Christian Devotional

Me. Me. Me. 

We probably wouldn’t want to admit it, but in our innermost being, we may be more self-centered than Christ-centered. Our day may not begin with, “Heavenly Father, how can I serve You?” Rather, our first thought may be what we want to get out of the day. 

Have you ever considered doing a 180: a turnaround based on Ephesians 5:2?  “Walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

In other words, followers of Christ are told to follow His example. 

We’re to walk in love and offer our lives to God to serve His purposes. What happens when we do? We have the opportunity to be a fragrance of Christ to God and others.

Christ Jesus, You are the ultimate example of being an OFFERING and sacrifice to God. Help me follow Your example so my life is a fragrant offering to You. 

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“Why?” That was the question Millennials asked me at a conference where I was speaking. Why this… Why that… “I guess that’s why we’re called the Y Generation,” a 29-year-old explained. “We want to know why.”

Millennials, the “Y Generation,” are those born during the 1980s and early 1990s. They’re the children of Baby Boomers. Those in Generation Y aren’t prone to accept pat answers. In other words, just because a preacher, teacher, or parent says something, that doesn’t necessarily make it true.

So how do we answer their question, “Why believe in and follow Jesus?” For this reason: Jesus demonstrated that He was more than just a man. People witnessed His resurrection from the dead three days after He had been crucified by skilled executioners. Jesus was who He proclaimed to be—the way, truth, and life. Peter, a witness of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and ascension into heaven spells it out, “there is no other name under heaven that has been given by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). That’s why. There is no other name by which we are saved. Confidently, boldly, and gladly speak the truth out loud to the “Y Generation” and everyone else.

Jesus, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, I praise You, Lord and Savior. You are the answer, and I love You. 

Our key verse today is Acts 4:12. To watch all of Debbie’s teaching on Acts 4, click HERE. To listen to her teaching, click HERE.

Isaiah prophesied something we would never imagine: that the holy God would allow His Son to become a servant who would take man’s punishment for their sins. “My Servant will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:11). 

“Bear their iniquities.” Let those words sink in. Jesus bore your sin. I can hardly get my mind around, “Jesus bore my sin.” I feel so badly that He had to do that for me in order for me to go to heaven. Do you? 

It is in the Father and Son’s actions, Jesus becoming a Servant who would die on the cross for us, that we see proof of their great love. As Jesus said in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends;” exactly what Jesus did. 

What had Jesus been teaching prior to His definition of the greatest of love? That His followers are to love as He does. “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you,” John 15:12; continuing in verse 14, “You are My friends if you do what I command you.” 

Jesus was a servant to His Father; as we are to be His servant. Are we living to serve the Father and Son or living to serve ourselves? The proof is our love for others; our love in action. 

Lord Jesus, who the Father calls, “MY SERVANT,” I worship You. Thank You for bearing my sins. I love and adore You. Quicken me to be as You, laying down my life, serving the Father, loving others.

To watch all of Debbie’s teaching on John 15, click HERE. To listen to her teaching, click HERE. 

Jesus came to earth as a baby so He might grow into a man, but not just any man. He came from heaven as our Messiah.

Andrew heard John the Baptist announce that Jesus was the Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world. Andrew followed Jesus and after spending time with Him, he told his brother, Simon Peter, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41).

Andrew was intentional about his search for the Messiah and after finding Him, he was intentional about telling others. In what ways can we be more intentional about sharing Christ with others? We can begin by praying for the unsaved to turn to Christ. 

What can we pray for those who do not know Christ as Messiah? Here are 8 suggestions.

1. Pray they grow tired of the things of the world.
2. Pray for their safety.
3. Pray the Holy Spirit quickens their mind to the truth.
4. Pray the glitz of the world loses its appeal.
5. Pray they hear the Word and believe.
6. Pray God opens their eyes.
7. Pray they look up to God.
8. Pray they repent and confess Jesus as Lord.

Jesus Christ, MESSIAH, You are love, forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy! Help me be as Andrew – intentional about following You and telling others about You.

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Would you like to experience magnificence? If you said “yes,” you are in alignment with God’s will for you. He never intended our lives to be filled with anxiety and the consequences of sin. Rather, He created Adam and Eve in His image and placed them in the Garden of Eden to share life with Him and experience His magnificent glory. But now? We live in a sin-sick world. However, as believers, our hope is not lost. Rather, our hope is firm in Christ Jesus. We can once again experience God’s magnificence as 2 Peter 1:4 tells us—“[God] has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

God has granted to you His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become a partaker of the divine nature. Are you experiencing Christ through the divine nature He has given you?

Rather than allowing the world’s despair, anxiety, and hopelessness to infiltrate your soul, begin each day welcoming your Heavenly Father and Spirit’s presence, praying, “Heavenly Father, fill me with Your Holy divine nature and Spirit. Help me walk in Your magnificent divine promises.”

The Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and Bible are all magnificent. Immerse your mind in the Father’s ways. Walk by His magnificent divine nature/Spirit.

Lord, You and Your promises are MAGNIFICENT. Thank You for salvation by which I am a partaker of Your divine nature. Help me walk by Your promises so others see and believe in You. 

Learn more about becoming a partaker of Christ’s divine nature through Debbie’s 2 Peter Bible study, Living by the Divine Nature Instead of Our Fallen Nature. The study includes free accompanying videos and podcasts, which can be found 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. 

What do you think about Jesus, the King of the Jews? To say that He is a controversial figure and has been throughout history is an understatement. For instance, Matthew 2:1-2 records that magi traveled a great distance to worship Jesus following His birth. They asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Yet Jesus’ birth caused King Herod to become troubled and then enraged to the point he slew all the male children in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under in an attempt to kill Jesus.

The controversy about Jesus did not end. The Pharisees and Sadducees, threatened by Jesus’s popularity, delivered Him to the Romans who sentenced Him to death on the cross.

Today, anti-semitism, prejudice against or hatred of Jews, is at an all time high, the likes of which have not existed since the Holocaust. What effect and impact does that have on people’s worship of the King of the Jews, Jesus?

Where do you stand in relation to Jesus, the King of the Jews? Do you worship Him as the magi? Or, are you troubled by Him as Herod? Or, are you threatened by Jesus as were the religious leaders of His day? One day all people will bow before Jesus, King of the Jews. Are you bowing before Him now?

Lord Jesus, KING OF THE JEWS, wise men bow before You. I pray to be increasingly wise and worshipful. Reign in my life in such a way that others see You and want to worship You.

Jesus, King of the Jews, is worthy of all our praise. Discover the power of prayer and praise in Debbie’s book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion. Get your copy HERE.

Do you ever have a dreary day when life doesn’t seem so grand? When that happens remember that the King of Glory lives in you. Consider Psalm 24:7-10 with that in mind.

“Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of Glory may come in! Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of Glory may come in! Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory.”

Psalm 24 points us to Christ, the King of Glory, taking His throne. Glory in this Psalm means “majesty, splendor.”

What is amazing and should redirect our thinking if we are having a dreary day is to remember that the Spirit of the King of Glory is in believers. We are to continually acknowledge His presence and open our hearts for His glory to fill us (Ephesians 5:18).

KING OF GLORY, majestic splendor, I lift my hands and heart asking You to cleanse me and fill me with Your glory. Help others see Your presence in my life and be drawn to You. 

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Happy Father’s Day! We hope all fathers, grandfathers, and father figures have a blessed day and know how appreciated you are!

Do you ever feel like things in life aren’t fair? Have you wondered why some people get away with things with no apparent consequences? 

Often, those questions are warranted. As thinking people, we can’t help but wonder about fairness. But when we question why certain people get away with doing wrong, we must quickly remember that in the end, no one gets away with anything. God sees everything, including what is in our heart. He knows our thoughts and even intentions and motives. Most importantly, God is just, as Psalm 89:14 states, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.” 

If you’ve been upset and concerned because life isn’t fair, because wrong too often prevails over what is right, because our world’s justice system doesn’t always rule fairly, remember that God is just. Also, remember that there is a day when every person will stand before the judgment seat of God (Hebrews 9:27).

God weighs hearts and motives. He forgives repentant sinners. He renders judgment on unrepentant ones. Set aside any vengeance you have toward another person knowing God will rule justly because that is His nature–just. 

Lord, thank You that I can trust You for You are JUST. 

TIP: Write God’s attribute that I highlight in every 365 Days of Praise devotional in Prayers of My Heart. Writing it on paper writes it on your brain. When you’re troubled, flip through the pages of your journal and thank God for who He is as you reflect on His nature. It will build your confidence, decrease your stress, and help you live a more joy-filled life. Click HERE  to order.

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to Judge the living and the dead” (2 Timothy 4:1).

My husband, Keith, and I celebrate our anniversary in the month of June. I’ve known him for over 50 years. I knew him when he didn’t have money to buy me french fries with my hamburger at McDonald’s. I know him as the guy who loves to put on an old t-shirt and mow the grass. But, I’ll never forget the first time I sat at the back of the room when he was holding court. After sentencing a criminal, he motioned to me to approach the bench. All eyes turned on me, and I suddenly felt nervous and intimidated. Why in the world did I feel that way? Was it the courtroom? Was it that he sat in judgment in a long black robe?

If I felt that way approaching the judgment seat of my husband, who I wake up to every morning, I can’t imagine what it will be like to sit in God’s courtroom and hear Him call my name to approach His bench.

Are you ready to hear your name called? Because it will be. Regardless of whether you want to think it or not, like it or not, it’s not your choice. Every single soul will appear before God and Christ Jesus, the Judge. Those who accepted Jesus’ death on the cross as judgment for their sins, will receive rewards at the Judgement. Those who rejected God’s gift of forgiveness in Christ, will be judged for their thoughts, words, and actions based on God’s holiness. I can’t imagine!

Lord, I, who have received salvation through Christ humbly, gratefully praise You, JUDGE OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD.

Are you prepared to stand before the judgment seat of God? One way to be ready is by standing firm in your faith during these dark times in which we live. Dive deeper into how to do that in Debbie’s Bible study on Jude, Contend Earnestly for the Faith. Grab your copy HERE.