Naty Matos's Blog, page 44

Hatred: What does the word of God says?

But when we go to the word of God it tells us that the best weapon against hatred is love. The first scripture I find regarding what to do regarding hate is to help someone else who hates you. “If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.”Exodus 23:5. The reality is that most of us don’t have donkeys, but what this scripture says that if you know someone hates you and they are having trouble you need to not walk away out of your feeling of dislike, you need to set aside your anger and pride and help them to be in the will of God. That is not an easy task.

God in his word goes even a little further, “‘Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life.I am theLord. Do not hate your brother in your heart.Rebuke your neighbor franklyso you will not share in his guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus19:16-18

How much do we like to bad mouth those who we are angry with and sometimes add a little bit more than what was said or done? My beloved that is slander. God also says that we are not to hate or endanger our neighbor. Who’s our neighbor? EVERYONE. We can’t even get even for the harm done against us, because we should not seek revenge and we are to love our enemies.

The problem is that likewise God says that if we don’t obey these commands he will then seek his correction on us. He says in Deuteronomy 19:10-12 that if we hate our neighbor, whatever we do against them we will pay the consequences.

On our next time we will explore what happens if we choose to hate or to not hate.

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

WF: Move

Feeling in the middle of the battle? Know who is the one fighting with you. It’s not time to give up. It’s time to Move!!

WF: Worship Friday

Join me on the second stop of “On the road with The Road Home”

If you are in the GA area come meet me at Five Spot Yogurtat Snellville from 11am-2pm Both my books will be available for sale. Looking forward to seeing you.

              

FINDING YOUR WAY OUT OF A DARK ALLEY

by Lillian Duncan

James 4: 8

Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.

We humans are not necessarily the smartest of God’s creations even though we think we are! We seem to go out of our way to hurt ourselves in so many different creative ways. At one time or another most of us end up in a dark alley of our own making through our own bad choices and actions. And sometimes other people put us in those alleys or at least lead the way.

It always seems so dark and so lonely there, but God never abandons us—it only feels that way sometimes.

And that’s what I want readers to take away after reading DARK ALLEYS. No matter what we’ve done, God never stops loving us. He is always there waiting for us to ask for His help. In James 4: 8 it says, Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”

To me that means, God is always there waiting for us to come to HIM.

One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29: 14, I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. Another way of saying draw close to God and God will draw close to you. Of course, His help may not come in the form we want or expect, but then again His ways are higher than our ways.

The important thing to remember is that God loves us and he won’t abandon us.

My latest book, DARK ALLEYS is a story about a woman who ends up homeless and alone in a dark alley on a cold winter night. She witnesses a murder while in a drunken stupor and almost becomes his second victim. She awakens in the hospital with no clear memory of how she was injured. She attempts to put her life back together but, of course, the murderer has other plans.

I wanted to write a story where the main character was the queen of underdogs and I think I succeeded. Tessa is a mess, just like the rest of us. She could give up and no one could blame her, but she doesn’t. She keeps going—putting one step in front of the other.

And some days that’s all any of us can do.

Those are the days we need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.

And one step at a time He will lead out of that dark alley and into His light.

ABOUT DARK ALLEYS: Being innocent and proving it are two different things, especially when a powerful politician is involved

Tessa’s life spiraled out of control after the death of her only child, and she finds herself in a dark alley on a cold wintry night. After she witnesses a murder, she almost becomes his second victim, but manages to escape—just barely.

Homeless and alone, she knows the authorities won’t believe someone like her, leaving her only one option—to run.

Lillian Duncanwrites stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem. She writes the type of books she loves to read—suspense with a touch of romance. Whether as an educator, a writer, or a speech pathologist, she believes in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

To learn more about Lillian and her books, visit: www.lillianduncan.net. She also has a devotional blog at: www.PowerUpWithGod.com

WF: My Own Little World

How often do we really notice what goes around us? We live our little Christian lives, with our Christian friends and our Christian activities. How many times do we really live the life that Jesus called us to live.

Listen careful to this song, it will give you a lot of food for thought. This weekend while having fun and rest with our loved ones, lets think about what else we can do with the time we have available.

WF: Worship Friday

Do you want to read about real life lessons on how to do this thing called Christian Life? Pick up a copy of my devotional Growth Lessons

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

Hatred: What is it?

For quite some time I’ve been listening to the words that come out of my mouth. As a Christian we should be intentional in our words because we know that there’s power of life and death in the tongue. I hear a lot of people use the word hate very casually without understanding the implications. To be honest, I’m one of those people. In moments of anger or when I’ve been displeased. I’ve used the word I hate inappropriately.

As I usually do in these situations I like to go to the root of the definition. According to the Webster dictionary hate means an intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury and/or an extreme dislike or antipathy.

When I look at this definition it changes my perception of hatred. We are so afraid to say we hate something, but what caught my attention were the sources from where hatred can come: fear, anger or sense of injury. This tells me that as believers we should not live in hatred because all those avenues are resolvable according to the word of God.

The other part of this definition that catches my eye is the word intense hostility. This is the part where I think we use this word loosely. How many times we say I hate (place here the name of an inanimate object)? If we are honest with ourselves we may highly dislike an object, but to have such strong feelings for something that doesn’t even has life doesn’t make any sense.

We also use terms like, I hate (placed the name of an animal here). For the most part that is something born out of fear. Sometimes it is legitimized by an attack by said animal, sometimes it is not. I used to say that I hate rodents. I have never been attacked by one, but if I’m honest with myself I have never been hostile to one. The times I’ve been in contact with them it has been through a glass at a pet store, through a media screen (movie, TV) or running in the backyard of the house we used to live when I was growing up. My fear was taught by my mother who feared them. So to say that I hate them is inaccurate. Don’t get me wrong, I still highly dislike them and if I had to come into a closer contact with them I would need assistance because I would not deal with them alone.

When it comes to people is when I think the term is applied more accurately. The feelings of anger and hostility towards someone can make us truly hate someone. Lack of forgiveness, and holding on to offenses will definitely take us towards the path of true hatred. However the fact that we are angry at someone or at a situation doesn’t necessarily means that we hate them.

In the next few weeks we will be talking more about this subject. Please stay tuned.

“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“Very well written. ”Emme

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”Cynthia

Places in the Body of Christ

I ran into this scripture the other day and let out a chuckle. Not because it’s funny but because we all know someone who needs to be reminded of this part of the bible.  Have you ever ran into someone who says, but I’m (insert churchy title and their name)? My thought is always, is that the name your Momma gave you? So let’s go ahead and make sure that we are all reminded.

Romans 12:3

[Humble Service in the Body of Christ] For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

As leaders in the body of Christ we have to remember that we should be the first ones to be of service and not to be served. That the leadership position is just a call to serve and it’s really more responsibility than prestige. A title given to organize our responsibilities doesn’t give us status. Jesus being God humble himself washing the feet of his disciples.

Jesus said in Matthew 23:1-13  “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Yes, we are to respect, follow and honor our leaders. But for those of us who are leaders, we need to remember that we are all part of the body and nobody is more important in the eyes of God than other.

Until next time, Be Blessed.

“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“Very well written. ”Emme

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”Cynthia

WF: Beautiful One

God made everything beautiful and perfect because He is beautiful and perfect. Let’s take today to appreciate our creator’s creation.

Happy Friday!

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

WF: Worship Friday

Check out my new book and see what God did on Desiree’s live.

“Aimee is a constant positive influence in Desiree’s life, gently demonstrating God’s love and mercy. ”Mary Anne Benedetto

“Very well written. ”Emme

“I would recommend The Road Home to any romantic, any lover of books, anyone struggling with forgiveness, anyone. ”cynthia

Promoting in a Christian World

I’m not sure who it was. I was listening to the radio and there was a Christian artist who was being interviewed. He said that he struggled with promoting his work because people would be looking at him and crediting him for his work and not necessarily God. He said that through prayer he realized that this was his business and that not promoting it would not be wise, but that he had to make sure of two things:

1) Keep his focus on the Lord

2) Give God the Glory for his success

I read the following scripture and it reminded me of this…

2 Corinthians 10:17-18

But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

That was the main messages that Tim Tebow tried to impart on people, that yes he had great abilities but they were given to him by God and any success he had was given by Him and him only.

I know at the beginning of my journey as an author I thought I should not place my name on anything. I should not promote anything and let God place my things where they should. Like the singer, whom I wish I could remember his name, I realized that if I hid under a rock nobody would find the message that God had entrusted in me. I would be just like the man who hid the talent that God gave him in the parable. However, although my name is there, I make sure that when people cheer me on, to tell them that it was all God. That I am just using what I was given for the Glory of the Kingdom and He who called me to proclaim His message. All the honor, glory and accolades belong to HIM.

Christian Authors, Artists, Business Owners, have you struggle with this? How have you reconciled this concept?

Until then, Be Be blessed!

In Growth Lessons, I was reminded of this beautiful truth: Our walk with the Lord is a process of growing up into the image of Christ. P. Yates

I would recommend this book for anyone who would like some common sense and light added to their life. C. Cunningham

Great for meditations and daily devotions. N. Thames

Book Review: Eyelash

I have to admit that I struggled with this book a little. It has a somewhat slow beginning, but when a book makes me forget that I’m reading and gets me inside the action feeling all sorts of emotions, you can’t deny that it is a good book!

This is the story of a couple of professionals who decide to leave the hustle and bustle of New York City to open a bed and breakfast near the city. The first issue is that they don’t share the excitement about the decision. It’s the husband, Dan, who being sick with his corporate job who wants out and into the entrepreneurship life. On the other hand, his wife Laina, is very happy with her career and the prospect of growth, but in an unexpected turn of events those prospects are cut off and in a swift decision she agrees to move to Cape May to open up the B&B.

And you would think that the business went bad or something and that’s the issue. No. Dan, who was the one who wanted the B&B decides to be the entertainment director ( just to give himself a title) and leave all the hard work to his wife. I admit that for the large part of the book I was super angry with Dan and wanted to see him suffer greatly. The author’s heart is better than mine and she did put him through some hurdles, but I wanted a little bit more.hahaha!

The kicker to this story is that Laina has a cousin, Tia. Who decides to invite her to Las Vegas so that she can catch a break from the life at the B&B. Laina accepts not only because she needs the time away, but because her inconsiderate husband needs to experience how much she does and how much of him is required to run the B&B.

All those who know about my reviews know that I hate to spoil the fun, but let me just say this; I literally read the last two chapters with my mouth open.

This is a great book to read by a poolside or the beach, when you want some lighthearted reading. Good job Mary Anne Benedetto. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Mary Anne Benedetto is a speaker, blogger, Certified Lifewriting Instructor, ghostwriter and author of 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!,Eyelash and Never Say Perfect. She enjoys world travel and walking the spectacular South Carolina beaches. Web site: http://www.awriterspresence.com  Blogs:http://www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com

and http://www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com

WF: Carry Me Through

The best introduction to this worship song is found in

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Happy Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

On The Road with “The Road Home”

If you are in the GA area come meet me at Parkside Bakery & Café from 10am-2pm Both my books will be available for sale. Looking forward to seeing you.