Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
3/23/2023
DepressionThursday Matters- March 23, 2023
Feeling Blue 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 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. 3/16/2023
CancerThursday Matters- March 16, 2023
Everyday Cancer “My husband has cancer” I wrote that in the subject line of an email announcement that I sent to over 100 family and friends in 2010. My brother responded, “Wow, Deb that’s powerfully blunt to write in the subject line.” I know. It helps for me to face what I fear. If I can’t talk about the cancer or even it say then it has control over me. Many times, Satan uses fear to immobilize us. Philippians 1:28 tells us not to be intimidated by our adversaries but stand with confidence and fearlessness because it’s a clear sign to the enemy of his doom, but sure evidence of our deliverance from God. Satan knows that the only way he can overcome a believer is through deception and intimidation. It is okay if you’re shaking on the inside and feel afraid just don’t let it move you to let go and give up. Stand firm on the truth of God. My husband is cancer-free but no matter what happened I knew I would not be crippled by fear…everyday. 3/9/2023
Spiritual BattleThursday Matters- March 9, 2023
Everyday 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. When it’s cold outside you put on a coat, not just once but every time it’s cold. 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. 3/2/2023
Spiritual BattleThursday Matters- March 2, 2023
Everyday Sharp Weapon My husband, Dan is proud that he served in the army. I am proud of him too and the many others who served and are still serving to protect our country. I like Dan’s boot camp stories. “In the army we were constantly drilled that we needed to keep our weapon clean and ready for use.” A useless weapon not only made the soldier useless, but also a liability because then someone else had to pick up the slack. In Ephesian 6, God gives us a list of armor, but only one weapon—the Bible, the Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God), is both defensive and offensive. Our knowledge of the Word is its sharpness and our readiness to rely on it. There are so MANY things screaming for our attention, and we can be pulled in so many directions. So, stay sharp by knowing your BIBLE for direction and wisdom. You’ll then be able to face whatever comes your way…everyday. 2/23/2023
Text MessagesThursday Matters- February 23, 2023
Everyday Texting “Are you serious you just sent me this text?” wrote my friend Kelly. “My husband and I were having a discussion, okay an argument, and I’m sitting on the couch because I need a clear mind to hear from God. It’s 1:00am and “bzzzz-bzzzzz” you send THAT scripture?” I live in Minnesota. Kelly lives in Colorado. We’ve met once. I sent her a text message at at the moment God knew she needed it. I shared from Luke 21:15; “Kelly, Jesus will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute.” We need to wait on God for His wisdom which will not come from the mind but from our inner being. “Oh, Jesus help us against our natural inclination to manipulate things to work the way we want them to work. We believe in You and wait on You. AMEN.” Ask God for His words and way…everyday. 2/16/2023
Life ChoicesThursday Matters- February 16, 2023
Everyday Life’s Choices My husband Dan and I were on the couch once again having “the talk.” Oh, you know the talk about finances and getting out of debt? Dan proceeded in a serious tone talking about what “we” needed to do but it sounded more like a lecture about what “I” needed to do. I wanted to shout; “If you don’t like the way things are, look at the changes you can make. Don’t wait for me to change.” I even had a verse to go with “my talk”; Deuteronomy 30:19; “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” But for some reason I sat silently and prayed. And by the end of Dan’s lamentation he actually said, “I guess I need to look at the choices I can make and not put it all on you.” “Why don’t I shut my mouth more often and simply pray? It’s a life-giving choice to make…everyday. 2/9/2023
LonelinessThursday Matters- February 9, 2023
Everyday God’s Protection When feeling lonely or afraid I go to the Psalms for comfort Psalm 91:4 really hit me the other day; “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will shield you with His wings. He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Imagine God like the Psalm reads-- a strong and majestic eagle Who’s there to shield you with His wings and protect you with His feathers. When you’re fearful and anxious don’t think about the “what ifs” and other scenarios that will make you more anxious. Instead think about God’s promises of protection and redemption. In Romans 8:28 He promises to work all things for the good. Not all things are good but God always is. It takes courage to walk forward in faith despite your feelings but you can do it because God, the Protector will cover you and be right by your side...everyday. 2/2/2023
Real TruthThursday Matters- February 2, 2023
Everyday Genie in a Bible How do you view yourself? Do you think about what God sees or what others see? It’s definitely a process to be able to hear God’s voice and listen to Him alone. When I got my eyes off of how I looked or performed I began to truly see myself the way God saw me. That changed everything. THEN I was like; “Where should I go, who should I meet, and “How can I serve?” Prior to that I made wonderful plans and then asked God, “Bless what I’ve decided is good.” God is not a Genie in a Bible. It’s not about saying the correct verses and doing super good deeds, it’s about trusting God’s faithfulness and believing He knows the best plan for your life. God doesn’t need me to be heard on the radio, write books or be a speaker. He loves us for who we are and not for what we do. He gives us purpose with the gifts He’s given us simply because He loves us…everyday. 1/26/2023
Hope for the FutureThursday Matters- January 26, 2023
Everyday Past Future Joshua who served under Moses finds himself ready to lead God’s people into the Promised Land but first he needs to send two scouts to check things out especially into Jericho to see what they might be up against. And it turns out these two scouts are able to lodge at the house of Rahab, a woman who had worked as a prostitute. In Joshua 2:14 we read the promise of the two spies; “We offer our own lives as a guarantee for your safety. If you don’t betray us, we will keep our promise and be kind to you when the LORD gives us the land.” And that’s in fact what happened. By the end of her life, Rahab too had come to love the God of Israel and she’s even mentioned as an ancestor of Jesus. No matter how bad your past is, always know that God has a new beginning for you. You may have a rough past, but you also have a future with Him who loves you…everyday. 1/19/2023
Sharing HurtThursday Matters- January 19, 2023
Everyday Sharing Hurt Believe me I know what it means to hurt. The recovery from my scoliosis back surgery was horrendous both physically and emotionally. And I was surprised at how the issues resulting in my parent’s divorce of 44 years affected me emotionally and physically too. Hurt from someone you love is pure pain. But I’ve noticed that the more I open-up and share my heart of pain the more people respond to share their own hurts of an unfaithful spouse, abuse, absent love from a parent and the pain from their own children. Oh, the sins of others have such painful consequences for so many of us. So more than ever I’ve been holding on to Zechariah 9:12 by returning to Jesus my stronghold of security and prosperity as a prisoner of hope; believing that God will restore double for my trouble. Real hope is a constant positive attitude that in trusting my Redeemer, and despite what may happen, things will change for the better…everyday. |
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