Beyond Ourselves Podcast
How’s Your Heart Toward “That” Person
Have you ever known a hardhearted person? It seemed no matter how hard you tried, they shut you out? If you do anything wrong, they’re relentless and unforgiving. Not so with our Lord. Although He could have every reason to be hardhearted toward us when we sin, instead, He pursues and forgives us. What a TENDERHEARTED Lord we have! And, this is important – in Ephesians 4:32, He commands us to be like Him – kind, tenderhearted, forgiving each other. If there’s someone you’re hard-hearted toward, this Thanksgiving season would be a good time to “forgive, as God in Christ has forgiven us.”
Lord, we praise You for being TENDERHEARTED toward us. Thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Help us faithfully follow You and forgive others as You have forgiven us.
Do You Ever Feel Fragile or Like You Might Pop
Do you ever feel fragile or like you might “pop” because of the daily pressure you are under? David knew what it was like to feel that way and found God to be the SUSTAINER of his soul. Listen to his words in Psalm 54:4. “God is my helper; The Lord is the SUSTAINER of my soul.” What does it mean for God to be the sustainer of our soul? It means that God revives our minds and emotions when we sit in His presence, meditate on His truths, and absorb encouragement from His Word. God, the Holy Spirit, refreshes and sustains us so we can carry on.
Lord God, we praise You, SUSTAINER of our souls. Thank You for the many times and ways You sustain us. We love and praise You!
When Storms Overwhelm
Are the storms in your life overwhelming you…perhaps literally? Whether the storms are literal or metaphorical, fear can flood our emotions. Lightning bolts of regret can strike us to the core. Worry can flood our minds. But God doesn’t want us to stay overwhelmed, drowning in fear, worry, and regret. That’s why He has given us His Spirit; His very presence to be with us. Just as shelters offer a place for flood victims, God calls us to come to Him for REFUGE. The Hebrew word “REFUGE” means shelter from danger or falsehood. The more closely we stay under God’s arms of truth, the more protected we are from the enemies’ lies. Psalm 46:1 reminds us that God is our REFUGE, a very present help in trouble. Go to Him. Shelter under the truth of His love for you.
Lord, You are a REFUGE who shelters us from Satan’s lies, worldly deceptions, and life’s storms. Remind us to not stand in the rain of discouragement, but rather shelter under You.
Think God, Think Bigger
When you think of God, how big or how small is He? To David, He was HUGE. Listen to his words of praise in Psalm 65:5. “By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, You who are the TRUST of ALL the ENDS of the EARTH and of the farthest sea.” In other words, David grasped that the God he worshipped wasn’t only the God of the Jews. He is the God who created and owns the earth. He is the God to whom all people can come. He hears the prayers of people throughout the earth. Do you live in a remote part of the world, and are receiving this? Are you in rehab and looking for One you can trust? Are you in a country where these words are being translated? Are you a missionary living with people who speak a different language? How incredible it is that the God of our salvation, who answers in righteousness is the TRUST OF ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH AND OF THE FARTHEST SEA.
Lord, we worship You.
Let God’s GLORY SHINE THROUGH YOU! SHARE 365 Days of Praise with your friends. START HERE then, share.
God is the TRUST of All the ENDS of the EARTH. Record His attribute in Prayers of My Heart. Praise Him. Give Prayers of My Heart to those on your Christmas list.
If You’re Disturbed
Have you been disturbed by some of the trends in our nation and world? If so, build your life and family on Jesus. He wasn’t just a good teacher. He did what no other person has done. He never gave in to sin when He was tested and tried. Isaiah 28:16 states, ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a TESTED STONE, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.” The verse continues, “He who believes in it will not be disturbed.’” Because Jesus is tested and proven, we can confidently build our lives on Him. We’re wise to say “no” to humanistic, passing social views and to say “yes” to Jesus – God’s TESTED STONE.
Lord Jesus Christ, once again we’re reminded of the joy and privilege of calling You our God. You are foundational to all we believe; a pure and holy TESTED STONE. We praise and worship You!
Help in Irrational Times
Do you ever feel like things are getting harder, not easier; and that too often truth is ignored? If so, Christ can relate. He was pronounced “not guilty,” then crucified. How irrational was that? But Colossians 2:15 tells us Jesus TRIUMPHED over the irrational. He disarmed the rulers and authorities. He made a public display of them. And Christ is still triumphant even though we may not see it at certain times. Jesus will right what is wrong. The truth will prevail. That’s good news on a national and world level. It’s also good news for us personally. Christ, who triumphed over the grave, is able to triumph over despair in our hearts and the irrational in our lives. Christ is the triumphant Lord. What do you need His help with today? He’s listening.
Lord, You are TRIUMPHANT over death, rulers, and authorities. You are triumphant over despair and the irrational in our lives. Help us live holy lives that reflect our confidence in You.
“When He (Jesus) had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having TRIUMPHED over them through Him.” Colossians 2:15
Resources to Help You Triumph: The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World & Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion
Are You Ready for Jesus’s Answer
John 2:19-21 records a question the Jews asked Jesus and His response. Their question? “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” The “things” Jesus had done included driving the sheep and oxen out of the temple, pouring out the money changers’ coins, overturning their tables, and ordering them, “Stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” In other words, Jesus acted like He owned the TEMPLE. Jesus’s replied, “Destroy the TEMPLE and I’ll rebuild it in three days.” Jesus wasn’t talking about the stone temple, however. He was talking about His body, the temple of His Holy Spirit. As Jesus foretold, He raised His body three days after they destroyed it. Miraculous, yes. But a point God is driving home to me concerns Jesus’s actions and words regarding His temple. He drove out all that wasn’t supposed to be in it. Certainly, He must feel the same about our body, His TEMPLE, in whom His Spirit dwells and the collective body of Christians, His TEMPLE. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) What in us individually and what in the church body, both His, would He drive out? As an individual Christian, I must examine myself with the full understanding that God’s goal is to perfect me and conform me to the image of Christ. As the body of Christ we must examine ourselves with the full understanding that we are to be distinct from the world, marked by Christ’s love and light.
Lord Jesus, TEMPLE of the Most High, thank You for coming from heaven and tabernacling in us. Drive out all that is in us that dishonors You so we are a beacon to the unsaved and a fellowship for the saved.
Could you use some encouragement about Christ’s tender mercy and provision for you? If so, you’ll find it in my study, If God is In Control, Why…..
Rather Than Bemoan, Let Us Pray
I was bemoaning that my store bought lettuce had gone bad while I was out of town and I had none to make a salad to go with Keith’s and my dinner. No lettuce. Did I mention I was disappointed? Placing tomatoes on our plate, I suddenly remembered…I’d planted lettuce and spinach in my fall garden! I know. You’re wondering how I could have forgotten. I promise, I’m okay. I’d forgotten because I hadn’t planted a garden for years and had only had one fall garden way back when I did. Plus, a lot had happened since I planted my little garden. Turning on outside lights and slipping into my yard shoes, I visited my garden and eagerly picked more than enough lettuce and spinach for our salad. How could I have forgotten? I suppose in the same way we forget God. We forget that on Election Day, He is present. He is all powerful. He can sway hearts. He can place in office the president whose policies most align with Biblical principles. Our Heavenly Father can forgive sins and pour forth grace and extend mercy and allow us as a nation to repent and return to Him. If you haven’t voted, I urge you as a citizen of heaven and earth to make your voice count today. Vote for the president and leaders whose policies align with God’s and the Bible. If you are unsure which party that is, visit here. Rather than bemoan the state of our nation, remember you have an all powerful God. Pray. Vote.
Heavenly Father, too often we forget that You are present and all powerful to sway minds, hearts, and yes, even votes. We plead Your forgiveness of our sins corporately as a nation and individually. Hear our prayer. Extend mercy. Forgive us. We look to You, the only true God, exalted above the nations.
“The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.” Psalm 113:4 NIV
The Key to Not Living in Darkness
Are you excited about all the ways Jesus is described? Every day when I select a description to share with you, I have a renewed sense of awe. Often the way our Lord is described is in contrast to that which is in the world. Such is the case today. Many in our world are living in spiritual darkness. They are seeking to be enlightened by powers apart from Jesus Christ. But in John 1:9 we find the word “true” in reference to Jesus. Although there are many sources of “enlightenment,” there is only one TRUE LIGHT: JESUS CHRIST. He enlightens our soul, mind, and heart when we turn to Him. The world apart from Christ is dark. Take seriously His charge to let His light shine through you. His Light in you is a beacon to those living in darkness.
Lord Jesus, You are the TRUE LIGHT who enlightens every man. May we be lighthouses through whom You shine.
“There was the TRUE LIGHT which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” John 1:9
Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion: How Praising God Can Transform Your Life – on Amazon
What We Learn from Stinky Feet
Have you ever thought, really thought, about Jesus washing His disciples’ stinky feet? Or, about His words in John 13:14? “If I then, the Lord and the TEACHER, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” Lord and TEACHER on His knees washing feet? Messy. Time-consuming. Dirty. Unpleasant. The act had to do with more than simply washing feet, though. It was about humility, servanthood, forgiveness. Our Lord and TEACHER physically illustrated what He would do spiritually through His substitutionary death on the cross for us. It would be messy (a bloody mess). He would wash our filth and sins from us – no longer counting them against us. Now He tells us, in turn, to go and do as He did. Take the time. Humbly forgive. One person at a time.
Jesus, Lord, and Teacher, thank You for washing us and cleansing us of our sins. Make us increasingly mindful of following Your example.
