Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
3/13/2024
HurtingWednesday Matters- March 13, 2024
Everyday Hurting with Children I called a friend for a favor and while talking to her I sensed a deep heaviness and hurt in her spirit. When I questioned her, she shared that she was going through a very difficult time with her two oldest children. I knew she had been dealing with some sad and difficult issues, but I was just baffled why God had allowed so much time to go by without fixing the situation. “Why her God, I wondered, she is so good, and she loves You so much?” I prayed for her as she cried and then remembered the verses, I had just read from Lamentations Chapter 3 and knew they would encourage my friend, so I shared, “The Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though He brings grief, He also shows compassion according to the greatness of His unfailing love. For He does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.” There is no pat answer for all our hurting “whys” but there is always hope in a God who cares…everyday. 3/6/2024
GossipWednesday Matters- March 6, 2024
Everyday Tongue “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James pulls no punches. That muscle in our mouth can kill or heal, spark wars or absolve a world. Professor and Author Chad Bird says this; “From beginning to end, the Bible speaks about the power of speech, for good or for ill. With speech, the Lord God worded the world into being. And with speech, the serpent wooed the world into evil. When God commanded, “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor,” he made explicit what we all know: that human society, relationships, justice, and one’s own soul are destroyed by lies. Some of the hardest moments in my life were when, knowing a lie would be the easy way out, that it would save me embarrassment, but in speaking the truth, even though it hurt, it also opened a door to healing. Think how God began our world with the words, “Let there be,” and how He heals through the words, “I forgive you” …everyday. 2/28/2024
EvilWednesday Matters- February 28, 2024
Everyday The Enemy I have to constantly remind myself who the enemy is. It’s not other people like we so often think (not that the enemy doesn’t use people because he does) but he’s the real enemy. Satan’s everyday goal is for our destruction to break up relationships, friendships, families and marriages. God tells us in Ephesians 6 that our armor of six pieces isn’t gonna just jump on us but so we must put it on: 1) Helmet of Salvation-We are covered by Christ’s blood & we need to protect our thoughts 2) Belt of Truth-To combat the lies of the enemy 3) Breastplate of righteousness-we are made right in Christ 4) Shoes of Peace-We can receive peace no matter what 5) Shield of Faith-Holding on to God’s promises in faith no matter what happens 6) The Sword of the Spirit/The Word of God-This weapon is defensive & offensive. Put on the full armor of God and you will have victory to overcome the enemy …everyday. 2/21/2024
MiscarriageWednesday Matters- February 21, 2024
Everyday Baby Loss Debbie, what do you say to parents that are losing their little 16th month old boy to cancer? The parents are Christian but can’t understand why God won’t heal their baby? Can you help me with an answer? Nothing you say will make them feel like it’s fair. The best thing to say is, "I don't know why this is happening. I hate that it's happening and that you’re hurting. But I am not God, and I don't know why He has allowed this. You’re right that it isn't fair. Why doesn’t God fix the pain? He's a big God...tell Him how you feel. It won't stop for a moment His great love toward you. We want to fix the hurt for our friend or want God to fix it. Don’t try to speak for God. Take your friend out, listen to them cry or just sit beside them and say nothing. Even Jesus wept when He went to the grave of Lazarus. Just let friend know you you’re there and you care…everyday. 2/14/2024
Letting GoWednesday Matters- February 14, 2024
Everyday Power to Forgive 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. 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.” When you’ve been really hurt by someone you love it’s hard not to hurt back but God’s grace for you can empower you to give grace to the offender. Thank Him for this gift and by the power of the Holy Spirit be kind and forgive and you’ll be set free…everyday. 2/7/2024
Authentic ChristianityWednesday Matters- February 7, 2024
Everyday Authentic Christian If your life is one that reflects radical, authentic Christianity, then you are making people better rather than bitter after having had contact with you. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. But one thing cannot happen: people will never remain the same. No one ever came into contact with Jesus and went away the same. An authentic Christian strives to love and live as Jesus did. Put your name in the blank when you read 1 Corinthians 13: and ask yourself if that is true of you: “I am patient and kind. I am not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. I do not demand my own way. I am not irritable, and I keep no record of being wronged. I rejoice whenever the truth wins out. I never give up, never lose faith, and I am always hopeful. I endure through every circumstance.” Wow, I’m certainly not there but Living a life of love is our highest calling. Are you and I walking in love?” because “if we don’t love others then we’ve gained nothing”…everyday. 1/31/2024
Truth in LifeWednesday Matters- January 31, 2024
Everyday Believe Truth Who are you? Do you believe who others say you are or who Jesus says you are? So many of us hurt with this brokenness because we believe the lies the enemy shouts, telling us we’re not good enough. And guess what? We’ll never be good enough but GOD IS good and more than enough. HIS grace IS available for every situation, feeling and circumstance we go through. Romans 8:37 tells us; “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Shame has no place in our lives. Travel one day at a time and know that you’re not alone. You’re not a mistake and your past doesn’t define you. My life has been turned upside down and inside out. It has taken sharp turns that I never envisioned or planned for and that may be true for you too. But no matter how life tries to shake you, shame you or shock you, the unconditional love of God, with no condemnation, will do the same and make all things new and beautiful…everyday. 1/24/2024
Lukewarm ChristianityWednesday Matters- January 24, 2023
Everyday On The Fence Here’s the deal from 2 Corinthians 5:17; "If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.” However, that doesn’t mean our flesh isn’t at times screaming for what is pleasurable from our old life. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we let the past be the past. It’s not what we do, but what God does in and through us that sets us free. Our “do” is our choice to listen to His voice and His Word. James 4 tells us that if we choose to be a friend of the world, we take our stand as an enemy of God. Wow. We may say, “I’m a Christian,” but are we really “saved” when we choose to follow what the world has approved but God calls sin? We may still struggle with sin, but it’s important that we ask God to move in and change us. Confess, repent, and stop riding on the fence. I still sit on the fence, I must confess. But by receiving God’s grace I get better …everyday. 1/17/2024
IdentityWednesday Matters- January 17, 2023
Everyday New You It’s the New Year and so New Year-New You! "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here.” 2 Corinthians 5:17; I’ve read it a million times but that doesn’t mean my flesh isn’t at times screaming for what I found pleasurable in my old life. ONLY through the power of the Holy Spirit (not by my own strong will) can I truly let the past be the past. James 4 tells that if we choose to be a friend of the world, we take our stand as an enemy of God. Wow. It’s hard, weird and confusing with so many noble projects and movements to become involved in but is all of it for Him? Are we really a “Christ Follower” when we choose to follow what the world has approved but God calls sin? It’s important to listen to each other, connect and give empathy rather than immediately judge. When we’re made new in Christ we need to march together, listen and love one another each new day…everyday. 1/10/2024
JusticeWednesday Matters- January 10, 2024
Everyday Delayed Justice Life is promised to be wonderfully perfect AND with purpose in heaven. This earth is not our home. There’s something more!” Psalm 145:8 is good; “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.” His love for us waits, waits for us to know and accept Him and what He did on the cross for us and our sins. Dr. Joad was the head of the Philosophy Department at the University of London. He was known for undermining Christianity in the college world. He believed that God was an impersonal part of the cosmos and that there was no such thing as sin. But before he died, Dr. Joad came to the understanding that there was sin as the Bible describes and the only solution for sin was the cross of Jesus Christ. He became passionate about following Jesus. God’s love delayed justice and gave this man time to recognize his sin and receive life in Christ. In this instance, justice delayed is condemnation denied. God and His love are real…everyday. |
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