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

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

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

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.