365 Days of Praise

Some time ago, I noticed a vine growing in my flower bed and didn’t know if it was a weed I should pull from the bed or if it was a vine I should keep. I had to make a decision. Uproot it or let it grow. 

Many today hear spiritual teachings and find themselves like me, yet in relation to a matter of much greater significance. They wonder if they’re hearing a good teaching to which they should hold or a false teaching they should discard.

Jesus doesn’t want us to make the wrong decision. He tells us in John 15:1, “I am the true vine.” 

Do you know someone who is allowing vines of secular humanism to grow in their heart rather than growing Jesus’ words and teachings? If so, what can you do? Bear Christ, the true vine, and His fruit in your life so they can taste and recognize the real thing.

Lord Jesus, I praise You, the TRUE VINE. Uproot anything in my life that chokes out the fruit of Your presence.

Want to learn more about abiding in Jesus and bearing good fruit? Watch Debbie’s teaching on John 15 by clicking HERE.

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving! Praying your day is filled with God’s love, joy, and peace as you reflect with gratitude on His goodness in your life. 

Are you excited about all the ways Jesus is described? Every day when we ponder a description of our Lord, it provides an opportunity for us to have a renewed sense of awe in our Lord. 

Often the way God is described is in contrast to the world. Such is the case today. 

Many in our world are living in spiritual darkness. They are seeking to be enlightened by powers apart from Jesus Christ. But in John 1:9 we find the word “true” in reference to Jesus. “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9).

Although there are many sources of “enlightenment,” there is only one true Light: Jesus Christ.

Jesus enlightens our soul, mind, and heart when we turn to Him. 

The world apart from Christ is dark. Take seriously His charge to let His light shine through you. His Light shining through you is a beacon to those living in darkness.

Lord Jesus, You are the TRUE LIGHT who enlightens every man. May I be a lighthouse through whom You shine.

Jesus is referred to as the Light several times in the book of John. Want to learn more? Watch this video clip of Debbie’s teaching on the subject.

Do you agree that our world is filled with a variety of gods to which we give our time, energy, and money? What kind of gods? Sports gods, education gods, work gods, money gods, pleasure gods, political gods, and social gods to name a few. In effect, we worship them when they become the driving force in our life, occupy our thoughts, and even affect our moods.

Jesus makes it clear in John 17:3 that there is only one true God. He is to be the object of our love and passion. He is to occupy and control our thoughts, emotions, energy, and resources.

We are to love the Lord with all our hearts, all our soul, and all our mind (Mark 12:30). And, importantly, as He states in John 17:3, He is the way to eternal life. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” 

What or whom do we worship and therefore give power to in our lives?

Lord, You are the only TRUE GOD. May I give You my full worship and praise. 

Learn how to contend for the faith in the times in which we live through Debbie’s Bible study of Jude, Contend Earnestly for the Faith. Purchase a copy HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos, podcasts, and listening guides HERE. 

Do you ever feel like we are living in irrational times, that things are upside down? It’s not the first time. Think about Christ. He was pronounced not guilty, then crucified. How irrational was that? But Colossians 2:15 tells us Jesus triumphed over the irrational. He disarmed the rulers and authorities. He made a public display of them. And Christ is still triumphant even though we may not see it at certain times.

“When He (Jesus) had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:15).

Jesus will right what is wrong. He will turn what is upside down right side up. That’s good news on a national and world level. It’s also good news for us personally. Christ, who triumphed over the grave, is able to triumph over the irrational in our lives. 

Christ is the triumphant Lord. What do you need His help with today? He’s listening.

Lord, You are TRIUMPHANT over death, rulers, and authorities. You are triumphant over the irrational in my life. Help me live a holy life that reflects my confidence in You. 

Would you like some resources to help you triumph? Check out these books that can be read individually or used as group Bible studies: The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World and Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion.

“I don’t know what to do.”

How many times have you said or thought that? Perhaps you’re trying to figure out your finances. Maybe you’re at a crossroads in life and trying to figure out God’s will. Or maybe there’s a personal or business relationship troubling you that needs to be handled in the wisest of ways.

Whether you’re needing the Lord’s wisdom for something big or small, look to Jesus. Why? We’ve seen in other Scriptures how Jesus is a treasure within believers. But Colossians 2:2b-3 gives us more insight. It says that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Jesus. Ponder what that means for you.

Talk to Jesus. Look to Him. Listen to Jesus. Record what He stirs your heart to do. Follow up on His instructions. Walk in the wisdom and knowledge you have in Jesus. 

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are a TREASURE OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. When I don’t know what to do, I can look to You for guidance and wisdom. I praise You for that incredible blessing.

Go deeper into God’s Word with one of Debbie’s Bible studies. You can purchase printed Bible studies in our shop by clicking HERE. You can also complete free online Bible studies by clicking HERE.

When you were little, did you go on a treasure hunt? Today, do you put your treasured valuables in a safety deposit box?

The Bible tells us that believers have a treasure within them. What is the treasure? Second Corinthians 4:6-7 explains that the treasure is God’s Holy Spirit. The treasure is the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God shining in our hearts.

“God… is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7).

The treasure we carry about in our earthly bodies is God’s surpassing greatness of power. With humble reverence and boundless gratefulness, we bow and worship God for the great gift of His presence in us.

Lord, You are the TREASURE men seek and whom I have in my heart. Help me present You well to others and share with others the surpassing greatness of Your power. I adore and worship You.

The newly updated edition of the 365 Days of Praise Daily Devotional is now available on Amazon, and it’s on sale! Filled with 365 A–Z names and traits of God, daily prayers, and practical life applications, this devotional will encourage your heart and makes a meaningful gift for others. Get your copy HERE.

In this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but we don’t need to be left battered by the storms of life. Instead, we can find reassurance that God is a refuge in times of trouble as David states in Psalm 61:3, “For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength against the enemy.”

A tower is a high place from which we can look at life and see it from God’s perspective. A spiritual tower of prayer is the place from where we can pray, pour out our hearts to God, intercede for others, and quietly listen for His counsel. If we want to experience God’s best, we can. Our Father is a tower of strength and refuge to whom we can go.

With your face set like flint toward heaven, with your pen in your hand, write words of praise to your Father and your prayers for your family, church, nation, friends, and yourself. 

The Bible is a journal of God’s interactions with man, of people’s struggles, and of God’s faithful interventions. Let His Word speak to you as you scale the tower of God in prayer.

Jesus, TOWER OF STRENGTH AND REFUGE, I praise You. When I don’t know how I can get through the next minute, You are my strength and help. Thank You for all the ways You guard and guide me. 

In her teaching on John 16, Debbie touches on Jesus’ words from John 16:33, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Watch her teaching on the subject HERE. 

If it’s been a while since you’ve read 2 Samuel 22, today would be a wonderful time to read it. David models thanksgiving to God. He isn’t thanking God because he feels he must or because he’s been told to thank God. Rather, He’s praising God because he’s overwhelmed with thanksgiving to Him. He’s seen God answer his prayers and meet his needs.

In 2 Samuel 22:51, David praises God for being a tower of deliverance. “He is a tower of deliverance to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”

Is there something from which you need delivering? Perhaps worry, resentment, fear, or covetousness? Let the Lord be for you who He was to David…a tower of deliverance for whom you’re thankful. Go to Him now and ask Him to deliver you. 

Lord, You are a TOWER OF DELIVERANCE! I praise You with my whole heart for delivering me from Satan’s domain; for delivering me from worry; for delivering me from sin. You are worthy of my praise for all eternity. 

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.”

Have you been disturbed by some of the changes and trends in our nation and world? Does it seem like it’s not even the same place where you grew up? It’s interesting, but it’s almost like our Heavenly Father and Jesus are readying us. Readying us for what? To go to our eternal home where we can live out our kingdom citizenship in heaven.

Our nation is beginning to become foreign to us because heaven is our home. Heaven is where truth abounds, love is premiere, and relationships are characterized by godliness. Sound good? If so, keep that in mind as you go through your day. Make it a priority to build your life and family on Jesus. Hold tightly to Christ and loosely to things of the earth. Be assured when things of this earth crumble and fail, Christ will stand the test of eternity as Isaiah 28:16 states: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.”

Rest assured that if you’ve been disturbed by what’s happening in our world, it is because heaven is your home and you’re one step closer to being there. That warrants a hallelujah from me. How about you?

Lord Jesus Christ, once again I’m reminded of the joy and privilege of calling You my God. You are foundational to all I believe, a pure and holy TESTED STONE. I praise and worship You!

In the midst of cultural chaos, we can find rest and comfort in God’s grace and peace. To learn more, grab a copy of Debbie’s Bible study, Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos, HERE. You can access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE. 

Have you ever known a hard-hearted person? In other words, no matter how hard you tried or how many attempts you made, they shut you out. If you did anything wrong, they were relentless and unforgiving.

Not so with our Lord. Although He has every reason to be hard-hearted toward us, instead He pursues and forgives us. What a tender-hearted Lord we have! This is important—in Ephesians 4:32 He commands us to be like Him – kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving each other. 

Is it easy? Not necessarily. But it’s a command we are to obey. Jesus models being tender hearted, kind, and forgiving. We’re to follow His example by the power of Christ’s Spirit in us. 

Does this mean that what a person has done is right? No. Does it mean we’re to necessarily engage in a relationship with them if what they are doing is not aligned with Christ’s teachings? No. Rather, it means that we leave the person to Christ, knowing He will deal with them. In the meantime, we live in a right relationship with Jesus which translates into living in a right relationship with others…as far as it depends on us. 

Lord, I praise You for being kind, TENDER-HEARTED, and forgiving me. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace!  

Have you ever struggled to find the right words to pray? In those times, it can help to pray God’s Word. Click HERE to discover prayers for discernment, discouragement, knowing God’s way, and forgiveness.