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Finisher of Our Faith
If you’re a runner or know someone who is, you understand the importance of removing anything that might slow you down. You’re also aware of how critical it is to stay focused while running and not get sidetracked by any distractions. You or someone you know has probably also experienced weariness at some point while running—maybe toward the end of a race, a marathon, or a high-mileage run.
Hebrews 12 draws a comparison between the Christian life and running a race. The chapter starts out by encouraging believers to throw off any hindrances, such as sin, that so easily entangles, and to run the race with perseverance. Hebrews 12:2 goes on to say, “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher 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.”
Jesus despised the shame of the cross, yet He suffered through it in order to not only give us a start in our Christian walk, but to also make sure that our faith is perfected, complete, and finished. You see, Jesus is not only the author or the source of our faith, but He also oversees, sustains, and completes the faith of those who trust in Him. Philippians 1:6 reminds us of this—“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
It is with tremendous gratitude each of us should look heavenward in praise of our Lord and thank Him—the author and finisher of our faith!
Lord Jesus, we praise You! We thank You that You are not only the author, but also the FINISHER OF OUR FAITH!
We don’t have to run the Christian race alone. Jesus sent us a Helper—the Holy Spirit. To learn more about Christ’s gift, listen to this free podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.
It’s a Head Thing
I recently heard a television anchor report on a well-known religious leader whose viewpoint on a moral issue was contrary to the Bible. She then invited viewers to weigh in. “Let us know what you think. You can Twitter if you agree or disagree.” As she continued with the next story, my mind lingered on her words. Does she not know that our opinion or even religious leaders’ opinions are not what matters, but rather Jesus’ stance?
In Ephesians 1:22, Paul clearly states, “And He [our Heavenly Father] put all things in subjection under His [Jesus’] feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.”
We have seen in Scripture how Jesus is head of man, head of the church, head over all rule and authority. Paul now with a broad sweep of his pen summarizes that Jesus is head over all things.
It concerns me when churches and denominations vote their opinion rather than stand with Biblical teachings. Does it concern you, too?
Lord Jesus, HEAD OVER ALL THINGS, we confess our nation is drifting from You. Yet, some churches are also drifting from You and following cultural trends. Raise up strong, committed Christians who speak truth as recorded in Your Word and submit to You.
Would you like to grow in your faith? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you. In addition to our books and Bible studies, we offer several free Christian resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!
Broken Promises? Not This Time
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 us through Your blood sacrifice. We worship and praise You.
Happy Veteran’s Day to all our veterans. Thank you for your courage, service, and sacrifice. May God bless, strengthen, and protect you.
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When You’re In A Battle, Remember This
Are you familiar with the story of David and Goliath? It’s an account of a lad using a slingshot to overpower a giant. Unlike a Disney movie, it isn’t fiction.
I encourage you to open your Bible and read 1 Samuel 17 as if it were your first time. A number of things jumped out to me when I reread the passage.
David was confident that he would prevail over the giant. (Not could, but would.) He wasn’t hoping that luck would be on his side. Rather, his confidence was rooted in his past experiences when God had been there for him. Yes, Goliath was different from prior “giants” he’d faced, but God was the same present help.
First Samuel 17:45 records his confidence in God. “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.’”
Are you facing a giant in your life? Are you afraid you won’t prevail? Although people may offer you what’s worked for them in the past, their “armor,” the fact is, your reliance on the God of the Armies of Israel is what is necessary for God to empower you and ensure victory.
Is He your confidence today?
Heavenly Father, GOD OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL, I place my confidence in You.
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If You’re Struggling with Darkness
Have you ever been without electricity and light for a significant period of time? In 2021 a winter storm in Texas caused our home to be without electricity for six days during which I experienced darkness to a greater degree than ever before. Sitting in the darkness, I thought of what unbelievers will experience in eternity; forever separated from the light of Christ, who the prophet Zacharias referred to as the “Dayspring from on high” (Luke 1:78).
What did Zacharias mean when he used the term “Dayspring from on high” in reference to Jesus? No doubt, “Dayspring” refers to what we would expect—the light of day. Jesus, the Dayspring of heaven, brought heaven’s glorious light to our dark world. He brought it not only to our world at large, but to us individually when we turn to Him.
If you know someone who is not a believer, share with them that Jesus is the Dayspring from on High through whom they can have eternal light.
If you are struggling with darkness, if your thoughts are dark, if your perspective is dark, turn your face to the Dayspring from on High. Ask Him to rid you of any darkness, of any sin, and to fill you with His glorious presence, the Dayspring from on High.
Glorious DAYSPRING FROM ON HIGH, shine the light of Your presence on us and in us. Show us sins we need to confess. Forgive us. Fill us with the Light of Your presence.
Would you like some resources to help you triumph? Check out these books that can be read individually or used as group Bible studies: The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World and Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion.
What Does it Mean God is a Consuming Fire?
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 19:20 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, we worship and praise You.
Are you ready for Christ’s return? 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 as well as Contend Earnestly for the Faith.
Self-Existing, Eternal God
Can you imagine what it was like before the universe was created? It’s difficult for our finite human minds to even fathom. The Bible makes it clear that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit existed before the universe was formed (John 1:1; Genesis 1:2).
God has always been. He is self-existent and eternal. There has never been a time when He didn’t exist. God references this amazing quality about Himself when He appeared to Moses in blazing fire from the midst of a bush. God said to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I AM WHO I AM;…“Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” The names “I AM WHO I AM” and “I AM” come from the word “Yahweh” or “YHWH” in Hebrew. “Yahweh” is used to describe God’s self-existing, self-sustaining, and eternal nature.
Not only is God the sustainer of His own life, but He is the creator and sustainer of all life. Nothing exists apart from Him. Colossians 1:16 tells us, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Acts 17:28 also tells us that it is in Him that we live, move, and exist.
Not only did Yahweh give us physical life, but He also made a way for us to experience eternal life with Him through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. If you don’t already know and have a relationship with the self-existing creator and sustainer of all life, you can come to know Him today.
YAHWEH, self-existing creator and sustainer of all life, we are in awe of You. We thank You that You not only gave us physical life, but You also made a way for us to have eternal life. We love You.
Would you like to experience God’s sufficient grace and peace in your life? 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.
The King Who Reigns Forever
Elizabeth II of Great Britain, who died on September 8, 2022, reigned 70 years. The length of her reign is second only to Louis XIV of France who reigned 72 years. Their reigns can be counted to the day. There is One, however, whose reign cannot be counted by days, months, or years. Jesus, Zion’s King, is eternal.
John 12:15 describes the first coming of Jesus, Zion’s Kings, as lowly. “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.” However, Zion’s King will have a glorious second coming described in Revelation 19:16. “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Are you ready for the eternal King of glory, Zion’s King, the King of Kings, and Lord of LORDS’ arrival?
ZION’S KING, Your reign is eternal and glorious. Thank You for saving and sealing us for eternity with You in Your heavenly Kingdom.
Would you like some resources to help you better understand the times in which we live and to shift your focus to Christ’s return and eternity? Check out End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do as well as Contend Earnestly for the Faith.
A Time for Zeal
When we and our nation sin, are we mindful that God sees us? The Bible clearly says that God sees us and that there are consequences to sin. Joel 2:11 says, “The day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome. And who can endure it?” Joel 2:12-14a continues, “‘Yet, even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning; and tear your heart and not merely your garments.’ Now return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and relenting of catastrophe. Who knows, He might turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him…”
What is God’s response when we repent? Joel 2:18 says, “Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people.” God is zealous for us. Why? He wants us to take hold of the joy, beauty, and glory of the abundant life He gives us in Christ Jesus.
What better time than now for our nation to repent? What better time than now for us to be zealous for Christ and live purposefully for Him? Return God’s zeal by praying more purposefully and living more passionately for Christ. Watch Starting Strong for a refresher.
Lord, thank You for being ZEALOUS for us. Kindle in us a zeal for You that produces in us a zeal for holiness and a zeal for our brothers and sisters, a zeal for our neighbors, and a zeal for our nation.
Learn to seek God in prayer through Debbie’s book, Pray With Purpose, Live With Passion. Purchase your copy HERE.
Knock, Knock
Have you ever experienced someone who you deeply love being distant with you? Maybe your spouse has become swamped at work and “doesn’t have time” to talk. Perhaps a child or the person you were dating moved away and it seems they’ve forgotten you. Or, perhaps someone you care about has put Jesus on the “back burner” and doesn’t want to talk about spiritual matters anymore.
Just as we yearn for a relationship with those we love, James 4:5 tells us that Christ yearns, or longs for, a vibrant relationship with believers. “Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously
Yes, the Lord created us with the spiritual capacity to have His Holy Spirit in our very being. His gift of the Holy Spirit to believers at salvation is not only for the purpose of sealing us for eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:21-22), but to also empower us to witness and vibrantly walk out our Christian faith (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-23). Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit also provides a way for us to have intimate conversations with Him (Romans 8:6, Ephesians 6:18).
James’ words are a wake up call to believers who are inundated with the world and neglecting time and intimacy with Christ.
What can we do if we have put Christ, His Spirit in us, on the “back burner”? We can respond to Jesus’ call. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me,” Revelation 3:20. What an invitation to intimacy!
How will you respond to Christ’s knock? Will you open your Bible to James 4 and have a conversation with Jesus?
YEARNING SAVIOR, SPIRIT OF CHRIST, forgive me when I am so preoccupied with the world that I neglect You, Your Spirit and Word. Rekindle my passion as I draw near to You in prayer and the Word.
Would you like to learn more about Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit? Listen to this free podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.