Debbie Taylor Williams

In February 2021, a winter freeze took this Texas girl by surprise. Yes, I’d seen the warnings of a winter storm. In my mind, that meant cold weather and snow. I did think about the ice warning, but then went about my life. Then it got cold. And colder. And colder. I wasn’t prepared, and by the time I was in the midst of the snow, cold, iced-over roads, power outage, no water, and firewood running out, it was too late to do anything. I lived with the consequences of my lackadaisical unpreparedness. 

As the water that had been collected in bowls froze inside our home, I thought of what I could do to be better prepared should we have another winter storm. I also thought of how terrifying it is going to be for people who have a lackadaisical attitude toward Biblical warnings of judgment and hell. Yes, many people are going on with their lives and not doing anything to prepare for the salvation of their souls. Thinking of the unsaved sitting in hell with no way to get out is a horrifying thought. Equally horrifying is to neglect Christ’s call to tell the unsaved how to be saved. 

In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus tells believers with “all authority” to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nation.” In other words, sound the warning that a day is coming when everyone will stand before Jesus to give an account of their lives and will either live eternally in heaven or in hell. Are we obeying Jesus? Are we telling them how they can be saved? Are we making disciples? 

Jesus, You are the AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. Forgive me when I ignore rather than obey Your commands. Create in my heart a passion to obey You and to go and make disciples.

Are you ready for Christ’s return and actively sharing your faith to help others prepare? Would you like some resources to help you better understand the times in which we live and to shift your focus to His return and eternity? Check out End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do. You can purchase the study HERE and access the accompanying videos and podcasts HERE. 

Have you ever needed an architect to help you design your home, office, or some other building? 

In Hebrews 11:10, we’re told that Abraham looked for a city that was built by a particular architect. What city? Who was the architect? He “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” 

Isn’t that fun to think about? Abraham. Looking for a city designed and built by God. It is not only fun to think about, it is amazing. And, do you recall what Jesus told the disciples in John 14:2? “I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus is getting everything ready for our arrival in the city built by God. 

We can learn from Abraham. What can we learn? To set our eyes on heaven, the new Jerusalem, whose architect is God.

How do we do that? We set our minds on the things above. (Colossians 3:2) We bank on heaven, as Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:19-21; to store up our treasure there. 

If our eyes have been on our earthly home and the life we are building here, it is time for us to switch our focus to that of Abraham and to do as Jesus advised. Why? No architect on earth holds a candle to that of our heavenly architect.

Lord, I praise You, the ARCHITECT of the New Jerusalem and of my salvation. Fill me with awe and gratitude as I think about You preparing a place for me. Focus my eyes and set my priorities on eternity and the New Jerusalem rather than the passing things of earth. 

True or False: 

• God assigns individuals to particular tasks.
• God has appointed times in history.
• God appointed Christ to save you.

If you said “true,” you are correct. Consider the following: 

“Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him” (Genesis 21:2).

“Before I formed you…I have appointed you a prophet to the nation” (Jeremiah 1:5).

“He [Jesus] appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14).

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come” (Mark 13:33). 

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). 

Of all God’s appointments, the greatest is Jesus. “…that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you” (Acts 3:20).

Yes, God appointed Christ to save us and He appoints times, people, events, and more. What has He appointed you to do?

Lord, who APPOINTS times, people, events and Jesus to be the Savior of the world. I praise and worship You. Help me faithfully fulfill what You’ve appointed me to do.

Our Lord, Jesus, has countless wonderful attributes that we can praise Him for. To learn more about His incredible qualities, purchase a copy of the 365 Days of Praise Daily Devotional HERE. You’ll be introduced to a different attribute each day that you can praise Him for. 

The Bible provides several examples of the Lord revealing Himself to people. One such example is when Abram, later known as Abraham, was 99 years old. The Lord appeared to him and introduced Himself as the Lord Almighty. Read the account in Genesis 17:1-2: “Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly.”

The Old Testament word for “Almighty” means “most powerful”. The New Testament word means “he who holds sway over all things, the ruler of all.” Together, these words reveal that the Almighty is the most powerful being who holds sway over all things.

God wanted Abraham to know His power and ability to hold sway over his life. God wants us to know, too.

ALMIGHTY GOD, I praise You, the most powerful One who holds sway over all things. Hold sway over my heart today so that I walk blamelessly before You.

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Whether we’re shopping for a car or a computer, we typically ask, “How powerful is it?” Why do we ask? We want to know if what we’re considering buying can do what we want and need. 

We may not say or even realize it, but sometimes we may question God’s power. For example, we pray about something and then we worry. 

If we really believed that nothing is impossible with God, then worry wouldn’t have a place in our lives. 

Today is a good day to remember 1 Chronicles 29:11, that God is all powerful and we can confidently place our trust in Him. “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.” 

Let that be our prayer. Let that be our mindset as we live out our day. 

Lord, You are great, ALL POWERFUL, and the One to whom glory, victory, and majesty belong. Help me walk out my faith and trust in You today rather than fret over details. 

Do you commute to work and want to listen to some encouraging teachings by Debbie while you drive? Let her podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podbean help you set your mind on Christ before you start your day!

Have you ever been startled to see someone you didn’t expect? My husband has startled me and I assure you, I jumped. Considering how we may have been startled by a person we didn’t expect, can you imagine how startling it was for the disciple John to unexpectedly see Jesus in heaven? John was on the island of Patmos when he was suddenly taken to heaven and saw Christ. What was his response? He fell at Jesus’ feet like a dead man. Revelation 1:18 records what Jesus said to John, 

“I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore…” 

John had seen Jesus die on the cross and be buried. He had seen the resurrected Christ. He had seen Jesus ascend in the clouds into heaven. But to see Jesus alive in heaven and hear Jesus explain He is alive forevermore had to be startling. If your today looks unbearable and you dread tomorrow, don’t. A day of glorious eternal life awaits you, believer. You will see Jesus. 

Lord Jesus, I praise You. Thank You for dying for me so I can be ALIVE FOREVERMORE with You. 

Would you like to deepen your relationship with God? Discover the many resources on our website that can help you grow in your walk with the Lord. We offer several free resources, including podcasts, video teachings, listening guides, and more!

Peace between people. Is it possible? It appears not to be. Why? Because although we aren’t perfect, we expect others to be perfect. Remember when the Jews were itching to stone a woman caught in adultery? The rocks were in their hands. Their self-righteous arms were wound for the throw. But when Jesus confronted them, when He invited the one who was sin-free to throw the first stone, they slinked away (John 8:7-9). 

What did Jesus then do? If you said, stone her because she was guilty and deserving of punishment, you’re both right and wrong. You’re correct in saying she was deserving of death according to the Law. You are incorrect about Jesus’ response. He told her He didn’t condemn her and for her to go and sin no more. Amazing! Jesus extends the same grace to us. 

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

There it is. We are not to sin, but when we do, we can be mindfully grateful that Jesus is our Advocate just as He was for the adulterous woman. 

Lord Jesus, I praise You, my ADVOCATE. Quicken my heart to take seriously Your command to sin no more. 

Would you like to experience God’s sufficient grace and peace in your life? Check out Debbie’s Bible study, Experiencing Grace and Peace in Cultural Chaos by clicking HERE. You can also access the free accompanying videos and podcasts by clicking HERE.