365 Days of Praise

Things aren’t always what they seem. And just because things appear one way in a moment of time, it doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way. Case in point: Jesus. If we’d been in Jerusalem when Jesus was hanging on the cross we might have concluded, “Jesus failed.” However, what appeared to be Jesus’ lowest moment was in fact God’s highest plan being accomplished. Three days after Jesus’ death on the cross, God raised Him. So the moment was really, “Jesus accomplished His mission and is now at the right hand of God having died for our sins and opened the way to salvation and eternal life.” 

Isaiah 52:13 prophesied that God’s plan and Jesus would be successful. “Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.” The Isaiah passage prophesied Jesus would be a suffering servant, lifted up on the cross for our sins. 

Hebrews 12:2 gives us the rest of the story. Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus is high and lifted up, this time not in shame, but high and lifted up to a place of glory at the right hand of God. 

What is Jesus doing in this place of exaltation? Among many things, interceding for us as Hebrews 7:25 states. “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” 

Jesus, high and lifted up on the cross, paid our sin debt. Jesus, high and lifted up to the right hand of God is interceding for us. 

Jesus, HIGH AND LIFTED UP, greatly exalted, I thank You and worship You. 

NOTE to Moms (or anyone who has a mom or loves a mom) as we approach Mother’s Day: Hey Mom, we can sometimes (or often) feel like a failure. God knows how many times we fail and cry out to Him for forgiveness, strength, “overs,” wisdom, protection for our children, and that they will come to know Him as Savior and Lord. If you can relate, I encourage you to get my book, The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World. (A different book from The Plan A WOMAN in a Plan B World.) I had mom friends of all ages/stages share personal stories that will encourage you and provide practical/spiritual tips. The discussion questions at the end of each chapter make it a great resource for mom groups as well. Grab a copy HERE!

PS: Looking for a fun way to help your children or grandchildren learn God’s Word? Visit my Kidz Time page for videos and printable activities designed to make learning Scripture meaningful, engaging, and fun for kids. You can also check out Kidz Time 1: Bible Verses A to Z and Kidz Time 2: Praising God A to Z in my shop and download and print the free Kidz Time 1 Memory Verse Cards.

King David was deceived. He thought his sin of adultery and murder was hidden; no one would find out about it. But sin isn’t a kind bedfellow. Psalm 32:3-4 records how it affected David. “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night, Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer.” Notice that David said, “Your hand.” He knew God knew and God’s hand was heavy on him.

But what happened when David acknowledged his sin and confessed it to the Lord? We find the answer in Psalm 32:5. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.’” 

What advice does David give us in Psalm 32:6? “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found.” David discovered that instead of attempting to hide his sin and himself from God, it was better to make God his hiding place. “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:7). 

There may be times when we, like David, think we can hide our sin from God. But the truth is, we can’t. He sees us and even knows our thoughts. Yet even while we are in our sin, He invites us to a place of forgiveness—Himself. Today we can choose to stop trying to hide our sin. We can turn to God and humbly confess and repent of our sins. 

Lord, how sweet to know You as my HIDING PLACE who preserves me from trouble and surrounds me with songs of deliverance. Thank You. I praise You. 

On this National Day of Prayer, let’s remember that we don’t need to hide our sin from God. We can go in prayer to the One who already sees us, loves us, and offers forgiveness and grace. Take a few quiet moments today to pray, reflect, and rest in Him as your Hiding Place. And if you’d like encouragement and practical resources to help you grow your prayer life, visit the Grow Your Prayer Life page for tools to help you pray with purpose and draw closer to God.

“Help is on the way.” It’s all I could think to say as I grabbed my purse and headed to my car. My friend needed to hear those words. She needed to know that help was on the way…the kind of tangible help that is needed when we’re at our wit’s end and we don’t know how much more we can take. And so, God wants us to know that He is our help. Psalm 46:1 assures us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” 

Could you use some help from God today? Perhaps you need wisdom about a decision. James 1:5 says ask God for it. He is your help.

Could you use something “good” in your life? If so, James 1:17 reminds us that every “good” thing is from above. God is your help.

Are you anxious and long for peace? God is your help. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us that you can pray and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. 

You may be in a situation where you are despairing. Psalm 43:5 tells us once again that God is our help. “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” 

Yes, God is our help. Unlike my friend who had to wait for me to arrive in order to help her, we can experience the Lord’s present help, no matter our situation, if we would only call on Him. 

Lord, I praise You, my present HELP and lifter of my countenance.

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

Have you ever been the recipient of an inheritance? Perhaps a parent or grandparent died and left you money. Perhaps a loved one is still alive but has told you that you are the heir to their estate; or perhaps a joint heir with a sibling.

Genesis 15:2 is the first time in the Bible that heirship is mentioned. Abram responded to God’s promise of a great reward by asking what good it would do since he was childless and had no heir with whom to leave God’s reward. God assured Abram that he would have an heir and descendants; great in number as the stars in the sky. 

In the New Testament, Jesus told a parable about vine-growers who wanted to kill the heir to a vineyard; foretelling His death (Luke 20:9-16).

Hebrews 1:1-2 builds on Jesus’ words. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” 

Jesus is the heir of all God the Father has. What’s amazing is that God appointed believers to be fellow heirs with Christ. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirits that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:16-17). 

Does it make your heart soar to think of being a fellow heir with Christ? Imagine what it will be like when you’re in heaven and in astonishment gaze at heaven – your inheritance. 

Lord, I praise You, HEIR OF ALL THINGS. Thank You for making it possible for me to be in heaven through Your great sacrifice on the cross.  I can only imagine the glory I will behold when I see You and Your majesty.

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 End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do Bible Study HERE. Access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.

How would you describe your earthly father? Was he “perfect”? Did you know him or was he an absentee dad? Was he loyal or disloyal? On this side of heaven, there are no perfect fathers. But we have a Heavenly Father who is…um…heavenly. He’s perfect. What a blessing it is to know that He is here for us. He loves us. He is available 24/7. He wants us to come to Him with our needs. 

Not only that, our Heavenly Father has shown us in His Son, Jesus, how we are to live as His adopted children. We have the opportunity and responsibility to pattern our lives after Him. 

How do we do that? We watch how Jesus related to people. We consider our thoughts and actions in light of His teachings. We confess our shortcomings and ask Him to conform us to His way of thinking and acting.

Your Heavenly Father loves you and has His eye on you. Call to Him in your need. Wait silently for Him to speak to you and direct you. Follow how He guides you. 

Lord, thank You for being my HEAVENLY FATHER. Thank You for loving me and adopting me into Your family. I love and worship You. 

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Do you have children or have you ever babysat? Think for a moment about a time when a child cried for you. Maybe they were in their crib. Or perhaps you heard a thud, then the cry of a toddler who had fallen. What happened at the moment they cried out? Their voice “came into your ears.” 

I love the way that just as a child’s cry “comes into our ears,” the psalmist, David, worded that our cries “come into God’s ears.” 

Second Samuel 22:7 says, “In my distress, I called upon the Lord. Yes, I cried to my God, and from His temple, He heard my voice, and my cry for help came into His ears.” 

Yes, just as we can hear a child’s cry even if we’re in another part of the house, so God hears our cry from His temple. Our cries to God reach His ears. Our Heavenly Father is a hearing God, not a deaf God. What will you cry out to Him about today? 

Loving Father who HEARS me, thank You for listening to and answering my cries. I love You.

As we approach the National Day of Prayer on May 7, take time to grow in your faith and draw near to the God Who Hears through prayer. 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!

On February 28, 2002, God healed my mother. Bernice Ruth Taylor went to be with the Lord. No longer did she suffer from the physical ailments that had ravaged her body. She was ready to be with Jesus. She took off her oxygen mask, smiled at us, and after we verbalized our love for one another, she closed her eyes. 

However, none of us were prepared for the next moment. Mama’s eyes flew open and she startled us with, “boo!” I’ll never know how long she’d planned that dramatic moment or if it was a spur-of-the-moment idea. Regardless, she made her point. She wasn’t scared. She was, in fact, excited. Her attitude reflected Jeremiah 17:14, which says, “Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, for You are my praise.” 

My mother knew Jesus was her healer and that she was on her way to Him for her complete, ultimate healing. With that, she closed her eyes a final time on earth and opened them in heaven…fully healed. How can we not praise Him? Jesus is our hope and our healer. On this, we need to focus in these difficult days. 

Lord God, You are my HEALER. I praise You! 

Jesus demonstrates His healing power in John 5 when He told a man who had been ill for 38 years to pick up his pallet, walk, and sin no more. Watch Debbie’s teaching on John 5 HERE or listen to it HERE. 

I recently heard a television anchor report on a well-known religious leader whose viewpoint on a moral issue was contrary to the Bible. She then invited viewers to weigh in. “Let us know what you think. You can share your thoughts on social media if you agree or disagree.” As she continued with the next story, my mind lingered on her words. Does she not know that our opinion or even religious leaders’ opinions are not what matters, but rather Jesus’ stance? 

In Ephesians 1:22, Paul clearly states, “And He [our Heavenly Father] put all things in subjection under His [Jesus’] feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.” 

We have seen in Scripture how Jesus is head of man, head of the church, head over all rule and authority. Paul now with a broad sweep of his pen summarizes that Jesus is head over all things. 

It concerns me when churches and denominations vote their opinion rather than stand with Biblical teachings. Does it concern you, too? 

Lord Jesus, HEAD OVER ALL THINGS, I confess our nation is drifting from You. Yet, some churches are also drifting from You and following cultural trends. Raise up strong, committed Christians who speak truth as recorded in Your Word and submit to You.

As we approach the National Day of Prayer on May 7th, let’s turn from opinions to prayer, seeking Jesus, who is Head Over All Things. Will you pray for our nation and our churches to stand on His truth?

If you want help praying more purposefully, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion is a helpful resource. You can also watch Debbie’s teaching on YouTube HERE and download the free listening and note-taking guides HERE.

Do you worry about where our nation is headed? Although evil may temporarily prevail, the Bible tells us the end of the story, and it’s a good ending. God prevails. Colossians 2:10 tells us Christ is not only the head of a believer and head over the church, He is head over all rule and authority. “…in Him [Christ] you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” Isn’t that exciting? 

One day every knee will bow before Him. Examples of people humbling themselves before the Lord who is the head over all rule and authority are found throughout the Bible. Just such a case is King Nebuchadnezzar, who prided himself in his power. Read his testimony after God humbled him. 

“But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation” (Daniel 4:34). 

Jesus is head over all rule and authority. Do you acknowledge Him as such and therefore have an uplifted countenance knowing the end of the Bible? Is there someone you can encourage with the reminder that in spite of the moral decline and turning away from God, that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord? 

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are HEAD OVER ALL RULE AND AUTHORITY! Use me to speak of my confidence in You and Your reign. 

Do you know someone who could use some daily encouragement in their inbox? Tell them about the 365 Days of Praise e-devotional! They can subscribe by filling out the pop-up form on our homepage or by going HERE.

The updated edition of the 365 Days of Praise Devotional is also available in print. You can order your copy HERE. 

Have you ever worked hard for what you thought was for Christ but you experienced little joy? As a matter of fact, you felt agitated as you worked? If and when that happens, it helps to step back and consider if what we’re doing is an assignment from Christ and if we’re doing it in His power. Or, are we doing something we decided was a good idea and we’re pushing through in our own strength. 

Why is this important? Just as Christ is the head of every man (1 Corinthians 11:3), He is also Head of the church, His body, which He metaphorically describes in 1 Corinthians 12 as some members being the eye and some the feet. 

Writing to the church in Colossians 1:18, Paul states Christ is “head of the body, the church, and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” 

When we do the work Christ assigns us it may be challenging and difficult, but we will also experience Christ’s joy (Matthew 25:23). How joyful are you in your service to the Lord?

Lord Jesus, I praise You, HEAD OF THE CHURCH and life of the body of believers. May my words and actions be an extension of Your will, strength, and power. 

Would you like to better be able to discern the voice of the Lord to ensure that you’re walking in His will? Listen to Debbie’s teaching, “How to Discern the Voice of God,” on Spotify or YouTube.