Fantastic Friday #586 - Leader

Leader

6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:6-8

How come there are days when those of us in leadership want to be more of a follower? Do you have those moments where you want quit relying so much on people because they fail you or become so difficult that there is no way you can change them or their mind. I am the perfect example of someone in leadership that had a terrible day this week but was reminded of something by a friend. They reminded me of who I was in Jesus and that I did not need to lead all the time by myself but I need to be led by Christ. We need to remember that if God is our guide, whether we are leading or following, we will not fail.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #585 - Power

Power

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21

Do you ever go through your day and wonder where your power lies? Maybe you think you have the power to overcome the challenges placed before you, or you feel you have the power to change evil in the world. The thought of an individual powering through on their own is where our world is struggling right now. There are people in positions of power who do things for their own glory and what they perceive as making them more powerful. We have to step back and realize where our power comes from, and where our power lies. It all is within our Father in Heaven, who as this scripture notes transfers this power to us as we need if we believe in Him. Imagine the world without God's Power and without the peace that we feel when we know He is with us helping us power through whatever difficulty we have. Keep moving forward knowing that your power lies in Him and in no one else.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #584 - Resist

Resist

6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:6-8

Resisting sin is not easy. Sin is prevalent among us daily around every corner that we turn and sin influencers are on every media device we have. We have become a generation that seeks the things quickly that supposedly make us feel better for that short period. That is where we are wrong in our thinking. We cannot be looking for those things that make us feel better for a short time, but those things that make us feel better for a much longer period of time. Those things typically include putting God at the center of our life, and coming near to Him as the scripture states. If we do these things, and resist the enemy's promptings to sin we can easily be shown favor by God. The resistance is a step we need to focus on daily.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #583 - Slump

Good Morning,

Slump

14 I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted within me.

15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death. Psalm 22:14-15

Do you sometimes feel like your spiritual life is out of joint, and everything around you is turning you into wax. Do you ever feel like when you are reaching out to God that your mouth is so dry that you can't speak the words that you want to our Father in Heaven? I feel these ways from time to time, and sometimes we are in a desert with our spiritual life. Most likely we are there for a number of reasons, but the key reason is our relationship with our Father. Just like your marriage, your friendships, your love for others, the only way they grow is if you put time into those relationships. The same thing occurs with God and our relationship with Him. If we are intentional about our relationship with Him, then we won't have our bones out of joint, or feel like we are turning to wax. We will be strong and courageous, and have a mouth that is flowing like a stream with thanks and love. So get out of that slump with God and do something about it instead of complaining about why you are struggling. Remember, those who seek change will change.

Have a great weekend.

Matt