Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
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12/10/2019 Bless the LordTuesday Matters-December 10, 2019
Everyday Bedtime 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 even though the next day I had to make a drip which was 200 miles away. I didn’t tell Dan about the engine light because he was in the basement shop-vacing water due to a plug in our sewer line. My journal indicates that Joey was 7 and he asked again for The Book of Job for his bedtime story. “Irony,” I wrote. 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." Eventually, I had all four boys in bed and while I was folding laundry I had a peace wash over me as I repeated over and over, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” No matter what happens there is peace not because all that happens is good but because God always is good…everyday.
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12/3/2019 Prayer WorksTuesday Matters-December 3, 2019
Everyday Pray for Others Sometimes when I wake up, wait, who am I kidding, most times when I wake up I think about myself and my problems. So I found, rather than begin with self-pity I'll ask God, "Who do You want me to pray for? Who needs it?" And every time I ask a name comes across my forehead. Recently, a friend I see maybe twice a year opened up on Facebook about a health concern. It’s funny because her name spelled, J-a-n-e-l-l-e came across my forehead rather than the spelling of my sister-in-law, who has the same name but different spelling. I prayed for her health, hope and restoration. Then I moved on to the next person. I decided to send a message to Janelle to tell her I was praying for her and her response was, “What a pick-me-up to hear from you. I know your prayer is making a difference. And you know what, her response picked me up too. There's nothing we can't face when we have God as our strength and the support of prayer. Trust that others are praying for you…everyday. 11/26/2019 God IS always workingTuesday Matters-November 26, 2019
Everyday Help from God “The fact is, I need God to help me love God. And if I need His help to love Him, a perfect being, I definitely need His help to love other, fault-filled humans,” this is wisdom from Francis Chan. In order for genuine love for God to grow in our hearts the Holy Spirit has to move in our lives. Lately I’ve been talking to God and asking for His Holy Spirit to move in me. I haven’t been able to really let go, like God, and forgive completely. Sometimes it helps to think about Corrie Ten Boom’s who personally forgave the Nazi officer at the Concentration Camp she and her sister were held. She said; “The will can operate regardless of the temperature of the heart.” We can choose to forgive even though our anger and hurt make us feel like we can’t. The truth of Philippians 4:13, “We can do all things through Christ’s strength.” Let’s pray, “Jesus help. By Your Holy Spirit give us the strength to let go and forgive…everyday. Tuesday Matters-November 19, 2019
Everyday Golden Rule How many kids, when asked, would know what the golden rule is? Do you? Two of my four sons knew the answer: “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” We may know it but do we live it? There are broken marriages, churches, friends fighting, there’s brokenness. Taking this golden truth to heart is another matter. Jesus loves us….really loves us…as we are. And He says; “I give you a new commandment; it is My commandment; it is all I command you; Love one another as I have loved you.” Only compassion and forgiveness count. Love is the key to everything. I think most times we treat others how we think they deserve to be treated but think if Jesus did that with us and gave us what we deserved? I know right? We’d be toast. Not only do my kids need to be reminded of this. I do too. Love one another…everyday. 11/12/2019 Encouraging WordsTuesday Matters-November 12, 2019
Everyday Gentle Answer Sometimes I can talk too much. Even if I’m talking about good things it’s still better if I follow the advice of Proverbs 10:19; “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” I know that the mouth that blesses, praises and prays can also irritate, hurt and harm. One time I was having a heated argument with an unbeliever and out of frustration I wanted to lash out and say something to prove my point but I knew I’d probably regret it later on so instead I actually said Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It was weird but the argument stopped immediately, as soon as I spoke the Proverb. I guess because God had the last Word. I really want Psalm 19:14 to be true in my life, where the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart are pleasing to God...everyday. 11/5/2019 ParentingTuesday Matters-November 5, 2019
Everyday Parenting Good wisdom right there in the middle of the Bible; Proverbs 22:6: “Train a child in the way they should go, and when they’re old they’ll not turn from it.” When I had three teenagers at home (and a preteen) I realized that for their behavior to change there needed to be a heart change. Of yea, I’ve said; “I’m not asking what you want. I am asking you to obey.” But there are stages in parenting. First, we train when they are little. Second, we coach our kids by directing and holding them accountable. Third, we cheer on good choices and discourage bad ones. Lastly, we are our children’s fans when they leave home and try and give advice only when asked. Try and speak to your child’s heart and not just their head. To tell a teenager to stop hanging out with a group they like, could get the response; “Let me live my own life.” But if you appeal to their heart and maybe share your past well you might actually see some change…everyday. 10/29/2019 Jesus Can Carry Your BurdenTuesday Matters-October 29, 2019
Everyday Jesus Shoulders I remember sharing a message with the teen youth group. I chose Isaiah 9:6 which begins; For unto us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder…” And I thought how the government that is upon Jesus’ shoulders is not a political government but really refers to the governing in our lives. We are not supposed to be running our own lives. In fact, we aren’t qualified. I certainly don’t have the brains to know what is best so I’m so super thankful for HIS intervention and His love to guide my life. You see, the more God’s government increases in your life, the more He directs your thoughts, conversations, decision and action, well the more you have peace! You need to be right with God just like I do so we have the peace on what He’s done and not what we’ve done. For me it was all about being on stage as an actress but now I see it’s not about my position or personality but about seeking HIM first where He fills me up with all I need…everyday. 10/22/2019 Holy Spirit LeadingTuesday Matters-October 22, 2019
Everyday Sense of the Spirit Has someone ever said to you, “That’s a crazy decision and it doesn’t make sense?!” I’ve had someone say that to me more than once. But when a decision is made in prayer with trusted counsel I can reply, “I know it seems crazy but I looked to God in my heart and not my head for the answer.” Okay saying that might get a weird look but look at 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The non-spiritual man does not accept into his heart the teachings of the Spirit of God, for they are silly to him; and he is incapable of knowing them.” Satan will send lies to our minds and we can choose to believe them OR ask God, “Am I hearing from You in my heart or the crazy thoughts in my head?” The non-spiritual man lives by feelings and sight but faith has nothing to do with it. With Christ in your heart you live by faith and through the Spirit begin to understand the truth He speaks to your heart...everyday. 10/15/2019 Only by God’s GRACETuesday Matters-October 15, 2019
Everyday Bumper Stickers A guy and his car are standing at the pearly gates. The car is covered with Christian bumper stickers. The guy is trying to talk his way into heaven but Peter won't budge. The guy says, "But look at my car!" Peter finally compromises and says, "OK, your car can come in..." Much of the time people don't realize what forgiveness truly means in their lives. They really believe the sin that separates them from God in the first place, is worth it. And sometimes they look at forgiveness as a license to keep on living in the flesh while expecting God to jump through hoops they’ve set up. When we have a relationship with God we get the Holy Spirit living in us and THAT is what keeps us from staying comfortable in our sins. You look at Paul talking to the Romans and he says, “I sometimes fall and do what I don’t want but with Jesus I don’t have to stay down.” We can walk and drive in freedom when we let God’s forgiveness change us…everyday. 10/8/2019 Humble YourselfTuesday Matters-October 8, 2019
Everyday Pride I was stinky. Oh I had taken a shower but I had pride and pride stinks. Pride is difficult to deal with because we don’t think we have it. Stinky pride comes in when I have zero patience with someone who’s hurt me. The Bible says, in the book of Obadiah, that the pride of your heart has deceived you. It’s hard when you’re hurt and you think the entire hurt and fault lies on someone else. Yet the promise of God is that when you give the other person for God to deal with, He will lift YOU up! The signs of pride include an unwillingness to take responsibility for our actions. Pride wants to do all the talking and none of the listening. You’re probably thinking of someone who needs to hear this, but that “someone” may be you! God sees you and your hurt. You’re not alone. I’ve been there too. Take a deep breath. Ask the Holy Spirit to humble your heart and then let HIS peace come… everyday. |
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