Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
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7/16/2019 SelfishnessTuesday Matters-July 16, 2019
Everyday Recovering Addict As a recovering self-addict I try and focus on what God needs to change in me rather than asking Him to change everyone else and my circumstances that bother me. You see the self-involved person is always seeking a way to avoid pain whereas the God involved person embraces pain and they actually go to the Word of God to guide them through life. Instead of becoming bitter they become better. 1 Peter 5:10 really offers us hope and encouragement because it tells us that after we’ve suffered a little while, the God of all grace Who imparts all blessings and favor, Who has called us to His eternal glory will complete and make us what we ought to be. He’ll ground us securely, and strengthen, and settle us. That’s a great promise. And I want it! So ever so slowly I’m able to praise Him in the pain for I know that’s His will for me. Think about it. There are blessings and favor from Him in our trials…everyday.
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7/9/2019 Listening to GodTuesday Matters-July 9, 2019
Everyday Advice from God Should I do it? What do you think? Maybe I should put a poll out on social media? Sure, it is wise to ask advice from others and in Proverbs 15 we can read that plans fail for lack of counsel but with many advisers they succeed. But it’s also important to care most about what God thinks. Often when we pray we make all these requests but then fail to wait and LISTEN. God knows your heart and loves you. He has the best advice. In the Bible when Paul was talking to the Colossians, he told them that they could have a peace in their heart when a decision was made. It’s important that we aren’t seeking the approval of others or just relying on our feelings. God does answer us. Sometimes the answer is “no” and sometimes we can’t hear because we tell God what we want and ask Him to bless it rather than asking Him if it’s a direction He even wants us to take. Feelings come and go but the peace of God will remain…everyday. 7/2/2019 Alcohol ControlTuesday Matters-July 2, 2019
Everyday Drunk What does being righteous mean? Well, it means we are in right standing with God and that means we know who we are in Him….loved, redeemed, not a mistake. Greater self-effort and determination will never liberate you. Shifting your focus will. This means letting God lead you and not your flesh. Again in the Bible, Ephesians 5, tells us not to be drunk with wine but instead to be drunk with the Holy Spirit. When a person is drunk on alcohol, they feel, think and act differently. I’ve been there, done that. But the exact same is true when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we feel think and act differently. The Christian life is not the result of trying to act like a Christian; that’s only frustrating. The secret is developing our relationship with God empowered by the Holy Spirit. As God's Spirit fills us, we better understand who God really is. Our lives are changed from the inside out and good behavior is the end product…everyday. 6/25/2019 What Would Jesus Do?Tuesday Matters-June 25, 2019
Everyday WWJD I love people. People also make me crazy and more so the ones that I love who’ve hurt me. My problem is that I often carry the offense around and don’t let it go. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. People are hard. Life is hard. I hear all the time “What would Jesus do?” but really the question should be: “What DID Jesus do? He loves and forgives and that means right now…currently in session. And Jesus then asks us to forgive others as He does. ONLY God power, Holy Spirit power can set us free. We need to ask these questions, “Is it enough for God to know our pain, for God to know our disappointment, our frustration? Can we hand our offense entirely over to Him and move forward treating others better than they treat us? What if it means only God knows our hurt and nobody else?” I am not there…yet. But that’s how real God has to become to us. You’re not alone. I could sit with you for hours and discuss the pain but let’s pray: “God set us free with Your love to forgive others completely. Amen…everyday. 6/18/2019 God’s Will Be DoneTuesday Matters-June 18, 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. 6/11/2019 TV TrashTuesday Matters-June 11, 2019
Everyday Television View There are times when I just want to relax by not doing anything but watching TV. TV is not evil but I have to say there’s certainly a lot of trash that can come into my home via the television. So am I a fool because I watch TV? No, but if I feed too much on some of the trash it plays I guess Proverbs 15; 14 is pretty true; “A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.” And when I view a reality TV show I often get upset and talk to the screen. The people only seem to be looking for peace within themselves, other people or their circumstances. God’s not “in the house.” So change starts with me. Loving the person God puts in front of me. It’s not in religion where we’ll find peace and not by being a good person. Real peace comes from knowing accepting God’s love. That’s a view (not trashy) I want to live with…everyday. 6/4/2019 Judging OthersTuesday Matters-June 4, 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. Tuesday Matters-May 28, 2019
Everyday Crazy Application Wow is Ephesians 5:20 a difficult verse to follow; “Give thanks FOR all things?!” That almost seems kinda messed up even thought I know that obedience brings a blessing. Visiting a friend a few years ago at the Mayo Clinic Psych Ward I had a huge anxiety attack alone in the hallway with hyper-ventilating…the whole works. But when driving home the next day I heard God say; “Thank Me for the anxiety attack.” I kinda laughed and thought…that’s crazy but I did it anyway; “Thank You God for the anxiety attack.” I continued to repeat and thank God for something so awful but then I began to sense His great love for me. I felt overwhelmed by His love and so I starting saying; “You’re so nice to me.” His presence was so real I had to pull over to the side of the road because I was crying so hard. God’s ways aren’t always ones we understand but His ways are perfect…everyday. 5/21/2019 Healthy Marriage DefendedTuesday Matters-May 21, 2019
Everyday Marriage View Everyone has a view. I remember TV host, Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s view was challenged when she stated that a parent who has an affair outside of marriage isn’t being such 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. My children love to see my husband Dan and I being affectionate. When our son Joey was a little boy he would 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. 5/14/2019 Living an Authentic LifeTuesday Matters-March 14, 2019
Everyday Performing I am a theater major. I get how to portray characters on stage. I also know how to perform as if the world was the stage but it’s not the way I want to be. Who really wants to be around pretenders or performers? Don’t we all want REAL sincerity, honesty? The more I live life I see no benefits to performing or pretending like everything is okay when it isn’t. It doesn’t mean to walk around with a bad attitude if life but being transparent in your hard place will help someone more than your sing-song performance that life is all butterflies and bunnies. Oh look how God loves you in it all. He’s not mad at you. He may be heartbroken over your choices in sin but with confession He takes your sin, offers forgiveness and frees you. No more pretending or hiding. His grace is always there. Look up. Be honest. Let go. Surrender and let the risen Christ live in you so you’re a new creation, the old life is gone and you’re made new…everyday. |
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