Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
1/17/2023
Rule of LoveTuesday Matters- January 17, 2023
Everyday Golden Rule How many kids, when asked, would know what the golden rule is? Do you? Two of my four sons knew the answer: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” We may know it, but do we live it? There are broken marriages, churches, friends fighting, there’s brokenness. Taking this golden truth to heart is another matter. Jesus loves us…. really loves us…as we are. And He says, “I give you a new commandment; it is My commandment; it is all I command you; Love one another as I have loved you.” Only compassion and forgiveness count. Love is the key to everything. I think most times we treat others how we think they deserve to be treated but think if Jesus did that with us and gave us what we deserved? I know right? We’d be toast. Not only do my kids need to be reminded of this, we do too. Love one another…everyday. 1/16/2023
HealingMonday Matters-January 16, 2023
Everyday Burned Healing I did something stupid. I put a cup of hot water in the microwave to heat for tea. When I went get the mug the boiling water spilled on my hand, and I had a second-degree burn. After two weeks I still had scabs and it was disgusting. It throbbed with pain the first four days and when I’d look at it, I’d think; “It will always hurt this much. It will never get better.” Of course, it wasn’t true, but I felt it. But time and prayer bring healing. In Genesis 8 God says that as long as the earth remains, there will be “seedtime and harvest.” When you walk in God’s path, you must be patient like the farmer who plants the seed and expectantly waits for the harvest and then looks forward to reaping the harvest. But there is a time between seed planting and harvest. Don’t become frustrated in that process. Galatians 6:9; “Don’t give up.” God is on it. He knows…everyday. 1/13/2023
MotherhoodFriday Matters- January 13, 2023
Everyday Tired Mom Last week after attending a “mom’s group” a friend wrote and said, “I realize my strength is in God and I know the verses I should apply but sometimes I just need to vent about how tired I am in being a mom! I wanna scream, ‘My joy is being robbed!’” I’m so glad she felt safe enough to share her heart and vent! She didn’t want a solution or a string of Bible verses from me. What she needed was a friend who had been there too. She needed to be heard. That’s it. And how many times has God told me, “Sometimes Debbie the best way to love someone is for you to keep your mouth shut!” This is the advice from Ephesians 4:2; “Be completely humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love.” Communicate love for a friend by simply letting them know you’re there for them, ready to listen, ready to pray. 1/12/2023
God Never SleepsThursday Matters- January 12, 2023
Everyday God Sleep God never sleeps. That means there’s not a second that goes by where God is not aware of everything in our lives. I, on the other hand, need sleep. And when I concern myself and try to solve my problems without resting in the fact that God wants to take care of me and them, I lose sleep. So, I often recite Psalm 4:8 “I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone Oh Lord make me dwell in safety.” I repeat this over and over because repeating the truth is better than tossing and turning my anxious thoughts over and over. But sometimes doesn’t it feel like you’re walking in a sleepy haze just trying to get through life? There might be seasons like that but it’s good to know that God’s not surprised when you walk in them. That’s why Psalm 121: 3 is such a comfort; “God will not let you stumble and fall; the One who watches over you will not sleep…everyday. 1/11/2023
MarriageWednesday Matters- January 11, 2023
Everyday Marriage Broke Unfortunately, I hear from a lot of people sharing how their marriage is breaking up due to a spouse finding someone new. “I wish my spouse would give up this other person and want to reconcile, but they have no desire for me anymore. I’m trying to focus on God, but I want deliverance from this pit,” someone wrote me. I ache for this person, but I told them; “With Jesus there is always hope.” The enemy wants us to believe lies and fall into despair. Proverbs 1:31 is also pretty clear about the person who continues in sin; “Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes.” But if we choose to trust what we know of God Proverbs 1:33 is pretty clear; “But all who listen to Me will live in peace, untroubled by fear or harm.” Go to the Bible for comfort, read aloud, lament, cry out to God. He knows and cares about hurting heart and He knows how to give you hope…everyday. 1/10/2023
Holy SpiritTuesday Matters- January 10, 2023
Everyday Holy Spirit I remember our sons asking, “Mom, I don’t get the Trinity. How are the Holy Spirit, God and Jesus; all one?” My answer was “Water.” Life depends on water, just as our spiritual life in Christ depends on God. Water is three-in-one, too. In its solid form, ice or snow, we can chew or throw it. In its liquid form, water, we can drink or swim in it. In its gas form, steam or vapor, we can breathe it. We experience water differently in each of its forms but it’s always H2O---a compound of hydrogen and oxygen. I never was a science girl, so I don’t really get how the water molecule works and I’ll never understand all the “whys” of God, but I know He’s a Redeemer who works for the good of His children. And from John 4:24 we know that “God is Spirit so let’s worship Him in spirit and in truth” …everyday. 1/9/2023
Spiritual HealthMonday Matters-January 9, 2023
Everyday Fitness Devotion When my dear friend Shannon, a physical therapist opened her own fitness studio her goal was to help people focus on having a healthier body, but she and her staff are there to help others with their emotional and spiritual health as well. A great thing about having her own business is she’s able to do devotions with her employees each week (which was optional). I remember her sharing how two of her employees were nudging and whispering to each other as she was reading devotions one day. When she approached the women they said, “We feel uncomfortable because we don’t think about God like you do, it’s a personal thing. And besides, we think God and business should be separate.” Well Shannon didn’t so the girls made a choice to move on. It was disappointing but I told Shannon she should continue to be obedient to what God has called her to do because as 1 Samuel 2:30 says; “Those who honor Me I will honor” …everyday. 1/6/2023
Marriage and DatingFriday Matters- January 6, 2023
Everyday Spousal Foundation Katie was so excited telling her dad about her new boyfriend; “He’s just about perfect, Dad! He’s good looking, has a great sense of humor and we’ve so many of the same interests. He’s smart, outgoing and he really cares about me. I’m so happy!” “But you said, ‘just about perfect,’ what’s missing?” “Well, he believes in God, but I don’t know if he has a relationship with Him.” “Well,” said dad, “Remember when we were looking at buying a house for you and there was one that seemed just about perfect? The size was great, super landscaping and not only was the outside beautiful but the hard wood floors, tiled kitchen, and every painted room was amazing. But the foundation was cracked and so it wasn’t an investment you were willing to make.” When looking for a spouse the best blueprint to follow is found in Ephesians 2:20 finding someone whose foundation is built with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone so you can build a strong marriage…everyday. 1/5/2023
Beware the Real EnemyThursday Matters- January 5, 2023
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!? 1/4/2023
Mission WorkWednesday Matters- January 4, 2023
Everyday India Tech Again, I found myself dealing with my Internet provider so I could once again send and not just receive an email through my website account. God bless Amrinder who I spent 138 minutes with trying to solve my problem. And although this wasn’t my first time feeling frustrated and impatient with computer technology, I needed Holy Spirit intervention and deep breaths to keep calm and carry on. I can live my life following Colossians 3:17 as a representative of Jesus because of His grace represented in how I deal with crazy-making issues. Yes, I was calling to receive a service, but I also had the opportunity to serve by listening and asking questions. It turns out Amrinder was from India and so we talked about the movie Slum Dog Millionaire. I heard from someone who knew about the poverty and the use of children that the movie addresses. I not only got my tech issue fixed but I was able to fix my focus on listening and loving another. Life is about people… …everyday. |
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