Debbie Taylor Williams

Have you ever been built up or torn down by someone’s words? No doubt, people’s words have an impact on our lives. So do Christ’s words. 

In Isaiah 49:2, the words of the “Servant of the Lord,” who is understood to be Jesus, are compared to a sharp sword. “He has made My mouth like a sharp sword,…;”

The imagery of Jesus’ words being like a sharp sword is also found in other places in the Bible. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 

Jesus’ Words are like a sharp sword in that they cut straight to the heart, to our thoughts and intentions.

Jesus’ Word is also a sharp sword in the believer’s defense against sin and the enemy (Psalm 119:11, Ephesians 6:10-17). 

As believers, do we use the power and authority of God’s Word to transform us? Do we delight in His Word? (Psalm 1:1-3)? Are we doers of His Word (James 1:23-25)?  Christ, His Word, a sharp sword, is vital to our lives. 

Lord, I praise You, a SHARP SWORD. Transform me according to Your living and active Word. 

Would you like to grow in your faith? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you. In addition to our books and Bible studies, we offer several free Christian resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

Here in the United States, presidential election seasons are often marked by tension and divisive rhetoric among politicians, citizens, and those in the mainstream media. There’s often a sense of uncertainty as voters anticipate the changes that will come with the next elected president. If you live in another country, you can probably relate to the feelings of insecurity that may arise from a change in leadership. However, we must remember not to place our trust, confidence, or hope in earthly kings or presidents. Instead, we should look to Jesus, the supreme ruler and authority over all the kings of the earth.

Revelation 1:5 says, “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” This verse reminds us that Jesus is the ruler over all earthly authority. Instead of placing our trust in mere humans, we can look heavenward in confidence to the King of kings who reigns with justice and mercy. 

While Jesus is presently sovereign and ruling over all earthly authority, we will one day see Him reigning over the earth. The Bible says that the current Heaven and earth will one day be replaced with a new Heaven and earth. God will dwell with His people during that time and we will see the glorious King of Kings ruling over all (Revelation 21:1-4).

Lord Jesus Christ, what a wonderful blessing to know that this world is not spinning out of control. You are the enthroned, RULER OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH. 

Today is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. If you’d like to cultivate a heart of gratitude throughout the year, the Prayers of My Heart prayer journal can help you get started. 

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving filled with love, joy, and gratitude! 

Would you agree that the news can sometimes leave you feeling unsettled and discouraged regarding the state of our world?

While it is true that darkness often surrounds us, it is also true that we can be encouraged and find hope in God, whom Psalm 76:4 describes as luminous. Or, as the psalmist states, “God is resplendent.” 

Think about the word “resplendent.” It doesn’t just refer to a physical quality. It encompasses much more. It refers to God’s magnificence and glory that are beyond comparison. 

Where can we bask in His resplendence? The Bible. We can read the Psalms. 

We can look up at the glory of the heavens.

We can meditate on God’s attributes. 

Rather than despair in the hopelessness and discouragement of the world, spend time “sunbathing” in God’s Light. 

Lord, You are RESPLENDENT! Illumine my life with Your glory. 

Download this free printable featuring the attributes of Jesus from the book of John. As you reflect on each one, bask in God’s resplendence by praising Him!

Have you ever thought, “I can’t believe I said that,” or “Why did I do that?” after saying or doing something you regretted and knew was wrong? Do you ever feel frustrated with your own sinful nature? I’m sure we’ve all been there. But here’s the good news—there is One who can purify us of our sins, and that One is Jesus. 

Hebrews 1:3 says, “When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

Jesus did what we could never do for ourselves. He became the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be purified and reconciled to God. Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice because He Himself is pure and without sin. One who is not pure cannot make another pure, but One who is pure can purify us. 

How do we receive Christ’s purification for our sins? First John 1:7 says, “…if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and walk in His ways, we are cleansed from our sins and made right with God. Oh, what a great and glorious work our Savior has done. He has purified us from our sins!

Lord Jesus, PURIFIER, thank you for Your sacrifice for my sins. I love, adore, and praise You!

Are you looking for some more encouragement and Biblical teachings? Listen to Debbie’s podcasts on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify!

Would you like more prosperity in your life? When you think of being prosperous, what comes to mind? Most of us probably envision some form of material wealth. But have you ever thought of Jesus as being prosperous? If we view prosperity in terms of material wealth, then at first glance, Jesus may appear to fall short in this area. However, let’s take a closer look at what Isaiah 52:13 says on the matter. 

“Behold, My servant will prosper,
He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted” (Isaiah 52:13).

In the context of this verse, Isaiah is writing about the Servant of the Lord, who is understood to be Jesus. The Hebrew word, “prosper,” in this context means “success.” Was Jesus successful? You bet He was. Although at times it appeared that He was anything but prospering, He was, in fact, accomplishing God’s will and securing our salvation through His death and resurrection. 

You see, Jesus did not measure His success by the world’s standards. His success was determined through His obedience to the will of God the Father. His success story involved humility and suffering. Jesus didn’t exert or wield His power and authority while on earth; rather, He made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant. He became obedient to death—even death on a cross. As a result, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:7-11). 

What a reason to praise Him! We have good cause to celebrate our Savior who prospered. Who was successful in doing all that the Father sent Him to accomplish.

Lord Jesus, the PROSPEROUS ONE, we praise You, our Lord and Savior! Thank You for successfully securing our salvation and a place with You for eternity.

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Are you a builder? If so, you know how important the cornerstone is when constructing the foundation of a building. Just as a cornerstone is necessary for a stable and strong foundation, Jesus is essential to the foundation of our Christian faith. He is described as a precious cornerstone in 1 Peter 2:6: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

Did you catch that? Peter says that when we build our lives on the precious cornerstone of Jesus that we will not be disappointed. That is a divine promise. If you’ve encountered any disappointments in life, and no doubt you have, then you know what a blessed promise that is. As a matter of fact, what is your testimony of how something in your life initially shook you to the core, but Jesus, foundational to your faith, held you together?

In addition, and importantly in Peter’s description of Jesus, he uses the word “precious.” Whereas in some places in the Bible the word “precious” means excellent and of surpassing value, Peter uses a word that means “honorable, noble.” Yes, a neighbor might build a home on an excellent and expensive foundation, but it not be an honorable, noble one. The believer’s faith is built on not only a firm, excellent foundation, but on the Father’s noble, honorable Son. 

Your life of faith is of great value. It is built on the precious cornerstone of Jesus, and as Peter writes, you will not be disappointed. Yes, although we may have disappointments on this side of heaven, get ready for the unveiling of what you have built your life on when the curtains are drawn and your eyes behold Jesus, the precious cornerstone of your faith. 

Lord Jesus, You are the PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE of my faith. I love You. I adore You. I am not disappointed, but rather enthralled with You. Thank You for the incredible, eternal blessing of building my life on You. May others see my relationship with You and it draw them to also build their lives on You. 

Spend more time in God’s Word and walk in the light of His wisdom with one of Debbie’s Bible studies. You can purchase printed Bible studies in our shop by clicking HERE. You can also complete free online Bible studies by clicking HERE.

“I’m just so busy.” “There never seem to be enough hours in the day.” We can probably all relate to those statements at some point in our lives. Do you know who else was busy? Jesus. He was very busy during His earthly ministry. He traveled to different regions sharing the good news, ministered to crowds of people, healed the sick, and spent time shepherding and fellowshipping with His disciples and other believers. Even though Jesus was busy, He was intentional about spending time alone with God, the Father, in prayer. One example is found in Mark 1:35. It says, “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” 

Not only did Jesus model spending time with God in prayer, but He showed us the importance of spending time alone with God. One-on-one time with God allows us to eliminate distractions and hear His voice more clearly. Matthew 6:6a says, “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” 

<If Jesus felt that prayer was necessary, then so should we. Prayer is one way that we can stay connected to Christ and abide in Him. The Bible says that Jesus is the true vine and we are the branches. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine (John 15:1-8). We cannot bear good fruit in our lives unless we abide in Christ through prayer.  

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He didn’t stop praying. Romans 8:26-27 says, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 

How comforting to know that the Spirit is interceding for us. Let us continue to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence in prayer, so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). 

Jesus, thank you for showing us what it means to be PRAYERFUL. Help us to prioritize spending time alone with You in prayer. Enable us to abide in You as You have called us to, so that we may bear good fruit. 

Learn to seek God in prayer through Debbie’s book, Pray With Purpose, Live With Passion. Purchase your copy HERE.

Many of us today are seeking peace. Although we may not directly identify what we’re seeking as peace, that’s ultimately what we long for. We may pursue peace through organizing and decluttering our homes in an effort to create a more serene living space. We might try to quiet the never-ending chatter in our brains or turn off our anxious thoughts by watching a movie or mindlessly scrolling through social media. We may seek peace through financial security, believing that more money in our savings or investments will bring a sense of calm and security. 

Although pursuing things like a tidy home or financial security isn’t bad in and of itself, we need to recognize where true and lasting peace comes from. Judges 6:24 says, “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” We see from this verse that the Lord Himself is peace. 

Before Jesus’ ascension into heaven, He reassured His disciples with these words, “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” (John 14:27). The peace that Jesus promised was not just for the disciples, but for all followers of Christ. Jesus knew we would face troubles and trials in this life, but in the midst of those struggles, He offers us a spiritual peace that surpasses understanding and is unlike anything the world can offer. We can be encouraged knowing that we don’t need to be tossed around by the cares, worries, and trials of this world. Instead, we can set our minds on Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Romans 8:6 says, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” 

In addition to setting our minds on the Spirit, we can recall and apply the words of Philippians 4:6-7 if we notice worry or anxiety creeping in. “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.”

Lord, we thank you for the PEACE that only You can provide. You knew that we would face troubles and trials in this life, but we are grateful that You quiet our hearts and minds with Your Peace in those times. Help us to set our minds on You and look to You in all circumstances. 

Although the holidays are often a joyous time spent with loved ones, they can also be a difficult and painful season for those facing challenging life circumstances, such as the recent loss of a loved one or illness. If you find yourself in such a season, here are some encouraging resources: Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos, Prayers of My Heart, From My Heart Poems of Faith, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World. 

Many non-believers today, especially those in the entertainment industry, have no qualms about openly mocking God and Christians. Although witnessing such actions may feel disheartening and grieve our spirits, it should come as no surprise to believers. The Bible warns that there will be mockers and scoffers in the last days (Jude 1:18; 2 Peter 3:3). In 2 Peter 3:4, the Bible also forewarned that scoffers will challenge the truth of Christ’s return by saying, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised?” 

Second Peter 3:9 goes on to declare that “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 

Christ can choose to return at any time, but His desire is for all to come to repentance. He wishes for none to perish, but for all to have eternal life by believing in Him (John 3:16). What might seem like a delay in Jesus’ return is actually an incredible display of mercy and patience towards those who don’t believe, and even those who openly mock God. 

Here’s something to keep in mind, though…”the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:10). Although the Lord is patient with the lost, He will come. Just as Christ’s first coming was prophesied and fulfilled, we can rest assured that the prophecies about His second coming will be fulfilled as well. 

Lord, we thank You that You are patient, NOT WISHING FOR ANY TO PERISH. Although You are merciful and long-suffering, we never want to take that for granted. We know that Your Word is true and that You will soon return. Help us to live each day in light of that promise.

We can’t take material possessions with us when we pass into eternity. The only thing that will go with us is other people. Store up treasures in heaven by helping us spread the Word and love of Jesus. Here are some ways you can help. 

• Invite a friend to one of our in-person Bible studies.
• Tell others about our free online Bible studies.
• Share 365 Days of Praise using the social media icons, below, or by forwarding to a friend through email.
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• Join our prayer team.
• Give to Hill Country Ministries. 

How many movies have you watched that portray love as a warm and fuzzy emotion? We’ve probably all seen those sappy movies that depict how a couple “fell in love” after knowing each other for a few days, or even a few minutes. This is often what the world thinks of when they hear the word “love,” but the Bible speaks of a different type of love. 

First John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” In this verse, John is writing to believers. He is exhorting them to love one another. The love spoken of in this passage is agapē, a self-giving love that is not selfish, but sacrificial. God demonstrated this kind of love by giving his only begotten Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus demonstrated this type of love by willingly sacrificing His life. 

You see, love is not based on feelings like so many in our world are accustomed to believing. True love, like the kind spoken of in the Bible, is unselfish and giving. It puts others first. 

How can we demonstrate this type of love? First, it’s important to recognize that we can’t give what we don’t have. Our ability to love in the way the Bible speaks comes from having a relationship with God, the source of love. As believers and recipients of Christ’s love, we are called to allow His love to transform us and to willingly extend that love to others. 

Lord, we thank you that You are LOVE. That is the very essence of who You are. As recipients of Your love, help us to extend Your love to others. Help us to love the body of believers as You have called us to. 

Would you like to learn more about how Jesus demonstrated His love for us as well as His command to love one another? Watch Debbie’s teaching on John 13.