One thing after another

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Have you ever felt like the rat in the wheel, like one thing happens and when it starts to look up, wham! it starts all over again. It is sometimes hard to see the silver lining in the middle of the storm. If you ever need motivation about the fact that everything ends up working for our good, just read the story of Joseph in Genesis. Talk about a guy jacked up by everyone that could, including his own brothers.

From the beginning of the story you see the tension building as he’s developing his gifts and his brothers are jealous of him. The first thing they thought about doing to him was to kill him, but they decide to sell him as a slave. With siblings like that who needs enemies, right? But then God made it where he found favor with his master who put him in charge of everything and he learned, as a slave, how to manage the land and the livestock.

That was too easy, so the Master’s wife had her eye set on Joseph and wanted a little more personal tender loving care. As a man of God and of integrity he rejected the woman. She couldn’t take that offense and made a scene pretending that Joseph had tried to assault her. Poor Joseph is sent to jail.

Ah! In jail God makes him get favor with the keepers and he was in charge of other prisoners, but he was still a prisoner. In there he met some people, I’m not going to give you the details, you have to read this one. The bottom line is he ends up being taken out of jail and made basically the second in power in Egypt. With his experiences, gifts and knowledge he journey the country through a horrible famine as well as reconnected with his family and provided for them through the famine.

When his brothers finally realized that it was him, they were in shame and Joseph’s words really caught my attention: “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt” Genesis 45:8

So regardless of what part of your journey you are, can you appreciate that your life has a purpose? That it’s true! God never wastes a hurt, that your test is part of a bigger purpose and a testimony. Your troubles are part of the master plan to bring glory to God in the end.

Ask yourself what can you learn from your current situation? What skills is God imparting in you for the future through your struggles? You may think, but this is too painful. Have you ever prepare to compete in an athletic event? It takes a lot of pain and sacrifice. So just enjoy the ride and see what lessons you need to learn…and when you think the world around you is treating you bad, read about Joseph, it will show you that your situation is not as bad, or at least that you are not alone.

Blessings

Naty

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WF: Listening to the right voice

On By Naty MatosIn Worship4 Comments

In a world filled with noise, we can’t help but listen to our surroundings. We can’t forget that yes we hear what the world wants to show us, but we have to believe what the Word says to us about our reality.

We can get caught up with the noises around us, the problems, the finances, our hurts and forget that there’s one an only truth, Our Lord and Savior.

This life is not about us and our satisfaction. We were created to serve our God, but He in his infinite love wanted us to enjoy our process of life and our communion with Him. Remember just to listen to the voice of your shepherd , to listen to the voice of truth.

 

Blessings

 

WF:Worship Friday

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Just for today

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

Since creation God has been trying to relay our purpose and how our life was designed to be lived and enjoyed. Our pride, trusting issues and misuse of our freedom are the root of our inability to grasp this concept, in my opinion. From the beginning God intended for us to live in the present. Yes, our past can teach us lessons to not repeat and the future gives us hope, but both are intangible and out of our hands and all we have promised is what’s in front of us, this moment.

This doesn’t mean to be reckless with out present as the next moment is not promised. If history has taught us anything is that our daily decision impacts how our future would look like. At the same time, if our past has impacted our present, then we still have a chance right here and right now to make the necessary changes to affect where we are and where we are going.

I was listening to someone preaching about the concept of one day at a time. The person said that God only provides for us for one day at a time and it just resonated with me the emphasis that God had placed into this to show us the order that our life should have.

Let’s look at some examples in the Word where God is trying to teach us the concept of “One day at a time”

  • Creation

During the passages of creation the first thing that God did was separate the day from the night and call it a “day”. He could have allowed us to live in lighted days or darken days for eternity, but from the creation he wanted us to have designated blocks of time to deal with.

  • The Dessert

When Moses was in the dessert with the Israelites God gave them provision for just one day. Manna and quail was provided for them, with the instruction to not save any for the next day and just take what they needed. Did they listen? Of course not, and the next day the food was filled with worms. The only exception was on the sixth day to save for the Sabbath, which in our modern times would be: run your errands one day, but do take a day to rest and meditate on the Lord.

  • The Savior himself (Jesus)

All over the New Testament we hear Jesus telling us not to worry about tomorrow but to focus on the day at hand.

  1. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 5:33)
  2. And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life” (Matthew 6:27)

Personally, I have been challenged by this concept. I tend to be a planner. I like to have plan A,B,C and D just in case. In my walk with Christ I’m learning that only JC plan works. Yes, the plan that Jesus Christ and his Father have laid out  for me and that trying to work against that concept is not only contra productive, but very exhausting. I’m not going to claim that I have mastered living just for today, but I get better as I see that things work so much smoothly when I do nothing but trust God and let him lead the way.

So I invite you to join me in casting all our worries about our future to our Lord Jesus Christ and start living like God intended for us to live from the very beginning. Isn’t it wonderful to know that we are cared for and that God’s way is the best way?

As always I like to hear from you, have you had experiences with having to change your perspective on how to live your life? Come and share with us…

Until then, be blessed!

Speak to your fears…loud!

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts2 Comments

 

Have you ever been in a difficult situation that becomes a part of your life and tends to stay with you? The event, place, person or circumstance may not be a constant in your life, but when it does appear you feel that knot in your stomach, the lack of breath. It just drives you right back to the original place.

What to do?

 

  • Acknowledge the feeling- Denying that is there will not make it any better. It will not make it go away, in fact it may creep its ugly head more often as it is has not been dealt with.
  • Look for its root-The feeling of uneasiness is more than trauma. What is it really that this experience causes you? Is it a sense of impotence, rejection, lack of control, etc.
  • Is it real?- Yes, is the feeling coming from a real imminent threat or just something that trigger a memory, but you’re not in real danger at this time.
  • Take action-Yes, once you acknowledge out loud what you’re feeling and you determine if your danger is real or not, you have to do something. If you’re in real danger you may need to remove yourself from the situation or call authorities or something of that nature to keep you safe.

If you’re not in immediate danger and it’s just your feelings bringing you down, speak to them!

Yes, remind yourself and your enemy that you can do all things in Christ who strengthens you; that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, that you are a prince or princess as children of the most high King and that the enemy has to flee.

  • Move- Once you’ve spoken to your feelings of fear, don’t stay in place marinating in your thoughts. Go do something, turn the music on, worship the Lord, call a friend, move out of that zone that is trying to keep you prisoner of your thoughts.

Hope this helps, it has helped me too!

Blessings,

WF: Get off the fence

On By Naty MatosIn Worship6 Comments

Last week’s teaching at my church was very simple. Stop being wishy washy about your faith. If you really believe God is God, then live your life like that is a truth. In this Friday, I challenge you to evaluate your life. Are you living like those things you preach? Are you living in the permissive will of God or the perfect will of God?

After sitting to process this in my own life, I’ve had this song attached to me all week. I think I’ve woken up every morning with it in my head and I wanted to share. May it impact your life like it has impacted mine.

Be blessed.

WF: Worship Friday

Seeking directions

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

At times we are presented with situations that force us to make difficult life decisions with little to no information. We look to God for direction but can find it difficult to read His signs. We seek solutions while being keenly aware that the enemy is standing by, providing detours to guide us in the wrong direction, but even with this knowledge it is still difficult to discern which way to go.

Then there are times when we have gotten the clarification we need from God the neon lights are blaring showing us the route, but our flesh wants more details. We feel like we need more information that’s not being revealed to us. So we keep searching and digging deeper, finding nothing despite our best efforts. I know I’ve been at fault for that.

Let’s agree today to pray that whatever revelation we need be given from God, that “there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known” (Luke 12:2 NIV) At the same time, let’s allow God to give us the information he wants us to have and stop digging ourselves deeper into a pit of unnecessary pain and confusion.

WF: All Jesus did for us

On By Naty MatosIn Worship3 Comments

Jesus death and resurrection should not be something we just remember just when the church tells us to commemorate it through a holiday or when we are in trouble. Every day new mercies are given to us. Let’s worship the Lord remembering what he did and does for us.

Enjoy

WF: Worship Friday

Brief announcement to all my twitter followers

If you’re following me on twitter. My account was hacked last night. The problem has been solved, but some of you may still have the malware message in your direct message box. The message states that I found a picture of you. Please, Do Not Open that message. Delete it immediately or your account will  be hacked as well. If you accidentally opened it. I sincerely apologize. Please change your password and any application that you didn’t authorize to have access to your twitter account from your profile page. Then notify twitter of the transgression.

I have followed these steps and no further illegitimate messages should be sent from my account. I appreciate all your support and following.

God Bless You!!

Naty

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At this moment…

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts1 Comment

With the day to day of life, sometimes we don’t see the forest from the trees. I try to make a stop at least twice a year to evaluate my course. I see where I’ve been, what I’ve done and where I’m headed. I usually do those things on my birthday and at the end of the year. Fortunately for me they are six months apart giving me exactly a review within the same time frames

The last few months have been kind of slow in every sense. I’ve had low energy to do much, no major events have happened and I sit here grateful for that. My life has had enough rollercoaster episodes for what a quiet sense of peace, as strange as it feels, it’s been very welcome.

This time has allowed me to finally slow down and look at my projects in a different light. I needed to give some first steps but now it has been time to build the foundation, physically, emotionally and spiritually and without even noticing that’s what these last six months have been about. It has been about the journey of finding me and being newly defined in Christ instead of the world. It has been about being comfortable in my own skin and around others.

It has also been a push to come out of my shell. With fear and trembling I placed my name on this blog, it was about time you guys knew who was behind all the rambling. I even placed my picture for all to see. That’s Kristen Lamb’s fault, but I love her for it. I’ve joined a crazy world of writers in twitter called #myWANA, which stands for “We Are Not Alone”. It’s been an amazing experience to share the struggles and the victories of the journey.

I joined a grammar class that I didn’t finish. I plan to enroll in it again. I’m reading books in writing craft. I even found out there’s a manual for Christian writers. I want to be better, for God, for you and for me.

So as the candles dwindle in my cake, I don’t think I have a wish this year, because I’m happy with where I am, with who I am and with the things God is making happen in my life.

Blessings

Unexpected children

On By Naty MatosIn ArticlesLeave a comment

 

I just finished reading an article on Christianity Today , it was an interview with Bristol Palin regarding her new book and the topic of abstinence. I agree and disagree with some of her points of view, but the thing that shocked me the most were some of the comments in reaction to the article.

In the interview she states that her son “Tripp is the light” of her life  and a reader characterized her comment as one that sends an erroneous message to other teens. How saying that you love your son is wrong? I understand and agree that having a child out of wedlock is a sin, but is a sin of the parents, not of the child. So what is the recommendation here, she should be ashamed of her son?

She sinned. She admitted it, she repented. Who are we to judge? Are our sins any different? The Word says to us,  “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person’s eye” Matthew 7:5

A child born out of wedlock already comes with a list of situations that will affect their whole life. They will experience the absence of a nuclear family life, probably even the absence of a parental figure. Most out of wedlock children come from unskilled parents that will try to raise them the best way they can, but without the proper skills. They may experience feelings of rejection and abandonment. Should we encourage out of wedlock children? No! but once they are here, what impact we as a society contribute to their futures?

Where is our love and mercy? What happened to no condemnation?

As a society and as Christians we need to reevaluate ourselves on how we contribute to child abuse and exploitation. How our attitudes and our lack of involvement in our children’s lives may create some of these issues.

  • Do you know where your teens are? Who they keep company with?
  • Do you read the things they post in social media? (Good Lord I still get horrified with things I read in the walls of very underage children whose parents I know!)
  • Do you know who they talk to?
  • Are you afraid to talk to your children about sex and its true purpose? Or do you just tell them not to do it and wish for the best?
  • Are you the first one to reject someone who becomes pregnant outside of marriage?
  • Are you judgmental of single parents?
  • Or maybe you don’t judge them but give them no assistance, even when you are able.

I think its time to stop pointing the finger at others and see where our own contribution to the problem is. These new children did not ask to come into this world, but they did and they have a divine purpose. God knitted them too in their mother’s womb No, we should not encourage and make it seem like out of wedlock pregnancies are cool, but once the child is here, those children deserve the same love, affection and chance as any other child.

Food for thought

Blessings

WF: Resting in his peace

On By Naty MatosIn Worship4 Comments

I don’t know about you, but on Fridays I feel tired. You start Monday with the energy to take on the week. Each week brings challenges of their own and when it all ends all you want is to rest and have some peace. You don’t want to hear about the bill  that is due, the report that needs to be finished, the double game that the children have over the weekend, the grocery shopping, the house cleaning or the car cleaning, all you want to do is rest.

In the times when routine is overwhelming, but also when life gives us unpleasant surprises we want the world to stop for just a minute to help us catch up.

He says in HIS Word in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

Take five minutes which is the duration of this video to worship the Lord and rest in his peace.

Be blessed!

 

WF=Worship Friday
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