Windows of the Heart

It's sometimes difficult to tell if someone really "repents" from a sin or if they're just sorry they got caught. Sometimes it's even hard to tell if we have really and truly repented, isn't it? In this week's podcast, Dr. Deb looks at David's response to Nathan when confronted with his sin with Bathsheba to see what true repentance looks like and how we can see the evidences of that in our own lives.

How far can a Christian fall into sin? How fast? When is it too far or too fast? In the second part of this message about David and Bathsheba, Dr. Deb talks about both the reality of our sin natures and our undeniable propensity toward sin, but also the bottomless mercy and grace of our Father, whose forgiveness is given freely when we ask.

The story of David and Bathsheba is a sad moment in the life of one of the heroes in biblical history, but there is so much to be learned, both about the fragility of the human condition and about the enormity of God's mercy and love for His children. What can we learn about how we can fight our own fights with sin and temptation form this man after God's own heart?

What promise can we hang our hats on when it comes to God? Dr. Deb takes one of the most beautiful promises in Isaiah 55:1-3 and breaks it down so that it's easy to understand, applying it so that every believer can see how not only are God's promises always true, they are glorious and wonderful for us all!

How can we be assured that God's promises for us are true and amen, even if we are not Jewish? Dr. Deb's lesson on God's covenant promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 and how that was finally and fully fulfilled in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ not only proves His faithfulness as our ultimate Promise Keeper, but it assures His covenant with all of His children, both Jew and Gentile alike.

How does understanding that God is holy affect the way we live, the way we think,and the way we act? How should it affect the way we treat others, ourselves, or even the way we treat God, Himself? In the second part of Dr. Deb's message on "Understanding that God is Holy," she looks at Isaiah 6:1-7, examining practical ways that we should behave and live in light of the fact that our Father is holy. What does this wonderful truth really mean to you?

So many of us have a hard time with the story in the bible where Uzzah is struck dead when he reached out to steady the Ark while they were transporting it to Jerusalem. Why was this punishment so harsh? What had David and his men missed that brought about such tragic circumstances, and what can this incident teach us about God? In Part 1 of Dr. Deb's message, "Understanding that God is Holy," she discusses this occurrence from 2 Samuel 6 and how what we see there must impact how we see our God as a holy God.

Paul knew a thing or two about God being glorified in his weaknesses, so it only seems logical that he is where we should go when we are trying to see how that is true for us, as well. How did the thorn in Paul's side, as well as all of his trials, serve to bring more and better glory to his Father? What does this teach us as Christians about our struggles and trials?

It is often very difficult to understand how God is supremely glorified when we are weakest, but once again, David teaches us much about this lesson. Dr. Deb looks into 1 Samuel 30 in Part One of this lesson on embracing our weaknesses as we seek to magnify the greatness of God.

Is there ever a time when it is okay to get angry? If there is, then when does that anger become sin? Dr. Deb delves into these questions and more in Part 2 of her lesson, "Controlling Our Anger," during her series on Lessons from the Heart of David.

It's so comforting sometimes to know that the great men and women of the bible struggle in the same ways as we do, isn't it? In Part 1 of Dr. Deb's message from Lessons from the Heart of David, "Controlling Our Anger," we look at 1 Samuel 25 when David almost lets his anger cause him to sin grievously. We all do it, but we all have the same responsibility to control our anger, even if that anger is justified.

How are Christians to behave in a world that often hates them? Why does God stress over and over in His Word that we are to leave revenge and vengeance to Him? In the second part of her message from the series, Lessons from the Heart of David, Dr. Deb looks closely at the words of the Apostle Paul, words that tell us exactly how we are to respond to others when they wrong us. Be blessed.

It is extremely difficult to leave vengeance to God, especially when we are wronged personally. David gives us a wonderful example of this kind of trust in God's vindication in 1 Samuel 24, and Dr. Deb examines this chapter in part one of her message, "Why We Leave Vengeance to God." How does the Christian handle her enemies so that God is both glorified and honored?

Do you ever wonder how to choose friends, or even how to be a good friend? God's Word does not leave us without guidance on this very important topic. Join Dr. Deb in part 2 of her lesson on "Understanding Godly Friendships" as she further looks at the life of David, the man after God's own heart.

What does it mean to be a godly friend? How do we look for those, and why is that so important in the first place? In this first episode of a two-part series, Dr. Deb looks at the beautiful friendship between Jonathon and David in the bible in order to talk about the beauty and necessity of Christian relationships and friendships between believers.

What are the Goliath's in your life? In the second part of Dr. Deb's message, "Knowing that God is the Victor," she finishes looking at the legendary story of David and Goliath, examining the awesome realities of God's providence and His faithfulness amidst our battles here on earth. Does fear drive you, or are you driven by the knowledge that our battles are God's battles?

Familiarity can sometimes breed contempt, but there are times that familiarity with a bible story can breed apathy in the Christian. What does the story of David and Goliath really have to teach us about God and His faithful victory? In Part 1 of "Knowing that God is the Victor," Dr. Deb Waterbury takes you through the history leading up to the fateful battle between David and Goliath.

Why are the sacrifices of the wicked an abomination to God but the prayers of the upright acceptable to Him? This is an important question for every believer who wants to, like David, practice a heart that is completely for God, especially since all of us are by nature wicked. What does the heart of David teach us so that our hearts are upright, and therefore, acceptable to God?

What in us interests God? The life of David has much to teach believers, but the beginning of these lessons is the truth of how God saw David's heart before and above He saw his physical qualities. What must every believer know so that she practices having a heart that is really for God?

How do hospitality and generosity play into being a Christian? Lydia displayed both characteristics in her life, and her God-honoring and grace-receiving actions brought revival and redemption to many in Philippi. Join Dr. Deb Waterbury for the second part of her lesson on Lydia, a great woman of God.

What a fantastic truth that God chose to begin His church in Europe by way of a group of women! Discover how God's sovereignty caused Paul to seek and find these women, and how one woman's obedience instigated the beloved church in Philippi, the church that began the Christian movement in Europe.

The life of Mary Magdalene is one that truly exemplifies Jesus' sovereign saving love as well as how one who really understands that love will live her life. Do you know from what Jesus has saved you? If so, have you lived a life willing to sacrifice everything for Him? Part 2 of Dr. Deb's message on this wonderful woman shows what that should look like in the life of every believer.

Who was Mary Magdalene? What does this woman's life teach us about grace? Join Dr. Deb Waterbury for Part One of her message on Mary Magdalene and see how her love flowed from her knowledge of the grace of Jesus Christ.

There are so many beautiful things taught us in the encounters between Jesus and the little family of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. However, probably one of the greatest occurs when Lazarus dies. What does Jesus teach these people whom he loved about his love in the death and resurrection of Lazarus? What does he want us to know of him and his abiding love for us?

What is the one thing "most needful" or most necessary"? When Jesus came to Mary and Martha, he met two strong women who stepped out and took a chance so that Jesus would be in their lives, but one of them simply lost sight? Which one and how? Dr. Deb explores the thing "most needful" in this first part of her lesson on Mary and Martha.

What does the story of Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well teach us about worship? What does it teach us about our relationship with the King of kings? In this second part of her message on the woman at the well, Dr. Deb Waterbury further explores the answers to these questions and more.

One of the most well-known stories in the bible is Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well, but what truths is he teaching us in this story? In part of one of Dr. Deb's study of this woman, she talks about the beauty of the salvation experience and the intimate encounters we all have with our Savior when we become His.

On what do you eagerly wait? On what do you hope? Anna, the prophetess, has much to teach Christians on this very thing. Join Dr. Deb this time as she shares the beauty of Anna's hope and how her hope must shape ours.

What does Anna, a woman who was literally spoken of in only three verses in the entire bible, have to teach us as women of God today? Join Dr. Deb for her next two lessons on Anna, a woman who demonstrates the kind of faith in waiting for the coming promises that we all should emulate in our lives.

There is so much for us to learn by studying the Magificat as sung by Mary, the mother of Jesus. In this second part of the series on Mary, Dr. Deb looks more closely at this beautiful prayer, showing us how she emulates the humble servant who sees her entire life in terms of God's glory.

So much has been written and said about the mother of our Lord, but who was she really? How should we view her in light of Jesus? In this first part of a two part message on Mary, the mother of Jesus, Dr. Deb first looks at the backdrop to this young woman's life and then at what we can glean from her to help all of us be true women of God.

How well do you persevere in your requests before God? Does He delight in that perseverance? In the second part of Dr. Deb's lesson on Hannah, she speaks more specifically about this great woman's prayerful perseverance and the faith we can all have that God not only hears those prayers, but will answer them.

Where do you go first when life doesn't seem to be working out? The story of Hannah isn't only a beautiful picture of how we should pray, but it is a beautiful story showing us THAT we should pray. Join Dr. Deb Waterbury in this first of her two-part look at Hannah, a biblical woman of prayer.

What does it mean to have "strategic righteousness" as a Christian woman? Listen this week as Dr. Deb brings part two of her series of Ruth, and hear how this woman's story gives hope to Christian women in every walk of life: You do matter and He does love you, right where you are!

Do you ever wonder where God is in the middle in the tragedy? Do you ever have doubts that His plan is truly for your good as it is also to His glory? Join Dr. Deb for the next two weeks as she looks at the story of Ruth, a woman who trusted a God she didn't even know and became part of the greatest story ever--the story of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever done anything that you think is so horrible that God either won't forgive you or even worse, doesn't want you? The story of Rahab has much to teach women about God's grace in the middle of His perfect timing and plan.

It is an amazing thing that God chooses the least of us to magnify and display His glory. The story of Rahab as she aids the Israelites when they laid waste to Jericho is one such story. What can this former prostitute and pagan teach us about God's grace and sovereign mercy? Listen to this week's Biblical Womanhood from Biblical Women lesson on Rahab. God is indeed merciful!

God has always meant for His children to see the beauty of His grace, even in the lives of many biblical characters. Listen this week as Dr. Deb explains the significance of the life of Sarah, both as she demonstrates faith and as her life signifies the grace only available in Christ.

God uses normal people--even sinful people--to magnify His glory. In this week's Windows of the Heart program, Dr. Deb begins a two-part lesson on Sarah, the wife of Abraham. Listen and remember how her faith and her trust in God is what sets her apart, even though she also often struggled with doubt and fear.

Do you ever wonder at why "men are from Mars and women are from Venus"? The truth is that this is exactly the way God intended it to be. Woman was created to uniquely represent different characteristics of God that man. Learn more in this week's episode of Windows of the Heart as Dr. Deb brings "Biblical Womanhood from Biblical Women, Eve, Part 2."

Why do women struggle so much with their identities as women? The bible very clearly gives us beautiful examples throughout its pages of women of the bible who clearly demonstrate the characteristics of women of God. In Eve, Part One, Dr. Waterbury begins by examining creation and the magnificence of God's zenith work--woman.

Where can we find happiness? Where do we find peace and contentment and joy? As Dr. Deb finishes her study of Finding Intimacy with God in the Psalms, she takes a closer look at Psalm 1, explaining the things the psalmist says we are not to do and the things we are to do if we want this elusive thing we all seek called happiness.

Why is praising God such an indication of a heart that knows God? This week Dr. Deb looks at Psalm 150 and the where, why, how, and who of praise when it comes to His children.

Is God your full source of wisdom? What should you believe and know about Him as your God to illustrate that He is? Dr. Deb Waterbury concludes her look at Psalm 16 by looking at what David says in regards to seeking God for wisdom in this life and how his security lies in this truth.

What is the evidence of a heart who seeks intimacy with God? How does she view God and how does she behave? In Part One of "Evidence of Intimacy," Dr. Deb looks at Psalm 16 at how David displayed the heart of one who truly seeks to know God.

What are some practical ways we can know God's Word so that we can know Him better? Dr. Deb takes a closer look at Psalm 119:18 to answer the question, "How can I study and pray so that the eyes of my heart are open to hear God's law?"

God's Word is authoritative, reliable, and powerful. We must look to His Word and seek it if we want to have intimacy with God. In Part 1 of this 2-part lesson on Psalm 119, Dr. Deb takes a closer look at how important it is to know God's Word in order to know Him.

Dr. Deb finishes this two-part message on honesty with God by looking at the last two responses from David after he had repented from his sin with Bathsheba: confessing the seriousness of his sin and asking God to change him. David shows us how important it is to seek honesty with God if we want want intimacy with Him.

Confession is an important aspect of sanctification, but how important is it when we are seeking true and intimate relationship with our Savior? Dr. Deb looks closer at this issue through David's lens in Psalm 51 in terms of honesty about one's sins and confession before God of them.

What are the determining qualities of a woman who fears the Lord? Why is this so important when we are trying to hear His guidance in our lives? Dr. Deb searches out these questions in the second part of "Fear and God's Guidance" by looking further into David's words in Ps. 25 as well as Solomon's in Proverbs 31.

How do proper fear and reverence for God go hand in hand with hearing His guidance? How should we approach God for this guidance and then how should we expect to hear Him? These are the topics Dr. Deb speaks on this week by looking at David's prayer in Psalm 25.