Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
5/17/2024
Fervent LoveFriday Matters- May 17, 2024
Everyday Fervent Love The enemy will never leave us alone, but we don’t have to let him bother us. That means we don’t react to unkind or bad behavior of others by hitting back or seeking revenge. Love is our highest calling but some people are so annoying who continue with bad behavior with no sign or willingness to change. Well, it is not love to ignore that behavior either. 1 Peter 4:8 tells us to above all things have intense love--to have a “fervent love” for one another. The Greek verb form of “fervent” when translated means "to be hot, to boil." Growing up my mom cooked and baked for eight on an old-fashioned blue enamel cook stove and even a fly knew not to land on the stove when it was hot. When our love is “HOT” or “boiling over” for those around us, it is also too hot for the devil to destroy. To fervently love someone means we are intent on giving and covering others in love and not taking offense over every trait that annoys us. God gives us this love and He will give us the strength to love others as He does…everyday. 5/10/2024
ExpectationsFriday Matters- May 10, 2024
Everyday Expectations When you have a relationship with God, and you know you’re one of His kids. We can rest and be certain of His faithfulness. In the Bible in 1 Thessalonians 5, hear this; “God, Who calls you, is faithful.” I think the thing that is so amazing and hard for us to wrap our heads around is how much God loves us for who we are and not for where we should be. In religion it’s about what you do and with Jesus it’s about who you are. It’s a relationship with no condemnation and unconditional love. Hey sign me up! There are so many times I have had expectations of someone and then disappointments because they weren’t who I thought or maybe my expectations were unrealistic. BUT GOD is that Friend who is always all-knowing and powerful but also so patient and gracious and at times when I least deserve. God never changes. I may change and so too others in my life, but God never does…everyday. 5/3/2024
PrideFriday Matters- May 3, 2024
Everyday Pride I was stinky. Oh, I had taken a shower, but I had pride and pride stinks. Pride is difficult to deal with because we don’t think we have it. I notice my stink most when I have zero patience with someone who’s hurt me. In the Bible in James 4:10 I read to ask God to humble me so I can see the other as He does. He then promises to lift me in hope. The signs of pride include an unwillingness to admit fault or take responsibility for our actions. Pride wants to do all the talking and none of the listening. Yeah, I know you’re probably thinking of someone who needs to hear this, but perhaps it’s you! God gets you. He sees the hurt. I get you because I’ve been there. Are you still screaming? Maybe it’s time to stop and listen.” Humility and surrender to God will set you free and you’ll be a sweet fragrance for everyone to be around…everyday. 4/26/2024
Life & DeathFriday Matters- April 26, 2024
Everyday Mom Heartbeat “Today, at 8:00 a.m. this morning, after four months of lifelessness in her hospital bed, we took my mom off life support,” said Robyn. “Mom’s heart continued beating on its own and she continued breathing on her own. “And then this evening when we thought we’d be saying goodbye…BUT” continued Robyn, “I squeezed Mom’s hand three times and she squeezed back three times. I can’t believe the miracle of it all. I think she’s coming back.” Wow. That’s the power of prayer, the love of God. We’ve all had times where we’ve given up hope, but God is living and active NOW so there’s always reason to hope even when we can’t see or feel it. God also gives us grace in our day-to-day moments and promises that something good will come out of something bad when we trust Him. It doesn’t matter how many times we cry out to God, He’s always there, ready to meet us where we are at… everyday. 4/19/2024
God AnswersFriday Matters- April 19, 2024
Everyday God Answers Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t. Let me say that again, “Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t.” Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. BUT if we don’t feel or see an answer to what we were asking for then we may start to think that God isn’t listening. BUT He always hears. Sometimes the answer is “no” and sometimes the answer is “yes.” I think the hardest reply is to hear, “wait.” “I don’t get it. It’s not fair and God I’m starting to wonder if You care or even exist.” We all may have had those thoughts at one time or another but don’t give up. God is always on the move. He’s on “it” whatever “it” may be. Psalm 27:13 I know, “I would’ve despaired unless I’d believed that I’d see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” There is goodness while on earth even though it’s not our final destination. Waiting is hard but with God it’s worth it…everyday. 4/12/2024
FunFriday Matters- April 12, 2024
Everyday Fun Do you wanna have fun? I think most of us do especially when the earth experience is hard. There are events or responsibilities that we all have that aren’t always pleasant so try to have fun wherever you are. I kinda have this motto that works, “If it’s not fun, I’m done.” I mean this not as a two-year-old throwing a tantrum but as an adult who can try to find a person or moment to connect to and discover the lesson, the blessing, THE FUN. God hasn’t called us to hand out a rulebook or a list of “you should” and “you should nots.” God calls us to love others right where there’s at just as He does with us. It’s only by God’s Holy Spirit in us that we can deny the flesh of our own way. Lean into God’s love. Love sets us free and draws others to us. Aren’t you ready to be free and have fun? 4/5/2024
IdentityFriday Matters- April 5, 2024
Everyday New You “Are you kidding? With the kind of history and past you’ve had… well good luck thinking you can overcome it.” That’s hard stuff to swallow because not only is it hurtful but it’s untrue. Sometimes the voices from our past tell us we’ll never really have a meaningful life because of our mistakes or because of the things that have been done. Listening to those voices are lies. When we accept God in a real and personal relationship He pays the price for our past messes and PROMISES to work ALL things for the good. In the Bible; 2 Corinthians reads that with Christ our old life is gone and a new life begins. 3/29/2024
Free WillFriday Matters- March 29, 2024
Everyday Free Will It all comes down to free will. We have a choice to choose good and evil actions. I have made bad choices whether it was telling a lie or stealing but I have also had the same bad happen to me, someone lying and stealing from me. C.S. Lewis said, “If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.” I have to really stop and think about that but it’s true. It’s the freedom of choice that makes love real. Being forced to love God is not real love at all. It goes back to the basics of what being a Christian is. Accept God’s love, His grace and HIS work on the cross. It’s not about our good works. When we understand His grace, we can really start loving others freely…everyday. 3/22/2024
UnderstandingFriday Matters- March 22, 2024
Everyday God Understands “No one understands what I’m going through and it’s not fair.” Does that sound familiar? Yet we can read in Hebrews 4:15 that Jesus experienced every emotion and suffered every feeling you and I do BUT He did it without sin! He didn’t give in to His negative feelings because He KNEW GOD, He is God. You and I will never be able to say “no” to our feelings if we don’t have within us a strong knowledge of who God is and how much He loves us. When my feelings are hurt by someone the best thing I can do is talk to God; “Jesus do You see what’s happening here and what I’m feeling! Thank You for not condemning me for feeling this way. Help me to forgive, and not pay back the person who’s hurt me.” I pray THAT all the time. God knows. He understands. God is able to work with us and our feelings… everyday. 3/15/2024
ForgivenessFriday Matters- March 15, 2024
Everyday Forgiving Friendship “I forgive you, but I can’t be friends with you.” This makes sense if the person continues with unchanged harmful behavior, but it doesn’t make sense to reject friendship if the person has repented and changed. 1 John 1:9 is God’s promise that He completely cleanses us and removes our sins when we admit and confess them. My yucky sin prevents me from being friends with God but when I admit and confess my sin, He promises to remove the barrier that was blocking our relationship. When I forgive someone, the barrier is lifted so reconciliation can begin. I need to start by treating the person with complete kindness as Jesus does with me. If I’m the offender I start with; “I’m sorry” followed by asking myself and God; “What does this person need to help for the pain I’ve caused? And how should I change to make this person’s life easier in some way. The only way for this true forgiveness is by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me…everyday.” |
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