Debbie Taylor Williams

“…walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

Ephesians 5:2

Who doesn’t love a good fragrance? Including God! When writing my book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion, I used my daughter’s puppy as an example of how we carry either the stench of sin or aroma of Christ; depending on what we hold closely. Her puppy had a distinct odor and after holding her, that odor remained on me. It wasn’t pleasant. I showered and changed clothes. We must do the same if we’re holding sin close to us. The stench isn’t pleasant to others or God. We must set the sin aside and bathe in God’s forgiveness. Then, as Christ did, we can walk in love as an offering and sacrifice to God. We can be a fragrant aroma to our Lord.   

Christ Jesus, I praise You, who loved me and gave Yourself up for me, an offering and sacrifice to God. I choose to hold You, a FRAGRANT AROAMA, close to me, not sin.    

Record each daily description of God in Prayers of My Heart. Click HERE for today’s worship songs and more Scriptures.

“I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!’”

Psalm 91:2

In a tornado, a storm shelter is the “go to” place. It must be near. It must be stocked. Knowing you have a storm shelter gives confidence in the threat of deadly tornadoes. God is fully mindful that we live in stormy times on enemy ground. The apostle Peter writes that the devil prowls the earth looking for someone to devour. New Testament writers address the evil in the world. The question is, are you mindful that God is as a fortress to you? He’s your “go to” place in the midst of life’s storms and temptations. If not, begin praising Him as David did. Say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust.” Believe and live with confidence in your fortress. 

Lord God, You are my FORTRESS. I love that I can run to You any time, day or night. Thank You for providing Yourself as a safe haven in the midst of life’s storms and evil.   

Record each daily description of God in Prayers of My Heart. Click HERE for today’s worship songs and more Scriptures.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

What would you do if God wasn’t forgiving? Would you sin less? Or, would you quit trying to “be good” knowing it was impossible? Would you throw all attempts of righteousness out the door and be as sinfully indulging as you wanted? But God is forgiving. So, what does that mean for you? Does it cause you to want to live a less sinful life; one more pleasing to God? Does the awareness of all the “overs” God gives you create a deep sense of gratitude evidenced by you being less sinful and more like Jesus? God forgives you. What does that mean to you?  

Lord Jesus, thank You for FORGIVING me of my sin. I pray I not take Your forgiveness lightly; but rather live a life that is increasingly pleasant to You.  

Record each daily description of God in Prayers of My Heart. Click HERE for today’s worship songs and more Scriptures.

“Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”  

1 Peter 4:19

The apostle Peter makes no bones about it. Christians will suffer. He doesn’t sugar coat what being a disciple of Christ is like. Jesus suffered. We will suffer. Jesus drew a line in the sand. We are either with Him or against Him. And if we are with Him, there will be people who call us names and attempt to do harm to us for the sake of their cause. But, in the midst of our suffering, we are encouraged. To do what? To entrust our souls not to the changing tide of that which society values. But rather to our Faithful Creator. 

FAITHFUL CREATOR, how I praise You that I can trust You and entrust my soul to You!

Click HERE for worship songs and Scriptures. Praise Jesus all day long!

“His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

Bible scholar Charles Ryrie provides insight into the description ETERNAL FATHER. In his Study Bible he explains that this literally means, “Father of Eternity; i.e., Messiah is eternally a Father to His people, guarding, supplying, and caring for their needs.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that your Eternal Father is guarding, supplying, and caring for you and all who call on His name? 

ETERNAL FATHER, thank You for guarding, supplying, and caring for me and all who call You Father.  

Click HERE for worship songs and Scriptures. Praise Jesus all day long!

“Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” 

Psalm 90:2

Weekends end. Vacations end. Holidays end. Daily fellowship with loved ones end when they depart for heaven. But one thing never ends: God. He is everlasting. He existed before He “gave birth to the earth and the world.” He will exist no matter what happens to the earth and world. If you are feeling a sense of loss or loneliness or if it feels like everything in your world is changing too quickly, you have a reason to praise. God is everlasting! 

Lord, You are the EVERLASTING GOD! I rejoice in You. 

Click HERE for worship songs and Scriptures. Praise Jesus all day long!

“The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.”

Isaiah 33:5

“Hi, nice to meet you. So, you’re visiting here? Where do you live?” Can you imagine having that conversation with Jesus when he dwelt on earth and His response, “Oh, I live in heaven. That’s where I’m from. I’m just visiting here. I saw that people were in trapped in sin and came to rescue them. I’m going back to heaven soon.” It sounds funny, but that’s exactly what happened. And, Jesus told people He had come down from heaven. Of course, they didn’t believe Him. Do you? Do you believe that Jesus dwells on high, but came to earth to rescue you from your sins? If you do, then you have a great reason to praise Him! 

Lord Jesus, “Amazing” is the only word that describes You, who DWELLS ON HIGH, coming to earth to save us from our sins. All praise to You, our most merciful Lord!

Click HERE for worship songs and Scriptures. Praise Jesus all day long!

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

John 10:9

Have you ever wanted to get into a building and not been able to enter? Have you ever forgotten your key and been locked out of your home or car? If so, you know what it feels like to not be able to enter the place where you want to go. Our earthly frustration does’t compare with what awaits those who long for heaven but can’t enter because they have denied Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. Today is the day of salvation. If you’ve been dallying and not entered into a relationship with God through His Son, why not repent, praise Jesus as the door, and enter today? 

Lord Jesus, I praise You, the DOOR through which I enter into eternal life!

Click HERE for worship songs and Scriptures. Praise Jesus all day long!

“’I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’” 

Isaiah 37:35

Our God is a protective Lord. The word He uses when He tells David that He will defend the city for His sake and David’s, means “cover and surround.”* It may be that you are in need of someone to defend you and that which is precious to you. If so, look up. God defends that which is His for His namesake and the namesake of His servant. 

Lord, I praise You for being a DEFENDER of that which is Yours! 

*http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H1598&t=NASB

Click HERE for worship songs and Scriptures to further your praise of God.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” 

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

You shall not murder.

 You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 

Exodus 20: 1-17

You will not find a Bible verse that says, “God is commanding.” Yet, most people are more than familiar with the “Ten Commandments.” Yes, God is commanding. He is a God of authority who tells us how to live. When we live under His command, we experience life fullest joys. 

Lord, You who have given us Your COMMANDS, may we not be presumptuous or live contrary to Your ways, but rather live in peace under Your commands in praise of You!

We have every reason to worship and praise God. Click HERE for worship songs and Scriptures.