Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
2/14/2022
The Power of Saying “No”Monday Matters-February 14, 2022
Everyday NO Hearing our children’s first words are memorable such as, “Dada,” “Puppy” or “Ball.” Ball as was the first word of our third son, Joey, but the word “NO” came quickly too. When I was nine months pregnant with our fourth son I told. our two-year-old. Joey that I had a baby growing inside me. Joe took one look at my belly and said. “NO, Mama that’s a ball,” 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 when negative thoughts invade our minds. Maybe there’s untrue and ugly gossip about you so you need to remember, “NO, that’s not who God says I am,” or “No, my past mistakes don’t determine my future in forgiveness.” 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. God loves each and every one of us fiercely. If you feel or hear that your unlovable then you need to hear “NO” that’s not the truth…everyday. 2/11/2022
Mental HealthFriday Matters-February 11, 2022
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 and dark thoughts 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 in my innermost being and personality,” I try and pray this verse every morning before my feet hit the floor. 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, there is no place for dark and destructive thoughts. This prayer from scripture is asking God to dwell in our innermost being and our personalities with His power. Sign me up for that! Let the Holy Spirit move in and through you and then choose what you think on…everyday. 2/10/2022
Gentle SpeakingThursday Matters- February 10, 2022
Everyday Gentle Answer Sometimes I talk too much. Even if I’m talking about good things, it’s still better if I follow the advice of Proverbs 10:19; “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” I know that the mouth that blesses, praises and prays can also irritate, hurt and harm. I remember a time I was home from college and having a heated argument with my dad, who’s an unbeliever. I was so frustrated, and I wanted to lash out and say something to prove my point but from experience I knew my brilliant but angry words would not change a thing. It’s crazy but I actually said aloud Proverbs 15:1; “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It was weird but the argument stopped immediately, as soon as I spoke the Proverb. God had the last Word. My prayer is Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to God in every way...everyday. 2/9/2022
We Need GraceWednesday Matters- February 9, 2022
Everyday Gossip I saw a cartoon once where three women were round a table praying and the caption said, “It’s not gossip if you’re eyes are closed.” I laughed but it also made me think. It’s important that what we share in prayer is either done with permission or an understanding that if the person we’re praying for was sitting next to us we’d still feel comfortable. Legitimately we may share our concerns about someone because we need advice and want prayer for them. Nevertheless, it’s important that what we share is done in a general sort of way with no specific details because often, the details include our judgmental opinion. Gossip to God because He knows the hearts of the matter. Sometimes you need apologize to a person you gossiped about (as I’ve had to). Above all be willing to let the Holy Spirit guide you in prayer and share. Psalm 141 says; “Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth.” That’s great advice. Love others with words which build up and not tear down…everyday. 2/8/2022
Acts of KindnessTuesday Matters- February 8, 2022
Everyday Grocery Cart I remember the first time I saw the cart lady she was pushing close to 15 carts back into the grocery store. I was surprised I’d never seen the cart lady since my small town only had two grocery stores and I visited this particular one at least three times a week. This woman in her 70’s watched me carefully as I left the store with my cart and after my groceries were in my van, she, without a word took my cart to return it. I stopped her, “Do you work here?” “No,” she replied, “but I figured better get some exercise than sit and watch TV all day.” When she noticed me a week later, she never spoke a word but helped unload my groceries. As she walked away pushing my cart, she turned grinning, “I like what I do.” Jesus calls us all to love and serve those He puts before us, and He gives us gifts to do just that. True contentment comes in giving more than receiving …everyday. 2/7/2022
Laughter MedicineMonday Matters-February 7, 2022
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 more dependably 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. 2/4/2022
Let Go of OffenseFriday Matters-February 4, 2022
Everyday Offense We can say we trust in God to avenge us but as soon as we take matters into our own hands and try to avenge ourselves or for someone, we love we really aren’t putting a lot of faith in Romans 12:19 where God says, “It is mine to avenge. I will take care of things.” I think a big challenge is not to pick up the offense of a friend or family member who’s been hurt. I’m guilty there. But when we take on someone else’s offense we’re sucking the poison of revenge and we become bitter along with the other person. I’ve seen this happen when a parent’s anger towards someone passes on to their children. Remember if only one side of the story is presented you don’t have the whole truth and may have a cocktail of lies. It’s the enemy’s plan to ruin relationships. God’s plan is to restore. Trust God’s way to being reconciliation and truth. He understands perfectly what everyone else is going through… everyday. 2/3/2022
Sharpening of FaithThursday Matters- February 3, 2022
Everyday Sharpened My husband, Dan is proud that he served in the army. I am proud of him too and the many others who served and are still serving to protect our country. I like Dan’s boot camp stories. “In the army we were constantly drilled that we needed to keep our weapon clean and ready for use.” A useless weapon not only made the soldier useless, but also a liability because then someone else had to pick up the slack. In Ephesian 6, God gives us a list of armor, but only one weapon—the Bible, the Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), is both defensive and offensive. Our knowledge of the Word is its sharpness and our readiness to rely on it. There are so MANY things screaming for our attention, and we can be pulled in so many directions. So, stay sharp by knowing your BIBLE for direction and wisdom. You’ll then be able to face whatever comes your way…everyday. 2/2/2022
We Need GraceWednesday Matters- February 2, 2022
Everyday We Are Poor I mean honestly, when I began to really grasp what Jesus was offering me with complete forgiveness and no condemnation 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. Let’s stop trying to appear righteous before God and others. It’s a dangerous zone when get our assurance from wealth or our status. “I’m good. I have all I want.” We must realize that we’re wretchedly and pitiably poor and we’re blind and naked too. Isaiah 64 often comes to me when I think, “I’m doing really well here.” “We’re all unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. It’s His blood shed for us which cleans and covers us…everyday. 2/1/2022
Beware of the EnemyTuesday Matters- February 1, 2022
Everyday Enemy 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’s two favorite lies are the “forever” lie and the “never” lie. He tells us the negative things in our lives will never change and will forever be the way they are. The enemy tells us we’ll “never” experience the freedom or healing we desire and the way you’re right now will stay that way “forever.” The truth is God is good and He has plans to bring you wholeness from your brokenness. 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! |
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