UpLIFT

Our family has had several dogs but one was particularly clever at communicating what she wanted.  She would go to the door, which was her way of saying, “Heh, get up from your desk. I need out!” Then, she’d turn and go to the kitchen hoping for a treat. She could certainly communicate. I learned what she wanted by her small prompts. In the same but much more important way, Christians can learn God’s prompts. Jesus explained in John 16:12-14 that He would send the Holy Spirit to guide us. What a gift! How can we learn the Holy Spirit’s prompts so we walk in the ways He’s leading us? We ask God to help us learn His voice. We evaluate our thoughts and actions in light of Biblical truths. Learn more about how to know and follow God’s voice and prompts in Listen UP.

Looking at the nail holes in the wall after rearranging pictures, my mother’s suggestion came to mind. “Use toothpaste to fill holes.”  However, after filling the holes I realized I had messed up because her walls, unlike mine, were white. The toothpaste fillings were worse than the holes. Have you ever messed up on matters of far more importance? When we mess up, as in sin, guilt can consume us, but it’s not where God wants us to stay. Instead, Psalm 32:5 tells us how to move from guilt to grace. “I acknowledged my sin to You; and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” In whatever way we mess up, we can acknowledge our sin to God, turn from it, and embrace His grace. Learn more in my book, The Plan A Mom in a Plan B World at Amazon or debbietaylorwilliams.†

Recently I reached into my briefcase to grab some papers but instead grabbed a squishy apple that I’d packed for a snack but forgotten to eat. Making a mental note that good intentions aren’t enough, I thought of Psalm 34:8 that says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” The Bible is like an apple, wonderful for us, but only if ingested. How can we ingest the Bible? Like we do an apple. We take it in our hands. We bite off one verse at a time. We chew on it to digest how it applies to our life. The result? We experience its transformational benefits. An apple can go bad. A Bible can be taken from us.  But if it has been internalized, no one can take how it has transformed us. Looking for something to bite into? Enjoy these tasty spiritual resources.

Heavenly Father, thank You that we can taste and see how good You are. Transform us with every bite we take of Your Word. We love you. 

“Sit back. Don’t do anything. It sounds like you’re on the fringe.”  Years ago my sister said that to me when I was about to do or say something I’d regret. David gives similar counsel in Psalm 37:7-9, saying, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evil doing. For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.”  Choosing to not fret or be angry is not a lack of action.  It’s taking the right actions – praying, waiting, trusting God. If you’re on the fringe, journal your thoughts and prayers in Prayers of My Heart Journal and trustingly wait for how God will provide.

Have you ever attempted to describe something magnificent but no words sufficed?   Certainly the apostle John must have felt this as he attempted to describe the ascended Lord Jesus Christ whom he saw. Revelation 1:12-16 records his attempt. ”someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” As good as John’s description, no doubt, we haven’t seen anything that can be compared to the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you ready to meet Him? If not, visit debbietaylorwilliams.com/meet-jesus.

“Baooon!  Baooon!”  With a worried look, our two-year-old grandson turned his face toward me then pointed to the ceiling. “Baooon!”  he repeated, pointing to his blue birthday balloon that had drifted to the vaulted ceiling. “I’m sorry, but Mimi can’t reach it.”  “Baooon!” he determinedly pointed, fretfully looking at family members. Then, I noticed his daddy leave the room and return with an extension rod. Soon, the balloon was in my grandson’s hands and he was grinning ear to ear looking at his father.  Are you fretting today? Are you looking for others to help you? Sometimes our Heavenly Father is the only One who can help us. Look to Him. Call on Him. If you don’t know what to pray, pray whatever is on your heart. You can also find “Prayers for Different Occasions” to help you get started. Whatever you pray, know that your Heavenly Father is listening and cares deeply for you.

Some time ago a friend asked if she could borrow a purse. The next day when she returned it, I noticed the price tag dangling from it neither of us had noticed. I thought of the old show Hee-Haw and Minnie Pearl who wore hats with price tags dangling from them. If only my thoughts had stayed there. Instead, they turned to sin dangling from my life. Me, walking around with sin that is perhaps unnoticed by others, but that God sees. Rather than focus on a dangling price tag on a purse, my Heavenly Father directed me to be concerned about sin dangling from my life. What about you? Is dangling sin a problem in your life? Hebrews 12:1 tells us, “lay aside the sin that entangles.” Learn how to do that in my book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion.

“Abby shakes her head all the time,” I commented to my husband about a dog we used to have. Hi. I’m Debbie Taylor Williams with UpLIFT. Keith and I spent several days discussing how Abby was shaking her head. Then, someone mentioned she might have an ear infection.  We immediately took her to the vet who confirmed she did. We felt horrible that we had missed Abby’s sign to us. Signs are important and there is someone else who has given us signs that we don’t want to miss: Jesus. Matthew 24 records the disciples asking Him, “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus answered them. The signs are recorded in the Bible. Do we know them? Are we paying attention? Are we ready for Christ’s return? If you’re not sure, here are resources to prepare you for Christ’s return. 

Has it been a while since you’ve flown on a plane? doubt, when you fly, you’ll hear the announcement, “In the event of a drop in oxygen, put your mask on first, then assist your child.” Why are we told that? Because we can’t help someone if we’re gasping for air. The same holds true in life. Many are gasping for air. They’ve lost their financial altitude. They’ve had the breath knocked out of their career. They’re gasping for contentment and joy. We can only help others if we put on our oxygen mask, our spiritual oxygen mask, that is. The breath of Christ living through us, His Spirit energizing our lives. Learn how to put on the Lord Jesus Christ as Romans 13:14 instructs us in my study, “If God is In Control, Why Am I A Basket Case?” advises. Then, help others.

Have you read stories of horses or ducks to a child and then had the delight of seeing their expression when they see a real one? I had such an occasion with a grandchild. On the way to the park, I explained, “Ducks. Quack, quack.” Arriving at the park, I pointed, “There’s a duck!”  Watching my grandchild’s face, I delighted at the moment he saw a live duck.  Leaping from my arms, he ran toward the ducks then gazed at their white feathers and orange bill. What he’d been shown in books, he saw firsthand.  We have never seen God, but Jesus has explained Him. He is clothed in radiance.  His nature is love. Jesus is the exact radiance of God’s glory. Currently, we read about Jesus in the Bible, but one day, we’ll see Him face to face.  And our eyes will widen far more than my grandsons did. Learn about God’s glory in my book, “Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion.”