365 Days of Praise

Trying to please people who are difficult to please can cause us to feel defeated and drained. However, it helps if we place our primary focus on pleasing the One who is most important – our Heavenly Father. Jesus models doing that even when others were disappointed in Him. For instance, no doubt the disciples were disappointed when Jesus didn’t resist being crucified. Martha and Mary were disappointed when Jesus delayed coming to their sick brother’s side. Jesus explains His actions in John 8:29. “He (the Father) who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” No, we can’t always please others. But we can follow Christ’s example of pleasing our Heavenly Father. Following are ways Jesus pleased the Father. Which are you doing? Which might you begin to do?

• Jesus used Scripture to stand against Satan’s temptations. We can do that.
• Jesus shared His Father’s kingdom principles, how to be forgiven, and how to be saved. We can do that.
• Jesus reached out to people; to help them. We can do that.
• Jesus looked up in prayer and thanked His Father for hearing Him. We can do that.
• Jesus prayed before He made decisions. We can do that.
• Jesus followed His Father’s leading rather than doing things on His own initiative. We can do that.

Heavenly Father, as Jesus was PLEASING to You, help me be pleasing to You.

Looking for some more resources to deepen your relationship with God? Click HERE to check out the books and Bible studies written by Debbie. You can also access free online Bible studies by clicking HERE. 

Life is filled with joy, but also pain. Sometimes the most painful questions we ask are, “Why didn’t God heal a loved one or friend?” If you’ve had those questions, you’re not alone. We don’t have the answers to many questions. In times of pain, when we don’t understand and we don’t have answers, we look in faith to Jesus. He allowed Himself to die so we’d have visible evidence of not only His love but also eternal healing.  

Jesus knew there would be challenging questions on this side of heaven. He said to those listening to His teachings in Luke 4:23, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself!'” But instead of preventing His death, He died a painful death with no pain killers and with no one holding His hand. He died to pay for our sins and, by His resurrection, gives proof of ultimate eternal healing. For that, we are grateful beyond words and continue to look in trust to our loving Savior and Great Physician. 

Jesus, eternal PHYSICIAN, thank You for rising from the dead so I can see the ultimate healing You give to all who place their faith in You; to me. 

If you’re struggling with disappointment or unmet expectations, find encouragement in Debbie’s book, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World. 

Do you ever hang your head in shame because of sin? Do you ever feel bad about something you’ve done or said? If so, I’m with you. I get discouraged when I know the right thing to do and don’t do it (Romans 7:15). However, remembering who our great Lord is brings encouragement. I love knowing that Jesus is perfect and He has taken it upon Himself to perfect me, as 1 Peter 5:10 states. 

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”  

What does it mean that Christ will perfect us? The Greek word for “perfect” means “to make one what he ought to be.”  Isn’t that reassuring? We will, in eternal glory, be who we ought to be, who Christ created us to be, perfect.  

In the meantime…

• Are we responsible for cooperating with the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? Yes!
• Are we to be intentional about renewing our minds according to God’s Word? Absolutely!
• Are we to daily look at who Christ is, repent of sin, and pray for the Spirit to transform us into Christ’s image? Yes!  That is what we are doing with 365 Days of Praise. We look at who Christ is, repent of our sin, and seek His holy filling. (2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:18) 

Christ is perfect and He is our perfecter. All praise to Him!

Lord, thank You for not only calling me to Your eternal glory, but for also being the PERFECTER who is transforming me into Your image. I love You and give You praise!

Would you like to do a more in-depth study of 1 Peter? Grab a copy of Debbie’s 1 Peter Bible study, Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos, HERE. The study includes free accompanying videos and podcasts, which can be accessed HERE.

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect“? Or has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect” in defense of something they’ve done? It’s a common response because it’s true. No human being is perfect. But Jesus pointed out that God the Father is. “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Perfect…the height of virtue and integrity. It is God’s height of virtue and integrity that Jesus directs us to and calls us to seek after. Rather than Jesus letting us off the hook, He sees the potential for us to be transformed into His likeness through His Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 

Transformation requires that we be intentional. We look intently at who God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are.

In what ways does the Bible point to God being perfect? 

• His character is perfect. (Galatians 5:22)
• His works are perfect. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
• His laws are perfect. (Psalm 19:7)
• His faithfulness is perfect. (Isaiah 25:1)
• His peace is perfect. (Isaiah 26:3)
• His patience is perfect. (1 Timothy 1:16)
• His love is perfect. (1 John 4:18)

Our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit are perfect. They are the Ones to whom we can look and follow. 

Lord, You are PERFECT. Thank You for Your perfect character, works, laws, faithfulness, peace, patience, love and more. As I look at You, transform me into Your image.

Would you like to learn more about walking by the Holy Spirit? Listen to these free podcast teachings: “Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.”

Many of us today seek peace. We may watch a movie or scroll through social media to distract us from anxious thoughts. We may pursue financial security, hoping money will bring peace. 

Although pursuing things in search of peace may not be bad in and of itself, it’s important to recognize the source of true peace, which Judges 6:24 explains is the Lord. “Gideon built an altar to the Lord and named it ‘The Lord is Peace.’” 

The Lord is Peace. Jesus affirmed this before His ascension into heaven. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). The peace Jesus promised wasn’t just for the disciples, but for us. Jesus understood the troubles and trials of life. But in the midst of them, He gives peace that supersedes what the world offers. I came to know this peace when I was 29 years old and received a letter from MD Anderson telling me that I had Stage 1 ovarian cancer. I experienced it again in 2024 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and went through chemo, a lobectomy, and radiation treatments into 2025. Even now, as I take a daily pill that targets the gene that caused my cancer, I continue to rest in Christ’s peace. As I cried out to God, He assured me that He would be with me, my husband, children, and grandchildren. If I died, He would take care of them and I would be in heaven with Him. Jesus’ peace flooded my soul. 

Do you know His peace? Do you practice and experience Philippians 4:6-7 “…be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If you don’t know the peace Jesus offers, cry out to Him today. Proclaim as Gideon did, “The Lord is Peace.”

Lord, thank You for the PEACE You give that is not of this world. 

If you or a loved one are walking through cancer or another difficult season, we invite you to visit Hope for the Cancer+ Journey. There you’ll find encouraging resources, uplifting music, and reminders of God’s presence to help you experience His peace day by day.

Are you concerned for a family member or friend who refuses to trust Jesus for salvation? Are you worried they’ll die apart from Christ? 

If we’re concerned for the unsaved, it’s for good reason. This world isn’t all there is. There is life beyond the clouds that we can’t see just as there is life below the oceans we can’t see. Yes, all people are alive after they pass through this life—either in Christ’s presence or apart from Him for eternity.  

Jesus implores us to take the way to heaven, through Him. So, what do we do if an unsaved friend or family member refuses to turn to Christ? We align ourselves with the Lord, who we’re told in 2 Peter 3:9 is “not slow about His promise, but is patient…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 

God is patient. Keep praying. Keep looking for opportunities to speak the truth in love.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being PATIENT. Help me be like you—patient and prayerful.

Do you know someone who could use some encouragement today? Scroll down and click on “Forward to a Friend” to share this blog post.

The July 4 floods in the Texas Hill Country were a reminder of how suddenly trials can come. The book of James reminds us that God is near in every trial, offering wisdom and peace. Join us for a Bible study on the book of James beginning September 17, 2025. More information and registration can be found HERE. 

Has anyone ever given their life so you could live? During the floods in the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, neighbors and first responders braved dangerous waters to rescue others. But what about you? Has anyone heroically jumped in front of a car to save your life or pulled you to safety from flood waters? If so, no doubt you cherish them for what they did for you. 

In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul says that Christians should live in a Christ honoring way since He gave His life for us. “Clean out the old leaven (sin)…. For Christ, our Passover also has been sacrificed.”

Christ, our Passover, is a reference to the Passover lamb sacrificed for people’s sin. Paul rebukes the Corinthians because rather than being a Christ honoring church, they allowed immorality among the members. Rather than mourn over sin, they permitted it. Paul’s words spin their heads (and maybe ours) back in the right direction.

• Christ died because of our sin and immorality. How can we think accepting what He died for is okay? “Clean the sin from your life,” Paul urges.
• Demonstrate love, honor, and respect for Christ, our Passover Lamb, by living righteously for Him.

Christ, my PASSOVER Lamb, forgive me when I live for what You died for—my sin. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to live righteously for You, before You and others. 

Want to learn more about living by Christ’s divine nature? Get Debbie’s Bible study on 2 Peter, Living by the Divine Nature Instead of Our Fallen Nature, HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.

Are you familiar with Jesus’ teaching, “Ask, and it will be given to you,” Matthew 7:7? Ask means to call for, to request of someone. Jesus teaches us to request of the Father what we need. But Jesus not only teaches us to ask God for desired needs, but He also asks God for things. In John 14:16, Jesus told His disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Paraclete), that He may be with you forever…” Who is the Paraclete? He’s the Holy Spirit (Helper) who is with us forever.

Studying the Greek definition of the word “Helper” or “Paraclete”…ummm…helps. Consider the following definition of Paraclete: 

• Someone summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid.
• One who pleads another’s cause before a judge, counsel for defense, an advocate.
• Of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after His ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.¹ 

It’s staggering when we think of the magnitude of God’s provisions for us. Our Heavenly Father not only took it upon Himself to send His Son to save us but also sent the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, to be an abiding divine presence within us. We never walk alone.

Heavenly Father, Son, and PARACLETE, the blessing of Your Presence is something I will only fully realize when I am in Heaven. Thank You, Lord!

Want to learn more about the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, and how to discern His voice? Listen HERE.

¹  “Strong’s G3875 – paraklētos,” Blue Letter Bible, accessed July 26, 2023, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3875/kjv/tr/0-1/.

Do you agree that personal problems can seem overwhelming at times? 

What about national and international problems? Do they cause you to shake your head and wonder what the world’s coming to? 

What about health issues? Is your health or someone else’s health a concern? 

Then there are financial issues, parenting, marital, and work challenges that can be ongoing struggles. 

Jesus interrupts our conflicted worries and gets straight to an important point that each of us must remember. “In the world, you have tribulation, (pressure, affliction, oppression, and distress), but take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

Is that a good word for you to hear today? Jesus is bigger than the world and its problems. We can look to Him, to His Word, and empowerment for whatever we face. 

Jesus has overcome the world. He is present to help you. Look up to the Overcomer. 

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the OVERCOMER. I praise You for the peace, direction and empowerment You give me as I trust in You.

Want to dive a little deeper into John 16:33? Watch this video clip of Debbie teaching on the passage. 

Do you ever feel alone? It’s easy to feel that way at times. Maybe you live by yourself, are in the hospital, or you’re confined to home due to an illness or a fall. Maybe you work from home and even though you connect with others by phone or email, you still feel alone. Perhaps you feel alone even though you have a bustling household. Your feelings may stem from feeling like no one understands what you’re going through.

Feelings, as you no doubt know, can be deceptive. They can be unreliable standards of truth. The truth is, Jesus has promised to never leave us and our Heavenly Father is a prayer away. They:

• See us.
• Know what we need before we ask.
• Love us.

If you’re feeling alone, pray to your Father in Heaven who loves you so very much. As Matthew 6:9 instructs us, “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven…”

OUR FATHER who is in heaven, thank You for loving me, being with me, and providing Your Holy Spirit to be ever present with me. I love You.

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.