Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
5/8/2024
Be KindWednesday Matters- May 8, 2024
Everyday Gentle Answer Sometimes I talk too much. Even if I’m talking about good things, it’s still better if I follow the advice of Proverbs 10:19; “Don’t talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!” I know that the mouth that blesses, praises and prays can also irritate, hurt and harm. I remember a time I was home from college and having a heated argument with my dad, who’s an unbeliever. I was so frustrated, and I wanted to lash out and say something to prove my point but from experience I knew my brilliant but angry words would not change a thing. It’s crazy but I actually said aloud Proverbs 15:1; “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” It was weird but the argument stopped immediately, as soon as I spoke the Proverb. God had the last Word. My prayer is Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to God in every way...everyday. 5/7/2024
Flesh DesiresTuesday Matters- May 7, 2024
Everyday Flesh 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. The flesh does not conquer the spirit. The flesh is weak - as Jesus said - and the flesh is a stumbling block to our spirit. What I eat or drink can be good or the amount of time I spend scrolling on social media has its place but when my flesh dominates, I don’t eat, drink or spend time on social media in a way that is healthy for my spirit. Jesus tells us we do not "watch and pray". My prayer is this simple, “God You’re stronger and You live in me. Help me to follow You in Spirit and in truth and not by my flesh. Sharing areas of weaknesses with someone also helps for accountability and strength too. Jesus is for you and He’s not mad at you when you do fall. He will help you get back up. He loves you and He’ll never give up on you …everyday. 5/6/2024
God’s PowerMonday Matters-May 6, 2024
Everyday Power Ranger I met a Power Ranger, the blue one, and he’s name is Michael Copon. I met him at a conference I attended in North Carolina for actors in faith-based movies and television. In 2001, Copon portrayed the Blue Power Ranger, Lucas Kendall, on the Power Rangers Time Force television series. He, of course went on to do many projects but as Michael grew closer to God, he wanted to make decisions that where honoring to Him over making money. He’s now a producer/director of faith-based film projects and at the conference he shared about his faith and following his dream but more importantly following God. Turns out Michael the Power Ranger is a sinner like me, but he’s redeemed because of God love and grace. We’re all sinners and fall short. And maybe you have a messy past, but God can use your mess as your ministry. Listen to 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” So, think about how our kidneys work in our bodies, continuously cleansing us from impurities. So, we can all, by the power of Holy Spirit, be powerful rangers of God’s grace…everyday. 5/3/2024
PrideFriday Matters- May 3, 2024
Everyday Pride I was stinky. Oh, I had taken a shower, but I had pride and pride stinks. Pride is difficult to deal with because we don’t think we have it. I notice my stink most when I have zero patience with someone who’s hurt me. In the Bible in James 4:10 I read to ask God to humble me so I can see the other as He does. He then promises to lift me in hope. The signs of pride include an unwillingness to admit fault or take responsibility for our actions. Pride wants to do all the talking and none of the listening. Yeah, I know you’re probably thinking of someone who needs to hear this, but perhaps it’s you! God gets you. He sees the hurt. I get you because I’ve been there. Are you still screaming? Maybe it’s time to stop and listen.” Humility and surrender to God will set you free and you’ll be a sweet fragrance for everyone to be around…everyday. 5/2/2024
SignificanceThursday Matters- May 2, 2024
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. 5/1/2024
HumilityWednesday Matters- May 1, 2024
Everyday Humility Remember that song, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in everyday way?” We laugh because, “as if.” But sometimes we’re so busy pointing out the faults of others that we don’t take time to look at our own. But true humility is not a denial of your positive attributes. It isn’t a humble person who says, “I’m not good at anything.” This is an expression of pride which says, “Look at poor me. I must have special consideration because I’m so weak. Please pity me...treat me well.” On the contrary, the truly humble person recognizes their strengths and weaknesses and so rather than a concentration on yourself, humility leads you to look around you for opportunities to encourage and help others. When you understand that humility is knowing both your strengths and weaknesses, it helps you to be confident in the gifts God’s given you rather than feeling bad about what you don’t have. Happy and free people are humble people…everyday. 4/30/2024
Social MediaTuesday Matters- April 30, 2024
Everyday Popular I don’t get why Jenny is so popular? She’s not that nice but people seem drawn to her. Maybe if I try to act more like Jenny and dress and wear my hair the way she does I’d be liked more and more popular? Have you been stuck in the shadows where you don’t realize the beauty of how God created you? He doesn’t want us to compare ourselves to another and be something we’re not because He didn’t make a mistake with you. Life can be hard, and I think we’ve all had those moments thinking the grass is greener on the other side but guess what? That grass has to be mowed too. Read the Bible and find in Ephesians 12 that you’re God’s workmanship and He’s created specific things for each of us to do by the way He created us. Comparison is the thief of joy but finding purpose to serve others by the way God created you brings joy…everyday. 4/29/2024
World ChangeMonday Matters-April 29, 2024
Everyday Revival I am SOOOOO over it. TV, radio, social media, newspapers and magazines all report the same ugliness and injustices in the world with wars, loneliness, hunger, death. But do you think the answer is to join in and complain more or perhaps find more people to blame? Nope-not so much. How about we look at ourselves to understand that revival begins with us. Really, it’s humbly changing direction from thinking “life’s all about me.” Putting a Band-Aid, here and there, on this or that moral problem is not the answer as much as throwing out our selfishness. What’s the answer? Jesus. Jesus is the answer. National and international meetings; crusades against immorality are good and have their places, but none of them is an adequate substitute for dying to self, surrendering to Jesus and trusting Him to lead us in revival…everyday. 4/26/2024
Life & DeathFriday Matters- April 26, 2024
Everyday Mom Heartbeat “Today, at 8:00 a.m. this morning, after four months of lifelessness in her hospital bed, we took my mom off life support,” said Robyn. “Mom’s heart continued beating on its own and she continued breathing on her own. “And then this evening when we thought we’d be saying goodbye…BUT” continued Robyn, “I squeezed Mom’s hand three times and she squeezed back three times. I can’t believe the miracle of it all. I think she’s coming back.” Wow. That’s the power of prayer, the love of God. We’ve all had times where we’ve given up hope, but God is living and active NOW so there’s always reason to hope even when we can’t see or feel it. God also gives us grace in our day-to-day moments and promises that something good will come out of something bad when we trust Him. It doesn’t matter how many times we cry out to God, He’s always there, ready to meet us where we are at… everyday. 4/25/2024
GraceThursday Matters- April 25, 2024
Everyday Good Words How do you know when you’ve given enough to get to God? Don’t you just have to perform a bunch of good deeds? I see Jessica helping the poor and marginalized all the time so she must be close to God. And aren’t there many different roads that can lead to God? But what about the people that have been taught to hate and are the poor just virtuous? That sounds right, but it is not what Jesus said. Jesus said you cannot earn Him taking the executioner's cross for you. We instinctively know this. If a soldier drapes his body over a grenade to save his friends, we recognize it as a sacrifice. Something we honor, but not something we can pay him back for. The same is true with Jesus. He loves us for who we are and not for what we do. The good things we do, like soup kitchens for the poor and others acts of kindness, are out of our love for Him…everyday. |
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