Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
5/17/2022
Looking Good-Feeling GoodTuesday Matters- April 17, 2022
Everyday Vanity I told my Facebook friend it is always okay to post pictures of me because I can always have them deleted. So, she went ahead and posted photos from a party we were at and after viewing them… I wanted them deleted. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. “Vanity of all vanities” I wrote. “Please tell me my profile doesn't look that severe! I look too old or something....and my hair? Is that a hairstyle?” Okay, I know the drill, it's not how I look on the outside but about the beauty inside that really matters. Nevertheless, it’s OK to care about our outside appearance because that too helps us to be more confident too (it’s all about balance). I wrote my friend, “Anyway, thanks for being my friend and understanding...or tolerating me.” And my friend of Proverbs 17:17, who apparently loves at all times wrote back; “Debbie, I don't understand you or tolerate you. I love you. I think highly of you and am grateful for your friendship.” It’s so nice to be loved for who we are in all of our craziness…everyday. 5/16/2022
Relationship with GodMonday Matters-April 16, 2022
Everyday Right Relationship “What’s wrong with me?” Sometimes that’s what goes through my mind when I just can’t seem to stop thinking negatively or I rehearse what I should’ve done differently. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. I’m a sinner but God tells us that we’re all sinners in Romans 3:23. We all fall short of the glory of God. But watch out cuz Satan wants us to feel wrong and worthless. He knows that without confidence we’ll never step out in faith to fulfill what God has planned for us. He knows if he can keep us in the prison of self-hatred, self-rejection or plain not liking ourselves that he’ll prevent us from making progress plus we’ll be a threat to him! We must believe we’ve been made righteous in God’s sight before we’ll behave rightly. We can’t produce the fruit of something when no seed has been sown. Think about it; Jesus is the Righteous Seed sown in death and resurrected in power so that means we are accepted and approved and the righteousness of God …everyday. 5/13/2022
Enjoy Your ForgivenessFriday Matters-April 13, 2022
Everyday You Should Today I want to encourage you to ask God to help you take the “should” out of your life. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Think how often you say; “I should read the Bible, I should memorize scripture, I should attend a Bible study, I should lead one.” But remember what Paul says in 2 Corinthians; “The code of the Law kills but the Holy Spirit makes alive.” When we start thinking “I should” is when we get stuck in being religious. Some religious circles want you to believe that God can only be reached through rule keeping and good behavior. This “religious spirit” was alive when Jesus walked the earth but He died so we could have a close personal relationship with Him and not a religion. Today that same religious spirit still trips people up if they don’t know the truth. Remember the Law was given to show people their need for a Savior. Our personal relationship with Christ enables us to walk in freedom and to be loved as we are, not where we or others think we “should” be…everyday. 5/12/2022
QuestionsThursday Matters- April 12, 2022
Everyday Questions God will never tire of us seeking Him or of all our questions. I think of my kids and especially when they were younger and all the questions they had. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. But I always want them to know I love them no matter what. I imagine it’s a lot like God with us. As T.S. Elliot put it; “Oh my soul, be prepared to meet Him who knows how to ask questions.” I imagine questions from God might be? Did you know Me and how I much I loved you for all eternity? There are things about God that are mysterious and secret, things we will never know about Him. But there also are things revealed, and those belong to us. Deuteronomy 29:29; “The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all He has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.” I follow and trust God because I know He loves me no matter what …everyday. 5/11/2022
Be KindWednesday Matters- April 11, 2022
Everyday Treatment of Others How I treat my family and others from day to day, and how I react to others struggling in life with addiction, or whatever the challenging situation is and who can’t seem to get their act together, says a lot about who I am. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. How I respond to difficult people and how I deal with the frustrations of everyday life will speak the truth of who I am more clearly than a positive social media post. We’re not here in life for ourselves but to live in hope and love others. The healing touch for us is most often to touch the hand of another who needs love and support. Because the fact is, we all need real love, and real acceptance. Jesus tells us in Ephesians 5:15-16; “Make the most your time on earth with taking advantage of each opportunity and using wisdom because the days are filled with evil. God is real, He is love and He is good. Proclaim His love by the way you live and treat others…everyday. 5/10/2022
Messy Sin LifeTuesday Matters- April 10, 2022
Everyday He Came for Sinners Jesus announced He hadn’t come for the self-righteous, but for the sinners. Yep, Jesus came for you and I. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Jesus reinforced His word with deeds. He was not intimidated by authority figures. He broke bread with a notorious public sinner, Zacchaeus and He was unfazed by the crowds’ complaints that He was violating the Law by going into a sinner’s house. Jesus broke the law of traditions when the law of love demanded it. Either you give life to others in relationships you have with them, or you drain them of life. You either make people a little better or leave them a little bitter. You define your faith and character in the ordinary stuff of your daily life. The Kingdom belongs to us as children, who love others simply and directly, without thinking about anything but them. The inheritors of what Christ’s promises aren’t the ones making all the noise with merely words and good Facebook posts but to those who lend others a hand when they’re falling. That’s the real love of Jesus…everyday. 5/9/2022
EmotionalMonday Matters-April 9, 2022
Everyday Stirred Emotions I shared with a friend on Facebook that we shouldn’t let the enemy stir up our emotions of worry lest we fall into fear and depression. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. And my friend Amy wrote back; “So being without emotion is a good thing? God can use it to protect me from evil?” “Well,” I said, “God gives us our feelings and emotions which is a good thing, but we shouldn't be controlled by them. We may feel afraid, but we don't need to let the feeling of fear control our behavior. We can step out in faith and courage knowing God is with us. We might FEEL, shaky, like throwing up, or break out in a cold sweat but let’s not let Satan intimidate. The enemy wants to use our feelings of fear and depression to immobilize us. Repeating the truth that God is with us and never leaves us is what helps us to walk in faith.” Take one step at a time knowing 2 Corinthians 12:9; His grace is sufficient, and His power works best in weakness…everyday.” 5/6/2022
Comforting PsalmsFriday Matters-May 6, 2022
Everyday 911 Psalm 130:1; “From the depths of despair, O Lord, hear my cry.” I’ve had those feelings where I felt I was in the pit of despair along with thoughts, “What if ‘it’ is always like this.” Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. So, I go to Psalm 91:1 (my 911 verse) reminding me that no matter what I’m feeling I can remain stable by God’s presence and grace. I clearly remember a time in my anxiety where I was in a gas station restroom; filled with fear and the only way I made it out was to put my face against the tiled wall and repeat what I knew was true; “Debbie, you’re safe and stable with Jesus. Take the next step.” Psalm 91:1 tells me that; “She who dwells in the secret place will remain stable, fixed under the shadow of the Almighty whose power no foe can withstand. I picture this secret place where the presence of Jesus is and where the enemy can’t touch me. I take a deep breath, and I move forward. I know God is with me, He’s with you…everyday. 5/5/2022
Aslan of NarniaThursday Matters- May 5, 2022
Everyday Aslan Peace I love the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis and in the second book, Prince Caspian, there’s a wonderful illustration of how Aslan, the main character in the series, portrays the character of Jesus. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. There’s a scene where Aslan meets and comforts Susan; He’s all powerful but also gentle and compassionate. Aslan appears mysteriously to the four children to show them the way they should go in order to help Prince Caspian but because of her doubt, Susan is the last of the group to see Him. When she must greet Aslan she’s crying and I expect that Aslan will reprimand Susan for her lack of faith but instead He says, “You have listened to your fears, child. Come, let Me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?” He doesn’t scold but instead breathes His peace into her heart and soul. This is so like God because as we read in 2 Corinthians 2: 3 the Father of mercies and God of all comfort longs to do the same for us...everyday. 5/4/2022
Speak KindnessWednesday Matters- May 4, 2022
Everyday Mouth Victory Can I have real victory over the enemy in my life and especially with relationships unless I am in touch with God on a daily basis? I think not. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. And often what brings me defeat is when I open my mouth and express all my thoughts and feelings without checking in with God first. I need Him to help me sort out and filter my thoughts and emotions so that when I do speak Psalm 19:14 rings true, “that the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart are pleasing to God and everyone else around me.” When I wait on God for His wisdom, on how and when I should speak, that’s when I really do experience victory which means peace for everyone involved. When we’ve been captured by His love and received His wisdom He leads and uses us to spread the knowledge of Him everywhere, like a sweet perfume” (it reads in 2 Corinthians 2:14) and often we need never open our mouths in many situations we want to…everyday. |
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