Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
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4/9/2021 God’s Renewing ProcessFriday Matters-April 9, 2021
Everyday New Thing “The Bible never once says; ‘Figure it out.’ But over and over it says, ‘Trust God.’ He’s already got it all figured out.” Oh, but the ache of the wait and then the wonder of but “Why God did this happen?” “Why” will never bring peace but knowing He’s the WAY…will. In Isaiah 43:19; God tells us He’s doing a NEW THING in our lives and then asks us; “Will you trust Me and cooperate with Me no matter how hard it is? WE can release God’s plan for our lives by no longer thinking about the things of old but instead believe that God has a good plan for our future. We need to stop mentally living in the past and begin to think and speak the truth. Then once we do that, we can begin to speak in agreement with Him rather than sharing the negative “what if” thoughts which pop into our heads. God makes a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert as Isaiah 43:19 tells us, He can make a way for you…everyday.
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3/26/2021 Confident & Secure LoveFriday Matters-March 26, 2021
Everyday Confident Love Our family was stunned, when years ago, our seven-year-old David, the fourth son, decided to walk down the aisle at church. The pastor invited a child to come forward to read a Proverb. As David left the pew he said, “I’m a really good reader.” The truth is most of first grade he had a tutor for reading but progressed so much that by the end of the year the tutor had been dropped. Plus, as a family, David read a lot to us aloud and each time he’d read we’d say, “David, you’re a really good reader” and then we’d hug him. David was confident when he read his verse (never mind that he pronounced a few words wrong). And I thought, “Think of all the things we could do if we believed what God said to us?” I mean like… how much He loves us, He’s cheering for us, He sees our hearts and knows and cries with us when we’re hurting. Go forward in that confidence, fully known and fully loved…everyday. 3/19/2021 Living in PeaceFriday Matters-March 19, 2021
Everyday Airport Crabby I was in the airport traveling to speak and I was just so crabby, and I felt so negative. What was going on? I began to recite scripture thinking this would help get me out of my muck. Nothing. Then I realized I needed TO APPLY what I knew. I heard Isaiah 32:17; “And the effect of righteousness will be peace--internal and external, and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.” I thought about why I can say, “I am the righteousness of God.” It means I’m in right standing with God but not because of anything I do but because I receive what HE DID for me. Righteousness knows who I am in Christ! So quietly I walked around the airport saying, I’m the daughter of the King. He began a good work in me. I know He’s working all things for the good. He’s planned a wonderful future for me. AFTER I repeated the truth …guess what? I was quiet in my spirit and had peace. Our feelings are indicators but should not be dictators…everyday. 3/12/2021 Living in FreedomFriday Matters-March 12, 2021
Everyday Good Fruit What kind of fruit do you like? I like bananas but only if they’re slightly green. In the Bible we can read about bearing good fruit in our lives, which is delicious and colorful, like the fruit of love, joy, peace and patience. But how is this fruit developed and how does true change in us happen? Fruit only grows quickly in time-lapse photography. Truth needs cultivating and it actually starts with us knowing and playing “the CD of truth” in our minds until it becomes more prominent than the old negative CD we’re all born with. God loves you right where you’re at and not where you think you should be. You don’t have to earn God’s love. Play that repeatedly in your mind. Christ proved His love and acceptance ONCE on the cross by His death and resurrection. The power of His resurrection is the same power available to us through the Holy Spirit. Seriously! We can bear good fruit that’ll change us and those we come in contact with will see that change and be blessed by it…everyday. 3/5/2021 Forgiveness is a ChoiceFriday Matters-March 5, 2021
Everyday Choose to Forgive When someone we’ve been hurt by apologies, it is a gift to ourselves, to assume the person is truly sorry and forgive them. When this takes place reconciliation can begin. There are always exceptions not to reconcile, such as the person who apologies continues in wrongful behavior but more often the apology isn’t accepted because the one offended doesn’t trust the person, they want evidence of change and they want the person to be hurt back. God is bigger than the person who hurt us. Romans 12:19 tell us that it’s God’s place to avenge us. God doesn’t forgive us and say; “I can’t be close to you anymore.” God forgives unconditionally and He chooses not to remember our sin. If we don’t forgive as Christ did, we begin to sinfully judge, become bitter and reject the person. When this attitude is present, our judging has crossed the line and we’re playing God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can choose to forgive just as He does…everyday. 2/26/2021 Jesus UnderstandsFriday Matters-February 26, 2021
Everyday Feelings of ALIVE 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. 2/19/2021 God’s Way TrustedFriday Matters-February 19, 2021
Everyday Explanation Maybe the reason God doesn’t explain to Job why terrible things happen is that He knows what Job needs isn’t an explanation. Frederick Buechner’s shares this insight from his book; “Wishful thinking.” “Suppose that God did explain. Suppose that God were to say to Job that the reason the cattle were stolen, the crops ruined, and the children killed was thus and so, spelling everything out right down to and including the case of boils. Job would have his explanation. But Job would still have to face his kid’s empty chairs at breakfast every morning. Having a complete theological justification of his boils, he would still have to scratch and burn. God doesn’t reveal His grand design. He reveals Himself. He doesn’t show why things are as they are. He shows His face. And Job says, I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” And this is the same God we too can see…everyday. 2/12/2021 Finances in MarriageFriday Matters-February 12, 2021
Everyday Life Choice My husband Dan and I were on the couch once again having “the talk.” Oh, you know the talk about finances and getting out of debt? Dan proceeded in a serious tone talking about what “we” needed to do but it sounded more like a lecture about what “I” needed to do. I wanted to shout; “If you don’t like the way things are, look at the changes you can make. Don’t wait for me to change.” I even had a verse to go with “my talk”; Deuteronomy 30:19; “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” But for some reason I sat silently and prayed. And by the end of Dan’s lamentation he actually said, “I guess I need to look at the choices I can make and not put it all on you.” And I think, “Why don’t I shut my mouth more often and simply pray? It’s a life-giving choice to make…everyday. 2/5/2021 Holy Spirit LeadingFriday Matters-February 5, 2021
Everyday Not Crazy I know I hear God’s voice but sometimes I feel crazy thinking, “Maybe it’s just me with what I want to hear. But if we have entered into a personal relationship with Christ, we then have the Holy Spirit making His home in us. I know…right!? His voice is His Word speaking truth to our hearts and mind and yea, we can actually hear from God. Proverbs 20:12 reminds us that gifts from the Lord are ears to hear and eyes to see. Yes, He gives us physical sight and hearing but He also created us to hear and see spiritually too. Unfortunately, our own sin blinds us and deafens us. It’s not because we weren’t created with the ability to perceive in any of these ways. It’s the gunk of sin blinding our vision and clogging our ears. I am so glad we get fresh mercy every morning cuz I use my allotted amount daily. Let’s stop, listen and hear from Jesus who makes the difference in our lives…everyday. 1/29/2021 Holy Spirit LeadingFriday Matters-January 29, 2021
Everyday Not Crazy I know I hear God’s voice but sometimes I feel crazy thinking, “Maybe it’s just me with what I want to hear. But if we have entered into a personal relationship with Christ, we then have the Holy Spirit making His home in us. I know…right!? His voice is His Word speaking truth to our hearts and mind and yea, we can actually hear from God. Proverbs 20:12 reminds us that gifts from the Lord are ears to hear and eyes to see. Yes, He gives us physical sight and hearing but He also created us to hear and see spiritually too. Unfortunately, our own sin blinds us and deafens us. It’s not because we weren’t created with the ability to perceive in any of these ways. It’s the gunk of sin blinding our vision and clogging our ears. I am so glad we get fresh mercy every morning cuz I use my allotted amount daily. Let’s stop, listen and hear from Jesus who makes the difference in our lives…everyday. |
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