Debbie Simler-Goff
For Skeptics
Are you lonely?
Are you scared?
Do you worry?
Do you feel like you have to handle all of life’s stresses and struggles on your own?
Is there ever a time when you look up at the heavens and ask yourself what if?
What if there really was a God?
What if He really did love me?
What if there really was something to this Christianity thing?
Lee Strobel, a former legal editor for the Chicago Tribune, had some of the same questions about the reality of God. He was a professed atheist and actually set out to prove that there was no God. He put all his reporter skills to work but ultimately came to the conclusion that not only did Jesus Christ walk the earth and do many miracles; he was in fact the incarnation of God himself.
Strobel wrote about his experience in his book The Case for Christ.
Here is a You Tube video based on his book if you want to check it out here.
If you have questions about what life is like living for Jesus Christ I encourage you to check out my blog Every Day With Jesus.
Or if you are not a believer, and don’t plan to become one, I’d still like to hear from you either on my blog or in a personal email. I may not change your mind about Christ, but perhaps we can develop a healthy dialogue and learn something from each other.
And if you have suggestions for what kinds of things you’d like to see on this particular page let me know.
In the meantime, read a few of devotions below that were written specifically with you in mind.
Big Enough
By Debbie Simler-Goff
How big is God?
READ: Isaiah 40:12 from the Holy Bible, New Century Version: “(God) has measured the oceans in the palm of his hand…(God) has used His hand to measure the sky…(God) has used a bowl to measure all the dust of the earth…”
Maybe you don’t believe in Jesus, or in any god at all for that matter. Or maybe you landed on this page because you’ve read some of my non-Christian articles on the Elmhurst Patch news site.
Whatever has brought you to my site, and in particular this page, you are to be commended for stopping by.
I experienced the love of Christ at a very young age, so God’s provision and care is all I’ve ever known. And while my life has not been without heartache, God has always been there, tenderly softening the blow of every circumstance.
So when I think about someone like you, who may have never experienced the joy of God, or know what it’s like to have total assurance that the sovereign God of the universe is caring for every detail of your life, I wonder what life is like for you.
He can hold a tsunami in the palm of His hand.
He can measure a tornado by the distance between His thumb and forefinger.
One of His serving bowls can hold all of the sand on earth.
If God is big enough to do all of this, then He’s big enough to pay your bills.
He’s big enough to heal your sickness.
He’s big enough to help you get a job.
He’s big enough to heal your marriage.
He’s big enough to lift your depression.
He’s big enough to wash away all the mistakes you’ve ever made in your life.
How big is God?
Big enough.
Just put your need in the blank: God is big enough to ____________.
And then start rejoicing that our great big God is working to meet your need.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)
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Heart Check
By Debbie Simler-Goff
February was National Heart Association Month. Great effort was made to educate the public about how to maintain a healthy heart. Equal attention was given to knowing the signs of heart disease. The local hospital offered “Free Heart Assessments”. Many people came. They had a Heart Evaluation. They made lifestyle changes. Their lives were saved.
Perhaps we should declare March Spiritual Heart Check Month. The public would be educated on how to maintain a healthy spiritual heart! Equal attention would be given to knowing the signs of spiritual heart disease. The local churches, empowered by the Holy Spirit, would offer a “Free Spiritual Heart Check”. Many people would come. They would have a Heart Evaluation by the Holy Spirit. They would make lifestyle changes. Their spiritual lives would be saved.
READ: Psalm 119:9, from the Holy Bible, New Century Version “How can a young person live a pure life? By obeying your(God’s) word.”
PRAY: God, I want to have a spiritually healthy heart. Examine the inner me. Remove any disease causing attitudes in my spirit. Empower me to change my ways.
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Mikayla
By Debbie Simler-Goff
My granddaughter, Mikayla is soon to be three years old. She is everything a toddler should be. She’s fun. She’s daring. She’s prone to temper tantrums. And above all she’s curious. Recently Mikayla was curious about crayons and walls. She thought they’d be a perfect match. She scribbled all over her bedroom wall. Her mother, Stephanie was angry for a moment. But it in no way diminished her love for Mikayla.
READ: Psalm 30:5 from the Amplified Bible “For His (God’s) anger is for a moment but His favor is for a lifetime.”
Yes, there are times when we anger God. We do wrong things. Or we use His name in vain. Or our behavior disappoints Him. But, just like Stephanie, God only gets angry for a moment. It in no way diminishes His love for us. God loves us for a lifetime.
PRAY: God, I’m sorry for_________. Thank-you for loving me no matter what!
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Lures and Lies
By Debbie Simler-Goff
Fishing doesn’t interest me. But fisherman themselves are intriguing. They talk about different types of fish. They share their fish catching stories. And they get excited when they discover a lure that works well. But not all lures are the same. Certain lures catch certain fish.
READ: 1 Peter 5:8-9 from the Living Bible. “Be careful-watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy… Stand firm when he attacks. Trust the Lord; and remember that other Christians all around the world are going through these sufferings too.”
CONSIDER: Certain lures catch certain people too. Alcohol lures the alcoholic. Cocaine, Meth or other substance lures the drug addict. It’s interesting that what tempts me may not tempt you. But the enemy of our soul studies us. He listens to our idle conversations. He learns (through observance) our weaknesses. Then he baits his hook with just the right bait to lure us into sin.
PRAY: Jesus, through Your blood and Your name I can overcome life’s temptations. Help me to stand firm. Amen.
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God Is With You
By Debbie Simler-Goff
Ever felt like you have more enemies than friends? That some days everyone and everything is against you? The washing machine breaks down. You have a screaming match with your children before school. You get to work and your boss greets you with a list of complaints! It feels as if no-one is on “your side”. You’re tired. You’re weary and ready to give up. Take heart! God is with you!
READ: Deuteronomy 20:1 from the Amplified Bible, “When you go forth to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God……is with you!”
God is with you. He cares about your day to day “battles”. He understands your frustrations. ‘When you go forth’ , He’s in the battle with you!
PRAY: Precious Lord, with Your help, I can face today’s challenges.
