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 |  "My eyes had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you." Job 42:5 NIV |
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Welcome to My WDC blog Thoughts as I walk with Jesus. God Bless! |
Do you have a fear of being separated from Christ? When I first came to Christ - or when Christ came to me and opened my eyes...at first I had this thought. I had it numerous times. I had the thought that He would leave me circumstantially. After walking with Him for years now, I now understand that Christ's love for me is unconditional. He will never leave me nor forsake me. This is His word. He is my savior. Praise God! |
What do you like to see and experience in an online bible study? I have been involved with many bible study groups. I have never participated in an online study group, though. Online bible study has never been on my radar but I certainly would love to. I am sure the online study groups are full of amazing people. Short post today. Have a blessed day! -Matthew. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
Prompt Write about the Bible topic you feel most passionately about. This is a difficult one because the bible is alive. My passion for a specific story, character, or verse constantly changes. But...if I HAD to pick one - John 15:1-8. “1.I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. It all starts with the Father. If you remain in Jesus and obey His commands, He will not only guide your path but he will also make you more fruitful. This could mean any number of challenges, hardships, or joyous seasons. These things are developing your heart and character. These are the steps that He orders. Rejoice in the midst of it, Paul says, because you are producing endurance. Focus on the fruit and do it all for the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Have a blessed day! -Matthew. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
I am involved in a men's group. It's a 2 and a half month long commitment to build better habits, get in shape, study scripture, and fellowship with other godly men. It's been an excellent journey so far and I am building lasting relationships with some amazing guys. We are in week 6 of the chapter and this week, we are studying the book of Romans. Here are some of my thoughts as I studied Romans 15 this morning: Romans 15 1-4 (NLT) "We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled." As we wait on the Lord, we are to remain vigilant, clear-minded, and aware of others who are in need. Not just in need of material things but mostly in need of Jesus. The journey of becoming Christ-like is a life-long adventure. We must take care of ourselves enough to have the energy, sustainability, and compassion to care for our brothers and sisters who may need to draw closer to the Lord. Romans 5-6 (NLT) "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of out Lord Jesus Christ." The Apostle Paul continues on writing about how Christ came as a servant for the Jews and Gentiles alike. Quoting Psalms 18:49, 117:1 and Deuteronomy 32:43. Paul's reason for writing is explained in verses 14-22 (NLT): "I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God's grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the good news so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum. My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, "Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand." In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places." I encourage you to read through Romans for yourself if you haven't. Thank you for reading. May God richly bless you and your family this Memorial Day weekend. -Matthew. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| I started the day with a cup of coffee and a study session in Romans 14. Figured I'd share my thoughts here in the blog. Verses 1-3: "Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don't argue about disputed matters. One person believes he may eat anything, while one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not judge one who does, because God has accepted him." Romans 14 starts off by simply stating it's not our job or place to judge anyone. Mainly because that person is loved by the Lord and, most likely, on a different place within their faith and road to Christ. Either way, God has accepted them just as they are. Verses 8-11: "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we belong to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God." Judgment belongs to the Lord. It's that simple. Each of us are on a different path to Him and it's important to remember this. Do your best to accept one another and do not allow the actions of others to determine your level of faith. Verses 13-15 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean. For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you ear, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died." These verses, to me, expound on what was being said in the previous verses about judgment and personal traits. God loves all of us and the needless stumbling blocks that are often laid out are not from God and not His will for anyone. These simple things should not cause us to stumble and should not be there to begin with. Act out of love and not contempt. Anything that appears holier-than-thou when passing judgment is not of God's will. Christ died for all of us. He loves all of us. Verses 19-23: So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God's work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats. It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith, and everything that is not from faith is sin." Romans 14 ends with commands to build up one another instead of tearing each other down due to differing opinions on trivial matters. Keep your opinions to yourself, basically. Rather, keep them between yourself and your creator, who knows all and is the ultimate authority. Thank you for reading and may the Lord richly bless you today. Blessings, Matthew. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
Prompt: How has God provided for you lately? This is a loaded question. The Lord provides for me everyday, all day long. I wouldn't breathe out unless he first breathed in. The very breath I breathe is His. He heals my body. He hears my prayers. He tends to the hedge of protection He has around myself, my house, and my family. Thank you, Jesus.
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Daily Blog prompt from:
What attitude should we have when we pray and worship God? When you come to the Lord in prayer and/or thanksgiving - it is important to come to Him with a humble heart. When you speak to Him, speak from your heart. Listen with eager expectation. When you praise the Lord, you are creating a defense in your mind to deflect negative interference from the enemy. It's like a fortress you create and maintain as you continue to worship and be with Him. Be sure to keep that armor strapped on tight today. :) God bless you. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and he will make your paths straight." This piece of scripture has been on my heart quite strongly as of late. As I am growing in my faith, I am finding that my old ways of thinking are being replaced by trusting Him and trusting his process. The Lord Jesus Christ has changed my life and I will walk with Him the rest of my days as I do the Lord's work. Amen. |
Hello, writing.com family. It's been a few days since I've added to this blog so I figured I should hop in here and get some words down on the page. Life is interesting, isn't it? Yesterday, I experienced two moments that were significantly distant in time yet they were both highly relevant to my mindset lately. I arrived to my job around 5:40AM. I stood in the parking lot of the giant Boeing Everett factory and watched the sunrise. It was beautiful as it peeked over the Cascade mountain range with, just enough, distant clouds to make it a pink and blue explosion to the new day. This connection to the universe got me through the day with ease. I arrived home from my job around 3:15PM. Got my routine going as I started up the PC and made the coffee - I worked for 2-3 hours on a few different projects. Made dinner, played outside with my son for a little while, and settled in for the nightcap of writing after the handsome boy was sleeping. Before I began to write, I went outside to get some fresh Seattle air. I noticed the sun was nearly setting over the Olympic Mountains (Yes, mountains for both sunrise and sunset - Seattle is beautiful) and I was immediately drawn in to the significance of catching this moment. After seeing the sunrise that same morning and then seeing the sunset, I had the feeling of, "I am extremely grateful to be part of this experience of life." Too often we get caught up in everyday life and forget to be still and look around. Just look around - this place we call Earth is quite remarkable. Everywhere you look - there is beauty. For instance, I just glanced out my window here in my 2nd story room and I saw a bird fly by. It was gliding, so smoothly across the sky. Beauty. Life is awesome. And I don't say that because of what I have, what I do, or who I know. I say it because I have eyes that allow me to witness the incredible every single day. My name is Matthew. And I am grateful, honored, and humbled. Carry on, you lovely creatures. |
Woke up a bit late this morning - the lawnmower man almost received a dart to his neck... luckily for him I have restraint. And no darts. I got my coffee now, so I am good. The lawnmower man has moved on to bigger and better grass. I do love the smell he left behind though. It smells like summer. I wanted to share something with my friends here at WdC - I purchased a book recently that was recommended by my instructors. I purchased it about a week ago - it showed up here about 3 days ago - and it's now on my shelf of books that I've read. This is something I recommend everyone go buy and read - Today. The book is called, "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. 'Break through the blocks and win your inner creative battles.' I can't remember what I paid for it but it's not much. Either way, if you're serious about taking your creative endeavor to a higher level - the investment is worth it. Invest in you. I hope everyone stays safe this weekend. Much love, my friends.  ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
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