365 Days of Praise

Some time ago I went to a funeral where we celebrated the life of a dear woman who went to be with the Lord. Why were we able to celebrate her life even though we were sad she was no longer with us? We could celebrate her life because we knew she was with Christ, who Colossians 1:18 describes as “the beginning, the Firstborn from the Dead.” 

Firstborn from the Dead. How can Jesus be called that? Didn’t He resurrect people to life? Weren’t the graves opened and people rose when Jesus died on the cross and the veil in the temple was torn? 

Yes, Jesus raised people from the dead and yes, the tombs were opened and people raised when He died. However, those who had been resurrected died again. Jesus is called the firstborn from the dead because He was the first to rise in a resurrection body, never to die again. 

In Revelation 1:4-5, John also referred to Jesus as the firstborn of the dead. “Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” 

Later, in Revelation 1:12-20, John saw the resurrected Lord. He heard Jesus speak. As a result, John “fell at His feet like a dead man” so shocking it was to see Jesus in glory. 

The Firstborn from the Dead is alive and well as you will be when you join Him in glory. 

Lord Jesus, I praise You, the FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD and thank You that I, too, will be alive forever. 

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The 365 Days of Praise Devotional is also available in print. Get your copy HERE. 

“Hell on earth” is a phrase people sometimes use to describe a horrible place or time they’re experiencing. No doubt the Jews felt that way in Nazi concentration camps. So can a spouse who is in an abusive marriage. Or an employee who has a relentless boss. Might a Christian feel that way when principalities of evil are rampant? Yes. 

Ephesians 6:12 says Christians struggle against rulers, powers, world forces of darkness, and spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Too often, though, we may not recognize the forces at play in our lives. We go to church, read our Bible, and try to live a good Christian life. Then something horrible happens or perhaps is ongoing. All we see is what is visible to our eyes. 

When the apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his faith, Jesus brought perspective and encouragement to him. Consider His words, “‘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). 

What you are experiencing today may feel like hell on earth, but it is temporary. Jesus is the First and the Last. He has the keys of death and Hades and is locking Satan away. He has the last word. You will live eternally in glory with the Lord. 

Lord Jesus, the FIRST AND THE LAST, You reign supreme and Your Word is the final word. Thank You for ending Satan’s reign on earth one day. Thank You for eternal, glorious life with You.

Would you like more grace and peace in your life? Peace with God? Peace with others? Watch Debbie’s teaching on 1 Peter 1 HERE or listen to it HERE. 

If you’re a runner or know someone who is, you understand the importance of removing anything that might slow you down. You’re also aware of how critical it is to stay focused while running and not get sidetracked by any distractions. You or someone you know has probably also experienced weariness at some point while running—maybe toward the end of a race, a marathon, or a high-mileage run. 

Hebrews 12 draws a comparison between the Christian life and running a race. The chapter starts out by encouraging believers to throw off any hindrances, such as sin, that so easily entangles, and to run the race with perseverance. Hebrews 12:2 goes on to say, “…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher 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.”

Jesus despised the shame of the cross, yet He suffered through it in order to not only give us a start in our Christian walk, but to also make sure that our faith is perfected, complete, and finished. You see, Jesus is not only the author or the source of our faith, but He also oversees, sustains, and completes the faith of those who trust in Him. Philippians 1:6 reminds us of this—“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

It is with tremendous gratitude each of us should look heavenward in praise of our Lord and thank Him—the author and finisher of our faith!

Lord Jesus, I praise You! I thank You that You are not only the author, but also the FINISHER OF OUR FAITH!

We don’t have to run the Christian race alone. Jesus sent us a Helper, the Holy Spirit. To learn more about Christ’s gift, listen to this free podcast teaching: Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.

Father of Spirits. Are you familiar with this title of God? We don’t often hear it. More often in prayer groups we hear praises of God as the Way, Truth, and Life; of Him being Sovereign and Healer. 

However, in Hebrews 12:9, the author uses the designation, “Father of Spirits.” “We had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of Spirits and live?” 

What is meant by “Father of Spirits”? Although some commentators mention a possible reference to God’s creation of angels, far more agree it is a reference to God being the Father or Creator of people’s souls. We find a similar reference in this regard in Numbers 16:22. “O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?” God of the spirits of all flesh is a reference to God’s creation of mankind. 

There is a most important aspect to God being referred to as the Father of Spirits in Hebrews 12:9. The passage goes on to explain that as earthly fathers discipline their children, the Father of Spirits disciplines His children. Who are His children? Those who have been born again (John 3:3) of the Holy Spirit; who are new creations (Galatians 6:15).

The Father of Spirits gives us a new birth. He then assumes responsibility for disciplining us so we share in His holiness. (Hebrews 12:10) What a wonderful Father of Spirits we have! 

FATHER OF SPIRITS, thank You for giving me a new birth with Your Spirit and disciplining me so I share Your holiness. I love You and pray I reflect well on You, my Father.

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 resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

Have you ever needed someone to extend mercy to you? You did something wrong, thoughtless, or perhaps careless. You felt bad and desired forgiveness. You asked to be forgiven. What if their heart was hardened and they said, “no”? And how horrible it would be if our Heavenly Father refused to forgive us. Quite the opposite. 

Second Corinthians 1:3 tells us that God is the Father of mercies. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” 

Mercy flows from our Father. It’s His nature. He is the original transmitter of mercy. So when you go to a Christian sister or brother and ask forgiveness and they extend mercy, they are a reflection of their Father—the Father of mercies. 

The good news doesn’t stop with God being a transmitter of mercy and our Christian brothers and sisters being transmitters of mercy. The good news is we can be transmitters of mercy also, reflections of our Father. 

In today’s culture, it can be easy sometimes for a person to be offended. They may hold grudges and not want to forgive or extend mercy. However, what a precious opportunity it is for believers to show mercy as our Heavenly Father does. Let’s make it a point to do this well. 

FATHER OF MERCIES, thank You for extending mercy to me. May I be quick to extend mercy to others and reflect well on You. 

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Our nation and world are going through what some call dark times. In the midst of these trying times, what can believers do? We can shine brightly with the love, hope, and truth of our Lord, whom James 1:17 describes as the Father of Lights. 

The prince of darkness, Satan, wants us to stumble in the darkness. But James points to our hope. “Every good thing is given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” 

Commentator, Charles Ryrie, explains this reference to the Lord means “God is the source of all light—physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual—and He does not change.”¹

Rather than physically, intellectually, morally or spiritually stumble, we can pray with our heart, mind, soul, and spirit. We can walk through our day in the light of the Father of Lights. We can spread His light to others. Will we? 

FATHER OF LIGHTS, illumine my heart, mind, soul, and spirit with Your Light so I walk as a child of Light and spread Your Light to others. 

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. 

¹ Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update (Chicago: Moody Press, 2008).

Have you ever suffered for the cause of Christ? Perhaps you took a stand on the inerrancy of the Bible. Maybe you held to the conviction that Jesus is the way, truth, and life; no one goes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Perhaps someone distanced themself from you because you held to the Biblical definition of marriage as being between a man and woman. 

What can you do when you suffer for the cause of Christ; when our brothers and sisters in Christ suffer being disowned by their family, being beaten, imprisoned, or die for their faith? 

Peter, who suffered for his faith, writes that we are to entrust our souls to our faithful Creator. “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right” (1 Peter 4:19). Peter also directs us to look at God’s character; that He is Creator God and that He who created the world and us is faithful. We can trust Him, knowing that He will remain faithful and make all things right. 

Consistent with what Peter writes is the vision John received and recorded in Revelation 19:11 regarding Christ’s return. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.” 

Our Creator God is faithful and true and He will act faithfully on your behalf. 

FAITHFUL LORD, I praise You that I can trust You and entrust my soul to You. 

One of our key verses today is 1 Peter 4:19. To watch Debbie’s teaching on all of 1 Peter 4, click HERE. You can also check out her 1 Peter Bible study, “Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos” HERE. The study includes free accompanying videos and podcasts. You can access them by going to “Bible Studies” in the main menu or by clicking HERE.

Do you ever get bored, overwhelmed, or discouraged when you look down at all you have to do or you look around you at situations that are disheartening? However, if we turn our face toward the exalted Lord, our heart and spirit are uplifted. Let the reality that you will one day be with the exalted Lord put a smile on your face. In the meantime… 

–  Look up and be excited that your salvation is a sure thing. “The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; And exalted be God, the rock of my salvation” (2 Samuel 22:47). 

–  Look up with confidence when the world is tumultuous. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). 

–  Look up when it seems you’re losing a battle. “The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly” (Psalm 118:16). 

– Look up when you’re around haughty people. “For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar” (Psalm 138:6). 

– Look up with excitement when thinking about heaven. “In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple” (Isaiah 6:1).

 – Look up with confidence that Jesus is the One you should trust. “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him (Jesus), and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). 

EXALTED Lord, looking to You puts a smile on my face. You are exalted above the heavens, yet care about me. Help me live in a way that reflects my love for You and brings You glory. 

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, on Podbean help you set your mind on Christ before you start your day!

Have you ever wondered if there was some place you could go that would be away from God? Perhaps you felt shame over something you did and wanted to hide. Or, you may have just wondered if it was a possibility to get away from God. Perhaps you feared your actions had driven God away. 

I learned the answer to those questions when I was in high school while doing my daily Bible reading. I came to Psalm 139:7-10 which assures us that there is nowhere we can go from God’s presence. The words were so beautiful, I picked up my guitar and wrote music to accompany the words. Meditate on them as you read Psalm 139:7-10.  

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me.”  

The psalmist’s words are beautiful, but they are more than that. They are true. 

Jesus affirmed His continual presence with us in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

Which of the verses in Psalm 139:7-10 touch your heart? What does it mean to you that God is everywhere and His hand will lead you? 

Lord, I praise You that You are EVERYWHERE. Thank You that I am never apart from Your presence. I love You.

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.”

Do you ever worry about the end? A job ends. Time with loved ones ends. But there is One who has no beginning or end: God. 

In Psalm 90:2, Moses points out that God is everlasting. “Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” 

Jeremiah 10:10 refers to God as Everlasting King. “But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the Everlasting King.” 

Psalm 145:13 assures us His kingdom is everlasting. 

Habakkuk 3:6 points out that in addition to God’s kingdom being everlasting, His ways are everlasting. 

The prophet Isaiah personalizes the Everlasting God by calling Him “Everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6. 

Psalm 103:17 tells us God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. 

Deuteronomy 33:27 says we can rest in God’s everlasting arms. 

If you ever feel a sense of loss or that everything dear to you is ending, remember that God will be with you forever and will be the same Everlasting Father that He has always been. 

Lord, You are the EVERLASTING God and Father in whose Everlasting Arms I can rest and in whose Everlasting Love and Kingdom I can live. I rejoice in You.

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.