Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
10/3/2023
Blessings in Hard PlacesTuesday Matters- October 3, 2023
Everyday Praise in Pain It’s bizarre. “Praise God in the pain.” What? But I’ve done this, and it works. Oh, believe me, I don’t feel like praising God, but I do it because I know I have an enemy and he doesn’t like it because it weakens him. Praising God’s goodness, wisdom and love during times of pain and heartache is a beautiful expression of faith in action, a living expression of trust that shows Romans 8:28 is true; “God makes all things work together for the good of those who have been called according to His will.” I came across this little book by Dr. Robert Frost who wrote, “There is nothing more precious to God than our praise during affliction. Not praise for what the devil has done, but praise for the redeeming power of our loving heavenly Father. What He does not protect us from, He will perfect us through. There is indeed a special blessing for those who do not become offended at God during adversity. INSTEAD, we become a special blessing to Him…everyday. 9/26/2023
Forward FutureTuesday Matters- September 26, 2023
Everyday New Thing The Bible never once says; “Figure it out.” But over and over it says, “Trust God. He’s already got it all figured out.” Oh, but the ache of the wait and the question “Why God did this happen?” “Why” will never bring peace but knowing He’s the WAY…will. In Isaiah 43:19; God tells us He’s doing a NEW THING in our lives and then asks us; “Do you hear Me. Do you trust Me?” He’s asking us; “Will you live your life in a way that shows that you trust Me, and you’ll cooperate with me? Let’s stop thinking about the things of old but instead believe on the “new” and that God has a good plan for our future. Let’s get our mouths straightened out by doing something about our thoughts. Stop mentally living in the past and begin to think in agreement with God. It’s not because we are good but because God is good. He will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert as Isaiah 43:19 tells us. Trust God is doing a good and new thing in your life…everyday. 9/19/2023
AppearancesTuesday Matters- September 19, 2023
Everyday Vanity I told my Facebook friend it is always okay to post pictures of me because I can always have them deleted. So, she went ahead and posted photos from a party we were at and after viewing them… I wanted them deleted. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. “Vanity of all vanities” I wrote. “Please tell me my profile doesn't look that severe! I look too old or something....and my hair? Is that a hairstyle?” Okay, I know the drill, it's not how I look on the outside but about the beauty inside that really matters. Nevertheless, it’s OK to care about our outside appearance because that too helps us to be more confident too (it’s all about balance). I wrote my friend, “Anyway, thanks for being my friend and understanding...or tolerating me.” And my friend of Proverbs 17:17, who apparently loves at all times wrote back; “Debbie, I don't understand you or tolerate you. I love you. I think highly of you and am grateful for your friendship.” It’s so nice to be loved for who we are in all of our craziness…everyday. 9/12/2023
Sinners & SaintsTuesday Matters- September 12, 2023
Everyday He Came for Sinners Jesus announced He hadn’t come for the self-righteous, but for the sinners. Yep, Jesus came for you and I. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Jesus reinforced His word with deeds. He was not intimidated by authority figures. He broke bread with a notorious public sinner, Zacchaeus and He was unfazed by the crowds’ complaints that He was violating the Law by going into a sinner’s house. Jesus broke the law of traditions when the law of love demanded it. Either you give life to others in relationships you have with them, or you drain them of life. You either make people a little better or leave them a little bitter. You define your faith and character in the ordinary stuff of your daily life. The Kingdom belongs to us as children, who love others simply and directly, without thinking about anything but them. The inheritors of what Christ’s promises aren’t the ones making all the noise with merely words and good Facebook posts but to those who lend others a hand when they’re falling. That’s the real love of Jesus…everyday. 9/5/2023
Victory in the ValleyTuesday Matters- September 5, 2023
Everyday Mountaintop I still remember our youth pastor reminding me that two of our sons must sign up for a big upcoming youth event. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. “It’s a mountaintop experience they can ride on for weeks” he said. I couldn’t help but think of what I’d just read in Habakkuk 3:19; “The Lord God is my Strength; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk, not in terror but make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, and suffering!” We tend to think that the highest place to be is on the mountaintop with no problems and everything going our way, but God says our high places are very often our troubles and sufferings. A mountain goat that has hinds’ feet can leap pretty freely on rocky and difficult slopes. They climb mountains with really no effort because of the way God’s made them. When we trust God, He gives us hinds’ feet to make spiritual progress during tough times. The mountaintop experience is strength and victory through the treacherous valleys…everyday. 8/29/2023
Don’t WorryTuesday Matters- August 29, 2023
Everyday Do Not Fret Don’t fret yourself about your sin issues because God first pours out His love to you and then He gently exposes your sin, offering a way for you to change direction, to receive full pardon and freedom. This is what He did with the Samaritan woman at the well. He didn’t meet her with condemnation. He first met her thirst. He offered her living water (eternity with God), but also let her know He knew all about her. She ran back to town to tell others about Him, not because she felt condemned, but because she had been offered hope and a way out. People are not drawn to judgment. They are drawn to true friendship and that is what Jesus is, a real best friend. No greater love can a man have than to give His life for His friends (John 15:13). Think of the ways you are most loved, it’s when someone meets and loves you right where you’re at. Be that kind person who loves others like that…everyday. 8/22/2023
God Knows Your HeartTuesday Matters- August 22, 2023
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. 8/15/2023
Perfect Grace & MercyTuesday Matters- August 15, 2023
Everyday Perfect Grace We have been called to be perfect. I know…right? Good luck with that? Yet God does call us to be mature and complete (“teleioo”) just as He is but we are not fully perfected until the Day of Christ as we understand from Philippians 1:6. Thank God for the grace to live in the “here” and “now” of life. I like what Pastor John Piper has to say on the purpose of creation being one of the most amazing things about God and without us on His created earth His grace could not be realized. That is why He created us. He knew we would sin so He chose Christ’s sacrifice before creation - because He wanted to reveal the glory of His grace. This earth experience is hard with hard circumstances like our health and broken relationships and yet we have the hope of God’s promises and in faith we can SEE His grace displayed with love and wisdom over us all. God isn’t limited by our sin - only we are.” There is grace…everyday. 8/8/2023
Kindness & ForgivenessTuesday Matters- August 8, 2023
Everyday Kindness & Forgiveness Love is kind. Love forgives despite what the other person does. Yeah, I know the part about setting boundaries with the person who is still operating in dysfunctional behavior. But I’m talking about really forgiving someone who’s hurt you and not rehearsing the hurt by dragging the memory around in your head. I know right? It’s hard. There are those days where you know what you know about forgiveness, yet something triggers a past hurt and all kindness goes out the door as swiftly as it came in. The temptation is to rehearse our hurts and expectations more than our forgiving attitudes and hearts. LORD HELP! I think of the woman prostitute who anointed Jesus feet with costly perfume and what Jesus said about her; “She loves much because she’s been forgiven much.” Each day I try (when not overwhelmed by my own junk) to thank Him for His grace and loving kindness that never ends despite myself…everyday. 8/1/2023
Your SignificanceTuesday Matters- August 1, 2023
Everyday Important What makes you feel important loved or even liked? How often do you check the “likes” on your Instagram or Facebook post? I know. Been there. Done that. But REALLY the place I feel the most love is when I know who I am and whose I am. I’m God’s girl. He loves all of you and He LONGS to have you rid yourself of the garbage and dirt that makes you feel ashamed or unloved. We’re so important and significant to God. He gets us, gives us gifts to have purpose and He never stops loving us. Jesus instructs that we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society; the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of REALLY great value. Remember with God, you’re always popular…everyday. |
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