Christ Daily

Your house is on the verge of foreclosure. Your employer told you today the company will start doing some layoffs starting next month, and unfortunately you’re one of them. Your car is still in the shop, and you have a strong feeling that the mechanic is doing more harm than good. You just now remembered you forgot to feed the dog before you left the house. And on top of all that, it’s raining outside.

Yeah.

I know we all go through times like this in life, and they can be really hard. How are you going to deal with all this stress?! What’s all out there? Who are you going to listen to? Some people might recommend eating more food – lots more. Others may suggest to try smoking. The guy down the street may tell you to throw your hands up and file bankruptcy. There are so many influences out there – who should we really be listening to?

None other than God, of course!

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.

- Exodus 33:14

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

- Psalm 9:9-10

Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him.

- Psalm 37:3-5, 7a

It’s important to tune into God’s Word. In times of high stress and trouble, listen to Him, and only Him – be careful of negative influences out there, because there are many. Keep your eyes on God, and He won’t steer you wrong!

written by Josh \\ tags: control, Exodus, God, Jesus, life, Psalm, stress, trust

Do you have a dream?  Something that makes you smile when you think about ‘Hey – maybe, someday, I can pursue that?’  Maybe you’d like to sing.  Maybe you’d like to travel.  Maybe you’d like to paint.  I know one of my biggest dreams is to direct a movie that gets a theatrical release.  There are so many things we think about trying, but never really do, because we think that ‘Oh, that’s really farfetched.’

Sometimes our dreams can seem downright silly to us, but one of the coolest things about living the life that God has called you to live is that he doesn’t think they’re silly.  He totally believes in you, and he, in fact, GAVE you those desires and dreams so that one day, you can fulfill them and give him the glory so that others might come to know him, too.

Ephesians 3:20 says

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”

INFINITELY MORE then we might ask or even think!  Wow, isn’t that something?  Whatever your wildest dream is, God is prepared to give you MORE than that!  So long as you give the glory and honor to him, he’s ready to put you on the fast track to accomplishing whatever you set out to do.

So start writing that novel!  Get to work on that video!  Make that website!  Start a band!  God will bless you in ways you can’t even imagine – he promised he would, and God’s promises are never broken.

written by Matt \\ tags: Calling, Dream, God, life

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