Ahead
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
Are you one of those people who are always looking behind them to see how things were, what you did, or what you wish you would have done? If you are that kind of person, may I remind you that you cannot change the past, unless you are some kind of time traveler and I have not seen evidence of this ability in my time on earth. It is very easy to look back, and we all do it, but we can take the past and press forward to the future in order to make a difference. I am a history buff and look back a lot at our past history in order to see how we compare or have we changed, but I also look back to see if we have gotten better. I think if we could remember the bad past just enough to move ahead to the future, all of our lives might be different, and if we focus on the prize at the end, I certainly believe in a better future. Take the steps to move ahead to what God has called you to. Your life will be impacted, I guarantee it.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 15, 2019
Friday, February 8, 2019
Fantastic Friday #667 - Good
Good
10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.” Romans 3:10-12
There was a friend of mine who asked this week if people can be considered good without involving religion. I believe that was the question, however it has now been deleted. My first thoughts were that I commented with was that no one is good, which brought the question back to me of why do you say that Matt. I quoted a Romans scripture that was not this particular one above, but was more of the answer to who is good since all have fallen short. I think if you look at the definition of good, then this might be more clear. Good = morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, pious. How many of us can honestly look at this definition of good and say that we are good. I know I can't, but that doesn't mean I cannot strive to be good. The only way we can strive to be good is through a relationship with our father, and through religion we can come closer to our Father because there is an intentional focus with religion on God. So there is truth to both, while you don't have to have religion to have a relationship with God, it sure does make it easier. You just have to make sure that the religion you choose to involve yourself with is closely embedded with the teachings of God and does not primarily focus on a man or a woman, or an earthly inheritance that can bring you nothing but brief happiness. Choose God first and work on that relationship with Him daily.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.” Romans 3:10-12
There was a friend of mine who asked this week if people can be considered good without involving religion. I believe that was the question, however it has now been deleted. My first thoughts were that I commented with was that no one is good, which brought the question back to me of why do you say that Matt. I quoted a Romans scripture that was not this particular one above, but was more of the answer to who is good since all have fallen short. I think if you look at the definition of good, then this might be more clear. Good = morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, pious. How many of us can honestly look at this definition of good and say that we are good. I know I can't, but that doesn't mean I cannot strive to be good. The only way we can strive to be good is through a relationship with our father, and through religion we can come closer to our Father because there is an intentional focus with religion on God. So there is truth to both, while you don't have to have religion to have a relationship with God, it sure does make it easier. You just have to make sure that the religion you choose to involve yourself with is closely embedded with the teachings of God and does not primarily focus on a man or a woman, or an earthly inheritance that can bring you nothing but brief happiness. Choose God first and work on that relationship with Him daily.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 1, 2019
Fantastic Friday #665 - Self Control
Self Control
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:1-8
How in control are you of the things that you do? Do you practice self-control? Lately a young man I know has been tossing things around at people, and not thinking clearly about what he is tossing before he does it and what the ultimate impact might be. I also know some people who are not careful with what they are eating and drinking, even though they know that they shouldn't be eating certain foods and drinking certain things, they continue to do it. I also know that I personally struggle with self control on many things throughout the day and find myself wondering why I have negative thoughts about people and their actions, instead of focusing on my own self control and personal actions. God wants us to be in self control and humble ourselves to Him for what He wants for us. Faith comes with that self control and allows us to endure the pain of whatever we are struggling with. So, don't spend time thinking you can't control what you are doing, know that with God you can practice the self-control and the humble obedience He wants from us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:1-8
How in control are you of the things that you do? Do you practice self-control? Lately a young man I know has been tossing things around at people, and not thinking clearly about what he is tossing before he does it and what the ultimate impact might be. I also know some people who are not careful with what they are eating and drinking, even though they know that they shouldn't be eating certain foods and drinking certain things, they continue to do it. I also know that I personally struggle with self control on many things throughout the day and find myself wondering why I have negative thoughts about people and their actions, instead of focusing on my own self control and personal actions. God wants us to be in self control and humble ourselves to Him for what He wants for us. Faith comes with that self control and allows us to endure the pain of whatever we are struggling with. So, don't spend time thinking you can't control what you are doing, know that with God you can practice the self-control and the humble obedience He wants from us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 25, 2019
Fantastic Friday #664 - demons
demons
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
I believe in demons in today's world and I wonder if you do as well. Do you know why I believe in demons, because not only did Jesus have a lot of experience with demons, but satan is allowed to rule the earth. I watched a show the other night before bed and it had some demonic activity in it. While I knew in my heart it wasn't real, and only a show, the demons saw an open door and wanted to remind me they were there. And sure enough I struggled with sleep and had burning thoughts of issues at work that I am having and they made them bigger in my mind than what they should be. We need to remember that God is bigger than all these things, and can protect us if we call on Him to help. We cannot abandon our faith in our Lord but must continually be thoughtful and thankful for all He provides.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1-3
I believe in demons in today's world and I wonder if you do as well. Do you know why I believe in demons, because not only did Jesus have a lot of experience with demons, but satan is allowed to rule the earth. I watched a show the other night before bed and it had some demonic activity in it. While I knew in my heart it wasn't real, and only a show, the demons saw an open door and wanted to remind me they were there. And sure enough I struggled with sleep and had burning thoughts of issues at work that I am having and they made them bigger in my mind than what they should be. We need to remember that God is bigger than all these things, and can protect us if we call on Him to help. We cannot abandon our faith in our Lord but must continually be thoughtful and thankful for all He provides.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 18, 2019
Fantastic Friday #663 - Weeds
Weeds
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Matthew 13:37-39
I had a friend tell me a story about a menacing thick weed in his yard that had been taken down months ago and the weed came back even stronger than before. So strong, he mentioned, it reminded of the Beanstalk, which was going to be a challenge but he got his gloves for protection and began the process of removing the weed. In order to keep the weed from coming back he visited his local greenery to purchase something to keep it from growing even higher. Once he got the weed removed, he thought he was safe and took his protection off to begin removing some of the thorns and sure enough he got pricked by the thorns. This story reminded me of the story in Matthew where the good seed is the Son of Man and the weeds are the people of the evil one. As long as we keep the protection of the Lord around us, we will be protected, but the moment we remove that protection is the moment we will be pricked and engulfed by the weeds. Remember that all we have to do is remind ourselves that God is our protection daily and can help us through those thorny situations.
Have a great weekend.
37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. Matthew 13:37-39
I had a friend tell me a story about a menacing thick weed in his yard that had been taken down months ago and the weed came back even stronger than before. So strong, he mentioned, it reminded of the Beanstalk, which was going to be a challenge but he got his gloves for protection and began the process of removing the weed. In order to keep the weed from coming back he visited his local greenery to purchase something to keep it from growing even higher. Once he got the weed removed, he thought he was safe and took his protection off to begin removing some of the thorns and sure enough he got pricked by the thorns. This story reminded me of the story in Matthew where the good seed is the Son of Man and the weeds are the people of the evil one. As long as we keep the protection of the Lord around us, we will be protected, but the moment we remove that protection is the moment we will be pricked and engulfed by the weeds. Remember that all we have to do is remind ourselves that God is our protection daily and can help us through those thorny situations.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 11, 2019
Fantastic Friday #662 - Hands
Hands
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 138:6-8
Have you looked at your hands today? What do they look like? Do they appear that you have worked hard and put forth significant effort, or do they appear lazy, soft and unmovable? God gave us hands to do many things and accomplish things as well, but in order to use our hands we have to use our brain, because this organ controls everything. What have you done with your brain today to come closer to God? Was it prayer, there is a simple one out there you can speak daily. Is it read and absorb God's Word? There are over 800,000 words in the Bible, surely you can absorb some of those, especially if you can remember song lyrics, movie lines, or the latest YouTube video phenomenon. The great thing about this verse is that it shows how God has hands like us, that can be used to protect us from the things of this world that want to pull us away from Him. If you work with your mind and hands to come closer to Him, he will protect you from the trouble you face. The further away from Him we run, the further away from His hands we become. Stay within reach of our Father, for only He can vindicate us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 138:6-8
Have you looked at your hands today? What do they look like? Do they appear that you have worked hard and put forth significant effort, or do they appear lazy, soft and unmovable? God gave us hands to do many things and accomplish things as well, but in order to use our hands we have to use our brain, because this organ controls everything. What have you done with your brain today to come closer to God? Was it prayer, there is a simple one out there you can speak daily. Is it read and absorb God's Word? There are over 800,000 words in the Bible, surely you can absorb some of those, especially if you can remember song lyrics, movie lines, or the latest YouTube video phenomenon. The great thing about this verse is that it shows how God has hands like us, that can be used to protect us from the things of this world that want to pull us away from Him. If you work with your mind and hands to come closer to Him, he will protect you from the trouble you face. The further away from Him we run, the further away from His hands we become. Stay within reach of our Father, for only He can vindicate us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, January 4, 2019
Fantastic Friday #661 - Mercy
Mercy
6 Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:6-7
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word mercy? The first thing that comes to my mind is compassion and an act of kindness. How have you shown mercy to someone this week? There is less compassion in our world today, for many reasons, and I think the biggest reason is because we don't acknowledge the mercy our Lord and Savior gives us daily. Once we start recognizing the Mercy our Lord heaps on us, then maybe we can see how it makes us feel and can provide mercy for those others that are less fortunate than us. Take a moment this week and ask God for mercy for whatever situation you are experiencing and then take that mercy and remember that daily for a week. Maybe then you can see how it can make a difference and then show mercy to others whenever you can.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
6 Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:6-7
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word mercy? The first thing that comes to my mind is compassion and an act of kindness. How have you shown mercy to someone this week? There is less compassion in our world today, for many reasons, and I think the biggest reason is because we don't acknowledge the mercy our Lord and Savior gives us daily. Once we start recognizing the Mercy our Lord heaps on us, then maybe we can see how it makes us feel and can provide mercy for those others that are less fortunate than us. Take a moment this week and ask God for mercy for whatever situation you are experiencing and then take that mercy and remember that daily for a week. Maybe then you can see how it can make a difference and then show mercy to others whenever you can.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)