365 Days of Praise
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.
If you enjoyed this content and want to watch video teachings by Debbie, consider subscribing to her YouTube channel. Go HERE and click the subscribe button to be notified of new teachings.
An “Appointment” Pop Quiz
True or False:
- God assigns individuals to particular tasks.
- God has appointed times in history.
- God appointed Christ to save you.
If you said “true,” you are correct. Consider the following:
“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…I have appointed you a prophet to the nation” (Jeremiah 1:5).
“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).
Of all God’s appointments, the greatest is Jesus. “…that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you” (Acts 3:20).
Yes, God appointed Christ to save us and He appoints times, people, events, and more. What has He appointed you to do?
Lord, who APPOINTS times, people, events and Jesus to be the Savior of the world. I praise and worship You. Help me faithfully fulfill what You’ve appointed me to do.
Our Lord, Jesus, has countless wonderful attributes that we can praise Him for. To learn more about His incredible qualities, purchase a copy of the 365 Days of Praise Daily Devotional HERE. You’ll be introduced to a different attribute each day that you can praise Him for.
A Tip for Everyday Living
Do you like tips on money management, tips on gardening, tips on home organizing, or on some other topic? We do well to pay attention to proven tips. They help us do things smarter and in a more meaningful way. In that regard, Hebrews 3:1 gives us a spiritual tip.
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.”
What kind of a tip is that?
The word “consider” in this verse means “fix your thoughts”.
The tip is – as partakers of a heavenly calling, we’re to fix our thoughts on Jesus when we wake in the morning. We’re to fix our thoughts on Jesus when we get bad news. We’re to fix our thoughts on Jesus when we face a difficult decision. We’re to fix our thoughts on Jesus as we go through our day.
Why should we fix our thoughts on Jesus?
When we look at Jesus and consider Him, we are more likely to act and think like partakers of our heavenly calling. We’re less likely to be overwhelmed, panicked, worried, or perhaps prideful.
Try it. You’ll discover that considering Jesus, fixing your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of your confession, results in increased hope, assurance, peace, and purpose.
Jesus, APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST of our confession, You are our wonderful Lord and Savior who has made us a partaker of a heavenly calling. Help us walk out our calling well by considering and fixing our thoughts on You.
This Makes Me Smile
It makes me smile to think about where and when Christ spoke the words in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because He anointed me to preach the gospel to the Poor.”
When did Jesus say these words? He had just returned from being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. “He was led by the Spirit in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). What was His first Spirit-anointed task following His victory over Satan’s temptations? He went home…to Nazareth. I love that. And get this—“as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.”
This is a good place for us to pause and ask ourselves, is it our custom to gather with believers to read and hear the Scripture?
Are we raising our children with the custom of gathering with believers to hear the Word of God?
If it was what God’s anointed Lord Jesus did, it’s what I want to do. I would have hated to have missed Jesus speaking in the synagogue because I didn’t feel like going that day. I’d hate to miss Jesus speaking today which is one reason I gather with believers to worship and hear the reading and teaching of His Word. Do you?
Jesus, I praise You, ANOINTED Lord and Savior. Thank You for Your words and example of a Spirit-led life. May I follow Your example today and always.
Do you have a friend or family member you would like to introduce to Jesus? Share this link with them: “Meet Jesus…Experience His Grace.“
Do We Have Enough Holy Reverence?
“Hey, buddy.” We’re often quite chummy with people, calling them “buddy”. Some parents even call their children, “buddy”. In reference to Jesus, there are people who quote Matthew 11:19, that Jesus was a friend (buddy?) of sinners. But let’s not forget that Jesus is the gloriously exalted LORD who is seated at the right hand of God. Prayerfully picture the scene recorded in Daniel 7:9-10.
“I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him. Thousands upon thousands were attending Him; and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him. The court sat, and the books were opened and were presented before Him.”
The Son of Man, Jesus, is not our “buddy”. He is our Lord seated at the right hand of the Ancient of Days.
ANCIENT OF DAYS, glorious One, and Son of God, forgive me when I fail to show You holy reverence. Help me honor You today and every day.
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.
When Waves of Hopelessness Pound Your Heart
You need hope. I need hope. Our loved ones need hope. Where do we find it? Do we practice “self-talk” and tell ourselves we are “happy and fine” when we aren’t? Or do we kneel, look up in praise, and cry out to the One who has gone before us to heaven and who intercedes for us?
Hebrews 6:19 describes our relationship with Jesus and why we can have genuine hope. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered…”
Our hope in Jesus is an anchor for our soul. Personalize that truth. My hope in Jesus is an anchor for my soul. Think about that. It’s amazing. We don’t have to be carried by waves of hopelessness into an ocean of despair. Yes, waves of hopelessness may at times seem like they will overwhelm us. But when you feel that way, place your hope in the Savior. You are not going to drift beyond His sight or hand. He’s got you. Our hope in Christ is an anchor for our soul.
Jesus, sweet Savior, thank You for being the One in whom my soul is anchored; for being the ANCHOR OF MY SOUL. I praise You that I will never drift from Your hold.
Are you facing disappointment or struggling with unmet expectations? Get a copy of The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World to discover how to take charge of your thoughts and let God reignite your hopes and dreams.
Let’s Be Amazed
Throughout the Bible, the word “amazed” is used to describe people’s reactions to God. Mark 1:22 records that people “were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes”.
The New Testament word “amazed” means astonished, thrown into wonderment. Jesus’ teachings astonished people.
Matthew 12:23 records that when Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute so that he could see and talk, “All the crowds were amazed and were saying, ‘This man cannot be the Son of David, can He?’”
When Jesus rose from the dead, they were amazed (“thrown into wonderment”) Mark 16:5-6.
Oh that we be amazed, astonished, and thrown into wonderment at our Lord.
Keep your eyes open friend, for how Jesus is working in your life and in the lives of others. You might just find yourself amazed.
Lord Jesus, I praise You, AMAZING Lord. You work in ways beyond my reach and power; in ways only You can work. Help me to be ever mindful of the lives You are transforming, of how You are transforming my life. May my eyes be open to all You are doing, and may I remain continually in awe of You.
If you enjoyed this content and want to watch video teachings by Debbie, consider subscribing to her YouTube channel. Go HERE and click the subscribe button to be notified of new teachings.
Why You Can Stop Fretting
“I don’t know where this is going.”
Have you ever said or thought those words in regard to the unrest in our world, nation, or perhaps your family or a personal situation? The past may be a blur and the future uncertain.
It’s no wonder we may feel uneasy at times. Yet in the midst of our ever-changing world, believers have this hope and promise: Jesus isn’t going anywhere. He’s right here with us, just like He was with us yesterday and just like He will be with us tomorrow. Revelation 1:8 records Jesus’ words of assurance to us,
“’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’”
Our Lord was with us in the past. He’s with us at this moment. He’ll be with us tomorrow. We have an ever-present Lord to see us through our days.
Breathe a sigh of relief, thank Him, and confidently move forward in your day thanking Him for His presence with you.
Christ Jesus, ALPHA AND OMEGA, I praise You, the One who is and who was and who is to come. The One who is with me at this moment. I love You.
Stay in the know about upcoming events! Visit the Upcoming Events section on our website.
Praise Almighty God
The Bible provides several examples of the Lord revealing Himself to people. One such example is when Abram, later known as Abraham, was 99 years old. The Lord appeared to him and introduced Himself as the Lord Almighty. Read the account in Genesis 17:1-2: “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.”
The Old Testament word for “Almighty” means “most powerful”. The New Testament word means “he who holds sway over all things, the ruler of all.” Together, these words reveal that the Almighty is the most powerful being who holds sway over all things.
God wanted Abraham to know His power and ability to hold sway over his life. God wants us to know, too.
ALMIGHTY GOD, I praise You, the most powerful One who holds sway over all things. Hold sway over my heart today so that I walk blamelessly before You.
Do you know someone who could use some encouragement today? Scroll down and click on “Forward to a Friend” to share this blog post.
When We Question God’s Power
Whether we’re shopping for a car or a computer, we typically ask, “How powerful is it?” Why do we ask? We want to know if what we’re considering buying can do what we want and need.
We may not say or even realize it, but sometimes we may question God’s power. For example, we pray about something and then we worry.
If we really believed that nothing is impossible with God, then worry wouldn’t have a place in our lives.
Today is a good day to remember 1 Chronicles 29:11, that God is all powerful and we can confidently place our trust in Him. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.”
Let that be our prayer. Let that be our mindset as we live out our day.
Lord, You are great, ALL POWERFUL, and the One to whom glory, victory, and majesty belong. Help me walk out my faith and trust in You today rather than fret over details.
Do you commute to work and want to listen to some encouraging teachings by Debbie while you drive? Let her podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podbean help you set your mind on Christ before you start your day!