Fantastic Friday #976 - Needy

Needy

12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death. Psalm 72:12-13

I see people on my daily travels who look needy, maybe they need food, clothing or some other form of human need to stay alive. I question what these people did to get themselves in these situations, and I can only surmise that they fell into a desperate hole of self-doubt and loss which has now led to them being physically and emotionally stained. Granted, there are people who put themselves in those spaces due to drug use or alcohol abuse, and they have never recovered from that horrible fall. It may be hard for some of us to believe, but God does love those people just like He loves us. If these people were to cry out and commit themselves to the Lord and His teachings, I don't doubt that He would miraculously pull these people out of their pain and suffering. The same can apply to us, while our need may be different at times, and not as life-changing, we can still ask for our Lord's help and He will provide. God wants us to want Him and all that He can do for us, all we have to do is ask.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #975 - Victory

Victory

12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies. Psalm 60:12

Don't take this the wrong way but God does not care if my sports team wins or not. I am sure that God does not care whether an athlete gives Him the accolades for their victory. Several times over the last few weeks, I have seen several sports athletes give God the glory for their good performance or victory, but to be honest I don't think God cares. I do think it is great that these young men and women proclaim their faith on national television for all to see, but I am not so sure they realize what is really important to God. When I was growing up, I would pray for our teams that I played on to win, or to do well but we didn't always win or do well. God is concerned with bigger victories and the one He has already completed with the victory over the enemy. We also probably need to reevaluate what victory we should be celebrating and asking God for His presence, maybe it should be the victory of bringing more individuals to Christ and His teachings. God does care about us daily for many things, and when we ask for help He does give it, but honestly I am not so sure he cares whether my sports team wins or not. Pray for victories that are important and result in the greatest reward.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #974 - Prepare

 Prepare

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Exodus 23:20

Like God prepared a place for the Israelites, and he is preparing a place for us in heaven, I believe he prepares places for us here on earth.We just spent the last week setting up our daughter and her husband in a House in Savannah, for the next step in their journey. God allow us to travel safely for so many hours in a U-Haul and towing car in thunderstorms and rainy days.  But when we arrived, we could see His hand on every aspect of our journey, including finding a washer and dryer within minutes of walking in our first store, finding a much needed food pantry for the house for a cost half of what everything else was going for and the ability to get almost everything unpacked so they could start their journey together without worry.  We know they God is present and we know that He loves us, we need to acknowledge when He shows his presence in the smaller things.  

Have a great weekend.

Matt