Debra L. Butterfield

Stories that Stir Your Spirit

faith building

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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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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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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Staying Focused on God

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The Lord taught me several lessons last year, but I think the one that stands at the top is to be more aware of what I think about.

I can watch the daily news and let it fill my mind with turmoil, chaos, and confusion. Or I can keep my mind focused on God and His Word and let it fill me with His love, peace, and joy.

I’m not talking about putting my head in the sand. I’m talking about controlling my thoughts.

“Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV).

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Would God Do That for Me?

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Do you question how much God loves you?

Much of this year, I’ve written in my Wednesday Word emails and on my blog about building your faith. And believe me, what I write is a much for me as it is for you.

Since publishing my Bible study, Unshakable Faith, the Devil has constantly attacked me. One of the regular darts he throws is “Would God do that for me?”

At the root of that question is doubt about my worth. Who am I that…

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Be Fully Convinced in God’s Word

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

What does it mean to be fully convinced—of anything?

It means to be absolutely certain, to have no doubts, that something will be accomplished.

Are you fully convinced the sun will set tonight? I’d say so. You probably didn’t even give it a thought, otherwise, you’d be in a panic.

Stop and think about what being certain of something does for you.

  • You have no doubts.
  • You have confidence in its occurrence.
  • You have peace.

Are you fully convinced you’ll overcome any tough situation that might come your way?

Your certainty may have vanished before you finished reading that sentence.

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Be Strong and Courageous

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Be strong and courageous. God is with us.
Image by Iforce from Pixabay

Do you ever wake up discouraged? I know I do. It doesn’t mean I went to bed that way. In fact, the opposite might be true.

Still and all, I can wake up in a discouraged mood. Often this mood is a spiritual attack, but sometimes it’s just me being impatient over God’s promises concerning the work He has given me to do.

I know the Israelites certainly weren’t feeling courageous when Pharaoh’s army bore down on them and the Red Sea stretched out in front of them. If they weren’t feeling courageous, I guess that means they were feeling dis-courageous (scared out of their wits is more like it).

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