Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
1/17/2022
Marriage ChallengesMonday Matters-January 17, 2022
Everyday Wife Nagging Sometimes it’s hard not to get my way. Hey, who am I kidding it’s always hard not to get my way. I remember when the boys where little and I asked my husband to go outside and play with them because it was above zero Fahrenheit in our little winter town in Minnesota. My husband said “no.” I didn’t like his answer so I proceeded to tell him in different ways why the boys needed to be outside and why their dad needed to be the one to take them there. I could hear what I was doing wasn’t effective but yet I just couldn’t stop talking. It’s exactly what Paul talks about in Romans Chapter 7; “I do not understand what I do. Nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I have the desire to do what is good, but I can’t carry it out.” I need to remember that the first time I tell my husband something its information, the second time; it’s nagging. And only through Jesus can I carry this out…everyday. 1/14/2022
Real TransparencyFriday Matters-January 14, 2022
Everyday Real Transparency “I just hate to pretend like everything is okay when it isn’t. I’m in a hard place and I’m just so tired of it all,” said Becky. Have you ever had those thoughts? There are some real problems with projecting the perfect image. First of all, it’s simply not true—we are not always happy, optimistic, in control. Second, projecting the flawless image keeps us from reaching people who feel we just wouldn’t understand them. The more I share my own missteps and failures the more I’m able to share the hope of Christ. When you’re hurting you don’t need a person saying, “You should do this.” What you need is the person who can say, “I’ve been ‘there’ and I understand. I love 2 Corinthians 1:4; “There is God who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we received.” The mature Christian is a person who has failed and who has learned seek God’s redemption and then share His hope with others…everyday. 1/13/2022
God’s ProtectionThursday Matters- January 13, 2022
Everyday God’s Protection When feeling lonely or afraid I go to the Psalms for comfort Psalm 91:4 really hit me the other day; “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Imagine God like the Psalm reads-- a strong and majestic eagle Who’s there to shield you with His wings and protect you with His feathers. When you’re fearful and anxious don’t think about the “what ifs” and other scenarios that will make you more anxious. Instead think about God’s promises of protection and redemption. In Romans 8:28 He promises to work all things for the good. Not all things are good but God always is. It takes courage to walk forward in faith despite your feelings but you can do it because God, the Protector will cover you and be right by your side...everyday. 1/12/2022
God’s PresenceWednesday Matters- January 12, 2022
Everyday Christmas Pageant I still giggle when thinking of the preschool nativity scene at our church so many years ago. I figured little Mary must be suffering from postpartum because she wanted nothing to do with baby doll Jesus. At least four times little Joseph would set the baby doll Jesus on her lap where he’d simply roll down her little legs and she’d kick Him, irritated that He was in the way. What held her attention were the gifts the wise men had brought and it was the gold container which she held in her lap. A little boy sheep character noticed the babe but he too tossed him aside and so Jesus was promptly removed from the scene. It was funny but a point was made. Aren’t we often the same, only interested in serving God for what He can do for us rather than serving Him for Who He is? Like little preschool Mary we seek His presents rather than His presence in our lives. Follow Jesus for who He is and why He came, to forgive your sins…everyday. 1/11/2022
God’s GraceTuesday Matters- January 11, 2022
Everyday God’s Grace I am performer. I love the theater and the stage and taking on a new character to present to an audience. But when it comes to real life I don’t want to put on a performance. I aim to be 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 the ABC’S of Christianity: Admit, Believe and Confess. Admit we can’t go at it alone, (we need God’s grace) and believe Jesus is who He says He is. And then confess our sins and stop trying to point out everyone else’s. Just think if your “thought-life” was recorded from just yesterday? Think how you judge others, including yourself. I’m so thankful there’s a God who knows EXACTLY our thoughts, dreams, hurts, motives and desires. He’s there with perfect love with no conditions. He is always on the move with redemption and grace. This love comes from a relationship with Christ and not through religion…everyday. 1/10/2022
Hope & SuccessMonday Matters-January 10, 2022
Everyday Key to Success “A key to success is playing the hand you were dealt like it was the hand you wanted.” I had to really think if there was truth to that. Yes, I may not have wanted what was dealt but “here it is” so what am I gonna do with it? My choices; scream, cry, complain and hide or I make the best of the situation and find the lesson, and blessing in it. We can let experiences change us for the better or ruin us. Character more often is developed in crisis when we stop focusing on the hurt and search for the good where success may be hidden. During my recovery of scoliosis back surgery, 14 years ago, I was miserable yet I don’t regret what I went through. God taught me things I couldn’t have learned another way. In brokenness we can find beauty and success because of the wholeness Christ brings…everyday. 1/7/2022
Faith in Hard PlacesFriday Matters-January 7, 2022
Everyday Furnace Faith Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are three teenagers we can read about in the Bible who refused to bow to a golden idol and their punishment landed them in a furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. But think of the courage they had in responding to King Nebuchadnezzar; “Our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us. But if He doesn’t, let it be known that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” They stood strong in their faith and as the king himself said; “These men were delivered by their God for they believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him!” Our faith shouldn’t be dependent on whether we see all that we want to see in our lifetime, or whether our dreams come true or we’re free from pain. Let our faith stand on the belief in God’s Word whose purpose for our lives will be accomplished in His perfect way and timing...everyday. 1/6/2022
The Power of the BibleThursday Matters- January 6, 2022
Everyday Genie in a Bible How do you view yourself? Do you think about what God sees or what others see? It’s definitely a process to be able to hear God’s voice and listen to Him alone. When I got my eyes off of how I looked or performed I began to truly see myself the way God saw me. That changed everything. THEN I was like; “Where should I go, who should I meet, and “How can I serve?” Prior to that I made wonderful plans and then asked God, “Bless what I’ve decided is good.” God is not a Genie in a Bible. It’s not about saying the correct verses and doing super good deeds, it’s about trusting God’s faithfulness and believing He knows the best plan for your life. God doesn’t need me to be heard on the radio, write books or be a speaker. He loves us for who we are and not for what we do. He gives us purpose with the gifts He’s given us simply because He loves us…everyday. 1/5/2022
You Are God’s ChildWednesday Matters- January 5, 2022
Everyday Orphan You may be an orphan and by that, I mean an individual who actually has parents but for whatever reason such as abuse, whether physically or emotionally, disinterest, or they’re just plain absent; you may be an orphaned child. I recently heard someone’s story whose case was just that. But guess what Psalm 10:14 says? When we commit to God, He is the helper to the orphan. God makes sure orphans have lots of parents. God will place others to care and support you. Give up this ideal that it has to be the parents you are assigned to by birth or adoption. When you let go and let God begin to show you the people, He has for share your heart with you’ll be amazed. He may be using that time to prepare you to be a parent or sibling for someone who is an orphan too. God is good. Always. He’s got us covered and He knows who and what we need…everyday. 1/4/2022
The Temptation to SinTuesday Matters- January 4, 2022
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 being 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. 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 brings true freedom, forgiveness and life...everyday. |
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