Good things often take time😇

Psalm 119:9 "How Can a  young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.  10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands."  Psalm 119 is so beautiful!!!  It's Long and  extraordinary.   It takes a while to read it and always worth my time.    That's the way  many good things are. They take time,  but it's worth it!  Today be inspired to be patient and wait on God.  He has our best interests in mind, He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him .  😇🦅🙏🌸❤️

Cheerful giving? Is from the heart

2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."     A cheerful giver!😇Often we think of money when we think of giving.  Giving is so much more then money.    We have been gifted time, talents, compassion, mercy and much, much more through the powerful gift of Jesus.   I think being a good steward of our lives includes cheerfully giving of  ourselves in many ways.    When I give reluctantly it's never as effective as when I give cheerfully.    After all we are to do all things for the glory of God!!   I hope this helps you today😇🙏🦅❤️🌸.

Keep doing the Lord work! It’s not in vain

1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore my dear brothers stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."   Yesterday, I got the phone call from the vet that was doing Isabelle's surgery and she said, " we can't stop her bleeding, if you can you should come now."   I cried so much on the way to the vet, I didn't feel ready to loose my beloved pet.   It was a one of our last beautiful days this fall and I spent it by the side of my furry companion in a small vet examining room.  Isabelle did perk up when I came in the room and the vet assured me she knew I was there.  When she sent Isabell home with me last night.  She said, I'll be praying she makes it through the night, what ever " prayer " is. I took the opportunity to tell her  a little about faith.  Not a preachy sermon , just an introduction to its power and comfort.   This morning my Isabelle is still here.   She did make it through the night.  I will get an other opportunity to talk about faith, but even if I  my Isabelle passed  yesterday, I TRUST that God has His hand on it all.    No matter what our circumstances be inspired to keep doing what you know is the "Lords work"😇🙏🦅🌸❤️

Taking away the pain

Today my almost 17 year old puppy Isabell.  My " sobriety dog" is having her teeth removed. It's a simple surgery and I'm confident she'll survive.  But I have been very unsure it's the right decision.    I've not done a good job about praying about it.   I have trusted my friend who is the vet and heard others tell me she'll feel better.   I might only get an other year or so with her, so why put her through this?   Mainly to relive her pain because otherwise she seems very healthy.   Relieve our pain!! I have had some personal pain lately.  When I woke in the middle of the night not able to sleep I went to read my Bible to see what God would tell me.  I landed on Jeremiah 17:7-8.  "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord....".  TRUST helps me in my pain.  In order for me to TRUST I have to seek council in His Word.  It's the only way I have found to be sure of the Answers.   Mathew 6:33"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."   Today give your pain, to Jesus he'll take it and give you His righteousness!!  Praise the Lord for the simple Gospel!!!!  It helps the pain!!😇🦅🌸🙏❤️

Our families reputation?

1John 2:17" The world and all it desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."  I have a plaque on my night stand that says,"life on earth is soon to pass only what's done for Christ will last". 1 John 3:1 " How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God!And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him."   We are the children of God!!   Because my last name is “Mathews”, Sometimes people will ask me if I'm related to  “Mathews Bow” here in Sparta.      I say, “no but I know them and they are a really good family.    They are a very giving, community minded, Christian, family and I'd love to be a part of their family.”   Sometimes “ families “ have a reputation.  Today let’s help build the good reputation of our Christian family so more people will want to be a part of our family!  😇🙏 Let’s walk in the love of Jesus not the love of this world😇🙏🦅❤️🌸

Walk forward

Philippians 4:13 "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."   Letting go and pressing forward is the key to being fully present.  As Christians we walk in continual forgiveness.  It doesn't give us a ticket to keep sinning but a conviction to keep trying to do life, in the love of Jesus.   2Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come!"   When I first quit drinking my kids would say, “ yeah mom, you say that but remember…….”   I would say, “ Yes, I remember doing that and I am sorry.  I have been forgiven through Jesus and I hope you can forgive me too.  I am no longer that person I am a new creation in Jesus, that mom is gone! So please don’t hold her against me now “.   I meant that.   I owned my horrible behavior and  moved forward in a new direction.  It took a while for my children to Trust that I wasn’t planning to return to my old ways.   But eventually they started seeing me in a new light.  Immediately Jesus saw me in a new light.  Immediately as I believed upon Him as my Savior; I became a new creation so immediately I could say.  “ that’s not me anymore!”.  It’s a beautiful thing to not be defined by you past but be pressing forward to the high calling of God.   How are you doing today in living in your present moments with Jesus?   I have to remind myself of this often.   It’s true we are made new every moment of every day.   TRUST😇🦅🙏❤️🌸

Live in the “ Wow”

Breath taking moments and moments of loneliness and despair, Jesus is with us always! ( Matthew 28:20 " Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age) I prefer the breath taking moments, the moon shimmering over the lake, the sunrise and set, and the moments of "Wow"on my bicycle! The glory of the warmth of the sun reminds me of the true warmth of the "Son".   It's easy to get discouraged by the many tough times we face, today let's look up so we can keep our  chins up.   There is beautiful in many things.  See it and thank God for it. I promise you, this very act of seeing the beautiful and living in Thanksgiving, even in the midst of our hardships helps us helps us be truly well. John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled , trust in God; trust also in me." (words of Jesus).  TRUST!!

Happy Harvest!!

Happy first day of Fall!   When I think of Fall I think of the harvest.   Up here in Northern Minnesota much of the "Harvest" from our local gardens is in and eaten.  I love the fresh food from my garden.  But it's only a temporary season.   My Grandma Holt made sure I was in Sunday school and got confirmed.   She knew I needed the fruit that will last.    Many times our Christian study walk can end after confirmation class.  Today, be inspired to focus on the season that won't pass your Christian walk with Jesus.  No matter what happens around you His love is constant.  We need not fear death because through Jesus it is the beginning of the most amazing season ever

John 15:16 "you did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other."

Fear Not!!

Jesus said in John 16:30 " I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world ".   I love this verse!!!  In this world we will have trouble but take heart! In some translations it says Fear not!   Sometimes when trouble comes I envision the worse case scenario and then see Jesus in it.   When Jesus is in it it no longer is the worse case scenario.   Years ago my son Chan took off on his crotch rocket  after 10:30 pm in the Summer.   I was a mess,  I stopped and prayed and said, Jesus, even if he is lying in a field dead I trust you are with him.   I was able to then sleep and my sleep was sweet as Psalm 3 promises us.     We all face trouble but we never have to face it alone!! Mathew 28:20 "Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age." ( Also the words of Jesus😇)

Peace, peace peace in out hearts so it can be in our homes

 Jesus said in John 14;27. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."   "Peace, peace peace on earth, this is a time for joy, this is a time for love we all come together for peace peace peace on earth" these are some of my favorite lyrics.   PEACE ☮️. I was a teenager in the 70's we used to hold up the peace sign to each other, it was born out of political opposition to the Vietnam war. Politics seem to really be dividing our country and even families    Today let's be encouraged to love eachother regardless of politics.   No matter how politically charged someone is; it's of this world and this world is only a temporary place.  We have Heaven to look forward to.   Today know the words of a Jesus; " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you."   Look upon each other with love and joy; truly this simple act will help us be healthy in our hearts more then being “right” or “left”.

Change of season

This morning, the warm south wind is picking up over the lake and sun is starting to rise.  It reminds me of Florida.   I love the smell of the water, warm breeze and the hope I feel with every Sun Rise.😇.   Today is Sept 19th,  not many of these morning left this season.   Fall officially begins in a few days.   As much as I love Summer, to be wishing for it all year long would have me stuck.   I chose a to embrace the change of seasons. Each has its own glory.  Life has seasons too, may we choose to embrace where we are and do all things for the Glory of God!! Philippians 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Saving Faith

Hebrews 11:1 " Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. "

Faith, without faith it is impossible to please God! True Faith, is unconditional.   Many situations are not as we want them, but we can TRUST God through them; He is working a good work in us, in the middle of what ever we are facing.    Today "keep the faith" ; know all things work together, to help us be more like Christ.   (Romans 8:29).    This temporary world is only our training Ground for the glory that awaits us.  (Romans 8:18)

Speak life with Godly wisdom

James 3:17 " But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."   This verse really helps me look at my motives.   It goes with Psalm 46:10 " Be still and know that I am God."    Today I pray peace, mercy and sincerity of  heart guide our thoughts and our tongues.    James chapter 3 really emphasizes how important it is to control our tongues.   I personally find that when I speak negitive thoughts and complain it's hard to be peace-loving and full of mercy.  Speaking the wrong things produces a quoralsome spirit in me.   Today, let's speak life, so we can live in Godly wisdom !!! 😇🙏🦅❤️🌸

Christ centered teammates

Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 "if one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves a cord of three strands is not quickly broken."    These verses remind me of how important it is to have teammates in life.  Christ centered teammates.    This life has much joy and also much tragedy, the only way I know to stay "Fit" through it all is to be focused on Jesus and His love for us through it all.   It's easier for me to stay strong in my faith and therefore strong in all things when I;  1. Read and meditate on His word( the Bible) daily. 2. Have friends in Christ, that encourage me in His word.  3 Remeber, no matter what I face and how alone I may feel, I am never alone Jesus is with me always. My constant team mate!  ( Mathew 6:33"Lo, I am with you  always even to the end of the age.").  Today be inspired to be a good, Christ centered teammate to those in your life, remembering always Jesus Himself is your constant companion, the head of your team!!!!😇🙏🦅❤️🌸

“Shut up legs!”

Last weekend I was at a Bike ride in Door County, Wi.   Before the ride a group of us spoke of how important it is to use scripture verses in our daily lives so we can engage our faith and truly be fit in all things.   We used an example of being tired on the bike ride and instead of saying, "Shut up legs!" , we could say, Philippians 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."     Later after the ride, many of us were watching the sunset;  one lady said, what would be the perfect verse for this moment?   I said, how about, " Be still and know that I am God." Plasm 46:10?    This morning I'm reading psalm 40:5 "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.  The things you have planned for us no one can recount to you; were I would speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."    There are so many beautiful things and wonders in our everyday lives.  Sometimes we just look at what's wrong.   Today be inspired to Thank God for what's right.   Use His verses to do so.  It will fill you with hope, I know so!!😇🙏🦅❤️🌸

I believe, help me with my unbelief!

 Mark 9:24 "if you can?" said Jesus.  Everything is possible for him who believes" 24 Immediately the boys father exclaimed, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!"    I have had so many seemingly unanswered prayers, sometimes I feel like; Gods not going to do this why am I even asking?   But I said "seemingly"unanswered prayers.   When we pray God hears us, when we pray through Jesus.      He does answer all our prayers too.   Just not in our timing or our ways.   His ways are above our ways we can't possibly understand his ways but we can TRUST.    In order for me to be “Fit” in Faith many times I have to cry out, “ Lord, I believe, help me with my unbelief.”     TRUST😇❤️🙏🌸🦅

Purity of heart

John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in Spirit and truth." John 4:34 "My food", Jesus said, " Is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work."    These two verses remind me of sincerity of heart.   To truly worship God in our inner most being and to truly try to serve Him with a pure heart.   God sees our hearts!! ❤️💕.   I have been a Christian for a long time, yet I still have to keep a "heart check".  Am I going through the motions, or am I living this life with a true, worshiping servants heart?    It's a continual process for me, when I'm in the "zone" of having my head  and my heart on TRUSTING Jesus and serving Him   I have the " good energy" to get my work done.     I hope you like this perspective too and He is the one feeding you today!! 😇❤️🦅🙏🌸

Rescued and made right!

Colossians 1:13 "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, 14 in whom we ha e redemption, for the forgiveness of sins."    Out of the darkness into the light!! Praise the Lord!!!     In today’s world there are so many many rules. It’s easy to catch people breaking “ the rules”.  I can’t possibly have good enough behavior to be perfect.   No one can.   I love the saying, “ the last guy who was perfect, they hung on a cross.”   For me to stay hopeful everyday I have to keep turning my darkness over to Jesus and keep accepting my right standing with God through Him.   Not by things I’ve done but what God has done for me.    When I look at what’s right and the beautiful He puts in me. I am inspired to walk in that beautiful and leave the darkness behind.   Certainly things happen and I am tempted to go the wrong direction but when I keep pressing toward the mark, through the strength and perseverance I have in Jesus.   I have the energy to keep on keeping on!    I hope this helps you today too to let go of the dark and walk in His light!! We are forgiven and made right with God every moment of every day, no matter what by the powerful gift of Jesus!!!😇🙏🦅🌸❤️

Loving you through it!

Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our Spirit that we are Gods children."  Isaiah 49:15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you.  16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 59:1 "Surely the arm of the Lord is not to short! To save, nor His ear to dull to hear."   These verses are helping me remember today that even when I start chasing the wrong things God's hand is not too short and He loves me so enough to real me back in.   I am His Beloved child.   You are His beloved child!   There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Jesus.    Today be inspired to simply TRUST in His intimate love for you!!! God's got this too!!   He is loving you through it!!😇🦅🙏❤️🌸

There is a light at the end of the tunnel

 Romans 8:18 " I consider the present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."  Someone I love is facing a big battle with Cancer.  The treatment plan although not yet finalized promises to be a difficult one.    We don't have to look to far to see " hard roads".  In my hard, I like to remember, His grace is sufficient for me His power is made perfect in my weakness.      Today I hope this helps you hold on to remembering our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us!😇🌸🙏🦅❤️

Take a field put on the new

Ephesians 4:22 "you were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. 23 to be made new in the attitudes of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. ".    Take off the old and put on the new through the powerful gift of Jesus!!!😇.   When I am tempted to think defeat,  I shake it off and look to victory.  When dieting or staring a moving program many people get defeated and give up.  But never give up!!   Keep on keeping on in the strength and forgiveness of Jesus.   Yesterday, 10 years ago and five minutes ago are just as over as 30 years ago.   Today be inspired to to let go of what ever it is that is holding you back and put on your new self every moment of every day.   Sanctification is a process until we get to Heaven.  Keep on keeping on in the renewing of your mind in Christ.     No matter what!!   😇🙏💃❤️🦅🌸

Just do it! For Jesus😇

Colossians 3:17 " And whatever you do, whether in word or deed , do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."   

Give thanks in all things and what ever we do do it unto our Lord.    A friend of mine is really good at discipline.  Self control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.     I have self control in many areas but I often put off the work I don't feel like doing.  When ever I do get my "work " done I love the accomplishment it's the getting started that is so hard especially on a beautiful day.    When I look at my work as opportunity to serve Jesus it helps me with motivation.   What ever God has put upon your heart to do , be encouraged to " just do it! " For Him