Tag: Christ

WF:Hold us together

On By Naty MatosIn Worship2 Comments

It’s going to be alright! Sometimes that’s all we want and need to hear, but not always have the opportunity to do so. Even the strongest of the believers have their days of concern and sorrow.

Sometimes you feel like the weight of the world is upon your shoulders and although your faith tells you that there’s hope and that in the midst of your tears God will do something absolutely wonderful, you still feel the pain. 

But your spouse is involved in their own issues, and when you call a friend to talk they are happy that you called because they wanted your support over their own problems and you end up again alone in the pain.

I’m here to tell you what you’ve been needing to hear, “It’s going to be alright. Keep your chin up. You know your FATHER, and He will make it alright. You are not alone, I’m standing here with you”

From my heart to yours a big hug.

WF: Worship Friday

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The abuse that nobody sees

On By Naty MatosIn Articles6 Comments

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a cause very dear to my heart and once again I want to collaborate by bringing awareness to this illness in our society.

When most people think about domestic abuse they think of broken bones, black eyes and dishevel appearance. Usually the abuse is thought of as from a man to a woman. Although this stereotype is true, there’s a silent, sometimes subtle kind of abuse that goes on in many households undetected, that’s emotional abuse.

Emotional abuse is usually defined by instances where one spouse or partner belittlers, yells, name calls and is offensive towards the other spouse or partner. Some victims believe they are not being abused because they engage in the cycle by responding to the attacks.  I found this interesting article on emotional abuse that if you think you are in an abusive relationship you should read. It gives you the right questions to ask yourself to determine if you are in an emotional abusive relationship.

I’ve talked to Christian women in domestic violence situations that do not believe they are in an abusive relationship because there are no bruises on their bodies. They also quote scriptures about the wife being the role model to Christ for their husband. Yes, that can happen, if the man wants to be lead by Christ and not his emotions. When a man becomes abusive, he has become his own god, why would he need the real ONE?

I have been presented with this scripture in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 ESV  “To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, (this particular portion makes a lot of women in abusive relations justify their acceptance to abusive situations, but like my pastor would say keep reading) and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? (Yes, as Christians we are to model Christ not only to our spouses but to everyone, but we are not the saviors, Jesus is. Only the spouses willingness to accept Christ and his lordship will save and change him) how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? “

God has a particular plan for your life, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 ”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. See those plans are specific for YOU and they are not to harm you. If God Almighty doesn’t want to harm you, do you think he wants you to be harm by your spouse? Read in the above scripture where it says, “God has called you to peace” Is that relationship bringing you peace?

I’m not advocating for any particular decision or solution, what to do is something you should decide with God in prayer. All I’m saying is that we need to look deeper into the Word and will of God for our lives. Slavery doesn’t come from God. There are options to stop the abuse. You need to recognize your value as a child of God, to know that you are loved, precious and accepted. That tolerating abuse is not the answer as it tells the abuser that is ok.

Please be safe

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Helping others in the midst of our troubles

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational ThoughtsLeave a comment

In conversations with fellow believers I’ve heard way too often” I’m too messed up to help others with their mess”. I admit that I used to belong to this school of thought up to very recent. Ironically the other common denominator was the passionate desire of these women to serve God and others.

The enemy has done a good job pointing out each one of our mistakes to paralyze us from our destiny. We have the tendency to feel unworthy and inadequate to help others because of our life is upside down. Then we come up with the incorrect believe that as we become “perfect” or as close to it, we can then demonstrate the things that God has done in our lives and then be able to be an example. Who hired us for the God job?  God doesn’t need us to ensure his image. He is who he is and he does what he does.

Our journey lasts a lifetime and the reality is that “THE DAY” of perfection is not scheduled on earth, but in heaven. So what do we do with that?

  •  Be real -Let’s be honest with ourselves. Why are we trying to become holier that thou to feel worthy to assist others in pain. When we accepted Christ and started our recovery journey; who were those who we would be more inclined to listen to. Those who has situations or had been in situations similar to ours; who were strongly trusting God to see them through. We don’t do well with those who we don’t relate to.
  •  Share – Yes, if you have overcome some of your issues you can witness to those still in the struggle. My point is that not having arrived is not a requirement to extend to someone who is just starting the journey, of course maintaining awareness of providing support without affecting our own recovery. As it says in Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
  •  Acknowledge God– Let’s say you’ve only been working on your issues for six months. It would be unreal (if you’re really honestly working in your issues) that you have not done any progress. Everything you have attempted, either if it has been successful or it has failed; its part of your walk and God has placed those blessings or obstacles to promote your growth.

 You may be surprise how much sharing even your failures can enlighten someone else. Remember that  those small or big step God has used to guide you through your healing. 1 Peter 4:10 says ,”Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms”  The scripture says we should serve others with our God-given gifts not with our perfection skills.

Food for thought

Christians have something to learn about celebrity fans

On By Naty MatosIn Articles4 Comments
Michael Jackson Ster
Image via Wikipedia

I’m usually intrigued with criminal high profile cases. Today was the first day of the trial against the doctor accused to be responsible with the death of Michael Jackson, and of course I’m with the rest of the world watching. I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard a woman being interviewed who said that she came from Germany just to see the trial. Really?

No disrespect to Michael Jackson, he was a great artist and he has now passed on. There are people who are still claiming for him and he can’t do anything for them because he’s dead. This has nothing to do with MJ, it was this situation that got me thinking.  It made me look at our behaviors as Christians. Are we that bold as followers of Christ?

Jesus didn’t come to earth to entertain us, he gave his life for us, to save us from eternal damnation. He is alive and still intervening on our behalf and yet a lot of his so called followers do not exhibit the passion that some celebrity fans do.

Just following the same example, think how much sacrifice it may take to follow this trial for that person who came to the US from Germany. She was an adult, so I’m imagining that she should have a job, which means vacation time, travel expenses, lodging, food to see something she could have seen in the comfort of her bed as I am doing and gain nothing but satisfaction I guess.

On the other end, as a Christian, are you willing to cancel your family vacation and utilize all those resources to do a missions trip or spread the Good News? Are we this passionate to follow the Word of God? Do you spend your time doing what Jesus would ask us to do in Matthew 25:35-37 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”

I’m not judging what others do with their free will, but it does let me know we can learn to be more passionate for He who matters over every other.

Food for thought!

The Joy of Sharing

On By Naty MatosIn Inspirational Thoughts3 Comments

Last night I had the unique opportunity to share my life testimony with my spiritual family at church. I can’t deny that it was quite a challenge. It is not easy to unveil everything you’ve done and gone through with those who you are doing life regularly, but it was also a joyful experience.

In preparation for this day, I had to remember that whatever mistakes I had done were already at the cross and that I was just sharing the Glory of God in my life. That those listening to my words had been witness to my growth and had walked with me through my healing; on the other hand any new visitors will just obtained hope that if God had forgiven me and healed me, they had a shot too.

The beauty of the experience is taking a load off. As it says in Luke 12:3  “What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.”  So what better way to bring light into your life than opening yourself to the healing that comes with sharing not just your struggles but the victories that God brought into your life.

Everything in our lives should be to glorify God, so sharing allows us to do just that. To show others how that Glory of God has become to dwell in you. It reminds me of  Luke 8:16 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light”

I think at the end of the night I had received more hugs than I had received in my whole life. Some people dearest to me ensured their attendance to provide support, that and the Holy Spirit gave me the strength to get through and in the aftermath it was the best experience of my life…after getting saved of course! Smile

Why I’m I writing this? To share the great experience I had last night and to encourage those who are called to share what God has done in their lives. Don’t be afraid, there’s freedom and healing in sharing and I would love for you to be part of this wonderful club.

Have you experienced something like this? I would love to hear from you!

Until then, be blessed!!

WF: Bouncing back

On By Naty MatosIn Worship2 Comments

This song that I chose to share today says it all. It’s not falling that makes us a loser, it’s staying down that does. We have the choice of getting up and keep on fighting and why not when we have God on our side.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.

Romans 8:31

If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

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,