Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
3/15/2024
ForgivenessFriday Matters- March 15, 2024
Everyday Forgiving Friendship “I forgive you, but I can’t be friends with you.” This makes sense if the person continues with unchanged harmful behavior, but it doesn’t make sense to reject friendship if the person has repented and changed. 1 John 1:9 is God’s promise that He completely cleanses us and removes our sins when we admit and confess them. My yucky sin prevents me from being friends with God but when I admit and confess my sin, He promises to remove the barrier that was blocking our relationship. When I forgive someone, the barrier is lifted so reconciliation can begin. I need to start by treating the person with complete kindness as Jesus does with me. If I’m the offender I start with; “I’m sorry” followed by asking myself and God; “What does this person need to help for the pain I’ve caused? And how should I change to make this person’s life easier in some way. The only way for this true forgiveness is by the power of the Holy Spirit working in me…everyday.” 3/8/2024
Life is UnfairFriday Matters- March 8, 2024
Everyday Not Fair Debbie, what do you say to parents that are losing their little 16th month old boy to cancer? The parents are Christian but can’t understand why God won’t heal their baby? Nothing you say will make them feel like it’s fair. The best thing to say is "I don't know why this is happening. I hate that it's happening and that you’re hurting. But I am not God, and I don't know why He has allowed this. You’re right that it isn't fair. Why doesn’t God fix the pain? He's a big God...tell Him how you feel. It won't stop for a moment His great love toward you. We want to fix the hurt for our friend or want God to fix it. Don’t try to speak for God. Job’s friends tried that, and it did not go well for them. Take your friend out, listen to them cry or just sit beside them and say nothing. Even Jesus wept when He went to the grave of Lazarus. Just let them know you are there, and you care…everyday. 3/1/2024
WelcomeFriday Matters- March 1, 2024
Everyday Come to the Table Come sit down. Let me hear your story, your heart. Tell me what you’re feeling because your feelings are valid, and you are welcome at my table. We all are welcome at God’s table too because we’re all created and loved by Him. He will never reject or withdraw His love from us, but He does reject sin. Sin is not welcome at the table. It’s taken me years to really grasp that God fully knows me and yet He fully loves me, completely, just as am. What God doesn’t love is sin because it’s a barrier to us having a relationship with Him. Sin wins unless pardoned. Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice on the cross to pay the full price for our sin. His resurrection proves He succeeded. Come and sit, invite others to sit at God’s table with you. Through God’s unconditional love He will show Himself with all we need to be filled with hope and peace…everyday. 2/23/2024
AddictFriday Matters- February 23, 2024
Everyday Perfection Addict It’s exhausting trying to run the treadmill to perfection. I got off it. It goes nowhere. Most of us, to some extent, need to be delivered from the fear of people and from caring too much about what others think. People who always need the approval of others desperately want everyone to see the way they look, the things they say, every action they take—they want people to say, “Perfect.” If we try to be perfect, we’ll be disappointed. You and I are imperfect human beings. An attitude shift is what needs to happen for things to change and never mind I told my husband earlier; “Today I feel like complaining and blaming someone else.” THAT’S always easier than taking personal responsibility but certainly not healthier. We need to be confident that God accepts us with our imperfections. He will continue to work in us but we don’t have to struggle to win His approval or the approval of others. God is for us…everyday. 2/16/2024
Holy SpiritFriday Matters- February 16, 2024
Everyday Holy Spirit Home Are you listening? Jesus is speaking. Hear His voice; “You are forgiven. Today is a new day. God’s Word from Lamentations 3:23: “Great is My mercy. It’s new every morning and great is My faithfulness. Everyday I try to “be better” but no matter how strong my will and determination is I will fail without the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace working in me. Receiving God’s forgiveness means our soiled sin rags are washed clean made white by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14) and with reception of His grace we are then given the Holy Spirit making His home in us. There’s a whole lot of us who so wanted to be faithful, but who at times got beat-up by life and tested by trials. We have the bloodied garments of life’s tribulations, but through it all we clung to the faith. This is the Gospel of Grace. You’re not alone in this journey of life. Pray for God’s Holy Spirit to fill you because it’s only by His strength that we can move forward in hope…everyday. 2/9/2024
Desires of the HeartFriday Matters- February 9, 2024
Everyday Desires I can get cranky when I don’t get my way. And sometimes I get afraid that if I ask God what His will for me is, it might not match up with mine. But God gives us freedom to make choices and as believers, seeking Him and His wisdom we can make good choices. We need to tell God, “I want Your will” and then trust Him to lead and guide us to what that is. He really does want what’s best for us and He cares about our heart’s desires. In Ephesians 4:15 Paul encourages us, “Grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head.” It should be our goal as believers to be one with God. When we are “born again,” we grow and mature spiritually in our minds, emotions and will. And then when this happens our desires become His desires. And being in sync with God gives a peaceful spirit not a cranky one…everyday. 2/2/2024
Holy Spirit in YouFriday Matters- February 2, 2024
Everyday Spirit of Love There will always be people in our lives who are difficult. And I also fall into the category of being a difficult person too. Oh, but for the kindness, the grace of God, how could we live without Him? We must realize that the Holy Spirit according to 1 Peter 1:22 is the One Who purifies our hearts so we can allow the sincere love of God to flow 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. When I think of what I can do for myself or how I can get others to bless me I'm filled with ME! But 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. 1/26/2024
Power of PrayerFriday Matters- January 26, 2023
Everyday Pray for Others Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up, I think about myself and my problems. So, I found, rather than begin with self-pity I'll ask God, "Who do You want me to pray for? Who needs it?" And every time I ask a name comes across my forehead. Recently, a friend I see maybe twice a year opened up on Facebook about a health concern. It’s funny because her name spelled, J-a-n-e-l-l-e came across my forehead rather than the spelling of my sister-in-law, who has the same name but different spelling. I prayed for her health, hope and restoration. Then I moved on to the next person. I decided to send a message to Janelle to tell her I was praying for her, and her response was, “What a pick-me-up to hear from you. I know your prayer is making a difference. And you know what, her response picked me up too. There's nothing we can't face when we have God as our strength and the support of prayer. Trust that others are praying for you…everyday. 1/19/2024
Freedom in ChristFriday Matters- January 19, 2023
Everyday Set Free Yeah, I'm here to tell you that you can take a stand against the enemy. You have the right and opportunity to be set free from shame, and a legalistic mindset. Satan is a huge “stinker.” He tries to rob us of enjoying our lives so he accuses, condemns us and makes us feel insecure because he knows we can't enjoy life and have negative feelings about ourselves at the same time. But God gives us an opportunity to break free out of this “Mind-Trap-Jail.” Jesus said in John 8 that if you abide in His word and you're truly His disciples you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Many of us have reached that point where we're just so tired of trying to be in control of everything and run the world so I'm asking, “Are you willing to surrender and ask God to help you? Pray, “Lord I'm tired and I want to have peace and joy in my life and so I give you my will to do Your will. Now go and walk out in the freedom God has for you… everyday. 1/12/2024
RepentanceFriday Matters- January 12, 2024
Everyday Prayer First I imagine when the future King David is dodging Saul, who’s hot on his trail to destroy him; he’s just like, “Really, can I just get a break here God?” God is on David’s side and no longer on Saul’s because Saul has walked away from God. David gets wind of Saul’s plans to kill him, his men and others in a town if David plans on going there. And I’m thinking as I read the story in 1 Samuel that David can certainly go to the town and then ask God for protection. BUT instead, David FIRST prays and asks God; “Will Saul destroy the town, and will the people hand me over to Saul?” The Lord simply replies; “He will, and they will,” so David goes back into hiding. I was really struck by this thinking how often I do the opposite. I decide on my plans and then ask God to bless me rather than asking for God’s direction first. Wisdom is going to God first because He always knows the best plan…everyday. |
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