Debbie Taylor Williams

 “…Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood–” 

 Revelation 1:5

There are many things from which we might like to be released. We might like to be released from the burden of our taxes. We might like to be released from financial obligations. We might like to be released from the hospital. We might like to be released from jail. We might like to be released from a burdensome job. We might like to be released from a commitment. We might like to be released from a grudge someone holds toward us. We might like to be released from the guilt of our past wrongs. But, ahh, take a deep breath. Take a moment and ponder what it means that Jesus Christ has released you from your sins. Ponder even more deeply that the release came through His crucified body. With a grateful heart, let’s express our genuine thanks to Him. True, we may have other things from which we would love to be released. But today we can be thankful, truly thankful for being released from our sins. 

Lord Jesus Christ, my mind can’t get around the tremendous gift of salvation which You purchased for me with Your blood. I love You, THANK YOU, and praise You for RELEASING ME FROM MY SINS!  You are a great and loving God!

 © 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.

“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.” 

2 Peter 3:9

This is one of the most comforting verses in the Bible. God is patient toward us. God doesn’t want anyone to perish. God wants everyone to repent and come to salvation. Do I hear a hallelujah coming from your heart? It is from mine! 

Lord God, I praise You that You are PATIENT and that You don’t want anyone to die apart from You. Thank You for Your patience! I love and praise You, Lord  God.

© 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.

“If (since) you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;”

1 Peter 1:17

Are you aware that the Bible describes different kinds of judgments? The one to which Peter is referring is the judgment of believers’ works. Although we are not saved by works, after we are saved, God takes note of our actions. Therefore, Peter reminds us that God is an impartial judge. Our actions and work should be done in reverence to Christ, in a way that honors God. Are you sloppy at work? Do you have a “don’t care” attitude about your actions and behavior toward others? God cares. We should, too. 

Heavenly Father, You are ONE WHO IMPARTIALLY JUDGES. I praise You that You are IMPARTIAL, and pray my actions and deeds bring You honor and glory. 

© 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.

“And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.” 

Malachi 3:1

Throughout the Bible, God covenants to bring salvation based on His grace and righteousness. Malachi affirms that the messenger of the covenant is coming. Indeed, we celebrate and praise Him today: the Lord Jesus Christ!

Lord Jesus Christ, I praise You, MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT.

© 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.

“‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?

For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” 

Matthew 2:2

Not all kings who are kings are recognized as kings. Such was the case with the Lord Jesus Christ when He walked the earth. Such is the case today. But one day, all peopel will bow in the presence of the King of the Jews. If we are one day going to worship Him, why not begin today?

Lord Jesus, KING OF THE JEWS, and my King, I worship and adore You. Thank You for reigning in my life. 

© 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.

“Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”

Genesis 22:14 KVJ

Have you ever felt desperate and cried out to God for help to fulfill what He’s asked of you? Such was the case for Abraham. God asked him to sacrifice his son, Isaac. It seems crazy and incomprehensible to us. But God never intended for Abraham to kill his son. And Abraham knew that. He told his servants, “We will return,” not “I will return.” But Abraham also knew that God told him to sacrifice Isaac, so he took all the steps not knowing what would happen. One step of faith at a time. At the final step, the raised knife, God stopped him. He then provided a ram for Abraham to substitute in the place of his son. It was a foreshadow of God providing Jesus as our sacrifice. But in the demand of a human father being asked to sacrifice his son, we catch a glimpse of the pain and sacrifice of God sacrificing Jesus for us. God provided himself for Abraham and for us. 

JEHOVAH-JIREH, You are my wonderful Lord who both sees my need and then provides for it Yourself. I love You, Lord God!

© 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.

“He will dwell on the heights, his refuge will be the impregnable rock;” 

Isaiah 33:16

Do you ever need a refuge; a place you can go that is higher than yourself; a place where you can scale the heights and look at life from a different, more eternal perspective? We all do. The daily grind can become just that – a grind. The thrill of the chase ends. The romance changes. The kids grow up. The job ends. The money runs out. The other side wins. Sin gets the best of us. What then? Are you lost and in the dark? Are you alone?Sometimes it may feel that way. But for the one who loves and follows Christ, the impregnable rock, we have a height to which we can scale to view life. We have a place of solidity. We have a fortress not made with hands. Can someone who is not a follower of Christ understand our refuge in the impregnable rock? Probably not. But maybe if we show them the way, they will one day scale the height and discover Him for themselves.

LORD, You are IMPREGNABLE ROCK; my castle in the sky, my spiritual fortress. I can scale the heights and find refuge in You. I can look at life from Your higher and more grand perspective. Thank You, my Lord and God!

© 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.

“I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will GUIDE them.

I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, and I will not leave them undone.” 

Isaiah 42:16

Can you imagine being blind but not having anyone to guide you?  As difficult as it would be to be physically blind, so it is to be spiritually blind. But God does not leave us groping in spiritual darkness. Rather, He provides Himself as our guide. He guides us on paths toward Himself. He GUIDES us on paths of light and holiness. 

I praise You, my Lord and my GUIDE!

© 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.

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me.” 

Isaiah 44:6

Sometimes spiritual concepts are difficult. We have a hard time grasping what they mean. Not so with God’s announcement about Himself in this verse. It’s simple. Direct. Clear. We don’t have to figure it out, analyze anything, or ponder God’s statement to understand it. We simply need to respond in faith. (Hebrews 11:6)

Lord God, You make it clear that there is no other God besides You. You are the FIRST and the LAST!

© 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.

“The strength of the King loves justice; You have established equity;”

Psalm 99:4

Can you imagine if God ruled by ever-changing emotions and laws? What if on a whim, He decided to not be forgiving? Or, to forgive one person, but not another? What if God’s standard of holiness changed year by year? But, praise HIM, that is not who our God is. He loves justice. He ESTABLISHED EQUITY, and He rules with equity. That is why the psalmist says, “Let them praise Your great and awesome name; Holy is He.” (Psalm 99:3) That is why we praise our great and awesome God’s name! 

GOD of EQUITY, 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.

 © 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.