Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
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1/31/2023 SinTuesday Matters- January 31, 2023
Everyday Itchy Sin Hidden sin is attractive but once exposed, we see how ugly it really is. But often a person acting in sin can’t see the truth of how what they’re doing is not only hurting themselves but also others around them. C.S. Lewis in, The Great Divorce says sin is like an itch that needs to be scratched. At first, it’s small but the more it’s scratched the better it feels. After a while the itch becomes less, but you actually long to have it back. Sin is that way, when you aren't being satisfied by it anymore, you still long to have it. Only God can take that desire away. Sin costs us and the real loss isn’t just on earth but the loss of eternal life. Good news is that if we change our ways and accept God’s grace, we have life, which is what 1 John 5:12 talks about with repentance which brings true freedom, forgiveness and life...everyday.
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1/24/2023 Confident LoveTuesday Matters- January 24, 2023
Everyday Confident Dancer When our son Joey was four, he took dance classes in ballet, tap and jazz. He did this for six years but being the only boy dancer in a small town we knew there might be some teasing. I remember clearly in first grade when Joey told me what Bryce had to say about his dancing. “It’s so stupid you’re in dancing. That’s only for girls,” “So, what did you do Joey. “Oh, I just told him, ‘I’m sorry you have a problem with my dancing. I guess I’ll pray for you.’” And then Joe walked away. Joey knew it wasn’t his problem what others thought. Joe’s confidence came from knowing who he was, and that kind of security comes from knowing your identity in Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we know that by receiving Christ we have the righteousness of Christ. This means we are in right standing with Him and we know who He says we are!” Walk in confidence knowing your identity in Christ…everyday. 1/17/2023 Rule of LoveTuesday Matters- January 17, 2023
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, we do too. Love one another…everyday. 1/10/2023 Holy SpiritTuesday Matters- January 10, 2023
Everyday Holy Spirit I remember our sons asking, “Mom, I don’t get the Trinity. How are the Holy Spirit, God and Jesus; all one?” My answer was “Water.” Life depends on water, just as our spiritual life in Christ depends on God. Water is three-in-one, too. In its solid form, ice or snow, we can chew or throw it. In its liquid form, water, we can drink or swim in it. In its gas form, steam or vapor, we can breathe it. We experience water differently in each of its forms but it’s always H2O---a compound of hydrogen and oxygen. I never was a science girl, so I don’t really get how the water molecule works and I’ll never understand all the “whys” of God, but I know He’s a Redeemer who works for the good of His children. And from John 4:24 we know that “God is Spirit so let’s worship Him in spirit and in truth” …everyday. 1/3/2023 Family ValuesTuesday Matters- January 3, 2023
Everyday Family Notes I still remember about 15 years ago wandering around this grandpa and grandma home, admiring all the old pictures and furnishings of a couple in their late 70’s who have now since passed away. On a door near the kitchen leading to a loft upstairs were taped several comics and newspaper clippings. One cut-out quote really touched me by S. D. Gordan; “A father and mother living together with their children, tender in their love, pure in their lives, strong in their convictions, simple and orderly in their habits, do definitely more than presidents, governors, legislators and clergymen can do in making a strong nation.” How cool is that? It reminded me of the Mother’s Day Card my oldest son had given me as a twelve-year-old. It used the acronym MOM. “M is for Married,” he wrote, “I’m thankful you’re married and with our dad.” Pretty powerful. Yes, love is a choice and not just a feeling. Joshua 24:15 says it well, “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord” …everyday. 12/27/2022 God Knows Your HeartTuesday Matters- December 27, 2022
Everyday Your Heart Take comfort in knowing only God knows your heart yet I know it stings when someone judges you harshly because they can’t see your heart. The human heart is arrogant, and often cares for itself above all, prone to judge others, prone to make demands of others. The heart is also needy and incomplete with holes that can only be repaired by God’s perfect love. Where’s the healing for it all? Jesus. He is it, His Word which is both justice and mercy. First, we must deeply understand and truly own our brokenness. 1 John 1:8 people, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” The Bible doesn’t call us to judge others, but it calls us to always be mindful and humbly recognize our own weakness. Whatever righteousness we possess was given to us by the victory of Christ’s death and resurrection. God is grieved when we use the Bible on others as a weapon. Humility. Ask God to give you the grace to love others as He does…everyday. 12/20/2022 Realness of LifeTuesday Matters- December 20, 2022
Everyday Real Life In one simple month all of life seemed to fall apart. Brandon had lost his job, the family’s golden retriever had died and Brandon’s wife was back at the clinic again to try new antibiotics to combat her bronchitis. God where are you? If He loves us won’t He take the pain away or at least some of it? Remember God is always with us and He isn’t surprised by what’s happening. Everything must pass through His hands first. Sometimes a tragedy is where we meet God for the first time. We must lose religion, where it’s all about rules and proving ourselves, and instead rest in a personal relationship with God who knows exactly what we’re going through and how to take care us. Jesus working through us and not focusing on our own works or man’s laws is what’s important. God always loves us. He will not fail us. Grasp hold of His grace and mercy with both hands to find hope…everyday. 12/13/2022 Unconditional ForgivenessTuesday Matters- December 13, 2022
Everyday Complete Forgive Ya know, that song that goes; “They will know we are Christians by our love.” We all know people who profess to be Christians, attend church, they know the rules. However, we know an authentic Christian by way they live their lives, by the fruit they bear. God’s not asking us to trust someone who doesn’t take responsibility for their part in a big mess, but He does command us to LOVE “that someone.” In Mark 21:21 God says that we have the ability to move mountains by putting our faith in Him. Usually, we talk ABOUT our mountains but God tells us to talk TO our mountains. Here’s the application to talk to your mountain as an authentic Christian by following the Bible; “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive them and let it drop, and your Father will also forgive your failings and let them drop. True Christians really love by really forgiving…everyday. 12/6/2022 Rewards & BlessingsTuesday Matters- December 6, 2022
Everyday Recompense I get to share Cindy’s breakthrough in giving real forgiveness. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. I had been mentoring Cindy and even though she said she’d forgiven her father she continued negatively talking about him and avoided him. “I did forgive him but you don’t know how much he hurt me.” She had become bitter. So I told her; “Based on what the Bible says it really doesn’t matter how great the offense was. We serve a God Who is greater and if we will handle the offense in the right way, He’ll bring justice and recompense when we allow Him to.” God says in Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of your former shame you shall have a twofold recompense.” A recompense is a reward. It’s payback for past hurts. Think of it like worker’s compensation. You work for God and as long as you do, if you get hurt on the job, HE WILL PAY YOU BACK! Cindy finally let go and forgave her dad. She’s set boundaries but they’re reconciled. Remember God is your Vindicator…everyday. 11/29/2022 Loving PeopleTuesday Matters- November 29, 2022
Everyday Grocery Cart The first time I saw the cart lady she was pushing close to 15 carts back into the grocery store. I was surprised I’d never seen the cart lady since my small town only had two grocery stores and I visited this particular one at least three times a week. This woman in her 70’s watched me carefully as I left the store with my cart and after my groceries were in my van, she, without a word took my cart to return it. I stopped her, “Do you work here?” “No,” she replied, “but I figured better get some exercise than sit and watch TV all day.” Last week she noticed me and without a word, helped unload my groceries. As she walked away pushing my cart, she turned grinning, “I like what I do.” Jesus calls us all to love and serve those He puts before us. I think He knows that real contentment comes in giving more than receiving …everyday. |
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