Author Archives: Matthew, Karen, and God

Practice makes perfect

Lifting weights has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. It has been my “Go To” for the release of anger, stress, and good health in general. I remember at wanting so badly to be a body builder and then a powerlifter. For me, gaining muscle was easier thanks to great genetics, thank you father. Guys at the gym would walk up to me and ask how they could get as big as me, my answer was always the same,”Hard work and dedication. ” God has given us each a very special gift, its already ingrained in us, we only need to tap into it. The more we study our bible and get lost in prayer, God will reveal what we are capable of and perfect our gifts. What is the gift that God has bestowed upon you? If your not sure, ask Him this morning. Hit your knees and ask Him what you have been freely given.

Sight

God has shown me so many things since my walk started with Him. One thing that I was shown is that most of us need to see to believe. All throughout the bible Jesus had shown non believers different miracles. This was to show them that God is real and to build our faith. It wasn’t so that we could have a magic show. Read Luke 8:43-48. There’s a woman in the bible who bled for twelve years. She had enough faith in Jesus that she merely needed to touch Jesus clothing to heal her. She didn’t have to continue to witness His miracles, just step out in blind faith, knowing that God would heal her. The bible is so packed full of promises and miracles that there’s no reason not to have faith. That doesn’t include all the miracles that God has already shown us in our journey with him. Step out in faith this morning brothers and sisters, for it was a miracle the day you were born!

The great payback

When people harm us it’s natural for us to have a rebuttal, but this is the time for us to be subtle. Paying back evil for evil isn’t right, it’s all about love in God’s sight. Jesus was kind to everyone he spoke to, especially when their hearts were untrue. No matter the cause, it’s never an eye for an eye, walking with God isn’t a time to be shy. The love that flows through us needs to come out, no matter the circumstance, and without any doubt. Jesus was still nice and calm when He was hung on the cross, asking God to forgive his accusers whatever the cost. It’s easy to let hatred fly out of our mouth, but that’s when our soul turns and starts to head south. We have to depend upon God to open our heart, it’s time brothers and sisters for a new start. Heavenly father thank you for touching our hearts today, massaging them so they’re not hardened. Help us to love others the way that you love others. Give us the sight to see others the way that you do. Touch our ears to listen to those who are hurting. Speak through our lips to uplift and encourage. In Jesus’ name, we pray amen. Genesis 20:13

We all weep

Growing up I never saw my father cry. It was hard for me to show my emotions because I didn’t think that men were supposed to weep. Not that I thought that I was a man at 7, but I did think that I was in training to become one. I’m not sure what had happened that day but I was in my room crying. My mother had walked in and asked why I was crying and I couldn’t believe that she caught me doing that. How embarrassing that was to have my mother witness that. I told my mother that I should be strong and not so weak. I will never forget what my mother had told me that day. She said that only real men show their emotions and not bottle them up. I have always thought that being tough and strong was the only way to be a man. That day, however, made me feel a lot better. Later on, as I read through the Bible I came across a verse that touched my heart. It’s simple and very easy to remember, “Jesus Wept”, John 11:35. Even our Lord and savior weeps for us. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the bravest of us all and He weeps. Heavenly father thank you for us being able to have empathy for others and to be able to show our emotions. Thank you for turning us into the real men and women that we need to be to follow you. In Jesus’ precious name amen.