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
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