Suffering
31 For the Lord
will not reject us forever.
32 Even if He causes suffering,
He will show compassion
according to His abundant, faithful love.
33 For He does not enjoy bringing affliction
or suffering on mankind. Lamentations 3:31-33
Do you think the circumstances around you are a result of the world's rejection of God? We can look back at the history of the world and find where God punished people for rejecting him and worshiping other gods. While I don't believe that God is causing suffering to take place now because specific people have rejected Him, I do believe that God allows us to suffer to turn back to Him. There was a scripture my son shared with me this last week that pointed to the fact if we pray and seek His face, and turn from our evil ways, he will heal our land. Maybe we need to start thinking about seeking, turning, and praying to see what God can do. He is mighty and he certainly doesn't like to see us suffer.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, March 20, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Fantastic Friday #724 - Promises
Promises
3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
There is evil in the world, so much evil I wonder some days if the good can still overpower the evil acts and craziness that goes on. Did you see that statement? If good can still overpower evil. That is how a lot of us tend to think about things. Maybe we need to focus on the promises that God has given. He's already won the battle, and we get so deep into our lives, sometimes we tend to forget that. He gave Satan free reign over this world, and it needs to be within each one of us to battle it. He gives us the tools and the spirit to fight against the negativity and corruption, we just need to reach into that tool belt and use them. The promises are there and we will have them according to His goodness.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
There is evil in the world, so much evil I wonder some days if the good can still overpower the evil acts and craziness that goes on. Did you see that statement? If good can still overpower evil. That is how a lot of us tend to think about things. Maybe we need to focus on the promises that God has given. He's already won the battle, and we get so deep into our lives, sometimes we tend to forget that. He gave Satan free reign over this world, and it needs to be within each one of us to battle it. He gives us the tools and the spirit to fight against the negativity and corruption, we just need to reach into that tool belt and use them. The promises are there and we will have them according to His goodness.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, March 6, 2020
Fantastic Friday #723 - Signs
Signs
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. Hebrews 2:3-5
Every day we look for signs. These signs we look for are sometimes related to an acknowledgement that we are doing the right thing, walking the correct path, or living how we should be living. I looked this week for a different sign and one that I did not receive an answer for until I truly listened. God gives signs and wonders all the time, and sometimes we just don't pay attention to His sign for us. Our hearts need to be right and God needs to be willing to give us a sign. It seems that we so often wait for something that seems to last for days. I was happy to finally receive a sign that was calming and clear, and we just need to wait His will. Wait for the sign that God has in store, and the sign will be clear.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. Hebrews 2:3-5
Every day we look for signs. These signs we look for are sometimes related to an acknowledgement that we are doing the right thing, walking the correct path, or living how we should be living. I looked this week for a different sign and one that I did not receive an answer for until I truly listened. God gives signs and wonders all the time, and sometimes we just don't pay attention to His sign for us. Our hearts need to be right and God needs to be willing to give us a sign. It seems that we so often wait for something that seems to last for days. I was happy to finally receive a sign that was calming and clear, and we just need to wait His will. Wait for the sign that God has in store, and the sign will be clear.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 28, 2020
Fantastic Friday #722 - Resting Place
Resting Place
This is what the Lord says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
2 Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word. Isaiah 66:1-2
This week my mom went to her final resting place in Heaven. Do you ever think about where your final resting place is going to be? God clearly outlines that those that are humble and contrite in spirit and fear His word are the ones He looks on favorably. I can say without a doubt that I am not always humble and contrite, and I don't always tremble as I should, but God has created a way through His son Jesus Christ for us to be ones that He can look on with favor. Knowing that mom was always a humble caring individual gave me strength this last week where I know that she is in the place she needs to be. She is no longer suffering but rejoicing in the heavenly realms, where God created a place for all of us. Keep God at the forefront of your lives so that your resting place will be with Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
This is what the Lord says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
2 Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“These are the ones I look on with favor:
those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
and who tremble at my word. Isaiah 66:1-2
This week my mom went to her final resting place in Heaven. Do you ever think about where your final resting place is going to be? God clearly outlines that those that are humble and contrite in spirit and fear His word are the ones He looks on favorably. I can say without a doubt that I am not always humble and contrite, and I don't always tremble as I should, but God has created a way through His son Jesus Christ for us to be ones that He can look on with favor. Knowing that mom was always a humble caring individual gave me strength this last week where I know that she is in the place she needs to be. She is no longer suffering but rejoicing in the heavenly realms, where God created a place for all of us. Keep God at the forefront of your lives so that your resting place will be with Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 21, 2020
Fantastic Friday #721- His Will
His Will
14 Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. 1 John 5:14-15
God has always done things according to His will and not ours. We typically find ourselves wondering why my will is not done, but even when Jesus taught His disciples about praying, He taught them "thy will be done" which is certainly not our will be done. I have been wondering this week why He heals some and not others, why some suffer and others are miraculously healed. I know it is all related to His will. We don't understand these things, and it is because God does not reveal His plan for us clearly, but it will all be made clear some day. We just need to have faith in His will and his plan, and He does hear us, it is just what we are asking for may not be in His plan but we should not give up asking.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
14 Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for. 1 John 5:14-15
God has always done things according to His will and not ours. We typically find ourselves wondering why my will is not done, but even when Jesus taught His disciples about praying, He taught them "thy will be done" which is certainly not our will be done. I have been wondering this week why He heals some and not others, why some suffer and others are miraculously healed. I know it is all related to His will. We don't understand these things, and it is because God does not reveal His plan for us clearly, but it will all be made clear some day. We just need to have faith in His will and his plan, and He does hear us, it is just what we are asking for may not be in His plan but we should not give up asking.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 14, 2020
Fantastic Friday #720 - Hope
Hope
3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
I don't often enough think of how hope and faith intertwine so seamlessly. Maybe we need to look at how feelings turn into beliefs. When we are going through circumstances, people say have faith and the outcome will be there for you, but a lot of times our faith/belief is not there. This is probably because we haven't focused on the hope/feeling we have about what difficulty can be resolved. We must feel first before we believe in any situation, the reason is because our feelings drive our hearts and belief. If we have negative feelings about the outcome of something, then our belief is not going to even have a chance at starting because we have already squashed it. We must have the hope and positive belief that God will provide answers/solutions/healing in our life and that feeling can turn easily into belief/faith that God will provide. We need the one to have the other, and that is why you always see Faith, Hope and Love together. They all rely deeply on each other. So, use your hope to lead into faith. God will provide.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
I don't often enough think of how hope and faith intertwine so seamlessly. Maybe we need to look at how feelings turn into beliefs. When we are going through circumstances, people say have faith and the outcome will be there for you, but a lot of times our faith/belief is not there. This is probably because we haven't focused on the hope/feeling we have about what difficulty can be resolved. We must feel first before we believe in any situation, the reason is because our feelings drive our hearts and belief. If we have negative feelings about the outcome of something, then our belief is not going to even have a chance at starting because we have already squashed it. We must have the hope and positive belief that God will provide answers/solutions/healing in our life and that feeling can turn easily into belief/faith that God will provide. We need the one to have the other, and that is why you always see Faith, Hope and Love together. They all rely deeply on each other. So, use your hope to lead into faith. God will provide.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, February 7, 2020
Fantastic Friday #719 - Deeds
Deeds
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:23-27
How do you practice good deeds? Is is something you specifically plan out each day saying I am going to do this and do that and then my good deeds are done for the day. Or, do you think, I am going to do one good deed today and they world gets in the way and when you are in bed you think, man I just forgot to do something good today. Or, do you do the right thing and practice good deeds as a part of your normal daily routine? There is nothing wrong with reminding yourself you need to perform good deeds, but they need to come from the heart and not done to just a check box. Maybe a good start is to recognize the deeds that God performs for us daily and do we ever thank Him for His deeds? If we start with praising God and His deeds, then it is a whole lot easier to perform good deeds for others not for ourselves, but to honor Him. Just remember not to get caught up in the "I must do my good deed" to mark it off my list, but perform your good deeds that should come from your heart and show others the love of Christ.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
24 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
25 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
27 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his dwelling place. 1 Chronicles 16:23-27
How do you practice good deeds? Is is something you specifically plan out each day saying I am going to do this and do that and then my good deeds are done for the day. Or, do you think, I am going to do one good deed today and they world gets in the way and when you are in bed you think, man I just forgot to do something good today. Or, do you do the right thing and practice good deeds as a part of your normal daily routine? There is nothing wrong with reminding yourself you need to perform good deeds, but they need to come from the heart and not done to just a check box. Maybe a good start is to recognize the deeds that God performs for us daily and do we ever thank Him for His deeds? If we start with praising God and His deeds, then it is a whole lot easier to perform good deeds for others not for ourselves, but to honor Him. Just remember not to get caught up in the "I must do my good deed" to mark it off my list, but perform your good deeds that should come from your heart and show others the love of Christ.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
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