Attributes of God

Peace between people. Is it possible? It appears not to be. Why? Because although we aren’t perfect, we expect others to be perfect. Remember when the Jews were itching to stone a woman caught in adultery? The rocks were in their hands. Their self-righteous arms were wound for the throw. But when Jesus confronted them, when He invited the one who was sin-free to throw the first stone, they slinked away (John 8:7-9). 

What did Jesus then do? If you said, stone her because she was guilty and deserving of punishment, you’re both right and wrong. You’re correct in saying she was deserving of death according to the Law. You are incorrect about Jesus’ response. He told her He didn’t condemn her and for her to go and sin no more. Amazing! Jesus extends the same grace to us. 

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

There it is. We are not to sin, but when we do, we can be mindfully grateful that Jesus is our Advocate just as He was for the adulterous woman. 

Lord Jesus, I praise You, my ADVOCATE. Quicken my heart to take seriously Your command to sin no more. 

Would you like to experience God’s sufficient grace and peace in your life? 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.

Recently, there seems to be an increase in backroom power plays among people. It is disturbing regardless of what person, political party, or entity you support. I suppose that’s why I find such joy in meditating on Jesus. He is the only one who is pure, and He is the ultimate one to whom we can look. 

In addition, it also helps to remember that He is above all. Yes, Ephesians 1:20-21 clearly states that Jesus is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come”. 

Aren’t those beautiful words on which to meditate? Jesus is above every rule and authority and power and dominion. Above all. Above all. Do we get it? Christ is above all, not only in this age but also in the age to come. Hallelujah! And this is especially good news. He is our friend. He urges us to tell Him our needs. He offers to help when we call on Him. What a wonderful Savior. 

Lord Jesus, You who are far ABOVE ALL rule and authority and power and dominions, I love and worship You. 

The updated edition of the 365 Days of Praise Daily Devotional is now available on Amazon as a paperback and e-book. With 365 A–Z names and traits of God, daily prayers, and practical life applications, this devotional offers encouragement all year long. Get your copy HERE.

I thought I killed a bee, but realized I only stunned it as I watched it begin moving. There’s a difference between stunning something and killing, or abolishing, it. 

When you think about death, does it worry you? Here’s the deal, and it’s great news. Second Timothy 1:10 assures us that we don’t need to worry about death. Why? The verse explains that when Christ died on the cross, He didn’t stun death. Rather, “…our Savior Christ Jesus, abolished death and brought life and immortality to light…” 

In other words, when our body ceases to live, our spirit continues to live. Those who have placed their faith in Christ and are indwelt by Christ’s Holy Spirit will live eternally in His glorious presence. That is something to celebrate, not fear. 

Lord Jesus Savior, I praise You that You ABOLISHED DEATH. Thank You for eternal life in You. 

The Gospel of John is full of examples of Jesus seeking and saving the lost. It also recounts the death and resurrection of Jesus, which made a way for all to come to Him for salvation and receive eternal life. Access Debbie’s free online Bible study of John HERE.

Have you ever given yourself a good, hard look and thought, “I can’t do it”? Maybe you heard a sermon on forgiveness but thought, “I can’t”. Or maybe you’ve been sick all night and don’t think you have the strength to respond to a child’s cry. 

The above situations are ones you’ve perhaps experienced, but ended up being able to do. But there was a person who once contemplated his situation and truly wasn’t able to perform it. Romans 4:17-21 recounts when God told Abraham that he would have a child with Sarah. 

“Without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.” Stop right there. Envision Abraham considering his body. “Isn’t going to happen,” he thinks. He considers his elderly wife who was unable to get pregnant in her younger years. “Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform” (Romans 4:20-21).

Amazing! Did you notice the word, “yet”? Are you facing something seemingly impossible? Why not do as Abraham and consider, “yet with respect to the promise of God”? God is present for you just like He was for Abraham. Look to Him. Trust Him. 

Heavenly Father, help me remember that no matter my situation, You are ABLE. Help me grow strong in my faith like Abraham. 

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. 

In your lifetime, how many people have you seen take positions of leadership and then be unseated? People and countries are often shaken by these changes. While some people are hopeful, others are fearful. Of the many assurances the Bible gives us, one is that our Heavenly Father has an eternal reign. He is seated on a throne and there is no person or principality who can unseat Him. Psalm 9:7 assures us, “the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment.”

Forever. Established. Those are comforting words. But what about His throne of judgment? The psalmist explains in verses 8-9. “And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity. The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”

Good news. In addition to the comfort of knowing that our Heavenly Father will remain long after our world’s rulers have come and gone, we have the comfort of knowing that He will righteously judge the world and be a stronghold for the oppressed. He is our stronghold, too, in our times of trouble. We can go to him. We can talk things over with Him. What do you need to talk to Him about today? 

Heavenly Father, who ABIDES FOREVER, I give you praise. You have established Your throne and no one can unseat You. Thank you for being a God of equity. Thank you that I can come to you when I’m having trouble. 

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Have you seen the look in a child’s eyes when they were afraid because they couldn’t see where their parents were? Have you watched that child locate their parents and run to them? Have you heard a child cry for one of their parents? If so, consider Romans 8:15, which says believers have “received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba Father.’” 

Abba Father can be translated from the Greek as “daddy.” So what does Romans 8:15 tell us? It tells us that our relationship with God is like that of a loving father with his child: tender, close, and so much more. Our Heavenly Father chose to adopt us. Jesus tells us to look to our Heavenly Father and pray in faith, not fear, “Our Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9).  

To what degree does your Heavenly Father love and protectingly care for you? So much that He sacrificed His Son so that you can be a part of Their divine, eternal family; safe forever in heaven. 

In a world where there are sometimes indifferent, uncaring fathers, isn’t it reassuring to know that we have a perfect and sacrificial Heavenly Father whose love for us is unchanging? Although we may be afraid at times due to the events in our life, nation, or world, we can look to our Father and be assured that He’s watching out for us and over us. 

Each 365 Days of Praise devotional describes our Abba Father. As you read each one you have an opportunity to get to know your Abba Father more intimately. God is your Heavenly Father. Walk daily assured of His love and watchcare over you.   

Heavenly Father, ABBA FATHER, thank You for adopting me as Your child. Help me get to know You more deeply and intimately. Help me walk confidently each day, assured of Your love and Your presence.

Happy New Year! Would you like to spend more time in God’s Word this year? We have several resources to help you. Check out our shop HERE and our free online Bible studies HERE. 

I love the focus on God today and Psalm 8:9 KJV, which points to His excellent name: “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!” 

Isn’t this what 365 Days of Praise is about: the names of God that draw us to more deeply appreciate the excellence of His character and marvel at every facet of Him that sparkles like a multi-cut diamond? I hope you are saying “yes” with me and are increasingly impacted by His excellence as you gaze on Him and yield your life to Him.

Look back at the names, titles, and characteristics of God in this book. Have you highlighted any attributes you want to remember and for which you are most thankful? Does it put a smile on your face to think about who God is? I pray it does, and I invite you to celebrate the following verses and praise God for His excellence:

“How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God!” (Psalm 36:7 KJV)
“Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.” (Psalm 150:2)
“Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things.” (Isaiah 12:5)
“…[Jesus]…has inherited a more excellent name…” (Hebrews 1:4)
“…He has obtained a more excellent ministry…” (Hebrews 8:6)
“…because an excellent spirit was in him…” (Daniel 6:3 KJV)
“…from the excellent glory…” (2 Peter 1:17 KJV)

Yes, the Lord’s name, ways, lovingkindness, ministry, Spirit, and glory are excellent. As Psalm 148:13 KJV instructs, “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent.” Pray to increasingly reflect God’s excellence by your behavior (1 Peter 2:12).

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, You are EXCELLENT in all Your ways. I love and cherish You. Please infuse me with Your glory so people see and believe You are the only way to heaven. I love you, LORD.  

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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/.

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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