Monday Matters

Everyday No More 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 they cover because it’s filled with shame from harming themselves 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. That’s why it’s vital that you hear who God says you are, loved, redeemed, not a mistake AND there’s sufficient grace for every second.

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. God can see the real you and He loves you…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Boldness in Fear

“My husband has cancer” I wrote that in the subject line of an email that I sent to family and friends in 2010. My brother responded, “Wow, Deb that’s powerfully blunt to write in the subject line.” I know. But it helps me to face what I fear. There are so many times the enemy has used fear to immobilize me, and in those times, he whispers lies against the truth I know. Philippians 1:28 is great because it says that not for a moment should we be frightened or intimidated by our adversaries, for such constancy and fearlessness will be a clear sign to them of their impending destruction, but sure evidence of our deliverance from God.”

Satan knows that the only way he can overcome a believer is through deception and intimidation. Sometimes, I get so frustrated with myself when what I know to be true from God, gets knocked out by my intense feelings, but God understands that about me too. Dan is cancer free, and we thank God, but we thank Him because He’s good no matter what happens…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Flower Shout

I am not a gardening type of gal, so I was thrilled when a many years ago my 9-year-old Joey took on the responsibility of planting and watering the flowers in our large window box. One day as he was watering the flowers I heard him shouting in short staccato intervals which made him sound like a barking dog. Joey, “What is going on?” I said as I ran outside. Why are you doing?” “I’m giving the flowers a shout. “I’m gonna do this everyday because, you know, Mom the carbon dioxide from my shouts helps them to grow.”

“Alrighty,” I said and walked inside thinking how funny it was but also how this shouting could be effective for me too. Psalm 100:1 says, “Shout with joy to the Lord!” The goal is not to shout to get the joy or try to feel the joy but more because we have the joy and we want to release it with a shout. I’ve decided that joyful shouting is a good way for me to bloom right where I’m planted…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday I need help

I get many messages of grief because of broken relationships Recently Bonnie wrote, “I'm going through a divorce, after 36 years. I'm not doing well. Can you send me some scriptures about depression and self-esteem?” “I’m so sorry about your divorce. It’s so hard,” I wrote. The only way you can walk away in peace is resting in the One who is Peace.

The main scriptures I’d focus on are ones that remind you of who you are in Christ. You know it’s nothing you have to do for His love but it’s receiving what He did for you. It’s about knowing who you are in Him. It would help to repeat the truth of who you are; “I am a daughter of the King” (Romans 8:17), “He has good plans for my life” (Jeremiah 29:11) and “He will work all things for the good.” (Romans 8:28). This should help you get on “the track of hope.” God grieves with you. He understands and He has a plan of redemption in place to see you through. I’m praying for you. You are loved…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Good Trials

“Life is hard.” That’s a statement that can pretty much resonate with anyone because either you’re in a trial, coming out of one or you’re soon to face a trial. If you’re familiar with the Bible, you also realize that God allows trials because He loves you and wants what’s ultimately good for you! Is this crazy talk? It is but if you know the Bible you’ll see that it’s through the trials that you’ll be transformed. If we never had trials, we would never need faith.

Going through a terrible trial of anxiety and depression, which I call the wilderness walk of 2009, I can honestly say that this season in my life refined and made surrender to God because my flesh didn’t know what else to do but despair. Good things in our lives usually come by way of transformation, and not by focusing on “everyone else” who needs to change or our circumstances. It’s the truth of 1 Peter 4 that we have the same attitude as Christ being ready to suffer but after persevering, we are made ready to do the will of God and enjoy freedom…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Excuses

I can pray to God, “Dear God I pray to lose weight” but unless surrender to God to work in me to change by eating differently and exercising nothing’s going to happen. My mind can justify and make excuses for my behavior but what I really need is a heart change.

I remember having this discussion with my son Peter when he was little. He had all these excuses why he had kicked his brother and yelled at me, “Mom,” he said, “if Joey hadn’t taken my army guy and you hadn’t given me the wrong snack I wouldn’t be having problems.” Fortunate for Peter I had been reading in the book of James and so I told him what Chapter 4 had to say, “Pete, we can always blame someone else for our problems but when we let go and ask God for His help for the changes we need to make, rather than asking Him to change the other person, He promises to lift us up. We need Him to make the difference in the way we live our lives and treat others... everyday.”

Monday Matters

Everyday Grace Is Not Fair

Grace isn’t fair. And I’m glad of it. I need it. It’s God’s gift of complete forgiveness that we simply receive, we don’t even have to ask for it. He’s gone to the cross for us, paid a penalty we never could and gives us mercy we can’t earn, nor do we deserve it. We are free to live now and with the hope of eternity.

Surely, God’s grace is feeling loved when you don't deserve it. It’s kindness of the greatest proportion. We can only give grace to another who’s undeserving when we’ve entered into a relationship with Christ with the unconditional love and grace He gives us. We don’t need religion. We need grace.

I see people walk away from churches, institutions and theology but I’ve never seen anyone walk away from the grace of God. God’s love is not based on how good we are but on how good He is. There’s nothing that surprises Him and He’s always aware of who we are and why we do what we do. He redeems all things and love you, no strings or conditions attached…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Shields of Faith

When my husband had cancer thirteen years ago it was hard, it was scary. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. My relationship with God enabled me to have peace despite the circumstances. Thankfully, Dan is now cancer free but at the time of the tumor, surgery and chemo I had to be intentional to stop and breathe and let my anxiousness go to God. Of course the enemy is always prowling around trying to steal our peace like we read from 1 Peter 5:8.

One night I had a dream of my husband Dan and I standing in a circle between two pillars that spelled the word, “IS.” “What did that mean?” God said: “My grace IS sufficient.” “My power IS perfected in weakness.” And then I saw people praying in a circle around us, facing outwards and protecting us with shields of faith. The enemy was prowling around trying to find an entrance in hoping shake us up but the power of prayer and faith prevented him. Remember GOD is good and He IS greater…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Ask God

Should I do it? What do you think? Maybe I should put a poll out on social media? Sure, it is wise to ask advice from others and in Proverbs 15 we can read that plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisers they succeed. But it’s also important to care most about what God thinks. Often when we pray, we make all these requests but then fail to wait and LISTEN. God knows your heart and loves you. He has the best advice.

In the Bible when Paul was talking to the Colossians, he told them that they could have a peace in their heart when a decision was made. It’s important that we aren’t seeking the approval of others or just relying on our feelings. God does answer us. Sometimes the answer is “no” and sometimes we can’t hear because we tell God what we want and ask Him to bless it rather than asking Him if it’s a direction He even wants us to take. Feelings come and go but the peace of God will remain…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Questions

God will never tire of us seeking Him or of all our questions. I think of my kids and especially when they were younger and all the questions they had.. But I always want them to know I love them no matter what. I imagine it’s a lot like God with us. As T.S. Elliot put it; “Oh my soul, be prepared to meet Him who knows how to ask questions.” I imagine questions from God might be? Did you know Me and how I much I loved you for all eternity?

There are things about God that are mysterious and secret, things we will never know about Him. But there also are things revealed, and those belong to us. Deuteronomy 29:29; “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all He has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.” I follow and trust God because I know He loves me no matter what …everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday God Speaks

Are you listening? Jesus is speaking. Hear His voice; “You are forgiven. Today is a new day. God’s Word from Lamentations 3:23: “Great is My mercy. It’s new every morning and great is My faithfulness. Everyday I try to “be better” by choosing what I should think on and how I should behave which often means I remain silent, shut my mouth and pray. Just think of the amazing gift God offers us! We have an opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness which means our soiled sin rags are washed and made t white by the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14)

Don’t be discouraged. There’s a whole lot of us who so wanted to be faithful, but who at times got defeated, beat-up by life and tested by trials. We have the bloodied garments of life’s tribulations, but through it all we clung to the faith. This is the Gospel of Grace. So with me, let’s celebrate. Let’s raise “a glass of hope,” receive and share this love and grace with others. Carry on Christian Soldiers, onward and upward…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Biker

As Nathan was training for America’s largest mountain bike racing series, he was thankful that biking had kept he and his brother, Kyle, connected through Kyle’s drug addiction. And thankfully in the last two years of Kyle’s life he overcame his addiction via a 12-step program and a relationship with God. Kyle died in a freak car accident which was crazy tragic. Yet there’s peace and hope that replaced the tragedy because they knew they’d see Kyle again.

The night before the big bike race Nathan made a dedication and said, “I let go of all performance pressures and made up my mind to ride for the love of God, Kyle, and the sport itself.” No matter what the results I was giving this race to God because I realized more than ever that it wasn’t about me. It was about what God was doing in and through me. When Nathan walked up to the podium for his first overall win at this huge race, he never heard such cheering. “Sure, the prestige and prize money are great” said Nathan, “but relationships and loving others is what lasts…everyday.”

Monday Matters

Everyday Supposed To

Many of us are not fans of the words; “You’re not supposed to do that.” Sometimes, hearing those words only makes us want to do what we’re told not to. I remember my friend Karen saying, “Today I went down the road that had a sign that said; “No thru traffic” and I thought of you. I didn’t know whether to be proud or mortified.

What it comes down to is this; I don’t want to be a predictable cookie-cutter Christian, but I do what to be known as a predictable loyal and sincere friend. We all want what’s unique and special about us to be appreciated and so for many of us it is not doing things like “we’re supposed to.” The one thing I do try and do is said by Jesus in Matthew 8:22; “Follow Me.” “Yes, I'll go where He wants me to go and do what He wants me to do because He is God. He knows you’re unique and He created you for a specific purpose now and into eternity…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday God Comfort

I know you’ve been disappointed, hurt or mistreated. I get it. There’s a loss and an ache that you just can’t explain because maybe you don’t get it either. 2 Corinthians 1:3 says that God wants to help by comforting you and sometimes that means going to counseling to work through turmoil but nevertheless God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us. He’s actually called the Comforter/Counselor. He’s available 24/7.

In the early years of my marriage, I’d become angry with my husband Dan when he wouldn’t comfort me the way I thought I needed. But when I began reading the Bible consistently, I began to see a change in my marriage and in ALL my relationships because God was changing me. If our expectations are in the wrong place, we’ll always be disappointed. Of course, God uses other people to reach us, but He promises to always be our comfort and sometimes it’s through a song, a circumstance or a direct word from scripture. Seek Him. He sees you and wants to bring you comfort and hope …everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Redeemer Lives

It has always struck me that Job said, "My Redeemer lives,” when he was in such a miserable place. He didn't know the end of the book that's named after him. What he did know was the loss of his children and all wealth, livestock and material items. His health was afflicted with sores, and he was in constant pain. And he had three friends who only added to his misery, telling him he must have done something wrong. Yet Job said, "My Redeemer lives," (Job 19:25) and not, "my disciplinarian lives." In the next verse he says, "And after even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it, I shall see God."

Obviously, he understood the greatness and omnipotence of God because he understood God in a way that wasn't just about what he was experiencing in the moment. Job had hope. But I love that he could still lament even to the point where he wanted to end his life. Whatever mess you're in, or the troubles from past mistakes or your mistreatment from others, there's a Redeemer who lives, sees and will care for you…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Earth Life

The earth experience is hard. It’s not our home and on this earth, we are served a lot of hard and challenging circumstances and of course, difficult people, too. Ever since our separation from God in the garden, humanity has had trouble with sickness, tragedy, violence, and death which are the results of sin. Jesus made it clear that troubles would be a part of living in the world and He was the remedy, not the source. 

But I struggle with the hard commands from Jesus like, “Love your enemies,” or “Rejoice in your trials,” which are certainly not fan favorites, yet Jesus gives us the way to do the hard things, and He tells us in John 15:6, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” So, listen up, Buttercup, the only way you can do the hard things God commands of you and allows in your life is to be in union with Him and tap into His grace…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Job Explanation

Maybe the reason God doesn’t explain to Job why terrible things happen is that because He knows that Job really doesn’t need an explanation. Frederick Buechner’s shares this insight from his book; “Wishful thinking.” “Suppose that God did explain. Suppose that God were to say to Job that the reason the cattle were stolen, the crops ruined, and the children killed was thus and so, spelling everything out right down to and including the case of boils. Job would have his explanation.

But Job would still have to face his kid’s empty chairs at breakfast every morning. Having a complete theological justification of his boils, he would still have to scratch and burn. God doesn’t reveal His grand design. He reveals Himself. He doesn’t show why things are as they are. He shows His face. And Job says, I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” And this is the same God we too can see…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Treatment of Others

How we treat others, including family members, from day to day, or how we react to the alcoholic who just can’t seem to get their act together or the people we don’t like, says a lot about us. How we respond to interruptions from people and how we deal with the frustrations of everyday life will speak the truth of who we are more clearly than a Christian bumper sticker on our car.

Life is not all about us but about God and His love of us and others. So, as children of God we need to reach out in love to others by listening and responding in love with our actions and words. We are all of equal value with a need for affirmation and real love and acceptance. Jesus tells us in Ephesians 5:15; “Make the most your time on earth with taking advantage of each opportunity and using wisdom because the days are filled with evil. But God is good and He’s love is unconditional. Show others real love by the way you live your everyday…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday “I Should”

Today I want to encourage you to ask God to help you take the “should” out of your life. Think how often you say, “I should read the Bible, I should memorize scripture, I should attend a Bible study, I should lead one.” But remember what Paul says in 2 Corinthians; “The code of the Law kills but the Holy Spirit makes alive.”

When we start thinking “I should” is when we get stuck in being religious. Some religious circles want you to believe that God can only be reached through rule keeping and good behavior. This “religious spirit” was alive when Jesus walked the earth, but He died so we could have a close personal relationship with Him and not a religion. Today, that same religious spirit still trips people up if they don’t know the truth. Remember the Law was given to show people their need for a Savior. A relationship with Christ enables us to walk in freedom and to be loved by grace and not by the law of, “I should,” …everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Open Eyes

Jesus meets a man who’s been blind since birth. I don’t know how brief their encounter was but, in that time, Jesus bent down took some mud and rubbed the man’s eyes with it and when he opened them, he could see. Immediately the Pharisees-the Religious Leaders, questioned the man wanted him to proclaim Jesus a sinner…. WHAT? But the blind’s response is brilliant in John 9:25, “Whether He is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see!” He didn’t know how or why he had been healed but he knew a miracle had taken place and he wasn’t afraid to tell the truth.

We don’t have to all the answers in order to share Christ with others. What’s important is that we tell people the truth of how God’s love and forgiveness has changed our lives. Use your experiences and share your testimonies, to help others see Him too …everyday.