365 Days of Praise
The First and Ultimate Sustainer
No doubt, we are living in what feels like very uncertain and unstable times. Our world seems to be tearing at the seams with increased lawlessness, economic and political instability, fractured families, and the list goes on. As Christians, we know we’re not supposed to give into worry and fear, but it can be a struggle not to.
What can we do when we find our minds wandering down the dark paths of worry and fear? We can redirect our focus to God’s Word and promises. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” This verse reminds us that God is preexistent and the ultimate sustainer who holds all things together.
Yes, our world may seem like it’s falling apart, but we can trust that God is still sovereign and in control, even in times of uncertainty and chaos. If Christ is before all things, sustaining all things, then we should be encouraged to place our trust in Him. We should make Him the number one priority in our lives, knowing that He alone has the power to sustain us and grant us peace in times of instability.
Lord, I thank You that You are BEFORE ALL THINGS and in You all things hold together. I am comforted by this truth, knowing that You are the ultimate sustainer. Help me to turn to You in times of worry, fear, and uncertainty. I thank You for the peace that only You can provide.
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In Need of Something Beautiful?
Do you have enemies? Are you fearful? Do you have any problems? If so, David the psalmist is one from whom we can learn what to do in those times. What specifically did David do?
David kept his eye on the ball. That is, he kept his eye on God. He knew God to be the beauty in the “ashes” and chose to dwell on Him as expressed in Psalm 27:4. “One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple.”
What preceded David’s “ask” to dwell in the house of the Lord and behold the Lord’s beauty? His references to dread, evil doers, adversaries, enemies, and war.
Like David, we can choose to gaze and meditate on God’s beauty and His eternal temple in the midst of whatever agony, defeat, discouragement, and doubt we are experiencing.
What are you facing today? What do you perhaps dread? Why not take a moment like David did and shift your focus to the Lord and His beauty?
BEAUTIFUL LORD, I praise You. Thank You for being the beauty in my day and eternally; the One on whom we can gaze.
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Empowered
Are you a Christian? Have you repented of your sins and asked the Heavenly Father to forgive you? Have you confessed Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If so, you’ve been cleansed of your sin. God has baptized you with the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit. But are you living an empowered life?
John the Baptist baptized people in water for the forgiveness of their sins, but explained that Jesus baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit, who empowers us for daily living. “He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit” (John 1:33).
In Acts 1:8, Jesus explained that when the Holy Spirit comes upon believers, they receive power that impacts their actions and calling. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
God’s provision for believers includes Holy Spirit anointed empowerment to do His will and work, to be His witness. If we’re trudging through our days, living by our own strength, and not being Christ’s witness, it’s time to check the pulse of the Holy Spirit in our lives and question whether we are truly living an empowered life.
Jesus, holy and wonderful BAPTIZER, I thank you that when I come to You in repentance, confessing You as Lord and Savior, You cleanse me. Realizing You have gifted me with Your amazing Spirit, awakens me to the importance of living by Your power and doing Your will.
We don’t have to live the Christian life in our own strength—Jesus sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit. To learn more about Christ’s incredible gift, listen to this podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.
When You Need a Rallying Point
Do you ever feel like the world, your flesh, or the devil are bearing down on you and you need a rallying point where you can find victory over your fallen nature and temptation? If so, remember how Moses looked to the Lord as his rallying point.
When Moses held high the banner of the Lord, the Israelites were victorious over their enemies. They fought in God’s name and strength, not their own. So significant was the Lord’s presence and reason for their victory that Exodus 17:15 says, “Moses built an altar and named it, ‘The LORD is My Banner.’”
God is just as present to help us as He was to help Moses. The Lord is our banner. When we lift His name high in prayer and look to Him for strength, we find victory over our sinful nature and the enemy. We fight strength to stand against worldly influences that are counter to Christ and His ways.
The next time temptation or your old nature starts to get the best of you, lift high the Lord’s name: Victorious Warrior. Prince of Peace. Faithful. Guardian of My Soul. Praise the Lord as Moses did and continue to praise Him throughout the day.
Lord, I praise You and lift high the BANNER OF YOUR NAME – victorious One.
Would you like to deepen your relationship with God? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you grow in your walk with the Lord. We offer several free resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!
Why Awesome Is an Important Word
A few years ago, the word “awesome” became a catchphrase for any and everything. “Can you go Monday night? Awesome!” “This meal is awesome!” “I read an awesome book!”
If you’re like many, we began to tire of hearing the overused word. However, rather than throw out the word, the Bible points us in the right direction for when to use it. For example in Genesis 28:17, the word “awesome” is used in relation to heaven, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Exodus 15:11 uses the word “awesome” in relation to God and His works, “Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?”
Yes, we might want to scale down on our use of “awesome” in relation to everyday events, but let’s use it often in relation to God.
I praise You, AWESOME GOD, and thank You for Your awesome works.
Our God is an awesome God, and so much more! Dive deeper into God’s Word and become better acquainted with His many attributes with the 365 Days of Praise devotional book. Purchase your copy HERE.
Since We Know, Are We Telling Others to Prepare?
In February 2021, a winter freeze took this Texas girl by surprise. Yes, I’d seen the warnings of a winter storm. In my mind, that meant cold weather and snow. I did think about the ice warning, but then went about my life. Then it got cold. And colder. And colder. I wasn’t prepared, and by the time I was in the midst of the snow, cold, iced-over roads, power outage, no water, and firewood running out, it was too late to do anything. I lived with the consequences of my lackadaisical unpreparedness.
As the water that had been collected in bowls froze inside our home, I thought of what I could do to be better prepared should we have another winter storm. I also thought of how terrifying it is going to be for people who have a lackadaisical attitude toward Biblical warnings of judgment and hell. Yes, many people are going on with their lives and not doing anything to prepare for the salvation of their souls. Thinking of the unsaved sitting in hell with no way to get out is a horrifying thought. Equally horrifying is to neglect Christ’s call to tell the unsaved how to be saved.
In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus tells believers with “all authority” to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nation.” In other words, sound the warning that a day is coming when everyone will stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives and will either live eternally in heaven or in hell. Are we obeying Jesus? Are we telling them how they can be saved? Are we making disciples?
Jesus, You are the AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. Forgive me when I ignore rather than obey Your commands. Create in my heart a passion to obey You and to go and make disciples.
Are you ready for Christ’s return and actively sharing your faith to help others prepare? Would you like some resources to help you better understand the times in which we live and to shift your focus to His return and eternity? Check out End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do. You can purchase the study HERE and access the accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.
A Cloud Is Watching Us
Do you ever feel like the days are flying by or think, “I can’t believe it’s already this month”? It’s true that there are times when the days seem to fly by as we race from one commitment to another. But have you ever considered that there are those watching you as you race about your day and through the years?
Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Gulp. There is a cloud of witnesses watching us? If your eyes are widened at this verse, be assured, mine have been as well.
How is it possible for us to run our race in a way that honors God? We can lay aside encumbrances and entangling sins. We can run with endurance with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith; following His example.
We have a race to run even as Jesus did. We may not like it and in fact, despise it. Yet God has set the joy of heaven before us and it is that on which we are to set our eyes as Jesus did.
About that great cloud of witnesses watching us race…. what are they observing about us? How will we run better today?
Lord Jesus, I praise You, the AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH. Thank You for taking the lead so I can follow You and Your example. I worship You.
Learn how to contend for the faith in the times in which we live through Debbie’s Bible study of Jude, Contend Earnestly for the Faith. Purchase a copy HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos, podcasts, and listening guides HERE.
No Other Name But Jesus
The Lord God Almighty named His Son — Jesus. Why? Jesus means “Jehovah is salvation.” In other words, we need look no further for how to be saved from our carnal nature and hell. The answer to how we can be saved is Jesus. Only through the forgiveness of our sins by His death on the cross are we saved. Acts 2:22-24 clearly states that our hope is in Jesus.
“Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, …this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”
If you want to live in the realm of what is impossible for you and possible only by Jesus, turn to Jesus, repent of sin, and call on Him as Lord.
Jesus, I praise You who are ATTESTED TO BY GOD with miracles and wonders and signs. Thank You, Savior, for saving my soul from hell and saving me for heaven and eternity with You.
Today’s key verses are Acts 2:22-24. For a deeper dive into this Scripture, watch Debbie’s teaching on Acts 2:16-47 HERE or listen to it HERE.
Fun to Think About
Have you ever needed an architect to help you design your home, office, or some other building?
In Hebrews 11:10, we’re told that Abraham looked for a city that was built by a particular architect. What city? Who was the architect? He “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
Isn’t that fun to think about? Abraham. Looking for a city designed and built by God. It is not only fun to think about, it is amazing. And, do you recall what Jesus told the disciples in John 14:2? “I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus is getting everything ready for our arrival in the city built by God.
We can learn from Abraham. What can we learn? To set our eyes on heaven, the new Jerusalem, whose architect is God.
How do we do that? We set our minds on the things above. (Colossians 3:2) We bank on heaven, as Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:19-21; to store up our treasure there.
If our eyes have been on our earthly home and the life we are building here, it is time for us to switch our focus to that of Abraham and to do as Jesus advised. Why? No architect on earth holds a candle to that of our heavenly architect.
Lord, I praise You, the ARCHITECT of the New Jerusalem and of my salvation. Fill me with awe and gratitude as I think about You preparing a place for me. Focus my eyes and set my priorities on eternity and the New Jerusalem rather than the passing things of earth.
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. Purchase your copy HERE.
Am I Good Enough?
Have you ever wanted to approach someone to visit or discuss an issue, or maybe just to be near them, but felt the person was unapproachable? Maybe you felt you weren’t good enough.
Isn’t it incredible to realize that we can approach God? How is that possible? It certainly has nothing to do with our merit or goodness. So how do we have access to God?
Psalm 65:4 (NKJV) explains. “Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts.”
The answer to how we can approach God is because Jesus paid our sin debt, gave us His righteousness, and opened the way into their presence.
What adds to the incredibleness of our being able to approach God is 1 Timothy 6:16 describes Jesus as dwelling in unapproachable light.
When we think of the humble form Jesus took when He came to earth to secure our salvation and now our ability to approach Him, it is mind boggling. Approach Him. Praise Him. Tell Him your needs. He loves you.
Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, You dwell in unapproachable light, yet have made Yourselves APPROACHABLE. I love and praise You and cannot wait to see You, Your glory, and bow and worship You.
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