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A Perfect Storm

03/28/2024
Woman crying, dealing with the storms of life.

During the Covid pandemic in 2020, many schools closed. People lost their jobs or worked from home. Close quarters, high emotions, and worries about the future created the perfect storm for cross words, blame, and anger.

Trying times like a pandemic are not the only times storms can brew. How wisely do we relate to one another during those times? Do we withhold or give forgiveness? Do we confess when we have been wrong and attempt to make things right? First John 1:9 provides important spiritual guidance about what we are to do when we have sinned. John writes, “If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

God is faithful and righteous. He calls us to be faithful and righteous, also. We are to confess our sins. When we do, He extends mercy and forgives us. We are then to extend mercy and forgive others.

How can we do this? We ask Jesus to fill us and live His life through us. When we do, the storm that might have destroyed relationships becomes an opportunity for those closest to us to see Jesus – maybe for the first time or in a new way.

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are with us in the storms of life. Thank You that You that You are a FORGIVING GOD. Thank You for showing us how to forgive others. Fill us. Live Your life through us so others see and believe in You.

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Is Your View of God Accurate?

03/27/2024

Do you have an accurate view of God? Why do I ask? Because some people have a wrong view of Him. For instance, some people accuse God of not being tolerant. However, the apostle Paul points out in his letter to the Romans that God has demonstrated His tolerance (or forbearance) toward sinful man.

He asks in Romans 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”

Did you catch that? Not only has holy God been kind and patient with we who are sinful, He has been tolerant, or forbearing as Romans 3:25b states. “…in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

To clarify, God is not tolerant of sin. Rather, sin is so “intolerable” to God that He sent Jesus to die for our sins so we could be made new. God “passed over” or “paid for” sins that had been committed and would be committed. Our forbearing Lord is just. Our forbearing Lord is the justifier (just as if I’d never sinned) of the one who places their faith in Jesus.

There is no better time than now for us to share this message with others. People are dying. Many may never have heard the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Pray God will stir believers hearts to share the good news of Christ with others and the unsaved will repent and be saved.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your FORBEARANCE, for bearing with us and justifying us so we can stand before You as if we’d never sinned. We love and praise You!

Do you have a friend or family member you would like to introduce to Jesus? Share this link with them: “Meet Jesus…Experience His Grace.”

 

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Who Is for You?

03/26/2024

Which team are you for?” “Which candidate are you for?” We often talk about who we’re for. But have you ever thought about who is for you? Perhaps you’re blessed with a friend or family member who is for you. But what if you aren’t? What if you fight your daily battles alone? What if there is no one who stands with you and encourages you?

God has an important message for us in Romans 8:31. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is For Us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over For Us all…”

GOD is FOR YOU. Not only is He not against you, the fact that He’s for us is amazing. Say it out loud with emphasis. “God is for me. God is for me.”

God is for us saving our souls. God is for us rescuing us from the domain of darkness. Jesus is for us preparing a place in heaven. Jesus is for us, sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us. God the Father and Son are so for us that Jesus took our place on the cross.

The next time you’re tempted to feel sorry for yourself or Satan whispers, “you’re doing life all alone,” answer back loud and clear. “God is with me and FOR ME.” Then, tell someone who does not have a relationship with Jesus what it means to you to have God for you.

Heavenly Father, precious Savior, thank You for being FOR US. We praise You, thank You, and pray our lives reflect our gratitude.

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Firstborn From the Dead

03/25/2024

Some time ago I went to a funeral where we celebrated the life of a dear woman who went to be with the Lord. Why were we able to celebrate her life even though we were sad she was no longer with us? We could celebrate her life because we knew she was with Christ, who Colossians 1:18 describes as “the beginning, the Firstborn from the Dead.”

Firstborn from the Dead. How can Jesus be called that? Didn’t He resurrect people to life? Weren’t the graves opened and people rose when Jesus died on the cross and the veil in the temple was torn?

Yes, Jesus raised people from the dead and yes, the tombs were opened and people raised when He died. However, those who had been resurrected died again. Jesus is called the firstborn from the dead because He was the first to rise in a resurrection body, never to die again.

In Revelation 1:4-5, John also referred to Jesus as the firstborn of the dead. “Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

Later, in Revelation 1:12-20, John saw the resurrected Lord. He heard Jesus speak. As a result, John “fell at His feet like a dead man” so shocking it was to see Jesus in glory.

The Firstborn from the Dead is alive and well as you will be when you join Him in glory.

Lord Jesus, we praise You, the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD and thank You that we, too, will be alive forever.

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Hell on Earth

03/24/2024

“Hell on earth” is a phrase people sometimes use to describe a horrible place or time they’re experiencing. No doubt the Jews felt that way in Nazi concentration camps. So can a spouse who is in an abusive marriage. Or an employee who has a relentless boss. Might a Christian feel that way when principalities of evil are rampant? Yes.

Ephesians 6:12 says Christians struggle against rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Too often, though, we may not recognize the forces at play in our lives. We go to church, read our Bible, and try to live a good Christian life. Then something horrible happens or perhaps is ongoing. All we see is what is visible to our eyes.

When the apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his faith, Jesus brought perspective and encouragement to him. Consider His words, “‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades,” Revelation 1:17-18.

What you are experiencing today may feel like hell on earth, but it is temporary. Jesus is the First and the Last. He has the keys of death and Hades and is locking Satan away. He has the last word. You will live eternally in glory with the LORD.

Lord Jesus, the FIRST AND THE LAST, You reign supreme and Your Word is the final word. Thank You for ending Satan’s reign on earth one day. Thank You for eternal, glorious life with You.

Would you like more grace and peace in your life? Peace with God? Peace with others? Watch Debbie’s teaching on 1 Peter 1 HERE or listen to it HERE

 

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Who Is the Father of Spirits?

03/23/2024

Father of Spirits. Are you familiar with this title of God? We don’t often hear it. More often in prayer groups we hear praises of God as the Way, Truth, and Life; of Him being Sovereign and Healer.

However, in Hebrews 12:9, the author uses the designation Father of Spirits. “We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of Spirits and live?”

What is meant by Father of Spirits?

Although some commentators mention a possible reference to God’s creation of angels, far more agree it is a reference to God being the father – creator – of people’s souls. We find a similar reference in this regard in Numbers 16:22. “O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?” God of the spirits of all flesh is a reference to God’s creation of mankind.

There is a most important aspect to God being referred to as the Father of Spirits in Hebrews 12:9. The passage goes on to explain that as earthly fathers discipline their children, the Father of Spirits disciplines His children. Who are His children? Those who have been born again, (John 3:3) of the Holy Spirit; who are new creations. Galatians 6:15

The Father of Spirits gives us a new birth. He then assumes responsibility for disciplining us so we share in His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10) What a wonderful Father of Spirits we have!

FATHER OF SPIRITS, thank You for giving us a new birth with Your Spirit and disciplining us so we share Your holiness. We love You and pray we reflect well on You, our Father.

Would you like to grow in your faith? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you. In addition to our books and Bible studies, we offer several free resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

 

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You Look A Lot Like Our Heavenly Father

03/22/2024

Have you ever needed someone to extend mercy to you? You did something wrong, thoughtless, or perhaps careless. You felt bad and desired forgiveness. You asked to be forgiven. What if their heart was hardened and they said no? And how horrible it would be if our Heavenly Father refused to forgive us.

Quite the opposite, 2 Corinthians 1:3 tells us that God is the Father of Mercies. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the FATHER OF MERCIES and God of all comfort.”

Mercy flows from our Father. It’s His nature. He is the original transmitter of mercy. So when you go to a Christian sister or brother and ask forgiveness and they extend mercy, they are a reflection of their Father – the Father of Mercies.

The good news doesn’t stop with God being a transmitter of mercy and our Christian brothers and sisters being transmitters of mercy. The good news is we can be transmitters of mercy also, reflections of our Father.

In today’s culture, it can be easy sometimes for a person to be offended. They may hold grudges and not want to forgive or extend mercy. However, what a precious opportunity it is for believers to show mercy as our Heavenly Father does. Let’s make it a point to do this well.

FATHER of MERCIES, thank You for extending mercy to us. May we be quick to extend mercy to others and reflect well on You.

We’d love to have you join us for our April Bible study on the End Times! Click HERE for more information and to register.

If you’re not able to make the April study and would like to purchase the Bible study to do on your own, you can purchase it HERE. The study includes free accompanying videos and podcasts, which you can access HERE.

 

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The Source of Illumination

03/21/2024

Our nation and world are going through what some call a dark time.

What can believers do?

We can shine brightly with the love, hope, and truth of our Lord, whom James 1:17 describes as the Father of Lights.

The prince of darkness, Satan, wants us to stumble in the darkness. But James points to our hope. “Every good thing is given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

Commentary Charles Ryrie explains this reference to the Lord means “God is the source of all light – physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual – and He does not change.” 1

Rather than physically, intellectually, morally or spiritually stumble, we can pray with our heart, mind, soul, and spirit.

We can walk through our day in the light of the Father of Lights. We can spread His light to others. Will we?

FATHER OF LIGHTS, illumine our heart, mind, soul, and spirit with Your Light so we walk as children of Light and spread Your Light to others.

1 Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update (Chicago: Moody Press, 2008).

Want to learn more about living a victorious Christian life? Watch Debbie’s teaching on Acts 28 : The 7 Characteristics of People Who Are More than Conquerors

 

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What to Remember When You Suffer as a Christian

03/20/2024

Have you ever suffered for the cause of Christ? Perhaps you took a stand on the inerrancy of the Bible. Or maybe you held to the conviction that Jesus is the way, truth, and life; no one goes to the Father except through Him. John 14:6.

Someone may have distanced themself from you because you held to the Biblical definition of marriage as being between a man and woman.

What can you do when you suffer for the cause of Christ; when our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer being disowned by their family, being beaten, imprisoned, or die for their faith?

Peter, who suffered for his faith, writes that we are to entrust our souls to our faithful creator. “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right,”1 Peter 4:19.

Peter directs us to look at God’s character; that He is creator God and that He who created the world and us is faithful. We can trust Him, knowing that He will remain faithful and make all things right.

Consistent with what Peter writes is the vision John received and recorded in Revelation 19:11 regarding Christ’s return. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.”

Our Creator God is faithful and true and He will act faithfully on your behalf.

FAITHFUL LORD, we praise You that we can trust You and entrust our souls to You.

One of our key verses today is 1 Peter 4:19. To watch Debbie’s teaching on all of 1 Peter 4, click HERE. You can also check out her 1 Peter Bible study, “Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural ChaosHERE. The study includes free accompanying videos and podcasts. You can access them by going to “Bible Studies” in the main menu or by clicking HERE.

 

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Exalted

03/19/2024

The news that singer-songwriter Taylor Swift surpassed Elvis Presley as the solo artist with the most weeks atop the Billboard 200 Chart exalted her to new heights in 2023. Her exalted position is not guaranteed. Only the Lord God’s is, as He tells us in Psalm 46:10. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

“The Lord is exalted in the earth and also above the heaven and earth,” Psalm 148:13.

The Lord is exalted above other gods. “For You are the Lord Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods,” Psalm 97:9

What about Jesus? Acts 5:31 tells us, “He is the One whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

Although the Lord is highly exalted, Psalm 138:6 encourages us that “though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly.”

How amazing our exalted Lord is! What should be our response? Nehemiah 9:5 tells us. “Arise, bless the Lord your God forever and ever! O may Your glorious name be blessed and exalted above all blessing and praise!”

Our Lord is highly exalted above all yet regards the lowly. Will you humbly exalt and bless His glorious name; praising Him for regarding you?

EXALTED Lord, we praise You, bless Your glorious name, and thank You for regarding us.

Do you commute to work and want to listen to some encouraging teachings by Debbie while you drive? Let her podcasts on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify help you set your mind on Christ before you start your day!

 

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