Debra L. Butterfield

Stories that Stir Your Spirit

Faith encouragement

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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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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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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Patriotism and Thankfulness

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Marine Corps League (Marine veterans) color guard.
I am thankful. – Marine Corps League members carry the colors in a local parade. That’s me carrying the American flag.

Veteran’s Day was earlier this month. I can’t let it pass without reflecting on my time in the Marine Corps. I love my country deeply and am saddened by what I see taking place today.

Thanksgiving is this week. I’m thankful for the freedoms I enjoy that men and women died to help protect.

For many, Thanksgiving has become another day off from work. A day to join with family for roast turkey and all the trimmings. The meaning and sacrifice that underpins the holiday is nearly forgotten.

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Rulers in a Foreign Land

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The world is in chaos but we've been called to rule in a foreign land.

As I got ready to post this blog, I noticed God has a distinct theme weaving through my life right now: Be strong and courageous.

God has been speaking those words to me for quite some time.

Why? Because things in the world are bad and are going to get worse—it says so in the Bible. I need to be strong and courageous, but He is also telling me to encourage others with the same words.

Proverbs 18:21 tells us the power of death and life resides in the tongue. The writer put death and life in that order for a reason. I can only guess why, but I do know that we human beings are quick to speak the negative rather than positive.

Continually touting how bad things are only continues to make things worse. We’re actually helping the Devil when we speak the problem.

Instead, we need to speak God’s truth.

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Feeling battle weary? Be victorious starting today.

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Feeling defeated? Be victorious starting today.

Life has a way of constantly throwing trouble our way. The paycheck falls short of covering the bills. The kids misbehave. The car breaks down. In the last year, price’s everywhere have risen, in some cases even doubled, making it even more difficult for the paycheck.

Lately, it seems all I hear is doom and gloom. Like many others, I believe we are in the last days of the last days. Yes, the seven years of tribulation might be just around the corner, but we do not have to be afraid! We can be victorious today and in the days to come.

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I Will Be With You

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God is with us as He was with Moses
Image by Iforce from Pixabay

As the Israelites 40 years in the desert came to a close, God told Moses it was time for him to die and to anoint Joshua as the next leader (see Numbers 27:12–22). I imagine Joshua was rather hesitant about this. Yet, He had been Moses’ right hand man, so to speak, for over 40 years (he served Moses during the 10 plagues in Egypt too). I have no doubt their relationship had great depth. I can almost hear Joshua saying, “How can I follow in this man’s footsteps?”

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5 Tips to Being an Overcomer

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overcomer, rafting the river rapids

We all want to conquer the challenges we face in life. These 5 tips from the Bible will help you be an overcomer.

The Bible is the #1 top selling book of all time for a reason. (According to AllTopEverything.com, the Bible has sold 5 billion copies.) The Bible is God’s love letter to us. Among the 66 books of the Bible, one of the many things we find is advice for daily living.

Let’s take a look at one tidbit.

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