Beyond Ourselves Podcast
Help in Irrational Times
Do you ever feel like things are getting harder, not easier; that truth is ignored, and too often evil seems to win? 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. 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 heart and the irrational in our lives. Christ is the triumphant Lord. What do you need His help with today? He’s a prayer away.
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 in the midst of whatever we face.
“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
Here’s Something for Which to be Grateful
Happy Thanksgiving!
Recently, someone said to me, “The only good I have is because I’m a Christian.” What did the person mean? They were acknowledging that Christ is the “goodness” in them. Christ is more than “good,” however. He is what Hebrews 7:26 defines as undefiled. Whereas our human nature is defiled, Christ is the opposite. He is “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted about the heavens.” Christ is a fitting high priest who saves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is. We have a holy, innocent, UNDEFILED Savior to whom we can look with gratitude.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us and saving us! We are grateful for You and love you.
If You’re Faltering
I’ve had the blessing of holding our newborn children and grandchildren. Holding them was no problem. They weren’t heavy. As a matter of fact, it was a delight to hold them. I could intently gaze on their faces. I could pray for them. The more I held them, the deeper my love grew. Wouldn’t it have been silly if our little ones had argued, “Don’t hold me. I’m too heavy.” Or, what if they had said, “I don’t want to bother you. You don’t need to hold me.” In light of that, consider our Heavenly Father’s words in Isaiah 41:10, “I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will UPHOLD you with My righteous right hand.” In the Bible, God’s right hand symbolizes His strength. His right hand is a strong hand of righteousness. We can relax in His hands. As He upholds us, we become increasingly aware of His deep love for us. In case you feel like you are faltering, be assured – your UPHOLDER has you.
LORD, Thank You for UPHOLDING us with Your righteous right hand. Thank You for the depth of Your love for us. Thank You that we don’t have to be afraid.
“For I am the Lord your God, who UPHOLDS your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13
*Copyright Debbie Taylor Williams, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion. This is the book that began my collection of God’s 365 names, titles, and attributes. It features chapters that give an in-depth description of 26 of His A-Z names, and includes lined space for you to record your prayers, repentance, and praise. Also included are discussion questions for group or personal study. I pray it blesses and deepens your prayer life. It also makes a great Christmas gift for friends and family as they begin 2020. BUY NOW.
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Imagine What It Will be Like to be Sin Free
Sin. It’s here. Our sin or another person’s sin is a part of life. Perhaps one of the most glaring sins is selfishness. We want what we want. We want it when we want it. Things or people who stand in our way frustrate us. But what if sin didn’t exist? What if we were free of sin? The good news is – that day awaits us. Because of Christ, our Savior and VICTOR over death, we will one day be sin free as 1 Corinthians 15:57 reminds us. “…thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We will one day experience the magnitude of what our Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ achieved through the virgin birth and cross. In the meantime, let us remember to give thanks to God for daily victory over sin through the Spirit’s empowerment and for eternal victory over sin through Christ. Today, let’s raise our voices in praise of Christ, who has won the VICTORY over sin.
LORD, We praise You for being VICTORIOUS over sin and death. We worship You.
When You Need Insight
Do you have a problem? Are you in a quandary about what to do about something in your life? If you are in need of insight about a course of action or a relationship, look to Christ. Why? Proverbs 3:19 tells us that He is a God of intelligence, skill, and insight which is proved by His creation of the earth and heavens. “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.” The Hebrew word for understanding means “intelligence, skill, and insight.” In other words, when we look at the earth and heavens, we’re seeing evidence of God’s intelligence, skill, and insight. Trust God to provide you with the wisdom, intelligence, skill, and insight you need for daily life, decisions, and relationships. Pray.
Jesus, we praise You that You are a God of UNDERSTANDING to whom we can look for skill and insight.
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Who Can You Believe?
Thank You for partnering with us in spreading the Word and Love of Jesus. Our Thanksgiving GIFT to YOU: Prayers of My Heart Journal with any donation of $20 or more. Make 2020 your most OPTIMISTIC YEAR. Research proves that people who keep a journal of that for which they are thankful are more optimistic about life than those who don’t. DONATE HERE. At checkout, put the name and address of where you want PRAYERS OF MY HEART shipped in the “Additional Notes” section.
Do you ever wonder who you can believe? One person says one thing and another claims the opposite. Yes, it can sometimes be difficult to know who to believe, but not in the case of Jesus’s words. Revelation 1:5 describes Jesus Christ as “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood-” Jesus is a faithful witness. A witness of what? He witnessed to us about heaven, His Father, about angels, crowns of righteousness awaiting believers, resurrection bodies, thrones, powers, kingdoms, the judgment seat, forgiveness, redemption, His Father’s house, and about Satan. Jesus testified about the fact that Abraham, Noah, Moses, and Jonah were real people and the Old Testament is true. Our confidence in the Bible and its teachings solidly rests on Christ because He is a faithful witness to us that they are true.
Lord Jesus, we praise You, the faithful WITNESS! Thank You for the confidence we have in the Bible and You because of Your Word.
Our GIFT to YOU: Prayers of My Heart Journal with any donation of $20 or more. WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING about PRAYERS OF MY HEART JOURNAL.
If You’re in Need of Love and Grace
Are you the kind of person who easily feels guilty? Do you want to live for Christ, but often feel like a failure or like you’ve let God down? Do others remind you of your sin or hold your wrongs over your head? If so, Micah 7:18 is a comforting verse on which to meditate. “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity… He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in UNCHANGING LOVE.” Think about that verse and personalize it. God forgives me. God pardons my sin. God doesn’t stay angry with me. God delights in UNCHANGING LOVE for me. Yes, we should go to God and others when we sin and ask their forgiveness. Yes, we should practice walking in God’s ways. But, not until we arrive in heaven will we be perfect. God doesn’t forgive us so we walk in guilt. God forgives us so we walk in grace. What a joyful verse on which to meditate.
Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness and UNCHANGING LOVE! What a blessing You are.
What Are You Uprooting and What Are You Growing
Some time ago I noticed a vine growing in my flower bed and didn’t know if it was a weed or if it was a vine I had planted. I had to make a decision. Uproot it or let it grow? Many today seek spiritual teachings, but find themselves like me. Is what they’re reading or hearing true? Or, is what they’re hearing simply man’s thoughts? Jesus doesn’t want us to make a wrong decision. He tells us in John 15:1, “I am the true vine.” Do you know someone who is allowing vines of secular humanism to grow in their heart rather than growing Jesus’s words and teachings in their heart? If so, what can you do? Bear Christ, the TRUE VINE and His fruit in your life so they can taste and recognize the real thing.
Lord Jesus, we praise You, the TRUE VINE. Uproot anything in our lives that chokes out the fruit of Your presence.
We Need Help Winning the Battle
Do you ever feel like things are getting harder, not easier; that truth is ignored, and too often evil seems to win? 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 times. Jesus will right what is wrong. 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 heart and temptation in our lives. Christ is the triumphant Lord. What do you need His help with today? He’s a prayer away.
Lord, You are TRIUMPHANT over death, rulers, and authorities. You are triumphant over despair and temptation. We ask for Your help to stand against evil and to live holy lives.
“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
All In
Our world is filled with gods. We focus our time, energy, and money on sport gods, education gods, work gods, money gods, pleasure gods, political gods, and social gods. In effect, we worship them when they become the driving force in our lives and occupy our thoughts. However, if we want to experience abundant life, Jesus makes it clear in John 17:3 that it is found in knowing Him, the only TRUE GOD. Christ is to be the object of our love and passion. Christ is to occupy our thoughts. Our energy and objectives are to be tied to how we can best serve Him. We are to love the LORD with ALL our heart, and ALL our soul, and ALL our mind. (Mark 12:30) What or whom are we worshiping?
Lord, You are the only TRUE GOD. May we give You our full worship and praise.
“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” John 17:3