Everyday Matters by Debbie Griffith

1/29/2021

Holy Spirit Leading

Friday Matters-January 29, 2021
Everyday Not Crazy

I know I hear God’s voice but sometimes I feel crazy thinking, “Maybe it’s just me with what I want to hear. But if we have entered into a personal relationship with Christ, we then have the Holy Spirit making His home in us. I know…right!? His voice is His Word speaking truth to our hearts and mind and yea, we can actually hear from God.

Proverbs 20:12 reminds us that gifts from the Lord are ears to hear and eyes to see. Yes, He gives us physical sight and hearing but He also created us to hear and see spiritually too. Unfortunately, our own sin blinds us and deafens us. It’s not because we weren’t created with the ability to perceive in any of these ways. It’s the gunk of sin blinding our vision and clogging our ears. I am so glad we get fresh mercy every morning cuz I use my allotted amount daily. Let’s stop, listen and hear from Jesus who makes the difference in our lives…everyday.

1/28/2021

Heaven is our Home

Thursday Matters- January 28, 2021
Everyday Narnia

Do you know how exciting it is to finally realize that this life on earth is just a shadow of the life and adventure that is yet to come? In the book, The Last Battle, which is the final book in the Narnian Chronicles by C.S. Lewis, he paints a picture of heaven which makes me get why in 2 Corinthians 5; we should all be groaning and longing to be living in our heavenly dwelling.

On the last page of this final book it reads, “And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” Oh my, sign me up for this…everyday!

1/27/2021

The Real You

Wednesday Matters- January 27, 2021
Everyday Performer

I am performer. I love the stage. I love to take on a new character, an accent and present to an audience. But when it comes to real life I don’t want to perform. I want to be viewed as real, honest and sincere. No matter how long we’ve known Jesus personally, or professed ourselves as a believer it’s still important to go back to our ABC’S of Christianity: Admit, Believe and Confess. Admit we can’t go at it alone. We need the grace of God. Believe Jesus is who He says He is, trust Him. And Confess our own sin and stop trying to point out everyone else’s.

Just think if your “thought-life” was recorded from just yesterday? Think of the judging of others, including yourself. HOWEVER, there is a God who knows EXACTLY our thoughts, dreams, hurts, motives and desires. He’s there with grace to make us new. Jesus loves with no conditions. He is always on the move in our lives with redemption and grace. This crazy love is from Jesus in a relationship and not through religion…everyday.

1/26/2021

God’s Working in Your Life

Tuesday Matters- January 26, 2021
Everyday Small Town

I was feeling depressed the other day because the weather was too cold, and my boys were driving me crazy. I felt like I couldn’t get anything done. I felt stuck. But then my dear friend from a big city said; “Debbie, this will pass. In the meantime, remember you’re on the radio everyday encouraging a lot of people and they don’t realize you’re in your pajamas and live in a small little town.” “Yeah,” I said. “But I feel small.” But still it helped to hear, "You’re making a difference." It's not that we always want the solution but just to know we're okay, that we are loved and that we matter. It also helps to know that Jesus said in Matthew 28:20; “I am with you always.” Not, “I will always be talking to you, comforting you, perfecting you, explaining to you.”

“I will be with you.” God will answer our needs, but not necessarily with words. But just knowing He’s there, that makes all the difference…everyday.

1/25/2021

God walks with you in Cancer

Monday Matters-January 25, 2021
Everyday Just Say IT

“My husband has cancer” I wrote that in the subject line of an email announcement that I sent to over 100 family and friends in 2010. My brother responded, “Wow, Deb that’s powerfully blunt to write in the subject line.” I know. It helps for me to face what I fear. If I can’t talk about the cancer or even it say then it has control over me. Many times Satan uses fear to immobilize us. Philippians 1:28 tells us not to be intimidated by our adversaries but stand with confidence and fearlessness because it’s a clear sign to the enemy of his doom, but sure evidence of our deliverance from God.

Satan knows that the only way he can overcome a believer is through deception and intimidation. It is okay if you’re shaking on the inside and feel afraid just don’t let it move you to let go and give up. Stand firm on the truth of God. My husband is cancer-free but no matter what happened I knew I would not be crippled by fear…everyday.

1/22/2021

God Exalts the Humble

Friday Matters-January 22, 2021
Everyday Pride

I was stinky. Oh I had taken a shower but I had pride and pride stinks. Pride is difficult to deal with because we don’t think we have it. I notice this stink most when I have zero patience with someone who’s hurt me. In the Bible in James 4:10 I read to ask God to humble me so I can see the other as He does. I know then He will lift me up as He promises. The signs of pride include an unwillingness to admit fault or take responsibility for our actions.

Pride wants to do all the talking and none of the listening. Yeah, I know you’re probably thinking of someone who needs to hear this, but it may be you! God gets you. He sees the hurt. I get you because I’ve been there. Are you still screaming? Maybe it’s time to stop and, “shhhhh… listen.” Humility is a sweet fragrance for everyone to be around…everyday.

1/21/2021

Grace over Rules

Thursday Matters- January 21, 2021
Everyday The Answer No

Hearing our children’s first words are memorable such as, “Dada,” “Nana,” “Puppy” or “Ball,” as was the first word of our third son but the word “NO” is also among those first words coming in strong. “Joey look at Mama’s belly. There’s a baby inside,” I told our two-year-old when I was nine months pregnant. “Ah NO, Mama that’s a ball,” stated Joey and he stood by his logical word choice. “No,” isn’t always a fun word to hear from our children but “no” is an important word in being an adult. Maybe there’s ugly gossip about you but you know it’s not true so you need to remember, “NO, that’s not who God says I am,” or “No, I cannot take on another volunteer position at school.”
Jesus mostly used the word “no” when speaking to the religious leaders who were trying to boss everyone around. He came to fulfill the law by His grace, not by giving us more rules. We’re all God’s children and “no” is a useful word when used appropriately…everyday.

1/20/2021

You Need Jesus

Wednesday Matters- January 20, 2021
Everyday I need Jesus

When I honestly accepted who God said I was, loved, redeemed and not a mistake, I felt I could stop pretending and performing. I need Him desperately. It is not the “they” who are poor, sinful and lost. It’s awareness that we ourselves are the primary target.

Unless we acknowledge that we are the sinners, the sick ones and the lost sheep for whom Jesus came, we do not belong to the “blessed” who know that they are poor and inherit the Kingdom. Do you ever try and appear righteous before God and others with your performance? I have and it’s exhausting. It’s a dangerous zone when get our assurance from wealth or our status. Oh, my goodness, “they” is me, wretched, pitiably poor and so often blind. Isaiah 64 lays things out clearly when we begin to think, “I’m doing really well here.” “We’re all unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy garbage. It’s what Jesus did on the cross that cleans us up and sets us free…everyday.

1/19/2021

God’s Strength in our Weakness

Tuesday Matters- January 19, 2021
Everyday Hard Places

Ya know how sometimes you get physically sick, like the flu and it's not because you're not reading the Bible enough or doing enough acts of service, you just get sick. Well sometimes you get emotionally sick and it’s not because you’re a “bad Christian.” There can be all kinds of factors that play into all kindness of sicknesses like lack of sleep, an infection, a damaged relationship and sometimes we need medication to get well. It’s okay.

Remember that no matter what emotional or physical state you’re in, God loves you as you are. We’ll go through challenging seasons where it doesn't make sense but it’s in the hard places where we grow. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “that His strength is perfected in our weakness.” Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is just let go and let God take care of us or by asking someone for help or taking medication. He works in many different ways and through many different people. In every place and time, He wants you to know how much He loves and values you…everyday.

1/18/2021

Making Connections with Others

Monday Matters-January 18, 2021
Everyday Best Friends

“We’re best friends now!” that’s my “go-to” line when I’ve connected with someone in a significant way. I take a “selfie” with the person too and get their information to stay connected. Gigi and I are best friends now too. I met her at a retreat and like all people she had to story to tell.
Gigi shared her wild child past living in Brazil and as I listened to her I found what is true with so many others, we make harmful choices when we live in darkness and hopelessness. I know that there’s hope no matter who we are and what we’ve been through and that’s what pulled Gigi out of her pit. There was hope, there was Jesus who knew and knows and loves her as she is. Our past does not have to define our future. Our best friends are those who know that the hope is there and His name is Jesus…everyday.