365 Days of Praise

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

I see it in his eyes. They are kind. His eyes say it all. His eyes tell me what’s in his heart. My husband, Keith, looks at me with kind eyes. My response? I feel the most tender love for him.

The eyes tell us what fills the heart. And so we wonder—what fills Jesus’ eyes? What if you were in His presence and He looked deeply into your eyes. What if you couldn’t take your eyes away from His. What would you see in His eyes for you? You’d see kindness; kindness beyond anything you’d experienced. Kindness that causes you to love Him with every fiber of your being.

As the Apostle Paul asks in Romans 2:4, do we think lightly of His kindness and tolerance and patience toward us? In other words, are we going about our day hardly looking Christ’s way? When He convicts us of our sin, do we look in Jesus’ eyes and sincerely apologize to Him and perhaps the person we’ve wronged? Or, are we like a child who is caught doing something wrong and maybe at best, we mutter, “sorry.”

“Look in Jesus’ eyes,” we’re reminded. “Do we think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads us to repentance?”

Pause now to look into Jesus’ eyes and respond accordingly.

Dear Savior, You are so KIND and loving and patient. Forgive me for sinning against You when I sin against others.  May I look deeply in Your eyes and then turn and reflect Your kindness to others. 

Have you ever struggled to find the right words to pray? In those times, it can help to pray God’s Word. Click HERE to discover prayers for discernment, discouragement, knowing God’s way, and forgiveness.

“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18).

Can you imagine what it was like for John to see the glorified Christ? To say that it was an overpowering experience is an understatement. John writes that “he fell like a dead man at Jesus’ feet.” John’s experience was more than a vision. Jesus placed His right hand on him. Then, Jesus assured John that although He had been dead, He was alive forevermore. In addition, He explained that He had the keys (power and authority) over death and Hades.

No doubt you feel as I do—blessed beyond words that Jesus has flung open the gate for us to enter into eternal life with Him!

Lord Jesus Christ, KEEPER OF THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HADES, I praise You and thank You for bringing me out of death and into Your eternal light!

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Do you ever feel “blah,” that nothing in life is important or worth doing? Or, perhaps you are “dragging around” because of the weight of unconfessed sin, or not spending time with Christ, or perhaps a sin of commission, not doing that to which He has called you.

If any of those are the case, be encouraged. God has not forgotten you or abandoned you. Rather, His eye on you as Psalm 121:3-4 explains. “He who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

The Lord is our keeper, and as Isaiah 38:17 tells us, the Lord casts our sins behind His back and keeps us from a pit of nothingness. “It is You who have kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back.”

Isn’t it nice, no…more like wonderful, to think about our Heavenly Father keeping us, casting our sins behind His back, and keeping us from a pit of nothingness? 

In addition, Psalm 121:5-7 explains, “The Lord is your keeper… The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.” 

We have a keeper of our soul who watches out for us. There is no one better to whom we can entrust ourselves. The more we draw near to Christ, learn His ways, and are filled with His Spirit, the more heavenly joy we’ll experience. The less we’ll walk in sin and experience the “pit of nothingness.” 

Heavenly Father, KEEPER OF OUR SOUL, I praise You for keeping me from evil and from the pit of nothingness. I love You! 

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“That’s not fair!” How many times have we heard that impassioned objection from a child when they perceive something as unjust or inequitable? From an early age, we gain a sense of what’s fair and unfair or what’s just and unjust. We can quickly recognize other people’s sin nature when they’re acting unfairly, but as we mature, we must also learn to contend with and recognize our own sin nature.

The good news is that there is One who is not only perfectly just, but the ultimate justifier as well. That One is God. Romans 3:26 says, “…so that He [God] would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” 

What does this verse explain? That God declares us righteous when we repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Savior and Lord. God’s justification is not based on anything we’ve done. Rather, it is a gracious and merciful gift from God, based solely on the sacrificial death of Christ.

If we’re not already lifting our hands in praise of God; that He is both just and justifier, now is a good time to praise Him. “I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name” (Psalm 63:4).

I praise you, God, both just and JUSTIFIER!

Want to learn more about how to live by Christ’s divine nature instead of our sinful, fallen nature? Grab a copy of Debbie’s 2 Peter Bible study, Living by the Divine Nature Instead of Our Fallen Nature, HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts by going HERE.

Do you ever feel like things in life aren’t fair? Have you wondered why some people get away with things with no apparent consequences? 

Often, those questions are warranted. As thinking people, we can’t help but wonder about fairness. But when we question why certain people get away with doing wrong, we must quickly remember that in the end, no one gets away with anything. God sees everything, including what is in our heart. He knows our thoughts and even intentions and motives. Most importantly, God is just, as Psalm 89:14 states, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.” 

If you’ve been upset and concerned because life isn’t fair, because wrong too often prevails over what is right, because our world’s justice system doesn’t always rule fairly, remember that God is just. Also, remember that there is a day when every person will stand before the judgment seat of God (Hebrews 9:27).

God weighs hearts and motives. He forgives repentant sinners. He renders judgment on unrepentant ones. Set aside any vengeance you have toward another person knowing God will rule justly because that is His nature–just. 

Lord, thank You that I can trust You for You are JUST. 

TIP:  Write God’s attribute that I highlight in every 365 Days of Praise devotional in Prayers of My Heart. Writing it on paper writes it on your brain. When you’re troubled, flip through the pages of your journal and thank God for who He is as you reflect on His nature. It will build your confidence, decrease your stress, and help you live a more joy-filled life. Click HERE  to order.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to Judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1).

My husband, Keith, and I celebrate our anniversary in the month of June. I’ve known him for over 50 years. I knew him when he didn’t have money to buy me french fries with my hamburger at McDonald’s. I know him as the guy who loves to put on an old t-shirt and mow the grass. But, I’ll never forget the first time I sat at the back of the room when he was holding court. After sentencing a criminal, he motioned to me to approach the bench. All eyes turned on me, and I suddenly felt nervous and intimidated. Why in the world did I feel that way? Was it the courtroom? Was it that he sat in judgment in a long black robe?

If I felt that way approaching the judgment seat of my husband, who I wake up to every morning, I can’t imagine what it will be like to sit in God’s courtroom and hear Him call my name to approach His bench.

Are you ready to hear your name called? Because it will be. Regardless of whether you want to think it or not, like it or not, it’s not your choice. Every single soul will appear before God and Christ Jesus, the Judge. Those who accepted Jesus’ death on the cross as judgment for their sins, will receive rewards at the Judgement. Those who rejected God’s gift of forgiveness in Christ, will be judged for their thoughts, words, and actions based on God’s holiness. I can’t imagine!

Lord, I, who have received salvation through Christ humbly, gratefully praise You, JUDGE OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.

Are you prepared to stand before the judgment seat of God? One way to be ready is by standing firm in your faith during these dark times in which we live. Dive deeper into how to do that in Debbie’s Bible study on Jude, Contend Earnestly for the Faith. Grab your copy HERE. 

Happy Father’s Day! We hope all you fathers, grandfathers, and father figures have a blessed day and know how appreciated you are!

“What’s a spiritual happy dance?” someone asked me after I mentioned having done one. I couldn’t help but smile. Then I realized no one except my husband had seen me do a spiritual happy dance. Why? Because it’s before God and comes from a heart flowing with joy. 

Does our Heavenly Father care if we are joyful? Yes. Jesus said in John 16:24, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” 

This does not mean we give Jesus our worldly wish list. Rather, it means we align ourselves to Jesus, who is filled with joy and is the giver of joy; as John 15:11 explains. “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

These verses may provide a clue as to why believers sometimes may not have joy. We may be able to quote Jesus, but are we living Him? Is His joy in us? In other words, if Jesus was on earth today, would His joy be tied to the worldly, temporal things that affect our countenance? Probably not. 

How could Jesus’ joy not be tied to things of the earth? Jesus came from heaven where true joy reigns. He knew earth’s best and finest was temporal and passing away. Joy comes when our minds and lives are Spirit-driven, not earthly driven. As Psalm 16:11 reminds us, it’s in His presence that we find fullness of joy.

When was the last time you did a spiritual happy dance? 

Lord, I praise You, the JOY GIVER. Thank You that in Your presence there is fullness of joy. 

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

Do you ever read a verse and something about it “wows” you? That’s how I feel about Jeremiah 23:6. “In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The Lord our righteousness.’” 

Why am I wowed by this verse? 

It’s not only that Judah will be saved, and the Israelites will one day live in peace. Although thinking about Israel living in peace is definitely a “wow.” It’s not just that the Lord is righteous. 

What wows me is the word “our.” It sends me to my knees–literally. It’s the reason I’m on my knees every morning, bowing before the Lord. 

I’m “wowed” because I’m included in the “our.” In other words, I’m not on the outside looking in, longing to be in right standing before God. Rather, I’m on the inside looking at His face…praising Him. 

I’m on my knees because I know I’m a sinner, but that no longer defines my relationship with my Creator. Christ Jesus defines my relationship with the Heavenly Father. Because I am in Christ, I am saved and so are all believers. Christ is in us…in all who call on Jesus for salvation. The LORD is our righteousness, Jehovah-Tsidkenu. 

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our Righteousness, all honor and praise and glory belong to You. Thank You for imparting Your righteousness to me when I repent and call on You for salvation. 

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Peace. Everyone’s looking for it. Where? Drugs. Vacation. Sex. Entertainment. In the meantime, and while seeking peace, life goes on. Worriers worry. Whiners whine. Complainers complain. Wheat beaters beat wheat. And that’s where we find Gideon. He is beating wheat in a winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. 

Judges 6 is the incredible account of when the Lord came to Gideon and told him to tear down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah in order to restore worship of the Lord. He then commissioned Gideon to deliver Israel out of the hands of the Midianites. 

Judges 6:24 records Gideon’s response to the Lord. “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The LORD is Peace.” 

Jehovah-Shalom, the LORD of Peace, came to a nation threatened by enemies and to people who worshiped Baal. Jehovah-Shalom not only came to Gideon, but His Spirit of peace and power came upon Gideon. 

Isn’t that what we need? God’s peace and power? 

What can we learn from Jehovah-Shalom and Gideon about personal and national peace? 

• Worship the Lord of Peace, Jehovah-Shalom.
• Be filled with the Lord’s Spirit of peace and power.
• Fight valiantly for righteousness.

JEHOVAH-SHALOM, Lord of Peace, thank You that by Your Spirit I can experience peace and power as I stand for righteousness as Gideon did. 

Would you like to experience more grace and peace? Check out Debbie’s Bible study on 1 Peter, “Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos” by clicking HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts by clicking HERE.