Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
7/20/2023
Knowing PeaceThursday Matters- July 20, 2023
Everyday Umpire of Peace I always thought that having peace was a feeling and so I thought if I prayed God would give me a feeling about how to proceed. Years later, through prayer and understanding, I realize God’s gives peace in the way of “knowing” rather than just a feeling. This comes by way of the Holy Spirit. Think how an umpire in a ball game decides if a player is “in” or “out” and in Colossians 3:15 there’s the Umpire of Peace, “Let the peace from Christ act as umpire in your hearts deciding and settling all questions that come into your mind.” We are able to ask God a question and trust the Holy Spirit on how to proceed. I remember my young friend, Rhonda, asking me if she should take an additional job because finances were tough but then again the long hours would affect her family too. At first, my feelings were, “Take the job.” But after we prayed together neither of us had peace. So Rhonda refused the job and almost immediately help came in a different way. Pray with and for peace the “Umpire of Peace”…everyday. 7/13/2023
ForgivenessThursday Matters- July 13, 2023
Everyday Sins Forgotten When we’ve been hurt AND the person who’s hurt us isn’t even sorry, our flesh wants nothing to do with this person but to reject them. But what does Jesus do?” Jesus never rejects us but He does reject our sinful behavior. The two greatest commandments tell us to love God passionately and then to LOVE OTHERS as He does. So when someone has sinned against us, whether intentionally or unintentionally, we must actively choose to forgive them and then choose NOT to remember their sins against us. Actively choosing not to remember is different than forgetting. In Jeremiah 31:34 God says He will “remember no more” the sins of His people. This is not memory failure. This is God’s choice to no longer hold our sins against us. God will vindicate us as He promises. I know it’s hard but follow and obey God rather than what you FEEL is fair because He understands and will take care of you and the other person…everyday. 7/6/2023
ForgivenessThursday Matters- July 6, 2023
Everyday Offense We can say we trust in God to avenge or defend us but when we take matters into our own hands we aren’t putting a lot of trust in God taking care of our hurt. A big challenge is not to pick up the offense of a friend or family member who’s been hurt. I’m guilty there. But when we take on someone else’s offense we’re sucking the poison of their sin and we become bitter along with them. I’ve seen this happen when a parent’s anger towards someone passes on to their children. Remember if only one side of the story is presented you don’t have the whole truth and may have a cocktail of lies. It’s the enemy’s plan to ruin relationships. God’s plan is to restore. Follow Deuteronomy 30:19 which tells us to make the choices which bring life so that we and generations to come may live meaningful lives. More is caught than taught and the way your children trust God will have a lot to do with the way you trusted God in relationship conflicts…everyday. 6/29/2023
Mental IllnessThursday Matters- June 29, 2023
Everyday Take Your Meds “Lisa,” I wrote, “I know exactly where you’re at. You’re not a “bad Christian” because you went on medication for your depression. God doesn’t think that. He loves you where you’re at.” I went on meds for anxiety. It was hard. I felt; “Maybe I wasn't reading the right scripture, praying right or maybe I didn't have enough faith. We live in a fallen world with sickness and disease. The enemy wants us to believe we’re a failure when our sickness is mental but it’s a lie. We’re sick. We need healing and stability, and we limit God when we say He can only work on way. It was pride that kept me from wanting to take meds. I wanted to say; “God healed me without medication." Instead, He provided a way through meds. It’s a mind battle. It helped me to hear National Speaker Chonda Pierce dealt with medication and depression. She taped a message to her prescription bottle which read; “God loves you, Chonda. Take your medicine.” Don’t lose hope. You will get better…everyday. 6/22/2023
Don’t Give UpThursday Matters- June 22, 2023
Everyday Keep on Keeping On 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 hope and encouragement no matter who we are…everyday. 6/15/2023
The Flesh is WeakThursday Matters- June 15, 2023
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 here. 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. 6/8/2023
Judging OthersThursday Matters- June 8, 2023
Everyday Judging 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. 6/1/2023
MarriageThursday Matters- June 1, 2023
Everyday Marriage View Everyone has a view. I remember way back in the day when a host on the TV show, “The View” was challenged when she stated that a parent who has an affair outside of marriage is more focused on self than being a great parent. I see her point because one of the best things a parent can do for their child is to love their spouse. Healthy marriages where parents demonstrate their love and respect for one another help bring a child security. Our young children loved to see my husband Dan and I being affectionate. When our son Joey was a little boy he would often say, “Daddy, give Mommy a kiss.” When a child feels secure they’re more confident in everyday life situations like school and saying “no” to peer pressure. I don’t always like my husband Dan but I love him. Love is a choice and commitment to make things work even when feelings say something else. Romans 12: 10’s view is good; Be devoted in love and honor one another above the other…everyday. 5/25/2023
Sign LanguageThursday Matters- May 25, 2023
Everyday Sign Language It was his first day back on the job after more than a year on disability leave due to a freak explosion in the plant that, among other injuries, left him legally deaf in both ears. But when John walked into the plant that morning several of his colleagues used sign language to say; “Great to see you,” “Welcome back, John” and “We missed you.” It turns out that nine of his colleagues got together and took a sign language course, just like he did, over the several months he was absent. They did this so they could easily communicate with him when he returned. This kind of compassion truly shows that people are what life is all about. Only people last forever and the way we treat others is the legacy we leave behind. I can’t help but think of that verse in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that says that with the compassion and love God’s shown to us; we too can show that to others…everyday. 5/18/2023
Life is HardThursday Matters- May 18, 2023
Everyday Job Story I still remember years ago returning home from my son’s skating class and thinking it probably wasn’t a good time to tell my husband Dan that our "check engine soon" light was on again. The next day I had an important meeting to drive to which was 200 miles away. I decided not to tell Dan about the engine light because he was in the basement shop vacing water due to a plug in our sewer line. The irony of Joey, age 7, asking me to read Job for his bedtime story made me laugh. But I was immediately struck by Job's response after all his belongings and children are taken away; "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD." Once the boys were in bed and I was folding laundry I couldn’t believe the peace I had because I just kept repeating, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” No matter what happens there can be peace, not because all circumstances are good but because God is always good…everyday. |
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