365 Days of Praise
When You Fear for Your Loved Ones
LISTEN to Today’s 60 sec Audio Podcast
A SPECIAL INVITATION from Debbie
Does the prevalence of evil in our society cause you to be fearful for loved ones? Recently, after speaking at a church, a mom confided in me that she feared for her child. Part of her fear was because she had been molested as a child. Part was due to the moral decline in our nation. What hope was I able to give her?
PRAYER: Jesus teaches us to pray, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We can pray that daily for our loved ones.
THE BIBLE. The Bible is a safeguard that teaches us what to do and not do. We can teach our children to respect and obey God and His Word.
ETERNAL SALVATION. We can’t escape all evil influences, but, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 comforts us that the Lord is faithful, and will strengthen and PROTECT us from the evil one.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Word that shows us how to live, for being able to pray to You, and for Christ’s faithfulness to strengthen and protect us.
You’re Invited! Join me TONIGHT, September 9, 5:15 pm for my PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journaling Workshop. Discover 7 Benefits of Journaling, how to enhance your prayer life, and experience an increased attitude of gratitude through journaling. Journal -$14.99. Info below. Walk-ins welcome. Come as you are.
What: PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journal Workshop
When: Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm
Where: Trinity Baptist Church Chapel, 800 Jackson Rd, Kerrville, TX
Who: You, your family, and friends!
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and PROTECT you from the evil one.”
If You’re Counting on being Rich on Earth, Remember This
Are you familiar with the term “prosperity theology”? It’s defined as “a religious belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them.” Jesus didn’t teach or live a prosperity theology. Isaiah 52:13 does say that Jesus will prosper. However, the Hebrew word in this verse means “success.” During Jesus’s life on earth it didn’t appeared He was successful. However, He was. By His death He successfully secured our salvation. If we have our heart set on riches this side of heaven, we may be hugely disappointed. If we build our lives on Christ, we’ll experience joy on earth and eternal rewards in heaven.
Lord Jesus, thank You for successfully securing our salvation now and for eternity.
You’re Invited! Join me this Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm for my PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journaling Workshop. Discover the 7 Benefits of Journaling, how to enhance your prayer life, and develop an attitude of gratitude through journaling. Journal -$14.99. Info below. Or, email me- debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com.
What: PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journal Workshop
When: Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm
Where: Trinity Baptist Church Chapel, 800 Jackson Rd, Kerrville, TX
Who: You!
“Behold, My servant will PROSPER, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.” Isaiah 52:13
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology
How to Satisfy God
Are you familiar with the Rolling Stones’ 1965 hit song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”? Songwriters Keith Richards and Mick Jagger poured forth how they couldn’t get no satisfaction. The words resonated with people in the sixties and probably do today. We may turn our feelings of not being satisfied with how our Heavenly Father must feel toward us. But the fact is, God is satisfied with believers – with those who have repented of their sins and confessed Jesus Christ as Lord. First John 2:2 explains, “”He Himself (Jesus) is the PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” The word propitiation means satisfaction. This verse tells us that Jesus satisfied God on our behalf. He offered His perfect life as a substitute for ours. When God looks at us He is satisfied. That’s an incredible thought and reality. If we haven’t thanked Jesus lately, now would be a good time to do that.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the satisfaction for the sins of all who trust in You.
“He Himself is the PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2
UPCOMING EVENT: September 9. JOIN ME!
When You’re Tired of All the Lies
Have you ever promised something and then didn’t fulfill your promise? If you have, you know what a horrible feeling it is. Maybe we promised, “I’ll never say that again.” Then we did. Or, maybe we said to God, “I promise. If you’ll get me out of this mess, I’ll do better next time.” Then we failed to do as we said. Or, maybe we don’t trust people because they’ve made promises they didn’t keep. When it comes to God, however, Romans 4:21 assures us that what God PROMISED, He was able also to perform.” What a blessing to know that God speaks the truth and keeps His promises. In the midst of the world’s lying and cover-ups, it’s a great time for us to read our Bibles and God’s promises; ones we can be assured are true. Which of His promises are your favorites? Please comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
Heavenly Father, in our world that is filled with lies and cover ups, we praise You that You are a faithful promise keeper.
“being fully assured that what God had PROMISED, He was able also to perform.”Romans 4:21
When You Want to Know the Future Look to Jesus, Not a Psychic Reader
Have you ever called the psychic hotline or used Tarot cards for the purpose of divination? If so, you’ll be encouraged to know there’s another, better option. The Bible warns us to not seek knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means of divination such as Tarot cards or a psychic hotline. Ezekiel 13:7 says, “Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, ‘’The Lord declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?'” Throughout the Bible we’re warned to not listen to unclean spirits, but rather to His Word and those He inspired by His Holy Spirit. Yes, at times we may want to know the future and what to do, but the right way to find those answers is to read the Bible and pray, “Lord, direct me.” Luke 24:19 tells us that Jesus was a PROPHET mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people.” He is the One we’re to seek and can trust.
CHECK THESE OUT: Prayers for Different Occasions, Meet Jesus
Jesus, You are God’s PROPHET who speaks truth. May we seek and obey You.
“…Jesus the Nazarene, who was a PROPHET mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people.” Luke 24:19
When You Feel Like a Ragamuffin
Jesus, PRINCE OF PEACE, thank You for coming to earth and receiving we who confess You as Lord to be Your bride. We can’t wait to come into Your glorious kingdom and live with You forever.
“His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, PRINCE OF PEACE.” Isaiah 9:6
Double Jeopardy
Have you heard of the legal term “double jeopardy”? In our legal system it means that a person can’t be tried for the same crime two times. In God’s system, it means the same; which is an incredible blessing. Jesus was tried for all the sins we’ve ever committed and will commit. God has promised to not try us for sins Jesus has already been convicted of and paid for when we repent of them and confess Jesus as Lord. There’s more. Hebrews 2:17 explains that after Jesus took our place and died for our sins, He then assumed the role of High Priest and entered into God’s presence to offer His blood as the sacrifice for our sin. Jesus demonstrated the greatest of mercy when He took our place at the judgement seat and was convicted for our crimes. We can’t be tried again for our sins because Jesus was tried for them, found guilty, and sentenced to death. Resurrected, He sits as God’s right hand. Run to Him in gratitude.
Lord Jesus, we praise You, our Lord and high PRIEST! Thank You for taking our place at the judgement seat and dying for our sins. How can we serve You?
“Therefore, He (Jesus) had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high PRIEST in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
I need HELP and I need it now
“I need help and I need it now.” Have you ever thought those words? I have. Maybe our thoughts are going places where they shouldn’t be going. Maybe our emotions are spiraling out of control. Maybe we feel like we just don’t have what it takes to do or be what we know is needed. We’re crashing. So, what do we do? We look to God who is described as not just a future help to us in heaven, but rather as a very PRESENT HELP. Commentator Charles Ryrie explains what Psalm 46:1 means regarding God being a present help in trouble. He states, “Very PRESENT HELP can have the idea of ‘well-proved help.'” In other words, we’re not hoping God can help us. He is present and reliable. We can pray, “God, help me,” and be assured that He will. What a great Heavenly Father we have. Let’s keep our eyes and hearts open to the help He’s providing us.
Lord, thank You for being PRESENT to HELP us. Help us keep our eyes on You and trust each day to You.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very PRESENT HELP in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Nobody’s Perfect!
Have you ever defended your bad behavior by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.” Or, has someone ever said to you, “Nobody’s perfect!” in defense of something they’ve done wrong? It’s a common response because it’s true. Nobody is perfect except Jesus. However, and this is a big however, our imperfections aren’t excuses to stay as we are. Rather, they’re signals for where we need to look to Jesus for His example and empowerment to change. For instance, in Matthew 5:48, Jesus doesn’t say, “Heh guys, give yourself a break. Nobody’s perfect.” Instead, He says, “Your Heavenly Father is perfect. You’re to be perfect.”
Heavenly Father, You are PERFECT. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit who transforms us when we walk according to His power in us.
“’Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is PERFECT.’”
When You’re Tired of People Telling You “Chin Up”
Do you ever get perturbed when someone tells you “chin up,” that everything will get better? I get it. People may be well intentioned, but the fact is, things may not get better. We may not be able to keep our marriage together. Our child may have special needs the rest of their life. Our job may be tough. A person may refuse to forgive us. That’s why 2 Thessalonians 3:16 tells us to find our peace in Jesus, the Lord of peace. Is it easy? No. But, it’s real. I experienced it when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I experienced it when my parents were dying. In John 14:27, Jesus describes His peace as “out of this world.” In other words, it comes from heaven into our hearts so we can go through our day with inner peace. Moving the direction of our chin doesn’t change anything. Opening our heart and asking the Prince of Peace to fill it changes everything.
Thank You, Prince of PEACE, that You supercede circumstances. Fill us with Your peace.
“Now may the LORD of PEACE Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.”