Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
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8/7/2020 The Pardon of ChristFriday Matters- August 7, 2020
Everyday Law Discharged “Hey Dan,” I called my husband. “I’m getting ready to head home from a conference,” so I was expecting Dan’s usual request to “drive safe” and wear my seatbelt but instead he offered, “Make sure you don’t wear your seatbelt and use your road rage if you have to.” I couldn’t put on my seatbelt fast enough. This isn’t a positive, but I have a little pride, in being known as a “rule-breaker.” However, I am proud that I’m free from the old testament rules—rules to show us that no matter how well intentioned or hard we try—we’ll never measure up. When Christ died on the cross, He took that entire rule-dominated way of life down with Him. He paid a debt for us that we couldn’t and by receiving this gift, we are set free through His resurrection. Freedom in Christ is not a license to sin but by His grace and strength we can face all of life’s challenges. Obey God’s Word and wear your seatbelt too. Let Jesus take the wheel and direct your steps…everyday.
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7/31/2020 Mental IllnessFriday Matters- July 31, 2020
Everyday Meds “Lisa,” I wrote; “I know exactly where you’re at. You’re not a “bad Christian” because you went on medication for your depression. God doesn’t think that. He loves you where you’re at.” I went on meds for anxiety. It was hard. I felt; “Maybe I wasn't reading the right scripture, praying right or maybe I didn't have enough faith. We live in a fallen world with sickness and disease. The enemy wants us to believe we’re a failure when our sickness is mental but it’s a lie. We’re sick. We need healing and stability and we limit God when we say He can only work on way. It was pride that kept me from wanting to take meds. I wanted to say; “God healed me without medication." Instead He provided a way through meds. It’s a mind battle. It helped me to hear National Speaker Chonda Pierce dealt with meds and depression. She taped a message to her prescription bottle which read; “God loves you Chonda. Take your medicine.” Don’t lose hope. You will get better…everyday. 7/24/2020 Find Your Identity in ChristFriday Matters- July 24, 2020
Accepting who you are Sometimes I get so disgusted with myself. It’s when I’m in this place of self-pity and I feel stuck. The way to peace begins with accepting the truth of myself—the whole truth. My struggle to cope with certain people has a simple explanation: they represent to me those things that I have refused to acknowledge and accept in myself. To accept the truth of my brokenness is unbearable impossible without turning to Jesus. If my vision of myself is not purified by the mercy of Jesus, I have to get dishonest, camouflage my warts, and present to you a self that is mostly admirable, fault free, and superficially happy. When I accept the truth of me, shipwrecked and saved, and give it over to the person of Jesus, I am at peace even if I don’t feel it. The peace that comes from God and surpasses all understanding, (Philippians 4:7) was provided by Christ on the cross and doesn’t depend on my shifting feelings. Oh Lord, what a gift. Thank YOU…everyday. 7/17/2020 Why go to Church?Friday Matters- July 17, 2020
Everyday Get in the Van “Mom, why do we have to go to church? I don’t want to. Jesus loves us. Can’t we skip?” Years ago, getting four boys to Church on time with my husband and all buckled into the family van, was not on my “Favorite List.” I had similar complaining thoughts too. Church is people and people can be super irritating. And often when we get to church we begin judging; “Is the music good, the sermon effective, is Sunday school taught right, and what about the format in general, is it inviting and engaging? Yea, sure maybe those are good questions but the point is, thank God that He loves us right where we’re at and not where we should be. We need to remember we’re all gathering as sinners in need of a Savior and His grace. So when church complaints began on a Sunday morning I came up with this simple mantra, “Love God, Love others, and Get in the Van.” Church is not about you. It’s about God’s grace which we all need to receive and give…everyday. 7/10/2020 God is TruthFriday Matters- July 10, 2020
Everyday Believe Truth Who are you? Do you believe who others say you are or who Jesus says you are? So many of us hurt with this brokenness because we believe the lies the enemy shouts, telling us we’re not good enough. And guess what? We’ll never be good enough but GOD IS good and more than enough. HIS grace IS available for every situation, feeling and circumstance we go through. Romans 8:37 tells us; “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Shame has no place in our lives. Travel one day at a time and know that you’re not alone. You’re not a mistake and your past doesn’t define you. My life has been turned upside down and inside out. It has taken sharp turns that I never envisioned or planned for and that may be true for you too. But no matter how life tries to shake you, shame you or shock you, the unconditional love of God, with no condemnation, will do the same and make all things new and beautiful…everyday. 7/3/2020 God is EverywhereFriday Matters- July 3, 2020
Everyday Camping I came, I camped I conquered. I am not what you call “outdoorsy” so camping in tents with my family of six and another family of the same size, for two days and nights, I think deserves some kinda special “mom award.” It was basic “Camping 101” with a camp stove, and an outhouse bathroom but I did it, sleeping hiking, conversing and playing under the waterfalls. I had fun! Who knew? I still think I’m better suited for “Camp Fancy Hotel” but I made a decision about my attitude before going into the adventure. I was even sick one of the nights but it was the medicine of my heart that made all the difference. The cheerful heart, which Proverbs 17 talks about, is able to find the good in whatever place we’re in. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. We’re in charge of our attitudes and allowing God’s love to be in charge of us makes all the difference…everyday. 6/26/2020 Jesus never will fail youFriday Matters- June 26, 2020
Everyday Justice Delayed Life is promised to be wonderfully perfect AND with purpose in heaven. This earth is not our home. There’s something more!” Psalm 145:8 is good; “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.” His love for us waits, waits for us to know and accept Him and what He did on the cross for us and our sins. Dr. Joad was the head of the Philosophy Department at the University of London. He was known for undermining Christianity in the college world. He believed that God was an impersonal part of the cosmos and that there was no such thing as sin. But before he died, Dr. Joad came to the understanding that there was sin as the Bible describes and the only solution for sin was the cross of Jesus Christ. He became passionate about following Jesus. God’s love delayed justice and gave this man time to recognize his sin and receive life in Christ. In this instance, justice delayed is condemnation denied. God and His love are real…everyday. 6/19/2020 Follow the path of ChristFriday Matters- June 19, 2020
Everyday What Road There’s only one road to God? What? But that view is narrow minded. You’re right, it is narrow but through a relationship with Jesus, not religion, it becomes clear that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. There are amazing people who love others but think there are many roads to God and that true spirituality is just to love your neighbor and help the poor. How then do you know when you’ve given enough to get to God? What about the people who’ve been taught to hate? Are the poor just virtuous? That sounds right, but listen, if a soldier drapes his body over a grenade to save his friends, we recognize it as a sacrifice. Something we honor, but not something we can pay him back for. The same is true with Jesus. We can’t earn our salvation. It’s a gift we have a choice to receive by accepting His sacrifice Christ for our sins. Trust the path He sets and what He’s done for you and then walk in full freedom…everyday. 6/12/2020 Get up & Go StrengthFriday Matters- June 12, 2020
Everyday Backbone I don’t sew, bake or volunteer for craft projects at school. I could feel like a lousy mom because don’t the good moms have all of those skills? But let’s try and remember that God doesn’t make mistakes and He created us uniquely and for a specific purpose. Sure we get stuck wishing we were someone else or had their skills but how productive is that? How about we try this: If you experience a setback or failure don’t fall apart but believe God will use the experience to train you for the next step. Look at Ephesians 3:12 and we read that through faith in God we can approach Him with freedom and confidence. He loves us. “Plenty of people have wishbone but there are too few with not enough backbone.” Once we’re rooted and established in His love, we can have the backbone to step out and be the very best of who He created use to be…everyday. 6/5/2020 Faith is not a FeelingFriday Matters- June 5, 2020
Everyday Feelings It’s so important to remember; feelings are indicators, but don’t let them be dictators. Get it? Feelings are valid and they indicate good and bad things happening in our lives but we shouldn’t let them lead us, especially when we feel afraid. I read this post on Instagram which said; “And then I realized that to be more alive I had to be less afraid so I did it, I lost my fear and gained my whole life.” We may feel fear but the way to lose “it” is to go forward in courage despite what we feel which I know is insanely difficult but always worth it. The only way we can do that and leave our fears behind is by leaning into the grace and hope God gives us. Think about what God says in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous.” Don’t give up because of feelings. Don’t let fear immobilize you because God will be the one who keeps on walking with you and He won’t abandon you EVER…everyday. |
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