Fantastic Friday #856 - Maze

Maze

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:9-11

Do you ever feel like in your daily life you are walking down a path that really turns into a maze? We oftentimes can see things as dead ends, walls preventing our path, or we can feel like we are walking in circles. These mazes that we allow ourselves to get lost in can surely be prevented. I bet most times these mazes started out as a wide path we were walking on, with the ability to see everything around us. The moment we let doubt or the enemy creep into our thoughts, the walls go up and we find ourselves stuck in an unending maze of defeat and darkness. There is a battle, and that battle is something God has already won. He can bring down those walls and obstacles in our path, we need to remember that He is the one that sets our path. We need to make sure we stay on the wide and fully visible path, and not get swallowed in the maze of doubt and the enemy.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #855 - Memory

Memory

16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
you will make them princes throughout the land.

17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;
therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. Psalm 45:16-17

For those of you who have lost someone, what do you remember about them? Are your memories full of good thoughts, or do you think about bad times? I know after losing both parents within 19 months of each other that my memories, even most recently, can flood back in at the most odd and awkward ways. Maybe it is being at a spot where we were together enjoying life, or maybe it was something they said to help me learn. Each time I reflect on these memories and I ask why they are so clear in my mind. Most of the memories are good, and while there are some bad, each has its purpose. Within those memories are things I learned, things that were important to me, and things that will always be a part of me. Do you often think of the memories where God made an impact in your life, or where He was seen working in you? Sometimes these memories can be hard, but they can also be joyful because of what God has done. Acknowledge your memories and know that God has placed these things on your heart to help you grow and learn so you may be prepared for the time when you will be with Him again.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #854 - Choose Love

Choose Love

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18

Those of you who watch football might have seen the back of some players' helmets this past week with a new sticker placed on them. The sticker states "choose love" and is something they are utilizing to promote awareness of choosing love over hate. It is interesting that the more our society is moving away from choosing love, that our messages keep coming back to everything that God has taught in the scriptures. Choosing to love one another, choosing to honor one another, and encouraging one another are all ways that Jesus shared with His disciples how to respond to others. The moment we stop being more concerned about whether other people love us, if they are treating honor over hate, and we focus our own life on loving others, then we will see how God can influence our lives. The love that drives away doubt and fear, is the same love that Jesus had for his disciples. I say we choose love over hate every day and become more like Christ, it will definitely pay off in the end.


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #853 - Level

Level

7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
for I hide myself in you.
10 Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:7-10

Do you sometimes feel like you're on unlevel ground? Maybe you feel like your life is tilting in one direction or another when you are waiting on a response from God. Sometimes that wait can make you unbalanced both physically and emotionally. When we feel like that balance is lost and we start to crumble under our circumstances, if we remember that while God's answer doesn't always come when we want it, or when we think we need it, He is always there to keep us level. Our challenge is to let God balance us and keep us level, because we allow the weight of the enemy to push us into a bad spot. Let God balance you out with his leveling skills, all you have to do is trust in Him and know He can put you on level ground.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #852 - Children

Children

16 When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
they will bring you the delights you desire.

18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:16-18


In my business, I see young adults every day and when interacting or watching these 18-20 year olds, I can tell whose parents did a job raising them and were involved in their lives appropriately. I also can easily pick out those young adults who might not have had a positive influence to help them grow, or ones that didn't allow them to grow because of their hovering. It may be something as simple as holding a door open for someone, saying thank you, picking up something that has fallen on the ground, or solving a situation without parental involvement fixing it for them. When I see things like this, I can see how the wicked thrive in our society, because we are beginning to ignore what it means to be disciplined and trained in how to interact with others once we become adults. I know that I am in no way a perfect parent, but I do know I worked hard to raise children with my wife that could make decisions on their own and be disciplined in their lives. I know that we cannot fix other people's kids, but we can influence those around us and be a blessing to those who might not know how to handle things. I know God has outlined what it means to be people of influence and all we have to do is listen to His word. Take a moment to see how you can impact those who might not have all the tools it takes to be a productive member of our society.

Have a great weekend.

Matt