86,400 Seconds

   What if you got a call from the president of your bank, and he told you that someone who loved you very much would be depositing 86,400 pennies into your bank account each every day. The only condition is that you would need to spend all of the money. But, unlike your cell phone carrier, you won’t be able to “Roll Over” your pennies to the next day. The pennies you don’t use will simply disappear.

    Now, if you were to take out your calculator and do the math, you’d find out that it amounts to a lot of money each year.  In case you don’t have a calculator or don’t know how to turn one on, 86,400 pennies per day for 365 days, equals $315,360 per year.

   Now think about this, someone who loves you very much (GOD) deposits 86,400 seconds into your bank of time each and every day. And like those pennies, they cannot be carried over from one day to the next. There is no such thing as a 25, 28, or 36 hour day. You are given 24 hours each day to use as you choose. For you math statisticians, that’s 31,536,000 seconds per year (525,600 minutes, 8,760 hours, 365 days, 12 months, 1 year.)  Are you being a good steward of your time?

The Bible tells us to “redeem the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). That means to make a conscious, constant and consistent wise use of each and every opportunity (second) God deposits into your bank of time.

 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)

~ Matt

Take Action!

Matthew 10:19b-20 Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Success is defined in many ways. But regardless of how we define it, we want some type of memento, trophy, or something to show for that success. In business, it’s framing that first dollar of profit. When fishing, it’s the picture of that trophy catch displayed on the wall. For us hunters, It’s that trophy buck hanging on the wall.  Spiritually, it’s the memory of that first person we are able to lead to Christ.

We can dream about success all day long, but we’ve got to take action in order to achieve it. The entrepreneur can have the most genius business plan in the world. But if no action is taken to work that plan, it’ll never be a success.  The fisherman can have the best boat, the most up-to-date tracking devices, and the most tricked out lures and baits. But if he never casts his line, he’ll never make that trophy catch.  The deer hunter can buy the most expensive rifle and top notch scope, he can reload his own ammo, and shoot everyday at the range bragging about his quarter sized grouping.  But if he never goes into the hills, and never shoots, waiting for the perfect shot, his work, time and energy is for nothing.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. We have the greatest Spokesperson in the world on our side, ready to speak through us to people who need to know Jesus Christ. But if we never open our mouths to tell our story, we won’t be able to experience the ultimate joy of seeing them come to Jesus.

When the opportunity presents itself to share your story with someone, you don’t have to worry about saying the perfect words. You also don’t have to quote a Scripture word for word chapter by chapter.  You don’t need to deliver a mini-sermon on the spot. You only need to trust that when you boldly take action to speak, God will be true to His promise and give you the right words to say. 

It's Time To TAKE ACTION!

~ Matt

Come To Me!

   I read a story the other day about a dog named Tattoo.  Tattoo was an eight-month-old basset hound who went for an unexpected run one day. His owner accidentally shut his leash in the car door and took off for a drive, Tattoo had no choice but to try and keep up. Fortunately, a motorcycle officer saw the car and the “exercising” dog.  But before Tattoo's owner finally stopped and the dog was rescued, the vehicle had reached speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Now, even though Tattoo was dragged some of the way, he was not injured. Imagine poor Tattoo with his little basset hound legs, trying to keep up.

   Now, have you ever felt that way—as though you were being dragged through life? Like Tattoo, you are trying to keep up with the speed of life and even getting drug around at times.  You may even feel more like the dog from the movie vacation that didn’t get noticed until it was to late.  Sadly, there is so much pressure on us to do so many things, with so little time, and with little to no rest in between.

   If that is you, Jesus address your situation in Matthew.  This is what Jesus says to anyone who is stressed out, anyone who is under pressure, anyone trying to keep up with the car, anyone who is carrying a burden of any kind:

Matthew 11:28–30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

   These are words for a weary, tired, and over pressured person. This is not just talking about someone at the point of utter exhaustion, but also the one loaded down with weight and pressure.


Now, is that a description of you today? Maybe you are struggling with the burden of physical pain, or the burden of problems in your family, or the burden of grief, finances, worry, employment, etc. 
Jesus says to you today, "Come to Me."

~ Matt

Heart Exam!

HEY…I’m Back!

   After a slight set back the beginning of this year I’m back to my “almost” daily blogvotions! I hope... I know, you are blessed in the Lord!

   

The Pharisees were men who were VERY dedicated to the study of Scripture. They took a vow before 3 witnesses promising to spend every moment of their lives obeying the 10 Commandments. Not to say that they succeeded, because in most cases they didn’t.  But that is at least what they tried to do.  We see in scripture that these are the very ones Jesus fought with the most.  It was mostly due to the hardness of their hearts.  What is funny though is the fact that they spent a majority of their time studying the Scriptures. These men, with such a deep spiritual endeavor, had hearts that were so hard that they gave credit to the devil for what was being done by God.  Look at this passage in Matthew:

   Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.”

   Now, you may be thinking, so what are you saying here?  Are you saying to not read the bible, don’t go to church?  NO, but what I am saying is this; Just because you’re reading the bible faithfully doesn’t automatically mean you are living according to what is says.  You must have a receptive heart or else you do it in vain.  You need to go to church with a receptive heart or you could be in danger of producing a hardened one.  You see the church is a place where we honor God. It’s a place where the Word of God goes out. And we have a choice as to how we will react to these things.

   
   See, if we are in church because we want to worship and learn more about Christ, then that is great. But if we go to church out of mere obligation, thinking we can sin a little more because we have done our duty, that can be dangerous.

There is a saying that goes something like this; “The same sun that softens the wax hardens the clay”. And sadly, sometimes the most hardened people can be found inside the church.  This is because they think, I know it all, I have heard it all. I am so spiritual. The problem is they are getting a hard heart. They are arrogant and resistant to the work the Holy Spirit wants to do in their lives.

   So let me encourage you today to do a heart exam.  Are you doing what your doing for the right reasons?  Do you have a critical spirit? Do you think you know it all?  Don’t substitute ANYTHING over an honest & genuine relationship with Jesus.  

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

~ Matt

Immanuel...God With, In & For Us!

Matthew 1:21-23 "And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ’Behold the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, ’God with us." 
 

Will Christ be the center of your Christmas?
Are you living for the things that Christ died for?

   As Christians, we need to remember that our joy is because of Jesus, our songs are because of our Savior, our love because of our Lord, and our blessings a result of His birth.

   Because of that first Christmas, Immanuel (God With Us) has come and we as a result gain three great assurances that provide comfort and strength throughout our life. 

   I’m going to share with you those three great assurances, and simply give you scriptures to read and ponder this Christmas.


1. GOD WITH US!
Matthew 1:23 "…and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us."

Matthew 28:20"…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed."

Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me…”


2. GOD IN US!
Colossians 1:27 "… which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.".

Galatians 4:6  “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!”

Romans 8:9b-11  “…But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through the Spirit who dwells in you.”


3. GOD FOR US!
Romans 8:31-32 "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things."

Romans 8:28 ”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 54:17 ¹⁷ No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.

   Stand encouraged today knowing that Immanuel, the Almighty God, He is with you!  He is WITH you, IN you, and FOR you! 

I wish you a very BLESSED and MERRY Christmas! 

~ Matt

Friday Funnies:12/17/10

What's Your Religion?

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. I immediately ran over and said "Stop! Don't do it!" 
       
      "Why shouldn't I?" he said. 
       I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!" 
       
      "Like what?" 
       "Well ... are you religious or atheist?" 
       
      "Religious." 
       "Me too! Are you Christian or Jewish?" 
       
      "Christian." 
       "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?" 
       
      "Protestant." 
       "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?" 
       
      "Baptist." 
       "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?" 
       
      "Baptist Church of God." 
      "Me too! Are you Original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?" 
       
      "Reformed Baptist Church of God." 
       "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?" 
       
      "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!" 
       To which I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.

Funny Yet Honestly Sad!


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Have a wonderful weekend!

~ Matt

Triumph through the Trials!

Psalm 23:4 (NLT)  ⁴ Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

   You might be going through one of life's big storms right now.  You may have even cried out for it to stop, and it hasn't.  In fact, It may have gotten worse.  And you may be asking why.  Why has God allowed this?

   There are no easy, straight forward answers to that question. But I do know this; Where there are no trials in life, there will be no triumphs.  There is a saying that goes; "The hammer shatters glass, but it forges steel."  You see, great things will come as a result of the hardship you are gong through.  Let me put it this way, miracles are conceived during trials.

   Think about this; the apostle Paul died and went to heaven, and he wrote a few lines about it. But he wrote entire books while he was in prison.  In other words, he wrote the most during the toughest, hardest, most difficult times.  You see, when you go through difficult times, look around for God to speak.  When you go through hardships, there are things you will learn and discover that you couldn’t learn anywhere else.

   Psalm 23 is a well-known, well-loved passage that many have memorized. It is a beautiful picture of sheep grazing on grass and drinking from the cool mountain springs. We love that. We love the green pastures and still waters. But then David continues on: Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

 
   Ya, there will be those times when God will take us to the beautiful green pastures and still mountain waters.  But know that, He will be with us in the valleys as well. And it is through those valleys we learn important lessons in life.  You see, fruit does not grow on mountaintops; it grows in valleys!

God has a purpose for you while in the storms of life…so rest in Him, because He is with you through it all.  Remember this; no trials, no triumph.  It’s time now to Triumph through the Trials! 
 

~ Matt