365 Days of Praise

Which are you? Tight-lipped or open-lipped? In other words, are you reluctant to speak and don’t reveal much about what’s going on inside of you? Or, are you more open-lipped and let what you’re thinking and feeling readily come forth?

James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak when we’re angry. But what about in relation to praising God? In this case, we are to be like the psalmist, who prayed in Psalm 51:15. “O LORD, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.”

Are we grateful? Are our hearts flooded with God’s goodness? I hope so. Even when there seems to be nothing for which we can praise Him, we can open our lips and praise Him for His presence with us, His provision for us, and His purposes He will bring forth.

Develop a mindset of gratefulness. Fill your heart with praise. Open your mouth and let your praise flow to God. Pray, “LORD, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.”

Lord who OPENS OUR LIPS, thank You for who You are and for all the incredible ways You have worked in my life, are working, and will work. You are worthy day and night of my praise. Open my lips so that I may declare Your praise. 

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How old were you when you first heard John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life?” It’s an incredible invitation to every person in the world. Think about it!

• God so loves the world that He took action to save us.
• God sacrificed His Only Begotten Son on our behalf.
• God invites everyone to believe and be saved.
• God promises the gift of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus.

Pray fervently for any unsaved person you know to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be saved. Pray for eyes to see the opportunities God is giving you to share Him with others.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, Jesus Christ. Stir me to draw closer to You and to share You with others. I love You and thank You for the incredible gift of the forgiveness of my sins and salvation in Christ. 

Our key verse 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.

Have you ever considered that God appoints people, times, places, and more? Contemplate the following verses and worship Him for His involvement in our lives and world. 

“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 3:17).

“Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him” (Genesis 21:2).

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah” (Jonah 1:17).

“He [Jesus] appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14).

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come” (Mark 13:33).

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Yes, God appoints times, people, places, and more. What has He appointed you to do? 

Lord God, You are the ONE WHO APPOINTS people, places, and times. Rather than fret, help me accept Your appointed times and faithfully do what You appoint me to do.

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Have you heard people who are good-hearted and well-intentioned say they believe there are many ways to heaven? 

Have you heard people who claim to be Christians say they don’t believe Jesus is the only way to God? Let’s think about that for a moment. These same people typically also say that Jesus was a good teacher. Yet, how “good” a teacher is Jesus if what He teaches is not the truth because Jesus taught He is the only way to heaven. “No one comes to the Father but through Me,” (John 14:6).

If there are, in fact, other ways to get to heaven besides Jesus, then He is not a good teacher. In fact, how can Christians be assured they have access to God through Jesus if He either intentionally lied about being the only way or was mistaken? Is our faith in Jesus misplaced? 

We can’t have it both ways. Jesus is either the One Mediator between God and men, as 1 Timothy 2:5 states, or He is not. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 

We have to make a decision. Although we might want to say there are many ways to heaven to appease others, that’s not what the Bible says or Jesus teaches. There is one God, and one mediator between God and us, Jesus. If you don’t yet know Him, get to know Him. Submit your life and eternity to Him. He is trustworthy and proven. 

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the ONE GOD and mediator in whom I trust. I praise You for making peace between God and me. 

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Have you ever wondered if God knows everything you’re doing, saying, and even thinking? The answer is yes. The Bible is filled with examples. In John 1:44-51, Jesus saw Nathanael, a man He had never met, coming toward Him. Jesus greeted him, “Behold, an Israelite… in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael was stunned and asked,  “How do You know me?” Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you” (John 1:48). In awe, Nathanael responded, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”

Jesus knows everything.  He knew Nathanael before Nathanael came to Him. He knew his innermost being.

Jesus knows you, everything about you. Does that make you comfortable or uncomfortable? If it makes you uncomfortable, consider if there is something in your heart or mind that you know is not in alignment with Christ. Then, be honest with Christ. Confess any sin. If it involves another person, apologize to them. If your sin is an ongoing habit or thought, ask the Lord for help to overcome it. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and help you walk in His power. Then, consume the Word of God like you would a favorite meal. Focus your mind on how wonderful Jesus is. Replace sinful thoughts with thoughts of truth and the Lord. 

Rather than attempt to hide from God, embrace the all-knowing Christ who loves you more than you can imagine and is ready to forgive you, fill you with His Spirit, and empower you. 

Lord, You are the all-knowing, OMNISCIENT Son of God. Thank You for loving and forgiving me. Cleanse me. Fill me with Your Spirit and empower me to live a holy life before You. 

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Are you familiar with the significance of the number three in the Bible? Jesus prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane, “not My will but Yours.” Jesus told Peter three times, “feed My sheep.” Jesus rose from the grave on the third day. God is a triune Deity. 

Yes, the number three has significance throughout Scripture. Mindful of that, we should pay attention to when the LORD says something three times, as in the following:  

• “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’” says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty,’” Revelation 1:8.
• “Then He said to me, “’It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end…,’” Revelation 21:6.
• “’I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end,’” Revelation 22:13.

Three times in Revelation Jesus announces who He is: the Alpha and Omega. We often talk about Jesus being at creation and His presence in Scripture. Less often we talk about Jesus in terms of what He refers to as “the end,” the “Omega.” 

What does Jesus mean when He says He is the Omega? Among many points, Jesus is telling us that this world as we know it will end and He will be there. Keep reading and you’ll learn that He is ushering in a new heaven and a new earth and He will be there. Jesus is the Omega, not just the Alpha. Are you ready for when this world ends…to meet Jesus? 

Lord, You are the Alpha and OMEGA, who is and who was and who is to come. Knowing that You hold the present and future is a blessed comfort. I praise You.

Do you ever wonder if we’re in the end times? Would you like to learn more about the signs of the end times? Grab a copy of Debbie’s Bible study, End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do HERE. Access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.

When you think about Jesus, what comes to your mind? Is it Jesus teaching or healing? Or, perhaps you think of Jesus, the suffering servant in the Garden of Gethsemane, submitting His will to the Father.  For many, they think of Jesus on the cross.  

Hebrews 1:8-9 points to a wonderful visual of Christ, “But of the Son He says, ‘…Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions.'”

Isn’t that a wonderful image for us to think of—Jesus anointed with the oil of gladness above all others? What does that mean? The words “anointed with” are often used in reference to the Holy Spirit being upon a person. We know from Galatians 5:22 that joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Joy. Gladness. Jesus is anointed with the Holy Spirit, with gladness, joy “above” others. And rightly so. He accomplished what no one else could do. He paid mankind’s sin debt. He obtained salvation for all who call on Him. Jesus is overjoyed…more than anyone else on earth or in heaven. 

But there’s more. Isaiah 61:3 prophesies that Jesus Messiah would give, “The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.” Jesus, having accomplished salvation for all who call on Him, pours out the Holy Spirit and His joy on others (Acts 1:8).

If you’re disheartened, remember Jesus, anointed with the oil of gladness. Ask Him to fill you with His gladness. Then, let His joy flow through you to others.

Lord Jesus, I praise You, anointed with the OIL OF GLADNESS above others. Overflow Your gladness on and through me so others see and believe in You.

One of our key verses today is from Acts 1. To watch all of Debbie’s teaching on Acts 1, click HERE. To listen to her teaching and download the listening guide, click HERE. You can find all of her teachings on the book of Acts on her YouTube Channel.

Me. Me. Me. 

We probably wouldn’t want to admit it, but in our innermost being, we may be more self-centered than Christ-centered. Our day may not begin with, “Heavenly Father, how can I serve You?” Rather, our first thought may be what we want to get out of the day. 

Have you ever considered doing a 180: a turnaround based on Ephesians 5:2?  “Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

In other words, followers of Christ are told to follow His example. 

We’re to walk in love and offer our lives to God to serve His purposes. What happens when we do? We have the opportunity to be a fragrance of Christ to God and others.

Christ Jesus, You are the ultimate example of being an OFFERING and sacrifice to God. Help me follow Your example so my life is a fragrant offering to You. 

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Do you ever find something to be beyond difficult? If so, I can relate. I’ve often found myself in “over my head.” I wanted to quit. Many of the things we find difficult are not those we can or should give up on. Our marriage, parenting, families, job, health, church, and friendships all require commitment. When we find them to be difficult, we can remember what Jeremiah 32:17 says that, with God, nothing is too difficult—”Ah LORD GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You.”

Isn’t that a great verse? I hope it makes you smile. It does me. God wants us to know “He’s got this.” It’s an incredible reminder that instead of cratering when we’re under pressure, we can call on God who “made the heavens and earth by His great power and outstretched arm.” He can help us with whatever we’re facing. He wants to help us. Call on Him now. Then, prayerfully record the things weighing you down. Ask God for wisdom on how to handle them. Then, be sure and record how He guides you. Date and record your thanks to Him as He walks you through each day.

Lord, I’m encouraged by the truth that NOTHING IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR You. Thank You for Your presence, Your power, and Your provision. I love You!  

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Many non-believers today, especially those in the entertainment industry, have no qualms about openly mocking God and Christians. Although witnessing such actions may feel disheartening and grieve our spirits, it should come as no surprise to believers. The Bible warns that there will be mockers and scoffers in the last days (Jude 1:18; 2 Peter 3:3). In 2 Peter 3:4, the Bible also forewarned that scoffers will challenge the truth of Christ’s return by saying, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised?” 

Second Peter 3:9 goes on to declare that “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 

Christ can choose to return at any time, but His desire is for all to come to repentance. He wishes for none to perish, but for all to have eternal life by believing in Him (John 3:16). What might seem like a delay in Jesus’ return is actually an incredible display of mercy and patience towards those who don’t believe, and even those who openly mock God. 

Here’s something to keep in mind, though… “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:10). Although the Lord is patient with the lost, He will come. Just as Christ’s first coming was prophesied and fulfilled, we can rest assured that the prophecies about His second coming will be fulfilled as well. 

Lord, we thank You that You are patient, NOT WISHING FOR ANY TO PERISH. Although You are merciful and long-suffering, we never want to take that for granted. We know that Your Word is true and that You will soon return. Help us to live each day in light of that promise.

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