365 Days of Praise

Are you ever concerned that Christ is sitting in heaven eyeing your sin and his holy face is twisted in disgruntlement? In other words, you’re an inch from being zapped as a result of your sin? If so, today is a good day to rethink your view of Jesus.

Paul, a candidate for being “zapped” before he became a Christ-follower, tells us what Jesus is like. “I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:1). When Paul refers to Christ as meek, he uses a word that means “mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit.” In other words, Christ isn’t a cloud-sitting Savior watching for someone He can zap if they take a wrong turn in life. Paul realizes Jesus could have zapped him dead on the Damascus Road, but rather, Christ in mercy called and commissioned Paul to a new purposeful life.

Our Savior is all-powerful, but He has a meek disposition toward us, not a “zap you if you mess up” disposition. He understands what it’s like to be human, to struggle, to deal with daily life, problems, and stress. Relish your Savior’s meekness. Talk to Him. Read His wisdom truths in the Sermon on the Mount and keep reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Meditate on the precious words He brought us from heaven. They’re food for a sound mind and a steady course until we reach our ultimate destiny—heaven.

Lord Jesus, thank You for being on my side and for looking at me with gentle and MEEK eyes. I love You and am ever grateful for You. 

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In 1953, Baskin-Robbins wowed ice cream lovers by offering customers a choice of 31 flavors.  That’s a great offer for ice cream, but unfortunately, our world has adopted a “31 flavors” viewpoint concerning salvation. In other words, we’ve decided we can be reconciled to God through the plan of our choice, be it self-improvement, doing good things, or a world religion of our choosing. But not so warns God throughout Scripture such as in 1 Timothy 2:5: “There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

If we think we can make a Baskin-Robbin choice of how we’re reconciled to God, we’re wrong. Dead wrong. God has warned us that the only way we can be reconciled to Him is through His Son. Christ Jesus is the one mediator who can reconcile us to God for eternity. Tell others!

Christ Jesus, I praise You, my MEDIATOR, for making peace between God the Father and me. 

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.

We like our freedom, right? We may have heard someone tout, “No one is going to tell me what to do!” Maybe we’ve said that. But, here’s some news that may shock you. God has the right to tell us what to do because He owns us. That’s right. He is our Master as Colossians 4:1 explains: “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.”  Yes, we have a Master. Does that please you or cause your hair to bristle? What is the implication of you having a Master?

The word, “Master,” in Colossians 4:1 means “owner; one who has control of the person.” Maybe we’ve never thought about God owning us, but it isn’t a one-time teaching in the Bible. First Corinthians 6:20 explains we’ve been “bought with a price.” Romans 6:16 says we are slaves to sin or righteousness. Who do you prefer to be your master: Satan or Jesus? I bet you’re waving your hand for Jesus.

Let’s think further. Since Jesus is our Master, what should be our posture before Him? I wonder if we’re too flippant about our relationship with Him. I wonder if when we get to heaven and see Jesus in His glory if we’ll wish we had bowed before Him every morning and asked how we might serve Him. We have a Master in heaven. He’s a glorious, giving, gracious Master. Let’s serve Him well today with a smile on our face.

Heavenly MASTER, I worship and adore You and cannot wait to continue my worship of You in heaven. Remind me throughout my day to serve You well.

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We’re more than halfway through 365 days of praising God. Thank you for joining me on our journey to better know our LORD. Today, we’re meditating on how God is marvelous. In what ways?

• God’s works are marvelous. Revelation 15:3 says, “And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God…!’” Thank God for marvelously working in your life.
• God’s lovingkindness is marvelous. Psalm 31:21 states, “Blessed be the LORD, for He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me….”  In this verse, marvelous means “wonderful, surpassing, extraordinary.” In what way can you testify to God’s lovingkindness being marvelous?
• God’s salvation is marvelous. In Matthew 21:42, Jesus asks, “‘Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone…from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’” Praise God for His marvelous plan to save you.
• God’s light is marvelous. First Peter 2:9 states, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  We are to tell others about the excellencies of Christ, His excellent, extraordinary light. In what way are you fulfilling your divine purpose and telling others about Christ’s marvelous light?

Lord, You are MARVELOUS in Your work, love, kindness, salvation, and light. I celebrate, worship, and praise You!

There are countless marvelous and praise-worthy attributes of Jesus. Download this FREE PRINTABLE to explore the attributes of Jesus listed in the book of John.

In Christian circles, we often speak of the joy of the Lord and rightly so. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. However, that doesn’t mean every day will be free of sorrow. Isaiah 53:3 states that Jesus, although filled with godly joy, was also “…despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

I remember when this reality hit home with me. I was reading and then praying Philippians 3:7-10: that I “know Christ and the power of His resurrection.” I was changed after that prayer. The Holy Spirit filled me and I read the Bible with new eyes. I had an intimacy with and passion for Christ that I’d not experienced. But I stopped my prayer before the end of verse 10: “that I know the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” I had no desire to experience Christ’s sufferings and sorrows. 

Years later, I discovered what the “fellowship of His sufferings” meant. It hurt. It was not fun. I cried. I journaled Scriptures. And, most importantly, my intimacy with the Lord deepened in a way it might not have had I not gone through that time and other times since then; including a lung cancer diagnosis in 2024.

If you are going through a time of sorrow or grief, stay the course with Jesus. Get up close to Him. “Curl up” in His presence with your Bible. Hold His Word close to your heart. Pour out your fears, desires, and questions to Him. Be still and wait for His comforting thoughts and verses He brings to your mind. Be mindful that He is near to you and will love you through whatever you are facing. 

Jesus, MAN OF SORROWS, thank You for being with me as I go through hard, sorrowful times. Deepen my intimacy with You and trust in You. Use me, my voice, to sound forth Your sufficiency to others. 

Are you walking through a difficult season or know someone who is? Visit our Hope for the Cancer+ Journey page for free, faith-filled resources designed to encourage and strengthen not only those battling cancer, but anyone facing hard times. 

July 12, 2021 news outlets reported a biological male “mother” attempting to breastfeed a newborn birthed by his biological female “boyfriend.” The biological male holding the baby to his chest commented, “The baby has been able to latch, but I have not been able to produce any milk…” ¹   

As I watched the news my heart sank for the newborn baby being taunted with a biological male’s breast.

Where do you stand in relation to the Lord being our maker who created us male and female (Genesis 1:27)?

Do you agree or disagree with Isaiah 44:24 that clearly states, “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, ‘I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself and spreading out the earth all alone’?”

The Lord is our maker. We are to worship Him and abide by His created order. Then and only then will we find peace with Him and others.

Lord, You are the MAKER of heaven and earth, who formed me from the womb. Bring revival to our nation for the sake of innocent babies, children, and those who have not heard about You. 

Would you like to become better equipped to stand for the truth of Christ’s teachings and share your faith in love? Check out Debbie’s Bible study on Jude, Contend Earnestly for the Faith, HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.

¹  “Patty McMurray, “Biological Male ‘Mother’ Attempts to Breastfeed Newborn Birthed by His Biological Female ‘Boyfriend’ [VIDEO],” The Gateway Pundit, July 15, 2021, https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/07/biological-male-mother-attempts-breastfeed-newborn-birthed-biological-female-boyfriendvideo/.

Most of us are probably familiar with Jesus’ earthly ministry. We also know that He died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected on the third day. But what happened when He ascended into heaven? Hebrews 1:3 tells us: “…When He [Jesus] had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High” (Hebrews 1:3).

In this verse, “Majesty on High” refers to God the Father. It’s a title that conveys His glory, exaltation, and supreme authority. It signifies His position as being in the highest place, exalted above all creation. Sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on High symbolizes Jesus’ glorification and finished work. 

Jesus’ death and resurrection made a way for us to approach the throne of grace of the Majesty on High. We can come before Him in prayer with the confidence that Christ paid for our sins and that we are made righteous through His sacrifice. 

Heavenly Father, MAJESTY ON HIGH, thank You for the finished work and glorification of Christ. I am grateful that through His sacrifice, I can approach Your throne of grace with confidence. 

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Have you ever looked forward to something and then it didn’t turn out to be as great as you expected? Are you looking forward to something now and hoping it won’t disappoint? Whichever might be the case, there is something to which you can look forward that will definitely not disappoint you. In fact, it will exceed your expectations. What is it? The day you see God the Father and Son in their glory.  The apostle Peter described his earthly glimpse of Jesus’s glory at the Mount of Transfiguration. It was so astounding the word “glory” simply wouldn’t do so Peter referred to his experience in God’s presence as majestic glory.

“When He [Jesus] received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the majestic glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased’” (2 Peter 1:17).

We will one day see, hear, and experience what Peter saw, heard, and experienced—God, the majestic glory, and His Son. Are you ready? Are you excited? I can’t wait!

Heavenly Father, MAJESTIC GLORY, I can’t wait to be in Your presence. Thank You for this eternal opportunity! I love and praise You. 

Today’s key verse is from 2 Peter. To watch all of Debbie’s teaching on the book of 2 Peter, click HERE. You can also listen to her teachings on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podbean by clicking HERE.

Are you a sourpuss? You know, grumpy, negative, never satisfied? If so, take your thoughts captive to Christ. Pay attention to what you’re thinking. Why? Our thoughts make us who we are. An example: After God opened a way for the Israelites to miraculously cross the Red Sea on dry land to escape the Egyptian army, Moses could have said, “Boy, that was close! I don’t know why God let that happen! He about got us killed.” Yes, Moses could have complained. Instead, he chose to sing praises to God. 

“Your right hand, O LORD, is majestic in power, Your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy” (Exodus 15:6). “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders” (Exodus 15:11)?

So, yes, we can look at our day and circumstances and complain. Or, we can choose as Moses did to see the deliverances God has brought us through and how He’s empowered us when we’ve been weak. If we’re a sourpuss and tend to focus on the negative, we’re not doing ourselves or anyone a favor, including God. As a matter of fact, we’re being a bad showcase of our Majestic Lord. Isn’t it time we change? If you want to take your thoughts captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), do it now. Go to God’s throne room and examine your thoughts in the light of His glory. Remember, Moses isn’t the only one who has a God who is majestic in power and holiness. We do, too. Isn’t it time we align our thinking with Philippians 4:8? 

You, O Lord, are MAJESTIC in holiness and power! I sing Your praises for all the things You’ve done, are doing, and will do. Help me showcase You by being a person of praise.

Knowing the Word and being able to discern God’s voice are essential for taking our thoughts captive to Christ. To learn how to discern the voice of God, listen to Debbie’s teaching on the subject HERE. 

Would you like to experience magnificence? If you said “yes,” you are in alignment with God’s will for you. He never intended our lives to be filled with anxiety and the consequences of sin. Rather, He created Adam and Eve in His image and placed them in the Garden of Eden to share life with Him and experience His magnificent glory. But now? We live in a sin-sick world. However, as believers, our hope is not lost. Rather, our hope is firm in Christ Jesus. We can once again experience God’s magnificence as 2 Peter 1:4 tells us—“[God] has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

God has granted to you His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become a partaker of the divine nature. Are you experiencing Christ through the divine nature He has given you?

Rather than allowing the world’s despair, anxiety, and hopelessness to infiltrate your soul, begin each day welcoming your Heavenly Father and Spirit’s presence, praying, “Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Holy divine nature and Spirit. Help me walk in Your magnificent divine promises.”

The Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and Bible are all magnificent. Immerse your mind in the Father’s ways. Walk by His magnificent divine nature/Spirit.

Lord, You and Your promises are MAGNIFICENT. Thank You for salvation by which I am a partaker of Your divine nature. Help me walk by Your promises so others see and believe in You. 

Learn more about becoming a partaker of Christ’s divine nature through Debbie’s 2 Peter Bible study, Living by the Divine Nature Instead of Our Fallen Nature. The study includes free accompanying videos and podcasts, which can be found HERE.