Fantastic Friday #651 - Guide

Guide

1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Psalm 31:1-3


I read a story this week about an old friend who had forgiven someone who devastated his family through a horrible series of events years ago. Even though that power of forgiveness from God took place, he still held onto that grief that burdened him. He had still felt that grief and he stated that he has found self-growth and recovery over the years, but never found that he has grieved fully. While he hasn't grieved fully, I know God is with him because of the ability to forgive. We tend to forget that we don't need to be the strong one and we can rely on our true fortress to guide us through any circumstance. I know that my Father in Heaven guides me in the path I should go, and I need to remember daily to ask Him to protect me. Take your step to ask God for help and guidance and I guarantee you the pieces will fall into place.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #650 - Sing

Sing


Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 96:1-3


Yesterday our family lost a beautiful, caring wonderful woman. She was a woman that cared deeply for all of those around her and how just a few weeks ago over Facetime, recognized me and smiled at me after many years of battling Alzheimer's. She was a woman who had a hilarious laugh, and also a woman who loved to sing. I can imagine her singing with her sister Eileen in Heaven right now. The thing with my mother-in-law is that she was always joyful in her singing, she always cared about the songs that meant the most. Let us all sing for joy as she always did and still does in Heaven today. Don't dwell on the negative, but think of how God has always been there for you. There is something about singing, even if you do it badly like me, that is a joyful sound to God. Music moves our emotions and gives us hope when there are dark times. Its no wonder that throughout God's Word, singing is mentioned, so take a moment today and sing a song of joy.


You will be missed mother-in-law dear, and how I will miss calling you that when I talk to you on the phone. Ooooh Doggy!


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #649 - New Thing

New Thing


18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 4:18-19


How many of us actually try a new thing, or do we find ourselves stuck in the same place? This week one of my sons got to try a new thing. It was completely new to him, and took a lot of hard work, however in the end he did well for his first time trying this new thing. I think we need to always look to try new things, so we can learn something new or improve ourselves. Maybe you should look for the new thing that God is telling you to try. You might not know what it is until He reveals it, but it is brought to us so we can improve ourselves, or grow in our faith. God is always doing a new thing in us, we just have to listen for what that thing is and follow through. Try a new thing.


Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #648 - Joy

Joy


9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:9-11

I felt joy this week. Did you feel joy this week? Joy is hard to find in our world, because there is so much negativity and the enemy doesn't want you to feel joy. So, do you really want to know how I felt joy this week? I will tell you. First, my friend who has cancer laughed at one of my stupid childish jokes. Second, that same friend blessed me with a special gift that I would never be able to afford myself. Third, my children and wife traveled safely to see my mother-in-law. Fourth, I had a friend tell me how much my posts on Facebook meant to her. Fifth, my mother-in-law recognized me and smiled at me over face-time. To many of you, that fifth one might not sound like a big deal, but it was a big deal to me and there is a lot of Joy in my heart because I know that God has laid out a path for my life and my loved ones. He is in control. Find joy in the little things and the big things, it defeats the enemy's efforts because he does not want us to feel joy. Feel joy this week and find it, it is right around every corner.

Have a great weekend.

Matt