Living
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 2 Peter 2:11-12
What kind of life do you find yourself living? Is it a life that focuses on your own needs and your own life more than others? Focusing only on yourself can bring about a selfish path to giving in to your own desires and not what God wants for you. When we surround ourselves with people that focus on sinful desires, this opens us up for these desires and allows the enemy to take hold. So, what do you do when people around you are trying to pull you away from living the life God intended? God talks about helping those in need and less fortunate, and while some may not be able to financially assist someone in need, there are other ways that you can care for those around you. When you care for those who need some kind of connection in their life, your good deeds can empower you to come closer to all that God has intended. And those people who tried to pull you away will see that your intention of focusing on God and what He has for your life will certainly have an impact on them. Focus intentionally on living a life God wants for you and not one that you think you want for yourself.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, March 7, 2025
Friday, February 28, 2025
Fantastic Friday #982 - Choices
Choices
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; Philippians 1:21-23
We all have choices we make daily, some are good and some not so much. The freedom to make choices is a true blessing from God, and you probably wonder how I can say this when some of our choices are not the best. Well, if you think about all your choices you make daily, the good ones have a positive impact and the bad ones, while maybe have a negative impact, in the long run there may be something positive that comes of it. Negative or bad choices are typically influenced by the enemy, and usually when we make these choices we are further away from God and His teachings. When we see the negative impact of our choice, I can think that most times we can see how this drives us down a path we don't want to be on, especially if we want to follow Christ and His teachings. So when we see that we are on the wrong path, we have to choose to get back on the right path, a negative choice becomes a positive one as long as we choose to work on ourselves and come closer to God. I am not saying negative choices are good, but I am saying because of the goodness of our Lord and Savior, we can turn those into positive choices by His forgiveness. Take a moment to think about your choices today and what kind of impact they will have on others and yourself. The power to choose is very powerful and we need to remember who chose us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; Philippians 1:21-23
We all have choices we make daily, some are good and some not so much. The freedom to make choices is a true blessing from God, and you probably wonder how I can say this when some of our choices are not the best. Well, if you think about all your choices you make daily, the good ones have a positive impact and the bad ones, while maybe have a negative impact, in the long run there may be something positive that comes of it. Negative or bad choices are typically influenced by the enemy, and usually when we make these choices we are further away from God and His teachings. When we see the negative impact of our choice, I can think that most times we can see how this drives us down a path we don't want to be on, especially if we want to follow Christ and His teachings. So when we see that we are on the wrong path, we have to choose to get back on the right path, a negative choice becomes a positive one as long as we choose to work on ourselves and come closer to God. I am not saying negative choices are good, but I am saying because of the goodness of our Lord and Savior, we can turn those into positive choices by His forgiveness. Take a moment to think about your choices today and what kind of impact they will have on others and yourself. The power to choose is very powerful and we need to remember who chose us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 21, 2025
Fantastic Friday #981 - Refreshes
Refreshes
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. Psalm 23:2-4
This scripture is part of a longer one that is most often read at a funeral, but if you look carefully there is some other contextual information that we can use daily. How often I want to be refreshed, and especially this week when I have been sick, I have searched for refreshment and hoped for the illness to leave me. Just like many times that David cried out, I did the same but I didn't think about him refreshing my soul at the same time of taking away the illness. We can get narrowed in on the wrong things many times and lose focus on what we should, when our hope should be in our Lord and Savior and not what we want. If we spend more time looking for the refreshment that our Lord and Savior provides, we will come closer to Him and what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. Psalm 23:2-4
This scripture is part of a longer one that is most often read at a funeral, but if you look carefully there is some other contextual information that we can use daily. How often I want to be refreshed, and especially this week when I have been sick, I have searched for refreshment and hoped for the illness to leave me. Just like many times that David cried out, I did the same but I didn't think about him refreshing my soul at the same time of taking away the illness. We can get narrowed in on the wrong things many times and lose focus on what we should, when our hope should be in our Lord and Savior and not what we want. If we spend more time looking for the refreshment that our Lord and Savior provides, we will come closer to Him and what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 14, 2025
Fantastic Friday #980 - Relationships
Relationships
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5
When you think about the relationships that you have, do you go into all of them with the same mindset as Christ Jesus? Relationships are hard, and it is something that I struggle with regularly. I have certain individuals that I can call close personal friends, my family is my number one relationship that I tend to try and work on daily, and sometimes I wonder how successful I am. The thing about relationships and strengthening them is that they require attention. The attention to detail, the focus on communication, the clearness of our intentions, and the true love of God behind us and our role in these relationships. There is no self-help book that can grow a relationship, while there are tools to assist, the true way to grow a relationship is having God with us and allowing Him to work through us. If we ignore the example that Jesus gave in his relationships, we are not going to get very far. So, in your relationships you have, whether they are spouses, kids, friends, extended family or the annoying co-worker, look to God to guide you in your relationship building and know that He has set the perfect example.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5
When you think about the relationships that you have, do you go into all of them with the same mindset as Christ Jesus? Relationships are hard, and it is something that I struggle with regularly. I have certain individuals that I can call close personal friends, my family is my number one relationship that I tend to try and work on daily, and sometimes I wonder how successful I am. The thing about relationships and strengthening them is that they require attention. The attention to detail, the focus on communication, the clearness of our intentions, and the true love of God behind us and our role in these relationships. There is no self-help book that can grow a relationship, while there are tools to assist, the true way to grow a relationship is having God with us and allowing Him to work through us. If we ignore the example that Jesus gave in his relationships, we are not going to get very far. So, in your relationships you have, whether they are spouses, kids, friends, extended family or the annoying co-worker, look to God to guide you in your relationship building and know that He has set the perfect example.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 7, 2025
Fantastic Friday #979 - Darkness
Darkness
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. Genesis 1:14-15
Do you ever think about why we have darkness at night and what its main purpose is for us? I think often when I am driving at night, or walking in the early morning of the darkness about when God created the light and the dark, was there more than one purpose. The answer you would think would be pretty clear, but in today's world where society operates 24 hours a day, it is hard to think that it was just a way to make the earth work. Look at this scripture and how it talks about a way to mark sacred times. I believe his reminder of the days passing to reach those sacred times gives us something to acknowledge and hope for, and he didn't make our bodies to operate 24 hours per day. He created a period where we could rest and recover after long days and it is modeled after what He did on the seventh day of creation. The darkness closes a day of light and wonder, and each morning when the light comes back, a new day has been created for us to thrive and hope for the future we have with Him. Get rest and focus on looking forward to those sacred times.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. Genesis 1:14-15
Do you ever think about why we have darkness at night and what its main purpose is for us? I think often when I am driving at night, or walking in the early morning of the darkness about when God created the light and the dark, was there more than one purpose. The answer you would think would be pretty clear, but in today's world where society operates 24 hours a day, it is hard to think that it was just a way to make the earth work. Look at this scripture and how it talks about a way to mark sacred times. I believe his reminder of the days passing to reach those sacred times gives us something to acknowledge and hope for, and he didn't make our bodies to operate 24 hours per day. He created a period where we could rest and recover after long days and it is modeled after what He did on the seventh day of creation. The darkness closes a day of light and wonder, and each morning when the light comes back, a new day has been created for us to thrive and hope for the future we have with Him. Get rest and focus on looking forward to those sacred times.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 31, 2025
Fantastic Friday #978 - Tongue
Tongue
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3: 9-12
Do you ever think about your tongue and how it is used? I was held accountable this last week by a sermon I heard on these verses. My tongue can encourage, and praise God and then it also can at times bring about negativity or have something not so nice to say. How can I live like this praising God and speaking badly of others? I cannot, and it is clear in God's Word. I love the pictures in this scripture that God gives, It is a good reminder to think that if we are truly followers of Christ, we cannot be someone who curses others or speaks badly. I think we all need this reminder from time to time, especially in today's society when all people do is spend time attacking each other. Spend some time giving others grace, and know that we are made in God's likeness so we should act more like Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3: 9-12
Do you ever think about your tongue and how it is used? I was held accountable this last week by a sermon I heard on these verses. My tongue can encourage, and praise God and then it also can at times bring about negativity or have something not so nice to say. How can I live like this praising God and speaking badly of others? I cannot, and it is clear in God's Word. I love the pictures in this scripture that God gives, It is a good reminder to think that if we are truly followers of Christ, we cannot be someone who curses others or speaks badly. I think we all need this reminder from time to time, especially in today's society when all people do is spend time attacking each other. Spend some time giving others grace, and know that we are made in God's likeness so we should act more like Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 24, 2025
Fantastic Friday #977 - Relief
Relief
1 Lord, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead. Psalm 143:1-3
Where do you look for relief? Relief from pain, from suffering, from the world pounding down upon you from every direction. Some people turn to exercise, movies, reading and some people turn to more extreme ways to escape. How many of us turn to prayer and ask our Lord to help us through all the noise? I know that there are several things that I turn to and not all of them are completely good for my soul. Each time I spend time with the Lord, my perspective seems to change and bring about a calm disposition where I can focus on the things that give me relief in a positive way. I hope that you can find your relief and know that God wants us to call on him to escape the darkness.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
2 Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
3 The enemy pursues me,
he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
like those long dead. Psalm 143:1-3
Where do you look for relief? Relief from pain, from suffering, from the world pounding down upon you from every direction. Some people turn to exercise, movies, reading and some people turn to more extreme ways to escape. How many of us turn to prayer and ask our Lord to help us through all the noise? I know that there are several things that I turn to and not all of them are completely good for my soul. Each time I spend time with the Lord, my perspective seems to change and bring about a calm disposition where I can focus on the things that give me relief in a positive way. I hope that you can find your relief and know that God wants us to call on him to escape the darkness.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 17, 2025
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
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
Friday, January 10, 2025
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
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
Friday, January 3, 2025
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
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