Christ Daily

I know, especially nowadays, how it feels to have things.  To have money.  To have clothes, a car, a nice house.  To have… just stuff.  So many people obsess over their stuff, they tend to forget about others in need.

“The good person is generous and lends lavishly…”  -Psalm 112:5

I bet you know what I’m talking about – someone that has only their best interest in mind.  Someone that hoards money.  Someone whose life revolves around their  stuff.  Someone who would rather have extra then have just what he needs.  Who rolls in his money.  Who is obsessed over what he has.  That would rather help himself then others.

We see, from the bible, that’s just wrong!  Being generous and giving is an act of love.  If we are to love completely, we should love like Jesus Christ did, and not only be willing to put down a few bucks to give a brother a meal, but we should be willing to DIE for a brother, because love is the foundation of Christian Living.

So, think about a way you can be generous today – and do it with a smile!

written by Matt \\ tags: Attitude, Bible, Generosity, Giving, God, Jesus, Love, Psalms, Who God Is

Can we honestly say ‘I love Jesus!’ if we don’t even try to keep God’s commands?  Did you just say ‘Yes?’

“If you love me, obey my commandments.”  –John 14:15

It’s that simple.  We can go around all day saying ‘I love Jesus!’ but if you go and steal, lust, are prideful, we are, on top of that, lying.  Be aware that your actions do not define who you are, but what He Did does.

Sorry for the short, late post today.  I woke up sick again this morning.  I guess with the nice cool weather comes the nasty, yucky headcolds.  Thanks for reading.

written by Matt \\ tags: Bible, Jesus, life, Sin

What are your priorities?  Earn Money?  Maintain your job?… GET a job?  Have a boy/girl friend?  Get A’s in school?  A relationship with God?

We think of all these things in our lives, and we think of what is more important then others.  We have our friends and our family.  Our grades and our work.  God, and everything else.  What’s the most important?

I think we all do a pretty good job of telling ourselves “I’d never have any other gods above God” but we do put a lot up there with him, don’t we?  Not wanting to go to church on Sundays because that pillow is just so comfortable.  Not reading the bible because you’re just too tired in the morning, and at night, you’re ready to go to bed.  Not wanting to pray because you’re just too lazy.  Heh.  Laziness seems to be a running theme here.

Do you put laziness about God?  What are your priorities?

Matthew 6:33 says

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

It’s simple – if we put God FIRST, all these things will be GIVEN to us – everything we need.  Sounds like a pretty good deal, huh?  The God of the Universe that died for you just wants your time and attention, and a measly 10% of what he’s given you.  In return, he will give you all you need.  Put the God first, and you’ll make enough money to get by on.  Put a relationship with Jesus first, and you’ll be fed, clothed, and housed.  Give God back what he’s told you to give, and you’ll get it back – don’t worry if you don’t know where that money’s going.  God does.

All these things will be given to you, out of God’s love.  So.. what are your priorities?

written by Matt \\ tags: Attention, Bible, Gifts, God, Jesus, life, Priorities, Tithing

What if you saw that note?  What if you had only seven days to live?

That’s such an intense question, but really think about it; you have seven days to live.  What would you do differently.  Surely you wouldn’t waste any time.  You’d try and fix everything you have that’s broken – relationships, friendships, grudges.  You’d try and say everything you’d been too afraid for all these years.  You’d live more passionately.  You’d love a little more.  Focus more on spreading the word of God a bit more, perhaps?

This month in church, we are talking about ‘One Month to Live.’  It’s based on a book about that very subject – what if you had one month to live?  I’ve decided to talk a little bit about that, but for you, dear readers, I’ve given you a week.

So, really – what would you do?  It’s interesting to think about.

Here’s another question: Why don’t you live like that already?  Seriously.  Why don’t you live that passionately everyday?  Fear?  Embarrassment?   What’s to be afraid of?

Well, here’s something from the Bible that might make you think a bit differently.

⁴ “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
⁵ You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.”
⁶ We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.     —Psalm 39:4-6

Now, from the other Testament…

¹⁴ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.   — James 4:14

Your days are numbered.  There WILL be a day when you will die.  Here’s the kicker: what if that day is tomorrow?  The bible even says that tomorrow is not promised to you.  Isn’t that a very good reason to live more passionately, love more, and meet more people today?  What sort of legacy are you going to leave?  Something meaningful, or something worthless?

No one’s going to remember you for your funny Facebook statuses.  No one’s going to remember you for your ability get 100% on ‘Through Fire and Flames’ on Guitar Hero.  You’ll be remembered for the live’s you’ve touched – change – and the life that you devoted 100% to God.

It’s something to think about.
-Matt

written by Matt \\ tags: Advice, Bible, church, Death, God, James, life, Living, Love, Psalms

Spiritual gifts.  An exciting, yet controversial topic in many Christian communities.  To be clear, I am NOT speaking of Prophecy, Tongues, Healing, or the other ’spirtual gifts’ spoken about in the book of Acts.  Though I do believe these gifts were perfectly real and 100% true throughout that book, I do believe those were temporary spiritual gifts given to the members of the growing church at that time.

No, I am speaking of the Spiritual gifts of the book of 1 Peter.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever!  - 1 Peter 4:10-11

‘Gifts’ in this context of the Bible is simple and straight-forward.  Things you are good at.  All good things comes from God, and he wants us to use those gifts he’s given us to expand the kingdom, and bring people joy, happiness, and the good news of Jesus.  Are you a good speaker?  Speak out!  Let everyone hear you speak the truth, and let them know you are a Christian by your love for others.  Do you have the gift of helping others?  Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. (1 Peter 4:11)  Are you a talented writer?  Write what God lays on your heart – writing stories, blogs, books, papers, novels that bring glory to God.  Can you sing?  Sing loud!  Write your own music, and give all the Praise to Jesus.

There are so many real, legitimate spiritual gifts God has bless us all with.  Pray about your Spiritual Gift today!  God has given you an interest and a talent for you not only to love and enjoy (though he CERTAINLY does want you to do these things), but also to worship him through them, too.

Use it well!  Someday, you will see the extent of the power of the talent God has given you.
-Matt

written by Matt \\ tags: 1 Peter, Acts, Bible, Gifts, God, Spiritual Gifts