Beyond Ourselves Podcast
Are You Poor or Wealthy
Many times our search for wealth comes up short. Have you found that to be true? The all powerful dollar is held before us as the “end all” we should seek, but Jesus tells us the opposite; that we’re to lay up treasure in heaven. The wealth that should be our goal is best summed up in Isaiah 33:6. Listen to how Isaiah describes the Lord in terms of wealth. “And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” So the question is, are you poor or wealthy? God’s estimation is that if you have Him, you have a wealth of salvation and a wealth of wisdom and knowledge. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we lived like paupers when we have a treasure in the Lord?
Lord, You are a WEALTH of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. Thank You for all we have in You!
FIND MORE encouragement HERE. Record God’s daily descriptions in Prayers of My Heart.
When You Want to Run Away, Go Here
THE LATEST: Friends, I’m excited to share with you that in addition to San Antonio Radio Station KLUP 930 AM inviting me to do UpLIFT Radio spots, Kerrville’s KCYR 101.5 FM is now airing them Wednesdays at 6 am. If you’re up, listen in! Or, get UpLIFT 1 Minute Devotionals delivered to you once a week. UpLIFT is different from 365 Days of Praise Beyond Ourselves. Check out our newest seeker sensitive outreach, and please share the good news.
Do you ever want to run away from evil or perhaps your own wayward thoughts? If so, go to God, who David likens as a STRONGHOLD. In Biblical times, a stronghold was a high place, a place of retreat, and for many years, it was David’s safe house. In 2 Samuel 22:3, after the Lord saved him from Saul, David likens God to a STRONGHOLD. Listen to his words of praise, “My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my STRONGHOLD and my refuge.” Do we know God as our stronghold? If not, He invites us to come to Him. He is high and lifted up. We can flee our fears, wayward thoughts, and enemy darts and retreat to Him in prayer.
Lord God, we praise You, our STRONGHOLD. Thank You that no matter the time, we can retreat into Your presence.
Is There Anyone You Can Trust?
The TRUTH. When listening to the news, do you ever long for the truth? When questioning your child, have you ever doubted their words and said, “Tell me the truth.” If a person has lied to you once, do you wonder when they tell you something now if it’s the truth? How refreshing that in John 16:13 Jesus tells us we can trust God’s Holy Spirit, the SPIRIT OF TRUTH. There’s not a lie in God’s holy body, Word, or Spirit. So when we question or wonder if we should do things our way or God’s way, the world’s ways or God’s way, we have the answer. Believe the Spirit of Truth. Follow the SPIRIT OF TRUTH. Obey the SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
Lord God, how refreshing that we can wholeheartedly trust You, the SPIRIT of TRUTH!
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. John 16:13
Could You Use a Little Sympathy
Are you going through a rough time? Have you thought to yourself, “Nobody understands.” Or, “No one knows what I’m going through.” It may be true that friends and family don’t know what you’re going through, but Jesus does and He sympathizes with you in your struggles and temptations. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, ”we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” In other words, Jesus gets what it’s like to live in human skin and experience hurt and struggles. He knows what its like to battle temptation. If you’re feeling alone and would like a little sympathy, you’ve got it. Jesus sympathizes with what you’re going through, and what’s more, He’s there for you.
Son of David, we adore and praise You for willingly leaving heaven to put on flesh and live among us. Thank You for sympathizing with our weaknesses and interceding on our behalf.
“The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:” Matthew 1:1
We’d Better Get this Right
Are you reading each 365 DAY of PRAISE? Are you as amazed as I am at not only the ways the Father, Son, and Spirit are revealed; but also through whom the revelation is made? The high priest asked Jesus if He was the Son of the Blessed One. But the one who acknowledged Jesus as SON of the MOST HIGH GOD was a demon. A demon cried out, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me. For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.” An unclean spirit recognized the Most Holy Spirit in Jesus. It’s clear. There are numerous gods in the world; which is why GOD commands us, “You shall have no other gods before ME.” But there is one MOST HIGH GOD and Jesus is His Son. It’s important we get this right. The demons do.
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the all powerful, wonderful SON of the MOST HIGH GOD. Help us honor You in all we do.
“Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, ‘What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.’” Luke 8:28
Are We Tolerating What Jesus is Against
Jesus is the Son of Man who knows what it is to live in human flesh. But, what’s inside Him is holy glowing purity. Revelation 2:18-20a describes the ascended Christ like this: eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like burnished bronze. Revelation 1:16 describes His face as the sun shining in its strength. Following these magnificent other worldly, heavenly descriptions of Jesus, we’re told the Son of God says this, ” I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first, but I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her immorality.” Yes, Jesus is described as a Shepherd and Slow to Anger, but we must never forget that He is the Son of God reigning in glory who sees our deeds and what we tolerate.
Lord Jesus, SON of GOD, forgive us for tolerating what You hate.
“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ‘I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate…’” Revelation 2:18-20a.
So, What’s the Big Deal About Genealogy
Lately, the topic of genealogy has been in the news. But it’s not just a recent topic of interest. Genealogy is an important topic in the Bible, as seen in the first verse of the first chapter of the first book of the New Testament. Matthew 1:1 states, “The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Just in case someone might doubt Jesus’s rightful place as heir to King David’s throne, His lineage is recorded for the next twenty-five verses. Yes, Jesus is the Son of God, but He is also the Son of David. Among the many important implications are that He knows what it is to live in human skin – to need a nap, to feel tears roll down His cheek, and to thirst as He hung on the cross. Jesus’s genealogy is well proved and we will one day see Him sitting on His throne.
Son of David, we praise You for willingly leaving Your heavenly home to put on flesh and live among us. We love and adore You.
“The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:” Matthew 1:1
Just You Wait and See
Things aren’t always as they appear. Just you wait and see. For instance, Jesus had no earthly possessions, wasn’t married, and when arrested, His friends abandoned Him. He was lied about, mocked, and beaten almost to death. Mark 14:61 records the high priest questioning Him prior to crucifying Him, and saying to Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’” How incongruous. Blessed? Yet, Jesus was and is the Son of the Blessed One. So, when we think about our lives or circumstances, they may not seem to add up to “blessed child of God” or “bride of Christ.” But that is who we are. Things aren’t always as they seem. Just you wait and see.
Heavenly Father, we praise You for Christ, SON of the BLESSED ONE, and for the blessings You’ve promised us.
“Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’” Mark 14:61
Are Things Heating Up in Your Life
Our Heavenly Father has a goal: to cleanse us of sin. Malachi 3:3 explains that He sits as a SMELTER, or a refiner, watching over us as the heat of daily life, trials, and sufferings causes our impurities to rise. What happens when our sin glaring rises in our lives? We have the opportunity to confess our sin so God can remove them from us. God’s goal is for us to be increasing purified so we better reflect Him. Are things heating up in your life? If so, be assured your Heavenly Father is sitting as a Smelter, or a refiner, closely watching over you; patiently hearing your prayers and confessions. And, has anyone told you? You are reflecting Him more every day.
Lord, thank You, SMELTER of our mind, spirit, and soul. Purify us so we reflect Your image.
“He will sit as a SMELTER and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3
The Difference in Slow and Fast
Lord, we praise You for being SLOW to ANGER. You are a gracious and merciful God. We love You and thank You!
“The Lord is gracious and merciful; SLOW TO ANGER and great in lovingkindness.” Psalm 145:8