Fantastic Friday #1012 - Reaching

Reaching

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

Do you feel grace reaching out to you? When I think about the grace that God has given us, I also see the faith that it takes me to really understand His grace. I can honestly say at times in my life, my faith has faltered and I felt like His grace wasn't enough to move me where I needed to be. As I have grown older, had kids and raised them, I can see where God has been faithful in so many ways and His grace has become even more clear. I also am proud of my children and the steps they are taking as adults to walk in the grace our father has provided. I see them reaching out in life to their families and others, and growing their faith in what is to come. Remember to be thankful to our God by reaching and giving thanks for the wonderful gifts He has provided. Not all our answers will be given now, our faith may be tested, but we all know that His grace is enough for all of us.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #1011 - Neighbor

Neighbor

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:32-33

Do you often think of who your neighbor is, and how it relates to God's commandment? Neighbors typically refer to someone who lives nearby, but I believe this can be expanded to someone who you regularly come into contact with in your daily existence. In the scriptures, neighbor can apply to a friend, companion, fellow or another person and in old testament times it related to fellow countrymen. You can see that it almost encompasses everyone you would come in contact with on a daily basis. How easy is it to love your neighbor in today's society? I would assume your answer would be the same as mine, as not being very easy. Let's put it a different way, how many of your neighbors do you think that God loves? If He wants us to love Him first with all our heart, then He wants us to love others as He loves them. He places this above all other things, including the sacrifices and offerings people made back in the day. If God found this to be so important, maybe we need to stop and make it more important in our own lives and give others what He already gives them.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #1010 - Rejoice

Rejoice

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Have you experienced times where you find it really hard to rejoice? I know that there are times in hardship that we focus so much on the negative, that we can't get ourselves to stop and rejoice and give thanks. When circumstances change and we feel like God has left us on an island, put up a huge roadblock, or said 'no' very clearly, we can put our life into a self-deprecating corner and not remember who we really are to God. We need to remember that we are God's children, and every aspect of our life is about God's plan and He wants success and happiness for us. The easiest way to remember who we are is by always rejoicing. Thanking God in prayer for all He has done for you in your life, and giving Him the accolades He deserves for our world and life. God's plan will endure, and even in the worst circumstances, God's plan for us is bigger than anyone can recognize. Rejoice and give thanks, in that order.

Have a great weekend.

Matt

Fantastic Friday #1009 - Guard

Guard


13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 2 Timothy 1:13-14


Have you ever looked at a security guard and wondered what they are guarding? What is so valuable that a place of business has to have something guarded. Sometimes guards are used to deter people from committing a crime, and in today's world we see a lot of things that people find as valuable to be protected. What do you do to guard and protect yourself from the enemy and his tactics to pull you away from our father. If you look at this scripture, it is quite simple. Listening to proper teaching and keeping the love in Christ are the easiest way to guard your heart. I like the picture that God has placed a deposit in us when we accept Christ in our life, and what a beautiful picture of the Holy Spirit guarding that gift we have received. It is easy to stray from realizing how important God's deposit is to our existence, so we need to just remember how valuable the deposit is to us and others. Guard your heart against the enemy and your reward will be great.


Have a great weekend.


Matt