Have you ever questioned the “why” behind God’s commands? If so, it helps to remember that God created us as Genesis 1:27 reminds us. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” 

Our Creator knows what is best for us and what hurts us. Jesus’ commands such as those found in Matthew 6:34 not to worry and in Ephesians 4:31-32 to forgive and to put bitterness away from us are examples of our Creator’s instructions that serve our best interests. They help us have more peace, contentment, and joy. 

What can happen if we, the creation, ignore our Creator’s ways? Romans 1:24-25 warns us. “God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” 

God created us. His Word is our instruction manual; far more important than a car or appliance manual. If we want our life and relationship with Him and others to run smoothly, we’re wise to read and follow His instructions. How well are we following our Creator’s instructions? 

Heavenly Father, CREATOR, forgive me for too often ignoring Your instructions. Awaken me to the importance of reading and following Your holy teachings. 

Would you like to deepen your relationship with God? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you grow in your walk with the Lord. We offer several free resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? More than likely, you answered “yes.” Promises are broken every day, but there is One, God, whose promises you can count on today and for eternity. 

Beginning in Genesis, God promised to never destroy the earth again with a flood. God kept His Noahic Covenant, another word for promise. 

God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of his descendants. The nation of Israel is the fulfillment of God’s covenant. 

God made a covenant with King David that he would have a descendant on the throne forever. That covenant/promise is fulfilled in Jesus. 

God promised a new covenant fulfilled by Jesus. “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins’” (Matthew 26:27-28). 

Yes, Jesus made a covenant, a promise, sealed with His blood that anyone who repents of sin and believes in Him for the forgiveness of their sins will be saved and given the Holy Spirit. 

Other people may have broken their promises to you, but the Lord, the Covenant Maker, can be trusted today and for eternity. 

Lord Jesus, COVENANT MAKER, thank You for the peace and eternal life You give me through Your blood sacrifice. I worship and praise You.

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Are you at your wit’s end? Do you need someone to talk to who can help you sort out your problems and worries? If so, go to God, where you will receive the best counsel in the world. 

Where do we find God counseling someone? Among numerous places, we find Him counseling Cain in Genesis 4:6-7. What was the problem? “Cain was very angry and his countenance fell.” What counsel did God give Cain? God asked Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?” Then, He warned and directed Cain, “…if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 

Yes, God is the wonderful Counselor, as Isaiah 9:6 says. Talk to Him, then follow His counsel. I record what God prompts me to do in my journal, Prayers of My Heart so I have a record of what He places on my heart. 

What do God’s counseling prompts sound like? At times He has counseled me, “Open your Bible and read a Psalm.” Other times it has been, “Stop procrastinating and tackle what is before you.” Or, “Instead of wondering about someone, call them.” A wise Christian will both talk things out with their counselor and also follow up on what He tells them to do. 

Lord, You are the wonderful COUNSELOR. Increase my sensitivity to Your Voice. Help me take seriously Your counsel and follow through on what You lead me to do.

Would you like an organized way to record what God is speaking to you? Grab a copy of Prayers of My Heart prayer journal to write down what God places on your heart. 

Would you rather God contend—plead a cause—for you or would you rather Him contend against you? If you answered that you would rather God contend “for you,” then you have reason to jump up and down for joy. Why? 

Isaiah 51:22 states, “Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God who contends for His people, ‘Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling, the chalice of My anger; You will never drink it again.’” 

Did you catch Isaiah’s words? “Your God who contends for His people.” Yes, God contends for, not against us. 

A “hallelujah” with hands raised in praise is appropriate because as God has dealt with Israel, so He deals with those who place their faith in Christ. 

Lord, I thank You that You are a God who CONTENDS FOR—not against—Your people. I praise You with hands raised high. 

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Heavenly Father. Lord. Savior. You’re familiar with those descriptions of God. Shepherd. Love. Peace. The list goes on. But what about Consuming Fire? Are you familiar with Deuteronomy 4:24 that warns, “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God”? 

Where in the Bible do we find the Lord showing forth that aspect of His nature? In Genesis 18:20, the Lord said to Abraham regarding Sodom and Gomorrah, “their sin is exceeding grave.” Genesis 19:24 records that after rescuing Lot and his family out of the cities, He “rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire out of heaven.”

The New Testament reinforces the holy, consuming fire of God’s nature. Hebrews 12:29 states, “our God is a consuming fire.” Revelation 20:9 speaks of a future day when fire will again come down from heaven and devour those who fight against Him and His saints. “And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.” 

Yes, our God is a consuming fire before whom sin cannot remain. 

Lord God, CONSUMING FIRE, burning in righteousness and purity, I worship and praise You. 

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

When Simeon, anointed by the Holy Spirit, saw the infant Jesus at Christ's presentation in the temple, he knew He was seeing the long awaited Messiah. Jesus is the Consolation of Israel, but He is also the Consolation for any person who turns to Him for salvation.
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Could you use some compassion? Does it seem like everything is going wrong? Are you trying your best but it never seems to be enough? Are you on a treadmill of bad habits that you’re trying to break but haven’t been successful? Do you feel like a failure? If you’ve ever felt one of those ways, then you know how our soul longs for compassion when we’re going through those times. 

Exodus 34:6 is an incredible word from God if you could use some compassion. “Then the LORD passed by in front of him (Moses) and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.’” 

Those are wonderful words to hear any time, but do you know when God expressed His compassion to Moses? It was on Moses’ second trek up Mount Sinai for a “redo” of the Ten Commandments. Why a redo? Because when Moses saw the Israelites worshiping the golden calf he angrily shattered them. Yes, God called Moses back up the mountain and showed him compassion. Our Heavenly Father is compassionate. Go to Him. Call on Him. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me, forgiving me, and being COMPASSIONATE toward me. Help me gratefully receive Your compassion and then extend it to others. 

Would you like to deepen your relationship with God? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you grow in your walk with the Lord. We offer several free resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

Are you familiar with the Ten Commandments listed in Exodus 20:1-17? How many of them do you know by heart? Before reading the following list, jot down from memory as many as you can. 

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” 

“You shall not make for yourself an idol…” 

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” 

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” 

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.” 

“You shall not murder.” 

“You shall not commit adultery.” 

“You shall not steal.” 

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” 

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife …or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 

How many of the ten did you recall? Which do you need to ask God to help you better remember and keep? The Lord is the Commander of our lives. Are we following His commands? 

Lord, You are a holy COMMANDER. Forgive me when I ignore Your commands. Help me be more faithful to live in a way that honors You.

Have you ever struggled to find the right words to pray? In those times, it can help to pray God’s Word. Click HERE to discover prayers for discernment, discouragement, knowing God’s way, and forgiveness.

Did you play the game, Hide and Seek, when you were a child? The familiar, “Ready or not, here I come” warns the person who is hiding to be ready. 

Did you know that the Lord gives us a, “Ready or not, here I come” that is not child’s play? It is a serious warning that Jesus is coming and we need to be ready. 

Revelation 1:5-7 records the warning. “Behold, He is COMING with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” 

Jesus is coming…again. The word, “amen” in verse 7 means there’s no discussing it. It’s happening. We will either be ready for Christ’s appearing because we’ve repented of our sins or Jesus will come and find us in our sin. 

If you’re not ready for Christ’s coming, respond to His gift of salvation today (John 3:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, and Romans 10:8-11). Repent of your sins. Confess Jesus as Lord. Receive His gift of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. Today is your opportunity. Prepare to meet Jesus. Ready or not, He’s coming. 

Lord Jesus, COMING KING, as You came to earth once, You are coming again. Thank You for cleansing me of my sin so I am ready to meet You. Stir the hearts of the unsaved to realize that ready or not, You are coming.