Beyond Ourselves

How to Know God Exists Since You Can’t See Him
05/20/2023

“You can’t see God, so how do you know He’s there?” people sometimes ask. I think one of the best responses is found in Romans 1:19-20.

because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His INVISIBLE attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

In other words, look at the glory of the heavens. Look at the glory of the flowers, trees, animals, and oceans. Look at the wonder of the human body. God may be invisible, but His handiwork is clearly visible.  Our privilege and calling are to give credit where credit is due for the creation, eternal power, and divine nature that is displayed in our world, the universe, the human body, and the air we breathe. Join me in the following chorus of praise.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

King eternal, immortal, INVISIBLE God, we praise You and thank You for the glory of Your creation and for making Yourself clearly seen through Your handiwork. 

Learn more about the Divine Nature in one of my favorite studies!

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Someone Knows Your Heart and Is Praying for You
05/19/2023
When God says something one time, we need to pay attention. When He says it twice in the same breath, we need to sit up and take note. Romans 8:26-27 is an example of this.
26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with [a]groanings too deep for words;
27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the [b]saints according to the will of God.
God voices two times that the Spirit INTERCEDES for us and explains how He intercedes for us. 1) He intercedes with groanings too deep for words for things about which we don’t even know what to pray, and 2) having searched our hearts, the Spirit INTERCEDES for us according to the will of God.”  God the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, searching our hearts, and praying for us.  How extraordinary is that?

Holy One, what a joy and peace there is in knowing that You search our hearts and INTERCEDE for us. Amazing! Thank You!

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When You Question God’s Goodness
05/18/2023
Have you ever thought, “Why did You let this happen, God?” Or, perhaps you’ve wondered why God hasn’t answered your prayers? In Isaiah 40:28 we’re told, “The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.”  What does that have to do with God not answering our prayers, or seeming to have not answered our prayers?  The NIV version explains, “His understanding no one can fathom.” The New King James states,  “His understanding is unsearchable.” In other words, when we pray and God doesn’t answer in the way or timing we want, it helps if we remember that His understanding of us, our situation, and others involved is better than our understanding. Trust and faith are essential elements of not only our profession of faith but also our daily walk. We can trust God, whose understanding is inscrutable and unfathomable. Will we?

Lord, Your understanding is inscrutable, far beyond what we can fathom.  Help us look to you in faith, trusting in Your proven goodness.

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Get Rid of the Cat Clinging Guilt
05/17/2023

Have you ever felt guilty? Isn’t it a horrible feeling? What do you do with guilt? You can’t hide it, shake it, or bury it. It clings to you like a cat. Nails dug in, it’s determined to not turn loose of you. However, there is One who never experienced guilt. Hebrews 7:26  says this about Jesus, “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, INNOCENT, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;” Can you imagine being holy and INNOCENT one moment and the next moment experiencing the guilt of the world?  Jesus did that for us. Never question His love… “while we were yet sinners, He died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  Instead of languishing over sin, confess it and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. The next time you’re tempted, quote Scripture to Satan like Jesus did. Walk in God’s grace with His Spirit in your spirit and His Word in your mouth.

Wonderful, Savior, INNOCENT ONE, thank You for taking our guilt and giving us Your Spirit and Word.

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Are Your Feet Dancing?
05/16/2023
Can you imagine being told that a distant relative passed away and left you all his money? “That’s nice of Uncle Fred,” you might say, thinking of the last time you’d seen him with his modest clothing and old car. But then, the executor of the estate continues, “Congratulations! You’re a billionaire!” Stunned, you realize that you never knew how much Uncle Fred possessed. Psalm 16:5 is a wake up call to believers about what we have in Christ. “The Lord is the portion of my INHERITANCE and my cup; You support my lot.” In other words, upon Christ’s death and our confession of Him as Lord, we received an inheritance in Christ: His Holy Spirit, divine nature, mind, power, and heaven!” Friends, that ought to put a smile on our faces and set our feet to dancing. Do we realize all we have in Christ? Are we living joyfully because we are mindful of our INHERITANCE?

Lord, You are our INHERITANCE. We love You, praise You, and rejoice in YOU!

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When No One Understands You
05/15/2023

Do you ever feel like no one understands you – truly understands you?  Or have you ever said to someone, “I don’t understand why you….”? Or maybe you thought, “I can’t understand how you could…”?  No doubt, as much as we may love or know someone, we can never get inside another person’s head. But God can.  Psalm 147:5 says, “Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is INFINITE.” God’s understanding is limitless, endless, and impossible to measure. And the most amazing thing is He loves us. How can we not run to Him in love and gratitude? Why would we not talk to Him about everything on our hearts and mind? Why would we not quietly wait and listen for God’s instructions and guidance?  (By the way, it helps to have our Bible when we pray so as He stirs our heart we can look up verses He brings to mind). When no one understands you, remember – God does and He loves you. Run to Him. Pray to Him. Stay near Him.

Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, You have INFINITE UNDERSTANDING of me and my situation. Thank You for guiding me as I wait in Your presence.

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Jesus Isn’t a Cavity
05/14/2023
Have you ever had a cavity, a tooth that decayed? If so, you know it isn’t a good thing. Can you imagine what an eternally bad thing it would have been if Jesus’s body had decayed in the tomb? It’s what the Jewish leaders expected to happen. It’s what the Roman government expected.  It’s what many in our day think happened. Why? Because they don’t want the Lord Jesus in their lives. They want to do their own thing without consequences for violating God’s eternal laws. Romans 1:18-25  points out the gravity when people ignore the fact that Christ is incorruptible.
21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image…24 
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 
For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie…”
Some people ignore their teeth. Some people ignore Jesus.  There are consequences for both.
Lord, You are incorruptible. May we who are saved represent You well to others so they turn to You and are saved.
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Are You a Low Viewer or a High Viewer
05/13/2023

Do you need a place to go that is higher than you  – where you can look at life from an eternal perspective? If you said yes, that’s understandable. The daily grind can become just that – a grind. The thrill of the chase ends. Romance changes. The kids grow up. The job ends. The money runs out. The other side wins. Sin gets the best of us. We’re disappointed with our life. What do we do in those cases?  Isaiah 33:16 tells us we can go to a place to gain perspective.  “He will dwell on the heights, his refuge will be the IMPREGNABLE ROCK.” If we know we can scale the heights and see life with an eternal perspective, then we must ask ourselves if we are going to God and doing that.  Or, are we trudging through our day bemoaning our circumstances?  Today, let’s scale the heights of the Lord, our impregnable rock, and consider things from His eternal perspective.

LORD, You are the IMPREGNABLE ROCK, our spiritual refuge. Thank You that we can scale heaven’s heights and view our life with Your perspective. 

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Indescribable
05/12/2023

Have you ever been called a “gift” because of who you are and what you give to others? Second Corinthians 9:15   describes Jesus in this way. “Thanks be to God for His INDESCRIBABLE GIFT.” What is the indescribable gift? Jesus Christ laying down His life so we could be heirs of heaven!!! However, there is so much more to the INDESCRIBABLE GIFT. There’s the grace, righteousness, and fruits of the Holy Spirit we receive in salvation! Who is the recipient of God’s INDESCRIBABLE GIFT? Every one who repents and confesses Jesus as Lord. YOU!

Thank You, Heavenly Father and Jesus, God’s INDESCRIBABLE GIFT! 

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The One Thing That is Imperishable
05/11/2023
Have you ever let something spoil in the refrigerator? You meant to eat it but didn’t. Later, you discovered the leftovers, opened the lid, and whew – it stunk!  It had perished. It was ruined. Not so with God and His Word.  First Peter 1:23 says “for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” God and His Word are IMPERISHABLE. They’re always good, always fresh. And, the great news is that Christ is in believers. Christ lives in us. He won’t die. We won’t die. We’re indwelt by the IMPERISHABLE Jesus through the living and enduring word of God. Hallelujah! Celebrate!

Lord, we celebrate YOU! You are IMPERISHABLE. Your word is alive, fresh, and enduring. We’ve been born of Your imperishable seed. Thank You! We praise You!

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