Friday Matters

Everyday Perfect Forgiveness

“The fact is, I need God to help me love God. And if I need His help to love Him, a perfect being, I definitely need His help to love other, fault-filled humans,” this is wisdom from Francis Chan. In order for genuine love for God to grow in our hearts the Holy Spirit has to move in our lives. Lately I’ve been talking to God and asking for His Holy Spirit to move in me. I haven’t been able to really let go, like God, and forgive completely.

Sometimes it helps to think about Corrie ten Boom who personally forgave the Nazi officer at the Concentration Camp she and her sister were held. She said, “The will can operate regardless of the temperature of the heart.” We can choose to forgive even though our anger and hurt make us feel like we can’t. The truth of Philippians 4:13, “We can do all things through Christ’s strength.” Let’s pray, “Jesus’ help. By Your Holy Spirit give us the strength to let go and forgive…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Jesus Gospel

I’ve been to enough gatherings with both Christians, non-Christians and those who believe in Jesus but don’t call themselves Christians because of the stigma the word may bring and sometimes I feel that way too. Much of the time we get bogged down about being right and putting down how others are doing it wrong. We end up talking about issues, rules, programs or how we should be doing church. Sadly, what’s missing from our discussions is sharing the GOOD NEWS…the Gospel. Sharing how Jesus is the difference and the answer.

Author Carl Medearis writes; “The Gospel is not a ‘what.’ It is not a ‘how.’ The gospel is a ‘Who.’ The gospel is literally the good news of Jesus. Jesus is the gospel.” He still lives. He claims to be the way, not just show the way. 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. I want to be more vocal this; Jesus has changed my life…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.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Debates

Aren't you just about crazy with all the political ups and downs, with debates, with labels. How about self-righteous behaviors, unkindness and anger? I'm here to tell you I don't have a spotless record when it comes to the above-mentioned. I’m not always patient or kind and I need to be very mindful of Psalm 141:3, "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips." I get so frustrated with myself that I become unsettled so quickly. Even though, most mornings, I've been hearing God say to me, "I, your Heavenly Father, knoweth," from Matthew 6:32.

Our Heavenly KNOWS, sees & understands. I hear Him say: “I know your frustrations, I know your struggle with the circumstances, about the post you're commenting on, your good intentions and the grace that you need from Me and need to give to others. God knows what you’re going through because He’s been through it too. God gives us perfect love for the victory and so we might have hope and a peace.

You're not alone and your Heavenly Father is not going anywhere. He loves you. He knows…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Quiet Love

My husband Dan and I were on the couch once again having “the talk.” Oh, you know the talk about finances and getting out of debt? Dan proceeded in a serious tone talking about what “we” needed to do but it sounded more like a lecture about what “I” needed to do. I wanted to shout; “If you don’t like the way things are, look at the changes you can make. Don’t wait for me to change.” I even had a verse to go with “my talk”; Deuteronomy 30:19; “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”

But for some reason I sat silently and prayed. And by the end of Dan’s lamentation, he actually said, “I guess I need to look at the choices I can make and not put it all on you.” “Why don’t I shut my mouth more often and simply pray? It’s a life-giving choice to make…everyday.