Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
8/7/2023
AppearanceMonday Matters-August 7, 2023
Everyday Costumes I have a hobby or perhaps my husband would call it a problem. I like to self-decorate or costume myself with outfits and in the past this hobby has resulted in me going into credit card debt. Several years ago before shopping at the Mall of America I wrote in my journal a prayer; “Jesus than You for You. Thanks for things too. Today help me with spending. I ask for a coat that just ‘fits’ me. Help. Amen.” I went to a consignment store and found a designer coat that had just gone on half price. Then I walked into a consignment shop and found a purple skirt that had my name on it. I stayed within my budget. What’s always so crazy cool too is to see that what I’ve read in the Bible on the same day fits too; “Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.” All glory is His. What matters to us matters to God too. But honestly it’s His presence more than His presents I want…everyday. 7/31/2023
HumilityMonday Matters-July 31, 2023
Everyday Humility Remember that song, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in everyday way?” We laugh cuz like yeah right, “as if.” But sometimes we’re so busy pointing out the faults of others that we don’t take time to look at our own that we need to address. My mentor friend Barb wrote, “True humility is not a denial of your positive attributes. It isn’t a humble person who says, “I’m not good at anything.” This is an expression of pride which says, “Look at poor me. I just have to have special consideration because I’m so weak. Please pity me...treat me well.” On the contrary, the truly humble person recognizes their strengths and weaknesses and so rather than a concentration on yourself, humility leads you to look around you for opportunities to encourage and help others.” Snap. When you understand humility that way it helps you to be confident in the gifts God’s given you rather than feeling bad about what you don’t have. Happy and free people are humble people…everyday. 7/24/2023
Life is Hard-God is GoodMonday Matters-July 24, 2023
Everyday Earth Experience This earth is not our home. Good…because it’s so stinkin’ hard some days. I so often have to look up look & find the hope to move forward. Hope is basically the belief that something good is going to happen, there’s something better that’s ahead. We need hope for this earth experience now but we also have an eternal hope when we confess and profess that Jesus is Lord and the only one who can remove our guilty sins. One of the most helpful things I can do is to go public with my struggles while sharing the hope that I have. When I openly share my hard places and say a promise, say from Philippians 1:6, where God tells us, “He Who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it until the day He returns,” I find that I’m not alone because someone else needed to hear exactly the same thing. The earth experience is hard but there’s always hope. Keep on keeping on…everyday. 7/17/2023
Loving ForgivenessMonday Matters-July 17, 2023
Everyday Feet Washing It hurts so much when someone we know as a friend shares things about our character that aren’t true. I remember a speaker sharing her own experience on this. She felt she had forgiven her friend but every time she drove past her girlfriend’s home, resentment and pangs of hurt would surround her. She prayed. God answered. He told her He wanted her to picture Him washing her feet everyday thus showing her how much He loves and forgives her. She spent this time with Jesus and then the day came when He said, “Now I want you to wash your friend’s feet, “Okay but make sure the water is scalding,” she thought. It startled her that this was where her heart was, but she obeyed. She prayed and let the Holy Spirit change her as she mentally washed the feet of her friend. She’s still not in a restored friendship but she no longer has deep hurt when driving by her friend’s home. She’s let the love God has given to her be given to her friend…everyday. 7/10/2023
Burdens of LifeMonday Matters-July 10, 2023
Everyday Jesus Shoulder I remember sharing a message with the teen youth group. I chose Isaiah 9:6 which begins; For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder…” And I thought how the government that is upon Jesus’ shoulders is not a political government but really refers to the governing in our lives. We are not supposed to be running our own lives. In fact, we aren’t qualified. I certainly don’t have the brains to know what is best so I’m so super thankful for God’s intervention and His love to guide my life. You see, the more God’s government increases in your life, the more He directs your thoughts, conversations, decision and action, well the more you have peace! You need to be right with God just like I do so we have the peace on what He’s done and not what we’ve done. For me it was all about being on stage as an actress but now I see it’s not about my position or personality but about seeking HIM first where He fills me up with all I need…everyday. 7/3/2023
Peace from GodMonday Matters-July 3, 2023
Everyday God’s Peace What is the peace of God? Can it be explained? I’ve discovered this: Peace is a knowing and not a feeling. One evening a few years after my scoliosis back surgery in 2003 the rods along my spine seemed to wake-up and pinch certain nerves so I was in excruciating pain. Plus, I was on the bathroom floor vomiting into the toilet from the flu. After hours of this, fear crept in. I wanted to feel better but more than that I wanted my fear and anxiousness to leave. John 14:27 popped into my head reminding me that God gives peace no matter what’s happening to me, no matter how awful it is. So I said aloud; “Jesus, I choose to receive the peace You give.” Something happened. I didn’t instantly feel better but I KNEW better. I knew in my heart that God was with me and my pain and sickness would pass. There was hope. Knowing the peace of God rather depending on your feelings is a game changer…everyday. 6/26/2023
FaithMonday Matters-June 26, 2023
Everyday Shields of Faith When my husband had cancer thirteen years ago it was hard, it was scary. But my relationship with God enabled me to receive peace despite the circumstances. Thankfully, Dan is cancer free but at the time of the tumor, surgery and chemo I had to be intentional to stop and breathe and let my anxiousness go to God. Of course, the enemy is always prowling around trying to steal our peace (1 Peter 5:8). One night I had a dream of my husband Dan and I standing in a circle between two pillars that spelled the word, “IS.” “What did that mean?” God said: “My grace IS sufficient.” “My power IS perfected in weakness.” And then I saw people praying in a circle around us, facing outwards and protecting us with shields of faith. The enemy was prowling around trying to find an entrance in hoping shake us up but the power of prayer and faith prevented him. THAT’S amazing. Remember GOD is good no matter what the circumstances are…everyday. 6/19/2023
Godly AdviceMonday Matters-June 19, 2023
Everyday Advice from God Should I do it? What do you think? Maybe I should put a poll out on social media? Sure, it is wise to ask advice from others and in Proverbs 15 we can read that plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisers they succeed. But it’s also important to care most about what God thinks. Often when we pray we make all these requests but then fail to wait and LISTEN. God knows your heart and loves you. He has the best advice. In the Bible when Paul was talking to the Colossians, he told them that they could have a peace in their heart when a decision was made. It’s important that we aren’t seeking the approval of others or just relying on our feelings. God does answer us. Sometimes the answer is “no” and sometimes we can’t hear because we tell God what we want and ask Him to bless it rather than asking Him if it’s a direction He even wants us to take. Feelings come and go but the peace of God will remain…everyday. 6/12/2023
God AnswersMonday Matters-June 12, 2023
Everyday Questions God will never tire of us seeking Him or asking questions. I think of my kids and especially when they were younger and all the questions they had. But I always want them to know I love them no matter what they asked. I imagine it’s a lot like God with us. As T.S. Elliot put it; “Oh my soul, be prepared to meet Him who knows how to ask questions.” I imagine a question from God might be, “Did you how I much I loved you?” There are things about God that are mysterious and secret, things we will never know about Him. But there also are things revealed, and those belong to us. Deuteronomy 29:29; “The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all He has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.” I seek to follow and trust God because I know He loves me no matter what, as He does you…everyday. 6/5/2023
God SpeaksMonday Matters-June 5, 2023
Everyday Listen Are you listening? Jesus is speaking. Hear His voice; “You are forgiven. Today is a new day. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. 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 choose what I should think on and speak words of hope, encouragement rather than express all I’m feeling which can be negative. But no matter my choices God’s consistent with His continual forgiveness! We have an opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness which means our soiled sin rags are washed and made t white by the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:14) Don’t be discouraged. There’s a whole lot of us who so wanted to be faithful, but who at times got defeated, 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. So with me, let’s celebrate. Let’s raise “a glass of hope,” receive and share this love and grace with others. Carry on Christian Soldiers, onward and upward…everyday. |
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