Sunday, June 12, 2016

1 Corinthians 7:3a - "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence..." I came across this passage and the words "due benevolence" jumped out. By nature women are responders, and this passage talks to the man first in each verse.  These words that God tells the man indicate a kindness, a delight in the others' happiness, and wanting good will before ourselves. As husbands this is the attitude due our wives! Too often I find myself being selfish and these word are a great reminder to lovingly give ALL for my wife as Christ in love gave ALL for me.  - Matt Stephens

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Romans 1:21 - "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." - This verse and the ones following show the downfall of mankind. It's starts by not glorifying and thanking the God everyone knows exists (v20). A rejection of God and His truth has lead America to where she is now. Idolatry and sexual perversions are two of the symptoms these verses mention that are consuming our land.  Pray that we as Christian men would glorify and thank God for who He is.  If we fail to live for Him His Word warns in Romans Ch 2, that judgment will follow. - Matt Stephens

Friday, May 13, 2016

Proverbs 10:4 - "He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the  diligent maketh rich." In our day I believe that one of the greatest witnesses we have is our Christian character.  Many people have no interest or time for God, but when they see us working hard no matter what our task at work, it may give us opportunities to speak for Christ. - Matt Stephens

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Numbers 15:39 - "...that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them;..." Israel did not have the written Word of God to read everyday like we do.  This chapter follows the story of the 12 spies and an incident of a man being stoned for gathering wood on the sabbath. God wanted the blue fringe in v38 to remind people throughout each day of His commandments. Praise God for the written reminder we can all hold in our hands. Were you reminded today? - Matthew Stephens

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Hebrews 9:27 warns, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." I was talking with a co-worker this week who grew up in church, but says he believes in reincarnation. A rebirth to experience the pain you have caused others. He is blind to the coming judgment that awaits this world.  Often times it is not enough to witness to co-workers. We must pray that the heart would be ready and it could be that we are the ones God would use to labor in the soil so others may reap the harvest. Our job is both to sow and reap, but trust God for the increase. - Matt Stephens

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Proverbs 22:28. - "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set." We live in a society that is removing all the normals of Traditional American life.  Marriage has never had to be "defined" before. Persecution of Christians has always been spoken against  by this country until this century. Bibles in school were never considered "offensive".  We must lead our families and church and nation back to the landmarks that we were founded on lest we loose the land we love. - Matt Stephens

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Romans 14:12 - "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." I was listening to some coworkers talk at work this week who are unsaved.  They were talking about the hypocrisy they have seen in supposed Christians they have been in contact with. Backstabbing, cursing, unwilling to help others in need, etc. It made me listen and wonder about those "Christians" and then examine myself. If I am not leading others to Christ I am leading them from him. Even as a Christian by not living for Christ in EVERYTHING I will lead people away from Jesus because they will have no reason to follow Him. How about you? Will others see Christ in you, I pray it is so! - Matt Stephens

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Ephesians 6:4 - "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." - I was thinking about this familiar verse the other day when I saw my son frustrated with a Lego. He couldn't quite get the pieces together. It made me realize how I get to model our Heavenly Father before my children. When the pieces of life just don't seem to fit, and we can't make sense of it, we have a father we can go to for help. It might start with a small toy, but we as fathers are laying the foundation of trust, kindness and patience in our children's lives that we want them to see in God. - Matthew Stephens

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Ezra 9:1 "...The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands..." - As I read this verse I was challenged to ask myself how much I have separated myself, especially regarding my work environment. Do I really act godly at work in a visible way others will see; do I pray before lunch, do I laugh at off color jokes, or take a stand when God's name is taken in vain? In this verse, Israel had returned from captivity, but was still living like and married to the world. How much more will we who are blood-bought be accountable to live godly before our Lord. - Matt Stephens 

Friday, January 29, 2016

Proverbs 28:1b -"...but the righteous are bold as a lion." - I was thinking on this verse in light of Wed. night's message and was challenged to be a better witness to my coworkers. The prophet Daniel lived godly before people but did not stop there. He boldly proclaimed his love of God before the king. Challenge yourself and pray for each other that we all may dare to be a Daniel. - Matt Stephens

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Amos 5:24 - "But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream."  The book of Amos is a warning of God's coming judgment on a people that claim to be God's people but disregard His direction in worship.  In the previous verses God states the their worship is despised because there is no righteousness.  As we go to worship this weekend, remember God want us to live righteously and exercise godly judgment of right and wrong so our worship will be acceptable to Him. True worship is really on the inside, but manifested by our actions. - Matt Stephens

Monday, January 4, 2016

Psalm 3:3 - "But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." - How blessed we are to have a shield in God to hide from the attacks of this world. But not only do we hide there, He is also the One that lifts us up when we are down. Remember, no matter what we may face this week, we have a God to go to in trouble Who will raise us up when we are down. And He NEVER fails. - Matt Stephens

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Proverbs 21:31 - "The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord." In life we all have battles to face daily or even hourly it may seem at times.  We can prepare and do what we think is needed, but ultimately those are human actions. Our true dependence must be on Him for His guidance and protection. Our best effort is feeble at best when compared to the provision He supplies. There is no greater testimony of God's care and love for us than Jesus, the real reason for CHRISTmas. - Matthew Stephens

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Joshua 8:34 - "And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law." - Israel has just been given a great victory after their first defeat at Ai. Joshua knew that right after thanking God for the victory he needed to remind the people it was not they who had won the battle. As we pray and ask for victories, let's not just thank God for that "big win" but also thank Him for who He is. Let's remember both His goodness and His demand for righteousness. - Matt Stephens

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Psalm 100:4 - "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." - I would encourage everyone to read this short psalm today as we remember His great blessing and provision. Sunday Evening was such a blessing seeing how God has been good to us this year.  Let's not just remember God's goodness, but share it with others today. - Matt Stephens

Friday, November 13, 2015

Proverbs 11:20b - "...but such as are upright in their way are His delight."  In a day of so much wickedness and evil it is comforting to know that God has given us the ability to live for Him. "Upright" is referenced back to Psa. 119:1 which tells us that uprightness comes from walking after God's Word. When we live after God's Word not only are we living right we are also God's delight. It is amazing that God in Heaven would delight in us! - Matt Stephens

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Proverbs 30:12 "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness."  Notice a couple things with me. This generation considers itself to be pure; they think they have done no wrong. Sounds like our country. They have no idea about righteousness and sin.  In reality they are not just sinful they are filthy, completely covered in their wickedness. I remember as a kid, my mom telling telling me i was filthy after a hard day of playing outside. I had to go in and get cleaned up. Let this verse remind us that first, this world is not just a sinful place, it's a filthy place. Second, that only God can clean us up. Let's ask God to clean us up and use us to help someone find His cleansing power. - Matt Stephens

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Psalm 17:15 - "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." Two thoughts here: It is only by the righteousness of Christ we can see God's face and our spirit will never be content until it reflects the image if the One who made it. God is so good to not only make a way for us to come to Him but also to know the greatest need of our soul. That is to be more like Him today than we were yesterday. Let's have more of Him on His day than of ourselves. - Matt Stephens

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)"  One of the most challenging parts of our Christian walk is the testimony we keep before co-workers. Many of them will only hear of Jesus through us and they must see a difference in us to be curious of the faith that we live out. Let's be encouraged in the faith we have today so tomorrow we can be able to profess it to others. - Matt Stephens

Monday, October 5, 2015

Psalm 3:6 - "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about".  This verse made me think about what is happening in the middle east right now. Even America is beginning to turn on Israel with this new agreement with Iran. We can be encouraged and strengthened knowing that even though our own country may turn on its closest ally, we serve the same God they do and can know that we also have that same assurance  of His care. - Matt Stephens