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.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Secure Stronghold

Believe me, I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally. And I was surprised at how the issues resulting in my parents’ divorce of 44 years affected me emotionally and physically too. Hurt from someone you love is pure pain. But I’ve noticed that the more I open-up and share my heart of pain the more people respond to sharing their own hurts of an unfaithful spouse, abuse, absent love from a parent and the pain from their own children. Oh, the sins of others have such painful consequences for so many of us.

So more than ever I’ve been holding on to Zechariah 9:12 by returning to Jesus my stronghold of security and prosperity as a prisoner of hope; believing that God will restore double for my trouble. Real hope is given by the grace of God through the Holy Spirit. It’s about trusting that God is good and a Redeemer, no matter what may happen. Yes, hope is the belief that things will change for the better…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Jealousy

A few years ago, I watched a music video of a woman I used to mentor. I was amazed at the talent and beauty she displayed. But instead of feeling happy for her, I was jealous; “Why her?” Jealousy is one of the most dangerous poisons which can literally destroy us. It’s challenging because we know we shouldn’t be jealous so we pretend it’s not happening, and we find reasons why the other person shouldn’t have success.

I called my husband and said, “I’m jealous.” As soon as I brought my jealousy to the light it no longer had power over me. I was able to congratulate my friend, and the poison of envy didn’t infect me. We have a special friendship and I’m proud of her. King Solomon asks; “Who can stand before jealousy?” No one can because it’s as cruel as the grave. It’s hard to be honest about this part of our lives, the jealousy that creeps in so let God show you the success He has for you by you BEING YOU…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Pilot Light

“All believers have a pilot light of the Holy Spirit, but not all of us keep it turned on full flame. We go through empty periods when God seems distant.” I like this description from author and friend David Housholder. When we receive Jesus, we also receive the Holy Spirit but having the Holy Spirit WORKING and on fire in our lives is by knowing Him through the Bible and going through the refiner’s fire. (Malachi 3:2) God desires to consume everything in our lives that doesn’t bring Him glory. The Holy Spirit inside of us will bring us conviction of our every wrong thought, word or action.

It’s scary to think; “Go through the fire and share in His suffering?” but yes, as God’s children that’s what means to share in His inheritance. Physically we don’t have to go to the cross because He did it for us, so we are set free from the penalty of eternal condemnation. The power of the Holy Spirit gives us the desire to set aside our selfish lifestyles and brings us through the fiery challenges we need to refine us…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday God Mind

I get emails from people who say, “I know God's here. I'm just not exactly sure what He's trying to tell me. We go through these crazy trials and sometimes it’s just a downpour with health and family issues and then there are financial problems to boot. We look up at God and ask, “For crying out loud what are You trying to tell me? I think He wants us to stop and BE STILL because He’s always trying to tell us the same thing, “I AM.” God wants you to know, “I AM what you need when you need it.”

We may not always understand the mind of God, but we do know His heart. 1 Corinthians 2:16 says; "We have the mind of Christ and do hold the thoughts, feelings and purposes of His heart." In order for God’s heart and mind to be moving in us we have to allow the Holy Spirit to do what we cannot. We have to abide in Christ which simply means to “stay put” in Him. Read the Psalms aloud because it helps to know you’re not alone and also to hear the heart of God and His promises…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday The Heart

I would be surprised if there isn’t someone who can relate to what the Apostle Paul says to the Romans in Chapter Seven, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on because of the sin living in me.” It makes me think of this quote from Thomas Cranmer, “what the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies.” It’s an internal conflict between logical rational thought and emotional desires of the heart. Aren’t we all on this struggle bus in some way or another?

God tells us in Proverbs 4:23 to guard our hearts. It’s why I give Him my heart to be softened and changed. My flesh only screams for what I want to feel good without consideration for others. Sobriety from alcohol for me came not from determination and a strong will but by surrendering my heart to God. He loves you and wants to set you free too…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Enemy Prowls

There are a lot of messed up circumstances and people in this world but always remember who the real enemy is. Ephesians 6 tells us we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against the evil forces in the spiritual realm. Of course, the enemy uses people and circumstances to get to us. His main goal is for us to abandon our relationship and trust in God. But listen to 1 John 4:4, Greater is God who is in you than the enemy of this world.

Spiritual warfare is our battle with the world, our flesh and the devil. And by the Holy Spirit we have all we need to do battle plus the knowledge hope that God’s already won the battle. Yes, so much of what happens to us and others is not good, but God is good. He is a Redeemer of all things. The enemy won’t leave you alone because wherever God is working so is Satan, but you don’t have to let him bother you. Thank God, praise Him and receive His strength. He’s ready to give it…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Open Door

French fashion designer and businesswoman Coco Chanel said, “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time pounding on a wall hoping for a door to open and circumstances to change. AND YET when I finally surrender, I mean really and not just say it and allow God to work with what He decides is best I have hope. Changes may not come in the way I imagine but it’s God’s best way. Psalm 103:7 is a “go-to” verse for me, “Put your hope in God for with Him is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.”

We can put our hope in other people or circumstances but when we let God have full control He is always on the move, and He’ll open doors. Look for the blessing and lesson in all difficult circumstance and difficult people in your life and God will bless you…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Living Christ

I know Jesus lives. He died and rose again. I can say it, and I believe it. But the real question is “Do I live my life as evidence that I believe Jesus is alive in me? Jesus died and He rose again and from His greatest act of love, His greatest power flows. The living Christ is then certainly not a dead hero.

The Christian lives in Christ and Christ lives in the Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit. Think about it; we are empowered to lead a new life where sin has no place and if we don’t really believe or live this way then where is our faith? When I woke up today, I was worrying about our son’s future and choices, but I certainly wasn’t acknowledging the power of the resurrected Christ who lives in me and receiving the peace He had for me concerning our son. How often are we unwilling to believe that we have been transformed and that the impossible has become possible through Christ who loves us and our children more than we could ever imagine …everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Performer

I am performer. I love the theater and the stage and taking on a new character to present to an audience. But when it comes to real life I don’t want to put on a performance. I aim to be real, honest and sincere. No matter how long we’ve known Jesus personally or professed ourselves as a believer it’s still important to go back to the ABC’S of Christianity: Admit, Believe and Confess. Admit we can’t go at it alone, (we need God’s grace) and believe Jesus is who He says He is. And then confess our sins and stop trying to point out everyone else’s.

Just think if your “thought life” was recorded from just yesterday? Think about how you judge others, including yourself. I’m so thankful t? e’s a God who knows EXACTLY our thoughts, dreams, hurts, motives and desires. He’s there with perfect love with no conditions. He is always on the move with redemption and grace. This love comes from a relationship with Christ and not through religion…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Recompense Payback

I get to share Cindy’s breakthrough in giving real forgiveness. I had been mentoring Cindy and even though she said she’d forgiven her father she continued negatively talking about him and avoided him. “I did forgive him, but you don’t know how much he hurt me.” She had become bitter. So, I told her; “Based on what the Bible says it really doesn’t matter how great the offense was. We serve a God Who is greater and if we will handle the offense in the right way, He’ll bring justice and recompense when we allow Him to.”

God says in Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of your former shame you shall have a twofold recompense.” A recompense is a reward. It’s payback for past hurts. Think of it like worker’s compensation. You work for God and as long as you do, if you get hurt on the job, HE WILL PAY YOU BACK! Cindy finally let go and forgave her dad. She’s set boundaries but they’re reconciled. Remember God is your Vindicator…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Junior High

A couple of years ago I went to my old Jr. High bathroom with the full-length mirror upstairs and cried. I cried remembering my pain at 13 years old. This was the smoker’s girl bathroom where Jenny Baker appeared out of one of the stalls and said, “You don’t have to look. You know you’re pretty? Huh? I was examining my crazy skinny body with no curves except for the curve of my scoliosis. I felt ugly.

My friend Stephanie seemed to be a friend I could hold onto so I would go to Friday night football games with her. Five minutes later she’d disappear and scout for boys. I was left with some loose group of kids sitting by myself when inevitably someone would come up and say, “Ya know, after the game, Jenny wants to beat you up?” I eventually saw who I was and who Jenny was too. The sad thing is Jenny thought she knew what I felt about myself, but she didn’t. We all need to know we’re beautiful and unique in the way God created us. We just can’t always see it…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Live Love

St. Frances of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel always, and if necessary, use words.” I think what this means is “live a life of love” by how you treat others. Telling the list of rules to my non-believing friends along with statements like; “You shouldn’t do that” don’t mean a hill of beans when they don’t know and trust your love and sincerity for their lives. It doesn’t work for me either. God will judge sin. His command to us is to LOVE one another. I don’t disagree that sometimes love means speaking up, but first it’s about showing my love and building a relationship and trust with a person. This does not mean we ignore what is right or wrong, but it’s not just about saying the words. We are commanded to live it.

2 Timothy, Chapter 2 has good guidelines; “Be kind, don’t quarrel and gently instruct another when the time is right in hope that person will come to know God’s love and ways. A relationship over the rules is always what’s most winsome…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Look Up

Although there are downers in this life there are also lifters and in Psalm 3:1-3 the Psalmist says that despite his distressing situation he is not despairing or becoming depressed because his confidence is in the Lord, the lifter of his head. When I’m depressed it seems everything around me is falling apart. I seem to lose strength in all areas of my life and my head, hands and heart all hang down and even my eyes are lowered. I become downcast because I’m looking more at my problems rather than at the Lord.

The Lord encourages us throughout His Word to lift our heads and our hands and look to Him. In Genesis 13:14 God told Abraham, who had been shortchanged by his nephew Lot, to lift up his eyes and look around him in all directions because God was giving him all the land, as far as he could see, for his inheritance. Whatever your life is now you have only two options; give up and quit or keep going. If you’re gonna keep going you've two choices, live in depression and misery or lift your head to live in hope and joy…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Handling It

Have you heard this saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle?” like that’s supposed to be some sort of bumper sticker of encouragement? Is that even in the Bible? It’s not. You’ve probably thought if God cared so much, He wouldn’t load so many difficult things on my plate. You’ve probably said, “I can’t handle this. When I find myself in that place it’s often because I “overthink” with “what if?” It’s scary when you think you have to carry your burdens alone.

“Help, God,” is a prayer. Call on God or another to come alongside of you to help carry the burden and pray. Also know this, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. God is faithful; He’ll not let it get to a place you can’t bear. But He will provide a way out so that you can endure. God doesn’t give us temptation; that’s our own evil desires that drag us away and entice but God does actually give us more than we can handle SO that we seek Him, of the cross, to carry us up and through…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Walk in Strength

The devil wants each of us to concentrate on how far we have fallen rather than how far we have risen through Christ. I had someone recently help me with radio ministry and when I shared all the folders of transcripts I had written I was amazed and encouraged. I was feeling so discouraged and stuck.

Satan wants us to focus on our past instead of our futures and how far we still have to go rather than how far we have come. He wants us to think about how many times we fail rather than how many times we succeed. But God wants us to focus on our strengths through how He’s working in our lives by His grace and not our weaknesses. It’s truly focusing my mind on the truth that when I am weak, He is at His strongest Philippians 3:13-14 tells us that God wants us to press forward and respond to His upward call and forget what lies behind us. Pay attention and focus on what God gives you to do and by that obedience you will magnify the works of the Lord…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Be the Church

I love people. I love traveling and meeting new people in random places everywhere, like gas stations. You can have church anywhere, a gathering of others and sharing the grace of God. Cuz when church stops being about us, it can be about God again.

Church is meant to crush our selfishness and church without God does none of that. Often our evangelism becomes winning people to our doctrine or our denomination instead of reaching the people next door who have no direct access to freedom in Jesus. As I travel speaking, I get a reality check every “church person” would benefit from. Our job is to get people to know Jesus personally. People need God desperately and not in a Pollyanna, “it’s all for a reason” sort of way. Jesus came to save the lost by letting them know they are loved right where they are at and not where they should be. Don’t just go to church, be the church…love without conditions…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Underdog

God often chooses the underdog. Think of David in the Bible who is the youngest of his brothers, a shepherd boy and was made King. And then there’s Gideon, who was threshing wheat at night and God tapped him and said, “Gideon you mighty warrior.” He was used to conquer the fierce and large group of Midianites. Jesus chose everyday people for most of his apostles and hung out with “sinners” more than the upper class.

We most often look on the outside and judge a person’s success based on what we see on earth. Our real success is not here. It’s in eternity. Matthew 19:30 says, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” One of the simplest instructions from God is one of the most challenging from Mark 10; “Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you’ll have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me” …everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Gentle Answer

Sometimes I talk too much. Even if I’m talking about good things, it’s still better if I follow the advice of Proverbs 10:19; “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” I know that the mouth that blesses, praises and prays can also irritate, hurt and harm.

I remember a time when I was home from college and having a heated argument with my dad, who’s an unbeliever. I was so frustrated, and I wanted to lash out and say something to prove my point but from experience I knew my brilliant but angry words would not change a thing. It’s crazy but I actually said aloud Proverbs 15:1; “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It was weird but the argument stopped immediately, as soon as I spoke the Proverb. God had the last Word. My prayer is Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to God in every way...everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Acknowledge God

Wouldn’t it be nice if every time we asked God a question, we could just randomly open our Bibles and there’d be our answer? But the thing is, our answers are in the Bible and when we spend time there everyday, we begin to learn the ways of God. We also begin to trust God knowing from Proverbs 3:6 that if we acknowledge God in all of our ways, He will direct our paths. Acknowledging God really means to care about what He thinks.

In the Bible in I Chronicles, the Prophet Nathan, told David that he could go ahead and build a house for God. But the next day Nathan got word that one of David’s sons would build instead. What’s cool is that because David had a heart for God, he could praise God for this answer even though he might have been a little disappointed. Acknowledging and caring what God thinks makes a huge difference in how we respond to things and what the outcome is…everyday.