Wednesday Matters

Everyday Amazing Grace

Not that long ago, I had a new believer write to me who was moved by me singing Amazing Grace in church. The words, “saved a wretch like me” along with “I was blind but now I see” really moved them because they realized that God had saved them from their wretchedness. We are all blinded by lies and sin but through Christ our eyes can be opened.

It’s funny because someone had asked me to sing the song as a favor to them and it made me think how favor and grace are both translated from the same Greek word charis. When I do something for someone as a favor, I expect nothing in return, it is a gift, a blessing I give to someone. It’s the same way with God. His favor to us from John 3:16 is that He loved us so much that He gave His one and only Son so that if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life, His grace…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Marriage Bumps

I’ve been helping a couple through some difficult times in their marriage, and I’m so encouraged by their willingness to focus on Christ while looking at what they need to do as individuals for a healthy marriage.

Hannah wrote saying, “In working on our marriage Ryan and I are finally realizing that we need to look through the eyes of Jesus when we’re angry and frustrated because when anger takes over, we get lost and caught up in our own individual "rights." We lost sight of the goal which is to have a restored marriage. It’s so hard to let go of the offense and hurt but in the end, we know that’s what real forgiveness is all about. Please pray that I’ll continue to honor my husband and stay focused on Jesus. My prayer is from Philippians 2:2 asking God to give them the grace and strength to agree wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose for a great marriage…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Mediator

I had an argument with a very dear and close friend where there was an exchange of words that had to do more with hurt feelings rather than the topic we were arguing about. We both had allowed time to pile up little hurts and irritations and so that when the disagreement came, we had a wall of hurt and anger to bring down. Eventually we both managed to say we were sorry, but the hurt had been deep, and I thought we would probably never be close friends again.

That is until God got a hold of our hearts. He was the Mediator that 1 Timothy 2:5 talks about, the man Christ Jesus who reconciled us back into a deeper relationship than I ever imagined possible. Now there is absolute freedom to share our hearts with one another and a respect and love that ONLY JESUS could have brought about. Our friendship is better and more secure than ever, in Him...everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Pure Air

A friend told me the story of a woman in Austria whose father locked her in the basement for over 20 years and in that time, she had children who had never seen the sun or even breathed fresh air. To them the basement was a normal world. When the police found them, the air was so vile they had to tear down walls and bring in fans just to breathe.

But it’s like we too are living in a basement, a world not perfect, one infected with sin. We don’t even realize we’re breathing putrid air because this is our “normal.” But through the acceptance of God’s love and forgiveness we can believe He’s a Redeemer, working all things for the good with a purpose for us to serve eternally… breathing pure air forever. Look to 1 Corinthians 2:9 with anticipation because “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him”…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday God is Greater

We spend a lot of time living in fear. Studies tell us that 85% of us live in fear by worrying. Is the size of your fear larger than the God of the Universe? God is greater than death, greater than disease, and there is no condemnation in Him. He certainly is greater than what you may be worrying about.

Should you worry about hell? No. But, no one really talks about its existence but, of course, the Bible does. Jesus Himself indicates that punishment in hell is just as everlasting as life in heaven and it’s where the wicked go who don’t acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. (Matthew 25:46). The righteous person has the hope of heaven, and you are made “right” by accepting what Jesus did on the cross by atoning for your sins. Because God is holy, He must punish sin but because He is loving He didn’t want to punish us. On the cross He accomplished both the holiness and lovingness of God. You have nothing to fear. Remember John 4:18 in that perfect love casts out fear. With God you always have hope…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Vegas

Susan had turned her life around by turning to Jesus and now she was on talk radio with three other women still in the “business” discussing lifestyle choices in Las Vegas. The host and others on the panel were repeatedly asking Susan, “Where was God when you were in this business? Why didn’t He save you?” And Susan replied, “God was always with me. It was I who left Him. The others clearly did not have a relationship with Christ, they didn’t know of His great love for them, and so they had no respect for God or His ways but Susan understood completely and she said; Christ gives us all a free will but it’s our choice whether we want to have Him in our lives or not.”

Without knowing the relationship that brings love and freedom a person is only going to see God’s laws as bringing judgment and bondage. We may turn our backs on God, but He will never turn on us or stop loving us. The wisdom of Proverbs 28:5 says, those who seek the Lord understand fully…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Shame

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. There’s this past so many people carry around that’s really heavy because it’s filled with shame from harming ourselves through “cutting,” an eating disorders, an affair, alcohol, abuse suffered, it’s all yuck. I read that 80% of memories are shame based. People carry shame because they think once they’re fully exposed or discovered they won’t ever be accepted or loved. But when their identity is solid, they’re stable.

Psalm 91:1 is my 911 verse. It reads; “She who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will remain stable.” It means that when I can stand still and let myself be exposed. God covers me, my shame, my fear and replaces all that I’m not with all that He is. It’s hard to really grasp that He’s fully forgiven me and doesn’t recall my sin as I do. God can see the real you and He loves you as you are no matter what…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Training

Sometimes don’t you feel like you’ve been wandering in the wilderness for an awful long time and it’s high time things should start looking brighter? I’ve been there. And what helps me is to understand that the trials I’m facing are like tests given in a course that God has allowed to prepare me for my future. The class in the wilderness is not easy but knowing that God had to first approve what’s happening to me and it’s also no surprise to Him, helps me to understand the scriptures which say; “He who began a good work in you will complete it so rejoice in your trials because they’ll produce character which will bring you hope.”

God permits Satan to contest the believer. We’re given these tests to train us so that by Isaiah 45:3 we will be given treasures hidden in the darkness. But let’s remember the rest of the verse; “He will do this so we may know that He’s the Lord, the One who calls us by name…everyday.”

Wednesday Matters

Everyday God’s Memory

God is perfect. His memory is perfect. When God remembers people, plans, and promises, He works in a way that aligns with his faithfulness. He remembered Noah when he acted in accordance with the promise to protect his family and saved him from the flood. He remembered Rachel in her barrenness and gave her a child according to His covenant to make Abraham’s family a great nation. God’s people frequently call Him to remember them according to His steadfast love.

Yet, God doesn’t remember our sins when we receive His forgiveness. God ceasing to remember our sin is not voluntary amnesia. But, in His mercy, He does not act against us according to our sin. When the Lord forgives, He does not call our sins to mind to punish or berate us. I can remember my sin and others will, but God actively chooses not to.

He removes our sin from us as far as the east is from the west and remembers them no more. He doesn’t hold our sins against us, and He treats us as if we never sinned. This is incredibly gracious and absolutely amazing…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Lord’s Prayer

How should you pray? Looking to the Bible for that answer we find a great answer with reading the Lord’s Prayer. I sometimes like the Message Bible translation for its relatable language. Matthew 6: The Lord’s Prayer; "Here's what to do: Find a quiet place and just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.

The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. Pray simply: Our Father in heaven, reveal who You are. Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You're ablaze in beauty. That’s the kind of sincere prayer that’ll make a difference…everyday!

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Alter Call

You want to look up but you can’t because the burden you’re carrying is so heavy and you feel strange because the alter call at church was about going forward to pray for a prodigal child and your kids are all in church wondering, “What’s wrong with mom?” Others come forward to pray with those in front but I sat alone. Then suddenly, a woman, who could be described as the exact opposite of me, gentle and quiet, put her arm around me.

It was quiet and not a word was said but gradually more tears started rolling down my face and then I started to sob. This woman gave the love and understanding of Jesus, who also wept with loss and felt alone. She put her arms around me and just sat with me because she knew what my heart must be feeling. Jesus waits with us, sees our tears and cries with us. Sometimes He sends just the right person He can work through to meet us in our need…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Rachel and Leah

I’ve always felt so bad for Leah from the Old Testament because Jacob loved Rachel best, she was the more attractive sister, but he’s tricked into marrying Leah first. Oh, the insignificance Leah must have felt based on her looks. It’s a battle girls face from the earliest of ages—the message that beauty is what the world tells you it is—instead of what God says it is.

In the Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones I am drawn to the story of Leah. She thought no one wanted her, only to find that God indeed loved her. He gave her the ultimate fairytale come true story: He made her a princess—one of her children’s children’s children would be a prince; the Prince of Heaven and Earth. The final redemption for eternity is Jesus who came from the lineage of Leah. The fairy tale really does come true. The Hero comes back for His lost treasure; the Prince comes back for the one He loves. And “the ending of our Story is Joy …everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Thanks for Everything

Wow is Ephesians 5:20 a difficult verse to follow; “Give thanks FOR all things?!” That almost seems kinda messed up even though I know that obedience brings a blessing.

Visiting a friend a few years ago at the Mayo Clinic Psych Ward I had a huge anxiety attack alone in the hallway with hyper-ventilating…the whole works. But when driving home the next day I heard God say, “Thank Me for the anxiety attack.” I kinda laughed and thought…that’s crazy but I did it anyway; “Thank You God for the anxiety attack.” I continued to repeat and thank God for something so awful but then I began to sense His great love for me. I felt overwhelmed by His love and so I started saying; “You’re so nice to me.” His presence was so real I had to pull over to the side of the road because I was crying so hard. God’s ways aren’t always ones we understand but His ways are perfect…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday God Power

We’ve all made mistakes because we’re all sinners. Our sins hurt us and others on some level. God loves us and will use our messes to help ministry to others, but Satan will always try and condemn us, and he also works in others with his lies. You may have someone trying to convince you that your past can’t be forgiven unless you follow their rules of forgiveness. Or maybe it’s you are thinking, God couldn’t possible forgive “that” sin. Listen to 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” Okay so think about how our kidneys work in our bodies, continuously cleansing us from impurities.

Well, there IS POWER IN THE BLOOD of Jesus Christ which cleanses us, not just in the body, but in the spirit, continuously. Our responsibility is to admit we’ve sinned and CONFESS. We don’t ever want a sin blockage so our prayer life is polluted, and we can’t hear His voice of truth and healing…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Addiction

I've always loved what Robert Downey Jr shared at an award ceremony years ago on how Mel Gibson gave him an opportunity, when he was struggling with addiction and needed help. When you receive God's forgiveness you can give forgiveness and then take responsibility by humbling yourself.

Every single one of us needs grace. We are all addicts on some level on wanting that which makes us feel good, what we think we deserve or when we feel “it’s not fair,” we indulge and justify what want to feel better. Sobriety isn't just from alcohol or drugs but from any substance, activity or person we use to gratify our flesh and numb our pain.

Only real love and forgiveness can set us free from self-hate, abuse and destruction. Christ is perfect love. There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)

From 1 Corinthians 15:10, I say, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain for I know He is with me…everyday.”

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Corrie ten Boom

Corrie Ten Boom along with her Sister Betsy hid a number of Jews during the Holocaust, and both were caught and sent to a Concentration Camp. Amazingly Corrie managed to smuggle in a Bible and held Bible studies in the barracks. God’s Word changed the lives it touched in a powerful way despite the circumstances.

Corrie was obedient to Ephesians 5:20; “Give thanks for all things,” but she wrote in her book; “God, I can thank You for almost everything, but I can’t thank You for the lice.” Still, she obeyed and realized it was the lice that prevented the guards from coming into the barracks where the Bible was. When I began to trust God and His Word (The Bible), God began to change me. Thanking God for my husband’s cancer seemed goofy at the time but now I see the many blessings that occurred during that season years ago. God is always on the move working and redeeming ALL things no matter how difficult they may be. He is always good…everyday.