Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
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10/14/2021 Jesus is in your JourneyThursday Matters- October 14, 2021
Everyday Life Journey In life’s journey we all want to be known and loved and Jesus knows us better than anyone and still loves us. I remember as I memorized Zephaniah 3:17 to teach the verse that God’s main point is the constant, never ending love He wants us to know and experience. He delights in us as His child with such gladness. He knows me, my pain, my ache from the loved one I lost, the cancer that came to my Dan, my anxiety attacks and depression, the lie that spread and my dream of stardom on Broadway— He knew before I knew. HE IS here, waiting to make creative, redemptive use of what has happened. He is always on the move. He isn’t wasting time thinking about all the trouble He has with us or how awful we feel about where we are with ourselves and our troubles. God is not mad at you. He grieves for wrong choices or things done to us but He loves us madly and deeply everyday.
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10/7/2021 Ministry to Everyday PeopleThursday Matters- October 7, 2021
Everyday Airport Ministry I was in the airport waiting to board yet another plane. It was all taking too long. I sat down and realized the woman next to me was crying and shaking she was so upset. I didn’t think about it; it was as natural as could be to put my hand on her back and begin rubbing it. I leaned in and asked, “What’s wrong?” The woman replied, “No hablo Ingles.” So, I did the other thing that seemed natural, I prayed aloud still rubbing her back while she leaned against my shoulder. I recited the name of Jesus over and over because there’s such power in His name. The woman stopped crying and walked on the plane. A gentleman asked if we wanted to sit together, “Oh,” I said. That’s okay, I don’t know her.” “Oh, I thought Y’all was together?” Nope. The woman departed the plane before I saw her again. This is Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:4, “Comfort those in distress with the same comfort you’ve received from God…everyday. 9/30/2021 ConfessionThursday Matters- September 30, 2021
Everyday Confess Your sins and Be Free Do you feel rejected by a friend or family member? Let me tell you...YOU ARE NOT ALONE. James 5:16 is a verse that is helpful to apply because it says when we confess our own sin and pray for one another that we will be healed and THEN our prayers will have tremendous power. Most often I need to confess my own sin and hurt of wanting the other person to hurt because they’ve hurt me. We need to pray to see others as God sees them. Let’s stop inserting into your head that sad CD which plays back all the hurtful things caused by broken relationships. When Jesus forgives us, He clears us of all unrighteousness. Our righteousness is not based on what we do but by knowing who we are in HIM! He asks us to forgive; not as a rule to earn favor with Him but for the purpose of being set free and reconciled…everyday. 9/23/2021 Go Forward in GraceThursday Matters- September 23, 2021
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 my seatbelt on fast enough. Maybe I shouldn’t be proud to be called a rule breaker, but I am proud that I am free from the Old Testament rules—rules to show us that no matter how well intentioned or hard we try—we will never measure up. When Christ died, He took that entire rule-dominated way of life down with Him leaving us free through His resurrection. Not to use our freedom to sin but to be live free with a light yoke and an easy burden. “Wear the seatbelt knowing there’s a huge difference of being under the law and being free when Jesus takes the wheel…everyday. 9/16/2021 Love of ForgivenessThursday Matters- September 16, 2021
Everyday Feet Washing Love Nancy felt she had forgiven her friend but every time she drove past her girlfriend’s home, the 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. Nancy still not in a restored friendship but she no longer has deep hurt when driving by her friend’s home. I am not there either with letting go of some deeper hurts, but I know God knows and His love continues to work in and through me…everyday. 9/9/2021 Freedom of ForgivenessThursday Matters- September 9, 2021
Everyday Real-Life Grace Giving “Honestly this person has had way too many moments of grace from me,” said Susan. “I know love forgives despite what the other person does and I know about setting boundaries with the person who is still operating in dysfunctional behavior. Okay great but what about really forgiving someone who’s hurt you and making the decision to stop rehearsing the hurt by playing the memory around in our heads everyday. It’s hard. For the most part Susan had forgiven Steve but some days she was trigged by the past hurt and then any peace she had would disappear. There’s always this temptation to rehearse our hurts and expectations so that’s why there’s a God and He’s not you. The woman prostitute, who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume displayed an act of tenderness and Jesus said this about her; “She loves much because she’s been forgiven much.” I have been forgiven much. Have you? We all need grace just as much as the next person…everyday. 9/2/2021 Freedom of Co-dependencyThursday Matters- September 2, 2021
Everyday Healthy Detachment Loving someone who has an addiction problem can be very challenging. I remember hearing the story of a woman who was married to an alcoholic and every night her husband would come home drunk, collapse on the floor and fall asleep. And every night this woman would somehow get him up and put him to bed. She became worn out and frazzled from rescuing her husband. A friend suggested she attend Al Anon and there she learned about “Detachment.” The next night when her husband came home drunk and fell asleep on the floor, she simply put a blanket over him and left him there. She loved him by covering him but by not picking him up she was detaching. She did not rescue him. She created a loving boundary and let go. Sometimes love calls us to let go completely. It can be a scary and uncertain time, but God will guide you always (Isaiah 55:11). And He’ll often send others to help who’ve been through a similar trial. Reach out. You are not alone...everyday. 8/26/2021 God’s Plan is PerfectThursday Matters- August 26, 2021
Everyday God has a Plan 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. 8/19/2021 Thirsty? Come and DrinkThursday Matters- August 19, 2021
Everyday Come and Drink “Where are you looking to satisfy your deepest desires and longings?” Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. John 4 tells of the women at the well with whom Jesus spoke. She had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband, yet Jesus doesn't give her a lecture on immorality. He spoke to her about her thirst. Someone shared this quote referring to John 7; "Christ enters the ‘Tuckered Towns’ of the world, stands at the intersection of ‘Worn-Out Avenue’ and ‘Done-In Street’ and compels, ‘If you are thirsty, come to Me! If you believe in Me, come and drink!’ For the scriptures declare that rivers of living waters will flow out from within." Only Jesus can satisfy that ache in your heart. If you're eating the junk food of the self-centered life, you'll never be satisfied. God is in the filling business, and He wants to satisfy your deepest desires. He can fill your emptiness. Look to Him. He will bring you fulfillment and hope…everyday. 8/12/2021 Evangelism in Everyday LifeThursday Matters- August 12, 2021
Everyday Shopping Evangelism I was shopping in the Mall of America when this woman seemed to jump out of nowhere to show me some face creams from her little kiosk. And as she’s giving me this demonstration she says, “There’s something different about you, something special. What do you do?” So, I told her, “I have a radio program where I talk about how real God is in my everyday life.” “Well, I’m Jewish,” she says, “and God is my best friend especially now because I’m missing my home in France.” Then I told her how my son Joey prays for Israel. She just hugged me and cried, “I pray a double blessing on you and Joseph this day. Thank you.” And then that same day I read Isaiah 44:3, “I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring and My blessing upon your descendants.” The whole experience was amazing, and it reminded me what being a real missionary is all about; being a blessing to those God puts before you...everyday. |
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