speaking -

Free Friday | Galatians: Letter of Liberty

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:30:00 GMT

Here is another of my recent sermons. This starts off with me giving the church an update on our Pastor who was recovering from a mishap at home. And then we get into Galatians. I hope God speaks to you through this look at His Word.
To enclaves of young converts tucked away in the mountains of Asia Minor, Paul wrote what is perhaps the oldest document in the New Testament--the letter to the Galatians.

What problems did they face? Among a variety of religious authorities espousing different teachings, how were they to know who was right? How were men and women to be put right with God? How could Christians in the midst of a pagan culture live lives truly pleasing to God?

Only one way, answered Paul, through Jesus Christ! His answer holds true for us as well. The details of our struggle have changed since those days, but the principles are timeless.

Free Friday | Sermon Jam on Forgiveness...

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:03:00 GMT

"God does not regret Saving YOU!" - Matt Chandler from The Village Church

Scripture Notes | Consider Your Ways...

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:00:00 GMT

Consider Your Ways*
* “Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5 1In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: *
LISTEN - What Is God Telling You?
Haggai prophesied during the reign of King Darius (Dah-rai-us). These specific messages are all in the year 502 BC, for us the month would be September. Haggai along with his contemporary Zechariah were speaking to the remnant of Israel who returned to Jerusalem after Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel (Zay-rube-Babel) was the political leader of Judah and Joshua was the 1st high priest after captivity. Haggai is different from Zecheriah because while Zecheriah was an in the air prophet, that is he spoke of the higer things, Haggai was on the ground. He spoke of the practical matters, and in a practical way.
* 2"Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord."
3Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, **
4"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.
THINK ABOUT IT - Where Are You Now?
The temple had lain in ruin from the time of captivity until their return but the people didn't feel that it was time to complete the task. God asked them to consider if what they were doing was yeilding the results that they wanted?

6You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.
7"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.
HERE’S AN IDEA - What has God Told You To Do?
Haggai illustrates something that is very consistent with who God is. I have said and have herad it said that it is hard to know the will of God. The truth is that God has been very clear. He has given us His word and it gives us direction. Sometimes, at least for me, I am looking for God to tell me what to do when He has given me the tools to get it done. I posted earlier in the week, "God expects the farmer to pray with his ho in hand." In this case God has a word for his people.

8Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
THINK ABOUT IT - What has your Current Action Gotten You?
God is about to remind them what life looks like outside of balance. God has been clear that you need to seek His kingdom first.

9You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
10Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce.
11And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors."
WHAT WILL YOU DO? - How Do You Answer The Call?

12Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.
13Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord's message, "I am with you, declares the Lord."
14And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
15on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
GO AND DO
Will You Answer?

1In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet,
2"Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say,
3"Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?
DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE

4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts,
5according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.
6For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.
7And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts.
8The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts.
9The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts."
I AM DOING SOMETHING

10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet,
11"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests about the law:
12"If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?" The priests answered and said, "No."
13Then Haggai said, "If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?" The priests answered and said, "It does become unclean."
14Then Haggai answered and said, "So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the Lord, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.
WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

15Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the Lord,
16how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty.
17I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the Lord.
18Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid, consider:
19Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you."
AM I ENOUGH?

20The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month,
I HAVE A PLAN…

21"Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth,
22and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother.
23On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts."
… AND IT IS GLORIOUS**

God's Man | President Obama's Remarks...

Carlton Matthews — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:00:00 GMT

This afternoon, I spoke with Governor Malloy and FBI Director Mueller. I offered Governor Malloy my condolences on behalf of the nation and made it clear he will have every single resource that he needs to investigate this heinous crime, care for the victims, counsel their families.

We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news, I react not as a president, but as anybody else would as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the same overwhelming grief that I do.

The majority of those who died today were children — beautiful, little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them — birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

So our hearts are broken today for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost.

Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors, as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early and there are no words that will ease their pain.

As a country, we have been through this too many times. Whether it is an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago, these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods and these children are our children. And we’re going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics.

This evening, Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter, and we’ll tell them that we love them, and we’ll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight, and they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come, that community needs us to be at our best as Americans, and I will do everything in my power as president to help, because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need, to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories, but also in ours.

May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

Posted with Blogsy

God's Man | Sermon | Does God Want Me Happy?

Carlton Matthews — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 14:30:00 GMT

Mythbusters: God Wants Me Happy“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secretof being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:12-13 “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do…” - 1 Peter 1:15So over the last few weeks we have been looking at some commonly held myths about Christianity and just like on the show myth busters we put them to the test. What is a myth? The well regarded Dictionary.com tells us that a myth is a traditional or legendary story, usually concerning some being or hero or event, with or without a determinable basis of fact or a natural explanation, especially one that is concerned with deities or demigods and explains some practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature. We have adapted this words and created another phrase called the urban legend. These are ideas that have grown from a grain of truth into something that is unbelievable, but we tell the stories because we love the idea of something larger than life.When it comes to religion there are a lot of myths out there. There are lots of things that people believe that simply aren’t true. Next week we will be discussing several of the myths about God but don’t let me get ahead of myself. This week we will be looking at a myth that hits us right in our comfort zones. The myth that I will be discussing this morning is the myth that God wants me happy. I say that this myth strikes at our comfort zones as Americans our happiness is paramount. It Is even in our founding documents. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Now I know that happiness in that context is different than how we view it now. At a fundamental level happiness is important to us. You’ll hear in on Christian TV, in books, even in sermons. It is a message that feels very good. It seems right.God wants me happy. God has good things in for you. God wants you to enjoy your life, to prosper in every way. The problem with a theology like this is that it elevates us to a place where God is serving us. This is where the idea of a celestial Santa Claus comes from and if he doesn’t deliver than we are mad at Him. This idea is not new though. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy he says this, “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” The truth is that God is a good God. He loves to give good gifts to His children. We however are not here to be served by God. We are here to serve Him.We started to teach our girls the catechism for young children. The first 3 questions are the ones that stick out to me. The first is, Who Made You. The answer, of course, is God. The second is, what else did God make? That answer is that God made all things. The third question is, why did God make you and all things? This answer is at the crux of what I plan to share with you today. It is the counter to the church of individual happiness. Why did God make everything? He made everything for His Glory. It is not about our individual happiness. It is about His Glory and His Kingdom. The truth is that we serve God not the other way around.God has called us to be Holy as He is Holy. Peter writes this in 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” God knows that our happiness will not lead us to be like him. We will do things that are the opposite of God’s Word. Take a look at marriage. We no longer feel that we need to be faithful to one spouse. As singles we have these desires that God gave us. He wants me to be happy, right? But sinful happiness is not what God is calling us to. God knows that happiness is fleeting. It is based on circumstances. If everything falls into place than I am happy, but let one thing be out of place. Now the pouting starts.This leads us to Paul and our main text for this message. In Philippians 4 we have a letter written from prison by a prisoner awaiting his sentence. He tells the brothers at Philippi the secret. Take a look at verses 12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”So here is a situation that is not one that would bring you happiness, being in prison. There is nothing happy about being in prison. I think that this is something that we can all understand. Whether you have ever been involved with a prison ministry, been to prison or visited someone there. Nothing about it brings a smile. But here is Paul saying that he has learned to be content. What is this secret? To see is we have to jump back to the beginning of this book. Paul found contentment in his purpose. What was the purpose that shaped his life? Paul was called to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. It is in that calling that he received his strength. It is through that faith that he was able to say in the first chapter of Philippians, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ (v12-13)”. He was content in his position, “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly (v14).”God is doing a work in us for His Glory. Every situation is known by God and is accomplishing something in us all. God uses trouble to build character in us. If you look in Romans 5 verses 3-4, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” God is sanctifying us through the situations and circumstances of life. See 2 Corinthians 4:17, “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”God uses temptationsto teach us obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15, “if you love me you will obey what I command.” That is a hard teaching. Especially today because this is time we are living in. Temptation screams out of every set of ear buds, every billboard, every TV, every screen we watch or carry. It pulls us in and doesn’t want to let go. God know that we will be tempted. Take a look in 1 Corinthians 10:13 where it says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” What is more important to you? Loving your Lord and Savior or what is calling you?God uses trespassesto teach us to forgive. In Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Again another hard teaching, is God referring to that guy who cut me off in traffic? What about the person who stole from me? What about the person who ridicules me because I follow Christ, calls me a bigot or attacks me physically for my faith? It is in those situations that I can be truly content. In Matthew 5:11 it says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” The greek word translated to blessed, Makarios, means More than Happy. God suffered for the sake of the message. How much more so will we? How do we begin to increase our appetite for God’s holiness and grow in contentment? How do we go after everything that God has for us? Here are a few ways you can impact your environment. Choose the relationships around you. In Proverbs 13:20 it says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” You cannot walk this road alone. We are family and no matter what we need each other. Ephesians 4:16 illustrates this for us where it reads, “The whole Body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole Body is healthy and growing and full of love.”Confront the issues that stop you. Job had to confront his issues. Bitterness was beginning to grip him as he lamented in chapter 21 verses 23-25 he laments, “Some men stay happy until the day they die...others have no happiness at all; they live and die with bitter hearts.” We need to deal with our sin, our hurts, our unbelief and move on. Isaiah cries out to us in chapter 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”Cultivate the purpose within you. There is a race that we all must run. We need to run OUR race and run it to win. Paul explained this to the Ephesians leaders as he left them in Acts 20:24, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Find the purpose that God has put in front of us all. Nothing satisfies, not money, success, fame. Only what we do for Christ will last.Lastly commit to the One who loves you. It is not about us. It is all about Him. Turn to the back of the book and even this is made plain. Revelation 4:11 reads, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” If you want to really experience all that God has than follow the prescription laid out in Romans 12, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.”I will leave you with a question that I asked the men during our Men’s Retreat last week. If nothing changes in your situation or it gets worse, is God Enough?

Heavenly Identity...

Carlton Matthews — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:28:00 GMT

*H/T to Tim Challies for having this video in his A La Carte post today. *

Free Friday | Jig-A-Boo

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 19:00:00 GMT

P4CM presents Rhetoric 2012, the largest Christian Poetry event. Official P4CM Poet Jackie Hill delivered her poem "Jig-A-Boo" in front of an audience of nearly 3,000 people.This is a powerful word regarding false teaching and our casual attitude towards it.-God's Man

Free Friday | Make Good Art

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

H/T Tim Ferris

Free Friday | More Than A Savior

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:30:00 GMT

Jesus is More Than A Savior

I shared this video with our church a few weeks ago as part of our series Unreal. The unreal series examines the 10 commandments.

Free Friday | Just Do It

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Just Do It!

It takes a few minutes to get through the introductions and setup but Art is one of my favorite speakers.

Free Friday | Adopted

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:00:00 GMT

What Does It Mean to Be God's Adopted Child?

Free Friday | Speak With Authority

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Do you Speak with Authority?

Today I am going to post some videos that I have enjoyed this week.

God's Man | Her Race Is Over - Conclusion

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:00:00 GMT

                             Irene Butler HebronJanuary 5, 1927 - February 23, 2012

We discussed how not only is God everywhere but he is with us in the moment. Now to look at how this works itself out in our life. Let's take a look at this exchange between Jesus and his disciples.

1 John 13:31-38When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times! This passage, while starting at the beginning of a chapter, is actually the continuation of a discussion between Jesus and his disciples. In the previous chapter Jesus had just admonished Proud Peter who boasted how he would lay down his life for Jesus. Not only would he fail to stay with Jesus, by the time the rooster finished crowing he would deny Christ 3 times. I am sure that during this discussion there was some disappointment and sadness. I mean Jesus was telling them that he was leaving and that they would be unable to follow. They had followed Him for 3 years. They had lived with Him, walked with Him, had witnessed his miracles. They had left father, mother, businesses to follow Him. What did He mean? But Jesus is not the author of confusion, He brings hope to those who are hurting.1 John 14:1-6“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.Jesus lets them know that He going to prepare a place for them. He assures them that He is also going to be coming back for them. Then Thomas comes up with a question. Thomas, who we call the Doubter, asks the best questions. The thing that I love about Thomas is that his life illustrates that we CAN ask questions and that He DOES answer. But what does that answer mean?Jesus, in two sentences, removes all the confusion from salvation. It is right here where the hope lies. It is right here where we can cling and be comforted that He will come again. It is right here where our troubled hearts are calmed. Aunt Irene knew this and it brought peace. She wanted all of you to know this as well. In the end she had one more lesson for all of her students. In the end she had one more thing to share with her friends. In the end she had one last thing to get across. Aunt Irene died at home in her own room knowing, not only had a place had been prepared for her, but that he Savior would be coming to receive her.I stand here today, her nephew, praying that her final lesson lands and that the hope that she had would be your as well.God's Man

God's Man | Her Race Is Over

Carlton Matthews — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:31:00 GMT

My Great Aunt Irene passed away on February 23, 2012 at the age of 85 years old. When I found out she had passed it was a surreal moment. I was attending an assembly for my oldest daughter after having spent the morning with my Parents, my Aunt and my Grandmother. Dad and I had said that we were going to go over and visit with Aunt Irene after the assembly. So there I was standing out in the hallway as my Dad gave me the news.

Once my mother and I had gathered my daughter my Dad and I left to go to the house to be with the family that was quickly gathering there. As a family we prayed along with her Pastor. I was being stoic. Trying to be there for everyone. Be Strong. Then my cousin came to me and said that my Aunt wanted me to give the eulogy.

After saying that I would I was caught in a wave of emotion and began to cry. As I sat outside of Aunt Irene's bedroom in the sitting room I cried because I couldn't believe that she was gone. As the night went on she asked me to prepare a video to be shown at the viewing and funeral. I thought I would share the video and my notes for her eulogy.

The thing about life is that God is in all of it. There is not one part of life where God is not present. The question is do you GET it? Do you see that He is there?

Irene Butler Hebron
January 5, 1927 - February 23, 2012

Aunt Irene was an amazing woman. She was an important part of my life growing up. The part that stands out to me the most was the time that I spent with her in the Drama Club at St. Mark's UMC. From 6 to 17 I was in every Easter, Christmas and Dinner Theater Play. Aunt Irene was always there, even when we thought she wasn't. Even when we thought she was paying attention to something else. Even when we really did want to be there. That was who she was. She had a heart for those under her care. That goes for all of us gather here today. At some point in our lives we were all touched by her. Whether you grew up with her in that old house, or you knew her from school; whether you were one of her many students, or one of her friends, she impacted you in some way. Even when you weren't around she was probably thinking about you in some way.

This is what we are called to as we navigate life with God. We are a family, whether by blood or faith, we walk through this life together. Stating this is the perfect lead in to the scriptures that we will look at as we celebrate the life of Aunt Irene. The first is the 23rd Psalm.

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Probably one of the most recognizable verses in the Bible. It is an awesome testimony that points to God as an ever-present part of our lives. Everything in this passage shows God as someone who is there with you in the day to day. He is personal. Look at how David claims relationship with God.

My Shepherd...
Makes me...
Leads me...
Guides me...
You are with me...

God is there at the 50K foot level but He is also there in the minutest of details. That is what is evident here and in the life of Aunt Irene. In the next post I will look at the hope that she had as we examine John 14:1-6.

God's Man

God's Man | What Will You Do With This Year

Carlton Matthews — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:20:00 GMT

Here are the notes from the message I gave today at Living Hope Church.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Welcome to 2010! A new year... A new decade...How did you celebrate, recognize, honor 2010? Were you one of the revelers in Times Square? Did you watch the revelers on TV? Did you attend a watch night service or some other church activity? Regardless of how you spent that night, my question is what are you going to do now?What Will You Do With This Year?What Does A New Year Mean To You Anyway?A New Opportunity... A Second Chance...A Fresh Start...I have enjoyed watching my online friends as the end of the year came. Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs were discussing what 2009 meant and they looked with longing at 2010 as a new beginning. Some recounted what took place in 2009, one blogger friend went back over the last decade and determined that it really didn't go that great for her. However the new year presented a chance at a fresh start.Today I want to share with you some thoughts that God gave to me as I was working through my own retrospective on the double 0's and To do that I had to take a hard look at me. God took me back to the beginning to illustrate the His creative process and I have learned that there is no better way than His. So let's take a look at Genesis Chapter 1.The Initial Spark (Lighting the Path)... Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.We are moving into a time of fasting and prayer here at LHC. One of the things that I am asking God is to illuminate the landscape of my life. Show me the clear delineations. Let me know where I am and in what direction I need to travel. In this first part of Genesis God called the light into existence and He took a good long look as what He had created. As God lights up your life during this time don't shy away from what you see. If nothing else the Good will be the realization that you will never walk that path again. So once you have seen it, Now What?Laying the Foundation (Water, Sky, and Ground)... Genesis 6-10 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.Here God laid the foundation for everything, Sky, Water, and Ground. This is where you should always start. Start organizing things. This is the only way that you will be able to make any headway. Don't get too wrapped up analyzing things you are just laying the groundwork. Start looking at what is there and put it where it can be best utilized.Plant The Seeds... Genesis 11-13Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.As you begin to get organized you can start planting the seeds that God is giving you. You will know where those seeds will go and you will begin to anticipate what will grow based on what you have planted. Planting and waiting is where a lot of us fall short (Me!) I get caught up in the waiting. I think it is taking too long. I become the farmer that keeps digging up the seeds to check the growth and we know how effective that is.God comes in and gives me a new focus.Refocus... Genesis 1:14-19 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.God provided the initial spark but for me I need to continually refocus myself back towards him. He gives me new things to do during the waiting times. When I give myself over, for a time, to outside service I am not as pulled to look over my seeds. Time flows and before long God gives me new opportunities to create within the foundation that he has created.Utilize the Resources That He has Given You - Genesis 1:20-24 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.Notice that without the initial planting these new items would not be able to survive. Create a Legacy Genesis 1:26-31Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.Is what you have created sustainable? Is it repeatable? If you are not there does everything fall apart? Whether in business or in your family you need to build things that can be passed on.The last thing that God did should not be discounted, even though in today's whirlwind society we do, You should Rest...Take Time To Rest Genesis 2:1-3Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.No one falls short on this one more that me. I have been running at top speed for so long that it doesn't even feel right to slow down. I always feel like I should be doing something but God, who never tires, rested and this year so shall I. Mke sure that you do not equate rest with sleep though. They are not always the same. Sometimes you just need to do something that refreshes you. Read a book, go for a walk, play a video game, write... Whatever it is do it. It will do wonders for you.So what will you do with this year? Now is the time for your initial spark. Let's pray and ask God to show us the way. If you do not know Him, than let me introduce you. God is the creator of everything. He desires to have a relationship with each and everyone of us, however mankind walked away from Him and embraced sin. On our own none of us are able to breach the gap so God came down to earth in the form of His Son Jesus. Jesus lived a sinless life and took the punishment for meant for me. He died on a cross and paid in full the debt that I had made. He did this so that I would be able to have true fellowship with God the Father. He also did this for you. All that you need to do to experience the joy that is everlasting is to Awknowledge, Accept, and Embrace. Awknolodge the sin in your life, Accept that gift of Salvation given by Jesus, and Embrace Him.