Friday Matters

Everyday Real Life

In one simple month all of life seemed to fall apart. Brandon had lost his job; the family’s golden retriever had died, and Brandon’s wife was back at the clinic again to try new antibiotics to combat her bronchitis. God, where are you? If He loves us, won’t He take the pain away or at least some of it? Remember God is always with us, and He isn’t surprised by what’s happening. Everything must pass through His hands first.

Sometimes a tragedy is where we meet God for the first time. We must lose religion, where it’s all about rules and proving ourselves, and instead rest in a personal relationship with God who knows exactly what we’re going through and how to take care us. Jesus working through us and not focusing on our own works or man’s laws is what’s important. God always loves us. He will not fail us. Grasp hold of His grace and mercy with both hands to find hope…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Guitar

Relationships that rock your world in the worst way are ones we want ejected from our memory and our playlist of heartache. But the pain of the past doesn’t have to define your future. Janet shared; “It’s been ten years since my abusive ex-fiancé sold my favorite guitar. He sold it on the day I left him. When I went to claim my belongings, he was proud that he had sold my guitar to a pawn shop. Luckily, I managed to track down the guy who bought it from the pawn shop. He was sweet, and gave it back to me for free, on condition that I joined him on his front porch to play guitar with him. We ended up sitting there on his porch for the rest of the afternoon playing music and talking.” He’s been Janet’s husband for nine years now.

With Jesus there’s redemption in all things. I know it might feel like you’re in control when you’re the one in control but surrendering control of your heart to God is where healing and redemption will bring freedom and hope…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday God View

Have you ever found yourself reading the Bible entirely through the lens of what you want and what you feel? That is likely a trap and danger we've all faced. The statement, "I'm living own truth," is one I hear often and for me it translates as, "I'm doing what I feel is right regardless of what anyone else thinks, especially God."

St Augustine said, "If you believe in the Gospel what you like, and leave out what you don’t like, it’s not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.”

Living truthfully, for me, means to trust that God is good even when my circumstances and I are not. Do I trust that God is a Redeemer and that all things that happen to me will work into the good because He loves me and has called me for a purpose? (Romans 8:28) Honestly, it’s hard to wrap my mind around the truth that God doesn't love me because I'm good, but He loves me because He is good…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.

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.

Friday Matters

Everyday A Season

The letter began, “Debbie I’m struggling. I’ve been unemployed since September; I have an aunt who is in the hospital and my husband is constantly reminding me that he’s the one who’s paying the bills. I feel frustrated and far away from God.

Feeling far away from God and like He doesn’t care is what the devil wants you to feel and think. Satan is keen on feeding us lies and his two favorites are the “forever” lie and the “never” lie. He tells us about the negative things in our lives will never change and will forever be the way they are. He says the way you are right now will stay that way “forever.” Lies. The truth is God is good and He has plans to bring you wholeness from your brokenness of pain and regret. Trust in God because bad things ultimately give way to better things. Ecclesiastes 3:1; TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven…everyday!

Thursday Matters

Everyday The 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 love, by God 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.” When you seriously humble yourself and see your own depravity you won’t have time to judge your neighbor. Whatever righteousness we possess was given to us by the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. Humble yourself. Receive the grace God gives and though Him you’ll be able to give grace to another fellow sinner…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Need Grace

Okay there’s this kind of Christians who is “stuck” outside the tension between law and grace – and specifically I’m talking about those who don’t know they need grace. I have been that girl at various times myself.

When you don’t know you need grace you come to the counseling room in righteous indignation. You come with your “rights” and “it’s not fair because there’s a sinner worse than you. This may include the spouse who drags their partner along to get fixed, the partner who doesn’t think they need fixing, the person angry with God for failing to fulfill their dreams and the one who simply cannot forgive. Accepting Christ means acknowledging our sin with the only cure being His grace. Jesus desires to confront the blackness of our hearts and change us. PRAY for yourself and others who need to KNOW and SEE how much we need His grace, because without it we can’t really love others…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.

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.

Friday Matters

Everyday Set Apart

“God wants to show His glory though you!” “Me? Are you serious? Who am I?”

No, He really does want to show His glory through you! Look at 2 Timothy 2:21 for instructions: “If you separate yourself from corrupting influences, you’ll then be a vessel set apart for honorable use. You’ll be consecrated and ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”

Well consecrated is to be set apart for a special use! There are special occasions and holidays we set apart special ornaments and decorations. There are also special seasons in our lives with a purpose where God sets us apart! God loves you, He knows you and has created you for purpose. He’s aware of everything about you and loves you no matter how you might feel about yourself. You are a treasure that God delights in. According to His great plan we are vessels He sets aside for a special purpose. Yield to Him so He can work through you because He wants to show His glory through you…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Confident Love

Our whole family was stunned when many years ago, at age seven, our youngest member, David decided to walk down the aisle to read a verse after the pastor requested some children come forward to read from Proverbs. As David left the pew he turned saying, “I’m a really good reader.” The truth is most of 1st grade he had a tutor for reading but progressed so much by the end of the year that the tutor was dropped. Plus, we as a family had David read out loud to us a lot and each time he’d read, we’d say, “David, you’re a really good reader” and then we’d hug him. David was so confident when he read his verse even though he pronounced a few words wrong.

And I thought, “Think of all the things we could do if we believed the things God told us about ourselves and we walked confidently in the love He as for us?” God has great plans for us, He’ll work all things for the good, He’ll avenge us and from Jeremiah 31:3, He loves us with an everlasting love…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Red Sea

The same God that parted the Red Sea for Moses is the same God for you and me. He never changes. He can make a way when there seems to be no way. His Word is comforting but when life’s hard it sometimes doesn’t seem as living and active as we’d like it to be. Because we can’t always “see” God working we sometimes question; “Is He doing anything?” When we’re feeling bruised and beat up and all we can see are more “Egyptians” coming it’s then that the, “We of little faith” rears its head. But God’s Word is living and active. And as Psalm 18: 30 says, “His way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.”

When life is hard it’s especially important to lean into God in faith, to trust in a never changing God who can make a way through all the Red Seas of our lives. Giving up control to God and living in His grace of love and kindness will see you through…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.

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.

Friday Matters

Everyday Letter Care

God knows. He cares. And I’m so glad for the friend who sent me a letter reminding me of this so many years ago. My friend Barb wrote, “Debbie, it’s a hard place God has allowed you to walk through. Be assured He has not gone to sleep or turned His back. I was reading in Exodus 2 this morning how Moses had to run away from Pharaoh and live in the desert. All of the experiences he went through, including the time in exile, were to prepare him for the work God would use him to do. He knew about survival in the desert. You too will know about survival in a dark desert experience, and you will prove God's faithfulness. ‘Don't doubt in the dark what God told you in the light.’ Let Him comfort and protect you.”

Resting in God is about allowing Him to take control when life feels so out of control and careless. Isaiah 49:13; “The Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.” And often times he uses our friends to bring that comfort...everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Surgery Class

Twenty-three years ago, when I was recovering from scoliosis back surgery, I was in such pain; emotionally, spiritually and physically that I didn't think I'd ever recover. I felt out of control, and I hated that. I simply wanted Jesus to remove all my pain, “Make it go away,” I cried to Him. My main mentor, Aunt Ginger, encouraged me to take my trial as a class. This changed everything. Because instead of praying for God to remove me from my class of pain and circumstances I asked Him to bless and teach me the lessons I needed to learn. And the main lesson was to receive the grace He had for me, to rest in Him being in control.

During this time, I received a postcard from Aunt Ginger which said; “How’s class going? I know you’re being a good student." Well, not always. But how true Hebrews 12:11 was and is; "No training is enjoyable while it’s happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a harvest of right living and peace for those who are trained in this way...everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Kissing

“Debbie, do you think God is okay with a couple just kissing without anything physical going on? I need to know the difference between something being culturally prohibited, and something that God is angered by? This was asked by a young woman in another country. I thought of what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 6; "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. Everything that God asks us to do, or not to do, is because He wants what’s best for us.

Unfortunately, the “world” leads us to believe that if two people mutually agree to be physically imitate then it’s fine, and the only caution is, “to be safe.” But there’s no such thing as “safe sin.” God calls us to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity. As far as kissing goes well that’s something between you and God. Some people wait and some don’t. Sometimes the danger in kissing is that it can lead to other activities that aren’t honoring to God. God is not a killjoy. He’s a “give-joy” and it’s out of His great love for you. He knows best…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.

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.