Beyond Ourselves Podcast
Go to the Top
“May I talk to the manager, please?” The person with whom I was talking was friendly, but didn’t have the authority for what I needed. At times, we may feel that we need advice or direction and family and friends are willing to help, but we need direction from someone higher up. In those times, Jesus is the right person to ask. Ephesians 1:20-21 says Christ is “seated at His (God’s) right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.’” If we have a situation that calls for the highest input, there is no one higher than Jesus. He is ABOVE all. And, this is the good news. He is our friend, brother, and bridegroom. He offers, “Tell me your needs. Let Me help you.” What a wonderful Savior!
Lord Jesus, You are ABOVE ALL powers and principalities and names; above all that constrains and binds us, above all our worries. We praise You!
Do You Worry About Dying
I thought I had killed a bee, but I only stunned it. Before I could blink, the bee was moving. There’s a difference between stunning something and abolishing it. Hi. I’m Debbie Taylor Williams. When you think about death, does it worry you? Here’s the deal, and it’s great news! Second Timothy 1:10 assures us that we don’t have to worry about death. Why? The verse explains that when Christ died on the cross, He didn’t stun death and death continue to be a reality for us. Rather, it says, “ …our Savior Christ Jesus, abolished death and brought life and immortality to light…” In other words, when our body ceases to live, our spirit continues to live. Those who have placed their faith in Christ and whose human spirit is wed to Christ’s Holy Spirit will live eternally in His glorious light. That’s something to celebrate, not fear.
Lord Jesus Savior, we praise You for abolishing death! Thank You for eternal life in You.
*Bible Gateway
I Can’t Do It!
I can’t do it! I can’t live the Christian life God calls me to live. Our Heavenly Father understands that. He knew that Abraham couldn’t fulfill His vision for his life, and He knows we’re not able. So what is our part in living for God? Faith. Faith that God is able. Romans 4:19-21 explains the importance of our faith in God. “Without becoming weak in faith he (Abraham) contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” That’s it! Abraham nailed it. God’s calling – for him to have a son when he was not physically able, but trusting God to do it, is also how we can live. Note how the verse says Abraham grew strong in faith. We may feel weak in faith today, but we can grow stronger.
This is Reassuring
YOU ARE INVITED!
Coffee at Cartewheels Restaurant, 720 Water St, Kerrville, TX
WHAT: Prayers of My Heart Journaling tips to make 2019 a year of GRATITUDE
WHEN: THIS WEDNESDAY, January 9, 10 a.m.
RSVP: Let us know you’re coming debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com. Can’t wait to see you!
In your lifetime, how many people have you seen take positions of leadership and then be unseated? It happens. People and countries are left shaken … swinging between being hopeful of a new administration or fearful of the one that’s taken office. But our Lord God wants us to know that He’s on the throne and He’s not going anywhere. First, there’s no person or spirit or power that can touch Him. Second, if they could, they couldn’t over-power our God. If we want someone in our lives on whom we can depend, then we need look no further than the Lord who abides forever. Psalm 9:7 assures us, “…the Lord abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment.’”
Heavenly Father, we praise You that You have established Your throne and no power, person, or principality can unseat You. We love and praise You.
Who’s Your Daddy
YOU ARE INVITED!
Coffee at Cartewheels Restaurant, 720 Water St, Kerrville, TX
WHAT: Prayers of My Heart Journaling tips to make 2019 a year of GRATITUDE
WHEN: THIS WEDNESDAY, January 9, 10 a.m.
RSVP: Let us know you’re coming debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com. Can’t wait to see you!
Have you ever seen the startled look in a child’s eyes when they were afraid of something? On the other hand, have you seen a child recognize their father in a crowded room and run to their father gleefully? Have you seen a child cry and call on their daddy and say “Daddy, Daddy,” or maybe “dada”? It’s hard to believe but Romans 8:15 says believers have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear, but we have “received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘ABBA FATHER;” which means Daddy! Daddy! What does it mean that God is our Abba Father? It means closeness. A personal relationship. That He cares about us. That we can call on Him. You may not have had a great earthly daddy, but you have a great heavenly daddy and that’s a reason to be joyful.
LORD, You are ABBA FATHER! We praise and thank You for adopting us as Your child. Forgive us for the times we’ve rejected Your love and guidance. Help us trust and yield to You.
Do You Think God Doesn’t See
You’re Invited! COFFEE at CARTEWHEELS Restaurant, 720 Water St, Kerrville, TX 78028
WHAT: Quick Peak Prayers of My Heart Journaling Tips – How to get the most out of journaling in 2019
WHEN: Wednesday, January 9, 10 a.m.
EMAIL: Let us know you’re coming – debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com. We look forward to seeing you. Share with a friend!
When you sin, are you mindful that God sees you? Most of us probably don’t think about it. But, He clearly says in the Bible that He sees and hears us. When we sin, it affects our fellowship with God. In Joel 2:12, God calls His people to return to Him “with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and mourning.” What is God’s response when we do? Joel 2:18 says, “Then the Lord will be zealous for His land and will have pity on His people.” God is ZEALOUS for us. Why? He wants us to take hold of the joy, beauty, and glory of eternal life He’s given us in Christ Jesus.
Lord, thank You for being ZEALOUS for us. Forgive us and kindle in us a zeal to live for the glory of the eternal life You’ve given us.
Making Tracks, But Are They the Right Ones
Have you ever wished you had a mentor; someone to follow; to teach you how to do your job better, to be a better spouse, or how to better live in a way that pleases our Heavenly Father? Many lack a good “example” as evidenced by the normalization of arguing, lying, materialism, and trusting in “self” rather than God. Yet our Heavenly Father gives us a good example in His Son. Jesus shows us how to stand against temptation, how to live for God’s will, how to treat others, and even how to suffer when choosing to follow God’s Word rather than the world. Ultimately, Jesus is an eXample of how to entrust ourselves to our Heavenly Father’s care. 1 Peter 2:21 reminds us of the importance of following Jesus’s example. “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,” In a world filled with bad examples, our Father calls us to choose to follow the right example.
We praise You, Lord Jesus, our EXAMPLE!
You’re Invited! COFFEE at CARTEWHEELS Restaurant, 720 Water St, Kerrville, TX 78028
WHAT: Quick Peak Prayers of My Heart Journaling Tips – How to get the most out of journaling in 2019
WHEN: Wednesday, January 9, 10 a.m.
EMAIL: Let us know you’re coming – debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com. We look forward to seeing you. Share with a friend!
Is Lip Service a Big Deal to God
A person who is not a Christian once challenged me and asked why believers talk about God’s love but never His wrath. I thought about his question, and realized that I’m guilty of that very thing. Think about all the wonderful ways we look at God’s love, gentleness, and favor. Today, however, the context in which God’s actions are described as WONDROUSLY MARVELOUS is a reference to His judgment on people who claim His name, but simply give lip service to Him. God uses the prophet Isaiah to call them out in Isaiah 29:13-14. “Then the Lord said, ‘Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote, therefore, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, WONDROUSLY MARVELOUS.'” He goes on to warn them of the consequences of their lip service and rote worship. We might want to relegate our Creator’s wrath to the Old Testament, but Revelation 16 speaks of God’s judgement being poured out on the earth in a future day. We may wonder, “Is our behavior and sincerity of worship a big deal to God?” The answer is, clearly they are.
Lord, You alone are worthy of our praise. You extend mercy to those who call on Your name, but also discipline in WONDROUSLY MARVELOUS ways those who give You lip service and rote worship. Forgive us and prompt us daily to live by Your Spirit.
Get it NOW & journal your thanks to God for the best 2019!
Let’s Get This Right
Have you ever considered that because Christ paid for your sins you are worthy of heaven? Say that a few times to yourself and let it sink in. “I am worthy of heaven!” Believers are found worthy of heaven ONLY because Christ is worthy and exchanged His righteousness for our sin. He gave us His righteousness. Colossians 1:10 reminds us of the implication – “so that YOU will walk in a manner WORTHYof the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” In other words, we’re to walk in a manner worthy of or “suitably” for our Lord. We may have a hazy understanding of what it means to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, but we know what it means to be suitable. A child who puts on dirty clothes for school is told to put on something suitable, something clean for school. In the same manner, we are to walk worthily (suitably) of the Lord. Let’s get this right!
Lord, thank You for making us worthy of Your presence and of heaven. Help us walk worthily of You!
Excerpt from If God is In Control, Why Am I a Basket Case?
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What Jesus Looks Like
Do you wonder what Jesus looks like? If so, Revelation 19:13 tells us this about God’s gift to us, “His name is called THE WORD of GOD.” In other words, the Bible, God’s inspired WORD, is a collection of descriptions of Christ’s countenance, power, and thoughts. Every day, you and I’ve looked at a different facet of God – that He is wonderful, powerful, infinite, majestic, holy, kind, patient, forgiving, merciful, and on. I’ve loved my time with you this year as we’ve shared our mornings, days, or evenings – depending on when you open this email. It’s sent from me to you in love with this in mind – that we grasp a better, fuller appreciation of who our LORD is. Why? So we can more fully love and follow close after His heart. Thank you to those who have given a donation to help my non-profit ministry with the daily costs of funding 365 Days of Praise. We’re now partners in getting these daily truths into city homes, rural farmhouses, Pakistan villages, and India ministries – those who then forward them to those in their sphere of influence. You’re the best, and I love ministering with you. God bless you and Happy New Year!
Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You, living, breathing, WORD of GOD.