Everyday Matters
Friday Matters
Everyday Grief Comfort
Debbie, what do you say to parents that are losing their little 16th month old boy to cancer?
Everyday Grief Comfort
Debbie, what do you say to parents that are losing their little 16th month old boy to cancer? The parents are Christian but can’t understand why God won’t heal their baby? Can you help me with an answer?
Nothing you say will make them feel like it’s fair. The best thing to say is; "I don't know why this is happening. I hate that it's happening and that you’re hurting. But, I am not God and I don't know why He has allowed this. You’re right that it isn't fair. Why doesn’t God fix the pain? He's a big God...tell Him how you feel. It won't stop for a moment His great love toward you. We want to fix the hurt for our friend or want God to fix it. Don’t try to speak for God. Job’s friends tried that and it did not go well for them. Take your friend out, listen to them cry or just sit beside them and say nothing. Even Jesus wept when He went to the grave of Lazarus. Just let them know you are there and you care…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Laughter
Don’t you just love to have a good laugh or the kind of laugh that triggers the giggles where you can’t stop?
Everyday Laughter
Don’t you just love to have a good laugh or the kind of laugh that triggers the giggles where you can’t stop? Sometimes laughter comes when you’re not supposed to be laughing like in a meeting or at church but it’s such good medicine. Laughter draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and even protects you from the damaging effects of stress.
Nothing works faster or is more dependable to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there’s: “A time to cry and a time to laugh.” Let’s find ways to put more laughter into our diets instead of obsessing on everything that bugs us. You really can find humor in a hard place and it’s so freeing and truly one of the best medicines for overall health…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday The Untamed Tongue
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world.
Everyday The Untamed Tongue
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world. Professor and Author Chad Bird says this; “From beginning to end, the Bible speaks about the power of speech, for good or for ill. With speech, the Lord God worded the world into being. And with speech, the serpent wooed the world into evil. When God commanded, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor,” he made explicit what we all know: that human society, relationships, justice, and one’s own soul are destroyed by lies.
Some of the hardest moments in my life were when, knowing a lie would be the easy way out, that it would save me embarrassment, but in speaking the truth, even though it hurt, it also opened a door to healing. Think how God began our world with the words, “Let there be,” and how He heals through the words, “I forgive you” …everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Step In Faith
In the Old Testament as the Israelites were soon to enter into the Promised Land they were faced with crossing the Jordan River during flood season with the Ark of the Covenant.
Everyday Step In Faith
In the Old Testament as the Israelites were soon to enter into the Promised Land they were faced with crossing the Jordan River during flood season with the Ark of the Covenant. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. God told them to go forward right into the middle of the river before the water would go down and because of the faith the people had in God they obeyed and trusted God. We read in Joshua 3:17 that; “All Israel passed through until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”
I know I would’ve first wanted to test the water with my big toe to see some evidence of God’s promise of the water going down before I stepped into the middle of the river. But often God provides no solution to my problems until I trust Him and move ahead with what I know I should do. Sometimes God wants me to step forward into the unknown because it’s an opportunity for me to know Him better and trust Him with my faith and not my feelings...everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Enemy Lion
Ah, The Garden of Eden what a wonderful and perfect paradise except for the fact that the devil was sliding around
Everyday Enemy Lion
Ah, The Garden of Eden what a wonderful and perfect paradise except for the fact that the devil was sliding around (or walking) as some sort of beautiful serpent who eventually got Adam and Eve to doubt the perfect goodness of their Creator. Well Mr. Evil One is still on the move, working as hard as he can to get us to doubt because he knows that the only way, he can overcome a believer is through deception (that we can be our own god) and intimidation. That’s why God cautions us in 1 Peter 5:8 to be alert because our great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But notice the verse doesn’t say “irritate” or “frustrate” but “DEVOUR!”
A lion often scares up its dinner by roaring. Its prey has a heart attack simply due to fear thus becoming an easy meal for Mr. or Mrs. lion. That is what we face. Will you believe the roar or the still assurance of God’s voice…everyday!?
Friday Matters
Everyday Pray for Others
Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up, I think about myself and my problems.
Everyday Pray for Others
Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up, I think about myself and my problems. So, I found, rather than begin with self-pity I'll ask God, "Who do You want me to pray for? Who needs it?" And every time I ask a name comes across my forehead. Recently, a friend I see maybe twice a year opened up on Facebook about a health concern. It’s funny because her name spelled, J-a-n-e-l-l-e came across my forehead rather than the spelling of my sister-in-law, who has the same name but different spelling. I prayed for her health, hope and restoration. Then I moved on to the next person.
I decided to send a message to Janelle to tell her I was praying for her, and her response was, “What a pick-me-up to hear from you. I know your prayer is making a difference. And you know what, her response picked me up too. There's nothing we can't face when we have God as our strength and the support of prayer. Trust that others are praying for you…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Forgiving Help
The fact is that I need God to help me love God. And if I need His help to love Him, a perfect being, I definitely need His help to love other, fault-filled humans.
Everyday Forgiving Help
The fact is that I need God to help me love God. And if I need His help to love Him, a perfect being, I definitely need His help to love other, fault-filled humans. People are difficult and especially people we see on our screens and aren’t able to interact with eye contact or a touch to the shoulder. Lately I’ve been asking for God’s Holy Spirit to move in me to be more of a listener and not a commenter, to forgive without conditions and to schedule a date to have coffee with someone rather than post another comment.
It helps to think about heroes of the faith like Corrie ten Boom who personally forgave the Nazi officer at the Concentration Camp she and her sister were held. She said, “The will can operate regardless of the temperature of the heart.” We can choose to forgive even though our anger and hurt make us feel like we can’t. “We can do all things through Christ’s strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Let’s pray, Jesus, People are hard, but may I love You and others the way you love me and others…everyday. Amen.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday New Creation
Here’s the deal from 2 Corinthians 5:17; "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.
Everyday New Creation
Here’s the deal from 2 Corinthians 5:17; "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.” However, that doesn’t mean our flesh isn’t at times screaming for what is pleasurable from our old life. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we let the past be the past.
It’s not what we do, but what God does in and through us that sets us free. Our “do” is our choice to listen to His voice and His Word. James 4 tells us that if we choose to be a friend of the world, we take our stand as an enemy of God. Wow. We may say, “I’m a Christian,” but are we really “saved” when we choose to follow what the world has approved but God calls sin? We may still struggle with sin, but it’s important that we ask God to move in and change us. Confess, repent, and stop riding on the fence. I confess. Sometimes, I still sit on the fence. But by receiving God’s grace and walking forward in it… I get better. Everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Forget the Lies
The letter began, “Debbie I’m struggling. I’ve been unemployed since September; I have an aunt who is in the hospital and my husband is constantly reminding me that he’s the one who’s paying the bills. I feel frustrated and far away from God.
Everyday Forget the Lies
The letter began, “Debbie I’m struggling. I’ve been unemployed since September; I have an aunt who is in the hospital and my husband is constantly reminding me that he’s the one who’s paying the bills. I feel frustrated and far away from God.
Feeling far away from God and like He doesn’t care is what the devil wants you to feel and think. Satan is keen on feeding us lies and his two favorites are the “forever” lie and the “never” lie. He tells us about the negative things in our lives will never change and will forever be the way they are. He says the way you are right now will stay that way “forever.” Lies. The truth is God is good and He has plans to bring you wholeness from your brokenness of pain and regret. Trust in God because bad things ultimately give way to better things. Ecclesiastes 3:1; TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven…everyday!
Monday Matters
Everyday Attend to Jesus
Attending a retreat or conference to learn more about Jesus can be a great way to grow and connect with others and our shared humanity. But nothing can replace one on one time alone with Jesus
Everyday Attend to Jesus
Attending a retreat or conference to learn more about Jesus can be a great way to grow and connect with others and our shared humanity. But nothing can replace one on one time alone with Jesus reading His book (the Bible) of hope and redemption. Jesus calls us to Himself, “Abide in Me, dwell in Me, come to Me.” Significantly, Jesus doesn’t say “Come to a day of renewal, a retreat, a prayer meeting, and a conference. But “Come to Me.” Is not Jesus, the Savior of the world? He is either a lunatic or the Risen Lord who must be proclaimed as the world’s only hope. Who else would dare to say, “I am the way, the truth and life. Whoever believes in Me will have everlasting life; and the one who does not believe in Me will be condemned.
This is a pretty powerful claim and one to not take lightly. To be sure there are a lot of great events to attend but nothing is better than attending to a relationship with Christ…everyday.
Friday Matters
Everyday Set Free
Yeah, I'm here to tell you that you can take a stand against the enemy. You have the right and opportunity to be set free from shame, and a legalistic mindset. Satan is a huge “stinker.”
Everyday Set Free
Yeah, I'm here to tell you that you can take a stand against the enemy. You have the right and opportunity to be set free from shame, and a legalistic mindset. Satan is a huge “stinker.” He tries to rob us of enjoying our lives so he accuses, condemns us and makes us feel insecure because he knows we can't enjoy life and have negative feelings about ourselves at the same time. But God gives us an opportunity to break free out of this “Mind-Trap-Jail.” Jesus said in John 8 that if you abide in His word and you're truly His disciples you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Many of us have reached that point where we're just so tired of trying to be in control of everything and run the world so I'm asking, “Are you willing to surrender and ask God to help you? Pray, “Lord I'm tired and I want to have peace and joy in my life and so I give you my will to do Your will. Now go and walk out in the freedom God has for you… everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Offense Taken
We can say we trust in God to avenge or defend us, but when we take matters into our own hands, we aren’t putting a lot of trust in God taking care of our hurt.
Everyday Offense Taken
We can say we trust in God to avenge or defend us, but when we take matters into our own hands, we aren’t putting a lot of trust in God taking care of our hurt. A big challenge is not to pick up the offense of a friend or family member who’s been hurt. I’m guilty there. But when we take on someone else’s offense, we’re sucking the poison of their sin, and we become bitter along with them.
I’ve seen this happen when a parent’s anger towards someone passes on to their children. Remember if only one side of the story is presented you don’t have the whole truth and may have a cocktail of lies. It’s the enemy’s plan to ruin relationships. God’s plan is to restore. Follow Deuteronomy 30:19 which tells us to make the choices which bring life so that we and generations to come may live meaningful lives. More is caught than taught and the way your children trust God will have a lot to do with the way you trusted God in relationship conflicts…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Accept Yourself
Sometimes I get disgusted with myself. It’s when I’m in this place of self-pity and I feel stuck.
Everyday Accept Yourself
Sometimes I get disgusted with myself. It’s when I’m in this place of self-pity and I feel stuck. The way to peace begins with accepting the truth of myself—the whole truth. My struggle to cope with certain people has a simple explanation: they represent to me precisely those things that I have refused to acknowledge and accept in myself.
To accept the truth of my brokenness is unbearable if not impossible, without turning to Jesus. If my vision of myself is not purified by the mercy and compassion of Jesus, I have to get dishonest, camouflage my warts, and present to you a self that is mostly admirable, fault free, and superficially happy. When I accept the truth of me, shipwrecked and saved, and give it over to the person of Jesus, I am at peace even if I don’t feel it. The peace that comes from God and surpasses all understanding, (Philippians 4:7) was provided by Christ on the cross and doesn’t depend on our shifting feelings …everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Cake MERCY
“Dan, c’mon, please pay the bill. My allowance won’t cover it.” I was asking for grace from my husband as I handed him the bill for spending too much
Everyday Cake MERCY
“Dan, c’mon, please pay the bill. My allowance won’t cover it.” I was asking for grace from my husband as I handed him the bill for spending too much at J. Crew Clothing. Whew…he forgave and paid the bill. But when I went home, I discovered that a stick of butter, my special cake plate and a container of frosting was missing. My nephew had baked a cake while I was away. I called and scolded him for not replacing my supplies.
When I hung up the phone, I realized I was acting like the ungrateful servant in Matthew 18. A king was about to punish this servant for a debt of millions but instead had pity and forgave. The servant, not grateful, instantly found his friend who owed him thousands and had him thrown in prison. I got the memo. God gives fresh mercy to us so how can we afford to withhold mercy from others …everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Eager Beaver Grace
Suzy-Eager-Beaver grabbed her free tickets for the biggest country music event her state had ever seen. She’d been waiting in line since 5:00 a.m. and giveaways began at noon.
Everyday Eager Beaver Grace
Suzy-Eager-Beaver grabbed her free tickets for the biggest country music event her state had ever seen. She’d been waiting in line since 5:00 a.m. and giveaways began at noon. Later that evening she shared her excitement with Judy and found Judy had received free tickets too but arrived at 2:00 p.m. Somehow it didn’t seem fair. Life is unfair but God is good.
But God’s grace is like that; indiscriminate. His grace gives compassion to the early Eager-Beaver but also to the Grinning-Drunk who receives the same wage ten minutes before closing. We are saved by grace by our faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. We can read in the book of Ephesians about how God’s gift of grace is free and it’s not about our good works but by His good redemptive work on the cross. It’s of great comfort to know that we get fresh mercy and grace every morning. God great love for us is amazing…everyday.
Friday Matters
Everyday Prayer First
I imagine when the future King David is dodging Saul, who’s hot on his trail to destroy him; he’s just like, “Really, can I just get a break here God?”
Everyday Prayer First
I imagine when the future King David is dodging Saul, who’s hot on his trail to destroy him; he’s just like, “Really, can I just get a break here God?” God is on David’s side and no longer on Saul’s because Saul has walked away from God. David gets wind of Saul’s plans to kill him, and his men where they plan on going. And I’m thinking as I read the story in 1 Samuel that David can certainly go to the town and then ask God for protection. BUT instead, David FIRST prays and asks God; “Will Saul destroy the town, and will the people hand me over to Saul?” The Lord simply replies; “He will, and they will,” so David goes back into hiding.
I was really struck by this; thinking how often I do the opposite. I decide on my plans and then ask God to bless me rather than asking for God’s direction first. Wisdom is going to God first because He always knows the best plan…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Sin Barrier
I remember my husband explaining to our four sons’ what forgiveness really is and I loved his explanation. When we forgive someone who’s sinned against us the barrier in the relationship is removed.
Everyday Sin Barrier
I remember my husband explaining to our four sons’ what forgiveness really is and I loved his explanation. When we forgive someone who’s sinned against us the barrier in the relationship is removed. The power to forgive someone who’s maybe not apologized can only come from the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Once forgiveness is given, we can again see the person as God sees them rather than looking at the hurt of the sin every time we picture or see them. God doesn’t ask us to forgive others to earn any favor with Him. There’s nothing we can do to earn His love. He loves us as we are. And when we realize it’s an act of our will and a choice to forgive rather than something we let our feelings decide it can make the process a whole lot easier.
I know from experience that it’s my anger and hurt that makes me FEEL like I can’t forgive, or I’ll never see justice. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can I let go and trust God to work in me to truly forgive and avenge me as He says He will…. everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Justice Delayed
Life is promised to be wonderfully perfect AND with purpose in heaven. This earth is not our home. There’s something more!”
Everyday Justice Delayed
Life is promised to be wonderfully perfect AND with purpose in heaven. This earth is not our home. There’s something more!” Psalm 145:8 is good; “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.” His love for us waits, waits for us to know and accept Him and what He did on the cross for us and our sins.
Dr. Joad was the head of the Philosophy Department at the University of London. He was known for undermining Christianity in the college world. He believed that God was an impersonal part of the cosmos and that there was no such thing as sin. But before he died, Dr. Joad came to the understanding that there was sin as the Bible describes and the only solution for sin was the cross of Jesus Christ. He became passionate about following Jesus. God’s love delayed justice and gave this man time to recognize his sin and receive life in Christ. In this instance, justice delayed is condemnation denied. God and His love are real…everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Bouquet Love
I was absent one summer, for an extended period of time, and even though I’m not a “flower person”
Everyday Bouquet Love
I was absent one summer, for an extended period of time, and even though I’m not a “flower person” I cried when I came home and saw this large bouquet greeting me on the kitchen table. It was special and apparently so for our teenage son Joey. He seemed to be continually asking me, “Mom, aren’t those flowers from Dad beautiful?” “Yes. Yes, they are Joey.” And yes, the best thing we can do for our kids is to love our spouse. Unity. If our children see a crack in the foundation, they often find a way to slip through. Of course, we have disagreements and we have had our share of fights but it’s how and where we choose to handle conflict, especially with our spouse.
It’s important for our children to see unity, not division and so we often have to “agree to disagree” while privately we try and work things out. But of course, with the personalities of my husband and I they’ve seen us passionately argue too but they also see reconciliation. Jesus tells us that, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. When your marriage stands strong so does your family…everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Through Storms
“I honestly don’t think I can make it through another day. I just don’t.” Ever feel like that?
Everyday Through Storms
“I honestly don’t think I can make it through another day. I just don’t.” Ever feel like that? So, the storm in your life is of hurricane proportions because maybe its finances, or failed marriage. You FEEL overwhelmed, like you might drown. Perhaps you have a burning pain in your heart because your child is addicted to drugs or maybe it’s an aging parent who can’t remember who you are. You may FEEL consumed by these fiery trials. Your feelings are valid. BUT the truth is you'll come through. He sees. He knows. He cares.
Sometimes, I just repeat God’s love to me aloud or over and over in my mind for comfort. “I love you; I love you; I love you,” He says. He speaks a promise from Isaiah 43:2, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." And perhaps what you’re going through is not about breaking you but about the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. God often uses bad things for a later good…everyday.