Beyond Ourselves Podcast

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Are you reading each 365 DAYS of PRAISE? Are you as amazed as I am at not only the ways the Father, Son, and Spirit are revealed, but also through whom the revelation is made? We’ve seen how the high priest asked Jesus if He was the Son of the Blessed One, but it was a demon who acknowledged Jesus as  SON of the MOST HIGH GOD. Luke 8:28 records the demon’s encounter with Jesus.

Seeing Jesus, he (the demon) cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice,

‘What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.’

A demon recognized Jesus as the Son of the Most High God.  His statement is true. There are numerous gods, which by the way, is why GOD commands us, “You shall have no other gods before ME.” But there is one ultimate MOST HIGH GOD and Jesus is His Son. It’s important we get this right. The demons do.

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the all-powerful, holy SON of the MOST HIGH GOD. Forgive us when we treat You casually and don’t honor You as we should. Quicken our hearts and minds to worship and honor You above any one or any thing.. 

The TRUTH. When listening to the news do you ever long for the truth? When questioning a child, have you ever doubted their words and said, “Tell me the truth.” If a person has lied to you once, do you wonder when they tell you something if it’s the truth? How refreshing that in John 16:13 Jesus tells us we can trust God’s Holy Spirit, the SPIRIT OF TRUTH. There’s not a lie in God’s holy body, Word, or Spirit. So when we question or wonder if we should do things our way or God’s way, the world’s ways or God’s way, we have the answer. Believe the Spirit of Truth. Follow the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.  Obey the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.

Lord God, how refreshing that we can wholeheartedly trust You, the SPIRIT of TRUTH! 

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13

Lord Jesus, thank You for modeling being submissive and trusting in our Heavenly Father’s ultimate will. 

“He went a little beyond them and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’” Matthew 26:39

The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan,   Available on Amazon

TIP: How to Pray for Unbelievers

Death. It seems so final. I’d been prepared for my mother’s death because she’d been ill for a long time. But the casket. The cemetery. I broke down weeping. Some family members whispered they were surprised at my grief, but all I could think of was how much I was going to miss her.  So what does Jesus want us to know about death and what did He prove when He raised Lazarus and others from the dead? He wants us to know that death isn’t final. Jesus describes death as sleep and that just as a loved one rouses us from sleep by calling our name, Jesus will rouse us from death.

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (John 5:25)

Yes, believer, you will hear Christ’s voice (imagine that!) and will wake in Jesus’s presence. There are no better words we could hear. Who do we need to share them with?

Have you ever been lost? Perhaps you took a wrong turn in the road and didn’t know how to get to your desired destination. As bad as that is, what’s worse is to be spiritually lost which is how Jesus describes us prior to salvation.  As a matter of fact, we were so lost that there was no one who could help except Jesus. In Luke 19:10, Jesus describes Himself as the Son of Man who came to seek and to save the lost – to save us and every person.  Jesus left heaven’s glory to come and do what no one else could do. Through the virgin birth of Mary by the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born, the Son of Man, to seek and to save our lost souls so we could be reunited with our Heavenly Father. What good news!  Is there someone we need to look for as Jesus did, someone with whom we can share the good news?

All praise to You, Lord Jesus, Son of God, SON of MAN.  Thank You for seeking us and saving us.  Rouse us to do as You did – to seek the lost in order to share the good news of salvation with them. 

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

I’d love your thoughts on Paul’s words in  1 Timothy 6:13-16. He says,

I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, …that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time…

What are your thoughts on his charge to Timothy? The reason I ask is because some people say Christians are free of the Law and commandments because we live in a period of grace. I agree we live by God’s grace. But, what about the charge to “keep the commandment without stain or reproach”? Could it be that although we’re saved by grace, God expects us to act like His children? Paul’s next words reflect His amazement, honor, and worship of the resurrected Jesus Christ.  “He who is the blessed and only SOVEREIGN, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion!” Paul’s words and Paul’s life bring praise to Jesus.  What do you think of his charge to us?

Are you dragging through your day singing the blues? If so, that can change. You see, we have a choice about the music and songs we play in our head as we walk through our day. In Exodus 15:2, Moses tells us the music that empowered his walk.

The Lord is my strength and SONG, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him…

The word song in this verse can mean music or melody.  In effect, Moses says, “The Lord is my melody. He’s the music to which I walk through my day.” What music or words play in your head as you go about your day? We can make the choice to tune our hearts to God’s voice and walk through our day singing His praises. Will we?

Our Heavenly Father has a goal: to cleanse us of sin.  Malachi 3:3 explains that He sits as a SMELTER, or a refiner, watching over us as the heat of daily life, trials, and sufferings cause impurities to rise to the surface.  What happens when sin glaringly rises in life? We have the opportunity to be appalled and confess the sin.  That is God’s goal. For us to be increasingly purified so we better reflect Christ. Are things heating up in your life? If so, be assured that your Heavenly Father is close to you and is watching over you. He hears your prayers and confessions. And, has anyone told you? You are reflecting Him more every day.

Lord, thank You, SMELTER of our mind, spirit, and soul. Purify us so we reflect Your image. 

“He will sit as a SMELTER and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3

The Lord is gracious and merciful; SLOW TO ANGER and great in lovingkindness.

“You, O Lord, are a SHIELD about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.” Psalm 3:3

Learn more about Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion HERE.