Fantastic Friday #556 - Source

Source

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

This week I was talking and laughing with a friend, and we discussed how important is to have people in our lives to support each other in times of need, even those people we don't know. He related a story to me where he held a door open for a woman he had never met and after his usual morning greeting, she said "The Lord is your source." He said that she didn't speak another word and he was left to ponder what she meant. It is a very simplistic message that the Lord is our source for everything we need. We can call on him in desperate need, or we can use His Word to encourage us. I think we all need to remember that while He is the ultimate one to come to in need, there are also sources in our life to give support but we need to remember that only He can provide the grace we need.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #555 - Innocence

Innocence

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:12-14

This scripture is just a small piece of what Linus expressed as a young innocent child to his friends. He was explaining to others what the true meaning of Christmas is all about over 50 years ago in a television show that still lives on today. This is one of my favorite moments and still gets me emotional today. However, something so easily shared years ago is becoming overshadowed by people being offended by the story or it is being lost in the hustle and bustle of Christmas lights, gifts for pretty girls and bright shiny trees. If you look at the way I described Linus as being innocent, there is something else there to think about. Jesus came as a baby to the world to save all those who are willing to follow Him, and those people can be made clean and innocent through His sacrifice. So, if someone as innocent as a child can show us how to achieve innocence through our Lord and Savior, it is not that difficult. Remember as you go through this holiday that the true meaning of Christmas is simple but deeper than any superficial holiday that others want you to believe.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #554 - Trials

Trials

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:3-7

Trials, road blocks and dead ends. We have all had them in our lives and continue to have them because God is testing us. You probably ask, why is God testing me and always seem to test me. Have you thought of how many times you have had faith that God would help you the moment the trial came? A lot of times we forget the times where God has come through, and focus only on the current situation. We need to learn how we can focus on what He has done and what He can continue to do. Trials build faith, strength and love for our Lord and Savior. The next time a trial comes, think about His involvement.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #553 - Abundance

Abundance

2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2

How do you view abundance? Is it measured by what you have possession of in your life? Maybe you have an abundance of food in your cabinets, or maybe you have an abundance of toys to play with, or maybe you have an abundance of money within your family. What about love? Do you have an abundance of love for your fellow man, for your family or even an abundance of care for others? Maybe we shouldn't look at the abundance in our lives of personal possessions, but more of what we can provide to others that doesn't deal with giving away money or things. In this scripture Grace and Peace are mentioned to be yours in abundance, but not through any possession these people are given, but through a knowledge of God. Use your knowledge of God and His simple commands to remember how we can bless people with abundance, especially during the holiday season.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #552 - Weakness

Weakness

4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you. 2 Corinthians 13:4

We all have weakness in our lives. What is your weakness? If you have to think too long about it, you are not being honest with yourself. Weaknesses come in many forms, shapes and sizes. They can be very distracting for us and pull us away from where we need to be in our lives. Weaknesses can also make us stronger, but only if we allow God to guide us out of challenges to our weaknesses. Don't try to make it on your own, because we are weakest when we are by ourselves. Surround yourself with people who love God and recognize that through His power we can be made complete. Remember, through our weakness we can be strong through God.

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #551 - Hills

Hills

11 You crown the year with your bounty,
    and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the wilderness overflow;
    the hills are clothed with gladness. Psalm 65:11-12

Do you ever sit and think about the hills that you climb?  As we were hiking this week there was something I noticed.  Some of the hills were long periods of a gradual climb and some were a more aggressive incline that required a little bit more effort. I think as we look at the bounty that we have in our lives, we can take a look at these hills we face differently.  One moment our lives can be filled with abundance, and then other times we can face steep or long uphill climbs.  It is all in how we attack those climbs which can either lead to a positive experience or a negative one. Keep in mind all the times your climbs have been successful and full of gladness. Those are the climbs I want to have, how about you?

Have a great weekend.

Fantastic Friday #550 - Rubies

Rubies

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10-12

Why is a ruby red and why do people find it to be so valuable, even in Biblical times? A ruby is red because of an element in its makeup called Chromium. Chromium is an essential part of metabolic processes that regulate blood sugar, and helps insulin transport glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy. Chromium is also the source code that is used in Google's Chrome web browser. It is interesting how the basics of a ruby can play such an important part in our life and our survival, and it is funny how a company can see the importance of such an element to name their own processes out of it. So what does all this have to do with rubies and Biblical times and our time? Well, look how valuable a ruby has been considered over the ages. A precious gem that brings happiness to some. What is even more interesting is the importance that God places on our wives, and how they are worth more than rubies. It kind of puts things in perspective, and while scripture doesn't say it here, I know that each and every one of us is more valuable to God then a ruby. In these times of strife and the unknown, rely on the fact that each person is more valuable than a ruby and treat them as such. If chromium can help a body function, think about how your kindness could impact someone.

Have a great weekend.