365 Days of Praise
If Back Room Power Plays Are Getting You Down
Recently, there seems to be an increase in backroom power plays among people. It is disturbing regardless of what person, political party, or entity you support. I suppose that’s why I find such joy in meditating on Jesus. He is the only one who is pure, and He is the ultimate one to whom we can look.
In addition, it also helps to remember that He is above all. Yes, Ephesians 1:20-21 clearly states that Jesus is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come”.
Aren’t those beautiful words on which to meditate? Jesus is above every rule and authority and power and dominion. Above all. Above all. Do we get it? Christ is above all, not only in this age but also in the age to come. Hallelujah! And this is especially good news. He is our friend. He urges us to tell Him our needs. He offers to help when we call on Him. What a wonderful Savior.
Lord Jesus, You who are far ABOVE ALL rule and authority and power and dominions, I love and worship You.
The updated edition of the 365 Days of Praise Daily Devotional is now available on Amazon as a paperback and e-book. With 365 A–Z names and traits of God, daily prayers, and practical life applications, this devotional offers encouragement all year long. Get your copy HERE.
If You’re Worried About Dying
I thought I killed a bee, but realized I only stunned it as I watched it begin moving. There’s a difference between stunning something and killing, or abolishing, it.
When you think about death, does it worry you? Here’s the deal, and it’s great news. Second Timothy 1:10 assures us that we don’t need to worry about death. Why? The verse explains that when Christ died on the cross, He didn’t stun death. Rather, “…our Savior Christ Jesus, abolished death and brought life and immortality to light…”
In other words, when our body ceases to live, our spirit continues to live. Those who have placed their faith in Christ and are indwelt by Christ’s Holy Spirit will live eternally in His glorious presence. That is something to celebrate, not fear.
Lord Jesus Savior, I praise You that You ABOLISHED DEATH. Thank You for eternal life in You.
The Gospel of John is full of examples of Jesus seeking and saving the lost. It also recounts the death and resurrection of Jesus, which made a way for all to come to Him for salvation and receive eternal life. Access Debbie’s free online Bible study of John HERE.
Do You Need a “Yet” in Your Life?
Have you ever given yourself a good, hard look and thought, “I can’t do it”? Maybe you heard a sermon on forgiveness but thought, “I can’t”. Or maybe you’ve been sick all night and don’t think you have the strength to respond to a child’s cry.
The above situations are ones you’ve perhaps experienced, but ended up being able to do. But there was a person who once contemplated his situation and truly wasn’t able to perform it. Romans 4:17-21 recounts when God told Abraham that he would have a child with Sarah.
“Without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” Stop right there. Envision Abraham considering his body. “Isn’t going to happen,” he thinks. He considers his elderly wife who was unable to get pregnant in her younger years. “Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:20-21).
Amazing! Did you notice the word, “yet”? Are you facing something seemingly impossible? Why not do as Abraham and consider, “yet with respect to the promise of God”? God is present for you just like He was for Abraham. Look to Him. Trust Him.
Heavenly Father, help me remember that no matter my situation, You are ABLE. Help me grow strong in my faith like Abraham.
The Lord is always present and wants us to talk to Him through prayer. Learn to pray more purposefully through Debbie’s book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion.
In Times of Trouble
In your lifetime, how many people have you seen take positions of leadership and then be unseated? People and countries are often shaken by these changes. While some people are hopeful, others are fearful. Of the many assurances the Bible gives us, one is that our Heavenly Father has an eternal reign. He is seated on a throne and there is no person or principality who can unseat Him. Psalm 9:7 assures us, “the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment.”
Forever. Established. Those are comforting words. But what about His throne of judgment? The psalmist explains in verses 8-9. “And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Good news. In addition to the comfort of knowing that our Heavenly Father will remain long after our world’s rulers have come and gone, we have the comfort of knowing that He will righteously judge the world and be a stronghold for the oppressed. He is our stronghold, too, in our times of trouble. We can go to him. We can talk things over with Him. What do you need to talk to Him about today?
Heavenly Father, who ABIDES FOREVER, I give you praise. You have established Your throne and no one can unseat You. Thank you for being a God of equity. Thank you that I can come to you when I’m having trouble.
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When Fear Overtakes You
Have you seen the look in a child’s eyes when they were afraid because they couldn’t see where their parents were? Have you watched that child locate their parents and run to them? Have you heard a child cry for one of their parents? If so, consider Romans 8:15, which says believers have “received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba Father.’”
Abba Father can be translated from the Greek as “daddy.” So what does Romans 8:15 tell us? It tells us that our relationship with God is like that of a loving father with his child: tender, close, and so much more. Our Heavenly Father chose to adopt us. Jesus tells us to look to our Heavenly Father and pray in faith, not fear, “Our Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9).
To what degree does your Heavenly Father love and protectingly care for you? So much that He sacrificed His Son so that you can be a part of Their divine, eternal family; safe forever in heaven.
In a world where there are sometimes indifferent, uncaring fathers, isn’t it reassuring to know that we have a perfect and sacrificial Heavenly Father whose love for us is unchanging? Although we may be afraid at times due to the events in our life, nation, or world, we can look to our Father and be assured that He’s watching out for us and over us.
Each 365 Days of Praise devotional describes our Abba Father. As you read each one you have an opportunity to get to know your Abba Father more intimately. God is your Heavenly Father. Walk daily assured of His love and watchcare over you.
Heavenly Father, ABBA FATHER, thank You for adopting me as Your child. Help me get to know You more deeply and intimately. Help me walk confidently each day, assured of Your love and Your presence.
Happy New Year! Would you like to spend more time in God’s Word this year? We have several resources to help you. Check out our shop HERE and our free online Bible studies 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, Jesus, Zion’s King, whose reign cannot be counted by days, months, or years. He is an eternal king.
John 12:15 describes Jesus, Zion’s King’s first coming to earth as being lowly. “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SEATED ON A DONKEY’S COLT.” However, when Jesus, Zion’s King, returns to earth, He will come in power.
Revelation 19:11-16 describes His second coming.
“I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
ZION’S KING, You and Your reign are eternal and glorious. Praise, honor, and glory to You now and forever, amen.
As the New Year begins, 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 individually repent, to be zealous for Christ and live purposefully for Him? Will you respond to God’s zeal and pray more purposefully and live more passionately for Christ?
Lord, thank You for being ZEALOUS for me. Kindle in me a zeal for You that produces holiness and a zeal to reach my family, friends, neighbors, and 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 busy 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 with you about spiritual matters.
Just as we yearn for a relationship with those we love, James 4:5 tells us that Christ longs for a vibrant relationship with us. “Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: ‘He jealously desires (longs for) the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us’?”
Yes, the Lord created us with the capacity to have His Holy Spirit in us and to be in an intimate relationship with Him through the Spirit. The Spirit seals us for eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).The Spirit empowers us to witness and walk out our Christian faith (Acts 1:8, Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit is the One through whom we have intimate conversations with the Lord. (Ephesians 6:18, Romans 8:26)
James 4:5 is a wake up call to believers who are neglecting time and intimacy with Christ. What can we do if that has been the case; if we have been ignoring Christ’s Spirit who dwells in us? We can open the door to intimacy with Him as Revelation 3:20 tells us. “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,”
Lord Jesus, YEARNING SAVIOR, You long for intimacy with me. Forgive me for my preoccupation with other things. I love You and desire increased intimacy with You, Lord.
Would you like to learn more about Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit? Listen to this podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.
Self-Existing, Eternal God
Can you imagine what it was like before the universe was created? It’s difficult for our minds to fathom, but the Bible states that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit existed before the universe (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 a blazing fire from the midst of a bush. Exodus 3:14 records God’s words to Moses. “I AM WHO I AM…Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
“I AM WHO I AM” and “I AM” come from the word “Yahweh” or “YHWH” in Hebrew. “Yahweh” describes God’s self-existing, self-sustaining, and eternal nature.
God is not only the sustainer of His life, He is the creator and sustainer of all life. Nothing exists apart from Him. Colossians 1:16 explains, “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 says “we live, move, and exist in Him.”
Yahweh not only gives us physical life, He gives us spiritual, eternal life through Jesus. If you don’t already have a relationship with the self-existing creator and sustainer of all life, call on Him today.
YAHWEH, self-existing Creator and sustainer of life, I am in awe of You. Thank You for not only giving me physical life, but eternal spiritual life through Jesus. I 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 Excellence of Our God
I love the focus on God today and Psalm 8:9 KJV, which points to His excellent name: “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!”
Isn’t this what 365 Days of Praise is about: the names of God that draw us to more deeply appreciate the excellence of His character and marvel at every facet of Him that sparkles like a multi-cut diamond? I hope you are saying “yes” with me and are increasingly impacted by His excellence as you gaze on Him and yield your life to Him.
Look back at the names, titles, and characteristics of God in this book. Have you highlighted any attributes you want to remember and for which you are most thankful? Does it put a smile on your face to think about who God is? I pray it does, and I invite you to celebrate the following verses and praise God for His excellence:
“How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God!” (Psalm 36:7 KJV)
“Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.” (Psalm 150:2)
“Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things.” (Isaiah 12:5)
“…[Jesus]…has inherited a more excellent name…” (Hebrews 1:4)
“…He has obtained a more excellent ministry…” (Hebrews 8:6)
“…because an excellent spirit was in him…” (Daniel 6:3 KJV)
“…from the excellent glory…” (2 Peter 1:17 KJV)
Yes, the Lord’s name, ways, lovingkindness, ministry, Spirit, and glory are excellent. As Psalm 148:13 KJV instructs, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent.” Pray to increasingly reflect God’s excellence by your behavior (1 Peter 2:12).
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, You are EXCELLENT in all Your ways. I love and cherish You. Please infuse me with Your glory so people see and believe You are the only way to heaven. I love you, LORD.
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