Everyday Matters by Debbie Griffith

4/29/2022

Be a Blessing

Friday Matters-April 29, 2022
Everyday Bless Others

There will always be people in our lives who are difficult. And I also fall into the category of being a difficult person too. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Oh, but for the kindness, the grace of God, how can we live without Him? How can we love difficult people, including ourselves? We must realize that the Holy Spirit according to Bible in 1 Peter 1:22 is the One Who purifies our hearts so we can allow the sincere love of God to move through us to others.

Walking in the love of God is the ultimate goal of Christianity and should be the primary pursuit of our lives rather than trying to get even with others. Jesus came and pronounced that all other commandments are summed up by loving God and loving others. Life isn’t about me so when I think of other people and how I can bless THEM I find myself filled with the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of love…everyday.

4/28/2022

Marginalized

Thursday Matters- April 28, 2022
Everyday Kingdom Belongs

The kingdom of God belongs to real and everyday people who aren’t trying to look good or impress anybody, even themselves. When you begin to really understand the grace of God and His purpose for coming to earth to save you, you realize there’s nothing you can do to earn His love. You realize, “you’re not enough” but by His forgiveness and grace you are made worthy and then yes, “you’re enough.” We are all sinners and in desperate need of God and not our good works.

Real people with real everyday lives that are messy are those who the kingdom of God belongs to. They’re not planning on how they can call attention to themselves, worrying about how their actions will be interpreted or wondering if they will get gold sticker stars for their behavior. Jesus gets us. He loves us and we don’t need to worry about faking it or trying to pretend that we get it. He loves us and welcomes as we are…everyday.

4/27/2022

Hope of the Heart

Wednesday Matters- April 27, 2022
Everyday Mom Heartbeat

“Today, at 8:00 a.m. this morning, after four months of lifelessness in her hospital bed, we took my mom off life support,” said Robyn. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. “Mom’s heart continued beating on its own and she continued breathing on her own. “And then this evening when we thought we’d be saying goodbye…BUT” continued Robyn, “I squeezed Mom’s hand three times and she squeezed back three times. I can’t believe the miracle of it all. I think she’s coming back.” Wow. That’s the power of prayer, the love of God.

We’ve all had times where we’ve given up hope, but God is living and active NOW so there’s always reason to hope even when we can’t see or feel it. God also gives us grace in our day-to-day moments and promises that something good will come out of something bad when we trust Him. It doesn’t matter how many times we cry out to God, He’s always there, ready to meet us where we are at… everyday.

4/26/2022

Loneliness

Tuesday Matters- April 26, 2022
Everyday Lonely

I was lonely. God knew. But I also knew 1 Peter 5:7 too, where Jesus says, “Give Me all your cares. I care for you.” Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters.

I remember our teenage son Joey let me have a movie date with him when I was feeling out of sorts, and I picked “Pride and Prejudice.” I know. Halfway through the movie I asked; “Joe, will it always be this way?” What mom? I was referring to a bruise on my face that just wasn’t disappearing like I wanted but deeper down I was asking; “Would this season of wait and lonely weirdness ever leave?” Joey replied, “Mom it will always be that way. It will never change.” And then he grinned in his sweet Joe way and said, “Mom, you’re being silly. Of course, it’s gonna be fine. It’s just a bruise. Why ask?” Because I need to hear out loud there’s hope. So, I’m talking to you too. There’s hope It will get better …everyday.

4/25/2022

God is always Good

Monday Matters-April 25, 2022
Everyday Good and Bad

It all comes down to free will. We have a choice to choose good and evil. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. I have made bad choices whether it was telling a lie or stealing but I have also had the same bad happen to me, someone lying and stealing from me. C.S. Lewis said, “If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible.
Why, then, did God give us free will? Because free will though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. It’s the freedom of choice that makes love real. Being forced to love God is not real love at all. Accept God’s love, His grace and HIS work on the cross. It’s not about our goodness but His and when we begin to understand this kind of amazing love we can live freely and securely…everyday.

4/22/2022

Walk in Courage

Friday Matters-April 22, 2022
Everyday Keep On

Often our prayers are ones where we cry about all that is wrong, and we list what needs fixing. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Just so you know, it’s more than OK to do this. God cares about our pain and all that happens to us. But sometimes we stop praying and give up on God because He didn’t answer the prayer like we thought – our sick friend got sicker and the marriage we prayed would stay together ended in divorce. That’s hard.
I’m sorry if that’s been the outcome for you in a prayer, but please remember this; GOD WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU. Nothing you do or don’t will cause Him to withdraw His love and nothing is too small or too big for Him to take care of. There is something redeemable in your mess and pain right now and if you can manage to get up and serve someone else who’s having a hard time, you’ll find hope, you’ll find hope in Him…everyday.

4/21/2022

Loving Difficult People

Thursday Matters- April 21, 2022
Everyday Feet Washing

Nancy felt she had forgiven her friend but every time she drove past her girlfriend’s home, the resentment and pangs of hurt would surround her. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Nancy prayed. God answered. He told her He wanted her to picture Him washing her feet everyday thus showing her how much He loves and forgives her. She spent this time with Jesus and then the day came when He said, “Now I want you to wash your friend’s feet, “Okay but make sure the water is scalding,” she thought. It startled her that this was where her heart was but she obeyed.

She prayed and let the Holy Spirit change her as she mentally washed the feet of her friend. Nancy still not in a restored friendship but she no longer has deep hurt when driving by her friend’s home. I am not there either with letting go of some deeper hurts but I know God knows and His love continues to work in and through me…everyday.

4/20/2022

God Lives

Wednesday Matters- April 20, 2022
Everyday Easter Cross

I’m a mom of four sons and one husband and I’m grateful. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. A couple of years ago at Eastertime we were all together but for our one son who is in the Navy (he would’ve been like minded). We went out for pancakes, French fries, and bacon and there we talked about the meaning of “The Cross.
And all of us in agreement know we are made worthy, NOT by what we do, or how we perform, and certainly not by our righteousness but we’re made worthy by God’s great mercy. The sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross washes away our sins and His resurrection secures our future. Sitting at the table we all said, “YES” and “AMEN.” It was great. Paul speaking to the Colossians said, “God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.” Receive this gift Jesus offers you too with the hope to live …everyday.

4/19/2022

Prayer Works

Tuesday Matters- April 19, 2022
Everyday Prayers

Something happens when we pray that doesn’t happen when we don’t. Let me say that again, “Something happens when you pray that doesn’t happen when you don’t.” Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. BUT if we don’t feel or see an answer to what we were asking for then we may start to think that God isn’t listening. BUT He always hears. Sometimes the answer is “no” and sometimes the answer is “yes.” I think the hardest reply is to hear, “wait.”

You may have thoughts about God even existing because He seems so quiet. We all may have had those thoughts at one time or another but don’t give up. God is always on the move. He’s on “it” whatever “it” may be. I love Psalm 27:13, “I would’ve despaired unless I’d believed that I’d see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” There is goodness while on earth even though it’s not our final destination. Waiting is hard but with God it’s worth it…everyday.

4/18/2022

Strong Willed Love

Monday Matters-April 18, 2022
Everyday Strong Will

I have a strong will. I’m sure someone listening right now can totally relate to the fact that while our spirits may be strong and willing our flesh fails us time and time again. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. The flesh does not conquer the spirit. The flesh is weak - as Jesus said - and the flesh is a stumbling block to our spirit. I want to go to church on Sunday mornings but I’m tired so my flesh gets its way and later I have regrets. I need to pray and set my mind and will the night before to get up.
My prayer is often this simple, “God You’re stronger and You live in me. Help. Amen.” Sharing areas of weaknesses, with someone, also helps for accountability and strength too. You can overcome. Jesus is there. He’s never mad at you and when you do fall He will help you get back up. He loves you and He’ll never give up on you. Don’t give up on yourself…everyday.