Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
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10/10/2019 God is in the StormThursday Matters-October 10, 2019
Everyday Waves My friend, Michelle, shared; “These waves of trials and circumstances are very real and overwhelming to me right now. But Debbie, the question is; not whether or not I see them; the question is whether or not I see ONLY them. I know it's not about the waves; it's about walking forward toward Him because He says ‘Come!’” What honesty, and I can’t say, I’m that mature in a storm situation. In the Bible we can read in Mark 4: where Jesus says to the disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake” but a furious storm of hurricane proportions arises with waves crashing into the boat. Where’s Jesus? He’s asleep inside the boat. “Master, don’t You care that we’re dying,” the disciples ask. Without answering Jesus rises and rebukes the wind and sea, “Be still,” He says and a great calm comes. When Jesus says, “You’re gonna get to the other side,” believe Him. You’ll get to the other side no matter what stormy trial you’re facing. Go forward with Him…everyday.
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10/3/2019 God has the AnswersThursday Matters-October 3, 2019
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. 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 question from God might be? Did you know Me and 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 follow and trust God because I know He loves me no matter what, as He does you…everyday. 9/26/2019 Approach God with ConfidenceThursday Matters-September 26, 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. 9/19/2019 Strong WilledThursday Matters-September 19, 2019
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. 9/12/2019 Let Go & Let GodThursday Matters-September 12, 2019
Everyday Hard Places Ya know how sometimes you get physically sick, like the flu and it's not because you're not reading the Bible enough or doing enough acts of service, you just get sick. Well sometimes you get emotionally sick and it’s not because you’re a “bad Christian.” There can be all kinds of factors that play into all kindness of sicknesses like lack of sleep, an infection, a damaged relationship and sometimes we need medication to get well. It’s okay. We’ll go through challenging seasons where it doesn't make sense but it’s in the hard places where we grow. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “that His strength is perfected in our weakness. “ Sometimes the hardest thing to do is just let go and let God take care of us or by asking someone for help or taking medication. He works in many different ways and through many different people. In every place and time He wants you to know how much He loves and values you…everyday. 9/5/2019 Be Quick To ListenThursday Matters-September 5, 2019
Everyday Close Your Mouth There’s no way I can have any victory in my life when I don’t surrender everything to God…like my mouth. Defeat comes when I open my mouth and express all my thoughts and feelings without checking in with God first. I need Him to help me sort out and filter my thoughts and emotions so that when I do speak Psalm 19:14 rings true, “that the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart are pleasing to God and everyone else around me.” When I wait on God for His wisdom, on how and when I should speak (especially in a difficult situation), that’s when I really do experience victory in most any situation. God love us. He’s on our side. Wait and think, pray before you speak especially if it’s something you’re emotional about. Words can tear down or build up. Most people remember the bad and it takes 10 good things to erase the negative. Let’s speak words that bless and not burn…everyday. 8/29/2019 God Cares About PainThursday Matters-August 29, 2019
Everyday Keep On Going Often our prayers are ones where we cry about all that is wrong and we list what needs fixing. Just so you know, it’s more than OK to do this. God cares about our pain and all that happens to us. But sometimes we stop praying and give up on God because He didn’t answer the prayer like we thought – our sick friend got sicker and the marriage we prayed would stay together ended in divorce. That’s hard. I’m sorry if that’s been the outcome for you in a prayer, but please remember this; GOD WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU. Nothing you do or don’t will cause Him to withdraw His love and nothing is too small or too big for Him to take care of. He loves us personally. There is something redeemable in your mess and pain right now and if you can manage to get up and serve someone else who’s having a hard time, you’ll find hope. We all need a cup of it…everyday. 8/22/2019 Do it for the ChildrenThursday Matters-August 22, 2019
Everyday Protecting Your Children When I first heard the flight attendants say; “In the event of an emergency, where an oxygen mask is needed, please first secure the mask to your own mouth before placing it on any of your children,” I thought it seemed selfish. I’d risk my life for my children so shouldn’t I help them first? But here’s the point; if I really want to help my children survive then I first better get my own mask on so I can think more clearly to save both our lives. Raising kids is not for wimps. I’m not a wimp. If you’re a parent, you aren’t either. We need to dive into the Bible and follow God first before expecting our kids to do the same. Proverbs 6:20 works; “Children don’t forsake the teaching of your mother,” and with that comes the jingle, “More is caught then taught.” The most effective way for our kids to trust and follow God is for them to see us following Him no matter what’s going on…everyday. 8/15/2019 God IS the JudgeThursday Matters-August 15, 2019
Everyday Judge Not It’s so easy to judge others, isn’t it? We often do it when we feel crummy about something inside of us so we find someone else’s problems to judge. When we begin to sinfully judge others it is characterized by a feeling of superiority or resentment. Sinful judging often involves deciding what others’ motives may be. It reveals the absence of a genuine love. We get together with others to discuss someone’s problems when instead we should be praying for them. A listener wrote me about this problem with, "The sad truth is that when we judge someone’s heart, perhaps cuz we’re angry and hurt, there is often gossip involved. The one judged, becomes what I call, ‘boxed and labeled’ by the accuser and the gossip-hearers.” Exactly. God promises us vindication. Isaiah 54:17 reads; “No weapon turned against you will succeed.” Wait on God and He we will silence those voices who stand to accuse you unjustly. God promises redemption and vindication…everyday. 8/8/2019 Love Others as God Loves YOUThursday Matters-August 8, 2019
Everyday Catch Em' It’s hard when you see a mess in someone’s life and you know exactly how they should clean-up their act. But it’s not our job. It’s our job to give people genuine love, and prayer and then ask God how He wants us to intervene. I believe the best way to live a life of love is to find a connection with others and love them right where they’re at. The Bible has all the answers for getting cleaned up but if you don’t trust the God of the Bible, who has all the answers, you’re not gonna be interested in following what He says. I love this cliché’, “Be ye fishers of men. You catch em’--He’ll clean em.” Once someone trusts and receives God’s unconditional love they’ll want to know what He has to say. Hearts open with an attitude of, “I get to read the Bible” and not, “I have to.” The “I love others” fishing program really works. God knows us fully as we are and loves us fully too… everyday. |
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