365 Days of Praise

On April 8, 2024, millions of people witnessed the rare total solar eclipse. People watched in awe through their solar eclipse glasses as the moon passed in front of the sun, blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on the Earth. This extraordinary event gave observers a small glimpse into what life would be like without the light of the sun. 

Just as the sun illuminates darkness and provides light to the earth, Jesus provides spiritual light to the world. We’re reminded of this in John 8:12: “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’”

Although the sun may be dimmed by solar eclipses and clouds, Jesus is constantly brilliant and will one day be the source of Light by which we live for eternity. No doubt, when Jesus announced He was the Light of the World, He must have sounded braggadocios to His listeners. How could a carpenter from Nazareth claim to be the Light of the world? Yet, Jesus made the claim, and He is who He says. 

Jesus came from heaven bringing truth that enlightens every man who will receive Him. Invite Jesus into your heart and live in His brilliance for eternity.

Lord Jesus, You are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD and our Light. We give You honor and praise!

Want to learn more about Jesus being the Light of the World? Debbie addresses this topic in her teaching on John 8. Watch it HERE. 

Have you ever had your head “hangin’” low? Perhaps you were depressed. It seemed everybody or everything was against you. Or, maybe your head was “hangin” low in shame. Or maybe you were at a crossroads in life and didn’t know what to do. 

The acclaimed King David knew what it was like to have his head hanging low. He penned these words, “You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head” (Psalm 3:3). His head had been down, but he knew on whom to focus—the Lord.

If your head is hanging low today, remember that God sees you and cares about you. Whatever you are facing, He is the lifter of your head, just as He was David’s. You can also try the following:

1) Turn to Psalm 3 and read it. It is only 8 verses. Read Psalm 1, only 6 verses.

2) Write in your journal a verse that is meaningful to you and a verse that is instructive. Personalize the verses. For instance, I wrote in my journal, “Psalm 1:1a, 2-3b. How blessed is the woman whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law she meditates day and night.” Blessed, not stressed. Blessed, not head hangin’ low.

What happens when we follow our Father’s instruction and lift our heads and eyes to His glorious Word? We experience hope, peace, grace, and glory in Him. 

Thank You, Heavenly Father, that Your Word is the LIFTER OF OUR HEAD. I love and praise You.

Happy Fourth of July! As you enjoy the fireworks this July 4th , think beyond them to the Creator of the night sky and the true light of the world. Help spread the light and truth of Christ by encouraging someone you know to subscribe to 365 Days of Praise. 

Have you ever looked for “life” in someone or something apart from Jesus? Perhaps in your younger years you were “the life of the party.” Maybe in your adult years you bought into the idea that the right job, house, car, or person would bring you all you wanted in life. But, perhaps later you realized that things and people can disappoint and fall short of that for which we long. 

If the temporal things of this world fail to provide true life or lasting fulfillment, then where or to whom can we turn? 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.’” This verse encourages us to turn to Jesus as the source of all life, both physical and spiritual. 

You see, nothing in this world can bring complete satisfaction. Our hearts will never be truly happy or fulfilled until they’re at home with the Lord. He is the life for which we yearn.

Lord, You are the way, the truth, and the LIFE! I bow and worship You.

To learn more about Jesus as the gate to eternal life in heaven, watch Debbie’s teaching on John 14 HERE or listen to it HERE.

When you were a child, did you play “follow the leader”?

If so, you probably remember how important it was to do what the leader did. If they placed their hand on their head, you were supposed to place your hand on your head. If they touched their toes, you were supposed to touch your toes. In order to follow, you had to keep your eye on the leader. You had to pay attention to the leader’s words. 

In Isaiah 48:17, God explains something that is not child’s play. Rather, it’s an incredible offer by our Spirit guide and leader from on high. He says, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.”

Many people seek a human guide, palm reader, or turn to tarot cards for direction. Yet those are mere human instruments. God freely offers Himself, His Holy Spirit, to lead us. 

How closely are we listening to Him? How well are we following His lead?

God, You are my LEADER! What a blessing to follow You! Help me follow You more closely.

Have you ordered a copy of From My Heart, Poems of Faith? Within the pages, Debbie beautifully records her thoughts and prayers through the following sections: “Prayers to the Father,” “Poems of Faith,” and “Poems to Encourage.” As you read through each poem, you’ll find words of hope, comfort, and encouragement that deeply resonate with your heart. Grab a copy HERE. 

If you’re a parent or teacher, have you ever “laid down the law” to a child and said, “Look left and right before you cross the street”? Why do we say that? Because we don’t want them to get run over by cars. In like manner, our Heavenly Father lays down moral and ethical laws so we don’t get run over by the devil and our fleshly carnal nature. 

If we don’t obey Christ and His teachings, we hurt ourselves and those close to us. Flattened by sin, face in the gravel, groaning in pain (physical or emotional), our eyes are opened to the “why” of God’s commands that we perhaps ignored. Isaiah 33:22 explains why as citizens of God’s kingdom we are to live by His laws. “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.”

Our Heavenly King gives us laws to save us from pain, guilt, untimely death, loss, regret, and so much more. In what way might you be running in the streets of sin chasing a ball of self- indulgence, pride, money, resentment, or an unhealthy friendship about which God has warned you to stop? 

God is our spiritual, physical, mental, financial, emotional, and relational lawgiver. We’re saved from pain and blessed beyond measure when we listen to Him and obey His commands. Are we?

Heavenly Father, I praise You as the LAWGIVER. I praise You for Your commands and teachings that protect me from getting run over by sin. 

God is not only our Lawgiver, He is also our Judge. In a world that often resists truth, are you prepared to stand before Him? Debbie’s Contend Earnestly for the Faith Jude Bible Study will equip you to recognize deception, stand firm in your faith, and be ready for the day of judgment. Click HERE to get your copy.

Are you living lavishly? I am. It’s so wonderful to have more than I need or could use in my lifetime. I feel blessed beyond measure. I hope the same is true for you. Peace replaces worry when we know we are safe, secure, and covered regardless of what comes our way. Oh, I’m sorry. Did you think I was talking about money? No, I was talking about grace. Money doesn’t get you into the kingdom of heaven. Grace does. Money doesn’t satisfy. Grace does. Money doesn’t make your heart sing. Grace does. Money runs out. Grace doesn’t. Oh, friend, are you mindful of the riches of God’s grace? Are you living in the joy and reality of it? Ephesians 1:7-8 calls us to praise and sing. 

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” 

I often look up words in their original language to get a deeper grasp of the fullness of their meaning. The word “lavish” comes from the Greek word perisseúō which means to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; abundant, enough and to spare. So, yes, I’m living lavishly. Daily, His lavish grace sustains me for heaven. When I sin and turn to God in genuine repentance, He responds with lavish grace. It’s amazing, friends, and we ought to be living joyfully, mindful of God’s superfluous grace that He continually pours on us. If you’re not a Christian, I pray you’ll join me in living lavishly. No cash can substitute for grace. 

Heavenly Father, I am dancing in my spirit and soul over Your LAVISH GRACE. Help me live mindful of it with joy in my heart and a smile on my face. I love You and thank You! 

Would you like to experience more of God’s lavish grace? Check out Debbie’s 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.

“‘The first man, Adam, became a living soul.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

Adam, the first man, brought sin and death into the world. Jesus, who is called the last Adam, brought righteousness and eternal life.

People are living souls. Therefore, Christians are living souls who have received the last Adam’s life-giving eternal Spirit.

Would you like for God to forgive your sins? Would you like to receive Christ’s life-giving Spirit? If so, repent and confess Jesus as the Son of God who died on the cross to pay your sin penalty. Receive Jesus’s eternal life-giving Spirit.

Prayer of Repentance

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus who died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me and fill me with your life-giving Holy Spirit.

Prayer of Praise

Lord Jesus, I praise You, the LAST ADAM, for giving me Your life-giving Spirit.

“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself” (Acts 2:39).

Want a simple tool to help you take action on what God puts on your heart? Download the free I Can & I Will printable notepad by clicking HERE. It’s perfect for writing down Spirit-led prompts and setting spiritual goals. 

It’s another day. Maybe it’s a great day. Or, it may seem like the worst day of your life. What are we to do when it’s the worst day? If we’re wise, we’ll follow David’s example. He had ups and downs and promises unfulfilled for what seemed a long time. What do we learn from him? In 2 Samuel 22:29, we find his key to success. “You are my lamp, O Lord; and the Lord illumines my darkness.” If we didn’t know the context in which he said this, we might think David is sailing through life with God as His lamp. But when we read the verse in context, we discover he’s been in the dark, battling an enemy, and has walls to get over (2 Samuel 22:29).

Are you in the dark? Are you battling something? Are there walls you need to get over? The fact that there are dark, difficult struggles in our life is not what is unusual. The fact that the Lord of the Universe is our personal illuminator through them is incredible! There are many people, according to Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14), who do not have God as their lamp. If you are one of the few who does, you are incredibly blessed. The question is, are you turning to your lamp? Are you walking in the light He shines on your path? Are you reading His enlightening Words in Scripture? Are you following His illuminating Spirit as you quieten your heart in prayer; asking, then listening for His guidance? 

Lord, the fact that You, the Lord of the Universe, offer Yourself as a LAMP to my path is unique and incredible. May I who know You respond gratefully and wisely seek and follow Your Light. 

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.

Do you remember the account when God called Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac? I’ll never forget when the words of Genesis 22:8 jumped off the pages of the Bible and into my heart. Abraham said to Isaac as they walked to the place where he was to sacrifice Isaac, “‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together” (Genesis 22:8). 

Think about those words—God will provide the lamb for the sacrifice. And, He did. A ram appeared in the bushes and Abraham sacrificed the lamb in Isaac’s place. And, so God does that for us. He provided the Lamb—Jesus—innocent, holy, undefiled—to be the sacrifice for us. 

God provided for Himself what no human could provide—a worthy sacrifice; heaven’s Lamb. Years later, the angelic announcement of Christ’s birth was first made to shepherds. The shepherds left their flock to find and worship Jesus, the Lamb of God. “‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29)

If you have never thought deeply about how much God loves you and that He provided His Son to be the sacrifice for your sin, today would be a good day to let the words of the Bible jump off the page and into your heart. 

Jesus, LAMB OF GOD, thank You for giving Your precious life to redeem me. Father, thank You for sacrificing Your Son to save me from my sins. I adore and worship You! 

Jesus, the Lamb of God, demonstrated the greatest love when He died on the cross for our sins. To learn more about His ultimate sacrifice, watch Debbie’s teaching on John 19 HERE or listen to it HERE. 

God is all knowing as Psalm 139:4 explains, “Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it all.” He knows our thoughts, weaknesses, and heart better than we do (Romans 8:26-27). He knows our future (Acts 11:27-28). He knows what others are thinking, doing, and planning. He knows Satan’s schemes. There is no one to whom we can go who is more knowledgeable, loving, caring, wise, and invested in our best. When we begin our day bowed before Him, confessing our love, proclaiming His majesty, and thanking Him for His grace, His ears are tuned to our confessions, struggles, and needs. Our confidence to enter into our day, our inner peace, and joy aren’t in our circumstances and things beyond our control, but rather are in our loving Father in whom we have placed our trust. Whatever lies before us, we know our Father loves us, will be there for us, walk with us, and guide us. 

The wise believer acknowledges God not only in routine blessings before meals but also acknowledges God in every area of their life. In other words, they are joined to Christ at the spiritual “hip.” They are united spirit to His Spirit from the time they open their eyes in the morning until they close them at night. Does that describe you? 

Heavenly Father, You are the all KNOWING, omniscient Lord who loves me so much. Awaken me to the gift of Your presence Who is present to guide me through every moment of the day. May I live joyfully because I am aware of Your presence. 

One of our key verses today is Acts 11:27-28. To watch or listen to more of Debbie’s teaching on the book of Acts, click HERE.