Awake At 30

Issues of Life Psalm 4:6-8 NKJV "There  are many who say, 'Who will show us any good?' Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Has man changed so much since the time when David wrote this? When we investigate that question and read through our history, we find that man has always had issues. The connection between every generation is the commonality that man has always sought to find the answers to his own generation's problems within himself and without God; while others in that same generation have the wisdom to seek God in their generation and live holy lives. Those who seek after God and abide in His ways have the assurance of a better life - if not here then surely in the next - and they have the ability to have peace in the midst of chaos. Does this describ

Watch And Pray Matthew 26:41 NKJV "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Little more has to be said than this when we consider our lives and what we must do each day, "Watch & pray, lest you enter into temptation." It's easy to make excuses for why we sin and why we allow ourselves to give in to temptations, but there really is no "good" excuse, is there? Jesus said this to His disciples who slept while He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion. How often do we fall asleep on our Lord? How often do we allow the flesh to rule over our spirit and allow sin to enter our lives? How often do we truly pray to God when we find ourselves tempted to sin? We must be watchful, be aware of the danger, awake to the reality of sin ever present around us. We must not engage nor encourage the sin around us, we must speak out against it as we see our Savior and His disciples doing in

The Greater The Challenge, The Sweeter The Victory This past week I worked on getting back to my routine of going to the gym early each morning after taking a couple weeks off. This week was more a mental battle than a physical one. When I awaken I have the option of getting up or falling back to sleep, it's a simple choice with potentially huge benefits or losses. Having won this battle, waking up, the moment I actually get to the gym there's another battle awaiting me. One day last week I hadn't been in the cardio room very long until I was mentally fighting whether I was going to go the whole 30 minutes or not, whether I'd increase the resistance and challenge myself or not. Simple, but difficult. Once we pass one trial, there's always another to awaiting us to conquer...and such is life. While I consider all the parallels of this example to those of life, I can't help but think of the comparison to our spiritual walk. Each day we're faced with the cho

Be of Good Courage Psalms 27:13-14 NKJV "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" What an encouragement and what strength this Psalm brings! This has become a favorite Psalm of mine through the years; as I read through David's resolve to hold true to God and put his full trust in Him, I gain courage. The world strives to pull us back in, it seems at every turn, and we must fight against it. Look to David's words as a warrior, one who valiantly fought for God, and as one who suffered so much loss in his life; yet he didn't lose sight of the God whom he served and who sustained him. Let us follow his footsteps in this. He says earlier in the Psalm, "Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident." May we a

Lies   Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”  John 8:42-47 NKJV Do you ever get tired of being lied to or hearing lies? Have you ever been lied to and, upon finding out, think to yourself, "Hey, I love that someone thought so little of me - or themselves - that they felt like they h

Escaping The Noise "When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long." ( Psalm 32:3 NKJV ) "Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord , And teach me Your judgments." ( Psalm 119:108 NKJV ) There's a certain comfort and peace that comes from getting lost in the silence of one's own thoughts. Peaceful or rhythmic music that allows the mind to roam, to relax, to be calm is priceless. Life is so full of noise. So many voices shouting, "Do this! Be this! Don't do that! Don't think that! Laugh at this! Buy that!" and on and on it goes. Sometimes the best thing is to simply get away, somehow, to allow the mind to recover from the seemingly endless barrage of noise and mental clutter. To escape, to withdraw, to take time alone to just be still. This is okay to do and it is needful to do. Jesus did this numerous times throughout His time here. He escaped the crowd and went to pray to the Father. T

Anywhere Is Home (Hymn) Anywhere is home, (home sweet home) let come and go what may (come what may); Anywhere I roam, (anywhere I chance to roam) He keeps me all the way (each day); So for His dear sake, (my dear Master's sake) my cross I’ll meekly bear; Anywhere is home, (home sweet home) if Christ, my Lord, is there. My wife and I were in Las Vegas for a work conference back in July. We had some apprehensions about going to a conference in this city, known as "Sin City", but planned ahead and found plenty we could do to stay away from much of the ruckus. We actually had a good time and would like to go back at some point (but opting to stay outside the city rather than in, most likely). But still, having landed and gone to our hotel we still felt out of place, and understandably so. In my mind I compared this place to Corinth of old with all its wickedness and depravity that existed there. However, the next morning we awoke to go worship with the brethren at the

Success Deut.8:17-18 ESV "Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." How do we treat success in this life? Do we use it as an opportunity to build up ourselves, feed our pride and ego,  boast of our greatness, call attention to how amazing we are, glory in our attainment of earthly things? Or do we use success as an opportunity to thank and praise God, realizing where and by whom all the blessings of life originate, and then use that success to His glory?  In Luke 12:15-21, we read of one such man who used his earthly success as the former, and we see the result of his foolishness. Jesus says in that text, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” We beli

Change The World Phil.3:12-16 NKJV "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Have you ever had the ambitious goal of wanting to do something huge that would change the world, or an industry, or the way people think? Ever find yourself discouraged because it hasn't come to fruition, or at least it hasn't turned out like you intended? The goal above is indeed a noble goal and one worthy of pursuing. We would all do well to be ambitious in our pursuits and seek a higher purpose for our lives than to merely go through the daily motions and "just get by". In essence, when we have no real goal or pur

Afraid No More Ps.46:1-3 NKJV "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling." What are we afraid of in this life? I believe a good many of our inactions in this life can be traced back to a heart of fear. We're afraid of the possible outcome, we're afraid of what might/might not happen, we're afraid of what someone might think or say about us or to us, we're afraid of how others will respond, we're afraid of our own reactions or failures. We are so afraid of the unknown that we never come to know what could have been. We're so afraid to fail that we never take the step to try and do. We're so afraid of everything and everyone around us that we fail our God, the only One whom we should fear.  Consider this verse sob

Wisdom I Cor.1:25-27 NKJV "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;" What makes more sense: utilizing one's own limited strength and resources or allowing unlimited resources and strength to work through you? Consider the ramifications of doing this and consider the logic of the alternative.  In God's wisdom, He has given us the means, the time, the opportunity, the instructions on the how, the outline, even real life examples of how it is all to be done. Through following Him, ultimately His Son, we have access to unlimited resources and Divine wisdom; we have the direct word from our Creator and Sustainer. What sen

Lasting Consequences Deut.5:9-10 NKJV "...you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." Sin always has consequences. Have you considered that your choice to sin today could have lasting consequences unto those not even born yet? By you or I stepping onto that path of death and destruction we impact generations to come. Think about it... My sin has a ripple effect throughout everyone I come in contact with; my state of mind when I'm in sin causes my influence to not be what it needs to be. My actions, my words, my thoughts have a lasting impact upon this world and all who may be in contact with me at the time; those who are exposed to my sin will in turn have impact on others, and on it goes. Our choices have long lasting conseq

Be Still Ps.46:10 NKJV "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Time would escape me if I were to try and count all the times I was told as a hyperactive little child, "Matt, be still." I know this concept and meaning well, but as I've grown into an adult I have allowed myself to forget at times the value of this. How about you? How often do we just "Be still", or be calm, and appreciate God, this life, our loved ones, the world around us and know, without a doubt, that God is? How often do we truly take the time in our busy lives to understand that God is in control, that God reigns Supreme, that we must realize our place before Him and serve Him? How often do we fail to exalt Him? How often do we let the world get the better of us and get so caught up in the feverish activity going on that we allow ourselves to fret, to lose sight of our God and our goal? So much movement, so mu

The Lord Your God Lev.18:4-5 NKJV "You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord." Notice here the reason God gives for why they should observe, keep, and walk in His ways: "I am the Lord your God" and the conclusion of the matter He has ordained: "I am the Lord". Do we really need any other reason than these?  I remember growing up my parents giving me the reason, "because I said so", and I recall not liking that answer. However, it put me in my place and looking back I understand more fully that the very fact they are in authority, and that authority was given them by God, is reason enough to do as I was told. Essentially the reason in those cases from my parents was, "do what I told you because I'm your parent and you're my child. What I tell you is for your own

Knowing God (Jn.14-17; 1Jn.3:6; Gal.4:9) What does it mean to truly know God? According to some, that merely means calling yourself after Him, regardless of your conduct. Claiming you're going to heaven without doing what's required to get there. To think that we would just somehow walk right in to heaven without doing all of what God commands shows the true nature of man's ignorance, foolish carnal wisdom, and prideful arrogance. It's dishonest, friends, and it is one hundred percent contrary to everything we find in scripture. How many are convinced that just attending worship, whenever they so choose, is meeting the requirements? Somehow that by checking the box of going to worship services as you feel is adequate, meeting the "minimum" requirements, is doing your part and God should just welcome you with open arms right into heaven! How arrogant. How foolish. How hopelessly lost is that attitude and practice. Shameful it is.  "No Lo

Our Masterpiece In Matthew 25:14-30 we find the parable of the talents, each was rewarded for how he made use of what he was given. The following is an application of this lesson. I remember my childhood like it was yesterday. In school we would be given paints, water colors, crayons, markers, etc to make some picture. My favorite thing to do was find a picture as my guide and try to recreate it freehand utilizing the tools/materials at my disposal. I would create or recreate something of beauty (if for only in my estimation). I vividly remember being so proud of my work, excited to bring home a picture of something close to art, and being so enthused to show my parents. They'd always encourage me, tell me how wonderful it was like I was the next DaVinci. Then, they'd proudly display this picture on the fridge, in Dad's office, or somewhere else of prominence; thinking back on those times brings a big smile to my face. My parents valued my best efforts and encouraged me

The Art of Avoidance How much of our time in this life is spent trying to avoid pain, heartache, disappointment? How many people run to the doctor to get a pill that will numb them so they don't have to feel? How many run to a vice of some sort when they feel the pressures of life coming down, or when the ugly and painful side of life rears its head? How many people isolate and imprison themselves so they don't have to experience the ups and downs of life? They run and run, only to be overcome and overwhelmed by more pain and lower lows. How many of these people are Christians?  How much of this describes you?  How much describes me? The art of avoidance is a deceitful and destructive practice. When we seek to avoid the pains of life, that which makes us uncomfortable, then we miss out on life. We defeat ourselves when we seek a chemical, or some vice, to help us cope, to help us escape and avoid life's natural occurrences.  Think of Jesus at the cross.

Destination: Happy? "God just wants you/me/us to be happy" Have you ever said this, or heard someone else say it? It's a nice concept, but is it really true according to God's word? Let's investigate... When the world uses this expression, it is usually tied to someone who is living in sin. Oftentimes this is said because the person speaking doesn't want, or have the knowledge and/or guts, to call a spade a spade and admit the sin involved. When we use it in the right way then, yes, God wants us to be happy; however the method of attainment is very different than how the world views it. Let's define the term, "happy" 1) favored by luck or fortune  2) notably fitting, effective, or well adapted 3) enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment  The word "happy" is used 21 times in the NKJV. 18 of those times it is descriptive of one whose heart was glad as a result of the Lord's blessing and/or the

Small Steps, Big Compromises So much of the sin that takes place in our life can be traced back to a single point in time when we strayed from the straight road in favor of the broad (Matt.7:13-14). We begin by making allowances for ourselves to engage in sin, then we arrive at a point we never intended wondering how we got that far gone, but it's not for lack of warning from God. How do we get there? Little steps, big compromises.  How did Israel of old get to the point where they sacrificed their own children in worship to idols? It started the day they got comfortable, ceased working, and allowed the inhabitants of the land to stay rather than continue driving them out as God instructed.  Where am I going with this? Well, let's begin with a real-world example of something that particularly plagues our culture and has seeped into the church: failed homes, failed fathers, failed marriages. Our culture is one that exploits women as objects (from the style of dress,

Living With Purpose, On Purpose How often do you and I live life searching, acting as if something is missing, always looking for that one thing we don't know we're missing but forever in search of it. We fill our lives with more things, we throw ourselves into our work, our play, our recreation, and we somehow think, "yea, this is what I need..." only to find ourselves yet again lacking that something.  We live for tomorrow and we forget to live today. We miss our lives, we miss the true nature of what living is, we fail to acknowledge why we're here. How often we fail to appreciate the world around us as it is that day, taking time to enjoy the blessings right before our eyes, opting instead to let ourselves complain about what's missing, how we've been wronged, how our life just doesn't quite add up like we think it should? And so, we pillow our heads in futility dreaming of new ways to chase but never catch this thing called life, to fill