Thursday Matters

Everyday Frozen

What about the mornings you can’t get out of bed because you’re frozen?  I don’t mean because of the temperature but because of fear.  I’ve had those frozen mornings where I literally put the covers over my head and think, “I can’t do this.”

I read something that said, “Think of your life as a house with many rooms. Go through each "room" and surrender both the room and the contents to God. If you have a closet full of fears, let Him control that part of your life. Invite Him into the room where you hide your insecurities and hurts. Let Him take down that monument of pride in your own abilities and talents that you have displayed in your living room.  But even after I read this I still wanted to stay under the covers.  What gets me up and out is thinking about the truth like in 2 Timothy where I read that God lives in me and His spirit is one of power and a sound mind.  I can go forward with that truth and love, and not my feelings…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Refrigerator Peace

Isaiah 26:3 was a magnet on my refrigerator that I looked at everyday when I was raising our four young sons and it says, “Jesus keeps in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him.” I tried to be purposeful and ask myself; “What am I thinking about?” We choose what we think on. Many times, I’m worrying and thinking, “But what if…?” I know “more is caught than taught” so I wanted the words out of my mouth to be positive even if I needed them to be firm too.

A great responsibility as a parent is helping our kids fix their thoughts on what God says and not on their feelings or circumstances. I saw a poster which read; “It’s easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult…choose your words wisely.” Of course, there are the times were negative thoughts lead to me speaking negatively but I hope that what was also observed was that God’s grace covered me. He cares, calms and carries us through…. everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Sign Language

It was his first day back on the job after more than a year on disability leave due to a freak explosion in the plant that, among other injuries, left him legally deaf in both ears. But when John walked into the plant that morning several of his colleagues used sign language to say; “Great to see you,” “Welcome back, John” and “We missed you.” It turns out that nine of his colleagues got together and took a sign language course, just like he did, over the several months he was absent. They did this so they could easily communicate with him when he returned.

This kind of compassion truly shows that people are what life is all about. Only people last forever and the way we treat others is the legacy we leave behind. I can’t help but think of that verse in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that says that with the compassion and love God’s shown to us; we too can show that to others…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Job Bedtime Story

I still remember years ago returning home from my son’s skating class and thinking it probably wasn’t a good time to tell my husband Dan that our "check engine soon" light was on again even though the next day I had to make a trip which was 200 miles away. I didn’t tell Dan about the engine light because he was in the basement shop-vacing water due to a plug in our sewer line. My journal indicates that Joey was 7 and he asked again for The Book of Job for his bedtime story. “Irony,” I wrote. But I was immediately struck by Job's response after all his belongings and children are taken away; "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD."

Eventually, I had all four boys in bed and while I was folding laundry, I had a peace wash over me as I repeated over and over, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” No matter what happens there is peace… not because all that happens is good, but because God always is good…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Drunk Righteousness

What does it mean to be righteous? Well, it means we are in right standing with God and that means we know who we are in Him…. loved, redeemed, not a mistake. Greater self-effort and determination will never liberate you. Shifting your focus will. This means letting God lead you and not your flesh.

Again, in the Bible, Ephesians 5, tells us not to be drunk with wine but instead to be drunk with the Holy Spirit. When a person is drunk on alcohol, they feel, think and act differently. I’ve been there, done that. But the exact same is true when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we feel think and act differently. The Christian life is not the result of trying to act like a Christian; that’s only frustrating. The secret is developing our relationship with God empowered by the Holy Spirit. As God's Spirit fills us, we better understand who God really is. Our lives are changed from the inside out and good behavior is the end product…everyday.

Thursday 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.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Hearing from God

I know I hear God’s voice but sometimes I feel crazy thinking, “Maybe it’s just me with what I want to hear. But if we have entered into a personal relationship with Christ, we then have the Holy Spirit making His home in us. I know…right!? His voice is His Word speaking truth to our hearts and mind and yea, we can actually hear from God.

Proverbs 20:12 reminds us that the gifts from the Lord are ears to hear and eyes to see. Yes, He gives us physical sight and hearing, but He also created us to hear and see spiritually too. Unfortunately, our own sin blinds us and deafens us. blinding our vision and clogging our ears. I am so glad we get fresh mercy every morning cuz I use my allotted amount daily. Let’s stop, listen and hear from Jesus who makes the difference in our lives…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday New Creation

Here’s the deal of God’s good news from 2 Corinthians 5:17; " If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” However, that doesn’t mean our flesh isn’t at times screaming for what we found pleasurable in our old life. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in us at the time we receive Christ, can we truly 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 4:4 tells us that if we choose to be a friend of the world, we take our stand as an enemy of God. Wow, that’s a truth statement. We may profess to be a Christian, but are we really “saved” when we choose to follow what the world has approved but God calls sin? Christ in us knows the way for us to walk. We still struggle with sin, but it’s important that we acknowledge sin as sin and then confess, change direction, and allow God to restore us…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Hairstyle Ministry

Someone who doesn’t understand the leading of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives could say, “Your decision doesn’t make any sense. What are you thinking?” And our reply back could be, “I understand what you mean, but by the Holy Spirit I looked to God in my heart and not my head for the answer.” Saying that might get us a weird look but it’s what 1 Corinthians 2:14 talks about, “The non-spiritual man does not accept into his heart the teachings of the Spirit of God, for they are silly to him; and he is incapable of knowing them.”

Satan will send lies to our minds and we can choose to believe them OR ask ourselves, “Am I hearing from God who speaks to my heart according to His Word?” When following Christ, we live by faith. The non-spiritual man lives by feelings and sight, but faith has nothing to do with it. By faith you begin to understand things not with your mind but instead through the intuition of the Holy Spirit who speaks truth from God...everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Spirit Sense

Someone who doesn’t understand the leading of the Holy Spirit and how He works in our lives could say, “Your decision doesn’t make any sense. What are you thinking?” And our reply back could be, “I understand what you mean, but by the Holy Spirit I looked to God in my heart and not my head for the answer.” Saying that might get us a weird look but it’s what 1 Corinthians 2:14 talks about, “The non-spiritual man does not accept into his heart the teachings of the Spirit of God, for they are silly to him; and he is incapable of knowing them.”

Satan will send lies to our minds and we can choose to believe them OR ask ourselves, “Am I hearing from God who speaks to my heart according to His Word?” When following Christ, we live by faith. The non-spiritual man lives by feelings and sight, but faith has nothing to do with it. By faith you begin to understand things not with your mind but instead through the intuition of the Holy Spirit who speaks truth from God...everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Religions

My husband Dan did not become a Christian until he in his 20’s and in college. He never grew up going to church so in college he wanted to know if there was a God. He studied the religions of the world and THEN saw the uniqueness of Jesus. Jesus claims to be the way, not just show the way. And there is an enormous difference in religion and the forever-relationship Jesus offers. It’s not based on what we do but what He’s done. ALL religions require us to do something or sacrifice to please God so we can earn heaven.

Most religions are intolerant of people who disagree with them. Some even hate and want to hurt those who disagree. Jesus' message is just the opposite He says, "Let your love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold on to what is good." "Love your enemies" not just tolerate them. What? The message of Jesus is to LOVE and forgive others, which you can only do once you have seen your bad self and accepted His forgiveness…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday God Said

I went through Genesis chapter one and underlined all the verses where I saw the words, "GOD SAID." It was amazing to realize that everything on this earth came into existence by the power of God’s words! God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God said, “Let there be stars and vegetation” and there was. And then the big finale’ when God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) make mankind in Our image,” and man was created!

It just made me think about Hebrews 4:12 knowing that His Word is living and active and when spoken can have such power in our lives. Far too often I trust in my feelings over the truth of God in His Word, the Bible! He promises to work ALL things for the good and not just some. He promises to never leave us and to give us wisdom when we ask. There’s a lot of good from a loving God who is always good no matter the circumstances. Choose to trust He what God says over what you feel…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Titles

Years ago, I went through what I describe as a “stripping away” from titles that made me feel important. I stepped down as an artistic director for a children’s theater company, and a spokesperson for a women’s refuge center and I hadn’t really thought about how important these titles made me feel. In Colossians 3:4 God told me, be content with obscurity, like Christ. I was to be content with being unimportant.

When Jesus said, “Become like a “little child,” He meant 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; the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the bank collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be despised or 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. God’s grace falls on us not because of our titles in society, but because it’s His good pleasure to love us just as we are…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Hard Places

Psalm 62:8 tell us to trust in God at all times. It teaches us that we are not to have faith in God just once in a while, but at all the times. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. It is easy to trust God when things are going well. But when things are not going well, we develop character by trusting God in our difficult situations. And the more character we develop. the more our ability can be released. Stability releases ability.

Many people have gifts that take them to places where their character cannot keep them. Gifts are given but character is developed. I have always been a communicator and a convincer. But in order for God to use my gifts as a speaker not only does He have to give me the gift, but I also have to have the character so that He can trust me to use my mouth to communicate His Word and heart and living loving Him in my private life as well as publicly…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Joy of Heart

I wish Ecclesiastes 5:20 was true for me all of the time, “For she will not much remember the days of her life because God keeps her occupied with joy in her heart.” It’s crazy how much of my past mistakes I still trip on and recall. Walking to my car the other day I recalled a time when I was under the influence of alcohol and said things I shouldn’t have. I sighed deeply with regret and then heard God clearly say, “Debbie, I have forgiven and forgotten this offense. You’re choosing to recall it.” He was right, of course. I still can’t fathom God’s complete forgiveness in life.

When you enjoy the gift of God’s grace in your life, you’re better able to live free of insecurities. You live with hope and are better able to think about what is good and worthy of praise instead of the sorrows from your past. Don’t view your calling as a drudgery but take pleasure in the calling where God puts you. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employment easy, and afflictions light…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Deep Waters

“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.

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.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Feelings

I just stared at my journal looking at the verse I had written down from Psalm 139:5, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” I didn’t believe it. I was feeling sorry for myself and God felt far away so I slammed my journal shut.

We have a choice on what we think on and I was making bad choices. I felt my circumstances weren’t fair and I was tired of waiting. I know where the “Poor Me” road leads so out of obedience I put on fun music and said the verse aloud, “God I trust You and that You place Your hand of blessing is on my head.” It wasn’t an immediate shift in my attitude but the choice to think on what I knew was true and then names things aloud that I was thankful for, made a difference. The truth is, God loves you right where you’re at, no matter how you’re feeling …everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Just Say It

“My husband has cancer” I wrote that in the subject line of an email announcement that I sent to over 100 family and friends in 2010. My brother responded, “Wow, Deb that’s powerfully blunt to write in the subject line.” I know. It helps me to face what I fear. If I can’t talk about cancer or even say it, then it has control over me. Many times, Satan uses fear to immobilize us. Philippians 1:28 tells us not to be intimidated by our adversaries but stand with confidence and fearlessness because it’s a clear sign to the enemy of his doom, but sure evidence of our deliverance from God.

Satan knows that the only way he can overcome a believer is through deception and intimidation. It is okay if you’re shaking on the inside and feel afraid just don’t let it move you to let go and give up. Stand firm on the truth of God. My husband is cancer-free but no matter what happened I knew I would not be crippled by fear…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday The Enemy

I have to constantly remind myself who the enemy is. It’s not other people like we so often think (not that the enemy doesn’t use people because he does) but he’s the real enemy. Satan’s everyday goal is for our destruction to break up relationships, friendships, families and marriages. God tells us in Ephesians 6 that our armor isn’t gonna just jump on us but that we have to put it on. When it’s cold outside you put on a coat, not just once but every time it’s cold. So let’s look at what it is:

1) Helmet of Salvation-We are covered by Christ’s blood & we need to protect our thoughts

2) Belt of Truth-To combat the lies of the enemy

4) Shoes of Peace-We can receive peace no matter what

5) Shield of Faith-Holding on to God’s promises in faith no matter what happens

6) The Sword of the Spirit/The Word of God-This weapon is defensive & offensive.

Put on the full armor of God and you will have victory and be able to overcome the enemy because God is greater…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Do Not Hate

“God loves the people you hate." I have that sticker on my car (with a multitude of other stickers) and recently I really thought about what it meant. God loves every single human on earth. We’re equally loved by Him. Oh, I hear you, the frustration of people, those who’ve hurt you, been unkind, and downright mean.

But, instead of emotionally fighting back, stay quiet. It doesn't mean you’re not hurt by what someone says or posts but by His grace choose not to be "moved" and harbor bitterness. Romans 12:19 says God will avenge us and take care of the others person like He does us.

Jesus came as the Good News to redeem us all. The Christian faith is the only faith where God says, "love your enemy" and not take revenge. Stand up to evil and hate sin but don’t forget, the real enemy is Satan who wants to destroy our relationship with God and others. We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” (I John 4:19) God gives you the grace to love the most difficult…everyday.