Everyday Matters
Friday Matters
Everyday God Feels
“No one understands what I’m going through and it’s not fair.” Does that sound familiar?
Everyday God Feels
“No one understands what I’m going through and it’s not fair.” Does that sound familiar? Yet we can read in Hebrews 4:15 that Jesus experienced every emotion and suffered every feeling you and I do BUT He did it without sin! He didn’t give in to His negative feelings because He KNEW GOD, He is God. You and I will never be able to say “no” to our feelings if we don’t have within us a strong knowledge of who God is and how much He loves us.
When my feelings are hurt by someone the best thing I can do is talk to God; “Jesus, do You see what’s happening here and what I’m feeling! Thank You for not condemning me for feeling this way. Help me to forgive and not pay back the person who’s hurt me.” I pray THAT all the time. God knows. He understands. God is able to work with us and our feelings… everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Husband Searching
My husband Dan did not become a Christian until he in his 20’s and in college. He never grew up going to church so in college he wanted to know if there was a God.
Everyday Husband Searching
My husband Dan did not become a Christian until he in his 20’s and in college. He never grew up going to church so in college he wanted to know if there was a God. He studied the religions of the world and THEN saw the uniqueness of Jesus. Jesus claims to be the way, not just show the way. And 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. ALL religions require us to do something or sacrifice to please God so we can earn heaven.
Most religions are intolerant of people who disagree with them. Some even hate and want to hurt those who disagree. Jesus' message is just the opposite He says, "Let your love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold on to what is good." "Love your enemies" not just tolerate them. What? 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…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Anxiety Thanks
I trust God’s love, so I really try to obey what He asks from the Bible. But wow is Ephesians 5:20 a difficult scripture to follow;
Everyday Anxiety Thanks
I trust God’s love, so I really try to obey what He asks from the Bible. But wow is Ephesians 5:20 a difficult scripture to follow; “Give thanks FOR all things?!” Nevertheless, I had an amazing experience when applying this for a very difficult circumstance.
Visiting a friend two years ago at the Mayo Clinic I had a huge anxiety attack alone in the hallway with hyper-ventilating…the whole works. Driving home the next day I heard God say, “Thank Me for the attack.” “What craziness was this?” I kinda laughed but did it anyway; “Thank You God for the anxiety attack.” I said it once but as I continued to repeat and thank Him for something so awful I began to sense His great love for me. The more I thanked Him the more I felt enveloped by His love, so I also added, “You’re so nice to me.” I was so overwhelmed by His presence that I had to pull over because I was crying so hard. His ways are often my “whys?” But His ways always bring peace…everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Armor of God
I have to constantly remind myself who the enemy is. It’s not other people like we so often think (not that the enemy doesn’t use people because he does) but he’s the real enemy.
Everyday Armor of God
I have to constantly remind myself who the enemy is. It’s not other people like we so often think (not that the enemy doesn’t use people because he does) but he’s the real enemy. Satan’s everyday goal is for our destruction to break up relationships, friendships, families and marriages. God tells us in Ephesians 6 that our armor isn’t gonna just jump on us but that we have to put it on. So, let’s look at what it is:
1) Helmet of Salvation-We are covered by Christ’s blood & we need to protect our thoughts
2) Belt of Truth-To combat the lies of the enemy
4) Shoes of Peace-We can receive peace no matter what
5) Shield of Faith-Holding on to God’s promises in faith no matter what happens
6) The Sword of the Spirit/The Word of God-This weapon is defensive & offensive.
Put on the full armor of God and you will have victory and be able to overcome the enemy because God is greater…everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Love Enemies
God will never stop pursing you no matter how far you run and no matter what you do or don’t do. His heart breaks when we choose to do things that hurt ourselves or others.
Everyday Love Enemies
God will never stop pursing you no matter how far you run and no matter what you do or don’t do. His heart breaks when we choose to do things that hurt ourselves or others. That is why He commands us in Matthew 5:44 to; “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
What? How does that make sense? Well, God created us in His image, and we are His children when we receive Him. He loves so just because someone is your enemy doesn’t mean they’re God’s. They’re His lost child, and He wants them back. Yes, there are circumstances where we’re called to face the bully, the tyrant and say, “No more,” and fight back. But not out of revenge. God is not willing that any be condemned, but that all come to repentance. His great love says, “Confess to me your sins, turn back to Me. Nothing can separate My love from you.” This earth is temporary, and heaven is forever. Choose Love, receive love and follow Him…everyday.
Friday Matters
Everyday Forgiveness in Friendship
“I forgive you, but I can’t be friends with you.” This makes sense if the person continues with unchanged harmful behavior, but it doesn’t make sense to reject friendship if the person has repented and changed.
Everyday Forgiveness in Friendship
“I forgive you, but I can’t be friends with you.” This makes sense if the person continues with unchanged harmful behavior, but it doesn’t make sense to reject friendship if the person has repented and changed. 1 John 1:9 is God’s promise that He completely cleanses us and removes our sins when we admit and confess them. My yucky sin prevents me from being friends with God, but when I admit and confess my sin, He promises to remove the barrier that was blocking our relationship.
When I forgive someone, the barrier is lifted so reconciliation can begin. I need to start by treating the person with complete kindness as Jesus does with me. If I’m the offender I start with; “I’m sorry” followed by asking myself and God; “What does this person need to help for the pain I’ve caused? And how should I change to make this person’s life easier in some way. The only way for this true forgiveness is by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me…everyday.”
Thursday Matters
Everyday Anxiety Experience
The earth experience is hard but it’s not our home. Knowing what we need to do and then doing it are two different things.
Everyday Anxiety Experience
The earth experience is hard but it’s not our home. Knowing what we need to do and then doing it are two different things. I sometimes get these crazy anxious thoughts and then have a physical response by having an anxiety attack, but courage is to go forward despite it. I know I need to turn to God 100% to get to the other side.
Turning toward God and from the direction you were going is what “repent” means. In God’s holiness He must punish sin but, in His love, He didn’t want to punish us. Christ proclaims our infinite worth and His eternal love for us aside from any human standard, even our own. We will live forever in a community of equals – saints and sinners, all, saved by grace. Remember Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Our temporary imperfection is a quality which actually connects us to others rather than a secret shame which sets us apart. I still get anxiety attacks, but in faith I trust Christ…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday Mother Lament
I called a friend for a favor and while talking to her I sensed deep heaviness and hurt in her spirit. When I questioned her, she shared that she was going through a very difficult time with her two oldest children.
Everyday Mother Lament
I called a friend for a favor and while talking to her I sensed deep heaviness and hurt in her spirit. When I questioned her, she shared that she was going through a very difficult time with her two oldest children. I knew she had been dealing with some sad and difficult issues, but I was just baffled why God had allowed so much time to go by without fixing the situation. “Why her God, I wondered, she is so good, and she loves You so much?”
I prayed for her as she cried and then remembered the verses, I had just read from Lamentations Chapter 3 and knew they would encourage my friend, so I shared, “The Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion according to the greatness of His unfailing love. For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” There is no pat answer for all our hurting “whys” but there is always hope in a God who cares…everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Itchy Sin
Hidden sin is attractive but once exposed, we see how ugly it really is. But often a person acting in sin can’t see the truth of how what they’re doing is not only hurting themselves but also others around them.
Everyday Itchy Sin
Hidden sin is attractive but once exposed, we see how ugly it really is. But often a person acting in sin can’t see the truth of how what they’re doing is not only hurting themselves but also others around them. C.S. Lewis in, The Great Divorce says sin is like an itch that needs to be scratched. At first, it’s small but the more it’s scratched the better it feels. After a while the itch becomes less, but you actually long to have it back. Sin is that way, when you aren't satisfied by it anymore, you still long to have it. Only God can take that desire away.
Sin costs us and the real loss isn’t just on earth but the loss of eternal life if unrepentant. Good news is that if we change our ways and accept God’s grace, we have life, which is what 1 John 5:12 talks about with repentance which is simply turning from our ways as Director of our lives to His direction and this always brings true freedom, forgiveness and life now and into eternity…everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Courage Forward
I kept the email written by an attendee who was at an event I spoke at. Carrie shared, “I love what you shared about speaking of God’s peace amidst the feelings. I know what you mean about moving forward despite feeling afraid.
Everyday Courage Forward
I kept the email written by an attendee who was at an event I spoke at. Carrie shared, “I love what you shared about speaking of God’s peace amidst the feelings. I know what you mean about moving forward despite feeling afraid. I took your example and spoke aloud to God is weekend as I said "I receive Your Grace Lord. You are my sufficiency.” Courage is stepping forward despite what you may feel. Carrie continued, “I've thought about this all weekend amidst my nervous stomach as a family looked at our house today and wondered if they would make an offer. But in faith I know and trust God in the way, we as a family, go forward.” The Lord is our Deliverer and He is our hope.
The earth experience is hard. It’s not our home or final destination as believers who trust in the promises of God. C. S. Lewis wrote, "the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world." Keep on keeping on. Life is unfair but God is always good…everyday.
Friday Matters
Everyday Grief Comfort
Debbie, what do you say to parents that are losing their little 16th month old boy to cancer?
Everyday Grief Comfort
Debbie, what do you say to parents that are losing their little 16th month old boy to cancer? The parents are Christian but can’t understand why God won’t heal their baby? Can you help me with an answer?
Nothing you say will make them feel like it’s fair. The best thing to say is; "I don't know why this is happening. I hate that it's happening and that you’re hurting. But, I am not God and I don't know why He has allowed this. You’re right that it isn't fair. Why doesn’t God fix the pain? He's a big God...tell Him how you feel. It won't stop for a moment His great love toward you. We want to fix the hurt for our friend or want God to fix it. Don’t try to speak for God. Job’s friends tried that and it did not go well for them. Take your friend out, listen to them cry or just sit beside them and say nothing. Even Jesus wept when He went to the grave of Lazarus. Just let them know you are there and you care…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Laughter
Don’t you just love to have a good laugh or the kind of laugh that triggers the giggles where you can’t stop?
Everyday Laughter
Don’t you just love to have a good laugh or the kind of laugh that triggers the giggles where you can’t stop? Sometimes laughter comes when you’re not supposed to be laughing like in a meeting or at church but it’s such good medicine. Laughter draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and even protects you from the damaging effects of stress.
Nothing works faster or is more dependable to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there’s: “A time to cry and a time to laugh.” Let’s find ways to put more laughter into our diets instead of obsessing on everything that bugs us. You really can find humor in a hard place and it’s so freeing and truly one of the best medicines for overall health…everyday.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday The Untamed Tongue
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world.
Everyday The Untamed Tongue
“No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world. Professor and Author Chad Bird says this; “From beginning to end, the Bible speaks about the power of speech, for good or for ill. With speech, the Lord God worded the world into being. And with speech, the serpent wooed the world into evil. When God commanded, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor,” he made explicit what we all know: that human society, relationships, justice, and one’s own soul are destroyed by lies.
Some of the hardest moments in my life were when, knowing a lie would be the easy way out, that it would save me embarrassment, but in speaking the truth, even though it hurt, it also opened a door to healing. Think how God began our world with the words, “Let there be,” and how He heals through the words, “I forgive you” …everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Step In Faith
In the Old Testament as the Israelites were soon to enter into the Promised Land they were faced with crossing the Jordan River during flood season with the Ark of the Covenant.
Everyday Step In Faith
In the Old Testament as the Israelites were soon to enter into the Promised Land they were faced with crossing the Jordan River during flood season with the Ark of the Covenant. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. God told them to go forward right into the middle of the river before the water would go down and because of the faith the people had in God they obeyed and trusted God. We read in Joshua 3:17 that; “All Israel passed through until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.”
I know I would’ve first wanted to test the water with my big toe to see some evidence of God’s promise of the water going down before I stepped into the middle of the river. But often God provides no solution to my problems until I trust Him and move ahead with what I know I should do. Sometimes God wants me to step forward into the unknown because it’s an opportunity for me to know Him better and trust Him with my faith and not my feelings...everyday.
Monday Matters
Everyday Enemy Lion
Ah, The Garden of Eden what a wonderful and perfect paradise except for the fact that the devil was sliding around
Everyday Enemy Lion
Ah, The Garden of Eden what a wonderful and perfect paradise except for the fact that the devil was sliding around (or walking) as some sort of beautiful serpent who eventually got Adam and Eve to doubt the perfect goodness of their Creator. Well Mr. Evil One is still on the move, working as hard as he can to get us to doubt because he knows that the only way, he can overcome a believer is through deception (that we can be our own god) and intimidation. That’s why God cautions us in 1 Peter 5:8 to be alert because our great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But notice the verse doesn’t say “irritate” or “frustrate” but “DEVOUR!”
A lion often scares up its dinner by roaring. Its prey has a heart attack simply due to fear thus becoming an easy meal for Mr. or Mrs. lion. That is what we face. Will you believe the roar or the still assurance of God’s voice…everyday!?
Friday Matters
Everyday Pray for Others
Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up, I think about myself and my problems.
Everyday Pray for Others
Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up, I think about myself and my problems. So, I found, rather than begin with self-pity I'll ask God, "Who do You want me to pray for? Who needs it?" And every time I ask a name comes across my forehead. Recently, a friend I see maybe twice a year opened up on Facebook about a health concern. It’s funny because her name spelled, J-a-n-e-l-l-e came across my forehead rather than the spelling of my sister-in-law, who has the same name but different spelling. I prayed for her health, hope and restoration. Then I moved on to the next person.
I decided to send a message to Janelle to tell her I was praying for her, and her response was, “What a pick-me-up to hear from you. I know your prayer is making a difference. And you know what, her response picked me up too. There's nothing we can't face when we have God as our strength and the support of prayer. Trust that others are praying for you…everyday.
Thursday Matters
Everyday Forgiving Help
The fact is that 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.
Everyday Forgiving Help
The fact is that 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. People are difficult and especially people we see on our screens and aren’t able to interact with eye contact or a touch to the shoulder. Lately I’ve been asking for God’s Holy Spirit to move in me to be more of a listener and not a commenter, to forgive without conditions and to schedule a date to have coffee with someone rather than post another comment.
It helps to think about heroes of the faith like 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. “We can do all things through Christ’s strength.” (Philippians 4:13) Let’s pray, Jesus, People are hard, but may I love You and others the way you love me and others…everyday. Amen.
Wednesday Matters
Everyday New Creation
Here’s the deal from 2 Corinthians 5:17; "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.
Everyday New Creation
Here’s the deal from 2 Corinthians 5:17; "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.” However, that doesn’t mean our flesh isn’t at times screaming for what is pleasurable from our old life. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we let the past be the past.
It’s not what we do, but what God does in and through us that sets us free. Our “do” is our choice to listen to His voice and His Word. James 4 tells us that if we choose to be a friend of the world, we take our stand as an enemy of God. Wow. We may say, “I’m a Christian,” but are we really “saved” when we choose to follow what the world has approved but God calls sin? We may still struggle with sin, but it’s important that we ask God to move in and change us. Confess, repent, and stop riding on the fence. I confess. Sometimes, I still sit on the fence. But by receiving God’s grace and walking forward in it… I get better. Everyday.
Tuesday Matters
Everyday Forget the Lies
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.
Everyday Forget the Lies
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!
Monday Matters
Everyday Attend to Jesus
Attending a retreat or conference to learn more about Jesus can be a great way to grow and connect with others and our shared humanity. But nothing can replace one on one time alone with Jesus
Everyday Attend to Jesus
Attending a retreat or conference to learn more about Jesus can be a great way to grow and connect with others and our shared humanity. But nothing can replace one on one time alone with Jesus reading His book (the Bible) of hope and redemption. Jesus calls us to Himself, “Abide in Me, dwell in Me, come to Me.” Significantly, Jesus doesn’t say “Come to a day of renewal, a retreat, a prayer meeting, and a conference. But “Come to Me.” Is not Jesus, the Savior of the world? He is either a lunatic or the Risen Lord who must be proclaimed as the world’s only hope. Who else would dare to say, “I am the way, the truth and life. Whoever believes in Me will have everlasting life; and the one who does not believe in Me will be condemned.
This is a pretty powerful claim and one to not take lightly. To be sure there are a lot of great events to attend but nothing is better than attending to a relationship with Christ…everyday.