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