Fantastic Friday #847 - Fear

Fear

3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

We can go through stages in our life where we might fear something, and many times this fear if gone unchecked can lead to a greater fear. I have had my own fears in my life, but something I always seem to find is that the fear is usually not something worth taking up my time. Fear comes from the enemy because he wants us to think there is no hope. When we have a lack of hope, then it is really easy for fear to sneak into our mind. I have had a fear this week that should never have entered my mind, but it did. I spent a lot of time in prayer and thinking why do I have this fear when God is very clear. The fear has somewhat subsided, but we all need to have faith that God is there for us when we have this fear and can break the chain of negativity in our lives that blocks our true faith in God. We just have to put our trust in God and not man. Place our fear where it belongs, in a trash bin of negativity that God covers with His secure lid. Work on not having fear but faith.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #846 - Meditate

Meditate

11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God? Psalm 77:11-13


I read something this week that discussed how media and technology has completely changed the way people think. According to the study, people typically don't spend time just pondering life and things of this world. In fact, these individuals believe the technology has reduced our creativity and makes us constantly have a need to know what is going on. This made me start to think of how much time do I really sit in silence and ponder life or meditate on God's Word and what He has done for us. I am right in the pack with everyone else and have seen where this technology has distracted me from just sitting in silence and thinking about our life, the world and what kind of difference I can make in others lives. Reflection and creativity have to be strengthened and the best way to do that is to take time daily to be reflective on how we can come closer to God and His teachings. God tells us to meditate on His Word day and night, but take a step back and look at how many minutes you spend on your phone compared to how many minutes you are in prayerful reflection. I bet there is a wide divide like with me. So what can we do? Remember to take time for yourself away from the hustle and bustle and reflect on God and what He has done for you. Then maybe you can start to change the trend of focusing less on yourself and more on God and His guidance.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #845 - Predictions

Predictions

12 “Keep on, then, with your magic spells
and with your many sorceries,
which you have labored at since childhood.
Perhaps you will succeed,
perhaps you will cause terror.
13 All the counsel you have received has only worn you out!
Let your astrologers come forward,
those stargazers who make predictions month by month,
let them save you from what is coming upon you.
14 Surely they are like stubble;
the fire will burn them up.
They cannot even save themselves
from the power of the flame.
These are not coals for warmth;
this is not a fire to sit by. Isaiah 47:12-14

Do you find yourself trying to predict what is going to happen next by making assumptions, trying to figure out patterns, or just plan wishing what would happen next would be in your favor? There are people that are paid every day to predict what the financial situation of our country would be, or what a country might or might not do. How many of those predictions actually come true and how many are just good guesses based on a series of prior facts and events? We as human beings cannot predict the future, and only God knows the future. Just like the people who use magic spells or sorcery will not be able to save themselves, so will the people who spend no time relying on God and more time trying to predict what would happen. If we would worry less about our future, and be more focused on the present, we would be in a much better place than trying to predict something. Don't let predictions and disappointment weigh you down, but lean into God and His path for our lives.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #844 - Simple

Simple


13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13



Sometimes it is the simple things that can rejuvenate us. Taking time away from the world to come closer to God can bring some very clear results. There are times over the years when the respite of a camping trip has given me time to reflect on who I am and who God is as the creator of all things. I can reflect on the past, look at the present, and know that the future God has outlined for me has His handprint all over it. I also look at the reflection of life changes where kids are getting older, lives are diverging into their own path, and you can see the influence not only you have on them but God as well. We tend to go through the hustle and bustle of life and can easily lose sight of how God pieces together our lives. You don't have to go on a camping trip to see these things, all you have to do is make time for God, talk to Him, sit in silence with Him, and be thankful for Him and the life you have and all that you have experienced.

Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #843 - Hope

Hope

49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life. Psalm 119:49-50

I heard an excellent sermon on suffering this last week which made me reflect much on the last two years. It is challenging to find hope in the suffering we may experience, but it sure is easy to find the pain. I have had some challenges this week with several different things, and even I questioned why the situation had to take place. I began to reflect on the past several months, and I saw the different steps and challenges that were resolved which led up to this point. In each case, God was faithful and provided what we needed when we needed it. It may have been an inconvenience at times, but there was always provision. Now, even though I was thoroughly frustrated, I was able to stop and see the hope that God has provided, and I was able to also reflect on several things over the last two years that God has outlined with his faithfulness. Sometimes we need those hard times to remind us of the hope we have in our Lord and Savior. God preserves our lives, and we just need to stop and be thankful.

Have a great weekend.

Matt