday #467 - Laugh
Laugh
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:1-3
How much do you laugh in your life? Do you think God laughs? Two very revealing questions about yourself and God. Laughter is the medicine of life, like the old Reader's Digest section which called laughter the best medicine, this is one of the many tools God has given us to help heal our body emotionally, and in my mind, physically. How many of us can let things wear us down and we physically pained because the negative circumstances in our life? We tend to forget that we are all created in God's image, so if we are in His image He must have Joy and Laughter and gave it to us as a special gift to heal our hearts when we need to most. This week I laughed with a good friend and my wonderful wife, and what a difference it makes when I am able to do this. So take a moment to laugh and heal, for without laughter in our world there would just be...
Have a great weekend.
1 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:1-3
How much do you laugh in your life? Do you think God laughs? Two very revealing questions about yourself and God. Laughter is the medicine of life, like the old Reader's Digest section which called laughter the best medicine, this is one of the many tools God has given us to help heal our body emotionally, and in my mind, physically. How many of us can let things wear us down and we physically pained because the negative circumstances in our life? We tend to forget that we are all created in God's image, so if we are in His image He must have Joy and Laughter and gave it to us as a special gift to heal our hearts when we need to most. This week I laughed with a good friend and my wonderful wife, and what a difference it makes when I am able to do this. So take a moment to laugh and heal, for without laughter in our world there would just be...
Have a great weekend.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Fantastic Friday #466- Afflicted
Afflicted
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight. Psalm 119:75-77
Do you have those days when everything you seem to do fights against where you know you should be? We all have times when the enemy beats on our conscious and tells us that we can't live how God wants us to live, or we can't reach any level of righteous living. This is really easy for the enemy to do when we are weak, so where do we turn? We turn to the Lord because He can comfort like no one else. He can guide and show where we can improve and place before us His plan to live a righteous life. We don't have to live an afflicted life, but one that is full of comfort and love from the Lord. Live within His compassion and the enemy won't have as easy a time attempting to afflict you.
Have a great weekend.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight. Psalm 119:75-77
Do you have those days when everything you seem to do fights against where you know you should be? We all have times when the enemy beats on our conscious and tells us that we can't live how God wants us to live, or we can't reach any level of righteous living. This is really easy for the enemy to do when we are weak, so where do we turn? We turn to the Lord because He can comfort like no one else. He can guide and show where we can improve and place before us His plan to live a righteous life. We don't have to live an afflicted life, but one that is full of comfort and love from the Lord. Live within His compassion and the enemy won't have as easy a time attempting to afflict you.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Fantastic Friday #465 - Waiting
Waiting
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:24-26
Eight months. That seems like a long time in our earthly world to wait on the Lord, but in reality it is not that long. Eight months ago I began a journey with a group of men and women that at the time had nothing but a hope and the Lord to guide us. The steps included doors shut and doors open only to have them slam in our face. God would continue to reveal the next path to take only to lead to what seemed like a dead end. Through all these open doors and shut doors we all knew that God was our guide and our only hope in what we desired and prayed for. Just when we thought God was providing something, the enemy would sneak in to try and steal the joy we felt, but we continued to persevere. We prayed, we worked, we hoped and in the end we came to a road that diverged into two different directions where there seemed to be no hope due to circumstances beyond our control, but God is faithful. He guides the righteous and led us back to a door that was shut previously and it was opened again for us to walk through in faith and have peace. Our prayer, faith and hope have led us to the next step as we waited for God to provide while actively working to see where we needed to be. There is a huge difference between just waiting on something we want and waiting on something with a faith and hope in the Lord. These two types of waiting are worlds apart. Only God can provide that comfort and guidance while we wait for His plan. I also love that this scripture shows us how in our weakness and our hope, the Spirit can intercede for us. What a wonderful picture of having the Spirit help us wait on the Lord. We waited and He has provided. You can wait and He can provide for you as well, just be patient.
Have a great weekend.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:24-26
Eight months. That seems like a long time in our earthly world to wait on the Lord, but in reality it is not that long. Eight months ago I began a journey with a group of men and women that at the time had nothing but a hope and the Lord to guide us. The steps included doors shut and doors open only to have them slam in our face. God would continue to reveal the next path to take only to lead to what seemed like a dead end. Through all these open doors and shut doors we all knew that God was our guide and our only hope in what we desired and prayed for. Just when we thought God was providing something, the enemy would sneak in to try and steal the joy we felt, but we continued to persevere. We prayed, we worked, we hoped and in the end we came to a road that diverged into two different directions where there seemed to be no hope due to circumstances beyond our control, but God is faithful. He guides the righteous and led us back to a door that was shut previously and it was opened again for us to walk through in faith and have peace. Our prayer, faith and hope have led us to the next step as we waited for God to provide while actively working to see where we needed to be. There is a huge difference between just waiting on something we want and waiting on something with a faith and hope in the Lord. These two types of waiting are worlds apart. Only God can provide that comfort and guidance while we wait for His plan. I also love that this scripture shows us how in our weakness and our hope, the Spirit can intercede for us. What a wonderful picture of having the Spirit help us wait on the Lord. We waited and He has provided. You can wait and He can provide for you as well, just be patient.
Have a great weekend.
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