Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
11/16/2020
God Care in CancerMonday Matters-November 16, 2020
Everyday Just Say IT-Cancer “My husband has cancer” I wrote that in the subject line of an email announcement that I sent to over 100 family and friends in 2010. My brother responded, “Wow, Deb that’s powerfully blunt to write in the subject line.” I know. It helps for me to face what I fear. If I can’t talk about the cancer or even it say then it has control over me. Many times Satan uses fear to immobilize us. Philippians 1:28 tells us not to be intimidated by our adversaries but stand with confidence and fearlessness because it’s a clear sign to the enemy of his doom, but sure evidence of our deliverance from God. Satan knows that the only way he can overcome a believer is through deception and intimidation. It is okay if you’re shaking on the inside and feel afraid just don’t let it move you to let go and give up. Stand firm on the truth of God. My husband is cancer-free but no matter what happened I knew I would not be crippled by fear…everyday. 11/13/2020
Forgive Others as God FORGIVES YOUFriday Matters-November 13, 2020
Everyday Offense Taken 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 someone, we love we obviously aren’t putting a lot of faith in the power of who and what God says. I think a big challenge, for many of us, 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 their garbage sin and we become bitter along with them. 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. Follow Deuteronomy 30:19 which tells us to make the choices which bring life so that we and our descendants may live meaningful lives…everyday. 11/12/2020
Who Are You?Thursday Matters-November 12, 2020
Everyday Identity Theft Our identity is grounded in who and what we choose to identify with. If we identify with people and what they say about us, we will end up in trouble, but if we identify with Jesus and His opinion of us, we will not have an identity crisis. Jesus addressed the religious leaders in John 8:14; “I know where I came from and where I am going.” Knowing who you are in Christ is so vital to your confidence and the freedom to be you. I was in a disagreement with someone who chose to personally attack me and rather than argue back I simply said; “I don’t identity with that. That’s not who God says I am.” There are some religious organizations who spend a lot of time telling people what they need to do and not enough time telling them who they are in Christ. Trust who God says you are because you’ve accepted what He’s done for you…everyday. 11/11/2020
Relationship with God & OthersWednesday Matters-November 11, 2020
Everyday Religions My husband Dan did not become a Christian until he in his 20’s and in college. He never grew up going to church so in college he wanted to know if there was a God. He studied the religions of the world and THEN saw the uniqueness of Jesus. Jesus claims to be the way, not just show the way. And there is an enormous difference in religion and the forever-relationship Jesus offers. It’s not based on what we do but what He’s done. ALL religions require us to do something or sacrifice to please God so we can earn heaven. Most religions are intolerant of people who disagree with them. Some even hate and want to hurt those who disagree. Jesus' message is just the opposite He says, "Let your love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold on to what is good." "Love your enemies" not just tolerate them. What? The message of Jesus is to LOVE and forgive others, which you can only do once you have seen your bad self and accepted His forgiveness…everyday. 11/10/2020
Tolerance of OthersTuesday Matters-November 10, 2020
Everyday Real Tolerance Not everyone likes us and I know that’s not a news flash. When we follow Christ and call ourselves Christians it doesn’t mean that we agree with all Christians. I have friends of diversity with different beliefs and lifestyles and some things we agree on and some things we don’t. I love people. Only people last forever and how we treat others will be the true legacy we leave behind. No matter who someone is I hope to always listen and learn while being kind. Real tolerance is treating one another with respect regardless of our different opinions or beliefs. Honestly, I like to be challenged. But I’m not ashamed that I believe John 3:16: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.” This view doesn’t make me popular with everyone but let’s seek God’s approval, not men. Let’s give God’s grace and treat others with kindness and respect no matter who they are…everyday. 11/9/2020
God is Alive & AwareMonday Matters-November 9, 2020
Everyday God IS Alive And although this world isn’t our home, God is here with us, living and actively concerned for our joy and well-being. Our well-being is compromised when we let the world’s worries and certain individuals become our enemies. I like how Timothy Keller explains it, “Most people love those who love them, yet God loves and seeks even people who are His enemies. God is good and loving, He cannot tolerate evil and while we were yet sinners He came for us. The opposite of love is not anger, but indifference. “The more you love your son, the more you hate in him the liar, the drunkard, the traitor,” (E. Gifford). To imagine God’s situation, imagine a judge who also is a father, who sits at the trial of his guilty son. He knows his son deserves the punishment and as Judge He cannot let the crime go unpunished and so He offers his child a way out. Admit the wrong and accept the Judge’s pardon, or ignore the Judge’s offer and suffer the punishment. Jesus is the pardon, but only if accepted—Everyday. 11/6/2020
Freedom in Jesus Not ProblemsFriday Matters-November 6, 2020
Everyday Why Me Our son Peter is now almost 23 but when he was 10 I remember bringing him to the doctor for a groin injury and while we waited for the analysis of the ultrasound we were informed that surgery might be a possibility. When the doctor left the room Peter threw up his arms and said, “What did I do to deserve this?” Of course I told Pete that he didn’t do anything to deserve his pain and problem but frankly because my life was a bit crazy I appreciated Peter’s lament because I was feeling the same thing, “Why Me?” Just because we have freedom in Jesus does not mean we have freedom from problems. Sometimes trials are allowed to teach us. And we need these lessons in order to fulfill the plans He has for us. There’s no better class than the class of suffering to mold and make us more like Him. But while in “class” it’s good to know Hebrews 13:5; He will never leave us and also 2 Corinthians 12:9; His strength works best in our weakness…everyday. 11/5/2020
Setting BoundariesThursday Matters-November 5, 2020
Everyday Detachment Loving someone who has an addiction problem can be very challenging. I remember hearing the story of a woman, who was married to an alcoholic, and every night her husband would come home drunk, collapse on the floor and fall asleep. And every night this woman would somehow get him up and put him to bed. She became worn out and frazzled from rescuing her husband. A friend suggested she attend Al Anon and there she learned about “Detachment.” The next night when her husband came home drunk and fell asleep on the floor, she simply put a blanket over him and left him there. She loved him by covering him but by not picking him and so therefore she was detaching. She created a loving boundary and let go. Sometimes, love calls us to let go completely. It can be a scary but God will guide you and He’ll often send others to help, who’ve been through a similar trial. You’re not alone, there’s always hope...everyday. 11/4/2020
Pride DeceivesWednesday Matters-November 4, 2020
Everyday Pride Stinks Pride is a difficult sin us to deal with because we don’t think we have it. The only way I can have the patience with difficult people, and those who’ve hurt me, is when I ask God to let me see the person as He does. It’s humbling. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. The signs of pride include an unwillingness to admit fault or a reluctance to take responsibility for one’s actions. Yeah, I know you’re probably thinking of someone who needs to hear this, but that person might be you! Pride wants to do all the talking and none of the listening. Pride doesn’t want to make peace because it’s stubborn and doesn’t want to be instructed and only wants to instruct others. We’re all of equal value in God’s eyes. Let’s not esteem ourselves above the value of another but truly LOVE one another. Stop screaming and start listening. Connect to the heart of another…everyday. 11/3/2020
God NEVER ChangesTuesday Matters-November 3, 2020
Everyday The Power of His Word Lazarus was dead; that was a fact but when Jesus, who is the Truth, walked up to the tomb and spoke; that truth changed the facts. Throughout the Gospels we repeatedly read of people who were sick and demon possessed. But when they went Jesus, and He spoke, their facts changed. They were healed, delivered, and set free. We must never magnify the facts of our circumstances above God and the power of His Word. When God speaks things change. In Isiah 55:11 we see that God’s Word does not return to Him empty but always accomplish its purpose. When we learn to speak God’s Word instead of rehearsing how we’re feeling or our opinions, we are also releasing God’s power. The Word of God spoken in faith, from a believer’s mouth, can change circumstances. WE experience negative facts in our lives, but God’s truth is more powerful than facts. It helps if you say the truth aloud, “I am loved, as I am, right now because I am God’s child”…everyday. |
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