Beyond Ourselves Podcast
Jesus, Wake Me Up
TIP: How to Pray for Unbelievers
Death. It seems so final. I’d been prepared for my mother’s death. She’d been ill a long time. But the casket. The cemetery. I broke down weeping. Some family members whispered. “Certainly Debbie should have been prepared.” After all, I’d cared for mama her last years. But it didn’t matter. It still seemed so final. So what does Jesus want us to know and what did He prove when He called Lazarus’s name and raised him from the dead? Death isn’t final. Jesus describes death as sleep. For instance, I hear my husband’s voice, “Debbie, wake up!” and I wake from earthly sleep. In John 5:25, Jesus said believers will hear His voice and wake from sleeping death to living in His eternal presence. Better words could never be said. Who do we need to share them with?
Lord, thank You for the eternal promise and evidence that You raise those who are dead in Christ into Your eternal presence.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” John 5:25
Dark World, Radiant God
NEWS! 6 WK Online BIBLE STUDY (means we can study & discuss here) begins 9/18. FIND OUT MORE
HAPPENING NOW: I’M IN Las Vegas, leading my P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference. It’s been almost a year since Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers in Las Vegas; killing 58 people and injuring 851 in the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the US. PLEASE PRAY for an outpouring of GOD’S SPIRIT, for healing, recommitments, salvations, and safety. THANK YOU.
Are you concerned with how our world seems to be getting darker? Religious persecution, disease, abuse, terrorists at home and abroad, moral decline, and political shenanigans contribute to the anxiety and depression we may feel. In the midst of discouraging days, what can believers do? We can keep our eyes on Jesus, who Hebrews 1:3 describes as the radiance of God’s glory. The word “radiance” is only used 5 times in the Bible and in each of those, refers to God. Commentator Vines defines God’s “radiance” as “shining forth, of a light coming from a luminous body.” Isn’t that exciting? Even when things around us are dark, God isn’t. One sweet, glorious day, we’ll join those who have glimpsed God’s radiance. We’ll fall on our faces as they did; overwhelmed by what our eyes see. The day is coming when we go to Jesus or when He returns through the clouds. Keep watching and living for Him!
Heavenly Father, our hearts are overwhelmed as we read the accounts of those who have had glimpses of You. We can’t imagine what it will be like to see Your glory. We praise You now and forever.
“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature,…” Hebrews 1:3
Feeling Spiritually Sluggish?
NEWS! 6 WK Online BIBLE STUDY (means we can study & discuss from home) begins 9/18. FIND OUT MORE.
Do you ever feel sluggish? You know – blah? Can’t quite find your “get up and go” even though there are things you could be, should be doing? Nobody likes that feeling. So what do we do when we don’t feel motivated to pray, work, or get going? We hold out our heart, soul, and mind to our Heavenly Father and say, “I’m Yours.” We thank God that’s He’s given us the mind of Christ in the Scripture. We read His Word regardless of how we feel, and in the reading, we’re encouraged and inspired. His thoughts become our thoughts. His passions our passions. We ask our Heavenly Father to give us the mind and energy of Christ. The King James Version of 1 Corinthians 15:45 describes Jesus as a quickening spirit; which means to arouse and invigorate. Christ followers, we’re not spiritually dead. We’re alive! Let’s live like quickened followers!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus who is a Quickening Spirit! Arouse and invigorate us to do Your will.
“The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a QUICKENING SPIIRT.” 1 Corinthians 15:45 KJV
When you want to hear God’s voice
LISTEN
“Lord, where are You? Speak to me.” Have you ever wanted to hear from God? The fact is, the Bible tells us in Zephaniah 3:17 that God is in our midst and He’s a victorious warrior, but He’s also quiet in His love. What in the world does that mean? I like to think of when I’m holding my little ones. My heart feels like it could jump out of my skin because I’m so full of love for them. But, I’m not going to be loud. Instead, I hold them close to my heart. I wonder if they feel my heartbeat as they lie comfortably in my embrace. God is great big, huge, and the Bible is filled with His words to us. If we’re wishing He would speak to us, He has. Open His Word. Hold it close to you. Feel His heartbeat and listen to what He’s said to you.
Lord, thank You for Your QUIET LOVE and Words you speak to us. May we hold You, them, close to our hearts.
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
9/11
September 11, 2001, Al Qaeda terrorists hijacked three planes and flew them into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C., killing everyone on board the planes and nearly 3,000 people on the ground. A fourth plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field, killing all on board, after passengers and crew heroically attempted to take control from the hijackers. Evil reigned in the hands of the terrorists that day. But evil didn’t ultimately win. Christ Jesus has reigned over death and sin. All who place their faith in Christ are purified through Christ’s sacrifice of His life and live eternally in His presence. We remember with gratefulness our loved ones and friends who sacrificed their lives for our nation. We remember with gratefulness, the Lord Jesus who sacrificed His life for the purification of our souls.
Lord Jesus, who made PURIFICATION OF OUR SINS we love and praise You. Thank You for the ultimate sacrifice of Your life to make us pure as You are pure.
“When He had made PURIFICATION of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,” Hebrews 1:3
When You Fear for Your Loved Ones
LISTEN to Today’s 60 sec Audio Podcast
A SPECIAL INVITATION from Debbie
Does the prevalence of evil in our society cause you to be fearful for loved ones? Recently, after speaking at a church, a mom confided in me that she feared for her child. Part of her fear was because she had been molested as a child. Part was due to the moral decline in our nation. What hope was I able to give her?
PRAYER: Jesus teaches us to pray, “Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We can pray that daily for our loved ones.
THE BIBLE. The Bible is a safeguard that teaches us what to do and not do. We can teach our children to respect and obey God and His Word.
ETERNAL SALVATION. We can’t escape all evil influences, but, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 comforts us that the Lord is faithful, and will strengthen and PROTECT us from the evil one.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Word that shows us how to live, for being able to pray to You, and for Christ’s faithfulness to strengthen and protect us.
You’re Invited! Join me TONIGHT, September 9, 5:15 pm for my PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journaling Workshop. Discover 7 Benefits of Journaling, how to enhance your prayer life, and experience an increased attitude of gratitude through journaling. Journal -$14.99. Info below. Walk-ins welcome. Come as you are.
What: PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journal Workshop
When: Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm
Where: Trinity Baptist Church Chapel, 800 Jackson Rd, Kerrville, TX
Who: You, your family, and friends!
“But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and PROTECT you from the evil one.”
If You’re Counting on being Rich on Earth, Remember This
Are you familiar with the term “prosperity theology”? It’s defined as “a religious belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them.” Jesus didn’t teach or live a prosperity theology. Isaiah 52:13 does say that Jesus will prosper. However, the Hebrew word in this verse means “success.” During Jesus’s life on earth it didn’t appeared He was successful. However, He was. By His death He successfully secured our salvation. If we have our heart set on riches this side of heaven, we may be hugely disappointed. If we build our lives on Christ, we’ll experience joy on earth and eternal rewards in heaven.
Lord Jesus, thank You for successfully securing our salvation now and for eternity.
You’re Invited! Join me this Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm for my PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journaling Workshop. Discover the 7 Benefits of Journaling, how to enhance your prayer life, and develop an attitude of gratitude through journaling. Journal -$14.99. Info below. Or, email me- debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com.
What: PRAYERS of MY HEART Prayer Journal Workshop
When: Sunday, September 9, 5:15 pm
Where: Trinity Baptist Church Chapel, 800 Jackson Rd, Kerrville, TX
Who: You!
“Behold, My servant will PROSPER, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.” Isaiah 52:13
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology
When You Want to Know the Future Look to Jesus, Not a Psychic Reader
Have you ever called the psychic hotline or used Tarot cards for the purpose of divination? If so, you’ll be encouraged to know there’s another, better option. The Bible warns us to not seek knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means of divination such as Tarot cards or a psychic hotline. Ezekiel 13:7 says, “Did you not see a false vision and speak a lying divination when you said, ‘’The Lord declares,’ but it is not I who have spoken?'” Throughout the Bible we’re warned to not listen to unclean spirits, but rather to His Word and those He inspired by His Holy Spirit. Yes, at times we may want to know the future and what to do, but the right way to find those answers is to read the Bible and pray, “Lord, direct me.” Luke 24:19 tells us that Jesus was a PROPHET mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people.” He is the One we’re to seek and can trust.
CHECK THESE OUT: Prayers for Different Occasions, Meet Jesus
Jesus, You are God’s PROPHET who speaks truth. May we seek and obey You.
“…Jesus the Nazarene, who was a PROPHET mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people.” Luke 24:19
I need HELP and I need it now
“I need help and I need it now.” Have you ever thought those words? I have. Maybe our thoughts are going places where they shouldn’t be going. Maybe our emotions are spiraling out of control. Maybe we feel like we just don’t have what it takes to do or be what we know is needed. We’re crashing. So, what do we do? We look to God who is described as not just a future help to us in heaven, but rather as a very PRESENT HELP. Commentator Charles Ryrie explains what Psalm 46:1 means regarding God being a present help in trouble. He states, “Very PRESENT HELP can have the idea of ‘well-proved help.'” In other words, we’re not hoping God can help us. He is present and reliable. We can pray, “God, help me,” and be assured that He will. What a great Heavenly Father we have. Let’s keep our eyes and hearts open to the help He’s providing us.
Lord, thank You for being PRESENT to HELP us. Help us keep our eyes on You and trust each day to You.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very PRESENT HELP in trouble.” Psalm 46:1