Category: <span>thoughts by Debbie West</span>


“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

There are a lot of angry people out there these days. I see it all over the media. People are upset over perceived betrayal, injustice, and prejudice.

I think some of the anger is justified. We are, after all, a world made up of imperfect people. But I have learned that anger is a masking emotion. Anger covers over other issues brewing deeper within us. Probably the most common feeling that anger attempts to disguise is fear. When our confidence in the things we trust is shaken, we get scared, and we get angry.

When we trust the doctor to make a correct diagnosis, but our loved one doesn’t get better, fear sets in. When the job we were counting on falls through, we panic. When the spouse on whom we put our trust walks out, it shakes us to our core. Where there is fear, there can be no peace. It is difficult to look past the things we see around us and trust that everything is going to be okay.

God, however, never defaults on His promises. He never walks away. He never gets it wrong. God’s Word tells us that He is a rock when everything else we may put our trust in is sand. He is able to move the mountains and part the waters ? for our protection and safety. When we make up our minds to depend on God and His provision for our lives, despite our circumstances, He sets our minds at perfect peace.

Lord, if I am depending too much on my ability and circumstances to bring me peace, help me train my mind to put my trust and dependence on you. Amen.

By Debbie West
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“God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

How many of you would jump out of an airplane, or bungee-jump over a mile-high canyon, or race a car over one hundred miles an hour? Risky? You bet! But many people love to take these risks, even when it means putting their lives in someone else’s hands. The thrill and rush of adrenaline drives out their fear.

What about loving somebody? Really, deeply, openly loving another person? Now that can be scary. Riding a zip-line is one thing, but giving someone your heart is a completely different kind of risk. Loving means letting another person really know you. It also gives them the power to really hurt you.

God is that kind of vulnerable love. He understands what it means to be rejected by those whom He loves. Since the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, people have turned against God. Yet, when it came to giving up His Son, Jesus, to die for those who broke His heart, He did it willingly. He knew the risks and still chose to love us at the ultimate cost.

Thousands of years later, He still offers that unwavering love. He offers hope, purpose and belonging to all and knows that some will love Him back and others will continue to reject Him. Could you do the same?

As God’s people, we are called to this hundred-mile-an-hour, jump-from-the-plane kind of love.

You know the risk. Will you take it?

Lord, thank You for taking the risk to love me. Give me the courage and strength to love others the way You love me. Amen.

Thought: Ask Jesus to help you in loving that difficult person in your life.

By Debbie West
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FURTHER READING

Feelings, Forgiveness and Peace | by Dr. Muriel Larson

The Power of Forgiveness | by Dr. Henry Brandt

Love Your Neighbour

Love is Patient and Kind – a story of a man on a bus

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“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9b

Power is sexy. We live in a world that admires strength and pities weakness. Fortune 500 companies, movie stars, and politicians all have some level of power over our lives. Some athletes have the physical power to dominate their opponents. We often celebrate and admire the power they all have.

But have you heard anyone brag about being weak lately? The Apostle Paul did. He had been through many life-threatening situations. Yet, he didn’t brag that he made it through in his own strength. He knew that it was only God’s strength that carried him.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, his attitude is one of gratefulness for weakness. The man who once possessed the power to order the imprisonment and execution of Christ-followers, speaks of how glad he is to lack power because his weakness served to magnify how big his God is.

Paul understood that in his own limited power, he could not do the work for which God had called him—to spread the gospel to the world. But, by admitting his own limitations, he opened the door for God to work powerfully.

We should have the same attitude as Paul. Instead of relying on our own strength or resourcefulness, we should trust in God to supply the power. Then we can say along with Paul, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Lord, help me see my weaknesses as opportunities for You to show Your power. I offer me limitations to You today. I’m trusting You to do what I cannot. Amen.

Thought: Take the opportunity to thank God for your weaknesses. If there is a specific area of service you are struggling in, ask Him to give you the power to serve Him to the best of your ability.

By Debbie West
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FURTHER READING

  1. A Bible on How God Demonstrates His Love
  2. A Bible Study on Waiting on God
  3. A Bible Study on Thanksgiving
  4. God’s Plan – A Study on God’s Destiny for Me?

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“…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

I grew up in a time when we dressed up to go to church on Sunday. Everyone at my church looked pretty much the same. The men wore ties. The women wore dresses. The children were all clean-faced and well-behaved. The church building was big and spotless and everyone wore a smile. I grew up thinking that that was what Christians looked like.

As I got older, my understanding of Christianity began to change as I met Christians who didn’t look or act like me. Some were rougher around the edges. Some didn’t go to church as often as I did. They had different views of life and faith. My image of what a Christian looked like changed as my life experiences became more varied.

I began to realize that I was judging others’ relationship to God by the way they looked and acted. I was even taking comfort in knowing I fit the holy image in my own mind.

But God has shown me that this kind of self-righteousness is full of flaws.

The prophet Samuel knew that it was not the outward appearance of a person that determined his or her destiny. It was the heart.

Our God is so creative that He made people from all cultures, backgrounds, and life issues to worship Him. Followers of Christ may all look different to each other, but our hearts carry the very same love of God.

God, forgive me for judging others’ faith by their outward appearance. Help me see people the way You do. Amen.

Thought: Do you tend to judge people based on their appearance? Ask God to show you where you can begin to shift your thinking.

By Debbie West
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FURTHER READING

Love Your Neighbour

Love is Patient and Kind – a story of a man on a bus

Extending Grace to Others

Be Patient

More Than Helpful

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“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10

I am a “worst-case scenario” thinker. No matter what the situation, I can always jump to a horrible conclusion. A little cold could turn into a life-threatening disease. A vacation could end in disaster. One small risk might be the worst decision I’ve ever made.

It’s sad really. It would be so embarrassing to talk about some of the places my mind goes to. But beyond the embarrassment, my fear is like handcuffs around my wrists keeping me from serving freely.

Fear keeps me from taking a meal to a neighbor because I don’t want to be taken advantage of. It prevents me from speaking the truth to a fellow believer because I worry about what they might think of me.

We have been invited to enjoy a blessed life, full of joy, love, and contentment. It means we have to step out to do the things God has called us to do. He invites us to participate in what He is doing around us, to connect with and serve people. Sometimes caution is wise. We must act with our eyes wide open. But if we don’t do things because we are afraid of what might happen, we have said, “No” to the blessings of God in our lives.

The invitation is simple. It’s time to trust His leading. We need to serve our neighbors without fear.

Lord, help me discern caution from fear. Help me act wisely, but boldly to your invitation. Amen.

By Debbie West
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Dealing with Despair

Overwhelmed by Negative Feelings?

Suffering – Spiritual principles to meditate on during hard times


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“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” Psalm 77:11

A few years ago in my journey toward healthy living, I came to a game-changing realization. Despite my efforts to the contrary, I was a very unstable person. I was highly susceptible to feelings of inadequacy. Perceived rejection or loneliness led me down a road toward anxiety and depression. On the other hand, words of encouragement sent my spirits through the roof.

I lived on a roller coaster controlled by my emotions and other people’s opinions. If you’ve ever been on a roller coaster, you know they are great fun. But nobody wants to live on one.

My breakthrough came when I understood that I could choose. I could ride along with the emotions or I could step out of the car and choose to act on the truth of God’s Word.
The writer of Psalm 77 understood the same principle. His mind was troubled. He could not be comforted. God seemed far away.

Then he thought about the times when God had been there. He remembered God’s power and His miracles of the past. The writer decided to focus on the goodness of his God rather than on his current troubles.

We don’t know if the writer got an answer from God about his problems. But he ended the psalm focused on stories of God’s might and His faithfulness to His people. No matter what our feelings tell us, we can choose to live in peace and confidence of God’s goodness and His love for us.

God, Your Word records Your faithfulness toward Your people. Remind me of those things when I’m discouraged and can’t feel You near. Amen.

By Debbie West
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”For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

During a political campaign, not only does a candidate try to convince voters that they have the experience for the job, they also try to show that they understand voters’ concerns. Citizens want to elect representatives who understand the issues they face daily and can therefore make those challenges known to the government.

The same must be true of the one who represents us to God Almighty. Our representative is Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The relationship Jehovah God established with Israel involved a priest who represented the people and pleaded their case. In Jesus’ day, the High Priest was the chief religious authority. Yet He was often set apart, inaccessible and unfamiliar with their daily lives and struggles.

But Jesus walked among us, fully God and fully man. He got thirsty and hungry. He had family and friends. He was loved and He was betrayed. He was tempted just like we are, but He never gave in. When Jesus went to Heaven after His resurrection, He became our High Priest, pleading our case to the highest authority, God the Father. What a perfect representative Jesus makes!

Because we have such a perfect representative, we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.Hebrews 4:16

Lord, I am so thankful for a representative who understands my challenges. In the name of Jesus, my High Priest, forgive me of my sin and hear my requests. Amen.

Today, tell God an issue you have been hesitant to talk to Him about. With new confidence in the grace and understanding of Jesus, ask Him for what you need.

By Debbie West
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All the trees of the field will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’” Ezekiel 17:24

National Park. Tall trees cover the landscape and give life to animals of all kinds.

As a native of North-Central Texas, I’m not used to trees that tall. Our trees are typically short enough that we can see clouds rolling in and the storms approaching from miles away. So, for me to be surrounded by the trees of Yellowstone was humbling. To glance down at my feet and see a cone, knowing that the tree next to me began like that, caused me to just stand in awe.

As I go through my life, I try to have everything planned out.

I’m four steps ahead, knowing what my next move will be. I’m confident in my own abilities. Then, often, without warning, I will find myself in the presence of something so much bigger than I am, that I’m forced to stop and consider how big God is and how small my plans are.

He created the tree and he is able to dry it up with one word. With another word he sprouts a seed in its place. He brings the rain and the sun to make it grow.

This same God is able to clear the path for me in my life, and the same for yours. With a word, barriers fall and circumstances change. The impossible becomes possible. Hearts are turned and relationships restored. He is always faithful.

God says to each of us, “I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.

Lord, show me how big you are. Help me see you for who you really are. Amen.

By Debbie West
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You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” Psalm 51:16-17

King David is one of the great men of the Bible. He is held in high esteem among Christians and Jews as a pillar of the Faith.

But a closer look shows just how broken David was. Though he was known as a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), David was far from perfect. His affair with Bathsheba and the plot to kill her husband did not reflect the heart of God at all. To his credit, when confronted with his sin, David repented.

The prophet Nathan told David that, because of his actions, his household would be filled with violence and his infant son would die. In response to this news, the king could have been angry with God and turned away from him in defiance. Instead, David’s heart broke over his own pride and he fell into a deep sorrow. As his son lay near death, tradition says David wrote Psalm 51. In it, David pleads with God for mercy. He asks God to make him clean. He offers God a sacrifice, not of an animal, but his heart.

David knew what is still true today. God doesn’t want our money or the ritual of our religion. He wants us. Like the woman who poured her tears on Jesus’ feet, God cherishes a heart that is broken over sin and desires to be his. Come to the throne of God, where he will make you whole again, and ask for his mercy.

Lord, you will not turn away a heart that is broken. Take this heart and make it whole again. Amen.

By Debbie West
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“He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” Mark 4:40

Being from North Texas, I am quite familiar with storms. I can recall many occasions when I was hunkered underneath a mattress, in a closet or bathroom, listening to the local radio weathermen report on the track of tornadoes in the area. When conditions are right, tornadoes can touch down without much warning. It is important to stay alert and safe.

When we experience storms in life, how do we tend to act?

Do we fearfully take cover, waiting for the storm to pass and life to get back to normal? Does God give us another directive?

The disciples were terrified when they found themselves on a small boat in the middle of a great storm. Yet, Jesus was so calm, He was asleep. The disciples feared the worst. They reacted the way most level-headed people would. They were even appalled that Jesus was not as frightened as they were. His apparent lack of concern was troubling to them. So they woke Him up.

Jesus asked them a simple, yet profound question,

Why are you so afraid?

Jesus linked their fear with their lack of faith.

If we ask ourselves the same question Jesus asked His disciples, we might come to a better understanding of ourselves and of our view of God. If He truly is all-powerful and loving toward us, then we can be at peace and trust Him to take care of us in the middle of the storms.

God, You command us many times in Your Word not to fear. Help us understand the root of our fears and help us see circumstances in the proper perspective. Amen.

By Debbie West
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“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

The mind is like a super-highway. Our thoughts travel roads called neural pathways that are formed from the time we are very young. Some well-traveled paths become wide and deep, like roads we travel every day. These thoughts end at beliefs, which are also formed over time and make up our character and the way we handle life.

When something happens to us, our thoughts automatically travel on the path we’ve built for them and end up reinforcing the beliefs we’ve learned. For example, when we feel rejected over a relationship or a job, our thoughts might travel the path that says, “I’ll never be good enough.

We can keep those beliefs as our reality, or we can change them. Brain research is showing us that we can change the paths our thoughts travel by being mindful of them. Dr. Caroline Leaf, a renowned researcher of the mind, says it this way, “The mind controls the brain, not the other way around.” The Bible says, take captive every thought...”

When we begin the practice of thinking about our thoughts and where they go, we can change our lives. Instead of spiralling into depression when we experience conflict or pain, we can create new paths that build on new beliefs of God’s love, grace and His perfect plan for our lives.

The choice is ours. Do we continue to let our thoughts travel on auto-pilot and lead us to despair? Or do we begin to really think about our thoughts and use God’s Word to change our destination?

Lord, open my eyes to how my thoughts are controlling me and how I can begin controlling my thoughts to bring them in line with your Word. Holy Spirit, teach me how to replace my “stinkin’ thinkin’” with the truth. Amen.

By Debbie West

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The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

I like watching American football. There’s something about the fighting, the clawing, the tremendous effort it takes for players to take the ball those last few important inches.

Whatever the sport, we get excited when an athlete pushes forward with every ounce of grit they possess to score, win, or make it first across the finish line. We honor the fight.

However, in our relationship with God, restraint and rest are often required instead of fighting. Throughout the Bible there are stories of God’s people getting ready for battle, only to be told by God to be still. In Exodus 14, when the Egyptians were on their heels, God told Moses to tell the people to just be still. In Joshua 6, instead of mustering all of their strength to attack Jericho, the Israelites were instructed to march around the city and enjoy an easy victory. When two great armies came against Judah in 2 Chronicles 20, God told them that they would not have to fight, because he would deliver them.

I cannot count the number of times I have worn myself out getting ready for a battle I knew was coming. I planned what I would say and how I would respond to the other person. There were far fewer times when I paused and asked God to fight for me. What anxiety I could have given up in exchange for peace in him!

God promises to fight for us. We don’t have to live with anxiety over the battles. We can live with peace knowing that God’s got this.

Lord, help me trust you in the battles I face. Increase my peace as I let you fight for me. Thank you for your promise. Amen.

By Debbie West
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“Then Peter stood with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd”  Acts 2:14b

I remember as a shy, quiet kid, wishing I could stand up to people with different opinions. I was so fearful of what people thought of me that I wouldn’t risk stating a different viewpoint.

Even as an adult, I face times when I have to decide if I believe something strongly enough to stand alone in my beliefs, especially when the stakes are high. Living a godly life when others around me are not can be hard. Sometimes a job or a friendship is at stake. In some parts of the world, loss of family or loss of life are real dangers when going against the established authority.

The Apostle Peter gave in to his fear when he denied that he knew Jesus. Though he had been a close, trusted friend to Jesus, Peter feared being associated with a man whom the authorities considered a criminal.

Yet just a short time later, the book of Acts records Peter speaking to crowds of people, accusing them of killing the Son of God and calling them to repent and follow Him. (Acts 2:22-41) A little while later, Peter and John stood before a council of Pharisees (Acts 4:1-20) and spoke boldly about what they had seen and heard.

What brought about the change? Where did this boldness come from that replaced Peter’s fear? It came as a result of the filling of the Holy Spirit. Peter addressed the crowd after the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost. (Acts 2:2) He spoke to the Pharisees while being “filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 4:8)

When the Spirit of God is present, fear is overcome by boldness as we step out in faith.

Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live a godly life and proclaim Your Word with boldness.

Thought:  Write down an area of your life where you wish you had more boldness. Pray for fresh empowerment by the Holy Spirit so you may walk in confidence.

By Debbie West
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“And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23

Over the course of my life, I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out God’s will. When I was in high school, I needed to know what college to go to. When I was in college, I wondered if my major was right. After college, I looked for the right job, the right place to live, the right church, and the right one to marry.

In our modern society, we have a lot of choices for our lives. Even within our talents and gifts, many opportunities are available to us in regards to where we live, work, worship, shop, and so on. As a result, choosing our path can be more complicated that it needs to be.

1 John 3:23 states God’s desire for us very simply: believe in Jesus Christ and love people. That’s it. That is how God wants us to spend our time here on earth. If you want to fulfill your purpose, do those two things, wherever you are. No matter what job you have, you can love God. No matter where you live, you can love the people along your path. In your everyday existence you will come across people who need God’s love through your warmth, your love, and your kindness.

God gives us gifts and talents to use for His glory. But the biggest influence we might have for the kingdom of God is seeking Him with all of our hearts and serving the people who surround us.

Lord, as I get to know You better, help me love other people better. Amen.

By Debbie West
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“And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said,Surely this man was the Son of God!’”  Mark 15:39

Throughout his life, Jesus affected people on many different levels. Some responded to the miracles he performed. Some followed Jesus after he healed them. Others were drawn in by his radical teachings.

A Roman centurion, who had a brief encounter with Jesus at the cross, may have gone to work that day expecting no more than to oversee yet another crucifixion. Or maybe he knew about the uproar over Jesus and expected a hectic day of keeping order among rising tensions in Jerusalem. Regardless, this centurion, who had probably seen many people die at the hands of the Roman Empire, saw something different in Jesus’ death.

This story always makes me pause. In the middle of chaos, when others were in despair over the tragic turn of events, this Roman, a professional killer, had a moment of clarity and saw Jesus for who he really was.

We never know how a person will come to faith in Christ. Maybe it’s a kind gesture from a neighbor. Maybe an invitation to a Bible study, where questions are asked and debated, will lead them to believe. It might take a hundred different encounters to draw someone to Jesus.

We never know how our actions and words will affect someone, or how our prayers may turn someone’s heart to seek a deeper relationship with Christ.

Perhaps some people need to hear your story of faith. Pray for the people around you. Show kindness when possible. Point others to Jesus.

Lord, show me who needs to see you today. How can I reflect your love to those around me? Lead me by your Spirit to those who need you. Amen.

By Debbie West
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