Beyond Ourselves Podcast
Has Anyone Ever Sacrificed Something for You
Has anyone ever sacrificed something for you? Have they sacrificed sleep so you could sleep? Have they sacrificed advancing so you could? Have they sacrificed their plans so you could do yours? Sacrifice. Sometimes we sacrifice, but do so begrudgingly. But Ephesians 5:2 tells us Jesus willingly SACRIFICED His life for us. He thought of us, not Himself. Hill Country Ministries is dedicated to telling others of Jesus’s great love and sacrifice. One way we do this is by taking our P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference to every state. Christians are inspired and equipped to pray more purposefully and live more passionately for Christ. Seekers are given the opportunity to respond in faith to Christ. Thank you for your prayers as we continue to seek host churches for our last two mainland states: Oregon and Maine.
Lord Jesus, thank You for willingly giving up Your glory, Your comfort, Your life for us; for being a SACRIFICE to God on our behalf so that we can be reconciled to You. Help us sacrificially fulfill Your commission to us to tell others about You.
“…walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a SACRIFICE to God as a fragrant aroma,” Ephesians 5:2.
When You Put Your Head On Your Pillow Tonight
Do you sometimes wonder what our world and the future hold? Revelation 1:5 gives us great comfort because it tells us this: “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the RULER of the KINGS of the EARTH.” In other words, it reminds us to look heavenward in confidence to the Christ who is RULER of the KINGS of the EARTH. While things may seem, or actually be, chaotic under different earthly rulers; there is ONE supreme RULER whose reign has no end and who reigns with justice and with mercy. If you’re a believer, you’re a citizen of Christ’s kingdom. That’s good to remember when you put your head on your pillow tonight.
Lord Jesus Christ, what a glorious blessing to know that this world is not spinning out of control. YOU are the enthroned, RULER of the kings of the earth.
Let’s Talk About Your Ancestors
Do you know who your ancestors are? How far back can you trace your family tree? Being able to trace one’s lineage is important to many and is definitely important in the Jewish culture. Jesus’s human lineage can be traced to Israel’s King David. But, Jesus has an even more illustrious lineage as He states in Revelation 22:16. He says, “I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” In other words, His roots go further back than David; all the way to creation. He is the bright morning star, the heavenly light we’re to follow. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, learn how you can HERE.
ROOT and DESCENDANT of DAVID, bright morning star, we praise, worship, and love You.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
When You’re Concerned About Shifting Views
Are you concerned about shifting views about the Bible and Jesus Christ? If so, take comfort. Jesus is who He says He is – the solid Rock, truth, and Savior. We can build our lives on Him and His Word. As a matter of fact, in Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus says we’re wise if we do. Listen to His counsel. “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” Yes, friend, we are wise to build our lives on Jesus and His teachings.
“O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.” Psalm 95:1
When There’s Nothing Left to Squeeze Out of You
Do you ever feel like not another thing can be squeezed out of you? Do you feel you’ve given all you can give? We all know that you can’t get water out of a dry rock, and perhaps that describes us at times – dry. If so, we can look to Christ, whom Isaiah 30:29 describes as the ROCK OF ISRAEL. Jesus provided water and life for the Israelites in the wilderness. Jesus provides Himself as living water for believers. (John 7:37-38) Drink deeply from Him. He loves you so!
ROCK of ISRAEL, You were there for the Jews as they traveled to the Promised Land. You are here for us. We love You and praise You – the One from whom we can drink deeply and be saved; the One from whom we can drink and be replenished.
“You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival,
And gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute,
To go to the mountain of the Lord, to the ROCK of ISRAEL.”
We Want Proof and We Have It
Last year the world was sickened and shocked by the horrifying confirmation that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi had been confirmed dead after being tortured in a Saudi consulate. Can you, would you, expect to see him walking around and eating with family and friends after confirmation of his death? No, of course not. Does that help better grasp why people didn’t believe Jesus was alive after they had seen His torturous scourging and crucifixion? Matthew 28:6 gives the shocking angelic announcement of Jesus’s resurrection to Mary as she stood outside Jesus’s empty tomb. “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.” In addition to Mary and the disciples seeing the resurrected Christ, more than 500 eye witnesses saw Jesus after His resurrection from the dead. The grave couldn’t hold Jesus because He is life. He breathes His eternal life into everyone who acknowledges they are a sinner and asks forgiveness in His, the RISEN ONE’s name. With whom might we share this good news?
RISEN LORD, we celebrate Your victory over death and worship You.
Goodbye Sticky Sin, Hello Riches
I’m the richest woman in the world. I know. You’re wondering why I would say that. I’m not driving a new car and my shoes have a lot of wear and tear on them. Still, I’m rich! Why? Because of God. Ephesians 2:4 says, “But God, being RICH IN MERCY, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ.” I was poor and pitiful, up to my eyeballs in sticky sin. Then, Jesus saved me. He poured His rich grace all over me and washed away my sticky sin. Jesus has rich mercy to pour on you, too. Ask Him. He’ll wash away your sticky sin and then you’ll be rich in His mercy.
Lord, thank You for Your RICH MERCY! What a wonderful God you are!
About Pleasing God
Do you ever think about pleasing God? Did you know that it’s possible to please God? Hebrews 11:5-6 states that Enoch was “pleasing to God” and that God is a REWARDER of THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.” I can’t think of a more admirable thing that could be said of a person than that they please God. I long to please God and I know certainly you must, too. How can we please God? We can believe Him. We can take to Him that which is overwhelming us, causing us to fear, or doubt. We can ask Him to fill and equip us to handle whatever He permits in our life. We can know that, by faith, we’ll experience His glorious equipping and power to walk through our day. We can serve His purposes. Today, we can please God in the little and big things; knowing that He is a REWARDER of THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.
Lord God, REWARDER OF THOSE WHO SEEK YOU, we seek You. We come to You in faith. We want to please You. Help us walk by Your Spirit throughout the day.
“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him,” Hebrews 11:5-6.
Is This Hard for You to Get Your Mind Around
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS for the MONTANA P.R.A.Y. with PASSION CONFERENCE. GOD RICHLY ANSWERED YOUR PRAYERS!
I know, I know, I know. We sing about Jesus’s resurrection. But is it ever hard for you to get your mind around the fact He was raised from the dead? Do you ever stop and ponder if you believe what you do because you were always told that or if it is your own conviction? When Jesus said, “‘I am the RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies’” (John 11:25), He was talking to a woman who was saying with her mouth she believed but who wasn’t expecting Jesus to raise her deceased brother. Jesus is patient with us just like He was with Martha. If you’re struggling to believe and you have questions, that means you’re seeking to understand, which is good. Jesus will help you find Him. Keep seeking. He’s a prayer away.
Lord, You are the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. We profess our faith with thanksgiving.
Does Your Battery Need Charging
Do you think God expects you to be superman or super woman? Here’s some good news. God doesn’t expect us to keep going and going and going without rest. God doesn’t expect us to be like an energizer bunny. He knows that we will become depleted and that we need restoration. Psalm 23:3 says, “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Sure, Red bull drinks and other caffeinated drinks may give a temporary kick or a burst of energy. But, it’s the daily refreshment in God’s presence that provides ongoing restoration to our souls. When your battery is running low, find your Bible. You’ll experience the restoration for which you long in God’s presence.
Lord, we praise You, the RESTORER of our soul!
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake,” Psalm 23:3.