Author Archives: Matthew, Karen, and God

galatians.bible/galatians-6-2

Jesus came as a humble servant. We are to be humble servants to others. It doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO, President of a company, or Chairman of the Board. You are not above picking up papers, taking out the trash, and serving your employees and customers. Jesus was the perfect example for us. We need to be that example for everyone.

My wife and I have some bulbs outside of our home that we had scattered in our flower beds. We have some other plants in there that we didn’t realize would grow so large so when we planted the bulbs some ended up under the shade of the larger plants. It didn’t matter how much we watered the ones under the bushes they just stayed around 8-10 inches tall while the ones in full sunlight grew to over 2 feet! There’s things that we need in our walk with God for spiritual growth and if we are lacking in these certain areas then how can we expect to grow. If we go to church on Saturday or Sunday but don’t read our bible or read the Bible and not have a prayer life then how can we expect to succeed? I find of myself lacking in these areas from time to time. I will be out praying for myself and others but only read a Bible verse a day. Sometimes I’m so busy at work and come home exhausted that I forget to fellowship with others outside of my home. Luke 8: 14-15 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by preserving produce a crop.

psalm.bible/psalm-5-11

psalm.bible/psalm-6-9

Did you hear about the man that prayed to God daily to win the lottery, and after a month of prayer, he ended up dying? He went up to heaven and stood before God, asking why he didn’t answer his prayer, and God replied,” You didn’t buy a lottery ticket.” Some people think of God as some magical genie, and I have to admit that before I started walking with God, that’s how I saw him also. I would always wonder why I didn’t get what I asked for and what I was doing wrong. I’m not saying God doesn’t answer prayers, but he probably won’t answer one with a Lamborghini or winning the lottery. James 4:3 when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. He’s more likely to heal a friend or family member in the hospital or walk us through something traumatic in our life. When we pray about things that God would want us to do or care about, then he answers because it’s in accordance with His Will. Mark 11:24, therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

bible.com/bible/1/psa.27.14.KJV

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘father, give me my share of the estate.’ so he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to the fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating but no one gave him anything.”when he came to his senses, he said,’how many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: father, I have sinned against heaven and against you, I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants. So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, through his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “but the father said to his servants,’ quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For the son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost in his found.’ so they began to celebrate.” Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied,’and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “the older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father,’Look! All of these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ” ‘My son,’ the father said,’ you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” Luke 15:11-32. I love the story of the wayward son because it reminds me a lot of my life. I will come to God wanting to do whatever he wants and then I backslide doing whatever I want for a week or two and then realizing that that’s not what I really truly want for my life. Then I come back to God with knees bent and hands folded asking for his forgiveness. God does not want us to go away from him but be nearest to his heart. It breaks his heart whenever we go astray because we are his children. As you can see from this story it doesn’t matter how far down you feel you have fallen, God is always there with an outstretched hand waiting for a warm embrace. If you feel like you have fallen too far from Grace you would be wrong. There’s nothing you can do in your life that will make God, the person who created all of us to turn his back on you. So take heart today child and come back to your Father, please. Repent and ask for forgiveness and he will forgive you. If this is your wish today then I challenge you to get back in God’s good graces, please join me in prayer. Dear heavenly father thank you for yet another beautiful day. We know that we have stumbled and fallen away from you. Help us to get back on track Lord. Please forgive us for all of our sins and trespasses we repent and get back on your path. We know that your leadership and guidance is what is needed in our life to have the best life possible and not lean on our own understanding. Thank you for all that you do for us each and every day Lord. In Jesus precious name, Amen!

bible.com/bible/1/psa.147.3.KJV

When we are lied to by someone we trusted or have endured mental, physical, or sexual abuse, we are scarred. Maybe we have been accused of something that we did not do, been mistreated or betrayed. They all leave open wounds which run deep through the marrow of our being. We walk around with bleeding hearts, deep depression, and a loss of trust and confidence in ourselves and other people.

Have you talked to God, the Mighty Powerful Physician? He will heal your broken heart and bandage all your wounds. He will wipe away your tears and give you hope. Claim the promise; God so Loved the World that he gave his only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

Let Jesus heal your wounds today!

Ask, and you shall receive!

Loneliness is a terrible feeling. During the pandemic, many people worldwide felt isolated and alone. Sometimes we forget that God surrounds us with his presence every day!

Even when you feel alone, God is still with you.

But if God is near, why don’t you feel His presence or have His peace?

Elijah was a faithful servant of God, yet he struggled with loneliness. After defeating the false prophets of Baal, he was fearful, and hid in a cave scared, defeated, and completely alone.

But, God had not abandoned him.

If God feels distant, here are three reminders about his character from Elijah’s story.

1. You can be honest with God about how you’re feeling.God appeared to Elijah and asked, “What are you doing here?”Elijah replied, “I am the only prophet left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”Elijah was honest with God. He was scared for his life and doubted how God could use his situation for good.But his honesty did not scare or offend God.Like a close friend, God didn’t leave Elijah in his time of need. And, the same is true for you. Never will He leave you or forsake you.
2. Even when you don’t feel Him, God is always with you.Elijah’s life was in danger, so he did the only thing he could think of—hide.When we are afraid, we can forget God’s promise to be with us and rely on our own strength to survive.Even when we forget God’s promise, He reminds us that He is near.God told Elijah to stand on the mountain. A powerful wind tore the mountain apart. After the wind, was an earthquake. After the earthquake, came a fire.But God wasn’t in the wind, earthquake, or fire.After the fire, came a gentle whisper. And it was in that moment that Elijah immediately knew that God was with him.We often look for God in the big moments in our lives, but He is also in the stillness.
3. God reveals what you can’t see.Elijah believed he was the only one left who still believed in God.But God revealed that 7,000 in Israel did not bow in worship to Baal.Elijah felt like he was the only one, but God reminded him that he was not.Loneliness doesn’t always come from being alone. It can come from thinking you’re alone, too.

Like Elijah, maybe you’re in a place where you feel isolated, abandoned, or forgotten.

Just remember, you don’t have to feel God to know that He is near. God is always with you.

I read this on the You Version Bible app. Please share it with others. ❤️Karen

I tend not to talk much about problems that life throws our way. Everyone has difficulties or troubles. For the past couple of years, It seems my husband has had a new health issue every few months.

Life is full of choice’s! We can fret, worry, get angry or even blame others for our problems.

A young man had a complex problem. He was conflicted on how to handle it. An older lady knew about the dilemma that He was facing. She said, “son, what do you notice in this picture?”

He smiled and said, “Daniel isn’t looking at the lions! And it is my responsibility to obey God and leave the consequences to Him.”

Are your eyes fixed on Jesus or the lions in your life? We all have lions; health issues, financial problems, relationships that have soured over time, deadlines to meet, just to name a few. Surrender all your lions to God that fights your battles for you. He is our helper, our Savior and he is waiting for you to release your lions to Him.

“As for me, I will call upon God; And the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: For there were many with me.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭55:16-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.55.16-18.KJV