365 Days of Praise

During this holiday season, is your heart filled with gratitude? Or do you feel like a deflated balloon because some things for which you’d hoped didn’t happen? 

Most people agree that life can be hard. In addition, as believers we can feel deflated because we failed to live up to our expectations of how we should behave or speak as a believer.  

Some time ago someone said to me, “The only good I have is because I’m a Christian.” 

What did they mean? They were saying that Christ is the “goodness” in their life. He is, in fact, what makes us good. 

Hebrews 7:26 uses the word “undefiled” to describe Christ because He is more than good. Jesus is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” In other words, Christ is more than a good prophet. He is the high priest of heaven who saves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is. 

No matter the circumstances you are facing today, your Savior is facing them with you. This day will pass. Christ’s goodness and presence with you will never pass. For that, you can be thankful. 

Lord Jesus, UNDEFILED Savior, I love and praise You, the goodness in my life, my salvation. I am grateful for and love You.

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I love to gaze at the glory of the moon. Do you? When we do, we are looking at something God created that is. It exists today.  

However the moon was created by God in eternity past. 

The moon that was created in eternity past and exists today is also set to rise in the night sky tomorrow and in future nights. Although it appears in different phases, it is still the same moon.

If the moon is the same moon in the past, present, and future; why would anyone doubt that Jesus was, is, and is to come? 

Yes, at Christmas we celebrate the Lord who came in the past in the appearance of a baby. Luke 2:7

At Easter we celebrate the Lord who rose from the grave. Matthew 28:6

Now, we watch for Christ who promised to come again. John 14:3  

We can be assured, as Revelation 1:4 states, Jesus is, “He who is and who was, and who is to come…” 

Think about it. Jesus is coming again! Are you ready to meet Him? 

Lord Jesus, WHO IS, WHO WAS, AND WHO IS TO COME, I praise You and look with anticipation to Your return. Quicken me to faithfully serve You as I watch and wait.

Are you ready for Christ’s return? 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 as well as Contend Earnestly for the Faith.

As the celebration of Christ’s birth nears each year, we focus on the babe in the manger. However, it is important to note that the babe was born a Prince with an angelic army at His beck and call. (Matthew 26:53)

Jesus, the babe, was born a “Warrior” King as Isaiah 42:13 foretold, “The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies.”

Jesus, the babe in a manger, grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)  Refusing the devil’s temptations, He preached and proved His kingdom. (Luke 8:1) 

Jesus, the Warrior King, overcame the last enemy—death. (Luke 24:46, 1 Corinthians 15:26) 

Having accomplished His earthly mission, He ascended into heaven and sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. (Ephesians 4:8-10, Hebrews 7:27)

One day, the trumpet of heaven will sound and Jesus, the crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords, will descend from heaven with His angels and saints and claim victory over the devil. (Revelation 17:14, 19:16)

Jesus is more than a babe in a manger. He is the eternal, reigning Warrior King. Who will you tell? Who will you invite to live in His kingdom? 

Lord, I praise You, victorious WARRIOR and reigning King of Kings.

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.

Access to information has increased exponentially the last few years. We can speak into our smartphones, ask a question, and get the answer to almost any question. However, not even the most sophisticated piece of equipment or brilliant person can comprehend God and His ways, as Romans 11:33 states. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”

The word “unfathomable” that describes God’s ways is the Greek word anexichniastos and means “cannot be searched out, cannot be comprehended.” It is used in reference to not only His ways but also in Ephesians 3:8 to the unfathomable riches of Christ.

Although Christians know that God’s ways are unfathomable and cannot be comprehended, we can sometimes forget and question why He doesn’t answer our prayers in a certain way. 

When that happens, we can rest in the knowledge that God is good, loving, compassionate, and faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 145:9). We can remember that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). We can place our trust in Him.

LORD, I praise You. You and Your ways are UNFATHOMABLE. I cannot begin to comprehend You or Your ways. May I never forget Your love and compassion. Increase my trust in You and help me rest in the knowledge that Your ways are higher than my ways. 

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.

We are living in a time when deception abounds. The world promotes truth as subjective instead of an objective reality grounded in facts. As Christians, we should not be surprised or caught off guard by this. The Bible warns of deception, especially in the last days (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:1). 

How can we avoid falling prey to the lies and deception of this world? We can look to Jesus, the embodiment of truth. Jesus declared in John 14:6, …”’I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'”

Jesus is the ultimate reality and truth. To discern the things that don’t align with Him, we must stay anchored in His Word and in prayer. 

In a world that is filled with deceit, isn’t it a blessing that the One to whom we’re entrusting our lives is the truth? With whom do we need to share the good news?

Lord Jesus, we praise You, the TRUTH and the way to the Father!

Want to learn more about understanding the times in which we live and discerning the truth? Check out these resources to get started: End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do  and Contend Earnestly for the Faith Jude Bible Study.You can also access the free online accompanying videos HERE. 

Have you ever felt disturbed or shaken by circumstances in your life or the world around you? Maybe you were blindsided by the death of a loved one, a sudden job loss, or a diagnosis. Perhaps the everyday stressors and pressures of life, combined with what seems like dire conditions in the world, have left you feeling unsettled. Where can we turn in times of uncertainty and instability? We can look to the Lord. 

Isaiah 33:5-6 says, “The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.” 

At the time Isaiah spoke these words, God’s people were facing a serious threat from a treacherous nation and enemy who was bringing about unprovoked destruction. This threat and devastation caused God’s people to feel unstable and terrified. However, Isaiah declared that the Lord would be their stability. He would provide salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. 

Just as the Lord was the Israelites’ stability, He is also the stability of our times. He is the firm foundation on which we can stand in times of uncertainty, trouble, loss, and devastation. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we’re immune to trials and troubles in this life. Christ suffered while on earth. However, we can rest assured that if we look to God in obedience and reverence, He will stabilize us with His salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. 

Lord, You are the STABILITY OF OUR TIMES. Thank You that I can look to You as my firm foundation when I feel shaken by my circumstances or the world around me. Help me fully trust You and walk in obedience to Your teachings. 

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Do you feel under fire by a barrage of personal, financial, physical, spiritual, or other attacks? Have you attempted to shield yourself or your loved ones with your own efforts or things other than the Lord? Although your efforts may be well intentioned, the Lord is the ultimate, impenetrable shield. Any shield other than the Lord will fail to protect the mind, emotions, and hearts of you or your loved ones.^[1]

Jesus hasn’t left you alone to suffer through life’s trials by yourself. You can cover yourself with His love and truth.^[2]  You can call to your Heavenly Father, who David describes in Psalm 3:3 as a shield about him. You can put on the spiritual armor that He’s given you so that you can resist evil and stand firm (Ephesians 6:13). 

If your shield of faith is down, take it and hold it up. You can do this by taking “up” your Bible and taking God “up” on His Word. Soak your mind and heart in His Word and let it speak to and strengthen your soul (Psalm 119:97-98, 110-111, 114). ^[3] 

Lord, thank You for being a SHIELD about me. Help me stay under the protection of Your divine armor and Word.

Want to learn more about living a victorious Christian life? Watch Debbie’s teaching on Acts 28: The 7 Characteristics of People Who Are More than Conquerors. 

Have you ever been built up or torn down by someone’s words? No doubt, people’s words have an impact on our lives. So do Christ’s words. 

In Isaiah 49:2, the words of the “Servant of the Lord,” who is understood to be Jesus, are compared to a sharp sword. “He has made My mouth like a sharp sword,…;”

The imagery of Jesus’ words being like a sharp sword is also found in other places in the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 

Jesus’ Words are like a sharp sword in that they cut straight to the heart, to our thoughts and intentions.

Jesus’ Word is also a sharp sword in the believer’s defense against sin and the enemy (Psalm 119:11, Ephesians 6:10-17). 

As believers, do we use the power and authority of God’s Word to transform us? Do we delight in His Word? (Psalm 1:1-3)? Are we doers of His Word (James 1:23-25)?  Christ, His Word, a sharp sword, is vital to our lives. 

Lord, I praise You, a SHARP SWORD. Transform me according to Your living and active Word. 

Would you like to grow in your faith? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you. In addition to our books and Bible studies, we offer several free Christian resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

Here in the United States, presidential election seasons are often marked by tension and divisive rhetoric among politicians, citizens, and those in the mainstream media. There’s often a sense of uncertainty as voters anticipate the changes that will come with the next elected president. If you live in another country, you can probably relate to the feelings of insecurity that may arise from a change in leadership. However, we must remember not to place our trust, confidence, or hope in earthly kings or presidents. Instead, we should look to Jesus, the supreme ruler and authority over all the kings of the earth.

Revelation 1:5 says, “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” This verse reminds us that Jesus is the ruler over all earthly authority. Instead of placing our trust in mere humans, we can look heavenward in confidence to the King of kings who reigns with justice and mercy. 

While Jesus is presently sovereign and ruling over all earthly authority, we will one day see Him reigning over the earth. The Bible says that the current Heaven and earth will one day be replaced with a new Heaven and earth. God will dwell with His people during that time and we will see the glorious King of Kings ruling over all (Revelation 21:1-4).

Lord Jesus Christ, what a wonderful blessing to know that this world is not spinning out of control. You are the enthroned, RULER OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. 

Today is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. If you’d like to cultivate a heart of gratitude throughout the year, the Prayers of My Heart prayer journal can help you get started. 

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving filled with love, joy, and gratitude! 

Would you agree that the news can sometimes leave you feeling unsettled and discouraged regarding the state of our world?

While it is true that darkness often surrounds us, it is also true that we can be encouraged and find hope in God, whom Psalm 76:4 describes as luminous. Or, as the psalmist states, “God is resplendent.” 

Think about the word “resplendent.” It doesn’t just refer to a physical quality. It encompasses much more. It refers to God’s magnificence and glory that are beyond comparison. 

Where can we bask in His resplendence? The Bible. We can read the Psalms. 

We can look up at the glory of the heavens.

We can meditate on God’s attributes. 

Rather than despair in the hopelessness and discouragement of the world, spend time “sunbathing” in God’s Light. 

Lord, You are RESPLENDENT! Illumine my life with Your glory. 

Download this free printable featuring the attributes of Jesus from the book of John. As you reflect on each one, bask in God’s resplendence by praising Him!