Debbie Taylor Williams
What’s In Your Hand?
“The Lord is my portion,” Psalm 119:57a
Would you like a helping of mashed potatoes? How about gravy on your turkey? As Thanksgiving approaches, images of buffet lines with mouth watering foods appear on magazine covers and cooking shows. “I’ll take a portion of that,” we say in relation to food. But how often do we consider the Lord as our Portion? We may admit we’re familiar with “The Lord is my Shepherd,” but not, “The Lord is my Portion.” Lately, I’ve been struck by this verse. Why? Because I’m not always mindful of it. Although the Lord has given Himself to me to satisfy my deepest needs; too often I grab from the world’s buffet. I hold to a loaf of what someone said that hurt me. I refill my cup with their critical words. I empty my plate only to refill it with the same temptation. The result? I’m left longing. But what if instead I turned my back on the world’s buffet and reached for the a heaping portion of the Lord? What if I took a slice of the bread of life and read a chapter in the Bible? What if I drank in the living water of His Spirit? The fact is, “The Lord is my Sheperd,” but He’s also, “…my Portion.” I’m reaching for Him this week. How about you? What’s in your hand?
Where Am I?
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You. How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day, And by Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength. And by Your favor our horn is exalted.”
The answer to “where am I” or better “where have I been” is I’ve been:
–Blessed with joyful ministry opportunities.
-Sick with a stomach virus. Then….
-Blessed by being well enough to go with Keith on our 40th Anniversary trip; where unfortunately I was sick half the time. But, only HALF the time.
Where am I now? HOME! Yeah, there’s nothing like crawling in your own bed. There’s nothing like kneeling in my home spot with the Lord to start the day. I apologize that the following is so long, but I’ve MISSED being with you. 🙂
Psalm 89:14-17 touched my heart today as the Spirit applied these verses to my life. Is there anything for you in these verses? Let’s break them down. Let’s do more than say, “what beautiful words;” because they hold insight for how to live and where we are to be.
Verse 14a. “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;” What is at the foundation of God’s throne? Righteousness and justice. Where do I want to be? At God’s throne – worshipping Him. If that is the case, then I need to be living rightly; not sinning.
Verse 14b. “Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” The same holds true here. God’s presence is where we find joy. This verse tells me that “lovingkindness” and “truth” surround God. They go where He goes. If I’m not filled with lovingkindness, I’m not walking with God. If there is any deceit or dishonesty in me, I’m not walking with God. If we’re out of sorts and unhappy, what is our state of “lovingkindess and truth”?
Verse 15. “How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance.” This verse is talking about who is blessed and knows joy. The people who are blessed and joyful are walking (in step with) in the light of God’s countenance. They’re so close to Him, they see His countenance. And, as they look at His countenance, they see He’s not worried. He’s not fretful. He’s peaceful. And so, they relax. They’re blessed. The joyful sound of His close footsteps beats on their heart. They walk in the light of His countenance rather than let fear, anger, or defeat control them.
Verse 16a. “In Your name they rejoice all the day,” This is easy. What we set our face on is what we reflect. Look in the mirror all day and you see every wrinkle, spot, failing. Look up at Jesus and you see righteousness, hope, and power. It’s our choice upon which we focus all day.
Verse 16b. “And by Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength. And by Your favor our horn in exalted.” Strength is a beautiful thing. Look at a well toned person and you can’t help but admire the beauty of God’s creation. People are looking for soul strength. Spiritual strength. Emotional strength. It’s not found in our humanity, but rather our spiritual oneness with Jesus. It comes from heaven through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Be a demonstration of the glory of God’s strength to someone today.
WHERE ARE WE IN LIGHT OF PSALM 89:14-17?
I Forgot to Rejoice
A few days ago I was feeling STRESSED! Yes, I had begun my morning in praise and prayer. Yes, I had read my Bible and been blessed and encouraged. But LIFE STILL HAPPENS, doesn’t it. And, life can be stressful. Rather, it is stressful. Jesus said, “in the world you HAVE tribulation.” Not, “may have” tribulation. So how do we handle the stress that accompanies tribulation? Christ’s remedy is for us to REJOICE. “Rejoice?” we might ask. Are you kidding me? I’m stressed. I want to scream. I want the world to stop and me to jump off. Rejoice? And that’s where I was a few days ago. I spelled it out for my sister in a text. “I’m so STRESSED.” My phone rang the next instant. Linda didn’t say “Hi, honi,” like she usually does. There was no small talk. Instead, what fell on my ears were the Scriptures at the end of this post. I encourage you to put your name in the blank and then hear the words as coming straight from Jesus’s heart; because He loves you and is there for you in your stressful situations. AFTER you hear His words of comfort, please click HERE and then share this post on facebook or forward it to your friends. If you’re watching the videos that follow, it will help to get the word out on PRAYER if you click the “thumbs up” in the upper right portion of the video. The reason I’m asking you to share what’s going on with the prayer journal is because God has stirred many people’s hearts to become more passionate and purposefully in their prayer lives. Many have order the prayer journal and we’re all anxiously awaiting a new shipment of the journals so everyone can begin journaling. The reason I’m asking you to share this post is because many people are feeling stress for lots of different reasons. Please receive the encouragement for yourself; then share the reminder that even even in the midst of stressful times, our Lord is with us, He’s on the throne and we can can REJOICE in that. Now, from God’s heart to yours.
Dear __________, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. … practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
Heavenly Father, thank You that we can rejoice in You no matter what is happening. Thank You that You are KING, on the throne, and in control.
To You, LORD, I Lift Up My Soul
When we enter our prayer time in the mornings, it’s a miraculous experience. Long before man invented the cell phone, God created us with the capacity to commune with Him and He with us. Our spiritual wiring is activitated when we repent and call on the Lord Jesus for salvation. Just like we may receive a credit card in the mail, but have to call the number on the label to “activate” it; so God has reached out to us in Jesus Christ. We need only call on Him. We confess, “JESUS is LORD” and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. He equips us with the Holy Spirit. THAT’S WHY I’M SO GRATEFUL to be ABLE to LIFT UP MY SOUL to HIM EVERY MORNING.
What I record in my Prayers of My Heart Journal most often begins with PRAISE. For instance, my morning reading of Psalm 50 beginning with verse 1 is, “The Mighty One, God, the LORD, has spoken, and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” In the first column of my “Week At A Glance” (labeled LORD), I record Mighty One Who Speaks. I momentarily ignore the columun lines and write across the page, “Speak to our hearts. We listen, respond, and obey.” That’s a good prayer request, don’t you think? And, it was prompted by God’s reminder to me of WHO HE IS. I then record specific requests for loved ones, friends, our church, and nation.
To You, Oh LORD, I lift up my soul. What a blessing to be able to do that every morning.
Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion TIP: Read a Psalm or Proverb every day. Look for a way in which God reveals Himself. Use your praise of Him as the springboard for your prayers as in the above example.
Inspirational!
Prayer journaling, for me, is inspirational!
Why? First of all, prayer is not just about us pouring out our requests to God, but also about God pouring His will into us—what He is doing and accomplishing.
Can you imagine the disciples “telling” Jesus where they were going next on their missionarg journey, how they were going to get there, and who they were going to heal? I
nstead, we find the disciples following Jesus and listening to His instructions.
Yes, at times they questioned Him. “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and You are going there again?” (John 11:8). But then they listened and followed.
Many times I’ve knelt with my Bible open 
and my prayer journal in hand, not knowing how or what to pray. But in those times of silence, the Lord directed me even as Romans 8:26 says. In those times, the Holy Spirit brings to mind prayer requests that have direction and insight that I would not have thought of. The joy of being led by God’s Spirit and recording His requests is dynamic and didactic when we kneel with Bible and journal in hand. It’s two-way communication with the Father.
On the paper you see only words, but in lives you see change as the dynamic Spirit of God the Father moves on behalf of His children and kingdom.
Prayers of My Heart prayer journal
FULLY ASSURED in the WILL of GOD
“laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.“
Wednesday I was a guest speaker for The God of Hope Ministry, which has a “faith dorm” at the Lockhart Prison in Texas. During a break, an inmate approached me and asked how she could know if something was of God or Satan; how she could know if something was right or true. I was thrilled to encourage her that she could look to the Bible; that it is God’s words and she could be fully assured in it. Have you ever floundered with a decision? Have you ever wavered between knowing if something was wrong or right to do? Because believers are set apart in Christ, we have the blessing of trustworthy guidelines for how to live. We have assurances and promises on which we can depend. We can be fully assured that if God said it, it’s true. We can live day by day fully assured in the will of God.
Heavenly Father, it’s a blessing to know that I can be fully assured in all Your will. Help me walk faithfully in Your will today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
WE ARE ENCOURAGERS
“Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.“
Could you use some encouragement today? I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t appreciate being encouraged. Why? There are so many ways and things that can discourage us; that a person who has an encouraging heart is a breathe of fresh air. Are you that breathe in people’s lives? Are you an encourager? Do you realize what a great gift that is? Today, while writing, I received an email from a friend. It was a word of encouragement about how much our study of If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case? has meant to her. My heart soared when I read her words. As a matter of fact, I reread, printed, and saved the email. It’s precious that she took time to email me. God used this “sister” in my life today. Would you be an encourager to someone today?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope that is in You. Use me to encourage others in their daily walk and struggles. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
GOD OPENS DOORS
“praying…for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ,“
Have you thought of the fact that God can open doors for you? He can! That’s the reason Paul asked for that specific prayer. He was conscious that God could do what he couldn’t do. Paul yearned to fulfill the mission God had given him. Therefore, his prayer was in accordance with God’s will. God can open doors for you, too. Are you praying that He does? Are you asking others to pray that for you? Are the doors you’re asking to be opened in accordance with God’s calling? Do the doors you desire to open have to do with furthering God’s kingdodm; or are they self centered? Remember, our purpose for remaining on earth after receiving Christ has nothing to do with “getting ahead in the world” or pleasure seeking. Our presence on earth has everything to do with Christ’s commissioning words, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;” (Matthew 28:19-20) Christ’s focus while on earth and His final thoughts before ascending into heaven were on this age, this age ending, and the future age of eternity in heaven or hell. Let’s allign our priorities with Christ’s. Then, let’s pray God open doors for us to teach others about Him.
Heavenly Father, Forgive me when I become self-centered and think only of “doors” to my pleasure and happiness. Redirect my thoughts and impassion me with the same fire Paul had to walk through doors You opened for Him to share Christ with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I HAVE PRAYER SUPPORT
“praying at the same time for us as well, …“
I know some people who seldom ask others to pray for them. However, there is nothing in the Bible to suggest that is a noble, humble, or even wise practice. Rather, the Bible teaches that Christians are “one body” in Christ; and that as one body, we should pray for one another. Clearly, the apostle Paul was not too prideful to ask for prayer. Rather, he said, “pray for us.” James 5:16 instructs us, “confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” You don’t have to expose details about yourself or your loved ones when asking for prayer. For example, a person who has an addiction can ask for prayer that God strengthen them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. They can leave off stating, “to stand against my dosexvideo online pornography or drug addiction.” If a person learns their spouse is having an affair, they can ask for prayer for God to guide their steps and guard their emotions. Neither of those prayer requests divulge private matters of the couple. In Christ, we don’t have to fight spiritual battles alone. We can experience the blessing of others praying for us; even as we pray for them.
Heavenly Father, Thank You that in Christ we are a community of sisters and brothers who love and pray for one another. Help us recognize the privilege of both praying for others and of others praying for us.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
I PRAY with as ATTITUDE of THANKSGIVING
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.“
Have you ever said of someone, “He’s got an attitude!”? Or said to a person, “You need a better attitude!” Thanksgiving, eucharistia, means thankfulness. If we can see other’s attitudes, don’t we realize God sees ours? How do we think it makes God feel when we pray with an ungrateful or negative attitude? Which of the following attitudes is reflected in your prayers?
- I don’t know if You’re listening, God.
- If You’re listening God, You probably won’t do what I’m asking, but just in case…
- I don’t know why I’m praying. It never does any good.
A few days ago I walked on the front porch and heard the loudest tweeting I’ve ever heard. I expected to see a gigantic bird and watched for the branches to rustle so I could spot the happy caroler. Instead, my eyes fell on a tiny little bird. It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen. It was stretching and straining, causing the bough to bend up and down. As I listened and found pleasure watching that little bird, I thought how much pleasure my heavenly Father must have when we stretch our tiny arms heavenward and praise Him. Does God see us? Of course He does! Does God note the one who joyfully comes to Him thanking Him for answered prayer? Yes!
A negative question from a negative loved one or negative co-worker doesn’t engage us as a positive question from a thankful one. For instance, there’ve been times when my husband has asked me to do something I wasn’t in the mood to do; but I couldn’t resist his engaging grin and playful big brown eyes. What does God see when we call on Him? A sullen, doubting saint or an expectant, hopeful one?
Heavenly Father, Thank You for who You are and all You are. Thank You that You are ever present for me to pray to You. Thank You that I can pray to You with confidence; knowing You hear and answer my prayers according to Your will.
Adapted from If God in In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
