Word
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
When you read God's Word, how does it make you feel? When you study God's Word, does your load seem lighter? What about when you go several days without reading or studying God's Word. I know that I personally tend to lose focus and move on a path of doubt when I don't look at His Word daily or on a regular basis. Doubt is one of those things that the enemy finds as a very easy way to pull us away from God, but if scripture is alive and active, then it really destroys that doubt that creeps in on us. Remember the visual noted above of God's Word that can slice through anything the enemy places in front of us and can impact us deep in our soul. If we can remember the words of this simple verse, then our doubt can be easily defeated.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 29, 2020
Friday, May 22, 2020
Fantastic Friday #734 - Changes
Changes
20 and declared:
May the name of God
be praised forever and ever,
for wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 He changes the times and seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those
who have understanding.
22 He reveals the deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
and light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:20-22
Sometimes we have to make changes on the fly. Maybe it is due to a sudden event, something your boss didn't like, or something that impacts the way you are able to make it through the day. If you look at the business world, people always talk about change, how it can be better, how it can make a difference and they also talk about how people are resistant to change and people stuck in their ways find it hard to change. How many of us have something that changes in our lives and it throws us completely off kilter. We think the world might be falling down around us or the enemy sees where he can step in and make us feel miserable about the change. Maybe we should look at changes in a different manner. Change, according to this scripture, comes from God alone. He changes the times and seasons in our lives for a reason. If we readjust our focus on where these changes come from, then maybe our view of our circumstances would be different. We also might begin to see and experience the deep and hidden things from God. I know I daily look for these guide-markers that God places before us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
20 and declared:
May the name of God
be praised forever and ever,
for wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 He changes the times and seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those
who have understanding.
22 He reveals the deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
and light dwells with Him. Daniel 2:20-22
Sometimes we have to make changes on the fly. Maybe it is due to a sudden event, something your boss didn't like, or something that impacts the way you are able to make it through the day. If you look at the business world, people always talk about change, how it can be better, how it can make a difference and they also talk about how people are resistant to change and people stuck in their ways find it hard to change. How many of us have something that changes in our lives and it throws us completely off kilter. We think the world might be falling down around us or the enemy sees where he can step in and make us feel miserable about the change. Maybe we should look at changes in a different manner. Change, according to this scripture, comes from God alone. He changes the times and seasons in our lives for a reason. If we readjust our focus on where these changes come from, then maybe our view of our circumstances would be different. We also might begin to see and experience the deep and hidden things from God. I know I daily look for these guide-markers that God places before us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 15, 2020
Fantastic Friday #733 - Knit
Knit
13 For it was You who created my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14
I have seen a lot of people working on things they haven't had time to do before this pandemic, and the most interesting thing I have seen is the knitting that is taking place. I saw a blanket that a friend made, and it reminded me of all the blankets my grandmother used to make. I made a joke that my friend should knit a pair of shorts for her husband, but not sure I want to see that. My daughter also produced a painting this semester for her art class that focused on this scripture but was also a personal statement. All of this reminded me of this scripture about God knitting us together. If God can knit together such a wonderful creation as us, don't we think that He can do anything? When doubt creeps in and makes us think our circumstances cannot be corrected, or that what we are going through is irrelevant to God, think about this scripture. God wouldn't take His time to knit together something as wonderful as us just to have us unwind into a mess of yarn. Focus on knitting your own life into one that is well-lived.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
13 For it was You who created my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14
I have seen a lot of people working on things they haven't had time to do before this pandemic, and the most interesting thing I have seen is the knitting that is taking place. I saw a blanket that a friend made, and it reminded me of all the blankets my grandmother used to make. I made a joke that my friend should knit a pair of shorts for her husband, but not sure I want to see that. My daughter also produced a painting this semester for her art class that focused on this scripture but was also a personal statement. All of this reminded me of this scripture about God knitting us together. If God can knit together such a wonderful creation as us, don't we think that He can do anything? When doubt creeps in and makes us think our circumstances cannot be corrected, or that what we are going through is irrelevant to God, think about this scripture. God wouldn't take His time to knit together something as wonderful as us just to have us unwind into a mess of yarn. Focus on knitting your own life into one that is well-lived.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 8, 2020
Fantastic Friday #732 - Heart
Heart
32 “Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35 So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.” Matthew 18:32-35
Do you think much about how important a part of you that your heart is in your life? Sure, the easy thing is that it is the key mechanism to keep your blood pumping, which impacts a lot. Have you ever sat down and thought about your heart having feeling? You have heard the terms broken heart, heavy heart, light-hearted, strong heart, and hard-hearted. All these types of feelings that someone has show that the heart plays an important role in every aspect of your life. When you get scared your heart can beat faster, and when you are calm your heart beats slower and with each heart beat you can feel the impact on the rest of your body. So, what about forgiveness, some of you know that anger at someone can make your heart heavy and beat at a higher rhythm, but if you loosen that anger, you can feel a calmness come over your heart. That is why this scripture is so telling, it is just a minor part of a parable that really shows the impact of someone's heart and the love that God shows us. Dig deep into the goodness of your heart to forgive others and love God with all your Heart.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
32 “Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35 So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.” Matthew 18:32-35
Do you think much about how important a part of you that your heart is in your life? Sure, the easy thing is that it is the key mechanism to keep your blood pumping, which impacts a lot. Have you ever sat down and thought about your heart having feeling? You have heard the terms broken heart, heavy heart, light-hearted, strong heart, and hard-hearted. All these types of feelings that someone has show that the heart plays an important role in every aspect of your life. When you get scared your heart can beat faster, and when you are calm your heart beats slower and with each heart beat you can feel the impact on the rest of your body. So, what about forgiveness, some of you know that anger at someone can make your heart heavy and beat at a higher rhythm, but if you loosen that anger, you can feel a calmness come over your heart. That is why this scripture is so telling, it is just a minor part of a parable that really shows the impact of someone's heart and the love that God shows us. Dig deep into the goodness of your heart to forgive others and love God with all your Heart.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 1, 2020
Fantastic Friday #731 - Terms
Terms
21 Come to terms with God and be at peace;
in this way good will come to you.
22 Receive instruction from His mouth,
and place His sayings in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed.
If you banish injustice from your tent Job 22:21-23
Do you find it difficult in situations to come to terms with the challenges you face? Do you wonder why it is hard to be at peace during challenging times? What clarity do you come across when you ask these questions of God? It seems pretty simple, but our hearts are hurting and we can get lost in our own problems and worst of all the enemy sneaks in and attacks your mind with these little bad nuggets of doubt. Job had almost everything taken away from him, but he found guidance in the darkest time of his life. When people were telling him to doubt God, he rose above that. He turned where needed to in order to be at peace. We can experience the same peace by relying on God's Word, His historical gifts to us that He has provided, and the promises of what is in store. We just need to be receptive to His instruction and open our hearts to renewal. Take a look internally and know that He has it all under control.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
21 Come to terms with God and be at peace;
in this way good will come to you.
22 Receive instruction from His mouth,
and place His sayings in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed.
If you banish injustice from your tent Job 22:21-23
Do you find it difficult in situations to come to terms with the challenges you face? Do you wonder why it is hard to be at peace during challenging times? What clarity do you come across when you ask these questions of God? It seems pretty simple, but our hearts are hurting and we can get lost in our own problems and worst of all the enemy sneaks in and attacks your mind with these little bad nuggets of doubt. Job had almost everything taken away from him, but he found guidance in the darkest time of his life. When people were telling him to doubt God, he rose above that. He turned where needed to in order to be at peace. We can experience the same peace by relying on God's Word, His historical gifts to us that He has provided, and the promises of what is in store. We just need to be receptive to His instruction and open our hearts to renewal. Take a look internally and know that He has it all under control.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 24, 2020
Fantastic Friday #730 - Criticize
Criticize
10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God. 11 For it is written:
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to Me,
and every tongue will give praise to God.
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
I have seen a lot of criticism this week by others, and I have also found myself criticizing others. Some was necessary for correction, but not all of it was which is where we all fall short. We often forget how much of an impact this criticism actually has and is it necessary. How do you feel when someone criticizes you? Does it depend on the tone of voice, the tone of the email, the words that are used, or the presentation of the criticism? Everything is a factor and when every one of those ways or a majority of them is negative, it can really impact a person and their response. We need to remember when planning on criticizing someone, is it something that will help the person, or is it going to beat them down to a place that you wouldn't want to be yourself. Keep in mind that the criticism we give can be immediately turned back on us, and we need to be careful because we will be judged some day and we don't want to be known as the criticizer who never has anything else good to say.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God. 11 For it is written:
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to Me,
and every tongue will give praise to God.
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
I have seen a lot of criticism this week by others, and I have also found myself criticizing others. Some was necessary for correction, but not all of it was which is where we all fall short. We often forget how much of an impact this criticism actually has and is it necessary. How do you feel when someone criticizes you? Does it depend on the tone of voice, the tone of the email, the words that are used, or the presentation of the criticism? Everything is a factor and when every one of those ways or a majority of them is negative, it can really impact a person and their response. We need to remember when planning on criticizing someone, is it something that will help the person, or is it going to beat them down to a place that you wouldn't want to be yourself. Keep in mind that the criticism we give can be immediately turned back on us, and we need to be careful because we will be judged some day and we don't want to be known as the criticizer who never has anything else good to say.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 17, 2020
Fantastic Friday #729 - Mind
Mind
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing:
2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4
The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus. Think about that statement for a minute, a King of Persia who had no reason to give the people of God an opportunity to build the House of the Lord, was influenced by our amazing Father. If God has such influence on people, then why do we doubt His ability to manage any situation we are going through. I know that these times people are hurting and desperate, but how many people turn the Lord in this time of distress? If God can influence a man like King Cyrus, don't you think He can influence our leaders in this world, and can control any situation. I challenge each of you take a moment each day to give thanks for where God has you, and the influence He is in your life. Sacrifice food for a day, yes fast for two meals this week, and pray during that period of fasting that He can resolve the challenges of the virus that has attacked so many. Be a blessing to others and wait for what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4
The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus. Think about that statement for a minute, a King of Persia who had no reason to give the people of God an opportunity to build the House of the Lord, was influenced by our amazing Father. If God has such influence on people, then why do we doubt His ability to manage any situation we are going through. I know that these times people are hurting and desperate, but how many people turn the Lord in this time of distress? If God can influence a man like King Cyrus, don't you think He can influence our leaders in this world, and can control any situation. I challenge each of you take a moment each day to give thanks for where God has you, and the influence He is in your life. Sacrifice food for a day, yes fast for two meals this week, and pray during that period of fasting that He can resolve the challenges of the virus that has attacked so many. Be a blessing to others and wait for what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
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