Scriptures: Mark 10:27, Ephesians 3:20

THIS is Possible Today!

Discouraged? Disappointed by people? Disappointed by life? Questioning everything…yourself, your whole life? Questions upon questions and you can’t even find a straw to clutch at? 

Then I so, so want to encourage you anew this week—and hand you not just a straw, but a sturdy rock to stand securely on! Here goes… 

“I just collapsed in the shower. I felt more water coming out of my eyes than out of the shower. Why did I let that happen to me? I am completely broken, depressed, listless, and powerless. I break down several times a day. Crying, screaming. Me!!!… I’m tired…” (July 2017) 

Completely shocked, I recently read these words in a notebook that I thought was blank. I had only written on a single page, and those words broke my heart all over again. 

Repeatedly, I read the lines and thought, “Surely this has not been my life.” 

What WONDERFUL things God has done in the short time since I wrote those words. He has completely changed my life, so much so that today—because of my difficult past experiences—I can encourage you, no matter what you’re going through. 

As I type this into my computer, my eyes fill again with tears, because I know how bad things were for me. I would never have believed at that time that such a change was possible for me! 

I want to shout to you today, to encourage you over and over again to believe these truths: 

“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NIV) 

You think that in your case the situation can’t change? 

For God EVERYTHING is possible!

You believe your marriage is at an end? 

For God everything is possible!

You believe your children will never find Jesus? 

For God everything is possible!

You believe you will never succeed? 

For God everything is possible!

For God, MORE is always possible, because to Him alone EVERYTHING is possible!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20 NIV) 

Where do you need to believe and trust anew today that ALL things are possible to your God? Pray with me, “Father, I believe that all things are possible to You, including in my life! And for that, I praise You right now! Amen.”

You are a miracle! 

Scriptures: Proverbs 4:23, Psalms 36:9, Psalms 23:4

Are You in a Desert?

“I always help others when they are in need, it’s just that when I’m in a bad way and I have to go through the desert, no one is there.” 

These words were written to me by one of our readers and immediately I thought, “I know it! I know that feeling!” And just…it’s just a feeling! After all, why should we be upset that people don’t help us when everything is possible for God that is not possible for humans? 

“Guard your heart….” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV) 

Your thoughts are telling you, “No one will help me. I’m always alone. And this dream that God has put on my heart, I can’t live it, because no one will help me.” 

Okay, then may I ask why you are waiting for a human being to help you when God can give you infinitely more that a human being could never give you? 

Why exactly are you disappointed when people don’t help you when you have such a clear mandate from God, even though they don’t recognize it? 

If HE HIMSELF gave you this life, HE HIMSELF will also help you with it! And the same applies to your mission: If HE HIMSELF has given you this mission, HE HIMSELF will also help you with it!

Wipe the tears from your face, because you walk in His light, and this light recognizes the world that your fellow men often do not recognize. But in His light we see it again: the truth that is always for us, as it says in the Psalms: 

“…In your light we see light!” (Psalm 36:9 NIV) 

Once again, “Wipe the tears from your face and stand in His light. Cry out to Him. Pray. Seek Him…and you will quickly recognize what is also written in the Psalms: 

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NIV) 

You are a miracle! 

Scripture: Psalms 37:23-24

Your Tears are Seen!

Believe me when I tell you that I too have moments when I think, “What am I doing all this for anyway?” 

I would imagine that some days you also reach your limits with what you’re doing. Maybe you even think from time to time, “Why did I bring children into the world? I don’t have a life of my own anymore!” 

I have recently been really disappointed, even insulted, when various people have minimized the importance of my work and calling. And it’s scary how quickly people then believe these words. 

Yes, it is always challenging for me in the area of finance as well. These people suggested, “Just do less in the area of your ministry and make good money somewhere else.” 

It felt like a slap in the face, and each time, I found myself in tears later on, questioning my whole life. 

I prayed earnestly, “Jesus if what I’m doing is wrong if You want me to stop, show me.” The next moment I opened a daily calendar that had been sent to me from a ministry I follow. It said: 

“God has a great calling on your life. It is a calling for a truly great person and He sees that person IN YOU!” 

I was so encouraged by that, reminded of the truth! And, those words are for you too! You are on the right path! Don’t let anyone underestimate the great things God is accomplishing through you!

“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24 NIV) 

What encouraging words! God sees you! He loves you! Yay! And it is He who will help you up again when you stumble or fall, even if you’re questioning whether you can still follow your calling. HE WILL HELP YOU—and me—over and over again, BECAUSE HE LOVES US! 

You are a miracle! 

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:16, 1 Samuel 17:24, 1 Samuel 17:32

Every Morning and Evening…

Today, let’s go to an Old Testament story for a life lesson. 

“For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.” (1 Samuel 17:16 NIV) 

This verse is so clear and plain and yet I have read it for years without really understanding it. What are you reading out of this? Surely that Goliath has been a real arrogant pain, huh? 

But there’s so much more to it…. “Every morning and evening,” the two armies lined up to face each other. The Philistines and the Israelites. And you know what the Israelites’ favorite time to pray and worship God was? Mmhm, exactly. Morning and evening. 

Now imagine you want to pray, but there is a giant roaring at you! How do you react? I can tell you how the Israelites reacted. Scripture says, “Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.” (1 Samuel 17:24 NIV) Goliath, the giant, kept getting between them and their prayer times. 

The Israelites were afraid to enter into a duel with Goliath. Yes, they were afraid of losing this battle. But, although they didn’t realize it at the time, they had already been defeated by the giant in a very serious area of the fight. The giant had stolen their time with God…morning and evening. Twice every day! 

Then David came forward and said to Saul, the king, “…Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32 NIV) I love David’s coolness. And I wonder why no one else out of all the people had come up with that courage before! 

David let nothing come between his faith and his trust in God. Not even a giant could come between him and his God. 

What giant is stopping you from spending time with God? In the morning… and in the evening? What giant has managed to defeat you by depriving you of your fellowship with God? 

Today, won’t you also boldly stand before your giant and say, “…Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32 NIV) 

Because: if you want to be victorious, you have to step up, with God’s strength, and defeat the giants.

You are a miracle! 

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:32, 1 Samuel 16:7, 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

Don’t be Intimidated any Longer.

What intimidates you? When someone is further along in life than you are? When someone earns more than you? When someone has children and you couldn’t have them? 

I love our David from the Bible and how he says—when he comes face to face with the giant—“…Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32 NIV) 

How could he respond in such a way? 

At this point, David was merely a shepherd! His brothers were at war, right on the front lines against Goliath, and David had only been sent to bring his brothers some food. 

Why was he so confident? 

David remembered what he had just experienced with God. For he had been anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel. He had been recognized, even though they wanted to keep that fact hidden from King Saul. Even Samuel, who had come to anoint the next king, did not expect God to choose a young shepherd boy. 

Everyone believed that Eliab, David’s oldest brother, was the chosen one. But in what words did God point out to Samuel that He had other plans? 

“…Do not consider [Eliab’s] appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV) 

David still carried this lesson in his heart. And with this truth, he was able to stand before the giant who could have easily intimidated him. But he decided, “I will not be impressed by his appearance or by his size.” 

When you feel weaker, less important, less effective than others, you too may remember the truth today and decide you no longer need to be impressed or inferior, or intimidated by others. For God has chosen you, too. (see 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 NIrV) 

You can step forward into your ministry or calling with joy and confidence in God. 

Choose this liberating path today, even if you’ve tried many times before. Because, you know what? No one has ever walked without falling first. Even David could sign to that. 

You are a miracle! 

Scripture: Micah 7:7

You Should Wait…

Recently I was invited by a church to speak at their service. I briefly clarified the date with my team and asked my musician if he would also be available on that day. I then gave the organizer my confirmation. 

The church received this clear answer from me immediately, but their response was unexpected. “We are sorry, but before you answered, we received a commitment from someone else.” 

I felt surprised and disappointed because I had already prepared ideas, should this opportunity come. I had a well-thought-out option for this church and I knew this would be a very special occasion! But the organizer had asked for several artists at the same time and simply took the option that had shouted “yes” first. 

And then came this moment when God opened my eyes and I recognized my own very similar behavior! “Déborah, how many times did I tell you to wait for Me, but when a quick solution presented itself to you, you just took it, without consulting Me?” 

Oops…caught. I didn’t want to submit to what God was telling me. That while I went ahead on my own without checking in with God, He was putting everything together in the background. Now I had taken action that didn’t work out for me. 

You understand, don’t you? This question also applies to you. How quickly did you stop trusting Me, even believing in Me, just because you didn’t receive an answer from Me right away? All the while I was working in the background on the best option for your life.” 

Wait on God so you can experience His perfect plan.

Do we want to learn to trust in God in a whole new way? 

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7 NIV) 

You are a miracle!

Scriptures: Psalms 143:8, Mark 11:24, Romans 8:28, James 2:18, James 2:21-22, James 2:26

Are You Living Your Faith?

It is only human that we keep asking God to show us the way we should go, and to bless our efforts. We pray prayers similar to those we find in the Psalms. 

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” (Psalm 143:8 NIV) 

But how should we pray? The Bible is very clear about this. When you pray, believe. 

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24 NIV) 

As we learn to know and love God, we believe He will make everything work together according to His plan and purpose. (see Romans 8:28 NIV) We want to work alongside Him. 

The Bible also says, “…You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works; works and faith, fit together hand in glove.” (James 2:18 MSG) 

Pray and believe, then press onward. Start today full of faith!

“Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” (James 2:21-22 NIV) 

It means so much to God when He sees you move forward full of faith! That’s what really makes you come alive! Yes: “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:26 NIV) 

Let’s live out our faith and share that faith through our actions!

You are a miracle!