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Disheartened or Confident?
Have you ever come to the conclusion that there are few people you can really trust? When we’re told one thing and then find out the person never intended to follow through on their promises, it’s disheartening. That’s why we appreciate descriptions of God like we find in Psalm 18:30, “As for God, His way is blameless.”
Once again the Bible reiterates what we need and long to hear—that we can look to and fully trust our Lord. He is blameless, which in Hebrew means “whole, entire, sound, complete, wholesome, unimpaired, having integrity, entirely in accord with truth and fact.”
Reread the definition of blameless and celebrate and praise the Lord for who He is. Confidently voice your faith in Jesus Christ. Let the integrity of the blameless Lord shine through you.
Lord, thank You that I can look to and trust You, Your Word and ways, BLAMELESS One!
Want to learn more about building your confidence and trust in God? Watch this video by Debbie.
If You’re Alone, Broken, Sick
Are you alone? Are you emotionally all over the place? Are you broken? Are you sick? Ezekiel 34:16 tells us that God is in the business of tending to the lost, the scattered, the broken, and the sick. Listen to God’s promise. “I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick.”
Yes, there are times in our lives when we feel like we can’t take one more step or perhaps we can’t get through the day or night. How do we manage in those times? We remember that our Heavenly Father sees us, cares for us, and is with us. We turn to Him. We pray. We read the Bible, and are reminded of His love and guided by His truths.
God didn’t create a scattered, lost, and sick world. He created a world that was beautiful, peaceful, and perfect. All that for which our heart longs we will one day experience in His presence.
If you are struggling, begin keeping a gratitude journal of God’s faithfulness. It will encourage you, gladden your heart, and strengthen you.
Heavenly Father, Thank You that You are a God who BINDS UP the many ways I am broken and brings restoration to my soul. I love You.
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. Purchase your copy HERE.
Jaw Dropping Love
Have you noticed that hate between people seems to be in the news more than love is in the news? That’s what makes God the Father and Jesus’ love for us so jaw dropping.
Think about it for a minute. Jesus, at age 12, described the temple as the house of His Heavenly Father and in so doing claimed familial intimacy with God. At Jesus’ baptism, His Heavenly Father claimed intimacy with Him, saying, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). “Beloved Son” is a term that means esteemed, dear, favorite Son.
Yes, believers are sons and daughters of God. Yet when we ponder the magnitude of our Heavenly Father’s sacrifice in sending His favorite only begotten Son to die for our sins (John 3:16), and when we think of the magnitude of Jesus’ sacrifice when He left His Heavenly Father to come to earth to die for us, we can’t help but have profound gratitude and wonder at their love.
Heavenly Father and BELOVED SON, I praise You for Your magnanimous love, grace, and sacrifice. Thank You! I love You.
One of our key verses today is John 3:16. If you’d like to watch all of Debbie’s teaching on John 3 on YouTube, click HERE. To listen to her teaching on Spotify, click HERE.
The First and Ultimate Sustainer
No doubt, we are living in what feels like very uncertain and unstable times. Our world seems to be tearing at the seams with increased lawlessness, economic and political instability, fractured families, and the list goes on. As Christians, we know we’re not supposed to give into worry and fear, but it can be a struggle not to.
What can we do when we find our minds wandering down the dark paths of worry and fear? We can redirect our focus to God’s Word and promises. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” This verse reminds us that God is preexistent and the ultimate sustainer who holds all things together.
Yes, our world may seem like it’s falling apart, but we can trust that God is still sovereign and in control, even in times of uncertainty and chaos. If Christ is before all things, sustaining all things, then we should be encouraged to place our trust in Him. We should make Him the number one priority in our lives, knowing that He alone has the power to sustain us and grant us peace in times of instability.
Lord, I thank You that You are BEFORE ALL THINGS and in You all things hold together. I am comforted by this truth, knowing that You are the ultimate sustainer. Help me to turn to You in times of worry, fear, and uncertainty. I thank You for the peace that only You can provide.
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.
In Need of Something Beautiful?
Do you have enemies? Are you fearful? Do you have any problems? If so, David the psalmist is one from whom we can learn what to do in those times. What specifically did David do?
David kept his eye on the ball. That is, he kept his eye on God. He knew God to be the beauty in the “ashes” and chose to dwell on Him as expressed in Psalm 27:4. “One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple.”
What preceded David’s “ask” to dwell in the house of the Lord and behold the Lord’s beauty? His references to dread, evil doers, adversaries, enemies, and war.
Like David, we can choose to gaze and meditate on God’s beauty and His eternal temple in the midst of whatever agony, defeat, discouragement, and doubt we are experiencing.
What are you facing today? What do you perhaps dread? Why not take a moment like David did and shift your focus to the Lord and His beauty?
BEAUTIFUL LORD, I praise You. Thank You for being the beauty in my day and eternally; the One on whom we can gaze.
Do you know someone who could use some encouragement today? Scroll down and click on “Forward to a Friend” to share this blog post.
Empowered
Are you a Christian? Have you repented of your sins and asked the Heavenly Father to forgive you? Have you confessed Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If so, you’ve been cleansed of your sin. God has baptized you with the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit. But are you living an empowered life?
John the Baptist baptized people in water for the forgiveness of their sins, but explained that Jesus baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, who empowers us for daily living. “He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33).
In Acts 1:8, Jesus explained that when the Holy Spirit comes upon believers, they receive power that impacts their actions and calling. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
God’s provision for believers includes Holy Spirit anointed empowerment to do His will and work, to be His witness. If we’re trudging through our days, living by our own strength, and not being Christ’s witness, it’s time to check the pulse of the Holy Spirit in our lives and question whether we are truly living an empowered life.
Jesus, holy and wonderful BAPTIZER, I thank you that when I come to You in repentance, confessing You as Lord and Savior, You cleanse me. Realizing You have gifted me with Your amazing Spirit, awakens me to the importance of living by Your power and doing Your will.
We don’t have to live the Christian life in our own strength—Jesus sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit. To learn more about Christ’s incredible gift, listen to this podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.
When You Need a Rallying Point
Do you ever feel like the world, your flesh, or the devil are bearing down on you and you need a rallying point where you can find victory over your fallen nature and temptation? If so, remember how Moses looked to the Lord as his rallying point.
When Moses held high the banner of the Lord, the Israelites were victorious over their enemies. They fought in God’s name and strength, not their own. So significant was the Lord’s presence and reason for their victory that Exodus 17:15 says, “Moses built an altar and named it, ‘The LORD is My Banner.’”
God is just as present to help us as He was to help Moses. The Lord is our banner. When we lift His name high in prayer and look to Him for strength, we find victory over our sinful nature and the enemy. We fight strength to stand against worldly influences that are counter to Christ and His ways.
The next time temptation or your old nature starts to get the best of you, lift high the Lord’s name: Victorious Warrior. Prince of Peace. Faithful. Guardian of My Soul. Praise the Lord as Moses did and continue to praise Him throughout the day.
Lord, I praise You and lift high the BANNER OF YOUR NAME – victorious One.
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!
Why Awesome Is an Important Word
A few years ago, the word “awesome” became a catchphrase for any and everything. “Can you go Monday night? Awesome!” “This meal is awesome!” “I read an awesome book!”
If you’re like many, we began to tire of hearing the overused word. However, rather than throw out the word, the Bible points us in the right direction for when to use it. For example in Genesis 28:17, the word “awesome” is used in relation to heaven, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Exodus 15:11 uses the word “awesome” in relation to God and His works, “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?”
Yes, we might want to scale down on our use of “awesome” in relation to everyday events, but let’s use it often in relation to God.
I praise You, AWESOME GOD, and thank You for Your awesome works.
Our God is an awesome God, and so much more! Dive deeper into God’s Word and become better acquainted with His many attributes with the 365 Days of Praise devotional book. Purchase your copy HERE.
Since We Know, Are We Telling Others to Prepare?
In February 2021, a winter freeze took this Texas girl by surprise. Yes, I’d seen the warnings of a winter storm. In my mind, that meant cold weather and snow. I did think about the ice warning, but then went about my life. Then it got cold. And colder. And colder. I wasn’t prepared, and by the time I was in the midst of the snow, cold, iced-over roads, power outage, no water, and firewood running out, it was too late to do anything. I lived with the consequences of my lackadaisical unpreparedness.
As the water that had been collected in bowls froze inside our home, I thought of what I could do to be better prepared should we have another winter storm. I also thought of how terrifying it is going to be for people who have a lackadaisical attitude toward Biblical warnings of judgment and hell. Yes, many people are going on with their lives and not doing anything to prepare for the salvation of their souls. Thinking of the unsaved sitting in hell with no way to get out is a horrifying thought. Equally horrifying is to neglect Christ’s call to tell the unsaved how to be saved.
In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus tells believers with “all authority” to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nation.” In other words, sound the warning that a day is coming when everyone will stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives and will either live eternally in heaven or in hell. Are we obeying Jesus? Are we telling them how they can be saved? Are we making disciples?
Jesus, You are the AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. Forgive me when I ignore rather than obey Your commands. Create in my heart a passion to obey You and to go and make disciples.
Are you ready for Christ’s return and actively sharing your faith to help others prepare? Would you like some resources to help you better understand the times in which we live and to shift your focus to His return and eternity? Check out End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do. You can purchase the study HERE and access the accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.
A Cloud Is Watching Us
Do you ever feel like the days are flying by or think, “I can’t believe it’s already this month”? It’s true that there are times when the days seem to fly by as we race from one commitment to another. But have you ever considered that there are those watching you as you race about your day and through the years?
Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Gulp. There is a cloud of witnesses watching us? If your eyes are widened at this verse, be assured, mine have been as well.
How is it possible for us to run our race in a way that honors God? We can lay aside encumbrances and entangling sins. We can run with endurance with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith; following His example.
We have a race to run even as Jesus did. We may not like it and in fact, despise it. Yet God has set the joy of heaven before us and it is that on which we are to set our eyes as Jesus did.
About that great cloud of witnesses watching us race…. what are they observing about us? How will we run better today?
Lord Jesus, I praise You, the AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH. Thank You for taking the lead so I can follow You and Your example. I worship You.
Learn how to contend for the faith in the times in which we live through Debbie’s Bible study of Jude, Contend Earnestly for the Faith. Purchase a copy HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos, podcasts, and listening guides HERE.