Friday 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 on 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 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.

Friday Matters

Everyday Right Relationship

“What’s wrong with me?” Sometimes that’s what goes through my mind when I just can’t seem to stop thinking negatively or I rehearse what I should’ve done differently (like not opening my big mouth). Yes, I’m a sinner but God tells us that we’re all sinners in Romans 3:23. We all fall short of the glory of God. But watch out cuz Satan wants us to feel worthless. He knows that without confidence we’ll never step out in faith. He knows if he can keep us in the prison of self-hatred, self-rejection or plain not liking ourselves that he’ll prevent us from making progress plus we’ll be a threat to him!

We must believe we’ve been made righteous in God’s sight before we’ll behave rightly. We can’t produce the fruit of something when no seed has been sown. Think about it; Jesus is the Righteous Seed sown in death and resurrected in power so that means we are accepted and approved and the righteousness of God-yes, we’re in a right relationship with God by Christ’s GOODNESS…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Forgiving Family

One of the most difficult things to do is to forgive a family member who has hurt us. We want to make them understand how much they’ve hurt us and then we want them to ask for forgiveness and change their behavior. Yes, I’ve been there. But as I was talking to God about this, I came across 1 Peter 3:9 and it really spoke to my hurting heart. God laid out for me what I needed to do.

“Never return evil for evil or insult for insult but on the contrary bless them and pray for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly loving them. You’ve been called to do this, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing.” “Wow,” I thought, “It’s actually part of God’s plan for me to bless this person and pray for their happiness and protection which means truly loving them as He does. Others will know Him, Jesus, by how much we love others…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Showcase of God

Max Lucado’s book, “It’s Not About Me” tells a story about his friend who has cancer who now can answer “yes” to this question; “Are friends strengthened by your struggles?” It was hard in the beginning because well-meaning Christians confused his friend saying, “If you have faith, you’ll be healed.” But no healing came; only more chemo, nausea and doubts and the friend assumed his problem was his small faith. That is until Max pointed out, “It’s not about you. Your hospital room is a showcase for your Maker. Your faith in the face of suffering speaks volumes.”

So, this man accepted his cancer as an assignment from heaven, a missionary to the cancer ward. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is trusting in what you can’t see, and his friend did just that. One day he told Max, “I reflect God to the doctors, the nurses, and my friends. Who knows who needs to see God, but I do my best to make Him seen...everyday.”

Friday 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. 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.

Friday Matters

Everyday Flesh

I have a strong will. I’m sure someone listening right now can totally relate to the fact that while our spirits may be strong and willing our flesh fails us time and time again. The flesh does not conquer the spirit. The flesh is weak - as Jesus said - and the flesh is a stumbling block to our spirit. What I eat or drink can be good or the amount of time I spend scrolling on social media has its place but when my flesh dominates, I don’t eat, drink or spend time on social media in a way that is healthy. Jesus tells us we do not "watch and pray".

My prayer is this simple, “God You’re stronger. You live in me. I pray Your Spirit leads me in truth and not my feelings by the flesh.” Sharing areas of weaknesses with someone also helps with accountability and strength too. Jesus is for you and He’s not mad at you when you do fall. He will help you get back up with strength and courage to keep on keeping on. He loves you…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Love VS Trust

Can we love someone and at the same time not trust them? Yes because if someone is repeatedly stealing money from us, we can still love them, but we don’t give them access to our bank account. We show compassion for an alcoholic by offering our help. We also show compassion by not “enabling” the alcoholic by protecting them from consequences for their bad actions. Many times, consequences are the “severe mercy” that is needed to get their attention. The caution is to make sure we have not elected ourselves as their jury and judge.

It's the Holy Spirit who guides and directs us in how we should move forward in love which might be setting a boundary or not continuing in conversation with someone when they repeatedly spew out garbage to us. Often, we post and proclaim our hurt more than we pray about it. Trust in God who loves you and the other person. He’ll take care of you both. He loves you more than you know, no matter who you are or where you’re at…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Significant

What makes you feel important loved or even liked? How often do you check the “likes” on your Instagram or Facebook post? I know. Been there. Done that. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. But REALLY the place I feel the most love is when I know who I am and whose I am. I’m God’s girl. You see, He loves all of you and He LONGS to have you rid yourself of the garbage and dirt that makes you feel ashamed or unloved. We’re so important and significant to God. He gets us, gives us gifts to have purpose and He never stops loving us.

Jesus instructs that we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society; but Jesus concern was that these should not be treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of REALLY great value, just like you…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday One Road

There’s only one road to God? What? But that view is narrow minded. You’re right, it is narrow but through a relationship with Jesus, not religion, it becomes clear that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. There are amazing people who love others but think there are many roads to God and that true spirituality is just to love your neighbor and help the poor.

How then do you know when you’ve given enough to get to God? What about the people who’ve been taught to hate? Are the poor just virtuous? That sounds right, but listen, if a soldier drapes his body over a grenade to save his friends, we recognize it as a sacrifice. Something we honor, but not something we can pay him back for. The same is true with Jesus. We can’t earn our salvation. It’s a gift we have a choice to receive by accepting Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. Trust the path He sets and what He’s done for you and then walk in full freedom…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Mother Teresa

It’s so much easier to point out what’s wrong with everybody else rather than look at our own junk to clean up. We all need help which is why our first step toward reconciliation is to confess our sins, receive God’s pardon and walk forward in a relationship with Jesus.

We cannot do anything to merit grace, and yet we look at someone like Mother Teresa and think surely, she entered into heaven because of what she did. If we emulate her sacrificial love in some small fashion, we are lulled into a false sense of security that persuades us that we have no need of repentance today. When the little saint humbly confessed her brokenness and her desperate need for God, either we were uncomprehending, or we secretly suspect her of false modesty. Real love, real grace, receive it and then walk forward and give the same to others…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Kidneys

It’s been ten years since Brenda’s best friend, Susan, became ill and needed a kidney transplant. Brenda was a fitting donor and chose to donate one of her healthy kidneys to Susan even after doctors said her chance of survival was only 30%, and that there would be inherent risks to Brenda’s health as well. So, imagine the joy of Brenda getting ready to drive to her best friend’s wedding where she would be her maid of honor as Susan married the love of her life. Susan happened to meet her Prince at the hospital ten years ago when she received her transplant.

Proverbs 13 tells us that when a longing is fulfilled, we have life. The “what ifs” never get us anywhere. It’s like one of my favorite posters which reads; “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn’t get you anywhere.” What gets us somewhere is living life with a transplant of hope in believing there’s something good coming…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday We are Poor

When I honestly accepted who God said I was, loved, redeemed and not a mistake, I felt I could stop pretending and performing. I need Him desperately. It is not the “they” who are poor, sinful and lost. It’s awareness that we ourselves are the primary target.

Unless we acknowledge that we are the sinners, the sick ones and the lost sheep for whom Jesus came, we do not belong to the “blessed” who know that they are poor and inherit the Kingdom. It’s a dangerous zone when we get our assurance from wealth or our status. We must realize that “the they” is you and me, wretched, pitiably poor and so often blind. Isaiah 64 lays things out clearly when we begin to think, “I’m doing really well here.” “We’re all unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy garbage. It’s what Jesus did on the cross that cleans us up and sets us free…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Jesus Power

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 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 Jesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Yes, and if He is not the Savior of the world, He’s a lunatic. He’s 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 Heavenly Tent

Some seasons bring more groaning than others. Every year I wonder how I made it through January. But I make it because of God's goodness and grace, God's undeserved kindness. There's always hope. But, there are times I can't groan or find my voice because I'm stunned with the ache and anxiety of it all. It’s a comfort to know that God understands and doesn't condemn you for your feelings.

2 Corinthians 5:1-7 talks about our bodies being a tent. We read, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven. For in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we wish to be clothed in our heavenly home. Thankfully God has given us His Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.” It’s okay to groan. This earth is not our home, and some seasons are harder than others. It’s a decision to walk by faith and not by sight and get the help we need…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Anxiety

The earth experience is hard but it’s not our home. Knowing what we need to do and then doing it are two different things. I sometimes get these crazy anxious thoughts and then have a physical response by having an anxiety attack, but courage is to go forward despite it. I know I need to turn to God 100% to get to the other side.

Turning toward God and from the direction you were going is what “repent” means. In God’s holiness He must punish sin but, in His love, He didn’t want to punish us. Christ proclaims our infinite worth and His eternal love for us aside from any human standard, even our own. We will live forever in a community of equals – saints and sinners, all, saved by grace. Remember Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Our temporary imperfection is a quality which actually connects us to others rather than a secret shame which sets us apart. I still get anxiety attacks, but in faith I trust Christ…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Perfect Forgiveness

“The fact is, 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,” this is wisdom from Francis Chan. In order for genuine love for God to grow in our hearts the Holy Spirit has to move in our lives. Lately I’ve been talking to God and asking for His Holy Spirit to move in me. I haven’t been able to really let go, like God, and forgive completely.

Sometimes it helps to think about 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. The truth of Philippians 4:13, “We can do all things through Christ’s strength.” Let’s pray, “Jesus’ help. By Your Holy Spirit give us the strength to let go and forgive…everyday.