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Praise to the Lord who PERFORMS WHAT HE PROMISES
“being fully assured that what God had promised, He was ABLE ALSO TO PERFOM IT.”
Many boast of what they can or will do. However, we are well aware that often people do not perform according to their promises. BUT GOD DOES. What He promises, He performs. You and I can have full confidence in God; just like Abraham did; who looked at his body and at Sarah. They were past the age to bear a child. But God had promised them a child, and assured them that what He promised, He was able to perform. God fulfilled His promise to Abraham and Sarah. He’ll fulfill His promises to us.
Lord God, You are able to PERFORM WHAT YOU PROMISE. What confidence and joy I have in You!
*Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
Praise to the PEACE GIVER
“Peace I leave with you; My PEACE I GIVE TO YOU; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
When I received a letter from M.D. Anderson in 1982 saying I had stage 1A ovarian carcinoma, I was shocked. Then I was sad, grievously sad. I looked at our 2 year old son, Taylor, and couldn’t stand the thought of not being around to raise him. I looked at my dear husband and was broken hearted about not doing “life” with him. I cried. I grieved. Then, God took me to the end of what might happen. I might die. But then, He consoled me. He GAVE ME HIS PEACE. He assured me He would be with Taylor and Keith and that I would be with Him. I personally know Jesus as the PEACE GIVER.
Lord Jesus, PEACE GIVER, You make me smile.
© Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
Praise to OUTSTRETCHED ARM
“‘Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your OUTSTRETCHED ARM! Nothing is too difficult for You,’”
When you think of God, how do you view Him? Is He in heaven with His arms crossed and a scowl on His face? Or, is He snoozing while we go about our day? In Jeremiah 32, the Lord God is portrayed as having an OUTSTRETCHED ARM. He make the heavens by His OUTSTRETCHED ARM. He delivered the Jews from Egyptian bondage by His OUTSTRETCHED ARM. He brought them into the land of Israel by His OUTSTRETCHED ARM. (21-22) In other words, the Lord God is not uninterested or asleep. He’s actively engaged in the affairs of mankind. And nothing is too difficult for Him. Keep praying and watching!
Lord GOD, You have acted by Your OUTSTRETCHED ARM and continue to act. I praise You!
*Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
Dual Citizenship Provides Hope
Lately I’ve been staring at the sky a lot.
In the Texas Hill Country, we’ve been blessed with blue skies and white billowy clouds. As I look upward, God has been impressing on me that the gorgeous heaven on which I’m gazing, is my home. Lately I’ve been staring at the television a lot. In the world in which we live; though dotted with beauty and joy, there is pain, destruction, and sorrow.
We’re Just Visiting Here
If we’re followers of Christ, heaven is our home. Our Heavenly Father adopted us (Ephesians 1:5) when we repented of our sins and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus explained that after He died and ascended to heaven, He would prepare a place for us. (John 14:2) How amazing is that?
We’re Dual Citizens
July 4th, we celebrate our nation’s independence from Britain and the formation of a new nation – the United States of America. We’re citizens of the USA. But, as dual citizens and while we fulfill our nation’s citizenry responsibilities, our primary allegiance is to our our Heavenly citizenship. Paul explains,
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” Philippians 3:20.
Prior to those words, Paul addressed the condition of the world, “many walk…that are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:18-19) Does that not describe the current condition of our world?
We’re Ambassadors for Christ
While we walk on this earth and live out our dural citizenship, what is to be our perspective and role? God is clear: we are Christ’s ambassadors. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) As ambassadors of Christ, we;re to do more than gaze at our televisions or at heaven. We’re to appeal to people to be reconciled to God through Christ.
We’re Stewards of the Mysteries of God
No one would argue that things of the Spirit are a mystery. But, that’s no excuse. We’re to be close to God, prayerful, hopeful, students of the Scripture so we can discuss and dispense heavenly hope and perspective to those God brings to us. 1 Corinthians 4:1 explains, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” The apostle Peter reminds us, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10) There’s that word again, “steward.” We’re to do more than wring our hands. We’re to do more than gaze at the heavens and wish Jesus would return. We’re on earth for a purpose; to represent Christ, and as His stewards, to reconcile people to God.
Fourth of July provides an occasion for us to celebrate our national citizenship. As we ooh and ahh at the brilliance of fireworks against the night sky, let us be reminded that the heavenly backdrop will one day open to receive us. Let us say a prayer to be faithful ambassadors and stewards of God while on earth.
Heavenly Father, we are in awe when we think of our citizenship in heaven. As we gaze upward in hope, prompt us to be increasingly faithful ambassadors and stewards; fulfilling Your calling. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Praise to GOD who is OMNIPRESENT
“’For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.’”
“I AM THERE.” How can Jesus be with you and with me, also? The answer is because He is OMNIPRESENT – present everywhere at the same time. Isn’t it remarkable? Not until heaven will we fully understand the spiritual world. In the meantime, we can stand in awe of God. And, we can rest assured that wherever we are, He is with us. And, He is with our loved ones. And, He is with all who are calling out to Him. He is there. Amazing and all the more reason to praise Him.
Lord, You are the OMNIPRESENT God! I worship in awe and praise of You.
*Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
Praise to the NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Have you ever known someone who claimed there are many ways to salvation? If so, you probably recall the conflict presented before you. Since Jesus claimed to the only way to God, in other words, the NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, He is either a lunatic, a liar, or LORD. I’m going with the later. He is LORD, and there is no name other than JESUS’s that can save us.
Jesus, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, I worship YOU!
© Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
Praise to the Majestic GLORY
“when He (Jesus) received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the MAJESTIC GLORY, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased’—”
This is NOT the same as yesterday’s Majestic Lord. Today we’re broadening our wonder and worship of God the Father. When Peter referred to his experience of being with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, “majestic” wasn’t enough to describe hearing the Heavenly Father’s voice. “Glory” didn’t suffice. “Majestic Glory” – was the best Peter could do to describe his experience. What Peter heard and saw, we will one day hear and see – our Heavenly Father, the MAJESTIC GLORY.
Heavenly Father, MAJESTIC GLORY, what a glorious day it will be to hear Your voice and worship You.
Praise to the LORD, GOD of the SPIRITS of ALL FLESH
Friends, today is the 177th day in the year. Do you realize that means we’ve focused on 177 different ways in which God has chosen to reveal Himself? And now, today, the 177th day, our focus is the all encompasing title: “LORD, GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF ALL FLESH.” God is more than the God of the Jews. He is more than the Lord of the Gentiles. He is more than the Lord of lords. He is LORD, GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF ALL FLESH.” I’ve had so much fun the last several days gazing at the heavens, thinking of God. He has poured Himself upon us in His revelation of the Scripture. He has poured Himself upon us in the revelation of Christ. He has poured Himself upon us in the Holy Spirit. He wants so badly for us to know there is another realm; a beautiful, eternal, glorious one where HE exists. He invites us to be a part.
LORD, GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF ALL FLESH, I’m excited that YOU are my God. I praise and worship You.
*Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.
What’s In Your Spiritual Mailbox
Have you ever missed an event because you didn’t open your mail?
It recently happened to me. It wasn’t that the mail hadn’t arrived on time. Rather, I had neglected to check my mail box. Actually, I lost the key to the mailbox. Here’s what happened….
At my old office, we had an onsite mailbox we seldom used; where we received primarily junk mail. We picked up most of our mail at the post office.
Several months ago Hill Country Ministries moved to a new building. But old habits are hard to break. In my mind, the on site mail box was probably empty or full of junk mail. I continued to regularly check the post office for mail. Then, when I realized I needed to check the onsite mail box, I couldn’t find the key.
One day my secretary questioned me about the on site mail box.
“See if you can get another key,” I responded.
Soon, Joanna appeared with an armload of mail and presented me with a new key. We hurriedly opened the envelopes. Among them were two invitations – one to a farewell reception and the other to a luncheon that had already passed. In addition, there were a few bills. I felt terrible. Then, I opened an envelope from Inspiration Point, MN where I had spoken. As I unfolded a thank you letter from the women’s ministry leader, a love offering fell to my desk. I sat in my chair and read her kind words, thanking me for presenting Biblical truth. I felt badly that I’d been neglectful to send a prompt reply. All because of a lost key. No, all because I’d been too busy to find my key or get a replacement.
Are We Too Busy
I wonder if we ever do the same with prayer and reading our Bibles? The key is to find the time. No, the key is to make the time to do the important spiritual disciplines to which God invites us. He invites us to check in with Him every day. He invites us to read His Word and find encouragement for our souls. He invites us to grace when we’ve failed. He invites us to hope, to walk by His Spirit, to learn from Him, and to find rest for our souls.
Are We Checking Our Spiritual Mailbox
What’s in our spiritual mailbox? Do we go to it regularly? Or, do we walk by our Bibles? Do we mean to check in with God in prayer, but get too busy?
I know that the mailbox key is important to me seeing invitations, receiving gifts, and paying that which I owe. I know that spiritual disciplines are key to me knowing that to which Christ invites me, to receiving His gifts, and to paying forward that which I owe Him in service to others.
Take the Time
If we’ve missed Christ’s invitation to daily fellowship or most importantly to salvation, today is a good day to open our Bibles, open our hearts, and gladly respond, “Yes” to Him.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-29
I neglected using my key once. I don’t want to do it again – at the office or in heaven. How about you?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the invitation to come to You to find rest for our souls. Thank You for the invitation to learn from You. Help us not get so busy with the world that we neglect the keys of prayer and Bible reading that open heaven to us. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Praise to the LORD
“‘I am the LORD, that is MY NAME; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.’”
There are occasions when God announces, “This is my name. This is who I am.” Such is the case in Isaiah 42:8, when God announced, “I am the LORD, that is MY NAME.” In the same breath, He explains what it means that His name is LORD. It means He will not give His glory to another. It means that our praise is to be given to Him and Him alone. His pronouncement should cause us to ponder, “Have I given my praise to anything or anyone besides the LORD?” If so, we must hurriedly bow before the LORD in repentance; and then praise the LORD.
Heavenly Father, You alone are LORD. Forgive me for putting other things and other people before You. I bow in humble reverence and praise!
© Debbie Taylor Williams. Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to forward or share this material provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee for it. Any exception to the above must be approved by Debbie Taylor Williams. Please include on any web posting or printed distribution: © Debbie Taylor Williams, www.debbietaylorwilliams.com. Thank you.