God's Attributes

Are you familiar with Jesus’ teaching, “Ask, and it will be given to you,” Matthew 7:7? Ask means to call for, to request of someone. Jesus teaches us to request of the Father what we need. But Jesus not only teaches us to ask God for desired needs, but He also asks God for things. In John 14:16, Jesus told His disciples, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Paraclete), that He may be with you forever…” Who is the Paraclete? He’s the Holy Spirit (Helper) who is with us forever.

Studying the Greek definition of the word “Helper” or “Paraclete”…ummm…helps. Consider the following definition of Paraclete: 

• Someone summoned, called to one’s side, especially called to one’s aid.
• One who pleads another’s cause before a judge, counsel for defense, an advocate.
• Of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after His ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom.¹ 

It’s staggering when we think of the magnitude of God’s provisions for us. Our Heavenly Father not only took it upon Himself to send His Son to save us but also sent the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, to be an abiding divine presence within us. We never walk alone.

Heavenly Father, Son, and PARACLETE, the blessing of Your Presence is something I will only fully realize when I am in Heaven. Thank You, Lord!

Want to learn more about the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, and how to discern His voice? Listen HERE.

¹  “Strong’s G3875 – paraklētos,” Blue Letter Bible, accessed July 26, 2023, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3875/kjv/tr/0-1/.

Which are you? Tight-lipped or open-lipped? In other words, are you reluctant to speak and don’t reveal much about what’s going on inside of you? Or, are you more open-lipped and let what you’re thinking and feeling readily come forth?

James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen and slow to speak when we’re angry. But what about in relation to praising God? In this case, we are to be like the psalmist, who prayed in Psalm 51:15. “O LORD, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.”

Are we grateful? Are our hearts flooded with God’s goodness? I hope so. Even when there seems to be nothing for which we can praise Him, we can open our lips and praise Him for His presence with us, His provision for us, and His purposes He will bring forth.

Develop a mindset of gratefulness. Fill your heart with praise. Open your mouth and let your praise flow to God. Pray, “LORD, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.”

Lord who OPENS OUR LIPS, thank You for who You are and for all the incredible ways You have worked in my life, are working, and will work. You are worthy day and night of my praise. Open my lips so that I may declare Your praise. 

Stay connected with Debbie beyond the blog! Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.

Have you ever considered that God appoints people, times, places, and more? Contemplate the following verses and worship Him for His involvement in our lives and world. 

“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 3:17).

“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 in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah” (Jonah 1:17).

“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).

Yes, God appoints times, people, places, and more. What has He appointed you to do? 

Lord God, You are the ONE WHO APPOINTS people, places, and times. Rather than fret, help me accept Your appointed times and faithfully do what You appoint me to do.

Are you looking to deepen your relationship with Christ? Check out our Bible studies! You can purchase printed Bible studies in the shop by clicking HERE. You can also complete free online Bible studies by clicking HERE.

Have you heard people who are good-hearted and well-intentioned say they believe there are many ways to heaven? 

Have you heard people who claim to be Christians say they don’t believe Jesus is the only way to God? Let’s think about that for a moment. These same people typically also say that Jesus was a good teacher. Yet, how “good” a teacher is Jesus if what He teaches is not the truth because Jesus taught He is the only way to heaven. “No one comes to the Father but through Me,” (John 14:6).

If there are, in fact, other ways to get to heaven besides Jesus, then He is not a good teacher. In fact, how can Christians be assured they have access to God through Jesus if He either intentionally lied about being the only way or was mistaken? Is our faith in Jesus misplaced? 

We can’t have it both ways. Jesus is either the One Mediator between God and men, as 1 Timothy 2:5 states, or He is not. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 

We have to make a decision. Although we might want to say there are many ways to heaven to appease others, that’s not what the Bible says or Jesus teaches. There is one God, and one mediator between God and us, Jesus. If you don’t yet know Him, get to know Him. Submit your life and eternity to Him. He is trustworthy and proven. 

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the ONE GOD and mediator in whom I trust. I praise You for making peace between God and me. 

Are you enjoying the 365 Days of Praise e-devotional? Use the social media icons, below, to share it on your favorite social media platform to help others discover it too!

Have you ever wondered if God knows everything you’re doing, saying, and even thinking? The answer is yes. The Bible is filled with examples. In John 1:44-51, Jesus saw Nathanael, a man He had never met, coming toward Him. Jesus greeted him, “Behold, an Israelite… in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael was stunned and asked,  “How do You know me?” Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you” (John 1:48). In awe, Nathanael responded, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”

Jesus knows everything.  He knew Nathanael before Nathanael came to Him. He knew his innermost being.

Jesus knows you, everything about you. Does that make you comfortable or uncomfortable? If it makes you uncomfortable, consider if there is something in your heart or mind that you know is not in alignment with Christ. Then, be honest with Christ. Confess any sin. If it involves another person, apologize to them. If your sin is an ongoing habit or thought, ask the Lord for help to overcome it. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and help you walk in His power. Then, consume the Word of God like you would a favorite meal. Focus your mind on how wonderful Jesus is. Replace sinful thoughts with thoughts of truth and the Lord. 

Rather than attempt to hide from God, embrace the all-knowing Christ who loves you more than you can imagine and is ready to forgive you, fill you with His Spirit, and empower you. 

Lord, You are the all-knowing, OMNISCIENT Son of God. Thank You for loving and forgiving me. Cleanse me. Fill me with Your Spirit and empower me to live a holy life before You. 

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

Are you familiar with the significance of the number three in the Bible? Jesus prayed three times in the Garden of Gethsemane, “not My will but Yours.” Jesus told Peter three times, “feed My sheep.” Jesus rose from the grave on the third day. God is a triune Deity. 

Yes, the number three has significance throughout Scripture. Mindful of that, we should pay attention to when the LORD says something three times, as in the following:  

• “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’” says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty,’” Revelation 1:8.
• “Then He said to me, “’It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end…,’” Revelation 21:6.
• “’I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end,’” Revelation 22:13.

Three times in Revelation Jesus announces who He is: the Alpha and Omega. We often talk about Jesus being at creation and His presence in Scripture. Less often we talk about Jesus in terms of what He refers to as “the end,” the “Omega.” 

What does Jesus mean when He says He is the Omega? Among many points, Jesus is telling us that this world as we know it will end and He will be there. Keep reading and you’ll learn that He is ushering in a new heaven and a new earth and He will be there. Jesus is the Omega, not just the Alpha. Are you ready for when this world ends…to meet Jesus? 

Lord, You are the Alpha and OMEGA, who is and who was and who is to come. Knowing that You hold the present and future is a blessed comfort. I praise You.

Do you ever wonder if we’re in the end times? Would you like to learn more about the signs of the end times? Grab a copy of Debbie’s Bible study, End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do HERE. Access the free accompanying videos and podcasts HERE.

One blanket. Two blankets. Three blankets. Four. Keith and I sat in front of the fire trying to get warm. The winter storm had brought a temperature of 3 degrees that felt like minus 11. If only we had power and water. We had neither. 

The winter storm continued, and our driveway was too icy to get down. If you’ve lived in an area affected by winter storms, you know how devastating the cold can be, especially if you run out of wood, which happened to us. We couldn’t complain, though. We had a comforter. A comforter that we had once taken for granted, we now deeply appreciated. 

So, too, our spiritual Comforter, who 2 Corinthians 1:3 describes as the God of All Comfort, is a blessing when we are experiencing life’s storms. Yes, when a person’s crisp tongue chills us to the core or the howling wind of despair blows through our heart, the God of all Comfort comforts us like none other. Why? 

The Greek word for comfort means “to call to one’s side, speak to in the way of exhortation, console, teach.” God gives believers the gift of His presence through the Holy Spirit. Our Comforter is an abiding presence who will never wear out, never become threadbare, and never leave us. The more we blanket our lives with His teachings, the more we’ll know the warmth of His abiding presence.¹ 

Heavenly Father, You are the GOD OF ALL COMFORT. Please comfort those who are suffering. Give them Your wisdom. Strengthen them as only You can. 

Would you like to abide more in the warmth of God’s presence? Grab a copy of the 365 Days of Praise Daily Devotional to help you spend more time in God’s presence and learn more about His incredible attributes. Purchase your copy HERE. 

¹ Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion, page 67. Copyright Howard Publishing 2006, Debbie Taylor Williams, Monroe, LA

Do you sometimes wish you were stronger in your convictions and more consistent in your walk with Christ? Do you ever wonder how God could love and forgive you? The answer to our questions is summed up in one word: grace. 

First Peter 5:10 explains: “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 

The God of All Grace, who gave His Son to die for our sins, the God of All Grace who ransomed us, the God of All Grace who transferred us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son, that same God of all Grace will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. Praise Him! He hasn’t saved and forgotten us. Rather, “God Himself will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” Personalize that grace-filled promise and say it out loud: 

God Himself will perfect me, confirm me, strengthen me, and establish me. The God of all grace has forgiven my sin through Jesus’ sacrificial death. 

Glory in the grace God has extended to you. Celebrate Christ’s resurrection—proof that God, who called us to His eternal glory in Christ, will by grace, complete what He began in us. Praise the God of all grace. 

GOD OF ALL GRACE, I love and praise you. Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your life so I can live eternally in Your glorious presence. Thank You for perfecting, confirming, strengthening, and establishing me. I love You! 

Would you like to experience more grace and peace? 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. 

Does life ever seem dull or your days dreary? If so, give yourself a vacation by setting your thoughts on the glorious splendor of the Lord (Psalm 145:5).

“Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29:13).“For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen,…to rebel against His glorious presence” (Isaiah 3:8).

“…I shall glorify My glorious house” (Isaiah 60:7).

“Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses …” (Isaiah 63:12).

“Look down from heaven and see from Your holy and glorious habitation” (Isaiah 63:15).

“‘But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31).

“…His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him” (Luke 13:17).

“‘The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the LORD shall come'” (Acts 2:20).

“…strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might” (Colossians 1:11).

Lord Jesus, You, Your name, presence, house, arm, throne, might, and coming Day are GLORIOUS. I rejoice and praise You.

Want to learn more about the glorious day of the Lord? Click HERE to watch a clip from Debbie’s teaching on Acts 2.

Have you been with someone when they died? I was with my mother, father, and mother-in-law when they went to be with Jesus. 

Webster defines death as “the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by the permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity.” 

That is what happened to Jesus as a result of the horrific scourging and crucifixion He suffered. The Roman soldiers who oversaw His death were skilled in their profession. They pronounced Jesus dead. But, as we know and Romans 4:17 explains, God “gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” 

What seemed final when Christ died on the cross was not final. God, who gives life to the dead, gave life to Jesus. Similarly, God has given life to our loved ones who have gone to Him, and He will give life to us after our bodies cease to function. 

How does it make you feel to know that God will give life to you after you die, just like He gave life to Jesus? 

Heavenly Father who GIVES LIFE TO THE DEAD, I praise and exalt Your name! Thank You for Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. Thank You for raising my loved ones to eternal life. Thank You for the resurrection life I will one day experience. I love and praise You! 

Want to learn more about Jesus’ resurrection and the eternal implications for us? Watch Debbie’s teaching on John 20 HERE or listen to it HERE.