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An Amazing Opportunity
Have you ever wished someone would listen to you? You may have even asked a person with whom you were talking, “Are you listening?”
We don’t have to wonder if God listens to us. Jeremiah 29:12 says that if we pray, He’ll listen. “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
Ponder God’s words. Say them out loud. Take hold of the reality, “When I call on God, go and pray to Him, He listens to me.” Yes, yes, yes! The God of the universe, the God of creation listens to you when you go to Him and pray to Him.
I think there is something we may miss in our multi-tasking culture. When God says, “come and pray to Me” that means we stop what we are doing in order to go to God. It’s the “come to Me” part rather than shoot “arrow” prayers toward God while we are doing something else.
Because God is Spirit, we do not have to leave our home or office to go to a certain place to meet with God. But we do need to be intentional about going to Him and calling on Him.
Do we take advantage of the amazing privilege and opportunity to live beyond ourselves; to live by the Almighty God’s guiding voice? If not, begin today. Go to God. Ask Him to lead you through your day. Ask for His wisdom. Pay attention to His voice in your thoughts.
Heavenly Father, thank You that when we come to You and call on You, that You LISTEN. Help us be mindful of the great privilege it is to come to.
Would you like to develop a deeper prayer life? Get a copy of Debbie’s book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion, to learn how.
Chewed Up and Spit Out
Do you ever feel like you’re eaten up with sin? Or can you look back to a time when you succumbed to temptation and satan “chewed you up and spit you out”? If so, no doubt you praise Christ for being the victor over the devil who prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) Yes, satan is the great pretender. He prowls like a roaring lion but he isn’t a lion. He mimics everything about Christ because he is insanely jealous that Christ is Lord, not him. The true lion? The genuine, real deal lion? Jesus is, as Revelation 5:5 explains.
“behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”
Jesus’ title, Lion of Judah, is traced to Genesis 49:9 when Jacob blessed his son, Judah, and referred to him as a young lion.
Christ is traced to this noble tribe of Israel. Rather than being a “young lion,” however, or a fictional lion king movie character, Christ’s title designates Jesus as the true Lion King, the noblest and most powerful One. As Revelation 5:5 states, Christ has overcome all, even death. He’s our Lion King. Give praise to Him and turn to Him when satan nips at your heels.
Lord Jesus Christ, LION OF JUDAH, we worship You! Thank You for all You have done to defeat satan and secure our salvation. Move in us increasingly so we are aware of Your presence and power.
Would you like to learn more about standing firm and resisting the devil, especially in the times in which we live? Watch Debbie’s teaching on 1 Peter 5 HERE or listen to it HERE. You can also purchase her whole Bible study on 1 Peter HERE.
When Your Head is Hangin’ Low, Try This
Have you ever had your head “hangin” low? Perhaps you were depressed. It seemed everybody or everything was against you. Or, maybe your head was “hangin” low in shame. Or maybe you are at a crossroads and don’t know what to do. The acclaimed King David knew what it was like to have his head hanging low. He penned these words, “You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” (Psalm 3:3)
His head had been down, but he knew on whom to focus – the Lord.
If your head is hanging low today, remember that God sees you and cares about you. Whatever you are facing, He is the lifter of your head, just as He was David’s.
Try the following.
1) Turn to Psalm 3 and read it. It is only 8 verses. Read Psalm 1, only 6 verses.
2) Write in your journal a verse that is meaningful to you and a verse that is instructive. Personalize the verses. For instance, I wrote in my journal, “Psalm 1:1a, 2-3b. How blessed is the woman whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law she meditates day and night.” Blessed, not stressed. Blessed, not head hangin low.
What happens when we follow our Father’s instruction and lift our heads and eyes to His glorious Word? We experience hope, peace, grace, and glory in Him. If your head is “hangin” low, lift it to God and His Word.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for giving us Your Word that LIFTS OUR HEAD. We love and praise You.
In the book of Psalms, King David would often shift his focus from his problems to praising God. We, too, can change our focus to praising the Lord when our head is hanging low. Use this FREE PRINTABLE to discover some of the countless attributes of Jesus to praise Him for.
A Good Name to Be Called
Who is your king?
If a foreigner asked us that question, we might reply that in America we have a president, not a king. But is that totally true? If we are a believer, we not only have a president, we also have a king. Isn’t that exciting? Isn’t that the reason for our victory in daily life, the reason our focus and countenance are above earthly circumstances? We have a sovereign King who is ruling our life.
Our King transferred us from Satan’s domain to His glorious Kingdom. Our King sealed us with His Holy Spirit. Our King’s laws are eternal and good. Our King calls us saints, not subjects. “Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints.” Revelation 15:3 NKJ.
Yes, you are a saint of the Lord. I am a saint. But, do we always act like a saint? Is our demeanor that of a saint? Do we display our King’s love, kindness, and grace? Do we show forth His glory and speak His words?
What a glorious title our Lord has given us: saint.
KING OF SAINTS, we love and thank You for changing our title from sinner to saint. We know it is only through the sacrificial blood of Christ that we are given that name. Help us daily live up to the title and calling You have bestowed on us so we bring honor and glory to You and Your kingdom. We love You, our Lord and King.
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Feeling Spiritually Sluggish?
Do you ever feel sluggish? You know – blah? Can’t quite find your “get up and go” even though there are things you could be, should be doing? Nobody likes that feeling. So what do we do when we don’t feel motivated to pray, work, or get moving? We lift up our souls to God. (Psalm 143:8) We read God’s Word regardless of how we feel and while reading we are encouraged and inspired. God’s thoughts become our thoughts. His passions are our passions. We ask our Heavenly Father to give us the mind and energy of Christ. The King James Version of 1 Corinthians 15:45 contrasts the first man, Adam, with the “last Adam,” Jesus, in this way: “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a Quickening Spirit.” As a Quickening Spirit, Jesus arouses and invigorates us. Christ-followers are not spiritually dead. We’re alive. Pray and ask God to fill you with His Holy Quickening Spirit. Then pay attention to His promptings in your heart and mind.
TIP: I daily open my journal so I can record what God quickens me to pray and what He prompts me to do. Having our Bible, pen, and journal in hand shows God we are ready to listen to and follow His promptings.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus who is a QUICKENING SPIRIT! Arouse and invigorate us to do Your will.
Are you looking for a prayer journal to organize and record your prayers, praises, and promptings from the Lord? Grab a copy of the Prayers of My Heart prayer journal HERE.
Who Is Your Spirit Guide?
When you were a child, did you play “follow the leader”? If so, you probably remember how important it was to do what the leader did. If they placed their hand on their head, you were supposed to place your hand on your head. If they touched their toes, you were supposed to touch your toes. In order to follow, you had to keep your eye on the leader. You had to pay attention to the leader’s words. In Isaiah 48:17 God explains something that is not child’s play. Rather, it’s an incredible offer by our Spirit guide and leader from on high. He says,
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.”
Many people seek a human guide, palm reader, or turn to Tarot cards for direction. Yet they are mere human instruments. God freely offers Himself, His Holy Spirit, to lead us. How closely are we listening to Him? How well are we following His lead?
God, You are our LEADER! What a blessing to follow You!
Have you ordered a copy of Debbie’s newly published book, From My Heart, Poems of Faith? Within the pages, Debbie beautifully records her thoughts and prayers through the following sections: “Prayers to the Father,” “Poems of Faith,” and “Poems to Encourage.” As you read through each poem, you’ll find words of hope, comfort, and encouragement that deeply resonate with your heart. Grab a copy HERE.
If You’re Getting Run Over
If you’re a parent or teacher have you ever “laid down the law” to a child and said, “Look left and right before you cross the street”? Why do we say that? Because we don’t want them to get run over by cars. In like manner our Heavenly Father lays down moral and ethical laws so we don’t get run over by the devil and our fleshly carnal nature. If we don’t obey Christ and His teachings, we hurt ourselves and those close to us. Flattened by sin, face in the gravel, groaning in pain (physical or emotional), our eyes are opened to the “why” of God’s commands that we perhaps ignored. Isaiah 33:22 explains why as citizens of God’s kingdom we are to live by His laws.
“For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us”—
Our Heavenly King gives us laws to save us from pain, guilt, untimely death, loss, regret, and so much more. In what way might you be running in the streets of sin chasing a ball of self- indulgence, pride, money, resentment, or an unhealthy friendship about which God has warned you to stop? God is our spiritual, physical, mental, financial, emotional, and relational lawgiver. We’re saved from pain and blessed beyond measure when we listen to Him and obey His commands. Are we?
Heavenly Father, we praise You, our LAWGIVER, for Your commands and teachings that protect us from getting run over by sin.
Join us beginning July 10th for a new study on the book of Jude. Through the study, you’ll learn about the importance of guarding your faith and being mindful of what you are being taught. For more information and to register, click HERE.
3 Cheers for Lavish Living
Are you living lavishly? I am. It’s so wonderful to have more than I need or could use in my lifetime. I feel blessed beyond measure. I hope the same is true for you. Peace replaces worry when we know we are safe, secure, and covered regardless of what comes our way. Oh, I’m sorry. Did you think I was talking about money? No, I was talking about grace. Money doesn’t get you into the kingdom of heaven. Grace does. Money doesn’t satisfy. Grace does. Money doesn’t make your heart sing. Grace does. Money runs out. Grace doesn’t. Oh, friend, are you mindful of the riches of God’s grace? Are you living in the joy and reality of it? Ephesians 1:7-8 calls us to praise and sing.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”
I often look up words in their original language to get a deeper grasp of the fullness of their meaning. The word “lavish” comes from the Greek word perisseúō which means to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; abundant, enough and to spare. So, yes, I’m living lavishly. Daily, His lavish grace sustains me for heaven. When I sin and turn to God in genuine repentance, He responds with lavish grace. It’s amazing, friends, and we ought to be living joyfully, mindful of God’s superfluous grace that He continually pours on us. If you’re not a Christian, I pray you’ll join me in living lavishly. No cash can substitute for grace.
Heavenly Father, we are dancing in our spirits and souls over your LAVISH GRACE. Help us live mindful of it with joy in our hearts and a smile on our faces. We love You and thank You!
Would you like to experience more of God’s lavish grace? Check out Debbie’s Bible study, “Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos” by clicking HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts by clicking HERE.
Are You One of the Few?
It’s another day. Maybe it’s a great day. Or, it may seem like the worst day of your life. What are we to do when it’s the worst day? If we’re wise, we’ll follow David’s example. He had ups and downs and promises unfulfilled for what seemed a long time. What do we learn from him? In 2 Samuel 22:29, we find his key to success. “You are my lamp, O Lord; and the Lord illumines my darkness.” If we didn’t know the context in which he said this, we might think David is sailing through life with God as His lamp. But when we read the verse in context, we discover he’s been in the dark, battling an enemy, and has walls to get over. (2 Samuel 22:29)
Are you in the dark? Are you battling something? Are there walls you need to get over? The fact that there are dark, difficult struggles in our life is not what is unusual. The fact that the Lord of the Universe is our personal illuminator through them is incredible! There are many people, according to Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14), who do not have God as their lamp. If you are one of the few who does, you are incredibly blessed. The question is – are you turning to your lamp? Are you walking in the light He shines on your path? Are you reading His enlightening Words in Scripture? Are you following His illuminating Spirit as you quieten your heart in prayer; asking, then listening for His guidance?
Lord, the fact that You, the Lord of the Universe, offer Yourself as a LAMP to our path is unique and incredible. May we who know You respond gratefully and wisely seek and follow Your Light.
Are you facing disappointment or struggling with unmet expectations? Get a copy of The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World to discover how to take charge of your thoughts and let God reignite your hopes and dreams.
A Heavenly Provision
Do you remember the account when God called Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac? I’ll never forget when the words of Genesis 22:8 jumped off the pages of the Bible and into my heart. Abraham said to Isaac as they walked to the place where he was to sacrifice Isaac, “‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together.” (Genesis 22:8) Think about those words.
God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice.
And, He did. A ram appeared in the bushes and Abraham sacrificed the lamb in Isaac’s place. And, so God does that for us. He provided the Lamb – Jesus – innocent, holy, undefiled – to be the sacrifice for us.
God provided for Himself the sacrifice.
God provided for Himself what no human could provide – a worthy sacrifice; heaven’s Lamb. Years later, the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth was first made to shepherds. The shepherds left their flock to find and worship Jesus, the LAMB of God. “‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 1:28-29
If you have never thought deeply about how much God loves you and that He provided His Son to be the sacrifice for your sin, today would be a good day to let the words of the Bible jump off the page and into your heart.
Jesus, LAMB OF GOD, thank You for giving Your precious life as a sacrifice for our sins. Father, thank You for sacrificing Your Son to save us from our sins. We adore and worship You!
Jesus, the Lamb of God, demonstrated the greatest love when He died on the cross for our sins. To learn more about His ultimate sacrifice, watch Debbie’s teaching on John 19 HERE or listen to it HERE.