Tuesday Matters

Everyday Easter Celebration

Easter doesn’t get the attention Christmas is about Jesus coming to earth as a baby and angels and giving and receiving presents from one another. But Easter is the bigger gift. Isaiah 53:10 reveals that it was God’s will for Christ to die: “It was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and . . . the Lord makes His life an offering for sin.” It’s not that God actually put Jesus on the cross or pounded the nails, but the cross was God’s plan to redeem humanity. What a wonderful celebration.

If you haven’t experienced a relationship with God then it’s all about religion and while that may bring some sort of good feelings it’s the Good News of what God did for us. Romans 3:25 says that “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood." Repentance isn't about asking God for anything but it's about turning to Him and receiving what He has done for us. What a wonder to think about…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Having Fun

Do you wanna have fun? I think most of us do especially when the earth experience is hard. It’s not just the girls who wanna have fun. There are events or responsibilities that we all have that aren’t always pleasant so try to find fun wherever you are. I kinda have this motto that works, “If it’s not fun, I’m done.” If we go into a difficult situation or experience with an attitude to find the humor in it, we find the difficulty less emotionally draining. This has been a game changer for me; to find a person in the moment to connect to or by asking God to see the blessing or lesson in the situation and find the “funny” helps to actually see that “nothing is wasted” with Christ. The way we respond to difficulties with an attitude of hope or humor is a greater testimony to others than us preaching to them.

Let His love of kindness, patience and truth we read about in 1 Corinthians 13 cause you to live with hope and freedom, drawing others to you and Him with joy and laughter…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Sharpened

Do you know someone who’s served in the military? I know many and one of them is my husband, Dan. Military people serve as an act of love for others. I remember Dan telling me that in the army they were constantly drilled that they needed to keep their weapons clean and ready for use. A useless weapon not only made the soldier useless, but also a liability because now someone else needs to pick up the slack. In Ephesian 6 God gives us a list of armor, but only one weapon—the Bible which is the Sword of the Spirit is the only offensive weapon of the six God’s calls us to “put on.” Our knowledge of the Word is its sharpness.

There are so MANY things screaming for our attention and I’m sure, like me, you are being pulled in many directions. But God never changes no matter what the direction of our day is. So Let the Word of God be in your head and heart; sharpened…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Fully Loved

I remember a discussion with girlfriends’ right out of college and the advice was given, “Love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.” Another friend, who had been through a few relationships added, “Debbie, you become who you choose to spend the most time with. Choose wisely.” Girlfriend added, “I mean, if I line up all my ex-loves in a row, I can see the flow chart of my mental illness.” Advice taken.

In life’s journey we all want to be known and loved, and Jesus knows us better than anyone and still loves us. He knows me, my pain, my ache, my disappointments, my shame, anger at myself and the part of my heart that hasn’t fully forgiven others. He knows. HE IS here, waiting to make use of what has happened. He is always on the move. He isn’t wasting time, thinking about all the trouble He has with us or how awful we feel about where we are with ourselves and our troubles. God loves us unconditionally…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Confess Forgive

Do you feel rejected by a friend or family member? Let me tell you...YOU ARE NOT ALONE. James 5:16 is a verse that is helpful to apply because it says when we confess our own sin and pray for one another that we will be healed and THEN our prayers will have tremendous power. Most often I need to confess my own sin and hurt of wanting the other person to hurt because they’ve hurt me. We need to pray to see others as God sees them.

Let’s stop inserting into your head that sad CD which plays back all the hurtful things caused by broken relationships. When Jesus forgives us, He clears us of all unrighteousness. Our righteousness is not based on what we do but by knowing who we are in HIM! He asks us to forgive; not as a rule to earn favor with Him but for the purpose of being set free and reconciled.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Grief

The message read; “Oh my dear friend how I needed those words of encouragement tonight. It’s been less than a month that my sweet husband went to be with Jesus. He had a massive heart attack at age 52. My world will never be the same.” “Oh, that is so hard.”

Janice continued; “Thank you for sharing the post you did. It has kept me glued together tonight.” I’ve only met Janice through Facebook, but we’ve been friends for years. Knowing Christ, the Comforter doesn’t take away the ache; instead, it supports you in the middle of the ache. And the grieving process is not so much a matter of getting rid of the pain but not being controlled by the pain.” “Grief Devotionals by Dr. Larry Crabb is a source of hope for those dealing with loss. It’s hard. I am sorry if you’re in that place. Sit with people in their ache because simply having someone love you where you’re at is what helps more than you may know…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Kid Training

“I absolutely get what you’re saying,” shared one mom to another about raising a strong-willed child. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way they should go. When they’re old they’ll not depart from it.”

It’s not a verse that needs interpretation, said Beth, “but our oldest daughter determined to do everything the hard way no matter how we trained and directed her. Why didn’t this verse apply to our family? All scripture is breathed by God. He cannot lie. Are we parents who’ve failed in raising a follower of Jesus which is what we thought? Of course, we didn’t do everything right, but our daughter chose to go her own way. It’s not that she departed from the way she was trained; she just never arrived there in the first place, said Beth. God’s way is perfect, but we all have freewill and choices. We haven’t given up on her, and God certainly hasn’t given up on our daughter either. He knows the way. We hold on in hope and faith that someday our daughter will walk toward Him but no matter what, we love her and He loves her…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday My Way

When I don’t get my way, I can get irritable and especially when I’ve carefully planned and thought how my way is best. As silly as it sounds, I sometimes don’t want to ask God what way He thinks because if His plan is different than mine, I don’t want to hear it. So, what I do now is express my fear, doubts and strong will for what I want but then say, “I want Your will” and I put my trust in His grace to lead and guide me. He cares about what we think. He knows our desires.

In Ephesians 4:15 Paul encourages us, “Grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head.” It should be our goal as believers to be one with God. When we are “born again,” we grow and mature spiritually in our minds, emotions and will. And then when this happens our desires become His desires. And being in sync with God gives a peaceful spirit not an irritable one even if our plans fall through…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday The Tongue

“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” In the Book of James, James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world.

Speaker and Author Chad Bird shared 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.

Sometimes you know that a lying tongue would be the easy way out, but being honest always opens a door to healing. God forgives you for the times you’ve been dishonest so receive His forgiveness, don’t reject what He has for you. God will change and heal your heart and as it’s mending it will also affect what comes about of your mouth …everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Free from Sin

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin and a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:34-36) I know the truth of who God is and His love and still I fall into temptation and become bound to my feelings, anger, judgement and what other people think. I need God’s grace to do His will everyday because in all sincerity my prayer is, “His kingdom come and may His will be done.”

It helps to let someone else know you’re struggling by talking to them face to face or on the phone. Too much of how we engage with others is behind a keyboard and often a touch or a hug is more helpful than anything. If you are struggling in an area of temptation and sin then bring it to the light. What we hide in the dark has power over us. Jesus came to set us free from sin and when He sets us free, we are free indeed…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Woman at the Well

Don’t fret yourself about your sin issues because God first pours out His love to you and then He gently exposes your sin, offering a way for you to change direction, to receive full pardon and freedom.

This is what He did with the Samaritan woman at the well. He didn’t meet her with condemnation. He first met her thirst. He offered her living water (eternity with God) but also let her know He knew all about her. She ran back to town to tell others about Him, not because she felt condemned, but because she had been offered hope and a way out. People are not drawn to judgment. They are drawn to true friendship and that is what Jesus is, a real best friend. No greater love can a man have than to give His life for His friends (John 15:13). Think of the ways you are most loved, it’s when someone meets and loves you right where you’re at. Be that kind person who loves others like that…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Humble Heart

Take comfort in knowing only God knows your heart yet I know it stings when someone judges you harshly because they can’t see your heart. The human heart is arrogant, and often cares for itself above all, prone to judge others, prone to make demands of others. The heart is also needy and incomplete with holes that can only be repaired by God’s perfect love.

Where’s the healing for it all? Jesus. He is it, His Word which is both justice and mercy. First, we must deeply understand and truly own our brokenness. 1 John 1:8 people, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” The Bible doesn’t call us to judge others but it calls us to always be mindful and humbly recognize our own weakness. Whatever righteousness we possess was given to us by the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. God is grieved when we use the Bible on others as a weapon. Humility. Ask God to give you the grace to love others as He does…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Perfect Grace

We have been called to be perfect. I know…right? Good luck with that? Yet God does call us to be mature and complete (“teleioo”) just as He is, but we are not fully perfected until the Day of Christ as we understand from Philippians 1:6.

Thank God for the grace to live in the “here” and “now” of life. I like what Pastor John Piper has to say on the purpose of creation being one of the most amazing things about God and without us on His created earth His grace could not be realized. That is why He created us. He knew we would sin, so He chose Christ’s sacrifice before creation - because He wanted to reveal the glory of His grace. This earth experience is hard with hard circumstances like our health and broken relationships and yet we have the hope of God’s promises and in faith we can SEE His grace displayed with love and wisdom over us all. God isn’t limited by our sin - only we are.” There is grace…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Kindly Forgive

Love is kind. Love forgives despite what the other person does. Yeah, I know the part about setting boundaries with the person who is still operating in dysfunctional behavior. But I’m talking about really forgiving someone who’s hurt you and not rehearsing the hurt by dragging the memory around in your head. I know right? It’s hard.

There are those days where you know what you know about forgiveness, yet something triggers past hurt, and all kindness goes out the door as swiftly as it came in. The temptation is to rehearse our hurts and expectations more than our forgiving attitudes and hearts. LORD HELP! I think of the woman prostitute who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and what Jesus said about her; “She loves much because she’s been forgiven much.” Each day I try (when not overwhelmed by my own junk) to thank Him for His grace and loving kindness that never ends despite myself…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Abide in Christ

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.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Personal Religion

Have you ever heard someone say, “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve or talk about it because it’s personal, it’s private?” I think it’s sad that someone would want to keep private the hope and truth they have in Jesus. But then if it’s just a religion someone has I guess I can see why they’d want to keep it private, there’s no freedom in religion, only rules. But once a person “gets” the relationship, they get excited about sharing the freedom they’re experiencing. Our son Peter recently got a tattoo of the Sword of the Spirit inked on his right arm and he literally is displaying is faith. Millions throughout the centuries have suffered or died in order to get the message of God’s love and forgiveness out, the message of a personal relationship with Christ, not a religion.

Sharing my testimony of what God has done in my life freely and openly allows me to understand Romans 1:16, “I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it’s the power of salvation to all who believe.” I plan on getting tattoo “the helmet of salvation” on my arm. It’s simply another way to share the hope of Christ…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday BUT…I Cannot

Even before I begin to encourage you I can hear some of you crying:

“BUT Debbie just listen to this injustice in my life…it’s so not fair!”

“BUT Debbie I don’t have a godly husband and my life is ruined because of him.”

“BUT Debbie I’m not like you I can’t just call on scripture when I need it!”

“BUT Debbie I know I shouldn’t care so much what others think but I can’t change.”

It sounds like a lot of you have “BIG-BUT SYNDROME.” Because there will always be excuses and even good reasons why you feel the need to start many of your sentences with “But-But… I can’t because…” But I’m telling ya while you can’t change someone else you can allow God to change you and the things you think on.

How about following what Romans 12:2 has to share; “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” through the power of the Holy Spirit…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Emotional Pain

I think that emotional pain is harder than physical pain? Can I get an “Amen?!” I mean I get physical pain from my recovery with scoliosis back surgery and having mono and flu where I never thought I’d leave the bathroom floor. However broken relationships, the loss of a loved one, and the failure of a plan or dream, well … that kind of pain is so much harder for me.

But it helps to remember God uses pain to get our attention. C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasure, but He shouts to us in our pain.” Pain is God’s megaphone. We rarely change when we see the light. We change when we feel the heat. But why does it get so hot? I hear ya. The answer is God’s love turns-up, it warms when it all seems so cold and hopeless. He’s always aware and He always cares. Proverbs 20:30, “Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.” Yes, God loves you, everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Praise in Pain

It’s bizarre. “Praise God in the pain.” What? But I’ve done this, and it works. Oh, believe me, I don’t feel like praising God, but I do it because I know I have an enemy and he doesn’t like it because it weakens him. Praising God’s goodness, wisdom and love during times of pain and heartache is a beautiful expression of faith in action, a living expression of trust that shows Romans 8:28 is true; “God makes all things work together for the good of those who have been called according to His will.”

I came across this little book by Dr. Robert Frost who wrote, “There is nothing more precious to God than our praise during affliction. Not praise for what the devil has done, but praise for the redeeming power of our loving heavenly Father. What He does not protect us from; He will perfect us through. There is indeed a special blessing for those who do not become offended at God during adversity. INSTEAD, we become a special blessing to Him…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Jesus Forgives

"How do we love and accept difficult people?” Someone asked me that question. I know…right? God loves us ALL and we are all created in His image. The ONLY way to love others genuinely is by the love God gives to us. 2 Peter 1:9 really made me think, “For whoever lacks the genuine quality of love is blind to what they have been given from accepting Christ. Jesus has wiped off, erased from the books, our own sinful lives.” He's cleared us. We’re free.

I KNOW it’s hard. You’re hurt. It’s unfair. The “other person” has the problem and not you. BUT love covers. God covers you; He sees and knows all the stuff you shouldn’t have done and the things you should’ve done and He still loves you. Forgiveness sets you free. Sometimes I need to ask Jesus to forgive someone for me. So, I picture Him going to the person who’s hurt me and issuing a pardon and then He comes back to me and says, “It’s done. I did it for you. God’s amazing like that.…everyday.