Beyond Ourselves

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If someone were to ask you what makes your life, marriage, family, career, and friendships work well, what would you say? Are you successful because you’re a hard worker?  Are you successful because you’re conscientious? Or, perhaps a good listener?  It’s an important question. A more important question, though, is what makes your life, marriage, family, career, friendships work to the glory of God? Why is that an important question? Because if we are a Christian, 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that everything we do is to be to the glory of God.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Acts 4:11 reinforces this fact by saying Jesus is the stone that was rejected, but who became the CHIEF CORNERSTONE.” In other words, we’re to build our lives on Christ in such a way that our life brings Him glory. If that’s not happening, we can begin today. We can draw closer to Jesus.

Have you ever given your best effort at something, but failed? On the other hand, have you ever experienced great success? It’s normal to want to win.  In keeping with that, Isaiah 19:20  has encouraging news for Christians.

It will become a sign and a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Champion, and He will deliver them.

Jesus is the proclaimed Savior and Champion not only for the Jews but for all who call on Him for salvation. If you’ve repented of sin and confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will be one of the myriads in heaven and during the Millennial Kingdom on earth following the Great Tribulation. Yes, we are returning from heaven with Christ to earth at the end of the 7 year Great Tribulation. We are with Christ when He takes over the world and rules from Jerusalem. Don’t think for a minute that our national or world situation is under the ultimate control of anyone but Christ. If you’d like to learn more about what the Bible tells us is ahead, join me for End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do. It’s free and will be delivered to your inbox. Begins March 1. Do at your own pace.

LORD, You are the CHAMPION over all. We can’t wait to see the witness of the display of Your glory and reign. We love You. 

A few years ago, my morning started off peacefully. 5:30 am with God has a tendency to do that. After my quiet time and while scanning emails and news stories, however, I almost came to the conclusion that I’d unknowingly had Covid or might have gotten Covid the day before or maybe two days before. Or maybe I shouldn’t get the vaccine in case I had unknowingly had Covid recently because someone told me you could get really sick if you didn’t wait 3 months to get the vaccine after having it. I had no idea if that was true. However, after reading the article that listed 98 SYMPTOMS of Covid, I began to wonder if I had it. My eyes had been a little red one day last week and that was one of the symptoms. I had dismissed the redness as allergies, but you never know. Okay, I think you get my point. Everyone could probably identify as having had one of 98 symptoms of anything and go into a frenzy if they are the worrying type, which thank goodness I’m not. However, understandably, Covid has caused an increase in anxiety in our nation and world and if not because of Covid, you may have stressed over politics or any number of other issues. It is normal to feel anxious when our loved ones are ill or when family or financial problems arise.  What’s important for us to remember in stressful times is that Jesus is with us and cares for us. He doesn’t want us to go crazy with worry. He wants us to cast all our anxiety on Him as 1 Peter 5:7 clearly states. Yes, just like a person casts a fishing line into the water, we can cast our anxiety on Jesus knowing that He cares for us and will see us through every day. If you’re feeling anxious, cast your anxiety on Him right now.  Tell Him your anxious thoughts. He loves you, is listening, and He is ever present to comfort you. By the way, did you know that your prayers ascend to God as a fragrant offering? That information along with a lot of other wonderful truths is in the book of Revelation, which is why I hope you’ll join me for my study, “End Times:  What You Should Know, What You Can Do.” Learn how you can participate by email. 

Jesus, thank You for being a CARING LORD on whom we can cast our anxiety! Comfort all those who are suffering. Bring healing and strength to caregivers. We love You and thank You for caring for us. 

Do you have a whopper of a problem? Perhaps you’re even where the Lord led you, but the situation is more than you can handle.  When Joshua found himself in a tough place, the Lord appeared to him as Captain of the Lord’s Host. Listen to what happened.  Joshua 5:14-15 states, 

Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, ‘What has my lord to say to his servant?’  The Captain of the Lord’s Host said to Joshua, ‘Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.’ And Joshua did so.” 

Did we get that? Joshua bowed down and said, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” The Lord told Joshua that the place he was standing was holy ground; then He told him what to do. Isn’t that the position we need to take not only when we’re faced with problems, but every day? Bow before the Lord. Ask, “what do You have to say to me?” Then, listen with the intention of obeying. Why? Not only will He help you, but also because God rewards obedience. Learn more in my newest study, End Times: What You Should Know, What You Can Do. 

CAPTAIN of the HOSTS, we bow before You. Speak to our heart and mind. Tell us what to do. 

Have you ever looked at your life, job, or relationship, and felt discouraged? Have you ever thought, “I don’t see any way things can get better?” Or perhaps, “My best years are over”? If you have had any of those thoughts, be encouraged. Why? Hebrews 3:4  tells us that God is “the builder of all things.”  In other words, Jesus was more than a small town carpenter. He is the one who built the heavens and earth. Jesus built His global church from a small number of men and women. If He can build the heavens, our bodies, and recreate us at our spiritual birth, He can build our lives in new, exciting ways. This is not the time for a DIY (Do It Yourself) makeover. We need a professional. Ask the Lord, the Builder of all things, to reconstruct your thoughts, to remodel your day, to expand the SONroom of your heart so you sit and have meaningful conversations with God and ask Him questions and learn from Him.  Ask the Carpenter to remodel you.

Jesus, Builder of All Things, You are our Savior Carpenter. You took nails that were meant for us on Your holy body so You could build us into a kingdom of priests. Reconstruct us into holy vessels who bring You glory. 

Curious and apprehensive about who was scheduled to perform for a halftime show, I googled half time show.  The name of the entertainer immediately popped up. Watching a few minutes of one of his music videos, I was pleased it didn’t include cuss words or nakedness. But then……   He is but one of many stars who influence people. Thank goodness, there is another star, more famous than any and His influence will remain long after other stars have come and gone. His name is Jesus Christ.  In Revelation 22:16,  Jesus says,

I am the root and the descendant of David, the BRIGHT MORNING STAR.

Jesus is the STAR we should watch and emulate. Jesus is the STAR we should listen to so often that we know by heart the verses He’s written.  So as you watch earthly stars rise and fall, remember with deep gratitude Jesus, the Bright Morning Star.

Sweet Jesus, we love and adore You. You are our BRIGHT MORNING STAR. There is none other we follow and worship but You.