Fantastic Friday #973 - Path

Path

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws. Psalm 119 :104-106



We have paths in life that we travel and there are paths that we take that can make us fearful. My children are all on their separate paths right now, and one is taking a huge step to a path that will bring trial and success. My wife and I are on a path of letting go of our children and allow them to explore their paths on their own, or with their spouse. We just need to remember that this is all part of God's plan and the path He has guided us towards. As long as we take God' Word to light the way, our path will be guided by our Holy Father.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #972 - Perverse

Perverse

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28

I can think of a lot of things that are perverse in this world, and there is nothing more challenging in life than those people who try to stir up conflict among the people they are around. We saw a lot of conflict being stirred up with the most recent elections of government officials, but even today there are people stirring up conflict with the holidays coming up. Do you ever think about that one person inside the family or outside who makes the holiday season miserable because they stir up a conflict so big that it sucks the life out of the season where we are supposed to focus on our Savior? I know that that in our gift giving frenzy of a season, we are so obsessed with that perfect gift to give and for some to receive, that we forget about the greatest gift that was provided over 2000 years ago, and that is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, avoid the gossip, avoid the negative people and focus on the one true gift that has given and continues to give even after we turn our back. Show by example of what it is like to not be perverse. Turn back to Him this Holiday season and see what difference that makes.


Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #971 - Sinner

Sinner

5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:5-8

There are people I know who find it hard to believe in a God that allows bad things to happen, that allows cancer to be in children, that allows people to be harmed. They wonder that if God is all-knowing and all-healing, why doesn't He heal and protect everyone. How do you explain to someone that does not believe in God that everyone is born a sinner and needs a Savior? It is hard to explain to individuals that have such a belief system and find some kind of counterpoint to everything we discuss. I know that through my faith in God and His plan for my life and the freedom to choose, that my view of God and His influence is not just in the here and now, but for eternity. So, my faith is strengthened through knowing that He has a plan for me and my life both now and in the future. I saw something at a funeral home that bothered me recently, and it was that a funeral was to help people cope with the finality of death. It made me sad to think there are people who see death as final and nothing else is after this time on earth. I hope that I can reach those who I know that don't believe in God, His influence, the afterlife and show them that there is so much more to life than just our brief stay here on this wonderfully created planet.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #970 - Believe

Believe

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18

This week we lost a dear soul to this earthly realm with the passing of my father-in-law into God's hands. There have been so many wonderful things said about him, but there was one thing that a friend of his said that truly made me sad. He stated that he did not know if there was an afterlife and didn't know if he believed there was one. There are many people like this individual in this world, and even members of family who have stated something similar. It makes me realize that being saved is really not enough and am I really doing enough to impact those who do not believe in life after death and the impact of Christ's resurrection? I strive to do better, but there is always some excuse that I make on why I don't do more. I hope that maybe I can continue to have an impact on individuals like this man who can't see that our next life is going to be one full of joy and wonder, as long as we believe. God made a way for us, we just need to believe.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday # 969 - Presence

Presence


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 16:11



Do you sometimes find yourself looking for the presence of our Lord And Savior? How involved are you when looking for His presence? There are times in our life where all we want is to have Him guiding us and steering the ship. Sometimes, however, God is silent, and let’s go of us for a brief time to allow us to be tested. He is always there for us, no matter how much we try to push him away, sometimes willingly or sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives that he becomes second instead of a priority for our life. If we want him present with us, we have to make those steps to always be present with him. Our father loves us, and he will never let go completely, we just have to be willing to hold on as he guides us through our life.


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #968 - Difficulties

 Difficulties

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1-2

We all will deal with difficulties in our life, it is just part of the overall plan.  I know many will ask why would a loving God give me difficulties to overcome, and there is no good answer.  I do know this, that the closer I am to our Father in Heaven, the less these difficulties will feel like burdens.  God makes our burdens light, and the difficulties He can get us through with a learning plus reliance on what He has for our life.  It is not always so easy to see, especially when we are in the middle of a difficult situation, but maybe we need to change what our focus should be.  This set of verses honors our God and lets other people see how we feel if we are thankful and rejoicing His name. So, take a moment to be thankful, take a moment to sing joy to the Lord, and take a moment to rely on Him more deeply during your difficult circumstances.  It is clear to me that He will lift that burden and lighten your shoulders.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #967 - Payback

Payback


Do not say, “I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.” Proverbs 24:29


Do you ever feel wronged by someone and feel like you want to pay them back by doing something just as wrong or even worse than what they did for you? It is common to feel bad when someone has wronged you, but there are things we can do to avoid feeling like we have to pay someone back. Jesus talked about turning the other cheek, and there are lessons in His life on earth when people did many bad things to Him and He would not respond in kind. Maybe someone did something years ago to you and you still haven't forgiven them, so you do things to alienate them or take on another form of retaliation that hurts them. God wants us to forgive individuals, just as He has forgiven us. We don't need to get in the world mindset of paying someone back, but we need to see how we can be brave enough and strong enough to walk away from things that hurt us. We need to remember that God loves us and will do anything for us and He will not leave us.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #966 - Government

Government


Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

In the United States, every four years the citizens of this nation put forth their vote for candidates in many government races. The feelings are strong on all sides of the electorate, and many times those personal feelings can put a wall between people who are normally friends because their beliefs may not totally align with each other. I saw many hate-filled comments by people on all sides of the electorate throughout this process, but what I couldn't understand is how these comments turn so easily into strong hate, frustration and people acting out. I continued to remember this verse in Romans, and how God allows the authorities to be put in place, not just in the United States, but around the world. The enemy is the one that drives the wedge between people and creates a great divide which is where all that hate comes from. It is interesting that the majority of people in the U.S. went about their next day knowing the cycle of change of leadership in place is no different than the past 200+ years. If we focus on the fact that it was established by God and know that faith in our Lord and Savior will guide us through our life, no matter who you think would have been the better person in office, you know that God has this. Keep your focus on the things above and less on the impact of everything else.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #965 - Sorrow

Sorrow

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11

I have felt sorrow the last few weeks for a number of things. For the individuals I know who have lost someone dear to them, for those who suffer from an addiction, for the people who do not know Christ and continue to put up roadblocks, and for those who know Christ who are pulled away from Him because of a path they choose to follow. I feel sorrow when someone relies upon something of this world more than they rely on the faithfulness of our father. This scripture I came across this week helped remind me of the sorrow that we all carry and how it can lead to keeping us further away from our Father in Heaven. I guess my short response this week is we all need to have a Godly sorrow to bring us to repentance and closer to our Lord and Savior and focus less on the sorrow that the enemy wants us to have. Be joyful and eager with your life, and know that God is with us.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #964 - Wept

Wept

32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” John 11:32-36

The story of Lazarus is an amazing story of Christ bringing him back from the dead, but there is an even more amazing story hidden within this great look at God and His teaching. When we have loved ones who pass on from this earth, there is usually weeping and crying most likely due us missing that person who has passed. I know that I wept for a family this week who is very dear to us who lost a child, and there was a definite sadness for the loss and what future that child could have had on this earth. One would think that the sadness would take over many, including the parents, but what we saw was an emotion I can only describe as faith along with a love for God and what He has in store. That kind of emotion is so hard to describe, but truly, while the weeping had been there, the strength God had given these young parents is not something you typically see in someone so young. I am continually amazed by the things I see and learn each day, and this day was no different. The pastor discussed how when Jesus wept, and He showed His human emotion. We all go through life thinking of Jesus as our great sacrifice, which of course He is, but He was also human and dealt with the same emotions we deal with daily. The love He showed for Lazarus is something that I am certain we all experience at one time or another, and we need to remember it is ok to weep. It is also ok to question our feelings and what God has planned. We need to lean into His faithfulness in our lives and know that He is in control of all things.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #963 - Snare

Snare

14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare. Psalm 25:14-15

The other day I saw a man that had a trap in his front yard, most likely trying to capture an armadillo that can really wreak havoc to a yard. This man's yard is really nice and has no real perceptible imperfections. I had seen the armadillo just a week prior walking around that area of the neighborhood. The enemy can be like the armadillo and root around inside of us to find our weaknesses so he can expose them. We all have those areas that the enemy tries to destroy and poison with his hate and ugliness. When we fall into the trap and can't seem to get away from the enemy, we can remember that our God is the only one that can release us from the snare. He is fairly clear on His ability to help, we only need to ask for His help. God can push the enemy and keep him away from us, as long as we make the decision to follow and reach out to Him. There will be times that God allows the enemy to root around in us, but we know that we can always escape his snare with the right help.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #962 - Winds

Winds

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. Matthew 7:24-26

With all the storms and hurricanes that have happened over the last several years, some people will sit back and say, how can a loving God allow this kind of destruction to occur. I sometimes wonder if these things are allowed to happen so people will think about the power of God and His restorative power. While many people don't come back from these damaging storms, there are many people who do, and while it may not be tied to their belief in God and His plan for our lives, it certainly can be a starting point to see Him. I will say though that if people live through a tragedy, how can you not think of God and His power. Where is our foundation built in our relationship with God? Is it like the scripture describes on a sturdy foundation, or is it something that is unsound and always moving. The more we build our life on God and His teachings, the more we will begin to understand Him and what He has for our life. My daughter and son-in-law had two significant car issues this week with each of their cars and the first thing that my daughter said was that I guess it was part of God's plan. While we don't always see that in the moment, the foundation we build can help us see the best of God's plan.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #961 - Wicked

Wicked

17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Malachi 3:17-18

When I sit around and think about life and people, this thought comes up often on what is the difference between a wicked person and one that is righteous. I am sure we can all sit around and come up with many lists of comparisons on the differences between the two, because some are readily seen and so glaring. But, what about the wicked people who hide their wickedness from the world and others? These people are harder to see, and some people mistake an outwardly righteous leader with the true wickedness that lies below. Righteousness is something that can sometimes be seen outwardly by actions, but only God can truly see the difference between the righteous and the wicked. We are only righteous through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and we need to remember that. We can strive for a righteous life, and try to serve God through our works but only through God and the sacrifice of the Son can we be made whole. I believe we need to focus less on the righteousness of others and look internally how we can avoid the wickedness that is prevalent on this Earth. Pursue righteousness through your relationship with our Father in Heaven and serve.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #960 - Solutions

Solutions

3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:3-5


I was in a meeting this week where some folks were trying to come up with a clear solution to a problem we had on a project. I observed this from a bit of a distance because it was not my area of expertise. I began noticing that there were some really reasonable people in the meeting and others that weren't so accommodating to suggestions by others. In fact, one person came across very defensive and it was surprising to see this kind of attitude. So, for several minutes a solution did not present itself because too many people were talking, having side conversations and not listening to the ideas. Finally, cooler heads prevailed and the solution was decided upon by the group and it was very reasonable. When we are looking for a solution on where we lie with our forgiveness from Christ, there is a pretty good solution already provided and outlined in the above scripture. It is because of one individual's sacrifice that we can be made whole again. People sometimes try to look for many solutions to get our souls to the place they need to be, and they can be spinning their wheels because the singular solution is right in front of them. Too often we get caught up into the temptation to not take the solution that God has provided us, and we head down a path of resistance. That path only leads to pain and darkness, so take the solution that God has for us and has prepared for us.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #959 - Justice

Justice

4 For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
5 The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:4-5

People are around the world claiming justice be served for crimes, perceived wrongs, and other nefarious situations. The thing about justice is that different people have different ideas about what justice should be in those situations, and in fact if you look at the definition, one phrase stands out and that is moral righteousness. Our world is becoming a very dark world with the enemy roaming the earth trying to tempt people away from God and all He has to offer. Sometimes when people look for justice, they focus so much on the person getting justice, they don't think about the fact that God is the ultimate judge and decision-maker. Certainly I am not saying some people don't deserve justice, but if our lives are filled so much with tackling things that God already has His hand in, we will tend to forget to focus on what God provides to us and our families. Our God loves us so much and if we stop to give Him thanks for loving us and acknowledge that His justice will be served, His goal of moral righteousness will be unfailing. Focusing on our own moral righteousness will allow us to be a whole lot more focused on the things He wants us to focus on.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #958 - Path

Path

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. Psalms 16:11

Have you ever gotten the answer No? I am sure everyone has experienced a "no", "not right now", "not at this time", and even a second or third "no" about the same request. As we go through our life and interview for things, try new things, and work for things, sometimes the answer might be no or it might be not right now. I know that when you pray desperately for something and not get it, the timing can be frustrating but also educational. If we look deeper into God's plan for our life, He will always provide, He may just not provide it in our timing. So, the "no" we receive is not something that we need to always move on from, because it might be really a "not right now." The timing may be way off for God's plan, even though you think you are ready. So what do we do? We continue to lean into God's plan for us, and if He shuts a door completely, we will know. The path will be lit bright when we know the outcome of His plan for us, and I know that He will make it very clear. Don't be discouraged by that first no, but be encouraged that you went through what you did to get that first no. Keep on working hard, and turn that "no" into a huge "yes".

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #957 - Folly

Folly


29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Proverbs 14:29



When we are patient, not only do we have great understanding but I also think we can extend our lives. Patience is hard to come by, especially in today's world when everyone wants everything right now. In our prayer life we can also become foolish because we expect answers to our prayers on our timeline and not God's timeline. So, how do we battle the quick-tempered nature we can experience and avoid looking like a fool. It all begins with baby steps, and those are with everything we do. When we are in line and we think someone is being foolish, do we get impatient and just wish that person would hurry up. When we are in traffic, and things slow down for no apparent reason, do we become foolish, diving in and out of traffic and make zero progress. I was just on a long driving trip with my daughter, and while I was anxious to get to the location after 15 hours of driving, I knew that I needed to be patient and we would arrive exactly when God planned for us to arrive. In our life, we need to be patient and know that whatever it is, God is in control of when and how things happen. While we have choices, our impatient choices will make us not only look like a fool but make us rely less on God and His plan for us. Don't be full of folly but be full of patience.


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #956 - Persevere

Persevere

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:15-16

For as long as I can remember, my children have had thoughts about what they want to do with their lives. It wasn't something that I much thought about until recently when a couple of them have started their professional careers and another one is well on his way to success. I know that they haven't done this alone, and Debbie and I have walked alongside them to encourage them and provide them guidance, but really the true guiding hand has come from their Father in Heaven. God has worked in all of our lives, even if we don't think He has. However, those of us who have persevered through the challenges, He has rewarded us with the path we were to follow. Notice I said He did not reward us with great financial security or a job that we were completely happy with, but I said He has rewarded us with the path we were to follow. We need to remember that our path to success is not always His path to success and we need to be cognizant of His hand in our path to achievement. God works in us as long as we are willing to allow Him to work in us.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #955 - Give

Give


11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps. Psalm 85:11-13


When you think about giving, do you often think of what God gives you? We can tend to get caught up in asking for things before we give, because giving is not always easy. Whether it be money or time, our lives can easily get distracted by something we feel we need to be given. I know that it is hard to give my time after working a long day, but that is not how our process should work. It is hard not to think of yourself first, and even more challenging to give of yourself when you may want to be doing something else. It is a mental refocus of thinking of others before yourself. Then, it is a daily reminder that we need to give to others before our needs. I am not even close to being where God wants me to be, but I do think about how I give and how I can give more. I also believe our righteousness has a direct influence on our giving. If we are living a life that God wants us to, the giving should be easy. God only gives good and we should follow in His footsteps, and God gave the greatest gift of all, His Son.


Have a great weekend,


Matt

Fantastic Friday #954 - Ears

Ears

6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand

those who take refuge in you from their foes. Psalm 17:6-7

When God created us, he gave us two ears. There is something to be said about symmetry and I am sure there is some deep answer to why we have two ears, but how often do we use those two ears to really listen to what God tells us? I personally believe it all starts with prayer. By taking time to specifically pray to God, it gives us that personal one-on-one time with our Heavenly Father and gives Him the opportunity to hear what we cry out to Him for when we have our deepest need. Now, that doesn't mean that we don't pray when we don't need anything, but we pray to continue strengthening our relationship with our Lord and Savior. Prayers don't need to have big words, or be long and drawn out. They can be simple requests and prayers that get to the point of your need. But. you also need to be thankful for what God has provided you in your life. The second part of prayer is listening and using our ears to hear what God has to say. There might be silence at times, but strenghthening that relationship through regular prayer only makes the listening easier, and gives you the ability to truly hear when God answers you. So use the ears God gave you to listen to that voice that is clear at times, quiet at times, but is always there for us.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #953 - Higher

Higher


8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9


Do you ever find yourself comparing your stature to others? Maybe you think you hold a higher status than someone because of the kind of position you hold, the amount of money you make, the amount of time you spend helping others, or your relationship to our Father In Heaven. Here's the trap, we are always so caught up in how we can get ahead, we rarely think of our lowly status that we have as a sinner. God, however, is at a status that we certainly cannot achieve in our mortal existence. So, what do we do? The first thing is to not let ourselves get caught up in placing others on pedestals, including ourselves. There are many times people put leaders of nations, businesses and even churches on these pedestals, and there is no room for this. No man is any better than anyone else, however some may have blessings and opportunities that others don't have while here on earth. We need to remember that we all need to strive to live the life that God has given us, to grow closer to Him so that eventually we find ourselves striving for that eternal existence with our Father In Heaven. One day we may know the thoughts of our Father, but until that time, live a life free of placing ourselves above anyone else.


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #952 - Work

Work

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:25-28

I heard on a podcast this week that a man who was a part of a family with 11 kids was brought up with the philosophy that he had to work hard in order to contribute to the family and be fed. This person was a member of a poor farming family, and everyone had to contribute. I think back about the work that I have put in over the years to support my family and it was nothing like what this man had to go through. The blessings I had were very different, but listening to his story made me think about what I have done to work for others. Have I shown my kids how hard work can get you to a position where you can support your family and live a comfortable life, while still giving to others. It made me truly reflect on hard work and what it truly means. Sometimes we don't think of hard work and where it takes you in your walk with Christ. I work hard both at home and at work, but how hard am I working to show others the love and caring they deserve, and how hard am I working to become more like Christ intended. While we have Grace, we need to remember those who don't know about this wonderful gift and where we might be able to make an impact. I am going to look at working hard on how I can make an impact on those people who truly need it.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #951- Flowers

Flowers

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

I saw some beautiful flowers this week. These flowers only come out for a short period of time and can only be enjoyed if you take the time to look and study them closely. Our life may at times seem like a flower to be enjoyed for a short period of time, but like studying and enjoying the flowers, our father expects the same of us.  We all need to slow down our lives to enjoy and be fulfilled with the time God has given us. For we may be short on time where no one will remember us in 50 or 100 years, but God will and He will want to make sure we took the time to enjoy the flowers and many other things. 

Have a great weekend. 

Matt 

Fantastic Friday #950 - Fear

Fear

14 He carries out his decree against me,
and many such plans he still has in store.
15 That is why I am terrified before him;
when I think of all this, I fear him.
16 God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me. Job 23:14-16

Do you go throughout your day and fear God? I went through some fear this week, but it wasn't a fear of God, it was a fear of the unknown. Not knowing what was coming next drove my fear to a level I hadn't experienced in quite some time. At first, I was rationalizing the fear, saying that it is ok to fear what is going on. Then I realized that the fear I was having problems with was really irrational. I stopped to pray to reduce the fear I was feeling and of course God was there to allay the fears. How many times do we turn to our rationalization which turns out to be irrational? I would say 95% of the time we carry an irrational fear of our circumstances. It is all easier said than done, but that fear is the enemy that is trying to make you doubt our Father in Heaven. Keeping a rational view of God's blessings is sometimes more than what we need to overcome the irrational. Keep in mind, God does not want you to fear things of this world, but wants you to fear Him and more than likely respect Him and His power. Keep this in mind when you begin to go through periods of irrational fear.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #949 - Adjustment

Adjustment


18 He rescues me unharmed
from the battle waged against me,
even though many oppose me.
19 God, who is enthroned from of old,
who does not change—
he will hear them and humble them,
because they have no fear of God. Psalm 55:18-19


Do you find it hard to make adjustments in your life? Maybe it is getting up a little earlier in the morning to work out or read, or maybe it is adjusting the time you spend in God's Word. There are many times where adjustments can be a good thing for your health and mind. We get ourselves stuck in patterns and routines, some of which are not so bad, but others can have detrimental effects. I know that when I am in a battle with the enemy telling me to make an adjustment that might pull me away from God, I sometimes think that it is not going to impact me negatively, but it does, every single time. If we focus on how the adjustments we make in our life impact our relationship with God first and ourselves second, then the adjustment can be easily managed. Start managing yourself with God at the Center and you at the edges, with God helping keep the enemy out. When our adjustments are God focused, our health and wellness are impacted in a positive way.

Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #948 - Stillness

 Stillness 

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

Do you ever find those times when you can’t just be still?Maybe it’s the anticipation of something or possibly it is something that is deeply bothering you and you can’t still your mind so you don’t sleep and you can’t relax. I look throughout the Bible and see where God always says to be still. That is something that we have to learn how to do so that we can wait on God and be still while doing it. I found myself being still this week while in vacation and the stillness calmed my thoughts and helped me enjoy my time much more. Take a few moments to be still daily and listen for God. 

Have a great weekend. 

Matt

Fantastic Friday #947 - Alone

Alone

6 I am like a desert owl,
like an owl among the ruins.

7 I lie awake; I have become
like a bird alone on a roof.

8 All day long my enemies taunt me;
those who rail against me use my name as a curse. Psalm 102:6-8

Do you ever find yourself alone? I mean truly alone? God created man and then He created woman so that he would not be alone. He created ways for people to have families so they would not be alone. When Jesus was on this earth, He was rarely alone. It is ok to be alone sometimes, but in those times you should be thoughtful of the enemy and what he tries to tell you. If you are alone with God, you are truly not alone but if you spend time alone with the enemy, you become further distant from our Lord and Savior. Being alone can be refreshing, but how much joy can you find being alone with yourself. I know that that I cherish the time with my wife, kids, family and friends knowing that one day not all of them will be around. I do always know that I am not alone when I have God in my life, and spend time with him. Don't be alone, it is not how God intended your life to be.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #946 - Whole

Whole

36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36

Have you ever thought about the word "whole"? When something is whole, it is together, complete and full. If you had to look at everything in the world, it is quite astronomical to think of how many things are in this world, but it is full and some things are unachievable in reaching. However, many people try and chase everything that is part of this world, and somewhere along the way they can get lost in all the things that make this world whole. If you look at each one of us, we are not whole, and have a lot to learn to become whole and won't be until we reach our Father-in-Heaven. God uses these opportunities for us to move towards wholeness spiritually by avoiding getting caught up in our world. The world is here for us to enjoy, but when we chase things at the expense of our families and God, then there is no chance to be whole. Work each day to be complete and find the wholesomeness of the path of becoming whole.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #945 - Carrying

Carrying

16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:16-18

What do you carry with you on a daily basis? When we have challenges in our life, problems with individuals, money issues, or other behavior, what do you carry with you? The weight can be heavy on your shoulders and your heart depending on the circumstances. When we have these types of hurt and challenges, I sometimes remember this picture painted by John of our Lord and Savior who carried His own cross after being beaten, treated horribly and abandoned by almost everyone. When you can imagine Him dragging that cross under these circumstances, your problems don't seem so large. So, what are you carrying that you cannot give to our Father in Heaven? We spend so much time thinking about how we have to fix something or deal with something, we tend to forget that our Father is there to help us. Take that moment to ask for help, a simple humble prayer of thanks and request. God is listening and while He may not provide help immediately, He is faithful and loves His children enough to have had His Son die for us. Don't carry a burden you can't handle, let God carry it for you.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #944 - Allegiance

Allegiance


16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:16-18



In America we have something called the Pledge of Allegiance that is basically showing our loyalty to the government and country. Have you ever thought about the allegiance that we show our Father in Heaven? When Jesus died on the cross, He showed the ultimate obedience to our Father which allowed us to enter into a relationship with our Father, if we choose. Now, once we choose that relationship, like the scripture says, we are no longer slaves to sin but show our allegiance to our Father in Heaven. Even though we are now free, we need to remember that it is a daily task to show our loyalty through proper behavior and treatment of others, including leaving our sinful lives behind. If you think of waking up each day and pledging allegiance to our Father, just like we did in school every morning by saying the pledge of allegiance to the flag of our country, it can become a habit that forms and swells within our soul that we are honoring the One who created us and everything around us. Take a moment in prayer each day to pledge your allegiance to our Father.


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #943 - Destruction

Destruction

2 How long, Lord, must I call for help,
but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not save?
3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and conflict abounds.
4 Therefore the law is paralyzed,
and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous,
so that justice is perverted.
5 “Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told. Habakkuk 1:2-5

This week several places around us received significant physical destruction, with homes destroyed and families displaced. We also saw where trees that had probably been around for over 50 years, uprooted like they were toothpicks. It is challenging to look at the destruction around us and see anything but negativity and ask the question why is this happening. Like anywhere in the past where destruction has been seen, what good have you seen come out of the destruction? I can think of a couple of things, one most recently being the COVID situation where those times brought so many families closer together and closer to God and His teachings. Just like with Job, in these circumstances our faith can be tested, but if you look at verse five above, God is preparing to do something amazing that even we cannot believe. If we focus on the goodness of God, the challenges of these specific destructive events can have a purpose. Remember to keep others in your thoughts and prayers and rely on faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #942 - Hard

Hard

4 Let those who fear the Lord say:
“His love endures forever.”

5 When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 118:4-6



Do you hear people say they do not want to do something because it is too hard, or do you find that people often say that life is hard? God never promised that life would be easy, but He did provide us a way to make our life's difficulties more bearable. We only need to remember that the Lord is present and we need to think about how his presence makes our lives less hard. It is through His never ending love that we can be at ease, but we can't just assume He is going to make things less hard. We need to go through the hardness and ask for His guidance in order to achieve the glory that lies at the end. So the next time someone says life is hard, you can say yes it is, but there is a way to make it less hard.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #941 - Warrior

Warrior

17 The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

When I think of a warrior, I picture someone with a large stature that protects those who cannot protect themselves. I certainly do not think of myself as a Warrior, but when I look back at my life with my kids, maybe I was a warrior. I protected them, cared for them, provided for them and sheltered them from the enemy in the best way possible. I think the foundation of being a warrior prepared them all for this world as an adult, but I am still finding myself looking for ways to protect them. Our God is the ultimate Warrior, and we probably don't recognize that daily. I often wonder what my life would be like without a knowledge of God or His presence. I often think that if I didn't have Him, I would be lost in an abyss or even a black hole. How wonderful it is to have a Warrior that is willing to stand up for us if we truly accept Him and His unwavering protection. Be a warrior for those who cannot protect themselves and let yourself be protected by the ultimate Warrior.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #940 - Slow

Slow

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:2-9

There was this song that I came across the other day and this lyric kind of stuck with me, "So, I'm gonna slow on down, someway, somehow." We get going in our lives and it is rush here and rush there, and when do you have time to sit down and focus on God and what He wants to teach us. I will admit that I am guilty of not slowing down enough and definitely not spending enough time in His Word. Those times when I don't slow down, the anxiousness can creep in and control my thoughts of what I need to do next. The times that I slow down and give just a few minutes of thoughtful thanks to our Lord and Savior, my spirit calms and I can go about my business with a mind free of the mess. It does take intentional effort to slow down and not let our world consume us. This week during a meeting about midday I asked everyone to look at their phone screen time, and most people were between 30 and 90 minutes, but one person was 6 hours and 20 minutes. If we can slow down enough to spend this much time on our phone, we can slow down enough to give God time to work in us. Slow down, don't give in to the enemy and what they want, slow down and give thoughtful thanks.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #939 - Treasure

Treasure

18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:18-19

When something has been around for some time or been lost for years and found, people refer to that as treasure. Or maybe there was something hundreds of years ago that was hidden from view, but then found as a buried treasure. Do we think of our Lord Jesus Christ as treasure, something valuable and necessary in our life for our future? Or do we put other things of "value" ahead of Him? There is nothing more valuable than our Savior who guides us and protects our life so we can prepare for the next path in our existence. We also need to value the treasure we are building up when we do things for people, and when we are kind to others and not hateful. Now more than ever, we see the hateful stance of people and the negative impact they have on others, and I can guarantee that our Father In Heaven mournes over those lost souls and wishes to bring those back in the fold to enjoy the full treasure of Jesus Christ. Take a moment today to look at what you think the treasures are in your life, and they probably don't involve material things.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #938 - Mature

Mature

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. Colossians 1:27-28


How mature are you? Maturity is one of those things that one may have many levels of in their life. I may be a mature adult at work, but can be very immature at home. I can have a maturity level that helps me when I work with people less mature than I am and can help mentor them to a level that will help them work better with others. There may be people who are adults that may have the emotional maturity of a 9 year old, and I wonder how they can really be helped. When we look for maturity in Christ, the only way we can get to that point is to put Him at the forefront of our life. I honestly at times can be spiritually mature in Christ, but I also have those times that I am emotionally taxed with questions and concerns that impact my maturity. There are also times where my maturity drops because I don't have the Lord in the place He needs to be with me. We all can come up with excuses about our maturity but do we stop and ask God for the wisdom to become more mature? Let God provide the guidance we need to achieve a maturity level that can help us and others grow.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #937 - Mocker

Mocker

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

What purpose does mocking serve? When someone mocks another there is some deep-seeded contempt in that person's heart that causes them to ridicule someone else. I am all for having good friends gently razz each other, but when does it become mocking? I believe it all has to do with the heart of the person and the intent. The world is full of people in high positions and influence who mock people relentlessly. All that action does is highlight a person's negative heart but it also shows people that it is ok to do something like this. I believe the more we see people unabashedly mocking or treating someone with significant ridicule, it begins to deteriorate our society. The enemy likes to see people with contempt in their heart because that contempt turns people's heart away from the Lord. Take a moment and set aside the mocking nature of our personality and see how loving those around us makes people feel. Maybe meditate on this scripture, it is very clear that God does not delight in mockers.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #936 - Bread

Bread

47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. John 6:47-49

Have you ever taken a close look at bread? If you start from the beginning including all the ingredients to make bread, there are not so many, but the process of making bread can be very problematic if you do something wrong with the simple directions. I made some bread(quickly) in the breadmaker this week and some may not know, but you have to get your milk to a lukewarm temperature. The reason for this part of the process is so you don't kill the yeast, which of course is a living organism that causes the bread to rise before it is cooked. When making bread by hand, it can be very strenuous when kneading the ingredients together to form a nice rounded piece of dough to rise. In my case, by quickly mixing my loaf ingredients together before it was time, the final loaf ended up being a dense small loaf and didn't last past a day because my hurried actions killed all the yeast. If we think of God being the perfect ingredient in our life, and if we would just let Him be in control of the ingredients in our life, we would be much happier and rise to each and every occasion. When we don't let God help us, or go out on our own way of mixing ingredients, we can become hardhearted and leave the blessings God provides behind. Take a moment to let the bread of life work in you and help find the one who can solve your hunger.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #935 - Trials

Trials

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; James 1:12-13

What trials have you experienced?  Can you look back on those trials and say that you learned from them or do you not spend any time thinking about past trials?  I believe that we need to think about trials we have faced and see how the Lord has gotten us through them.  When we forget or push away the memories, it is much easier for us to think that we got ourselves through it and God didn't have anything to do with it.  We need to remember what gets us through tough periods is a strong faith in our Lord and know that He allows these trials to make us stronger and reliant on Him.  It is ok to ask God why, but it is not ok to blame Him for the trial we are experiencing.  He does not tempt us, but allows the enemy to put us through temptation and trial.  The more we focus on what God has done for us, the easier it will be to fight the negativity of the enemy.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #934 - Deceivers

Deceivers

3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:

5 Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me—
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches? Psalm 49:3-6



Do you deal with deception, maybe someone is deceiving you to obtain something they want or need? The tactic of a deceiver can be subtle or outright blatant. The enemy is the true deceiver and one we need to keep an eye out for daily, but how do we handle those around us who decieve. These kinds of actions by others can create an atmosphere of misunderstanding and can lead to pain and frustration. God is very clear about not fearing this type of individual, but turning an ear to the word of God that guides us, as well as the Holy Spirit. If we look at the deceptive tactics of people as one way the enemy can attack, we know that God is there to provide the necessary support and love. When you feel deceived, frustrated, or angry, calm yourself and acknowledge that the Lord is the one who has defeated the enemy and can lift you up. We always have someplace to turn.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #933 - Feeding

Feeding

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

How are you feeding yourself with the Lord and His teachings? It's something we probably don't think about much, especially the Trust in the Lord to provide for your needs. I love the picture that is painted above that shows if we root ourselves where we need to be fed, that we will be strong and bear much fruit. What keeps us from these locations is the world of distractions that tell us we don't need to trust in anything but ourselves. I know personally that the times I have not focused on God in my life, I have become weak and unable to stand against the enemy. I am finding that the more I root myself in God's teachings, that I am stronger to stand up against anything the enemy throws at me. We need to focus on our roots and bearing much fruit, because the impact on others will provide you clarity in your path.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #932 - Majestic

Majestic

The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. Psalm 93:1

When I think of things that are majestic, I think of the amazing Rocky Mountains, the oceans and beaches I have visited, the Carlsbad Caverns and so many other places in this world that are beautiful and wonderful to experience. I sometimes forget to think of who created all these things and can easily take them for granted. I also find sometimes during my challenging times, that I am the only one that can change my circumstances or my attitude. We need to remember that God who created all the majestic sights in this world, also created us. While he is clothed with majesty and strength, so can we be clothed in strength if we turn to Him in our daily walk, not just when we are struggling. Don't forget how majestic our Father-in-Heaven is, for He loves us and will protect us from the things of this world and will remind us to view His majestic world in a positive way and not look at our circumstances so negatively. Find the majesty in our Lord.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #931 - Grace

Grace


15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16


This weekend our oldest son gets married to a wonderful young lady named Grace. Earlier this week in my readings and church, the term Grace was quite prominent. It made me start to think about God's Grace in a more personal way. We all have many weaknesses in our lives, and it is possible that we can have periods where we slip or separate ourselves from God and His teachings. The wonderful thing about God's Grace is the forgiveness that comes from Him. The fact that God gave His one and only Son as a sacrifice for us is a truly magnificent gift to each and every one of us. We need to remember the scripture that just because we have Grace, doesn't mean we keep on sinning. We need to live our lives in a way that honors God. As my son Gaven and Grace honor God this weekend through their marriage, I will be thinking about the Grace God has given us. Be confident in our lives and give God the thanks for the opportunity for Grace.


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #930 - Asking

Asking


6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.
7 Fill my heart with joy
when their grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:6-7


Do you find yourself asking for things that probably lean towards the worldly view of happiness? Maybe it is a new car, a new house, or your debt to be erased. I have a friend who related a story of a former staff member. This friend was really frustrated with something that the former employee had not done while they were employed with them. By not doing this thing, it was creating much hardship for them and was taking them away from their normal duties. My friend made the comment internally that they would be ok if they never heard from this former employee again. That same night they received a message from that former employee, and the main thing they were asking for was prayer. I find that when we ask for things that are unreasonable in God's plan, He will place a road bump reminder of who He is and what He wants for us to do. Don't wait for the road bump that God places, but follow His plan by waiting on Him to present your path when you ask for reasonable things. He will bring prosperity and will fill your heart if you ask for the right things.


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #929 - Miracles

Miracles

13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Psalm 77:13-15

Miracle is used approximately 37 times in the Bible. It makes me wonder why John was one of the books that most uses the word Miracle. What kind of miracles can you look back on in your life, and did you acknowledge them as a miracle when they occurred. Miracles can be found in the smallest places, and if you have a strong faith in our Lord they can be found everywhere. There are some big miracles in the Bible noted, but there are also many others that were not as noticeable but still impactful to those blessed by God. Does a miracle have to just be healing or some blessing? The answer to that is clearly no, my family had an experience several years ago where we had an accident that should have flipped the vehicle we were traveling in, but something of a miracle happened and to this day I view that situation as God's way of saying I have so much more for you. We just need to realize these miracles are part of God's eternal plan and sometimes used to refocus us on the things eternal. Take a moment to reflect on the miracle of life, and everything that happens daily. I am sure you might be able to find the miracles associated with God in your life, just like John wrote about so many years ago when Christ was on Earth.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #928 - Calm

Calm

1 My heart is not proud, Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:1-2

Do you ever wonder how some people can be so calm? Maybe it is an intense situation you are involved in, and your blood pressure rises but there is that one person that is very calm. I knew this one mother growing up who always had a smile on her face. I always wondered what made her smile and be calm when a million different things were happening. My mom was also a very calm individual and had the patience that could compare to no other. I wonder how I can practice that calmness personally and to be honest it all boils down to this set of verses. Not being proud is something that can be very hard to accomplish when the world tells you to share everything about yourself, and when one is being haughty or proud, it certainly is a challenge to be calm. The biggest thing to being calm I find is not to concern myself or worry about great matters. If God has taken care of everything for us, all we need to do is be obedient to His commands and calm ourselves to the world around us. Take a moment to think about how you can practice calmness and lean into your obedience, it should be something that we can all learn to become in our lives.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #927 - Anger

Anger

7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Psalm 37:7-9


Anger is an interesting emotion. Usually brought on by built up frustration, or something that someone does to you. How you react will definitely impact your overall wellness and the future of how you deal with this kind of hardship. This week I received an email from someone and I became very angry because this person was attacking my staff and basically telling me we were inept. The next day I decided to sit down in a face-to-face meeting with this person to discuss their concerns and their attack on my staff's capabilities. I found that when I was calm and not angry, I could much more easily share my position and show them the multiple reasons why we do the things we do. While this person has some serious issues, and didn't quite grasp everything I was sharing, I was able to manage the conversation and keep from getting angry. I did however realize this person won't ever change their opinion and we are going to have to work with it. If we can remember to wait for God to intervene like He did overnight with me, and try to refrain from being angry, the challenges we face could be viewed in a different manner. We don't want the evil of the enemy to sneak in because it definitely can change our view on things. Keep anger out of your life and live in the Lord's presence.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #926 - Views

Views

24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Proverbs 17:24

Do you view things from a worldly perspective or a Heavenly perspective? I know the challenge with our views is we typically see things in the world how others see them more than how God sees them. I read something the other day that closely related a person's happiness at work based on how their boss and others treat them. I know this is true, but I also know that if we viewed our work more as God sees us in our work, the happier we would be in our job. Most things in our life depend on how we view our experiences, and definitely in how we view others. God views all people as His children whom He loves. We can take this example to our own life, and while we may not love everyone, we can certainly use God's example of how to love unconditionally and impact how we treat others. We need to focus on our Heavenly Father and His view of people and the world, and learn something from that example.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #925 - Past Words

Past Words

2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 2 Peter 3:2-3

Do you reflect much on past words that were spoken to you by others? Sometimes words are spoken by people who were close to us and we remember those words or sayings later in life. What kind of difference do you see from those words or sayings in the past? Do you find yourself reflecting on them differently than you were when told? Many times someone will share something and it doesn't impact you until much later, because of where you are in your life. Similar things can be said about God's Word. Each time I read His Word, something different pops out to me that I didn't quite see the time I read it before. Past words are good to reflect on, and God's Word is the best at providing guidance, especially if you weren't impacted by it in prior times. Take a moment to reflect on past words and sayings, and see how they impact you differently today.

Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #924 - Presence

Presence

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 we actually take the time to feel God's presence in our lives? We obviously pay attention to many things around us and sometimes spend hours on things of this world, many of which are not bad but also fill our days. When you drive your car, do you feel His presence? When you are walking somewhere, do you feel His presence? Some individuals say that they just can't understand how to feel His presence, but maybe those individuals aren't taking the moment it takes to focus. Can you tell when the enemy is sneaking up on you, or do you feel when the enemy is trying to persuade you to make a decision that is unholy or something that can drive you further away from your Father. The easiest way to feel God's presence is to stop and ask Him for it. Not only in times of trouble, but in times of joy and surrender as well. The closer we are to God, the further we are from the enemy and the challenges that interrupt our life. Take a moment regularly throughout the day to ask God for His presence, it may not be for anything you need at that moment but it is a reminder that God is always there for us and we can feel Joy with His presence and can help us call on Him more often for His presence.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #923 - Distance

Distance

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Mark 14:53-55

One thing that I find interesting is how people who followed Jesus so closely and then when trouble came they followed Him at a distance and didn't want to associate with Him.  Now look at us, how do we follow Jesus?  Does the world get us caught up and then we follow Jesus at a distance, and only when we are having difficulty in our lives do we follow Him closely?  Jesus wants us near Him both in the good and the challenging times, so how can we do that?  The first step is to remember that Jesus is always for us.  He brings joy into our life and guides us when we need it the most.  Take a look at how you are following this week, is it at a distance or is it in his robes.  Be close to Jesus, it is a lot better than watching from afar.  


Have a great weekend.


Matt

Fantastic Friday #922 - Forgiveness

Forgiveness

5 If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. 2 Corinthians 2:5

As followers of Christ, we often talk about the forgiveness of sins, but rarely talk about the forgiveness of others. We all at one time have been offended by someone in our life, intentionally or unintentionally which may have caused grief to us or more individuals. The question becomes, can we forgive this offender like Christ has forgiven us? When you compare the two levels of forgiveness, it seems ludicrous to think that we can even compare our forgiveness of someone with Christ's forgiveness of our sins. But think about this, God gave the perfect example of forgiveness to show us that our forgiveness is much easier and less taxing than what Christ did on the cross. Forgiveness is all the same and releases those on both sides of the relationship. Know that God wants us to forgive others and He wants us to live in peace. Take a moment to reflect on how you might forgive.

Have a great weekend.

Matt