Everyday Matters by Debbie Griffith

8/31/2020

Jesus Forgives Everything

Monday Matters-August 31, 2020
Everyday The Cross of Christ

I’m a mom of four sons and one cute husband and I’m so grateful. Recently at Easter we were all together but for our one son who is in the Navy. 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 washes away our sins and His resurrection secures are future. We are forgiven and set free to live with no condemnation or fear. So we all said, “YES!” and received. 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.

8/28/2020

God’s Compassion for the Hurting

Friday Matters- August 28, 2020
Sharing the 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.

8/27/2020

There is ALWAYS Hope in Marriage

Thursday Matters- August 27, 2020
Everyday Marriage Hope

My friend Kelly struggled early on in her marriage and years after we met I asked her, “What was the beginning like,” thinking they were in love. “You kiddin’ me,” said Kelly. Early on I felt I was in a disaster pit so I filed for divorce but not before screaming to God; ‘Fix my husband!’ I thought I was the perfect wife and couldn’t understand why my husband wasn’t apologizing for his horrible behavior. With only a few days before the divorce was final God stopped me. I was reading; “A Woman After God's Own Heart,” and God was clear; “You let me worry about your husband. You and I need to talk.”

“Remember, he married a sinner too” the author wrote. Stop looking at all that is wrong with your husband and starting at looking what you can change. That realization and marriage counseling brought Kelly and her husband together and he actually owned up to his part too. It will be humbling but major change happens when we die to self. It’s not easy but worth it. Let God change you…everyday.

8/26/2020

He’s a God Who Restores Marriages

Wednesday Matters- August 26, 2020
Everyday Broken Marriage

I get many messages from women with such grief from broken relationships. Recently Bonnie wrote; “I'm going through a divorce, after 36 years. I'm not doing well. Can you send me some scriptures about depression and self-esteem?” “I’m so sorry about your divorce. It’s so hard,” I wrote. The only way you can walk away in peace is resting in the One who is Peace.

The main scriptures I’d focus on are ones that remind you of who you are in Christ. You know it’s nothing you have to do for His love but it’s receiving what He did for you. It’s about knowing who you are in Him. It would help to repeat the truth of who you are; “I am a daughter of the King” (Romans 8:17), “He has good plans for my life” (Jeremiah 29:11) and “He will work all things for the good.” (Romans 8:28). This should help you get on the track of hope and choosing what you think on…THE TRUTH in the midst of pain makes all the difference…everyday.

8/25/2020

Loving your Spouse helps your children

Tuesday Matters- August 25, 2020
Everyday Marriage View

Everyone has a view. I remember TV host, Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s view was challenged when she stated that a parent who has an affair outside of marriage isn’t being such a great parent. I see her point because one of the best things a parent can do for their child is to love their spouse. Healthy marriages where parents demonstrate their love and respect for one another help bring a child security. My children love to see my husband Dan and I being affectionate. When our son Joey was a little boy he would say, “Daddy, give Mommy a kiss.” When a child feels secure they’re more confident in everyday life situations like school and saying “no” to peer pressure.

I don’t always like my husband Dan but I love him. Love is a choice and commitment to make things work even when feelings say something else. Romans 12: 10’s view is good; Be devoted in love and honor one another above the other…everyday.

8/24/2020

The God of Reconciliation

Monday Matters-August 24, 2020
Everyday Divorce

Divorce is hard but sometimes that’s the course a couple must take. Of course, Satan loves when marriages break up but I don’t think most people divorcing see it as spiritual warfare because there are so many feelings of hurt and anger to work-out. When my lawyer husband was approached by a Christian friend who wanted to end his marriage, I could see Dan was upset and unsettled and so each time the friend called or stopped by Dan would try to encourage him to work it out. One day I said; “Why not the next time this guy stops in or calls...simply pray with him.” Dan did. And I’m not kidding but the very next day the friend called reporting they wanted to stop the divorce and they’d already made an appointment with a counselor to work things out.

Without God a difficult relationship may seem like something impossible to mend. But there’s always hope. Zechariah 4:6; “Not by might or power, but by God’s Spirit, He is able to do anything. He’s God…everyday.

8/21/2020

God is MORE than Able

Friday Matters- August 21, 2020
Everyday God IS God

When feeling lonely or afraid I go to the Psalms for comfort Psalm 91:4 really hit me the other day; “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Imagine God like the Psalm reads-- a strong and majestic eagle Who’s there to shield you with His wings and protect you with His feathers.

When you’re fearful and anxious don’t think about the “what ifs” and other scenarios that will make you more anxious. Instead think about God’s promises like Romans 8:28 where He promises to work all things for the good. Of course, not all things are good but God is. I know it takes courage to walk forward in faith despite your feelings but I KNOW you can do it because I know God, the Protector with His covering will be right by your side...everyday.

8/20/2020

Greater is God than the Enemy

Thursday Matters- August 20, 2020
Everyday There is an Enemy

I have to constantly remind myself who the enemy is. It’s not other people like we so often think (not that the enemy doesn’t use people because he does) but he’s the real enemy. Satan’s everyday goal is for our destruction to break up relationships, friendships, families and marriages. God tells us in Ephesians 6 that our armor isn’t gonna just jump on us but that we have to put it on. So let’s look at what it is:

1) Helmet of Salvation-We are covered by Christ’s blood & we need to protect our thoughts

2) Belt of Truth-To combat the lies of the enemy

4) Shoes of Peace-We can receive peace no matter what

5) Shield of Faith-Holding on to God’s promises in faith no matter what happens

6) The Sword of the Spirit/The Word of God-This weapon is defensive & offensive.

Put on the full armor of God and you will have victory and be able to overcome the enemy because God is greater…everyday.

8/19/2020

Blessings come in hard places

Wednesday Matters- August 19, 2020
Everyday Blessings when Hurting

Jan wrote; “I try to be compassionate and kind with a sense of humor but today I was feeling small-minded, hurt and mean spirited. Jan had commented on my Facebook post about loving others, “When people are less than kind it’s then that I have a hard time 'loving' them....mostly at work. The office can bring out the worst in people…including me.” Oh my, I so get it. Sooooo, when someone hurts me I try and pretend their “nasty” aimed at me was only a sneeze and I respond (mostly under my breath) with “Bless you!” and guess what? It works!
God tells us in Luke 6:28 to bless those who curse us. Because if Satan works through a person to hurt us and we end up hating that person back because we’re hurt than the enemy’s job has been accomplished two times over. But if we respond to another’s curse with a blessing then we’ve gotten Satan back and he’ll wish he never laid a finger on us. God bless you…everyday.

8/18/2020

The Real You-God loves

Tuesday Matters- August 18, 2020
Everyday Performing

I am a theater major. I get how to portray characters on stage. I also know how to perform as if the world was the stage but it’s not the way I want to be. Who really wants to be around pretenders or performers? Don’t we all want REAL sincerity, honesty? The more I live life I see no benefits to performing or pretending like everything is okay when it isn’t. It doesn’t mean to walk around with a bad attitude if life but being transparent in your hard place will help someone more than your sing-song performance that life is all butterflies and bunnies.

Oh look how God loves you in it all. He’s not mad at you. He may be heartbroken over your choices in sin but with confession He takes your sin, offers forgiveness and frees you. No more pretending or hiding. His grace is always there. Look up. Be honest. Let go. Surrender and let the risen Christ live in you so you’re a new creation, the old life is gone and you’re made new…everyday.