UpLIFT Minute

Are you ever sad or mad? Of course, we have times when we’re sad or perhaps mad. Our world is a challenging place. That’s why we’re wise to be proactive with our emotions. Just like we have daily physical routines, we can establish mood routines. For instance, when you wake, open the spiritual door and greet God, “Good morning, Lord. Thank you for this day. Fill me with Your Spirit.” Those simple words help us be mindful that our Heavenly Father is with us, our life has purpose, and we choose Christ’s Spirit to reign in our life; sure joy lifters!  If you have Prayers of My Heart journal, read the verse at the top of the page in the Notes and Prayers section. Write it to help hide it in your heart. When you’re mad or sad, write your feelings to God. Quietly sit in His presence. Record the thoughts He brings to you. Read your Bible. Discover the joy of His Holy Spirit ministering to you from the inside out.

Have you joined the movement yet? What movement? The movement of Christians who are standing against letting fear consume them. The movement of Christians who are saying, “Yes, Covid-19 has turned my world upside down, but God is with me to help me get through it.” The ones who are saying, “Yes, it’s hard to stay at home and self-isolate, but I choose to use my time wisely. Several years ago, I was going through a hard time. As a heaviness was coming upon me, I sensed the nudge to pull my car off the road and park. Then another nudge to “Look up at the heavens.” As I did, God reminded me that I wasn’t alone. He was there for me, and He was all-powerful to take care of every need I have. Our world is going through a hard time. This is an opportunity for us to say, “Yes, life is hard, but, ‘Lord, You are….”  Join the movement. Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion will remind you of the many ways God is with you and sufficient to meet the demands of each day. Be a witness for Christ to those who don’t know Him. Model to your family that this is where a relationship with Christ makes a difference.

Have you ever felt like a deer in the headlights when you realized you forgot to pray for someone?  That happened to me several years ago. A person thanked me for praying for them. I was ashamed that I’d forgotten to and resolved to never again let that happen. The next morning, I asked God to show me a way to record prayer requests for those who asked me to pray for them and also go back and thank Him for His answers. In the quiet of the early morning hours, the word “spreadsheet” came to mind. Put the names of the people you pray for regularly across the top of the paper each week and designate a friend column for additional requests. Do you wish you had a better way to keep up with your prayers? If so, visit debbietaylorwilliams and click Prayers of My Heart. You’ll find prayer and journaling tips to rejuvenate your prayer life so you don’t forget to pray for someone.

Do you remember the first time you saw someone talking out loud but there was no one around the person?  The first time I saw someone do that, I wondered if he was okay. Then I noticed he had cordless buds in his ears. What seemed strange then is now common. Technology has advanced to the point we can talk to anyone anywhere from the ocean to the air. The more time we spend talking with someone, the better we know their voice. Prayer is no different. Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray at all times. In other words, we’re to keep our spiritual earbuds in and on. We’re to pick up and answer when God calls and not be like those whom He reprimanded in Jeremiah 33:3, “I called you, but you did not answer.” How open is your line of communication with God? Do you recognize His voice when He calls? If you want to know God’s voice better, check out, “Listen UP”: How to better discern God’s voice at www.debbietaylorwilliams.com.

It was “hell.” I’d returned from speaking at a church one night when I was a summer missionary during my college years. The evening had been wonderful – all one could want. The church was receptive. God’s Word shared with those attending. Then why did the thought return? The thought that haunted me at different times? The thought that scared the ever-lovin’ dickens out of me. “What if you’re not really a Christian, Debbie? What if when you die, you spend eternity in hell? What if you thought you were a Christian and you’re not? What if you are one of the people who do things in Jesus’s name but when you die, He looks at you and says, “I never knew you. Depart from Me.” (Matthew 7:23) Perhaps you’re a person who, like me, has at times doubted your salvation. If so and you want assurance, prayerfully repent of your sins. Turn in faith to Jesus. Call on Him, confessing Him as Lord and Savior. Read the Assurance of Salvation verses and “Meet Jesus” at debbietaylorwilliams.com to learn more.

Have you ever had a Plan B? You know, you had the best laid out plans and then something went wrong, perhaps even tragic. Plan B’s are never welcomed, whether our Plan B is a dead car battery, divorce, or death of a loved one. What do we do when our original plans don’t work out and discouragement, despair, anger, and hopeless pound on the door of our heart? We look to the cross where it would have appeared that God’s plan hadn’t gone right. Jesus was dead. Hope appeared to be gone. But it wasn’t. If you’re in the midst of a Plan B, look up in hope rather than get stuck in despair.  My book, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World, will walk you through nine choices you can make when life doesn’t go according to plan so you can experience God’s blessings even in the midst of your Plan B.

Do you ever feel sluggish? Spiritual blah? Nobody likes that feeling. So what do we do when we don’t feel motivated to pray, work, or get moving? Psalm 143:8 encourages us to lift up our souls to God. How do we do that?  We pray regardless of how we feel. We read God’s Word. In the process, we discover we’re encouraged and inspired. How is that so?  Jesus is a QUICKENING SPIRIT.” He not only gives us eternal life, He inspires and invigorates us through His Spirit who lives in us. If it feels like you’ve lost your spiritual get up and go, ask God to fill you with His Quickening Spirit; then follow how He prompts you throughout the day. Learn more about the Holy Spirit and His role in your life by ordering Listen UP: 31 Points about the Holy Spirit every Christian Should Know.

It was a hurried arrival at the hotel and a quick change of clothes before the driver would pick up my daughter and me to take us to the Arise Conference where I would speak. Lauren and I hurriedly changed out of our travel clothes. Slipping on a long tunic, I announced, “Let’s go!” Lauren looked at me and in an unusual tone asked, “Are we forgetting something?” Looking into her questioning eyes, I replied no. “Mom,” she countered, glancing at my legs. “Your pants?” Now before you judge me too harshly, the top I was wearing was almost down to my knees. Needless to say, we had a good laugh. While that may be funny, Ephesians 6:10-18 points to something that is not a laughing matter…us forgetting to put on the armor of God. Why? We are in a battle against evil and a spiritually naked Christian is an easy target. What is this battle? Is it real?  Find answers to these questions and how to dress for the battle in “Is the Battle Against Satan Real.“

Are you familiar with the song, “Wand’rin Star” that Lee Marvin sang in the movie, Paint Your Wagon? Webster defines “wander” as going about from place to without a plan. While Marvin’s song may have been a hit, a wandering mind isn’t a hit when we’re praying. It’s frustrating and ineffective. If you’ve found yourself praying, “Dear God, thank you for this day. Oh! That reminds me, I forgot to get eggs for breakfast.” then you know what I mean. How can we stay focused in prayer rather than have a wandering mind? We can write our prayers. For instance, in Prayers of My Heart journal, there is a section called Week at A Glance where you can write the names of those for whom you daily pray.  As your eye focuses on a name, you record a word or two reminders of your prayer. Then, you move in prayer to the next person. Rather than having a wandering mind, you have focused, meaningful prayers. Prayers of My Heart journal  – the solution for a wandering mind.

Some time ago an event planner commented to me, “I’m sure you’re enrolled in the TSA Pre Check program as much as you fly.”  I thought to myself how enrolling in the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre check program was something on my to do list, but I’d not yet done it. Her suggestion prompted me to take action and sign up. We never know how the power of our suggestion might encourage someone. For instance, do you have a friend struggling with loneliness who you might suggest they join you for Bible study? Is there a family member dealing with anxiety to whom you could suggest they listen to Christian music? God’s Word tells us to encourage others. How might God use your power of suggestion to encourage someone today?