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Are We Tolerating What Jesus is Against?
Jesus is the Son of Man who knows what it is to live in human skin. However, what is inside of Him is different from us. His innermost being is holy glowing purity. Revelation 2:18-20a describes the ascended Christ as having eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze. Revelation 1:16 describes His face as the sun shining in its strength. Imagine that visual for a minute. Jesus’ face is like the sun shining in its strength.
Following these magnificent otherworldly descriptions of Jesus, we’re told that Jesus, the Son of God, says this, “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first, but I have this against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality” (Revelation 2:19-20a).
Yes, Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He is slow to anger, but we must never forget that He is also the Son of God reigning in glory. He sees our deeds and what we tolerate that is against Him. Is there anything we need to repent of before we ask Him for His continued blessings?
So, What’s the Big Deal About Genealogy?
In the last several years, there has been an increase in the number of people wanting to know about their ancestors. However, genealogy has always been important in the Bible. For instance, consider the first verse of the first chapter of the first book of the New Testament, Matthew 1:1. It says, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.”
Just in case someone might doubt Jesus’ rightful place as heir to King David’s throne, His lineage is recorded for the next twenty-five verses. Yes, Jesus is the Son of God, but He is also the Son of David. Among the many important implications, it is important to recognize that Jesus knows what it is to live in human skin – to need a nap, to feel tears roll down His cheek, and to thirst as He hung on the cross. Jesus’ genealogy is well proved and we will one day see Him sitting on His throne.
SON OF DAVID, we praise You for willingly leaving Your heavenly home to put on flesh and live among us. We love and adore You.
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What Song Are You Singing?
Are you dragging through your day singing the blues? If so, that can change. You see, we have a choice about the music and songs we play in our head as we walk through our day. In Exodus 15:2, Moses tells us the music that empowered his walk.
“The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him.”
The word “song” in this verse can mean music or melody. In effect, Moses says, “The Lord is my melody. He’s the music to which I walk through my day.” What music or words play in your head as you go about your day? We can make the choice to tune our hearts to God’s voice and walk through our day singing His praises. Will we?
Heavenly Father, Thank You for being the SONG and melody by which we can walk through our day.
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Are Things Heating Up in Your Life?
Our Heavenly Father has a goal: to cleanse us of sin. Malachi 3:3 says, “He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.”
Malachi 3:3 explains that God sits as a smelter, or a refiner, watching over us as the heat of daily life, trials, and sufferings cause impurities to rise to the surface. He wants for us to be increasingly purified so we better reflect Christ.
What happens when sin glaringly rises in life? We have the opportunity to be appalled and confess the sin. Are things heating up in your life? If so, be assured that your Heavenly Father is close to you and watching over you. He hears your prayers and confessions. And, has anyone told you? You are reflecting Him more every day.
Lord, thank You, SMELTER of our mind, spirit, and soul. Purify us so we reflect Your image.
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The Difference in Slow and Fast
Are you hot-tempered or does it take a lot to get you angry? What kind of person would you rather be around – a hot-tempered or patient, loving one? What kind of Heavenly Father do you prefer? One quickly angered by your shortcomings or slow to anger?
If you said you’d rather be in a relationship with a Heavenly Father who is slow to anger and great in love, there’s wonderful news. Psalm 145:8 says, “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.” That’s something to thank and praise God for.
Lord, thank You for being SLOW TO ANGER. We love You and thank You for revealing Yourself to us in the Bible. Each of Your character traits encourages us. Our souls are at peace knowing You are an ever-present help.
The Prayers of My Heart prayer journal is a great place to record your thanks to God for all the ways He is revealed in the Bible. It is also a thoughtful and meaningful gift for someone who is going through a hard time. Share with them the benefit of focusing on who God is and because of who He is, the many ways He can help them.
Thank You for Your Prayers
Do you feel under fire by a barrage of personal, financial, physical, spiritual, or other attacks? If so, call out to your Heavenly Father, who David describes in Psalm 3:3 as a shield about him. Put on the spiritual armor He’s given you (Ephesians 6:13). Take His Word and soak your heart and mind in it (Psalm 119:97-98, 110-111, 114). Jesus hasn’t left us alone to suffer through life’s trials by ourselves. Cover yourself with His love and truth (from Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion).
The above words are from an excerpt of my book. Although you likely agree they are true, they are not always easy words to live by. Would you agree?
I am personally walking through a trial and would appreciate your prayers. I am having a lung biopsy this morning. We are praying that our Great Physician has gone before us and that the mass that was seen on a PET scan is not what it appears to be to the surgeon; but rather, is benign. While no one likes the fire of trials, I can testify to the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, peace, and that He shields us from fear and enables us to walk by faith. We serve a good God who loves us. Our trials are not a surprise to Jesus so I pray you run to Him, call out to Him, and are assured He loves you and is with you every step of the way; as I am assured He is with me this morning. Thank you for joining us in our prayer for a benign result.
Lord Jesus, You are a SHIELD about us. Thank You for Your love and for always being with us. Use us for Your glory.
The Lord is always present and wants us to talk to Him. Learn to pray more purposefully through Debbie’s book, “Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion.”
Praise to God Our Shelter
God is a shelter. As Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
From what does He shelter us? Snares. Enemies. Evil. How does He shelter us? He calls us to Himself. Just as we might call a child in from a hailstorm, God calls to us, “Come to Me.”
His Word shelters us from wayward thinking. His righteousness shelters us from falling for temptation. God is a shelter to the one who stays close to Him.
Lord God, thank You for being a SHELTER in the storms and temptations of life. We praise You!
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!
If You’re Devastated by the Separation
Have you ever been separated from someone and you desperately wanted to be with them? Whether the separation is due to death, divorce, disease, or distance, the pain of not being able to be with or even get in touch with a loved one is indescribable. “Indescribable.” That’s the word people often use when attempting to explain their loss, suffering, and sadness.
Jesus understands such depth of emotion. He loves us and created us to live in union with Him. Indescribable love drove Him from heaven’s glory to earth to seek and to save us. Jesus, separated from sinners, crossed the chasm between heaven’s glory and earth. He offers His outstretched hand to save us for eternity and to save us daily. How tightly are we holding to Him?
“For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).
Lord, we praise You. You, who are SEPARATED FROM SINNERS, who came to earth to save us. May we cling tightly to You every moment of our day and night.
Happy Labor Day! Find rest and renewal in God’s presence today by spending time in His Word. Use one of our free online Bible studies to guide you in your study.
Kidz Time 1 – Q
Hi Moms,
I’m super excited you’re here – feeding your child’s soul with Biblical truth they will carry through life!
Here is “Q” from Kidz Time 1.
Have fun! Love, Debbie
Whose Side Are You On?
Sides. Children learn the concept of “sides” at a young age. They’re on this side or that side of the field depending on their team. They learn about historical battles and those who fought on each side. The Bible tells us that there are spiritual sides. God is on one side and the devil is on the other side. They are battling over our souls.
Ephesians 6:16 tells us how to extinguish the devil’s flaming arrows. We’re reminded that we’re not in this battle alone. Our Heavenly Father is the Captain of our side. He wins the war against Satan because of Jesus who Isaiah 49:2 describes as a Select Arrow sent straight from God’s quiver to destroy the works of the devil and save our soul.
“He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver” (Isaiah 49:2).
Take courage. You may be in a skirmish, but if you’re a follower of Christ you’re on the right side.
Lord Jesus, God’s SELECT ARROW, thank You for coming to earth to destroy the works of the devil and take us to Your side. We love and praise You!
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.