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Merciful and Long-suffering God

Many non-believers today, especially those in the entertainment industry, have no qualms about openly mocking God and Christians. Although witnessing such actions may feel disheartening and grieve our spirits, it should come as no surprise to believers. The Bible warns that there will be mockers and scoffers in the last days (Jude 1:18; 2 Peter 3:3). In 2 Peter 3:4, the Bible also forewarned that scoffers will challenge the truth of Christâs return by saying, âWhere is this âcomingâ He promised?âÂ
Second Peter 3:9 goes on to declare that âThe Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.âÂ
Christ can choose to return at any time, but His desire is for all to come to repentance. He wishes for none to perish, but for all to have eternal life by believing in Him (John 3:16). What might seem like a delay in Jesusâ return is actually an incredible display of mercy and patience towards those who donât believe, and even those who openly mock God.Â
Hereâs something to keep in mind, though⊠âthe day of the Lord will come like a thiefâ (2 Peter 3:10). Although the Lord is patient with the lost, He will come. Just as Christâs first coming was prophesied and fulfilled, we can rest assured that the prophecies about His second coming will be fulfilled as well.Â
Lord, thank You that You are patient, NOT WISHING FOR ANY TO PERISH. Although You are merciful and long-suffering, I never want to take that for granted. I know Your Word is true and You will return soon. Help me live each day in light of that promise.
We can’t take material possessions with us when we pass into eternity. The only thing that will go with us is other people. Store up treasures in heaven by helping us spread the Word and love of Jesus. Here are some ways you can help.Â
- Tell others about our free online Bible studies.
- Share 365 Days of Praise using the social media icons, below, or by forwarding to a friend through email.
- Subscribe to Debbie’s YouTube channel and “like” her video teachings.
- Follow Debbie on Facebook and Instagram.
- Join our prayer team.
- Give to Hill Country Ministries.Â
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While He’s Away

Jesus told a parable in Luke 19:11-22 portraying Himself as a nobleman who went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for Himself and then returns.Â
Before He departed, He gave minas (wages) to His servants so they could carry on His business while He was away.Â
Two of the servants took seriously what He entrusted them to do.Â
When the nobleman returned, he honored them and entrusted more to them. But he called the servant who didn’t do anything with the mina He had given him, “worthless” (Luke 19:22).
Let’s break this down.Â
Jesus is the nobleman. At salvation, He entrusts a spiritual gift to every believer so we can do His work on earth while He is in heaven. We are either faithfully doing the good works He’s prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10) or we’re being unfaithful to Him.Â
What has Jesus called you to do? How faithfully are you doing His work while He is away?
Jesus Christ, heaven’s NOBLEMAN, stir my heart to serve You faithfully and fully.
Discover the joy of praying more purposefully and living passionately for Christ as He equips you to do His work on earth. Get a copy of Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion HERE. The book can be used as a personal study or a 10-week group study.
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Near or Far? Here’s the Answer

Jesus told His disciples He was going to die and ascend to His Father in heaven, but that He would not leave them as orphans (John 14:16-18).Â
Jesus explained that He would send a Helper to them and that the Helper would not only be with them, but also in them.Â
Did you catch that? âInâ them?Â
You can’t get any closer to someone than to be in them.Â
That is God’s gift to believers. Christ’s Holy Spirit is in you. Not far away. Near. In.Â
Still not convinced? Read what Psalm 145:18 says: “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”
God is in you, believer. Near as near can be to you. Call on God in sincerity and truth.Â
Lord, You are NEAR, not far removed from me. You are so near, You are in me through Your indwelling Holy Spirit. Thank You that I can call on You in sincerity and truth.Â
In Debbieâs teaching on John 14, she discussed Jesusâ promise of sending a Helper (the Holy Spirit) to not only be with His disciples, but also dwell in them. To watch a clip from Debbieâs teaching on this subject, click HERE.Â
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Why Jesus?

“Why?” That was the question Millennials asked me at a conference where I was speaking. Why this… Why that… “I guess that’s why we’re called the Y Generation,” a 29-year-old explained. “We want to know why.”
Millennials, the “Y Generation,” are those born during the 1980s and early 1990s. They’re the children of Baby Boomers. Those in Generation Y aren’t prone to accept pat answers. In other words, just because a preacher, teacher, or parent says something, that doesn’t necessarily make it true.
So how do we answer their question, “Why believe in and follow Jesus?” For this reason: Jesus demonstrated that He was more than just a man. People witnessed His resurrection from the dead three days after He had been crucified by skilled executioners. Jesus was who He proclaimed to beâthe way, truth, and life. Peter, a witness of Jesusâ life, death, burial, and ascension into heaven spells it out, “there is no other name under heaven that has been given by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). That’s why. There is no other name by which we are saved. Confidently, boldly, and gladly speak the truth out loud to the âY Generationâ and everyone else.
Jesus, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, I praise You, Lord and Savior. You are the answer, and I love You.Â
Our key verse today is Acts 4:12. To watch all of Debbieâs teaching on Acts 4, click HERE. To listen to her teaching, click HERE.
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Important Upside Down Thinking

Isaiah prophesied something we would never imagine: that the holy God would allow His Son to become a servant who would take manâs punishment for their sins. “My Servant will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11).Â
âBear their iniquities.â Let those words sink in. Jesus bore your sin. I can hardly get my mind around, âJesus bore my sin.â I feel so badly that He had to do that for me in order for me to go to heaven. Do you?Â
It is in the Father and Sonâs actions, Jesus becoming a Servant who would die on the cross for us, that we see proof of their great love. As Jesus said in John 15:13, âGreater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends;â exactly what Jesus did.Â
What had Jesus been teaching prior to His definition of the greatest of love? That His followers are to love as He does. âThis is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you,â John 15:12; continuing in verse 14, âYou are My friends if you do what I command you.âÂ
Jesus was a servant to His Father; as we are to be His servant. Are we living to serve the Father and Son or living to serve ourselves? The proof is our love for others; our love in action.Â
Lord Jesus, who the Father calls, âMY SERVANT,â I worship You. Thank You for bearing my sins. I love and adore You. Quicken me to be as You, laying down my life, serving the Father, loving others.
To watch all of Debbie’s teaching on John 15, click HERE. To listen to her teaching, click HERE.Â
How Big Is Your God?

How big is God to you?Â
How often do you recognize God moving and working in powerful ways in your life?Â
How often does something good come your way, and you pass it off, thinking, “That’s nice.”Â
Or, do you bow your heart in humble gratefulness and thank the Most High for what He has done?
In other words, from God’s perspective, are you mindful of His presence and power in your life? Are you grateful or ungrateful?
David is an example to us of someone who was mindful of Godâs presence and power. He not only was mindful, he expressed his awe and gratitude to God. Â
For instance, one time after David cried to God in his distress, God responded through what others might call favorable circumstances. But David’s response was, “The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice” (2 Samuel 22:14).
David recognized and worshiped God as âMost High.â Do we?Â
Lord, MOST HIGH, give me eyes to see You working in my life and the lives of others. Give me a heart of praise to You, Most High God.
If you enjoyed this content and want to watch video teachings by Debbie, consider subscribing to her YouTube channel. Go HERE and click the subscribe button to be notified of new teachings.
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Do You Need a Miracle?

Do you need a miracle; something extraordinary in your life? What do we mean when we use the word miracle? Websterâs Dictionary defines it as “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency; just as rising from the grave.” Another definition is “a highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences;” such as, “it was a miracle that more people hadn’t been killed or injured.” Perhaps it’s that last definition we use most often. “It’ll be a miracle if I can manage everything going on in my life.” Or, “It’ll be a miracle if our marriage makes it.” Let me ask again, “Are you in need of a miracle?” If so, your best hope for experiencing one is to go to Jesus. Why?Â
Galatians 3:5 describes Jesus as the Miracle Worker. “So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or hearing with faith?”
As we consider Jesus, the Miracle Worker, it’s important to consider the combination of âmiracleâ and âworker,â as well as faith. Our miracle isn’t going to happen with the twitch of our nose. Jesus’s miracles involved power (Luke 8:46), often a person taking part in faith (John 5:8-9), and often occurred as the person acted in obedience (John 9:6-7).Â
Rather than demand, “God, do this now,” weâre to thank Him for what Heâs already done and obediently take the next step He shows us.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being involved in my life. Youâre the MIRACLE WORKER who can help others and me. Open my ears and eyes to Your instructions so I faithfully follow Your leading.Â
Jesus, the Miracle Worker, demonstrated His healing power in John 5 when he told a man who had been ill for 38 years to pick up his pallet, walk, and sin no more. Watch Debbieâs teaching on John 5 HERE or listen to it HERE.
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Better Than Mighty Mouse

Did you watch the cartoon “Mighty Mouse” when you were a child? Do you remember the chorus, “Here I come to save the day! That means that Mighty Mouse is on the way!” Â
When I was young, I was confident Mighty Mouse would save the day no matter the dire situation.Â
Growing older doesn’t mean we no longer need someone to save us and our day. We do. We need someone to save us from sin. We need someone to save us from fear. We need someone to save us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Unlike a cartoon character, the One on whom we call is real.Â
Joshua 22:22 proclaims, “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, the Mighty One, God, the Lord!” God is the Mighty One. He can save you and He alone. Call on Him.Â
Commit Psalm 119:147 to heart, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.”
Heavenly Father, help me be mindful that You are the MIGHTY ONE who saves no matter the dire situation. Help me confidently wait for Your words to guide me through each situation.Â
Do you have a friend or family member you would like to introduce to Jesus? Share this link with them: âMeet JesusâŠExperience His Grace.â
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Not Just Any Man

Jesus came to earth as a baby so He might grow into a man, but not just any man. He came from heaven as our Messiah.
Andrew heard John the Baptist announce that Jesus was the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world. Andrew followed Jesus and after spending time with Him, he told his brother, Simon Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41).
Andrew was intentional about his search for the Messiah and after finding Him, he was intentional about telling others. In what ways can we be more intentional about sharing Christ with others? We can begin by praying for the unsaved to turn to Christ.Â
What can we pray for those who do not know Christ as Messiah? Here are 8 suggestions.
- Pray they grow tired of the things of the world.
- Pray for their safety.
- Pray the Holy Spirit quickens their mind to the truth.
- Pray the glitz of the world loses its appeal.
- Pray they hear the Word and believe.
- Pray God opens their eyes.
- Pray they look up to God.
- Pray they repent and confess Jesus as Lord.
Jesus Christ, MESSIAH, You are love, forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy! Help me be as Andrew – intentional about following You and telling others about You.
Help us spread the Word and love of Jesus by sharing this blog post using the social media icons below.Â
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Why Did I Do That?

Have you ever done something and immediately afterward you said, âShoot! Why did I do that?â That happened to me the other day. Iâd tackled a stack of papers that had accumulated on my desk, you know, the to-dos, notes to myself, as well as important papers like bills. I was quite pleased with the amount Iâd shredded. Then, after writing out a check and looking for the self-addressed envelope, I realized Iâd shredded it, too.
My haste had made waste. It caused me to stop and think about how I handle my days. Am I running around so busily that in my haste I waste precious time that could be spent with my Heavenly Father in prayer and meditating on the important truths in the Bible?
If you, like me, donât want to get to the end of your life and realize that in your daily haste you wasted time that could have been spent in prayer and Bible reading, please join me HERE.
