Fantastic Friday #842 - Weary

Weary

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

This week a colleague informed me that his doctor told him that he had 6 months to live. He has been suffering from a brain tumor for the past year or so, and this was quite the shocking statement to receive from him. In my 30-minute conversation with him, which was very hard to understand, he kept referring to going somewhere near Cyprus to be healed and in the same breath he mentioned his faith in God. As I sat there listening to him, I saw the divergent viewpoint of going somewhere and then relying on God, but I couldn't get past why he would think he had to go somewhere to be healed. When scripture is clear that He can provide strength, and then all the stories of healing, why do people turn to something or someplace that is not God? Maybe society and even believers have lost sight of what is true and actual healing. God heals us through our faith in Him, and while not everyone will be healed in their physical bodies here on earth, the spiritual body is healed for eternity when we have hope and belief in the Lord and His plan. Not always easy to hear, but I know after the deaths of people close to me, I can reflect on their lives and see where they impacted me and know that it was not for their glory but for God's glory. I prayed with this man this week after he told me his story, and it was not me who was doing the praying but the Spirit guided me and the words of encouragement I was able to offer. I always feel like when we can't, let the Spirit lead.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #841 - Compassion

Compassion

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:13-18

Do you have compassion? We all say we do in some manner, but do we really? It is comforting to know that our God has compassion for us, because he knows how we were formed, but we really do need to fear Him. Do you fear God, not the afraid fear, but the respectful fear of your father in Heaven. I know growing up there were certain times when I was afraid of my father, but it was a respectful fear because I knew he loved me. Not everyone has had that here on earth, in fact there are people who truly had to fear their fathers or other people in their life. We don't have to be afraid of God, or afraid for our lives, because as long as we have a respectful fear of our Father in Heaven, He will have compassion for us and protect us. That should be a comfort for all of us.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #840 - Cord

Cord

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:11-12

As we prepare this week for my daughter's wedding, there are so many things to reflect on and be grateful for as we enter this period of letting her go to her new life. A life of marriage is not something to be taken lightly, as so many in our society have done. They say that over 50% of marriages end in divorce, and I can honestly say that this most likely happens because those couples do not put God at the forefront of their marriage. When God is a part of the married life, and intertwined with the couple, it is hard for the enemy to attack the marriage. That doesn't mean the enemy won't leave that marriage alone, but it does make it harder to destroy like the enemy enjoys doing. While some people aren't married, or have lost a spouse, or even those who are divorced, having God intertwined with your life, makes you a stronger individual. As I begin to prepare to welcome a new member to our family, I know that having God at the center of our life, only makes us a stronger and more loving family. Wind your cord with God and see what He can do.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #839 - Experience

Experience

3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? Galatians 3:3-5

Do you go about an experience in your life and become really thoughtful about the decisions you make? Do you count on God with this experience, so that you can fully have a God-inspired experience? Like many people, our experiences start out with all the right intentions, however when we might hit a bump in the road or a major blockage, we tend to look at seeing how we can personally manage the experience. The same can be said if we are trying to get others to come to Christ, we start out with the best intentions to show others God through His Spirit, however when we hit a rough patch, we tend to turn away from that Spirit and focus solely on our own way to manage. We, however, cannot manage an experience like this on our own, we must have the Spirit of God continually in our lives to help lift and guide us. Give God what is needed for us to fully enjoy the experiences we have and need in our lives.

Have a great weekend.

Matt