Beyond Ourselves Podcast
Case Dismissed!
I wish sin wasn’t a part of my life, but it is. I miss the mark of holiness every day. Jesus doesn’t want us to live under condemnation, though. Remember when the Jews wanted to stone a woman caught in adultery and Jesus told her to go and sin no more? He told her He didn’t condemn her. He wanted her to live free. Free of adultery. Free of guilt and condemnation. He wants the same for us. Jesus is our Advocate, as 1 John 2:1 explains, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;” Jesus is our Advocate, just as He was for the adulterous woman. Only when we arrive in heaven will we fully appreciate the magnitude of Jesus winning the case for our freedom by taking our guilt on the cross.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Advocate and winning our eternal freedom.
Why FOR Never Works
Do you get frustrated when you “blow it” in regard to your Christian walk? I certainly do. Almost every day, I’m mindful of something I should have done, could have done that would have brought honor to Christ. The reminder in Second Corinthians 3:5 helps me in those times of frustration. It says, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.’” The word “adequacy” in this verse means sufficiency, ability, or competency. Here we find a key to our desire to live “for” Christ. We can’t live “for” Him in our own strength. Rather, we need to let Christ live His life IN and through us. His adequacy is the key. Our ability to be and do that to which God calls us, is from God. We can pray, ”Fill me with YOUR Spirit so I walk by Your ADEQUACY.” That is our hope filled prayer.
Thank You, LORD, for the adequacy You give us in Christ Jesus.
*This is one of God’s 365 attributes for which we can look up, praise, and trust Him. To learn about His other attributes and ways you can know God and praise Him, join us HERE.
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!