Christian Encouragement

Today, trust is at an all-time low. Why? People don’t always speak truthfully. Lying appears to have become socially acceptable. But, it’s not acceptable to God. He is the truth and speaks the truth.

Revelation 21:5 NIV records, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'” Then he said, “‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”

Jesus wants us to know that if He says something, we can count on it. He and His words are trustworthy and true and He is making everything new. Those are words of hope and encouragement that we need to hear. If there was ever a time that we should listen to Jesus and take hold of the hope of a new day, it’s now. If you’ve been hurt by an untrustworthy person, don’t let that keep you from trusting God. He has an eternal track record of being trustworthy.

Lord, thank You for being TRUSTWORTHY! In a time when trust is at an all-time low due to increased lies and deception, I am grateful for and find hope and encouragement in Your steadfastness and words of truth. 

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When you think of God, how big or how small is He in your mind? Is He your personal Savior? Is He the Savior of the person in a remote village on the other side of the earth? Is He the God who inhabits perhaps your nicely decorated sanctuary? Or is your God hovering over dirt floors in a village where Christians are secretly gathering to worship? Is He your God because you are righteous and well-behaved and kind? Or is He the God of the inmate with the foul mouth who just repented of his sins but doesn’t have a clue what it means to be devout? Is He the God who sustains the desperate person who lives day to day and whose only hope is in God as her salvation?

Too often I think of God in my frame of reference. However, David was mindful of how big God is. Listen to his words of praise in Psalm 65:5. “By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea.”

David grasped that the God he worshiped wasn’t only the God of the Jews. He is the God who created and owns all the earth. He is the God to whom all people can come. He hears the prayers of people throughout the earth. Do you live in a remote part of the world? Are you in rehab and looking for someone who can help you? Are you in a country where these words are being translated? Are you a missionary living with people who speak a different language? Are you worshiping in secret because of the hostile environment in which you live? How incredible that the God of our salvation, who answers in righteousness, is the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea.

Lord, TRUST OF THE ENDS OF THE EARTH and the farthest sea, I worship You. 

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Have you ever been a witness in a trial? If so, were you called to recount details that were perhaps difficult to remember because so much time passed since the incident occurred? 

On the other hand, have you ever been in a courtroom and heard testimony that you knew was false? 

Revelation 3:14-15 describes Jesus as a faithful and true witness. 

“The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.'”

Jesus, the faithful and true witness, testifies against the Christians at Laodicea. He states that they are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold. They are so unpleasant, Jesus says He will spit them out of His mouth; as we might spit something out of our mouth that caused a bad taste. 

Jesus, the faithful and true witness, has witnessed creation and everything since then. What is He witnessing today about us? What did He witness yesterday? Is there anything we’re not proud of that we did or said? If so, we can repent.  What do we want Him to witness today about us?  We can pray for His strength and empowerment to live in a way that pleases Him. 

Lord Jesus, You are the TRUE WITNESS. Reveal to me how You see my heart and actions. Create in me a clean and passionate heart for You. Empower me to live in a way that pleases You. 

The updated edition of the 365 Days of Praise Daily Devotional is now available on Amazon. With 365 A–Z names and traits of God, daily prayers, and practical life applications, this devotional offers encouragement all year long. It makes a thoughtful, faith-building Christmas gift for family and friends or anyone who could use daily hope and encouragement. Get your copy HERE.

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.

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.”

Do you ever feel fragile or like you might explode because of the daily pressure you are under? 

David knew what it was like to feel that way and found God to be the sustainer of his soul. Listen to his words in Psalm 54:4. “God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.”

What does it mean for God to be the sustainer of our soul? 

It means that God revives our minds and emotions when we sit in His presence, meditate on His truths, and absorb encouragement from His Word. 

God the Holy Spirit refreshes and sustains us so we can carry on rather than break or explode. 

What story do you have of how God has been your sustainer? Think over the ways and write them in a prayer giving thanks to God.

Lord God, I praise You, SUSTAINER of my soul. Thank You for the many times and ways You sustain me. I love and praise You!

Do you commute to work and want to listen to some encouraging teachings by Debbie while you drive? Let her podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean help you set your mind on Christ before you start your day!