Everyday Matters by Debbie Griffith

9/22/2023

Marriage Unity

Friday Matters- September 22, 2023
Everyday Marriage Unity

I’d been helping a couple through some difficult times in their marriage, and I was so encouraged by their willingness to focus on Christ while looking at what they needed to do as individuals. Hey, this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters.

Hannah wrote saying, “In working on our marriage Ryan and I are finally realizing that we need to look through the eyes of Jesus when we’re angry and frustrated because when anger takes over, we get lost and caught up in our own individual "rights." We lost sight of the goal which is to have a restored marriage. It’s so hard to let go of the offense and hurt but in the end, we know that’s what real forgiveness is, letting the other off our hook and putting them on God’s hook. Please pray that I’ll continue to honor my husband and stay focused on Jesus.” Hannah’s prayer was from Philippians 2:2 and it’s as well, asking God to give us the grace and strength to agree wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose…everyday.

9/15/2023

Peace in Life

Friday Matters- September 15, 2023
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.

9/8/2023

Nine One One

Friday Matters- September 8, 2023
Everyday Secret Place of Stability

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.

9/1/2023

Connecting to Others

Friday Matters- September 1, 2023
Everyday Wedding Foyer

I was attending a wedding and was able to share with a young couple who had three very young children. We talked about the challenges of being parents. Our four boys are adults, and I lamented the fact that I thought it was easier (even traveling in winter with all the hats, mittens and snow pants and diaper changes along the way). Yet, ALL parents have challenges in different seasons no matter the ages of our children.

We listened thoughtfully to one another and then I shared Philippians 4:8 that we are to think on what is good, right, lovely and worthy of praise yet how often we do the opposite and think on what is irritating, negative and worthy of complaining about. So, in that sweet moment in the foyer of the wedding venue we decided to reflect on all that was good and praiseworthy in the season of parenting we are in. There are REAL struggles, conflicts and health but by God’s grace we can choose to focus on blessings of God and His redemption in all things. What an unexpected blessing we received that day in laughing and encouraging one another in the wedding foyer. God is so good… everyday.

8/25/2023

Gospel

Friday Matters-August 25, 2023
Everyday The Way

I’ve been to enough gatherings with both Christians, non-Christians and those who believe in Jesus but don’t call themselves Christians because of the stigma the word may bring (and I might very well be in that camp but I hate to admit it). Much of the time we get bogged down about being right and putting down how others who are doing it wrong. We end up talking issues, rules, programs or how we should being doing church. Sadly, what’s missing from our discussions is sharing the GOOD NEWS…the Gospel. Sharing how Jesus is the difference and the answer.

Author Carl Medearis writes; “The Gospel is not a ‘what.’ It is not a ‘how.’ The gospel is a ‘Who.’ The gospel is literally the good news of Jesus. Jesus is the gospel.” HE still lives. He claims to be the way, not just show the way. 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. I want to be more vocal this; Jesus has changed my life…everyday.

8/18/2023

Fully Loved

Friday Matters- August 18, 2023
Everyday Fully Loved

I’m thankful for God’s Word because He is the Word! HE is our Redeemer! The Bible isn’t about us. The Bible is about God and His redemption. Wickedness is indeed judged, but that’s not the focus of the story. Redemption and restoration to the glory of God is! That's it. The Woman at the Well ran to tell others about a man who met her thirst (Is He the Messiah?)! She did not run back into town to tell others that she felt judged, but rather she ran to let others know, that despite her past, Jesus accepted her where she was at. He is that same God.

Nothing we could do would ever take His love away from us nor is there anything we could do to cause Him to love us more. He knows me, my pain, my ache from the loved one I lost, the cancer that came to my husband, and my anxiety attacks. HE IS here, waiting to make creative, redemptive use of what has happened. He knows, He “gets us” and He loves us unconditionally…everyday.

8/11/2023

Significance

Friday Matters- August 11, 2023
Everyday Titles

Years ago I went through what I describe as a “stripping away” from titles that made me feel important. I chose to step down as an artistic director, a spokesperson for a noble organization but I didn’t realize how important these titles made me feel. In Colossians 3:4 God told me, be content with obscurity, like Christ. I was to be content with being unimportant.

When Jesus said, “Become like a “little child,” He meant we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society; the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be despised or treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of extraordinarily great value. God’s grace falls on us not because of our titles in society, but because it’s His good pleasure to love us just as we are…everyday.

8/4/2023

God Understands

Friday Matters- August 4, 2023
Everyday God Understanding

“No one understands what I’m going through and it’s not fair.” Does that sound familiar? Yet we can read in Hebrews 4:15 that Jesus experienced every emotion and suffered every feeling you and I do BUT He did it without sin! He didn’t give in to His negative feelings because He KNEW GOD, He is God. You and I will never be able to say “no” to our feelings if we don’t have within us a strong knowledge of who God is and how much He loves us.
When my feelings are hurt by someone the best thing I can do is talk to God; “Jesus do You see what’s happening here and what I’m feeling! Thank You for not condemning me for feeling this way. Help me to forgive, and not pay back the person who’s hurt me.” I pray THAT all the time. God knows. He understands. God is able to work with us and our feelings… everyday.

7/21/2023

Being Alive with Hope

Friday Matters- July 21, 2023
Everyday Living Water

Don’t fret yourself about your sin issues because God first pours out His love to you and then He gently exposes your sin, offering a way for you to change direction, to receive full pardon and freedom.

This is what He did with the Samaritan woman at the well. He didn’t meet her with condemnation. He first met her thirst. He offered her living water (eternity with God), but also let her know He knew all about her. She ran back to town to tell others about Him, not because she felt condemned, but because she had been offered hope and a way out. People are not drawn to judgment. They are drawn to true friendship and that is what Jesus is, a real best friend. No greater love can a man have than to give His life for His friends (John 15:13). Think of the ways you are most loved, it’s when someone meets and loves you right where you’re at. Be that kind person who loves others like that…everyday.

7/14/2023

Community-Shared Humanity

Friday Matters- July 14, 2023
Everyday Sharing 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.