365 Days of Praise

Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect“? Or has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect” in defense of something they’ve done? It’s a common response because it’s true. No human being is perfect. But Jesus pointed out that God the Father is. “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Perfect…the height of virtue and integrity. It is God’s height of virtue and integrity that Jesus directs us to and calls us to seek after. Rather than Jesus letting us off the hook, He sees the potential for us to be transformed into His likeness through His Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 

Transformation requires that we be intentional. We look intently at who God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are.

In what ways does the Bible point to God being perfect? 

• His character is perfect. (Galatians 5:22)
• His works are perfect. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
• His laws are perfect. (Psalm 19:7)
• His faithfulness is perfect. (Isaiah 25:1)
• His peace is perfect. (Isaiah 26:3)
• His patience is perfect. (1 Timothy 1:16)
• His love is perfect. (1 John 4:18)

Our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit are perfect. They are the Ones to whom we can look and follow. 

Lord, You are PERFECT. Thank You for Your perfect character, works, laws, faithfulness, peace, patience, love and more. As I look at You, transform me into Your image.

Would you like to learn more about walking by the Holy Spirit? Listen to these free podcast teachings: “Listen UP! 31 Points Every Christian Should Know About the Holy Spirit.”

Many of us today seek peace. We may watch a movie or scroll through social media to distract us from anxious thoughts. We may pursue financial security, hoping money will bring peace. 

Although pursuing things in search of peace may not be bad in and of itself, it’s important to recognize the source of true peace, which Judges 6:24 explains is the Lord. “Gideon built an altar to the Lord and named it ‘The Lord is Peace.’” 

The Lord is Peace. Jesus affirmed this before His ascension into heaven. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27). The peace Jesus promised wasn’t just for the disciples, but for us. Jesus understood the troubles and trials of life. But in the midst of them, He gives peace that supersedes what the world offers. I came to know this peace when I was 29 years old and received a letter from MD Anderson telling me that I had Stage 1 ovarian cancer. I experienced it again in 2024 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and went through chemo, a lobectomy, and radiation treatments into 2025. Even now, as I take a daily pill that targets the gene that caused my cancer, I continue to rest in Christ’s peace. As I cried out to God, He assured me that He would be with me, my husband, children, and grandchildren. If I died, He would take care of them and I would be in heaven with Him. Jesus’ peace flooded my soul. 

Do you know His peace? Do you practice and experience Philippians 4:6-7 “…be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” If you don’t know the peace Jesus offers, cry out to Him today. Proclaim as Gideon did, “The Lord is Peace.”

Lord, thank You for the PEACE You give that is not of this world. 

If you or a loved one are walking through cancer or another difficult season, we invite you to visit Hope for the Cancer+ Journey. There you’ll find encouraging resources, uplifting music, and reminders of God’s presence to help you experience His peace day by day.

Are you concerned for a family member or friend who refuses to trust Jesus for salvation? Are you worried they’ll die apart from Christ? 

If we’re concerned for the unsaved, it’s for good reason. This world isn’t all there is. There is life beyond the clouds that we can’t see just as there is life below the oceans we can’t see. Yes, all people are alive after they pass through this life—either in Christ’s presence or apart from Him for eternity.  

Jesus implores us to take the way to heaven, through Him. So, what do we do if an unsaved friend or family member refuses to turn to Christ? We align ourselves with the Lord, who we’re told in 2 Peter 3:9 is “not slow about His promise, but is patient…not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 

God is patient. Keep praying. Keep looking for opportunities to speak the truth in love.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being PATIENT. Help me be like you—patient and prayerful.

Do you know someone who could use some encouragement today? Scroll down and click on “Forward to a Friend” to share this blog post.

The July 4 floods in the Texas Hill Country were a reminder of how suddenly trials can come. The book of James reminds us that God is near in every trial, offering wisdom and peace. Join us for a Bible study on the book of James beginning September 17, 2025. More information and registration can be found HERE. 

Has anyone ever given their life so you could live? During the floods in the Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, neighbors and first responders braved dangerous waters to rescue others. But what about you? Has anyone heroically jumped in front of a car to save your life or pulled you to safety from flood waters? If so, no doubt you cherish them for what they did for you. 

In 1 Corinthians 5:7, Paul says that Christians should live in a Christ honoring way since He gave His life for us. “Clean out the old leaven (sin)…. For Christ, our Passover also has been sacrificed.”

Christ, our Passover, is a reference to the Passover lamb sacrificed for people’s sin. Paul rebukes the Corinthians because rather than being a Christ honoring church, they allowed immorality among the members. Rather than mourn over sin, they permitted it. Paul’s words spin their heads (and maybe ours) back in the right direction.

• Christ died because of our sin and immorality. How can we think accepting what He died for is okay? “Clean the sin from your life,” Paul urges.
• Demonstrate love, honor, and respect for Christ, our Passover Lamb, by living righteously for Him.

Christ, my PASSOVER Lamb, forgive me when I live for what You died for—my sin. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to live righteously for You, before You and others. 

Want to learn more about living by Christ’s divine nature? Get Debbie’s Bible study on 2 Peter, Living by the Divine Nature Instead of Our Fallen Nature, HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.

Are you familiar with Jesus’ teaching, “Ask, and it will be given to you,” Matthew 7:7? Ask means to call for, to request of someone. Jesus teaches us to request of the Father what we need. But Jesus not only teaches us to ask God for desired needs, but He also asks God for things. In John 14:16, Jesus told His disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Paraclete), that He may be with you forever…” Who is the Paraclete? He’s the Holy Spirit (Helper) who is with us forever.

Studying the Greek definition of the word “Helper” or “Paraclete”…ummm…helps. Consider the following definition of Paraclete: 

• Someone summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid.
• One who pleads another’s cause before a judge, counsel for defense, an advocate.
• Of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after His ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.¹ 

It’s staggering when we think of the magnitude of God’s provisions for us. Our Heavenly Father not only took it upon Himself to send His Son to save us but also sent the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, to be an abiding divine presence within us. We never walk alone.

Heavenly Father, Son, and PARACLETE, the blessing of Your Presence is something I will only fully realize when I am in Heaven. Thank You, Lord!

Want to learn more about the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, and how to discern His voice? Listen HERE.

¹  “Strong’s G3875 – paraklētos,” Blue Letter Bible, accessed July 26, 2023, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3875/kjv/tr/0-1/.

Do you agree that personal problems can seem overwhelming at times? 

What about national and international problems? Do they cause you to shake your head and wonder what the world’s coming to? 

What about health issues? Is your health or someone else’s health a concern? 

Then there are financial issues, parenting, marital, and work challenges that can be ongoing struggles. 

Jesus interrupts our conflicted worries and gets straight to an important point that each of us must remember. “In the world, you have tribulation, (pressure, affliction, oppression, and distress), but take courage, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

Is that a good word for you to hear today? Jesus is bigger than the world and its problems. We can look to Him, to His Word, and empowerment for whatever we face. 

Jesus has overcome the world. He is present to help you. Look up to the Overcomer. 

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the OVERCOMER. I praise You for the peace, direction and empowerment You give me as I trust in You.

Want to dive a little deeper into John 16:33? Watch this video clip of Debbie teaching on the passage. 

Do you ever feel alone? It’s easy to feel that way at times. Maybe you live by yourself, are in the hospital, or you’re confined to home due to an illness or a fall. Maybe you work from home and even though you connect with others by phone or email, you still feel alone. Perhaps you feel alone even though you have a bustling household. Your feelings may stem from feeling like no one understands what you’re going through.

Feelings, as you no doubt know, can be deceptive. They can be unreliable standards of truth. The truth is, Jesus has promised to never leave us and our Heavenly Father is a prayer away. They:

• See us.
• Know what we need before we ask.
• Love us.

If you’re feeling alone, pray to your Father in Heaven who loves you so very much. As Matthew 6:9 instructs us, “Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven…”

OUR FATHER who is in heaven, thank You for loving me, being with me, and providing Your Holy Spirit to be ever present with me. I love You.

Would you like to develop a deeper prayer life? Get a copy of Debbie’s book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion, to learn how.

Which are you? Tight-lipped or open-lipped? In other words, are you reluctant to speak and don’t reveal much about what’s going on inside of you? Or, are you more open-lipped and let what you’re thinking and feeling readily come forth?

James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak when we’re angry. But what about in relation to praising God? In this case, we are to be like the psalmist, who prayed in Psalm 51:15. “O LORD, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.”

Are we grateful? Are our hearts flooded with God’s goodness? I hope so. Even when there seems to be nothing for which we can praise Him, we can open our lips and praise Him for His presence with us, His provision for us, and His purposes He will bring forth.

Develop a mindset of gratefulness. Fill your heart with praise. Open your mouth and let your praise flow to God. Pray, “LORD, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.”

Lord who OPENS OUR LIPS, thank You for who You are and for all the incredible ways You have worked in my life, are working, and will work. You are worthy day and night of my praise. Open my lips so that I may declare Your praise. 

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How old were you when you first heard John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life?” It’s an incredible invitation to every person in the world. Think about it!

• God so loves the world that He took action to save us.
• God sacrificed His Only Begotten Son on our behalf.
• God invites everyone to believe and be saved.
• God promises the gift of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus.

Pray fervently for any unsaved person you know to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and be saved. Pray for eyes to see the opportunities God is giving you to share Him with others.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, Jesus Christ. Stir me to draw closer to You and to share You with others. I love You and thank You for the incredible gift of the forgiveness of my sins and salvation in Christ. 

Our key verse today is John 3:16. If you’d like to watch all of Debbie’s teaching on John 3 on YouTube, click HERE. To listen to her teaching on Spotify, click HERE.

Have you ever considered that God appoints people, times, places, and more? Contemplate the following verses and worship Him for His involvement in our lives and world. 

“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 3:17).

“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 in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah” (Jonah 1:17).

“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).

Yes, God appoints times, people, places, and more. What has He appointed you to do? 

Lord God, You are the ONE WHO APPOINTS people, places, and times. Rather than fret, help me accept Your appointed times and faithfully do what You appoint me to do.

Are you looking to deepen your relationship with Christ? Check out our Bible studies! You can purchase printed Bible studies in the shop by clicking HERE. You can also complete free online Bible studies by clicking HERE.