Criticize
10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God. 11 For it is written:
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to Me,
and every tongue will give praise to God.
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
I have seen a lot of criticism this week by others, and I have also found myself criticizing others. Some was necessary for correction, but not all of it was which is where we all fall short. We often forget how much of an impact this criticism actually has and is it necessary. How do you feel when someone criticizes you? Does it depend on the tone of voice, the tone of the email, the words that are used, or the presentation of the criticism? Everything is a factor and when every one of those ways or a majority of them is negative, it can really impact a person and their response. We need to remember when planning on criticizing someone, is it something that will help the person, or is it going to beat them down to a place that you wouldn't want to be yourself. Keep in mind that the criticism we give can be immediately turned back on us, and we need to be careful because we will be judged some day and we don't want to be known as the criticizer who never has anything else good to say.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 24, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Fantastic Friday #729 - Mind
Mind
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing:
2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4
The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus. Think about that statement for a minute, a King of Persia who had no reason to give the people of God an opportunity to build the House of the Lord, was influenced by our amazing Father. If God has such influence on people, then why do we doubt His ability to manage any situation we are going through. I know that these times people are hurting and desperate, but how many people turn the Lord in this time of distress? If God can influence a man like King Cyrus, don't you think He can influence our leaders in this world, and can control any situation. I challenge each of you take a moment each day to give thanks for where God has you, and the influence He is in your life. Sacrifice food for a day, yes fast for two meals this week, and pray during that period of fasting that He can resolve the challenges of the virus that has attacked so many. Be a blessing to others and wait for what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4
The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus. Think about that statement for a minute, a King of Persia who had no reason to give the people of God an opportunity to build the House of the Lord, was influenced by our amazing Father. If God has such influence on people, then why do we doubt His ability to manage any situation we are going through. I know that these times people are hurting and desperate, but how many people turn the Lord in this time of distress? If God can influence a man like King Cyrus, don't you think He can influence our leaders in this world, and can control any situation. I challenge each of you take a moment each day to give thanks for where God has you, and the influence He is in your life. Sacrifice food for a day, yes fast for two meals this week, and pray during that period of fasting that He can resolve the challenges of the virus that has attacked so many. Be a blessing to others and wait for what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 10, 2020
Fantastic Friday #728 - Unity
Unity
14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15
I wonder some days why it takes a crisis for people to come together in unity. Every day on the news we hear about how one person helps another and how that impacted several people. Over time they show how just one act of kindness extends to others unknowingly. Are we so blinded by this world that we can't see this daily, or see all the good that goes on without a crisis? I think people tend to get so comfortable in their own lives that they can forget they are a part of the common good. I know for me it all starts daily with being thankful. Thankful for Christ's sacrifice, thankful that God put me in a place of influence, and thankful for my family and friends. Those are just a small number of things that I am thankful for, and we need to remember that we all can come together in unity at any time, not just when several thousand people around you are suffering financially and with illness. Thank about who you are in unity with and don't think that you are above being of one mind and body with your fellow man.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15
I wonder some days why it takes a crisis for people to come together in unity. Every day on the news we hear about how one person helps another and how that impacted several people. Over time they show how just one act of kindness extends to others unknowingly. Are we so blinded by this world that we can't see this daily, or see all the good that goes on without a crisis? I think people tend to get so comfortable in their own lives that they can forget they are a part of the common good. I know for me it all starts daily with being thankful. Thankful for Christ's sacrifice, thankful that God put me in a place of influence, and thankful for my family and friends. Those are just a small number of things that I am thankful for, and we need to remember that we all can come together in unity at any time, not just when several thousand people around you are suffering financially and with illness. Thank about who you are in unity with and don't think that you are above being of one mind and body with your fellow man.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 3, 2020
Fantastic Friday #727 - Plan
Plan
3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-5
I don't know about you, but I like to have a plan. I like to plan meals, plan outings, and plan my work day. I may not be the super planner that some people are, but I at least like to have an idea of what is coming so I can be prepared for it. I am not a huge spur of the moment type guy, but that is for another day. The latest situation in our lives has caused me learn how to plan around difficulties and challenges that we have not had before. Curve balls are thrown at us in our life and it is how we respond to them that makes a difference many times in the outcome. It is pretty simple to say God's plan is this and we need to operate on faith, it is a whole different world to live it. Living what we are saying is a challenge, but every step that you live in faith increases the reliance you have on God and His plan. Believe me, I did not like His most recent plans with loved ones and family members, but I know my faith in God is what has gotten me through it. We need to remember that if we serve in love and have faith, God will answer according to His plan.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-5
I don't know about you, but I like to have a plan. I like to plan meals, plan outings, and plan my work day. I may not be the super planner that some people are, but I at least like to have an idea of what is coming so I can be prepared for it. I am not a huge spur of the moment type guy, but that is for another day. The latest situation in our lives has caused me learn how to plan around difficulties and challenges that we have not had before. Curve balls are thrown at us in our life and it is how we respond to them that makes a difference many times in the outcome. It is pretty simple to say God's plan is this and we need to operate on faith, it is a whole different world to live it. Living what we are saying is a challenge, but every step that you live in faith increases the reliance you have on God and His plan. Believe me, I did not like His most recent plans with loved ones and family members, but I know my faith in God is what has gotten me through it. We need to remember that if we serve in love and have faith, God will answer according to His plan.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
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