Calm
23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master,we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?”he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:23-25
Do you sometimes get antsy with life and want everything your way? Maybe you have something you have been building up for and it is disappointing when it doesn’t happen the way you want it to. My son traveled separately than we did this year and on his way to the Northeast, the airline lost his baggage. He only had the clothes on his back and a coat. During the last four days he has been very calm and I have been impressed with how he handled it. Something as simple as this can make us not be calm, irritated and wondering why is this happening to me? Just like when Jesus’ disciples lacked the faith they needed, when we are not calm our faith gets stretched. We need to remember in all situations that God has us in His arms and wants the best for us. We need to understand that if we are calm and have faith that we can overcome any challenges to our faith. Let God be your guide and let Him help you overcome your lack of faith. Keep calm and carry your faith.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, December 24, 2021
Friday, December 17, 2021
Fantastic Friday #816 - Rejoice
Rejoice
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
One of my favorite Christmas Hymns is O come, O come, Emmanuel mainly because of the fact that you can rejoice in every verse to or Lord on high. The third verse, one of least known verses for some reason really draws me in to the Lord more closely.
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
When we look to Him from on high and He is cheering us and drawing us in, he can disperse gloomy clouds in our life, what a wonderful picture of God's love. We always need something that cheers us and doesn't depress us and God is there for us to lift us up when we experience gloominess. The best thing is when we allow God to arrive in our life, that death's dark shadows are put to flight. I think of the famous movie Lord of the Rings when the evil ring is destroyed, the clouds and shadows lift from Mordor and let the light shine through. It is even more wonderful when God's light overtakes the shadows keeping us in darkness. The weight is lifted and we can Rejoice to Him. I know just hearing this song helps remind me to come to Him in time of need.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
One of my favorite Christmas Hymns is O come, O come, Emmanuel mainly because of the fact that you can rejoice in every verse to or Lord on high. The third verse, one of least known verses for some reason really draws me in to the Lord more closely.
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
When we look to Him from on high and He is cheering us and drawing us in, he can disperse gloomy clouds in our life, what a wonderful picture of God's love. We always need something that cheers us and doesn't depress us and God is there for us to lift us up when we experience gloominess. The best thing is when we allow God to arrive in our life, that death's dark shadows are put to flight. I think of the famous movie Lord of the Rings when the evil ring is destroyed, the clouds and shadows lift from Mordor and let the light shine through. It is even more wonderful when God's light overtakes the shadows keeping us in darkness. The weight is lifted and we can Rejoice to Him. I know just hearing this song helps remind me to come to Him in time of need.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, December 10, 2021
Fantastic Friday #815 - Branches
Branches
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Do you ever think about this analogy, and do you find yourself trying to be the vine thinking you can control everything in front of you? The vine plays an integral role in providing nutritional sustenance to the rest of the plant, and without the vine you cannot have the branches. I am not sure any of us have the power to control everything, but we can take steps to control our circumstances and how we respond to things. God provides the guiding sustenance we need on a daily basis, we just need to remember to accept it and feed off what He gives. This free gift can strengthen us to live a righteous life and one God intended for us, not one that we try to control. Take a moment to see how strong your branch is, and if it isn't strong enough then what can you do to accept the gifts from God.
Have a great weekend.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Do you ever think about this analogy, and do you find yourself trying to be the vine thinking you can control everything in front of you? The vine plays an integral role in providing nutritional sustenance to the rest of the plant, and without the vine you cannot have the branches. I am not sure any of us have the power to control everything, but we can take steps to control our circumstances and how we respond to things. God provides the guiding sustenance we need on a daily basis, we just need to remember to accept it and feed off what He gives. This free gift can strengthen us to live a righteous life and one God intended for us, not one that we try to control. Take a moment to see how strong your branch is, and if it isn't strong enough then what can you do to accept the gifts from God.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, December 3, 2021
Fantastic Friday #814 - Interpret
Interpret
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 2 Peter 1:19-20
Do you find people trying to interpret things for you? When they do something like this, are you totally lost and wonder what they said and how they came about their interpretation? I often think about how people come up with their own ideas, especially those who don't follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The great thing about the Word of God is that most people know where it came from and believe that it really is God's guiding Word, as long as it is translated correctly. Too many people try to skew the Word to benefit them and their situation. We need to remember that God's Word is set in stone and the interpretation comes from Him as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. Don't let someone take God's Word out of context and interpret it in a way that is unholy. Be strong and courageous and let the Word speak for itself.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Do you find people trying to interpret things for you? When they do something like this, are you totally lost and wonder what they said and how they came about their interpretation? I often think about how people come up with their own ideas, especially those who don't follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The great thing about the Word of God is that most people know where it came from and believe that it really is God's guiding Word, as long as it is translated correctly. Too many people try to skew the Word to benefit them and their situation. We need to remember that God's Word is set in stone and the interpretation comes from Him as we are guided by the Holy Spirit. Don't let someone take God's Word out of context and interpret it in a way that is unholy. Be strong and courageous and let the Word speak for itself.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, November 26, 2021
Fantastic Friday #813 - Share
Share
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15-16
This time of year is a time of Thanks and Gratefulness, yet how often do we extend our Thanks past these few days of love and sharing. Being around my extended family during this time reminds me of how caring and wonderful we can all be, even with differing opinions. We share our thoughts in a safe and respectful way and then can enjoy our time together without feeling like we can't speak our mind. We can grow more when we share our gifts with others, and are thankful for the impact those people make in our lives. Share what you can share, because remember God gave it all to you, not to horde but to bless others. Doing good and sharing is a change in our mindset in today's world.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, November 19, 2021
Fantastic Friday #812 - Evaluation
Evaluation
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?” 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
How many of us spend time evaluating things in our life before we act? Do we look at every aspect of a decision that we need to make, or do we foolishly act first and ask questions later. When major decisions come down in our life, it is important if you have the Holy Spirit in your life that you let that Spirit guide you in your decision-making. Let the Spirit help you evaluate what is going on, and let the Spirit show you what the Lord wants you to do. Do not let the impact of the enemy have you quickly try and make a decision without considering all things. Let the Spirit of God work through you and for you to guide you through this challenging world. I hope we can all understand the impact of the Holy Spirit.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?” 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
How many of us spend time evaluating things in our life before we act? Do we look at every aspect of a decision that we need to make, or do we foolishly act first and ask questions later. When major decisions come down in our life, it is important if you have the Holy Spirit in your life that you let that Spirit guide you in your decision-making. Let the Spirit help you evaluate what is going on, and let the Spirit show you what the Lord wants you to do. Do not let the impact of the enemy have you quickly try and make a decision without considering all things. Let the Spirit of God work through you and for you to guide you through this challenging world. I hope we can all understand the impact of the Holy Spirit.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, November 12, 2021
Fantastic Friday #811 - World
World
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16
What do you love in the world? The world has many things that you can and should like, but it also has many things that you should refrain from liking or loving because they draw you away from God. When you focus on the things of the world more than the things of God, then that should show you where your love lies. We need to remember that this world is only temporary, the things we have we cannot take with us, the enemy wants to pull our hearts away from God and tell us that these things of the world are more important. If we remember that God is forever and everything else is temporary, then it can help us focus. The distractions of the World are not good and for our benefit, so we should always think about how they might impact us. Don't be impacted by the enemy, be impacted by God and His faithfulness and promises.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16
What do you love in the world? The world has many things that you can and should like, but it also has many things that you should refrain from liking or loving because they draw you away from God. When you focus on the things of the world more than the things of God, then that should show you where your love lies. We need to remember that this world is only temporary, the things we have we cannot take with us, the enemy wants to pull our hearts away from God and tell us that these things of the world are more important. If we remember that God is forever and everything else is temporary, then it can help us focus. The distractions of the World are not good and for our benefit, so we should always think about how they might impact us. Don't be impacted by the enemy, be impacted by God and His faithfulness and promises.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, November 5, 2021
Fantastic Friday #810 - Simple
Simple
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Proverbs 8:4-5
When you look at a task or something ahead of time, do you think that it is very difficult and not sure you can complete it? I know this is something that I do regularly, I find all the ways I cannot complete something rather than look at the simplest way to do it. God doesn't place things in front of us that we cannot complete, but He does challenge us to think of the ways to get things done. There is a philosophy out there that sometimes the simplest explanation is the right answer. The simplest answer in most cases is to turn to God for help so that we don't become foolish trying to figure out all the intricacies about how something should be completed. So, take a moment this week to gain wisdom by looking for a simple solution. I promise you that you will have more time and feel much better after spending less time trying to solve the world's problems.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Proverbs 8:4-5
When you look at a task or something ahead of time, do you think that it is very difficult and not sure you can complete it? I know this is something that I do regularly, I find all the ways I cannot complete something rather than look at the simplest way to do it. God doesn't place things in front of us that we cannot complete, but He does challenge us to think of the ways to get things done. There is a philosophy out there that sometimes the simplest explanation is the right answer. The simplest answer in most cases is to turn to God for help so that we don't become foolish trying to figure out all the intricacies about how something should be completed. So, take a moment this week to gain wisdom by looking for a simple solution. I promise you that you will have more time and feel much better after spending less time trying to solve the world's problems.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, October 29, 2021
Fantastic Friday #809 - Age
Age
7 I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.’
8 But it is the spirit in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9 It is not only the old who are wise,
not only the aged who understand what is right. Job 32:7-9
Through my 51 years I have seen a lot, experienced a ton more, and challenges have come and gone. Most recently I have buried two parents at too young an age, at least by my standards. I learned so much from each of them through the years and I am proud that I can carry on the name of our family, including the faith I have in Christ. But I do feel sadness that they are gone, but during their age and throughout the years they reminded me to love and care for my family through all things. I was also reminded that the acts of caring do not come from me but come from above, and the learning that takes place can carry us on past when they are gone. My parents taught me so much wisdom these past few years, and reminded me that God is caring and loving. You might wonder how I can say God is loving and caring with their passing, but He is and was and will always be when it comes to call His children home. So I may not be old, but I am wiser than I once was and hope that you all can become more wise by turning to God with all your pain and suffering. The sadness will come and go, but God will always be there.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
7 I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.’
8 But it is the spirit in a person,
the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
9 It is not only the old who are wise,
not only the aged who understand what is right. Job 32:7-9
Through my 51 years I have seen a lot, experienced a ton more, and challenges have come and gone. Most recently I have buried two parents at too young an age, at least by my standards. I learned so much from each of them through the years and I am proud that I can carry on the name of our family, including the faith I have in Christ. But I do feel sadness that they are gone, but during their age and throughout the years they reminded me to love and care for my family through all things. I was also reminded that the acts of caring do not come from me but come from above, and the learning that takes place can carry us on past when they are gone. My parents taught me so much wisdom these past few years, and reminded me that God is caring and loving. You might wonder how I can say God is loving and caring with their passing, but He is and was and will always be when it comes to call His children home. So I may not be old, but I am wiser than I once was and hope that you all can become more wise by turning to God with all your pain and suffering. The sadness will come and go, but God will always be there.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, October 22, 2021
Fantastic Friday #808 - Weak
Weak
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 8:10
We all can be weak and can suffer, and some just do not know how to handle it. We can cry out to the Lord as loud as we want, yet if He desires us to go through challenges so that we rely on Him, then we will. When we don't rely on Him to give us His grace, then we are turning out back on Him. He will rescue us if we are faithful and cry out to Him for Him to lift the burden. This week I saw my Dad pass into Heaven to be with God and my mother. My Dad had many weaknesses but he did the best he could to show us the path to Jesus. While he wasn't always the same dad we grew up with, I know that God makes us perfect and takes away the pain that we suffer here on earth. We just need to understand our pain is not always taken care of here. I hope that these messages give you a hope that is hard for some people to find.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 8:10
We all can be weak and can suffer, and some just do not know how to handle it. We can cry out to the Lord as loud as we want, yet if He desires us to go through challenges so that we rely on Him, then we will. When we don't rely on Him to give us His grace, then we are turning out back on Him. He will rescue us if we are faithful and cry out to Him for Him to lift the burden. This week I saw my Dad pass into Heaven to be with God and my mother. My Dad had many weaknesses but he did the best he could to show us the path to Jesus. While he wasn't always the same dad we grew up with, I know that God makes us perfect and takes away the pain that we suffer here on earth. We just need to understand our pain is not always taken care of here. I hope that these messages give you a hope that is hard for some people to find.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, October 15, 2021
Fantastic Friday #807 - Crafty
Crafty
11 The lowly he sets on high,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He thwarts the plans of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
13 He catches the wise in their craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are swept away. Job 5:11-13
Do you have experience with a crafty person? Someone who is cunning to gain an advantage or downright evil to have something come out in their favor. Our family has encountered an individual in the past couple of weeks that thinks they are being crafty, but in reality, their craftiness is just evil that impacts us in a negative way. I am not typically judgmental, but some things make me so angry. When I sit back and look at it, this person taking advantage of a situation and lying to benefit themselves personally can only bring temporary success, especially if you believe in God's Word. I believe in God's Word and His teachings and know that God will handle things like this in His own time. Until then, we just have to continue to trust and love God with all our hearts, and fight against the crafty people who take advantage of every situation that comes their way. We cannot get angry for things that are out of our control, but have to continually focus on good and treating others with respect and love.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
11 The lowly he sets on high,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He thwarts the plans of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
13 He catches the wise in their craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are swept away. Job 5:11-13
Do you have experience with a crafty person? Someone who is cunning to gain an advantage or downright evil to have something come out in their favor. Our family has encountered an individual in the past couple of weeks that thinks they are being crafty, but in reality, their craftiness is just evil that impacts us in a negative way. I am not typically judgmental, but some things make me so angry. When I sit back and look at it, this person taking advantage of a situation and lying to benefit themselves personally can only bring temporary success, especially if you believe in God's Word. I believe in God's Word and His teachings and know that God will handle things like this in His own time. Until then, we just have to continue to trust and love God with all our hearts, and fight against the crafty people who take advantage of every situation that comes their way. We cannot get angry for things that are out of our control, but have to continually focus on good and treating others with respect and love.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, October 8, 2021
Fantastic Friday #806 - Water
Water
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:1-5
Does water satisfy your thirst? Think about it, when you are truly thirsty does anything but water satisfy your thirst? If you look at all the beverages out there, sports drinks, sodas, calorie free drinks, it feels there is always something missing from them to satisfy us completely. Water is almost always there and can create true satisfaction. Once you drink it, is your thirst not gone completely? When you are hungry and need to quell the hunger pains you might drink a big glass of water, does it not make the pains go away and your belly feels slightly full? What else do you look to in order to fill your thirst for God? Is it the Bible or searching for God himself, or do you look to society, pastors, leaders or the internet? I guarantee the only place you are going to be satisfied within is with a true relationship with God and His Word. He is Power and the One that can change your life. He can satisfy you fully, just like the water can satisfy your physical thirst, God will satisfy your spiritual thirst.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you. Psalm 63:1-5
Does water satisfy your thirst? Think about it, when you are truly thirsty does anything but water satisfy your thirst? If you look at all the beverages out there, sports drinks, sodas, calorie free drinks, it feels there is always something missing from them to satisfy us completely. Water is almost always there and can create true satisfaction. Once you drink it, is your thirst not gone completely? When you are hungry and need to quell the hunger pains you might drink a big glass of water, does it not make the pains go away and your belly feels slightly full? What else do you look to in order to fill your thirst for God? Is it the Bible or searching for God himself, or do you look to society, pastors, leaders or the internet? I guarantee the only place you are going to be satisfied within is with a true relationship with God and His Word. He is Power and the One that can change your life. He can satisfy you fully, just like the water can satisfy your physical thirst, God will satisfy your spiritual thirst.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, October 1, 2021
Fantastic Friday #805 - Want
Want
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Romans 9: 16-18
What do you want? Truly, what do you want to have happen to you? What does God want? This is a pretty simple answer, He wants you. The challenge is that not everyone wants God, they want the things of this world because they think those bring them happiness. There is only one thing that can bring true happiness, and that is a relationship with God. The enemy doesn't want us or care about us, he just wants to pull us away from God. We have to focus our desire on God and His mercy. If we want God, then we can overcome the challenges and sin that enters our hearts. God will harden the hearts of those who don't seek them, and while they might be able to enjoy the things of this world, unless they pursue Him, then they won't experience the Glory that God wants for us. God wants us so we should want Him more.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. Romans 9: 16-18
What do you want? Truly, what do you want to have happen to you? What does God want? This is a pretty simple answer, He wants you. The challenge is that not everyone wants God, they want the things of this world because they think those bring them happiness. There is only one thing that can bring true happiness, and that is a relationship with God. The enemy doesn't want us or care about us, he just wants to pull us away from God. We have to focus our desire on God and His mercy. If we want God, then we can overcome the challenges and sin that enters our hearts. God will harden the hearts of those who don't seek them, and while they might be able to enjoy the things of this world, unless they pursue Him, then they won't experience the Glory that God wants for us. God wants us so we should want Him more.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, September 24, 2021
Fantastic Friday #804 - Ally
Ally
13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth,
and my right hand spread out the heavens;
when I summon them,
they all stand up together.
14 “Come together, all of you, and listen:
Which of the idols has foretold these things?
The Lord’s chosen ally
will carry out his purpose against Babylon;
his arm will be against the Babylonians.[a]
15 I, even I, have spoken;
yes, I have called him.
I will bring him,
and he will succeed in his mission. Isaiah 48:13-15
Who do you have as an ally? Is it someone you trust and have confidence in to keep you accountable for what you should be doing? In wars, countries have allies to help and support them. The allies from WW2 were fighting against an unimaginable evil that destroyed the lives of people and in the end, that evil enemy was destroyed. But there were many people who fought on the enemy's side that were only doing it to preserve their own life. There is not much difference between being an ally in a war and an ally in someone's life. When you are someone's ally in life, hopefully you are fighting for someone to be better and not be on the wrong side of a war. We have battles each day in our lives, and we need to remember we don't have to fight those battles alone. We need to align ourselves with God's teaching, be around people who want to make a difference and finish the mission that God has sent us forth to accomplish. We can't accomplish life without allies, you just have to remember which allies you will align with to succeed.
Have a great weekend.
13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth,
and my right hand spread out the heavens;
when I summon them,
they all stand up together.
14 “Come together, all of you, and listen:
Which of the idols has foretold these things?
The Lord’s chosen ally
will carry out his purpose against Babylon;
his arm will be against the Babylonians.[a]
15 I, even I, have spoken;
yes, I have called him.
I will bring him,
and he will succeed in his mission. Isaiah 48:13-15
Who do you have as an ally? Is it someone you trust and have confidence in to keep you accountable for what you should be doing? In wars, countries have allies to help and support them. The allies from WW2 were fighting against an unimaginable evil that destroyed the lives of people and in the end, that evil enemy was destroyed. But there were many people who fought on the enemy's side that were only doing it to preserve their own life. There is not much difference between being an ally in a war and an ally in someone's life. When you are someone's ally in life, hopefully you are fighting for someone to be better and not be on the wrong side of a war. We have battles each day in our lives, and we need to remember we don't have to fight those battles alone. We need to align ourselves with God's teaching, be around people who want to make a difference and finish the mission that God has sent us forth to accomplish. We can't accomplish life without allies, you just have to remember which allies you will align with to succeed.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, September 17, 2021
Fantastic Friday #803 - Mindset
Mindset
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:1-5
What is your mindset as a person? As a Christian, if you are one? I read something this week that the biggest issue with people today is they are so driven by what they can get out of this life, that they tend to forget about the people around them. It made me stop down and think, what am I doing as an individual to impact the lives of others. Do I sacrifice what I want for what they need? Not very often to be honest with you. I think that I can so easily get caught in my bubble and looking for my own Joy, that I forget to spread Joy to others and have the mindset of Christ. It certainly isn't easy, but if we all take a moment to stop thinking about ourselves, and think about being who God made us to be, then we could change our world. I know that I need the reminder every single day. I need to give more of myself to others and stop thinking only about what I have given and what I have done. I challenge you to focus less on you this week.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:1-5
What is your mindset as a person? As a Christian, if you are one? I read something this week that the biggest issue with people today is they are so driven by what they can get out of this life, that they tend to forget about the people around them. It made me stop down and think, what am I doing as an individual to impact the lives of others. Do I sacrifice what I want for what they need? Not very often to be honest with you. I think that I can so easily get caught in my bubble and looking for my own Joy, that I forget to spread Joy to others and have the mindset of Christ. It certainly isn't easy, but if we all take a moment to stop thinking about ourselves, and think about being who God made us to be, then we could change our world. I know that I need the reminder every single day. I need to give more of myself to others and stop thinking only about what I have given and what I have done. I challenge you to focus less on you this week.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, September 10, 2021
Fantastic Friday #802 - Upright
Upright
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14
You know that God does not expect people to judge other people's actions. In a world of people who take the time to be judgmental about where you send your kids to school, what you eat, what you do on your off time, how you spend your money, what you spend your time watching or reading, how you dress, or how you act, we live in a world under a microscope. I am honestly quite shocked how bold people are in judging people that are in the limelight, especially when they know nothing about those people. In a world where it is easy to judge someone online from a distance, we need to remember that this judgmental attitude can only lead to negativity and ungodliness. I can find myself being judgmental of people in my work and surroundings, but it is up to me to stop before I judge someone for no reason but to make myself feel better. In the end, I really don't feel better and it only highlights my weakness to step into the world. Instead I should be focused on what is good in the world and the people around me. God brings salvation to all, and not just a particular group. Let your blessings rub off on others and think before you make a judgement. There is only one who will judge, and it is not us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14
You know that God does not expect people to judge other people's actions. In a world of people who take the time to be judgmental about where you send your kids to school, what you eat, what you do on your off time, how you spend your money, what you spend your time watching or reading, how you dress, or how you act, we live in a world under a microscope. I am honestly quite shocked how bold people are in judging people that are in the limelight, especially when they know nothing about those people. In a world where it is easy to judge someone online from a distance, we need to remember that this judgmental attitude can only lead to negativity and ungodliness. I can find myself being judgmental of people in my work and surroundings, but it is up to me to stop before I judge someone for no reason but to make myself feel better. In the end, I really don't feel better and it only highlights my weakness to step into the world. Instead I should be focused on what is good in the world and the people around me. God brings salvation to all, and not just a particular group. Let your blessings rub off on others and think before you make a judgement. There is only one who will judge, and it is not us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, September 3, 2021
Fantastic Friday #801 - Distress
Distress
5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me. Psalm 86:5-7
When you are afflicted with something that is weighing heavily on your heart, is your first response to go into a depressive negative state? I find that when most people enter this afflicted state, in their distress they tend to focus solely on the negative aspects of where they are at that moment. Why is that the case? Mainly because the enemy moves in on people who are afflicted and in distress. Those people are an easy target to try and make them forget that they are truly blessed and there is One who can respond to that distress and lift them out of the state of affliction. We need to do a better job of those around us who live in that afflicted state daily. One of my colleagues tends to do that, and I reminded them that we can find joy in the distress and affliction if we only turn to God and His plan for each of us. I am one of those people that can let distress drag me down, but I am reminded quite often by the one I love that this does not have to be the case. Build up the distressed around you by reminding them that God will always answer. He hears you and will listen.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me. Psalm 86:5-7
When you are afflicted with something that is weighing heavily on your heart, is your first response to go into a depressive negative state? I find that when most people enter this afflicted state, in their distress they tend to focus solely on the negative aspects of where they are at that moment. Why is that the case? Mainly because the enemy moves in on people who are afflicted and in distress. Those people are an easy target to try and make them forget that they are truly blessed and there is One who can respond to that distress and lift them out of the state of affliction. We need to do a better job of those around us who live in that afflicted state daily. One of my colleagues tends to do that, and I reminded them that we can find joy in the distress and affliction if we only turn to God and His plan for each of us. I am one of those people that can let distress drag me down, but I am reminded quite often by the one I love that this does not have to be the case. Build up the distressed around you by reminding them that God will always answer. He hears you and will listen.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, August 27, 2021
Fantastic Friday #800 - Heartache
Heartache
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13
What does a happy heart look like? There are people that have a cheerful face but deep down their heart is unhappy. We have all had those moments where we have had to put on a strong front for something, when in reality we want to go in a corner and cry. I was always fascinated by a woman my parents knew when I was growing up, she always had a smile on her face. Yep, we always said, how can she be so happy all the time. I don't know what her heart was truly like, because only she and God know, but my guess is she was at peace with much of her life. When we go through heartache, we don't have to put a false front forward, but we need to remember that the heartache is only temporary and if we can look to the future with a cheerful outlook, it will make things that are so tough be a little better. So, go out and try and make your heart happy with a cheerful disposition. I promise you that you will make a difference in your health and might have an impact on someone else.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13
What does a happy heart look like? There are people that have a cheerful face but deep down their heart is unhappy. We have all had those moments where we have had to put on a strong front for something, when in reality we want to go in a corner and cry. I was always fascinated by a woman my parents knew when I was growing up, she always had a smile on her face. Yep, we always said, how can she be so happy all the time. I don't know what her heart was truly like, because only she and God know, but my guess is she was at peace with much of her life. When we go through heartache, we don't have to put a false front forward, but we need to remember that the heartache is only temporary and if we can look to the future with a cheerful outlook, it will make things that are so tough be a little better. So, go out and try and make your heart happy with a cheerful disposition. I promise you that you will make a difference in your health and might have an impact on someone else.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, August 20, 2021
Fantastic Friday #799 - Life
Life
10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:10-12
How do you look at life and do you value it? I know the second part of that question may seem odd, but if you look at the world today, there are some people who just don't value a human life. The reason they don't value human lives is because they are missing the key component which includes accepting the Son of God. Now let's look at the first part of the question, how do you view your life? Is it one that wakes up each day going through the motions, or is it one that looks to see how you can live a life that honors God and everything He has done for us. We should wake up each morning and think of what we can do that day to thank God for His gift of His Son, and then we need to thank Him for giving us Life so that we can show people our testimony of God and the impact in our daily life. Don't live life in a bubble where you don't acknowledge God and all He has done, but live your life in magnificence that helps others see how their life can impact others.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:10-12
How do you look at life and do you value it? I know the second part of that question may seem odd, but if you look at the world today, there are some people who just don't value a human life. The reason they don't value human lives is because they are missing the key component which includes accepting the Son of God. Now let's look at the first part of the question, how do you view your life? Is it one that wakes up each day going through the motions, or is it one that looks to see how you can live a life that honors God and everything He has done for us. We should wake up each morning and think of what we can do that day to thank God for His gift of His Son, and then we need to thank Him for giving us Life so that we can show people our testimony of God and the impact in our daily life. Don't live life in a bubble where you don't acknowledge God and all He has done, but live your life in magnificence that helps others see how their life can impact others.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, August 13, 2021
Fantastic Friday #798 - Let
Let
8 Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping. Psalm 66:8-9
Let, enable, grant, authorize, give permission. Do you let God be heard, or do you try to hide His voice under a pillow so people don't look at you with a side eye? I was so impressed by many of our Olympians who were gracious to our country and their freedom, but also bold enough to let their feelings about their Father in Heaven be heard. We get so caught up in what the world would think if we said something about how God protected us through an issue, saved us from our sins, or how He gives us strength daily, that we try and silence Him. But the funny thing is, God cannot be silenced, even while we push His voice away, He finds ways to show His presence and Grace. He doesn't need us, but everyone needs Him. Don't try to silence what He has done, but Let us expound on what He has done for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
8 Praise our God, all peoples,
let the sound of his praise be heard;
9 he has preserved our lives
and kept our feet from slipping. Psalm 66:8-9
Let, enable, grant, authorize, give permission. Do you let God be heard, or do you try to hide His voice under a pillow so people don't look at you with a side eye? I was so impressed by many of our Olympians who were gracious to our country and their freedom, but also bold enough to let their feelings about their Father in Heaven be heard. We get so caught up in what the world would think if we said something about how God protected us through an issue, saved us from our sins, or how He gives us strength daily, that we try and silence Him. But the funny thing is, God cannot be silenced, even while we push His voice away, He finds ways to show His presence and Grace. He doesn't need us, but everyone needs Him. Don't try to silence what He has done, but Let us expound on what He has done for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, August 6, 2021
Fantastic Friday #797 - Unfolding
Unfolding
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
When you are reading a book, do you find joy in the way a story unfolds. There is a great old western that I enjoyed reading a few years ago. The story started out really slow, but as the pages turned in this 800 page novel, the story began to unfold and make the less exciting early parts a masterpiece of enjoyment as I proceeded through it. What about your own life as it unfolds? Do you look at the less exciting parts and wait for your life to unfold in an all-revealing way? Many times our lives are unfolding just as God has planned them to, but we need to remember that they do not unfold at a rapid pace but only when we are ready for them to unfold. Just like when you are reading God's Word, you might find a passage that is unclear to you at the time, but certainly as you continue to grow in your faith, God will unfold things for you to see the true meaning. Don't try to rush through life at a rapid pace, but let things unfold before you as they are intended, in God's time.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
When you are reading a book, do you find joy in the way a story unfolds. There is a great old western that I enjoyed reading a few years ago. The story started out really slow, but as the pages turned in this 800 page novel, the story began to unfold and make the less exciting early parts a masterpiece of enjoyment as I proceeded through it. What about your own life as it unfolds? Do you look at the less exciting parts and wait for your life to unfold in an all-revealing way? Many times our lives are unfolding just as God has planned them to, but we need to remember that they do not unfold at a rapid pace but only when we are ready for them to unfold. Just like when you are reading God's Word, you might find a passage that is unclear to you at the time, but certainly as you continue to grow in your faith, God will unfold things for you to see the true meaning. Don't try to rush through life at a rapid pace, but let things unfold before you as they are intended, in God's time.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, July 30, 2021
Fantastic Friday #796 - Path
Path
34Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain. Psalm 119:34-36
This week a friend posted a picture online of a choice between two trails that she could have traveled on, one was named Glacier Meadow Loop and the other was Pacific Crest Trail. At first glance, these two names provide a very pleasant picture in my mind of what the hike might be like. The Meadow with its green grasses it's beautiful trees and wildlife give a wonderful view of the creation that God has made. The Crest trail reminded me of walking on a Cliff next to an ocean watching the waves lap against the shoreline. Those trails are not what we usually face daily in our world. We have decisions we need to make when deciding on the right trail to take. We need to take the one that can help us find joy and hopefully lead us closer to God. So when we need help deciding between two paths, turn to the Lord and all that he has given us to guide us down the path to righteousness. God will not disappoint us and He is always there.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
34Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain. Psalm 119:34-36
This week a friend posted a picture online of a choice between two trails that she could have traveled on, one was named Glacier Meadow Loop and the other was Pacific Crest Trail. At first glance, these two names provide a very pleasant picture in my mind of what the hike might be like. The Meadow with its green grasses it's beautiful trees and wildlife give a wonderful view of the creation that God has made. The Crest trail reminded me of walking on a Cliff next to an ocean watching the waves lap against the shoreline. Those trails are not what we usually face daily in our world. We have decisions we need to make when deciding on the right trail to take. We need to take the one that can help us find joy and hopefully lead us closer to God. So when we need help deciding between two paths, turn to the Lord and all that he has given us to guide us down the path to righteousness. God will not disappoint us and He is always there.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, July 23, 2021
Fantastic Friday #795 - Living
Living
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16
How many times do you go through your day acknowledging the Son of the Living God and who Jesus really is in your life? If your child comes to you saying Who am I, you could answer that you are my son or daughter, but that would be an obvious answer because we know who they are and have no question of their role in our relationship. What is challenging in today's world, because Jesus is not physically standing beside us, is we tend to forget who He is and what He has done for us. While we know who He is, we probably don't spend a lot of time acknowledging it. We don't fully recognize His involvement in every aspect of our day, and we certainly can find ourselves losing track of where we should be walking. The next time you have a moment, thank God and recognize who He is in your life. He doesn't get tired of hearing from us, and the closer we are to him, the more we will be impacted by His presence.
Have a great weekend.
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16
How many times do you go through your day acknowledging the Son of the Living God and who Jesus really is in your life? If your child comes to you saying Who am I, you could answer that you are my son or daughter, but that would be an obvious answer because we know who they are and have no question of their role in our relationship. What is challenging in today's world, because Jesus is not physically standing beside us, is we tend to forget who He is and what He has done for us. While we know who He is, we probably don't spend a lot of time acknowledging it. We don't fully recognize His involvement in every aspect of our day, and we certainly can find ourselves losing track of where we should be walking. The next time you have a moment, thank God and recognize who He is in your life. He doesn't get tired of hearing from us, and the closer we are to him, the more we will be impacted by His presence.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, July 16, 2021
Fantastic Friday #794 - Attentive
Attentive
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Nehemiah 1:10-11
Do you have those people around you that are half in and half out? They might be partially listening to what you are saying, but the moment you bring something up that you thought they didn't hear, they are like, oh yeah, I heard you. So how are you when you are paying attention to God and His teachings and word? Are you half in and half out, do you partially listen to the still small voice, or do you just only listen to the things that you think impact you. God doesn't want our partial attention, He wants us to be attentive in every aspect of our life to His teaching. We might not realize it at the time, but He teaches us regularly, even when we are half in. We just need to make a conscious effort to be fully attentive when He is trying to show us something. When we begin to do this, it will help us be more attentive to others in our relationships. I hope you are more attentive today.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Nehemiah 1:10-11
Do you have those people around you that are half in and half out? They might be partially listening to what you are saying, but the moment you bring something up that you thought they didn't hear, they are like, oh yeah, I heard you. So how are you when you are paying attention to God and His teachings and word? Are you half in and half out, do you partially listen to the still small voice, or do you just only listen to the things that you think impact you. God doesn't want our partial attention, He wants us to be attentive in every aspect of our life to His teaching. We might not realize it at the time, but He teaches us regularly, even when we are half in. We just need to make a conscious effort to be fully attentive when He is trying to show us something. When we begin to do this, it will help us be more attentive to others in our relationships. I hope you are more attentive today.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, July 9, 2021
Fantastic Friday #793 - Shadow
Shadow
10 Whatever exists has already been named,
and what humanity is has been known;
no one can contend
with someone who is stronger.
11 The more the words,
the less the meaning,
and how does that profit anyone?
12 For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? Ecclesiastes 6:10-12
Have you ever stared at a shadow and seen how it differs from the area that is not in the shadow? Shadows can hide imperfections, minor issues, and people can hide in shadows, especially at night. But why hide in a shadow? There are many reasons that people hide in the shadows, either they don't want to be out front, don't want to be seen, or are hiding from something. Why not exit the shadow and show your true self, it is something we should all be asking ourselves right now. Hiding in a shadow is easy, hiding in clear daylight is very difficult. When I say come into the light, I am asking you to show yourself, your talents and gifts to those who need them. I could have hid in the shadows 793 weeks ago, but I decided with a friend's encouragement to shine a light. While the light shows my imperfections, I am ok with that because I am not perfect in my word and deed, but do you know what is perfect? God's Word is perfect and if you can take a lesson from the Word this week, let it be that you not let your days pass through like a shadow, but let them be seen in the sun.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
10 Whatever exists has already been named,
and what humanity is has been known;
no one can contend
with someone who is stronger.
11 The more the words,
the less the meaning,
and how does that profit anyone?
12 For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? Ecclesiastes 6:10-12
Have you ever stared at a shadow and seen how it differs from the area that is not in the shadow? Shadows can hide imperfections, minor issues, and people can hide in shadows, especially at night. But why hide in a shadow? There are many reasons that people hide in the shadows, either they don't want to be out front, don't want to be seen, or are hiding from something. Why not exit the shadow and show your true self, it is something we should all be asking ourselves right now. Hiding in a shadow is easy, hiding in clear daylight is very difficult. When I say come into the light, I am asking you to show yourself, your talents and gifts to those who need them. I could have hid in the shadows 793 weeks ago, but I decided with a friend's encouragement to shine a light. While the light shows my imperfections, I am ok with that because I am not perfect in my word and deed, but do you know what is perfect? God's Word is perfect and if you can take a lesson from the Word this week, let it be that you not let your days pass through like a shadow, but let them be seen in the sun.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, July 2, 2021
Fantastic Friday #792 - Shaken
Shaken
5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:5-7
On my way off the beach this last week I observed something that was very different from our entry to the beach. Our entry consisted of fairly smooth sailing up the beach on a sand foundation that had received some rain, so there were some good tracks to follow. The way out at the end of the week, we were not so lucky as the road had turned into something like the consistency of powdered snow. When I tried to cross several feet of powdery sand to get near the water, the whole vehicle began to bounce over the humps in the sand and every person in our care was shaken like fusing a gravy mix together. I think they all left their seats, even with the safety belts on. I realized that this was not the best decision but could not believe how un-travelable this area really was until that moment. Our life can have a similar path that is smooth and easy, but there are always those times when we get off track and the entire road is bumpy and not travelable. When we begin to realize that God is in control of our life, and prevents us from being shaken, then and only then will we decide to depend more on God during these times. Don't be shaken, but find the smooth road God has laid out for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
my hope comes from him.
6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:5-7
On my way off the beach this last week I observed something that was very different from our entry to the beach. Our entry consisted of fairly smooth sailing up the beach on a sand foundation that had received some rain, so there were some good tracks to follow. The way out at the end of the week, we were not so lucky as the road had turned into something like the consistency of powdered snow. When I tried to cross several feet of powdery sand to get near the water, the whole vehicle began to bounce over the humps in the sand and every person in our care was shaken like fusing a gravy mix together. I think they all left their seats, even with the safety belts on. I realized that this was not the best decision but could not believe how un-travelable this area really was until that moment. Our life can have a similar path that is smooth and easy, but there are always those times when we get off track and the entire road is bumpy and not travelable. When we begin to realize that God is in control of our life, and prevents us from being shaken, then and only then will we decide to depend more on God during these times. Don't be shaken, but find the smooth road God has laid out for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, June 25, 2021
Fantastic Friday #791 - Holes
Holes
14 Whoever is pregnant with evil
conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
15 Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit they have made.
16 The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads. Psalm 7:14-16
This week I observed a couple of different holes. I found a shell that had holes in it from a deteriorating eroding surf that had pounded the shell against the sand for some time that caused many holes in the shell. I also observed a deep hole in the sand where the surf had hit the same spot over and over again. In both cases the holes had increased over time with the pounding of the waves. What can we say about then about the pounding of the enemy on our daily lives? The enemy is relentless and causes us to stumble when we allow it. If we dig our own hole, the enemy is not going to help us but help us dig a deeper hole. It is important for us to stay strong and rely on the Lord to fill our holes when we make a mistake. We need to rely on the fact that only God can fill our holes and pull us out.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, June 18, 2021
Fantastic Friday #790 - Empty
Empty
12 He does not answer when people cry out
because of the arrogance of the wicked.
13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea;
the Almighty pays no attention to it.
14 How much less, then, will he listen
when you say that you do not see him,
that your case is before him
and you must wait for him, Job 35:12-14
How do you reach out to God? Is it with an empty heart, one that feels like you deserve what you are asking for because you are a good person? We all have to remember that we are not good and God doesn't answer to arrogant individuals who don't have anything but personal motivation for what they are asking. When we approach God, He wants a humble individual, with desire in their heart, and a love for others. My assumption is that since I do not know how God chooses to answer, I would think He would answer a humble servant more quickly than an arrogant individual. Humbleness is greater than arrogance, and arrogance only leads to separation from God. Sometimes even the humble have to wait in prayer for the answers to come, and the answer may not always be the one you are looking for and could be no. Keep in mind that God will listen, as long as you come humbly.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
12 He does not answer when people cry out
because of the arrogance of the wicked.
13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea;
the Almighty pays no attention to it.
14 How much less, then, will he listen
when you say that you do not see him,
that your case is before him
and you must wait for him, Job 35:12-14
How do you reach out to God? Is it with an empty heart, one that feels like you deserve what you are asking for because you are a good person? We all have to remember that we are not good and God doesn't answer to arrogant individuals who don't have anything but personal motivation for what they are asking. When we approach God, He wants a humble individual, with desire in their heart, and a love for others. My assumption is that since I do not know how God chooses to answer, I would think He would answer a humble servant more quickly than an arrogant individual. Humbleness is greater than arrogance, and arrogance only leads to separation from God. Sometimes even the humble have to wait in prayer for the answers to come, and the answer may not always be the one you are looking for and could be no. Keep in mind that God will listen, as long as you come humbly.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, June 11, 2021
Fantastic Friday #789 - Twisted
Twists
8 The voice of the Lordshakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lordtwists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever. Psalm 29:8-10
Have you ever sat and watched something just twist in the wind? Back and forth, to and fro, circle around, there seems to be no rhyme or reason to which way the item twists. Our lives can be twisted and turned in the same manner if we don’t follow the Lord and the path He lays before us. We have choices and sometimes those decisions can leave us twisting in the wind because they are not decisions that follow God and His teachings. If God can twist the oaks which are some of the strongest trees on earth, don’t you think he can twist you in the right direction and not leave you floundering. Follow God and not the wind, because the wind will only die out and God is there forever. God will strengthen those who don’t want to twist.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, June 4, 2021
Fantastic Friday #788 - Hurt
Hurt
3 You said, ‘Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’ 4 But the Lord has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. Jeremiah 45:3-4
Do you find at times that you hurt for what seems no good reason? Maybe it is something that was said to you, something someone did to you, or maybe your heart hurts because someone left you. We all can hurt for different reasons, but we should take heart that we will never hurt like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because He hurt more than anyone. Can you imagine the pain and hurt he experienced? We can tell ourselves that He is God so there is no way that He hurt as bad as I do now. The funny thing is, we would be lying to ourselves, because God came to Earth as a man, one that could experience all the pain, emotions and suffering that we all have the capability of seeing and experiencing ourselves. He died for those same things that we think we suffer with, but I know it is nothing close to the hurt and suffering He experienced. Don't focus on the hurt, focus on the healing and you will not suffer.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
3 You said, ‘Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.’ 4 But the Lord has told me to say to you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the earth. Jeremiah 45:3-4
Do you find at times that you hurt for what seems no good reason? Maybe it is something that was said to you, something someone did to you, or maybe your heart hurts because someone left you. We all can hurt for different reasons, but we should take heart that we will never hurt like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, because He hurt more than anyone. Can you imagine the pain and hurt he experienced? We can tell ourselves that He is God so there is no way that He hurt as bad as I do now. The funny thing is, we would be lying to ourselves, because God came to Earth as a man, one that could experience all the pain, emotions and suffering that we all have the capability of seeing and experiencing ourselves. He died for those same things that we think we suffer with, but I know it is nothing close to the hurt and suffering He experienced. Don't focus on the hurt, focus on the healing and you will not suffer.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 28, 2021
Fantastic Friday #787 - Start
Start
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:5-6
I have seen a lot of people talking about finishing the race that was set out before them over the past week, whether it be elementary school, high school or trade schools and college. What is interesting is how we celebrate the finality of those events, and some are quite extravagant. I certainly am not downplaying the importance of them and the role they play in each of our lives. We are finally done with those tasks, tests and challenges, and now move on to something else in our life. I am wondering how much we focus on these past experiences when we face the troubles of the world and the snares and pitfalls placed before us. We certainly don't avoid every one of them, and can very easily steer off our most current course and race we are involved in. If we look back at the start of those events to see how God guided us, or even people who positively influenced us during those times, it might make things easier to deal with when the challenging times come. Don't fret over the current race you are in, look at the start of others to show how God rewarded you in the end. He loves us and wants us to finish every race we start, and He wants us to finish the final race with honors. Before we finish, we must choose to start. Start and finish strong.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,
but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:5-6
I have seen a lot of people talking about finishing the race that was set out before them over the past week, whether it be elementary school, high school or trade schools and college. What is interesting is how we celebrate the finality of those events, and some are quite extravagant. I certainly am not downplaying the importance of them and the role they play in each of our lives. We are finally done with those tasks, tests and challenges, and now move on to something else in our life. I am wondering how much we focus on these past experiences when we face the troubles of the world and the snares and pitfalls placed before us. We certainly don't avoid every one of them, and can very easily steer off our most current course and race we are involved in. If we look back at the start of those events to see how God guided us, or even people who positively influenced us during those times, it might make things easier to deal with when the challenging times come. Don't fret over the current race you are in, look at the start of others to show how God rewarded you in the end. He loves us and wants us to finish every race we start, and He wants us to finish the final race with honors. Before we finish, we must choose to start. Start and finish strong.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 21, 2021
Fantastic Friday #786 - Path
Path
103
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
105
therefore I hate every wrong path.
105
Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path. Psalm 119:103-105
We all have paths that we walk on daily, and these paths never lead in a straight line to anything typically, as there are always forks in the road where we must choose the path that is right for us. I love the old poem by Robert Frost The Road Not Taken where two roads diverged in a yellow wood, it offers so much imagery. While he was disappointed he could not travel both, sometimes our paths have a choice between right and wrong. The path least taken by most these days is probably the one we should take, because the world has trodden down the one with distractions and things in our life that are not sweet like the honey we could taste with the right path. God has taught us through the years not to take the wrong path, even though it might be more simple and flat. God will guide us through the challenging path that will bring us closer to Him. So, when you see the paths before you, take the well-lit more difficult path and that will make all the difference.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
a light on my path. Psalm 119:103-105
We all have paths that we walk on daily, and these paths never lead in a straight line to anything typically, as there are always forks in the road where we must choose the path that is right for us. I love the old poem by Robert Frost The Road Not Taken where two roads diverged in a yellow wood, it offers so much imagery. While he was disappointed he could not travel both, sometimes our paths have a choice between right and wrong. The path least taken by most these days is probably the one we should take, because the world has trodden down the one with distractions and things in our life that are not sweet like the honey we could taste with the right path. God has taught us through the years not to take the wrong path, even though it might be more simple and flat. God will guide us through the challenging path that will bring us closer to Him. So, when you see the paths before you, take the well-lit more difficult path and that will make all the difference.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 14, 2021
Fantastic Friday #785 - Dismayed
Dismayed
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done. Psalm 143:3-5
Do you ever get dismayed? Is your courage beaten and battered, so you feel like cowering in a corner? The enemy attacks us from multiple angles and one is when we question our own courage. He will see that crack in our thoughts and try to sneak in which can cause great pain and doubt. We need to remember those cracks of dismay can be filled with something much better, and that is our Lord and Savior. If we turn to strengthen our spirit by ignoring the doubt of the enemy, then we can more clearly see the differences and changes in our life due to God. Don't let your spirit grow faint, but place things and people in your life that make a difference in your feelings in a positive way. Friends become family and family helps with our dismay as well. Don't fill the cracks with the dismay of the enemy, fill it with only the Good of God.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead.
4 So my spirit grows faint within me;
my heart within me is dismayed.
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done. Psalm 143:3-5
Do you ever get dismayed? Is your courage beaten and battered, so you feel like cowering in a corner? The enemy attacks us from multiple angles and one is when we question our own courage. He will see that crack in our thoughts and try to sneak in which can cause great pain and doubt. We need to remember those cracks of dismay can be filled with something much better, and that is our Lord and Savior. If we turn to strengthen our spirit by ignoring the doubt of the enemy, then we can more clearly see the differences and changes in our life due to God. Don't let your spirit grow faint, but place things and people in your life that make a difference in your feelings in a positive way. Friends become family and family helps with our dismay as well. Don't fill the cracks with the dismay of the enemy, fill it with only the Good of God.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 7, 2021
Fantastic Friday #784 - Fear
Fear
11 For the sake of your name, Lord,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land. Psalm 25: 11-13
What do you fear? The dark, being alone, death? These are all fears that the enemy wants us to have, because they are all things that seem to have a common theme. Darkness you can't see, being alone you cannot feel, and death is the end. At least that is what the enemy wants you to think. We should have a healthy fear of the Lord and that is to respect Him and all He has done for us. Tomorrow I will lead a service in remembrance of a dear friend, and the enemy wants me to fear speaking in front of all my friends, her family and extended friends. The thing is, I don't really fear speaking about her or about what Jesus can bring into your life. I fear that I am not reaching enough people with God's Word and there will be many people who will not Fear God but Fear Death. I am not afraid of the Dark, although my brother and sister might tell you differently, but neither am I afraid of being alone or of death. With darkness, there is the light that God shines, with loneliness my friends and family fill that void and with death, I do not fear it because of the faith I have in God and Jesus' resurrection. Do not Fear.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land. Psalm 25: 11-13
What do you fear? The dark, being alone, death? These are all fears that the enemy wants us to have, because they are all things that seem to have a common theme. Darkness you can't see, being alone you cannot feel, and death is the end. At least that is what the enemy wants you to think. We should have a healthy fear of the Lord and that is to respect Him and all He has done for us. Tomorrow I will lead a service in remembrance of a dear friend, and the enemy wants me to fear speaking in front of all my friends, her family and extended friends. The thing is, I don't really fear speaking about her or about what Jesus can bring into your life. I fear that I am not reaching enough people with God's Word and there will be many people who will not Fear God but Fear Death. I am not afraid of the Dark, although my brother and sister might tell you differently, but neither am I afraid of being alone or of death. With darkness, there is the light that God shines, with loneliness my friends and family fill that void and with death, I do not fear it because of the faith I have in God and Jesus' resurrection. Do not Fear.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 30, 2021
Fantastic Friday #783 - See
See
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
25 I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:23-27
Do you ever wonder what it will be like to see God? I will sometimes sit and try to imagine what my reaction will be, or if I will be able to look upon Him. There are a lot of people who don't believe in Him or don't think He will be back. How awful would your life be if you had no hope there was a next life after this one. Hope is what we rely on to see Him again. When I see Job having everything ripped aways from his life, he still focused on the fact that his Redeemer lives. I know that my Redeemer lives and he lived so I can see Him again. Maybe our focus should be more on the hope of seeing Him again, than any of our current circumstances. These daily troubles are just a breath of wind that is here for a fleeting moment, but God is eternal and we can have hope that we can be eternally seeing and living with Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
25 I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes—I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:23-27
Do you ever wonder what it will be like to see God? I will sometimes sit and try to imagine what my reaction will be, or if I will be able to look upon Him. There are a lot of people who don't believe in Him or don't think He will be back. How awful would your life be if you had no hope there was a next life after this one. Hope is what we rely on to see Him again. When I see Job having everything ripped aways from his life, he still focused on the fact that his Redeemer lives. I know that my Redeemer lives and he lived so I can see Him again. Maybe our focus should be more on the hope of seeing Him again, than any of our current circumstances. These daily troubles are just a breath of wind that is here for a fleeting moment, but God is eternal and we can have hope that we can be eternally seeing and living with Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 23, 2021
Fantastic Friday #782 - Made Known
Made Known
How do you make yourself known to others? Do you come into a room on fire to make sure everyone knows who you are, or do you slink in slowly to a corner and hope that people might notice you. Everyone has their own way of making themselves known, and it really is a result of their personality. How does God make Himself known to you? Is it through the people He places in your life, is it through the still small voice, or is it through His Word? If you really paid attention, it is probably all of this and much more in how He makes Himself Known to you. Why does God want to be made Known to us is a question that some have asked, but it is very simple, God wants us. God loves all His children and so He will utilize many ways to make Himself known. By making Himself known, this allows those individuals to have a personal and close relationship with Him and live a life of righteousness. So, as you make yourself known, don't try to block God from making Himself known to you, because the more you open your heart, the more God will be shown to others.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 16, 2021
Fantastic Friday #781 - Harmony
Harmony
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:15-16
How many of you experience harmony in your life? The easiest way to identify harmony is by looking at "tones" and when they are played simultaneously, what it sounds like. If they are meant to be a sound that is harmonious, they will bring a joyful noise to your ear, or they just sound right. If they don't match up, it can be like fingers on a chalkboard, or metal scraping metal. The same harmony that you want in your life means that you have to search out those who you should be around. You know that when you share a relationship with someone that has the same values and beliefs as you, there will be harmony in your friendship. There can also be harmony with those who don't share your same beliefs, as long as you set the example of how Christ wants us to act. We need to leave our pride behind and not feel as if we are better because of our relationship with Christ. We have to stay vigilant to help create the harmony in this world, and if you depart from your personal beliefs, it can result in a train wreck of relationships instead of harmony. Be true to who you are while following Christ's example, for He set the perfect tones.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:15-16
How many of you experience harmony in your life? The easiest way to identify harmony is by looking at "tones" and when they are played simultaneously, what it sounds like. If they are meant to be a sound that is harmonious, they will bring a joyful noise to your ear, or they just sound right. If they don't match up, it can be like fingers on a chalkboard, or metal scraping metal. The same harmony that you want in your life means that you have to search out those who you should be around. You know that when you share a relationship with someone that has the same values and beliefs as you, there will be harmony in your friendship. There can also be harmony with those who don't share your same beliefs, as long as you set the example of how Christ wants us to act. We need to leave our pride behind and not feel as if we are better because of our relationship with Christ. We have to stay vigilant to help create the harmony in this world, and if you depart from your personal beliefs, it can result in a train wreck of relationships instead of harmony. Be true to who you are while following Christ's example, for He set the perfect tones.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 9, 2021
Fantastic Friday #780 - Instinct
Instinct
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 17-23
Do you at times follow your instincts, or are you thoughtful and take your time with a decision that needs to be made? Following your gut doesn't always take you down a negative path, but it certainly can bring about a habit of always going with an instinct rather than stopping and thinking about your decision and its impact. When you have a decision to make, do you follow the desire that God has for your life, or do you trail off towards a path of least resistance? Resistance is good, as it can teach you and instruct how to follow your instincts through a thoughtful prayerful walk through the circumstance. So, when you see people who are only making quick instinctual decisions or ones that are not thoughtful, don't judge them, just let them see how you make decisions and show them mercy. Love others by intentionally making the decision to do so.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 17-23
Do you at times follow your instincts, or are you thoughtful and take your time with a decision that needs to be made? Following your gut doesn't always take you down a negative path, but it certainly can bring about a habit of always going with an instinct rather than stopping and thinking about your decision and its impact. When you have a decision to make, do you follow the desire that God has for your life, or do you trail off towards a path of least resistance? Resistance is good, as it can teach you and instruct how to follow your instincts through a thoughtful prayerful walk through the circumstance. So, when you see people who are only making quick instinctual decisions or ones that are not thoughtful, don't judge them, just let them see how you make decisions and show them mercy. Love others by intentionally making the decision to do so.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 2, 2021
Fantastic Friday #779 - Great Love
Great Love
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings Psalm 17:6-8
We all probably have experienced love in some form or fashion over the years, but have you experienced Great Love? If you compare love to let's say to a piece of chocolate, how many more pieces of chocolate would it take you to have a Great feeling? In terms of this comparison, there are probably not enough pieces of chocolate to experience the same Great Love as we experience with our Heavenly Father, but when we need help, He is right there waiting to shed His Great Love on us. When we get into a situation where we need help, how many people do we need to call on to get out of the situation? Sometimes even the ones we call on are not enough, but God is enough because His love is vast and enormous. If his love is this Great, then we should be able to easily turn to Him in our times of trouble. Take refuge in God's Great Love.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings Psalm 17:6-8
We all probably have experienced love in some form or fashion over the years, but have you experienced Great Love? If you compare love to let's say to a piece of chocolate, how many more pieces of chocolate would it take you to have a Great feeling? In terms of this comparison, there are probably not enough pieces of chocolate to experience the same Great Love as we experience with our Heavenly Father, but when we need help, He is right there waiting to shed His Great Love on us. When we get into a situation where we need help, how many people do we need to call on to get out of the situation? Sometimes even the ones we call on are not enough, but God is enough because His love is vast and enormous. If his love is this Great, then we should be able to easily turn to Him in our times of trouble. Take refuge in God's Great Love.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, March 26, 2021
Fantastic Friday #778 - Refresh
Refresh
25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
We have all heard this scripture in some way, that the generous will prosper, but have you ever focused on the second part of the verse? What does refreshing someone actually look like? Other words to define refresh include stimulate and reinvigorate. Let's look at how reinvigoration can bring you closer to where God wants us. How many people did you come in contact with this week where they were negative or felt beat down because of the last year. Did you sit and agree with them, or did you focus on the good that has come of the last year? My guess is that you got swallowed down by that hole of negativity not seeing any good aspect of the past year. It is like my daughter said a few months ago, this last year has made us closer as a family than we have ever been, so in tragedy and pandemic conditions, she found joy and was refreshed when looking back, quite reinvigorated. It doesn't have to be something big, it could be that first spring flower you see, the return of the squirrel eating your bird seed, or even the thunderstorm bringing much needed moisture to your area that can reinvigorate your soul. Refresh through the simple things and you can become reinvigorated through the large things, then see how you can refresh others.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
We have all heard this scripture in some way, that the generous will prosper, but have you ever focused on the second part of the verse? What does refreshing someone actually look like? Other words to define refresh include stimulate and reinvigorate. Let's look at how reinvigoration can bring you closer to where God wants us. How many people did you come in contact with this week where they were negative or felt beat down because of the last year. Did you sit and agree with them, or did you focus on the good that has come of the last year? My guess is that you got swallowed down by that hole of negativity not seeing any good aspect of the past year. It is like my daughter said a few months ago, this last year has made us closer as a family than we have ever been, so in tragedy and pandemic conditions, she found joy and was refreshed when looking back, quite reinvigorated. It doesn't have to be something big, it could be that first spring flower you see, the return of the squirrel eating your bird seed, or even the thunderstorm bringing much needed moisture to your area that can reinvigorate your soul. Refresh through the simple things and you can become reinvigorated through the large things, then see how you can refresh others.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, March 19, 2021
Fantastic Friday #777 - Protection
Protection
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalms 5:11-12
When you are performing yard work, cleaning, or other work that has the potential to cause harm, do you use protection? Well, last week I learned the hard way and ended up in emergent care around the corner. Without going into detail, I was not using gloves when doing some work and I cut my finger open. I was going to tough it out, but my wife suggested I go in and have it looked at for possible stitches. As I sat and pondered on my finger, waiting to receive treatment, I thought how important it is to use protection. How many of us ask for protection from the enemy and harm daily? It probably isn't something on the forefront of your mind, but a simple prayer could begin the process of the relationship with our protector. Too often we go through life not thinking of how our daily relationship is so important with God , but I know that God wants us close to Him and we are better off with a relationship with Him than being distant. This simple accident reminded me how important protection is when used properly. Don't misunderstand, the protection we receive is not always going to be the protection we think we need, but the protection from the enemy is Always There. Use the protector for what He provides and when He chooses to provide it.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalms 5:11-12
When you are performing yard work, cleaning, or other work that has the potential to cause harm, do you use protection? Well, last week I learned the hard way and ended up in emergent care around the corner. Without going into detail, I was not using gloves when doing some work and I cut my finger open. I was going to tough it out, but my wife suggested I go in and have it looked at for possible stitches. As I sat and pondered on my finger, waiting to receive treatment, I thought how important it is to use protection. How many of us ask for protection from the enemy and harm daily? It probably isn't something on the forefront of your mind, but a simple prayer could begin the process of the relationship with our protector. Too often we go through life not thinking of how our daily relationship is so important with God , but I know that God wants us close to Him and we are better off with a relationship with Him than being distant. This simple accident reminded me how important protection is when used properly. Don't misunderstand, the protection we receive is not always going to be the protection we think we need, but the protection from the enemy is Always There. Use the protector for what He provides and when He chooses to provide it.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, March 12, 2021
Fantastic Friday #776 - Generations
Generations
9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9
Do you think about the generations that came before you? I sometimes reflect on my family tree and what kind of life they lived back in the day. They certainly didn't have the same modern conveniences and it probably impacted the way they lived. In many ways I think they worked harder than I do and longer hours. I know that they had more time to reflect because they didn't have so many distractions, and certainly they had probably many more moments with epiphanies during those times alone and in quiet solitude. It is not often that you can find quiet solitude these days, but you can find time to pull yourself away from the distractions. Maybe take the time to think of the impact you can have on the generations to come as you reflect on the generations past. Years ago decisions were made to raise a family by previous generations in my family line, and to carry on the family name. Those decisions have impacted me and I know I would not have gotten along without knowing God, and who He is. The generation prior to me taught me about fearing God, having true respect, and keeping the commands He has set forth. I know my Father in Heaven loves me and He is faithful. While not all generations have someone that made a personal decision about letting God lead their life, it is not too late for those who haven't asked to be led yet. We just need to be led so our next generations can lead appropriately. Think about the past but also the future, for God wants all to come to Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9
Do you think about the generations that came before you? I sometimes reflect on my family tree and what kind of life they lived back in the day. They certainly didn't have the same modern conveniences and it probably impacted the way they lived. In many ways I think they worked harder than I do and longer hours. I know that they had more time to reflect because they didn't have so many distractions, and certainly they had probably many more moments with epiphanies during those times alone and in quiet solitude. It is not often that you can find quiet solitude these days, but you can find time to pull yourself away from the distractions. Maybe take the time to think of the impact you can have on the generations to come as you reflect on the generations past. Years ago decisions were made to raise a family by previous generations in my family line, and to carry on the family name. Those decisions have impacted me and I know I would not have gotten along without knowing God, and who He is. The generation prior to me taught me about fearing God, having true respect, and keeping the commands He has set forth. I know my Father in Heaven loves me and He is faithful. While not all generations have someone that made a personal decision about letting God lead their life, it is not too late for those who haven't asked to be led yet. We just need to be led so our next generations can lead appropriately. Think about the past but also the future, for God wants all to come to Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, March 5, 2021
Fantastic Friday #775 - Banned
Banned
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:5-6
This week we saw a publisher say they were not going to publish six children's books because of the content in these books. I have deep concern with this action this week and who knows where the true story lies of where this is coming from, but it does bring history to the forefront. During Caesar's reign, he burned down the library at Alexandria and other famous book burnings have taken place over the centuries, usually to quell uprisings. So the question is, where does it stop and could it impact our precious scriptures. I think the enemy is out there making every effort to make it disappear. God's Word has gone through many attempts by others to make it go away but it hasn't vanished, because God's Word is strong and like Timothy said, God's Word is not chained. The wicked may try and remove God from public places, government buildings, and schools, but God is in many hearts, minds and souls. So, as long as we continue to read and promote God's Word as truth, then it will not disappear or be banned/burned. Take this thought and ponder, once a book is allowed to become banned because someone believes it sends the wrong message, where does it stop? We have choices to make on what book we read, and I don't believe we should take that away. We cannot forget our history and God's involvement.
Have a great weekend.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. Psalm 1:5-6
This week we saw a publisher say they were not going to publish six children's books because of the content in these books. I have deep concern with this action this week and who knows where the true story lies of where this is coming from, but it does bring history to the forefront. During Caesar's reign, he burned down the library at Alexandria and other famous book burnings have taken place over the centuries, usually to quell uprisings. So the question is, where does it stop and could it impact our precious scriptures. I think the enemy is out there making every effort to make it disappear. God's Word has gone through many attempts by others to make it go away but it hasn't vanished, because God's Word is strong and like Timothy said, God's Word is not chained. The wicked may try and remove God from public places, government buildings, and schools, but God is in many hearts, minds and souls. So, as long as we continue to read and promote God's Word as truth, then it will not disappear or be banned/burned. Take this thought and ponder, once a book is allowed to become banned because someone believes it sends the wrong message, where does it stop? We have choices to make on what book we read, and I don't believe we should take that away. We cannot forget our history and God's involvement.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Fantastic Friday #774 - Bodies
Bodies
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21
Exactly one year ago we lost my mom to a horrible disease that ravaged her body. I have had my ups and downs with her loss this year, and other events seem to have made me wonder about why she and others have to suffer in their body so much. I realized this week after remembering this scripture on one of my early morning walks, that these are just lowly vessels that we have and our true body is not here right now. I am reminded now that living here on earth is just a preparation for what is to come and I should not be as sad as I am with the loss of her. She is still with me in many ways, and mostly with what she invested in me and how she showed me to be a loving parent, and I hope I have instilled in my kids the same kind of example. I hope this can provide encouragement to you that your body is just a vessel and your mind and heart should be where Christ rests.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21
Exactly one year ago we lost my mom to a horrible disease that ravaged her body. I have had my ups and downs with her loss this year, and other events seem to have made me wonder about why she and others have to suffer in their body so much. I realized this week after remembering this scripture on one of my early morning walks, that these are just lowly vessels that we have and our true body is not here right now. I am reminded now that living here on earth is just a preparation for what is to come and I should not be as sad as I am with the loss of her. She is still with me in many ways, and mostly with what she invested in me and how she showed me to be a loving parent, and I hope I have instilled in my kids the same kind of example. I hope this can provide encouragement to you that your body is just a vessel and your mind and heart should be where Christ rests.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 19, 2021
Fantastic Friday #773 - Preparation
Good Morning,
Preparation
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I reserve for times of trouble,
for days of war and battle?
24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,
or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,
and a path for the thunderstorm,
26 to water a land where no one lives,
an uninhabited desert,
27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland
and make it sprout with grass?
28 Does the rain have a father?
Who fathers the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb comes the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
30 when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen? Job 38:22-30
This week the entire state of Texas was shut down because we received weather that we typically aren't used to seeing and certainly aren't prepared for dealing with. I have people I know that lost power for days, and my campus lost internet connectivity for over 72 hours. The common conveniences were gone, people suffered in the cold, and others didn't have enough food stored up to eat. Some things like a catastrophic weather event we cannot completely prepare for, but there is something that we can prepare for, and that is the path that God wants us to take. How did you feel when you lost a common convenience and seeing that you were not prepared for it? I believe God feels emotion when he loses the attention of those souls when they are lost in the common convenience and distractions of this world. Take a moment to realize that the same God who created the world, and brought this weather this week, is the same God who loves us and cares for us and wants to show us the way. He can break through the thickest ice to reach us, we just have to make preparations and want Him to come to us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 12, 2021
Fantastic Friday #772 - Fight
Fight
1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin[a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”Psalm 35:1-3
This week I saw about 50 robins around my backyard on roofs around me just sitting, and every once in a while a robin would fly into my backyard. It looked like it would be going for my trees with berries. The moment each robin crossed my fence line, they were immediately attacked by a mockingbird who had taken up residence here. So, for over two hours this kept occurring where a robin would come in and then the mockingbird would fight it off. It was quite the interesting dance, but then I realized that the mockingbird was trying to protect something valuable. This is the same thing that our Father in Heaven has done for us by regularly protecting us from the enemy. We are valuable in His eyes and his protection is there from things that try to steal us from Him. We need to take heart that God is there to protect us, we just need to do our part and ask him to protect us against the fiery darts of the enemy. He is the One that can contend with anything thrown at us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
2 Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
3 Brandish spear and javelin[a]
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
“I am your salvation.”Psalm 35:1-3
This week I saw about 50 robins around my backyard on roofs around me just sitting, and every once in a while a robin would fly into my backyard. It looked like it would be going for my trees with berries. The moment each robin crossed my fence line, they were immediately attacked by a mockingbird who had taken up residence here. So, for over two hours this kept occurring where a robin would come in and then the mockingbird would fight it off. It was quite the interesting dance, but then I realized that the mockingbird was trying to protect something valuable. This is the same thing that our Father in Heaven has done for us by regularly protecting us from the enemy. We are valuable in His eyes and his protection is there from things that try to steal us from Him. We need to take heart that God is there to protect us, we just need to do our part and ask him to protect us against the fiery darts of the enemy. He is the One that can contend with anything thrown at us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 5, 2021
Fantastic Friday #771 - Quiet
Quiet
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26
Do you find yourself talking to God and sometimes crying out to Him for answers? Shouting at the top of your lungs for a response, or shouting on the inside for a clear and present feeling. Yes, you can shout in silence and I have done it. I have shouted so loud internally that my body aches in pain from the scream. That probably didn't do much good, and the answer didn't come any quicker than God intended. On many of my walks in the morning, there is a great deal of silence in the darkness, but there is always sound. I pray while I walk, but times the distraction of the darkness doesn't lend itself to a calming quiet conversation with God. I even find that in my silent conversations with God, they can tend to be one-sided of me asking why or how, instead of being grateful for the why and how. Sometimes we just need to remember to be quiet, in our heart and our mind. We need to be quiet, not for Him to hear us, but for us to hear Him. We need to wait patiently and quietly for the answer, because in my experience most of the answers have come when I am at peace and in a quiet place. Quiet is good, just remember to be quiet on the inside and outside when you need to be.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25-26
Do you find yourself talking to God and sometimes crying out to Him for answers? Shouting at the top of your lungs for a response, or shouting on the inside for a clear and present feeling. Yes, you can shout in silence and I have done it. I have shouted so loud internally that my body aches in pain from the scream. That probably didn't do much good, and the answer didn't come any quicker than God intended. On many of my walks in the morning, there is a great deal of silence in the darkness, but there is always sound. I pray while I walk, but times the distraction of the darkness doesn't lend itself to a calming quiet conversation with God. I even find that in my silent conversations with God, they can tend to be one-sided of me asking why or how, instead of being grateful for the why and how. Sometimes we just need to remember to be quiet, in our heart and our mind. We need to be quiet, not for Him to hear us, but for us to hear Him. We need to wait patiently and quietly for the answer, because in my experience most of the answers have come when I am at peace and in a quiet place. Quiet is good, just remember to be quiet on the inside and outside when you need to be.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 29, 2021
Fantastic Friday #770 - Cold
Cold
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:14-16
I found myself experiencing many temperatures outside that gave me a false sense of how the weather should be this week. One day the sun is beating down and it is almost 70 degrees and another day the morning temperature is 28 degrees with a wind chill of a few degrees colder. I just wish that the weather would find a happy medium. That should not be the case for our daily deeds in how we treat others. We need to be consistent in our fairness and treatment of others, rather than being fake, or better yet lukewarm. God wants us to be one way with others and not constantly bouncing around. He wants our focus to be on how we can help, and not be wishy-washy. If I had to guess, God wants us to be filled with fire in our actions and not just lukewarm. If you are lukewarm, you are just pacing yourself through life with no true intentional driven effort. Experience the heat that intentionality brings joy, and enjoy your deeds. You don't want to be spit out.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:14-16
I found myself experiencing many temperatures outside that gave me a false sense of how the weather should be this week. One day the sun is beating down and it is almost 70 degrees and another day the morning temperature is 28 degrees with a wind chill of a few degrees colder. I just wish that the weather would find a happy medium. That should not be the case for our daily deeds in how we treat others. We need to be consistent in our fairness and treatment of others, rather than being fake, or better yet lukewarm. God wants us to be one way with others and not constantly bouncing around. He wants our focus to be on how we can help, and not be wishy-washy. If I had to guess, God wants us to be filled with fire in our actions and not just lukewarm. If you are lukewarm, you are just pacing yourself through life with no true intentional driven effort. Experience the heat that intentionality brings joy, and enjoy your deeds. You don't want to be spit out.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 22, 2021
Fantastic Friday #769 - Slip
Slip
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their feet do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31
Did you know that people don't just slip on ice? There are a number of things you can slip on and I did just that this week. When it was raining, I came into my building at work and slipped on the nice and shiny floor. Lucky for me, I am agile and react quickly at my young age to falling and was able to avoid disaster. The question is, how agile are you when the enemy comes around the corner at you moving in to let you know that he thinks you don't have solid footing? Our strength and agility to avoid the enemy can be directly related to the amount of time we spend with our Heavenly Father in prayer and scripture. If His teachings are in our mind regularly, we relate to them, and find ways to share them, it can give us the firm footing we need when the enemy challenges us. If we ignore the teachings, and spend no time with Him, it's like a floor covered in vegetable oil and all we are doing is reaching for the first thing to get us up, and most times it is not our Father. Keep God's teachings close and Him closer, and you will find that your footing doesn't slip.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their feet do not slip. Psalm 37:30-31
Did you know that people don't just slip on ice? There are a number of things you can slip on and I did just that this week. When it was raining, I came into my building at work and slipped on the nice and shiny floor. Lucky for me, I am agile and react quickly at my young age to falling and was able to avoid disaster. The question is, how agile are you when the enemy comes around the corner at you moving in to let you know that he thinks you don't have solid footing? Our strength and agility to avoid the enemy can be directly related to the amount of time we spend with our Heavenly Father in prayer and scripture. If His teachings are in our mind regularly, we relate to them, and find ways to share them, it can give us the firm footing we need when the enemy challenges us. If we ignore the teachings, and spend no time with Him, it's like a floor covered in vegetable oil and all we are doing is reaching for the first thing to get us up, and most times it is not our Father. Keep God's teachings close and Him closer, and you will find that your footing doesn't slip.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 15, 2021
Fantastic Friday #768 - Sensitive
Sensitive
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Hosea 14:2
How receptive are you to people when they interact with you? Are you keen on what someone is trying to share? Being receptive and keen are just another way of being sensitive to others and their information they share. Being sensitive could mean that you are engaged in a conversation by only listening and feeling what is trying to be shared. How many of us have conversations that we are half listening to and then proceed to act like you completely understand what the other person is going through; although you really didn't listen well enough to know the real point of the conversation. We have to start being sensitive to others and their needs, and stop being so selfish with our own needs. If we are chasing God to forgive us, aren't you happy that He receives us graciously? Would you want Him to receive us half-heartedly or only partially listen to us? We need to listen to others how He listens to us, with a grace and sensitivity that allows us to truly develop the relationship. Start being sensitive, receptive, keen and gracious.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
How receptive are you to people when they interact with you? Are you keen on what someone is trying to share? Being receptive and keen are just another way of being sensitive to others and their information they share. Being sensitive could mean that you are engaged in a conversation by only listening and feeling what is trying to be shared. How many of us have conversations that we are half listening to and then proceed to act like you completely understand what the other person is going through; although you really didn't listen well enough to know the real point of the conversation. We have to start being sensitive to others and their needs, and stop being so selfish with our own needs. If we are chasing God to forgive us, aren't you happy that He receives us graciously? Would you want Him to receive us half-heartedly or only partially listen to us? We need to listen to others how He listens to us, with a grace and sensitivity that allows us to truly develop the relationship. Start being sensitive, receptive, keen and gracious.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 8, 2021
Fantastic Friday #767 - Proper
Proper
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:15-17
We all know there is not enough good in the world right now and there is definitely some ignorant talk because people just don't know their history, how to communicate or how to be kind. God gives us the freedom to choose and some people continue to choose unwisely. I am not speaking politically, because that is just a small part of the lives we live on a daily basis. I am speaking about truly being kind to everyone you come into contact with, because you might not know their background of beliefs or where they are coming from. Maybe the only contact with God they will have is with you and how you treat them on that particular day. So, when you have the choice between silencing someone with your opinion, take the higher road and just do good and that will have an impact far greater than you can imagine. Respect those around you, because you might be that one shot they have to see God in someone.
Have a great day.
Matt
15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:15-17
We all know there is not enough good in the world right now and there is definitely some ignorant talk because people just don't know their history, how to communicate or how to be kind. God gives us the freedom to choose and some people continue to choose unwisely. I am not speaking politically, because that is just a small part of the lives we live on a daily basis. I am speaking about truly being kind to everyone you come into contact with, because you might not know their background of beliefs or where they are coming from. Maybe the only contact with God they will have is with you and how you treat them on that particular day. So, when you have the choice between silencing someone with your opinion, take the higher road and just do good and that will have an impact far greater than you can imagine. Respect those around you, because you might be that one shot they have to see God in someone.
Have a great day.
Matt
Friday, January 1, 2021
Fantastic Friday #766 - Determined
Determined
37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 1 Corinthians 15:37-39
At this time of year people start making resolutions to better themselves, kind of like a fresh new start. Typically 80% of the resolutions people make fail for many reasons, but mostly because they are either unachievable or we are not determined enough to continue on past the first few weeks. This section of scripture comes from an area where the resurrection of the body is discussed. God gave our spirits a body, as He determined. Can you imagine if God had not followed through with His plan, what kind of bodies we could have? You could have tentacles coming out of your head. In reality, God's plan is perfect, and He determined to give us a body that will be resurrected one day, we just need to be determined to take care of this body while we are on this earth. Take your vitamins, exercise, don't give the enemy an excuse to sneak in and steal your determination. Be still and know that as we enter this new year, 2020 will be a small blip in what God has determined for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
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