Debra L. Butterfield

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The Power of Doubt and of Our Words

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The Power of Our Words, word cloud with positive words

“Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. …Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.’ Then the angel said, ‘I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time’” (Luke 1:13, 18–20 NLT).

With Christmas only 10 days away, you might be asking, What does Zechariah have to do with Christmas? Though born only months apart, John the Baptist came first and prepared the way for Jesus. It seems only fitting that his birth announcement come before Christ’s.

Don’t Be Afraid

One of the things I truly enjoy about whenever angels appear to mankind is that their first words are often “Don’t be afraid.” When Gabriel appeared to Mary, those were his second words (verses 28–30).

One can’t help but wonder about the physical appearance of these heavenly beings. I take comfort in the fact that God and the angels don’t want us to be afraid. God could take quite a different stance, and we could find ourselves cowering and afraid for our very lives. Stop and think about that. What does that say about God?

For me, it says God desires a personal relationship with us. Jesus and God are one. Would a humble and meek Jesus be compatible with a scary and demanding God? Food for thought. Yes, God is holy and will take wrath upon His enemies, but that is not His ultimate desire.

Now, I think things did get a little heated when Zechariah questioned the veracity of Gabriel’s words (see verses 19 and 20 and note the exclamation points).

On to my main point about this passage.

The Power of Doubt

The Power of Doubt, word cloud of negative words

If you question the power of doubt, let’s look at what happened. Zechariah doubted and the angel struck him mute. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue can bring death or life” (NLT). Our words have great power, whether they be words of doubt or not!

Zechariah doubted and would have spoken words of doubt in relating his experience in the temple and with the message Gabriel delivered. Could Zechariah’s words of doubt have thwarted the birth of John the Baptist?

Seems unfathomable to say that God’s plan could be stopped by a simple priest’s words. Yet, the angel stopped Zechariah from spreading his words of doubt to those around him by striking him dumb. More food for thought.

What are you regularly saying that’s bringing negative things into your life? What are you regularly saying that’s bringing positive things?

Are you focused on your problems and speaking about them all the time? Or are you focused on the purpose God has given you, speaking His truth, and standing in faith as you act upon what He’s told you to do?

As we prepare to enter a new year, I encourage you to answer God’s call the way Mary did. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true” (verse 38).

Thank You, Dear Readers

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With Thanksgiving in two weeks, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all my readers. You’re the reason I’m here, writing books for your enjoyment and blogs to encourage you and build your faith.

My first foray into the blogging world was with a site I called Glory and Strength. It was an outreach of my first book, Help! My Husband Has Sexually Abused my Daughter (the second edition is titled Carried by Grace). I don’t know what year that site began, but I published the book in early 2007, so I’ll guess I started blogging in 2007 or 2008.

I’ve learned many things over the years and shifted my blogging focus to writers. I’ve been blogging about writing since 2012 and love it. I started freelance editing in 2010, and somewhere around 2014/2015 began learning about book interior and cover design. I love doing it all.

In 2020, on the cusp of COVID lockdown, I split my this blog into 2, one for readers and one, The Motivational Editor, for writers.

Last month, TheMotivationalEditor.com was named in the Top 50+ Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024 on Shelley Hitz’s website TrainingAuthors.com.

Wow! Such an honor and I have my readers to thank for that.

I love being able to share my knowledge and faith with you and encourage you in your faith.

My newest book, Embracing Her Inheritance, releases officially tomorrow. As I write this (in October) I plan to throw a live launch party on my YouTube channel. Watch your email tomorrow for the details. (I have to learn the ins and outs of YouTube live first.)

Thank you, all, from the bottom of my heart for buying, reading, and reviewing my books. Without you there would be no reason for me to write aside from my own enjoyment.

Happy Thanksgiving from me and Clemmy

Destined to Succeed in Your Purpose

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For many years now, my desire has been to fulfill God’s destiny for my life: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph. 2:10 NLT). And in doing that, to experience and enjoy the life Jesus promised in John 10:10: “I have come that they might have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (NKJV).

I want to live in the totality of that life. Redemption, deliverance, salvation. Healing and peace and provision. His purpose and eternal life. Seems like a tall order, but is anything too difficult for the Lord?

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How NOT to Write a Book

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Claiming Her Inheritance

In writing book 3 of my Her Inheritance trilogy, I learned how NOT to write a book…at least for me. Hat’s off to pantsers because I think my recent experience comes pretty close to writing by the seat of my pants (the definition of a pantser).

How NOT to Write a Book

  • DO NOT change your plot after you’ve already written 20,000 to 30,000 words.
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Do you want to live the abundant life?

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Planting seeds to live an abundant life.

Are you living the abundant life Jesus died to give you?

Jesus said in John 10:10 NKJV, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” But if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, then you aren’t in abundance.

I’m talking about all aspects of abundance—complete health and wholeness, forgiveness of sins, salvation, and your physical needs met.

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A Peek at Embracing Her Inheritance

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I thought I’d give you a taste of what I’m currently working on. I’m up to 32452 words. Still aiming to release this in late fall. Here’s the prologue from Embracing Her Inheritance. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts.

“Chief Schmidt, good morning. I’m Elizabeth Travers from the Chronicle.” Elizabeth shook the chief’s hand and observed the fire station bay and the personnel wiping down the trucks. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

“How can I help you, Miss Travers? Let’s go to my office. Would you like some coffee?”

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Trust and Submit

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Submit.

Generally, not a word women like to hear because husbands have often used it to demand obedience to what they want. Even my character Sally Clark wrestles with this issue in my book Discovering Her Inheritance. I’m not sure I know of any woman who hasn’t.

I’ve often heard “wives, submit to your husbands” but without an explanation of what real submission looks like.

Bear with me. I’m not here to discuss wives submitting to their husbands, but to discuss our submission to God.

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Possess God’s Promises

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Be fully convinced of what God's Word has promised you.

Do you actively take hold of God’s promises or do you sit back and wait for God to drop them on you?

Many people believe God sends the things we need in His own good time. After all, Matthew 6:8 says God knows what we need before we even ask. Yes, God knows our needs, but have we been deceived about our part in receiving His promises?

Today, I’d like you to consider that we take an active role in possessing God’s promises. Promises like “by whose [Jesus] stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV), and “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV), and “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

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