Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
|
5/23/2019 We're Both SinnersThursday Matters-May 23, 2019
Everyday Marriage Hope My friend Kelly struggled early on in her marriage and years after we met I asked her, “What was the beginning like,” thinking they were in love. “You kiddin’ me,” said Kelly. Early on I felt I was in a disaster pit so I filed for divorce but not before screaming to God; ‘Fix my husband!’ I thought I was the perfect wife and couldn’t understand why my husband wasn’t apologizing for his horrible behavior. With only a few days before the divorce was final God stopped me. I was reading; “A Woman After God's Own Heart,” and God was clear; “You let me worry about your husband. You and I need to talk.” “Remember, he married a sinner too” the author wrote. Stop looking at all that is wrong with your husband and starting at looking what you can change. That realization and marriage counseling brought Kelly and her husband together and he actually owned up to his part too. It will be humbling but major change happens when we die to self. It’s not easy but worth it. Let God change you…everyday.
0 Comments
5/16/2019 Put on the Armor and WinFriday Matters-May 10, 2019
Everyday There is An Enemy I have to constantly remind myself who the enemy is. It’s not other people like we so often think (not that the enemy doesn’t use people because he does) but he’s the real enemy. Satan’s everyday goal is for our destruction to break up relationships, friendships, families and marriages. God tells us in Ephesians 6 that our armor isn’t gonna just jump on us but that we have to put it on. So let’s look at what it is: 1) Helmet of Salvation-We are covered by Christ’s blood & we need to protect our thoughts 2) Belt of Truth-To combat the lies of the enemy 4) Shoes of Peace-We can receive peace no matter what 5) Shield of Faith-Holding on to God’s promises in faith no matter what happens 6) The Sword of the Spirit/The Word of God-This weapon is defensive & offensive. Put on the full armor of God and you will have victory and be able to overcome the enemy because God is greater…everyday. 5/9/2019 Make Good ChoicesThursday Matters-May 9, 2019
Everyday Choose Your Thought Life I just stared at my journal looking at the verse I had written down from Psalm 139:5, “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” I didn’t believe it. I was feeling sorry for myself and God felt far away so I slammed my journal shut. We have a choice on what we think on and I was making bad thought choices. I felt my circumstances weren’t fair and I was tired of waiting. I know where the “Poor Me” road leads so out of obedience I put on fun music and said the verse aloud, “God I trust that You. Your hand of blessing is on my head. It wasn’t an immediate shift in my attitude but the choice to think on what I knew was true and then names things aloud that I was thankful for, made a difference. The truth is, God loves you right where you’re at, no matter how you’re feeling …everyday. 5/2/2019 Courage to be youThursday Matters-May 2, 2019
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. 4/25/2019 Finaces and God’s mercyThursday Matters-April 25, 2019
Everyday Mercy “Dan, c’mon, please pay the bill. My allowance won’t cover it.” I was at my husband’s office asking for grace as I handed him the bill from spending too much at J. Crew Catalog. Whew…he forgave and paid the bill. I was relieved. But when I went home I discovered that a stick of butter, my special cake plate and a container of frosting was missing. I knew my nephew had baked a cake while I was away so I called and scolded him for not replacing my supplies. When I hung up the phone I realized I was acting like the ungrateful servant in Matthew 18. A king was about to punish this servant for a debt of millions but instead had pity and forgave. But was this servant grateful? No, he instantly found his friend who owed him a few thousand and when instant payment wasn’t given he had the man thrown in prison. Okay, so I got the memo. God gives fresh mercy to us each day so how can we afford to withhold mercy from others who need it too…everyday. 4/18/2019 A New You in ChristThursday Matters-April 18, 2019
Everyday New You It’s the New Year and so New Year-New You!. "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” 2 Corinthians 5:17; I’ve read it a million times but that doesn’t mean our flesh isn’t at times screaming for what we found pleasurable in our old life. ONLY through the power of the Holy Spirit (not our own strong wills) can we can truly let the past be the past. James 4 tells that if we choose to be a friend of the world we take our stand as an enemy of God. Wow. It’s hard, weird and confusing with so many noble projects and movements to become involved in but is all of it for Him? Are we really a “Christ Follower” when we choose to follow what the world has approved but God calls sin? It’s important to listen to each other, connect and find that empathy rather than immediately judge. When we’re made new in Christ we need to march together, listen and love one another each new day…everyday. For more encouragement in Everyday Matters visit DebbieGriffith.com 4/11/2019 Authentic ChristianityThursday Matters-April 11, 2019
Everyday David Crowder Speaks I got to meet David Crowder and he’s as cool as you think he is. He walks out his life by knowing who Jesus says He is. Mr. Crowder is known for his amazing worship music. However I talked to him about his book, "Praise Habit" where he writes, “A nun does not get up each morning and go to the closet and think to herself, Hmmm, I wonder what to wear today. The habit is what she wears. It’s what covers her. It’s what identifies her. Our condition is the same. Our habit is the Christ. He’s what covers us. He’s what identifies us. We wear Him into every moment, and when we live with this awareness, we PRAISE CHRIST!” But very often I don’t think this way when I “get dressed.” Instead, I think on ways people have hurt me or the responsibilities I have. Let’s wake up the world by clothing ourselves with compassion and kindness (Colossians 3:12). Let’s love others truly with no judgment or condemnation…everyday. For more encouragement in Everyday Matters visit DebbieGriffith.com 4/4/2019 Do you know the Peace of God?Thursday Matters - April 4, 2019
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. For more encouragement in Everyday Matters visit DebbieGriffith.com 3/28/2019 March 28, 2019Thursday Matters
Everyday Strong Will I have a strong will. I’m sure someone listening right now can totally relate to the fact that while our spirits may be strong and willing our flesh fails us time and time again. Jesus tells us we do not "watch and pray". The flesh does not conquer the spirit. The flesh is weak - as Jesus said - and the flesh is a stumbling block to our spirit. I want to go to church on Sunday mornings but I’m tired so my flesh gets its way and later I have regrets. I have to pray and set my mind and will the night before to get up in the morning. My prayer is often this simple, “God You’re stronger and You live in me. Help. Amen.” Sharing areas of weaknesses, with someone, also helps for accountability and strength too. You can overcome. Jesus is there. He’s never mad at you and when you do fall He will help you get back up. He loves you and He’ll never give up on you. Don’t give up on yourself…everyday. For more encouragement in Everyday Matters visit DebbieGriffith.com 3/21/2019 March 21, 2019Thursday Matters
Everyday Hair Stylist My hair…it’s a big part of my life so how great it is that the relationship I have with my hair also spills over to the relationship I have with my hair stylist. Each time I have an appointment I’ve been able to tell my hairdresser what God is doing in my life. And I’m surprised, no matter who my hair stylist is, how interested they are in listening to me talk about God. In the past there were times I felt fearful, embarrassed or even defensive when sharing my faith but now I get excited because I’m sharing my relationship and not a religion. Sharing my relationship and the power of God’s love is fun because everything just seems to flow and come out naturally. Without love we really can’t communicate the freedom and peace God has for us. But by knowing 1 Corinthians 13:8; “Love never fails” we can actually have success when reaching out to others…everyday. For more encouragement in Everyday Matters visit DebbieGriffith.com |
Archives
April 2019
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed
