Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
7/24/2024
Heart MattersWednesday Matters- July 24, 2024
Everyday My 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. 7/17/2024
Jesus ResurrectionWednesday Matters- July 17, 2024
Everyday Easter Cross I’m a mom of four sons and one husband and I’m grateful. A couple of years ago at Eastertime we were all together but for our one son who is in the Navy (he would’ve been like minded). We went out for pancakes, French fries, and bacon and there we talked about the meaning of “The Cross. And all of us in agreement know we are made worthy, NOT by what we do, or how we perform, and certainly not by our righteousness but we’re made worthy by God’s great mercy. The sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross washes away our sins and His resurrection secures our future. Sitting at the table we all said, “YES” and “AMEN.” It was great. Paul speaking to the Colossians said, “God reconciled everything to Himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross.” Receive this gift Jesus offers you too with the hope to live …everyday. 7/10/2024
DepressionWednesday Matters- July 10, 2024
Everyday Depression I had a season of depression and anxiety that I walked in for over three months in 2009 and it was so wretched that I actually had thoughts of, “Maybe it would be better if I wasn’t around.” But God brought me through this time and now I can honestly say I’m thankful for that season of darkness. It’s like the words I read by Dr. Timothy Laniak, “This journey through the shadows purges the soul of its pride and earthly attachment. Our challenge in dry and dark times is to respond in simple faith--to believe that the unseen Divine Shepherd is with us in our unlit valley. We grope in hope until rays of light begin to push the night away. Eventually, as Job confessed, 'He reveals mysteries from the darkness, and brings us into the light.’" Job 12:22 Having emerged from the dark valley I now have a more balanced response to the mountain tops. And I’m ready for more valleys, and I can help others through their dark valleys. Jesus will never leave us…everyday. 7/3/2024
IntegrityWednesday Matters- July 3, 2024
Everyday Boy Character I have four boys but there’s one who is most like me which made life challenging in the teen years (for the whole family). Peter’s phone was taking away at times of discipline and one such time I had to drop a note off at school to let him know I’d pick him up and not to take the bus. I wrote, “Peter I’m sorry for my part in provoking you which led to hurt feelings for both of us. Please forgive me. I love you always. Mom” As parents we wanted our sons to develop strong characters from the inside-out. Not just temporary behavior change, but God’s work for a heart change. God is so cool because at youth group that evening Peter heard a guest speaker talk about the grace God gives and how we can’t afford to withhold from others. Peter apologized and said I could keep the phone as long as I wanted. He forgave me too. Jesus is always the answer…everyday. 6/26/2024
SuccessWednesday Matters- June 26, 2024
Everyday Success Lesson “A key to success is playing the hand you were dealt like it was the hand you wanted.” I had to really think if there was truth to that. Yes, I may not have wanted what was dealt but “here it is” so what am I gonna do with it? My choices: scream, cry, complain and hide or I make the best of the situation and find the lesson, and blessing in it. We can let experiences change us for the better or ruin us. Character more often is developed in crisis when we stop focusing on the hurt and search for the good where success may be hidden. During my recovery from scoliosis back surgery, 14 years ago, I was miserable, yet I don’t regret what I went through. God taught me things I couldn’t have learned another way. I received a blessing and a lesson going through that difficult season. In brokenness we can find beauty and success in Christ…everyday. 6/19/2024
FaithWednesday Matters- June 19, 2024
Everyday Character Faith Psalm 62:8 tell us to trust in God at all times. It teaches us that we are not to have faith in God just once in a while, but at all the times. It is easy to trust God when things are going well. But when things are not going well, we develop character by trusting God in our difficult situations. And the more character we develop. the more our ability can be released. Stability releases ability. Many people have gifts that take them to places where their character cannot keep them. Gifts are given but character is developed. I have always been a communicator and convincing. But in order for God to use my gifts as a speaker not only does He have to give me the gift, but I also have to have the character so that He can trust me to use my mouth to communicate His Word and heart and living loving Him in my private life as well as publicly…everyday. 6/12/2024
God’s ThoughtsWednesday Matters- June 12, 2024
Everyday King David I imagine when the future King David is dodging Saul, who’s hot on his trail to destroy him; he’s just like, “Really, can I just get a break here God?” God is on David’s side and no longer on Saul’s because Saul has walked away from God. David gets wind of Saul’s plans to kill him, his men and others in a town if David plans on going there. And I’m thinking as I read the story in 1 Samuel that David can certainly go to the town and then ask God for protection. BUT instead, David FIRST prays and asks God; “Will Saul destroy the town, and will the people hand me over to Saul?” The Lord simply replies; “He will, and they will,” so David goes back into hiding. I was really struck by this thinking how often I do the opposite. I decide on my plans and then ask God to bless me rather than asking for God’s direction first. Wisdom is going to God first because He always knows the best plan…everyday. 6/5/2024
DepressionWednesday Matters- June 5, 2024
Everyday Worn Out “Where are you looking to satisfy your deepest desires and longings?” John 4 tells of the women at the well with whom Jesus spoke. She had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband, yet Jesus doesn't give her a lecture on immorality. He spoke to her about her thirst. Someone shared this quote referring to John 7; "Christ enters the ‘Tuckered Towns’ of the world, stands at the intersection of ‘Worn-Out Avenue’ and ‘Done-In Street’ and compels, ‘If you are thirsty, come to Me! If you believe in Me, come and drink!’ For the scriptures declare that rivers of living waters will flow out from within." Only Jesus can satisfy that ache in your heart. If you're eating the junk food of the self-centered life, you'll never be satisfied. God is in the filling business and He wants to satisfy your deepest desires. He can fill your emptiness. Look to Him. He will bring you fulfillment and hope…everyday. 5/29/2024
FitnessWednesday Matters- May 29, 2024
Everyday Fitness Devotion When my dear friend Shannon, a physical therapist opened her own fitness studio her goal was to help people focus on having a healthier body, but she and her staff are there to help others with their emotional and spiritual health as well. A great thing about having her own business is she’s able to do devotions with her employees each week (which was optional). I remember her sharing how two of her employees were nudging and whispering to each other as she was reading devotions one day. When she approached the women they said, “We feel uncomfortable because we don’t think about God like you do, it’s a personal thing. And besides, we think God and business should be separate.” Well Shannon didn’t so the girls made a choice to move on. It was disappointing but I told Shannon she should continue to be obedient to what God has called her to do because as 1 Samuel 2:30 says; “Those who honor Me I will honor” …everyday. 5/22/2024
FaithWednesday Matters- May 22, 2024
Everyday Furnace Faith Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are three teenagers we can read about in the Bible who refused to bow to a golden idol and their punishment landed them in a furnace heated seven times hotter than usual. But think of the courage they had in responding to King Nebuchadnezzar; “Our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us. But if He doesn’t, let it be known that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” They stood strong in their faith and as the king himself said; “These men were delivered by their God for they believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him!” Our faith shouldn’t be dependent on whether we see all that we want to see in our lifetime, or whether our dreams come true or we’re free from pain. Let our faith stand on the belief in God’s Word whose purpose for our lives will be accomplished in His perfect way and timing...everyday. |
Archives
May 2024
Categories
All
|