Seek
4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Lord, do not delay. Psalm 70:4-5
It is easy during this time of year to rejoice in what God has done for us, maybe it is because of all of the joyful music and family time. But that is not the case with everyone. Slowly, our society has focused on the supposed joy of getting the best gift or giving something that will benefit them. How often outside this period of holiday season do you seek God? I mean truly seek Him daily, looking to Him for guidance and protection, or is God just one of those conveniences that you call on Him only when you think you need Him. God doesn't want that, He wants a relationship with each and every one of His children. So, take a moment to seek out God and all that He has for us, because while He is always there for us, most times He makes us seek Him for a while before He answers. Keep seeking and being joyous for all that He gives.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, November 30, 2018
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Fantastic Friday #655 - Beauty
Beauty
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages. Psalm 50:1-3
How many of us really sit and look at the world around us, how it moves and changes? How many of us actually take the time to see the beauty of the world? Beauty can be found in many things, in the trees, in the water, and the sun. Have you really looked at the beauty and acknowledge that God created all of this magnificence? If you look at the power of God to see how he makes the sun rise, the sun set, the wind blow, and the world change; you can truly see the beauty of God. We can’t be blinded by what the enemy shows us as supposed beauty. Beauty can only come from God and only God can lead us to that next step in our lives. Look at God’s beauty in a different light this week and acknowledge his beauty with prayer.
1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.
3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages. Psalm 50:1-3
How many of us really sit and look at the world around us, how it moves and changes? How many of us actually take the time to see the beauty of the world? Beauty can be found in many things, in the trees, in the water, and the sun. Have you really looked at the beauty and acknowledge that God created all of this magnificence? If you look at the power of God to see how he makes the sun rise, the sun set, the wind blow, and the world change; you can truly see the beauty of God. We can’t be blinded by what the enemy shows us as supposed beauty. Beauty can only come from God and only God can lead us to that next step in our lives. Look at God’s beauty in a different light this week and acknowledge his beauty with prayer.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, November 16, 2018
Fantastic Friday #654 - Pure
Pure
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12
In today's world it is hard many days to keep a pure heart. The enemy is always showing us things, and telling us things that he hopes will damage us and pull us away from God. I think back to when I was young compared to now with my children and know that they have it so much more difficult than I did growing up. But the temptation was always there, just like it is today and every day because the enemy is battling for us. But we have something the enemy doesn't, and that is the power of God who can create a pure heart within each of us, we just have to want that pure heart and need to be willing to let God change us. Let God work in you and let Him be that Spirit that sustains you.
Have a great weekend.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12
In today's world it is hard many days to keep a pure heart. The enemy is always showing us things, and telling us things that he hopes will damage us and pull us away from God. I think back to when I was young compared to now with my children and know that they have it so much more difficult than I did growing up. But the temptation was always there, just like it is today and every day because the enemy is battling for us. But we have something the enemy doesn't, and that is the power of God who can create a pure heart within each of us, we just have to want that pure heart and need to be willing to let God change us. Let God work in you and let Him be that Spirit that sustains you.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, November 9, 2018
Fantastic Friday #653 - Spirit
Spirit
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:13-15
Do you find yourself at random times being led by the spirit, or do you get swallowed up by the "stuff" around you and not let the Spirit feed into you? I had a friend message me out of the blue this week to tell me that he had a dream about me and was led to pray for me. These kinds of promptings from God are not things we should ignore, but are things we should let the Spirit guide us through. Whatever the prompting, God leads people to lift others up in times of challenge and distress, He also leads people to keep in mind others that He knows are questioning where they are in their life. We must not brush off the prompting of the Spirit because there is definitely a message there, it is up to us to follow through with what God wants us to do so that we may be comforted by Him. He wants us to be happy and lead a life of love and care for others. Don't ignore the prompting, but led it guide you further in your relationship with Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:13-15
Do you find yourself at random times being led by the spirit, or do you get swallowed up by the "stuff" around you and not let the Spirit feed into you? I had a friend message me out of the blue this week to tell me that he had a dream about me and was led to pray for me. These kinds of promptings from God are not things we should ignore, but are things we should let the Spirit guide us through. Whatever the prompting, God leads people to lift others up in times of challenge and distress, He also leads people to keep in mind others that He knows are questioning where they are in their life. We must not brush off the prompting of the Spirit because there is definitely a message there, it is up to us to follow through with what God wants us to do so that we may be comforted by Him. He wants us to be happy and lead a life of love and care for others. Don't ignore the prompting, but led it guide you further in your relationship with Him.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, November 2, 2018
Fantastic Friday #652 - Respect
Respect
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 2 Peter 2:16-17
I had a couple of occasions this week where I saw situations where people were not giving respect and respect was not given to a group of people. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of living a life, because we are always judging others based on how we think people should live. In today's society, people hide behind their social media accounts and disrespect others regularly. It is easy to say something about someone or judge someone behind a keyboard and screen, but it is harder to do something like that in person. We cannot hide behind a veil of what we think is protection and be disrespectful to others. If we have an issue with others we need to come out from behind the drapes and pixels of the computer screen and respectfully confront the individuals you may have an issue with, and create a dialogue. This is where we have gone down a path of disrespect, we cannot have a simple conversation with people of a differing belief system because we have already pre-judged that individual. Learn to respect others and know that God is in charge and we are not.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 2 Peter 2:16-17
I had a couple of occasions this week where I saw situations where people were not giving respect and respect was not given to a group of people. This can be one of the most challenging aspects of living a life, because we are always judging others based on how we think people should live. In today's society, people hide behind their social media accounts and disrespect others regularly. It is easy to say something about someone or judge someone behind a keyboard and screen, but it is harder to do something like that in person. We cannot hide behind a veil of what we think is protection and be disrespectful to others. If we have an issue with others we need to come out from behind the drapes and pixels of the computer screen and respectfully confront the individuals you may have an issue with, and create a dialogue. This is where we have gone down a path of disrespect, we cannot have a simple conversation with people of a differing belief system because we have already pre-judged that individual. Learn to respect others and know that God is in charge and we are not.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, October 26, 2018
Fantastic Friday #651 - Guide
Guide
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Psalm 31:1-3
I read a story this week about an old friend who had forgiven someone who devastated his family through a horrible series of events years ago. Even though that power of forgiveness from God took place, he still held onto that grief that burdened him. He had still felt that grief and he stated that he has found self-growth and recovery over the years, but never found that he has grieved fully. While he hasn't grieved fully, I know God is with him because of the ability to forgive. We tend to forget that we don't need to be the strong one and we can rely on our true fortress to guide us through any circumstance. I know that my Father in Heaven guides me in the path I should go, and I need to remember daily to ask Him to protect me. Take your step to ask God for help and guidance and I guarantee you the pieces will fall into place.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.
3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Psalm 31:1-3
I read a story this week about an old friend who had forgiven someone who devastated his family through a horrible series of events years ago. Even though that power of forgiveness from God took place, he still held onto that grief that burdened him. He had still felt that grief and he stated that he has found self-growth and recovery over the years, but never found that he has grieved fully. While he hasn't grieved fully, I know God is with him because of the ability to forgive. We tend to forget that we don't need to be the strong one and we can rely on our true fortress to guide us through any circumstance. I know that my Father in Heaven guides me in the path I should go, and I need to remember daily to ask Him to protect me. Take your step to ask God for help and guidance and I guarantee you the pieces will fall into place.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, October 19, 2018
Fantastic Friday #650 - Sing
Sing
Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 96:1-3
Yesterday our family lost a beautiful, caring wonderful woman. She was a woman that cared deeply for all of those around her and how just a few weeks ago over Facetime, recognized me and smiled at me after many years of battling Alzheimer's. She was a woman who had a hilarious laugh, and also a woman who loved to sing. I can imagine her singing with her sister Eileen in Heaven right now. The thing with my mother-in-law is that she was always joyful in her singing, she always cared about the songs that meant the most. Let us all sing for joy as she always did and still does in Heaven today. Don't dwell on the negative, but think of how God has always been there for you. There is something about singing, even if you do it badly like me, that is a joyful sound to God. Music moves our emotions and gives us hope when there are dark times. Its no wonder that throughout God's Word, singing is mentioned, so take a moment today and sing a song of joy.
You will be missed mother-in-law dear, and how I will miss calling you that when I talk to you on the phone. Ooooh Doggy!
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 96:1-3
Yesterday our family lost a beautiful, caring wonderful woman. She was a woman that cared deeply for all of those around her and how just a few weeks ago over Facetime, recognized me and smiled at me after many years of battling Alzheimer's. She was a woman who had a hilarious laugh, and also a woman who loved to sing. I can imagine her singing with her sister Eileen in Heaven right now. The thing with my mother-in-law is that she was always joyful in her singing, she always cared about the songs that meant the most. Let us all sing for joy as she always did and still does in Heaven today. Don't dwell on the negative, but think of how God has always been there for you. There is something about singing, even if you do it badly like me, that is a joyful sound to God. Music moves our emotions and gives us hope when there are dark times. Its no wonder that throughout God's Word, singing is mentioned, so take a moment today and sing a song of joy.
You will be missed mother-in-law dear, and how I will miss calling you that when I talk to you on the phone. Ooooh Doggy!
Have a great weekend.
Matt
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