Debbie W. Wilson

Refreshing Faith

Are You Letting the World Define Love?

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Love makes the world go ’round. Love songs move our hearts, and love moves people to heroic deeds. So, what is love? And what role does it play in everyday life?

The Bible says God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). The One who spoke the world into being, chose the color of your eyes, and holds the planets in place—is love. No wonder love stories move us. Love permeates creation.

Love is more than a feeling. True love reveals itself in action. It compels the pampered prince to take up his sword and fight the fire-breathing dragon to rescue his beloved. Love causes parents to set limits, consider homeschooling, and endure sulking to protect their children from possible danger. It sent Jesus to the cross to rescue us from sin and death (Jn. 15:13).

The Great Masquerade

No wonder the enemy of our souls works so hard to distort love. The Bible says Satan and his followers masquerade as angels of light (2 Cor. 11:13-14). In other words, they pretend to represent good. They pretend to care. But their concerned façade covers their endless appetite to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10).Continue Reading

Help to See the Truth

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Are you close to someone who struggles with seeing truth? It might be your child who doesn’t see her beauty or your spouse who doesn’t recognize the treasure of his family. It could be you, who can’t see your ability or potential with God.

Clear vision comes from the heart. We enhance heart vision when we fast and pray (Eph 1:18, Mk 9:29, 2 Cor. 6:7, Jn 8:43, 44). These spiritual actions remove spiritual blindness. Throughout the days I fast and pray, God will often do the following:Continue Reading

Confusing Being Responsible with Being Faithful

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Do you carry an over developed sense of responsibility? When I feel overwhelmed or weary, I usually discover I’m feeling responsible for something beyond my control. For example, my desire to do a good job can subtly turn into pressure to make someone happy or not disappoint them. The desire to do good work is admirable. However, the goal to make them happy will drive you crazy.

The #desire to do good work is admirable. However, the #goal to make them happy will drive you crazy. Click To Tweet

The Difference Between a Goal and a Desire

In order to help us understand where our responsibilities end and other people’s begin, some thought leaders have delineated between a goal and a desire.

A Goal is something you want, and you control the means to reach it.

A Desire is something you want, but you don’t have control of all the variables to reach it. You need the cooperation of other people or circumstances to achieve it.

For example, let’s say you plan a special picnic for your family. You get up early to shred cheese for their favorite pimento cheese sandwiches. Continue Reading

When You Think You’ve Disappointed God

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Do you think God’s disappointed in you? He’s not. You cannot shock or disappoint God. How can I say such a thing? Because the Bible says that we were chosen “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Peter 1:2). In other words, God knew everything about you and me before we were born, before He chose us.

He knew everything He was getting in me, yet still chose me to be His child and to represent His Kingdom. That is not a pass to misbehave. It is an incentive to get up when I fall down—to press on. God knows He did not make a mistake in choosing you or me. He will fulfill His purpose in us. He knows the Spirit won’t fail to form Christlikeness in us (1 John 3:2-3).Continue Reading

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