Everyday Matters by Debbie Griffith

1/31/2023

Sin

Tuesday Matters- January 31, 2023
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.

1/30/2023

New Creature in Christ

Monday Matters-January 30, 2023
Everyday New Thing

“The Bible never once says; ‘Figure it out.’ But over and over it says, ‘Trust God.’ He’s already got it all figured out.” Oh, but the ache of the wait and the question of “Why God did this happen?” “Why” will never bring peace but knowing He’s the WAY…will.

In Isaiah 43:19; God tells us He’s doing a NEW THING in our lives and then asks us; “Will you trust Me and cooperate with Me no matter how hard it is? WE can release God’s plan for our lives by no longer thinking about the things of old but instead believe that God has a good plan for our future. We need to stop mentally living in the past and begin to speak in agreement with God’s promises rather than pondering the “what if” thoughts which pop into our heads. God makes a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert as Isaiah 43:19 tells us, He can make a way for you…everyday.

1/27/2023

Eyes on Jesus

Friday Matters- January 27, 2023
Everyday Race Running

It’s not always good or healthy to say “yes” to everything that seems good and godly. But sometimes God calls us to minister in seasons that are challenging and keep us very busy. What’s comforting to me is to know that if God asks us to do something He’ll always give us the grace and strength to do it.

So, it kinda bugs me when people step in and offer solutions to my busyness, even if they mean well, by telling me to stop what I’m doing, especially when you know in your spirit that God’s asked you to do something and you’re feeling overwhelmed what you need is encouragement to run your race. So, let’s cheer each other on from Hebrews 12:2; “Keep going and persevere. You can do it, keep your eyes on Jesus. Your faith will sustain you!” It won’t always be easy but there will always be strength, grace and even JOY when we’re running for Jesus…everyday.

1/26/2023

Hope for the Future

Thursday Matters- January 26, 2023
Everyday Past Future

Joshua who served under Moses finds himself ready to lead God’s people into the Promised Land but first he needs to send two scouts to check things out especially into Jericho to see what they might be up against. And it turns out these two scouts are able to lodge at the house of Rahab, a woman who had worked as a prostitute. In Joshua 2:14 we read the promise of the two spies; “We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety. If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the LORD gives us the land.” And that’s in fact what happened.
By the end of her life, Rahab too had come to love the God of Israel and she’s even mentioned as an ancestor of Jesus. No matter how bad your past is, always know that God has a new beginning for you. You may have a rough past, but you also have a future with Him who loves you…everyday.

1/25/2023

Fear is a Liar

Wednesday Matters- January 25, 2023
Everyday Boldness in Feat

“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 for 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. Dan is cancer free, and we thank God, but we thank Him because He’s God no matter what happens…everyday.

1/24/2023

Confident Love

Tuesday Matters- January 24, 2023
Everyday Confident Dancer

When our son Joey was four, he took dance classes in ballet, tap and jazz. He did this for six years but being the only boy dancer in a small town we knew there might be some teasing. I remember clearly in first grade when Joey told me what Bryce had to say about his dancing. “It’s so stupid you’re in dancing. That’s only for girls,” “So, what did you do Joey. “Oh, I just told him, ‘I’m sorry you have a problem with my dancing. I guess I’ll pray for you.’” And then Joe walked away.

Joey knew it wasn’t his problem what others thought. Joe’s confidence came from knowing who he was, and that kind of security comes from knowing your identity in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we know that by receiving Christ we have the righteousness of Christ. This means we are in right standing with Him and we know who He says we are!” Walk in confidence knowing your identity in Christ…everyday.

1/23/2023

God’s Protection

Monday Matters-January 23, 2023
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 who difficult they may be. He is always good…everyday.

1/20/2023

Jesus Changes You

Friday Matters- January 20, 2023
Everyday Change with 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. 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.” Could this be self-flattery of a crazy person? Yes, if He is not 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 doesn’t won’t.

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.

1/19/2023

Sharing Hurt

Thursday Matters- January 19, 2023
Everyday Sharing Hurt

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 parent’s 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 share 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 a constant positive attitude that in trusting my Redeemer, and despite what may happen, things will change for the better…everyday.

1/18/2023

Choose Your Thoughts

Wednesday Matters- January 18, 2023
Everyday Thought Life

We live in some dark times and a lot of that darkness is in our own thought life. The best way to overcome the enemy and his dark lies is to think on truth and light. We choose what we think on. I chose to memorize Ephesians 3:16 which goes, “God grant me out of the rich treasury of Your glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power by the Holy Spirit Himself indwelling my innermost being and personality,” I think of that verse as a “sign-me-up” verse. Don’t you want that in your life too?

God gives us His Holy Spirit to make His home in us by the relationship we have with Christ. When the Spirit is stirred in us then there is no place for dark and destructive thoughts. God is good, with good truth and promises. Let Him direct your thoughts. Choose what you think on…everyday.