Beyond Ourselves
Beyond Our Comprehension
Did you know that God distinguishes between when we unintentionally sin and when we intentionally sin? Yes, He notices. Yet, regardless of whether we were aware or unaware that our behavior was unholy, God still forgives us on the basis of Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross for our sins. Isaiah 53:10 explains the magnitude of their love which is beyond our comprehension. “But the Lord was pleased to crush Him (Jesus), putting Him to grief; if He (Jesus) would render Himself as a GUILT OFFERING…” Christ laid down His life as a GUILT OFFERING so that we might receive His righteousness. What a wonderful, loving Father and Son!
Heavenly Father and Jesus, we praise You for satisfying our sin debt by Jesus being our GUILT OFFERING. Your love is beyond our comprehension.
When You Don’t Know What to Do
Have you ever felt lost about what to do? I have. Probably one of the most difficult times was when I was 29 years old and received a letter from M.D. Anderson saying I had stage 1a ovarian cancer. The oncologist we selected agreed that a second opinion would be good. When we did, the second pathologist said it was not cancer. Our doctor’s advice was to treat it on the basis of M.D. Anderson’s diagnosis. We had one child, but wanted more children. If we followed M.D. Anderson’s advice, I’d return to the hospital and have a hysterectomy. My husband and I didn’t know what to do. Isaiah 42:16 says “I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will GUIDE them.” God is our guide to eternal life, but He’s also our guide for daily life. When we pray, which is what Keith and I did; along with many family and friends who prayed for us, God guided us and we felt at peace about what we should do. Difficult, stressful, knee-buckling, tearful times occur; but in each and every one of them, we are not alone. Our Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit are present to guide us. Look to them. Follow them. Be assured they love you.
Thank You, Lord, for being ever present with us and for being our daily GUIDE. Guide all who are searching to follow Your will and heart today.
Have You Ever Wished You Had Someone to..
Have you ever wished you had someone to watch your back? Or, better, to watch over your soul? The fact is, believers have just that in Jesus. First Peter 2:25 tells us “…you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” When doing research for my book, Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion about God being the guardian of our soul, I discovered that the word “guardian” is translated from the Greek word episkopos and means an “overseer, a man charged with the duty of seeing that things done by another are done rightly.” (page 98) What a blessing for us to have God as the Guardian of our souls!
LORD, thank You for being the GUARDIAN of our souls!
Will You Trust Your Prayers to God
Are you hurting, struggling, or stressed? Are you concerned for our nation or a concern close to your heart? If so, are you crying out to God? That’s what David did; as recorded in Psalm 86:10, “You are GREAT and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.” His words to God are not mindlessly spoken. Rather, his words are heart felt and spoken in the midst of his afflictions and needs. When David says, “You are GREAT and do wondrous deeds;” David is professing his trust in God’s GREATNESS. He is looking at the heavens and saying, “You alone are God. I know nothing is too difficult for You. I know You can help, so do it!” Today is the National Day of Prayer. Do you need to affirm your faith in God’s GREATNESS? Do you need to say the words David said? Please join me now in affirming your trust in God’s great power. Join me in praying for our nation to repent of our sins and to return in humble trust of God. Pray now for the needs on your heart. Believe He hears you and walk out your belief with a hopeful heart. He DOES hear you and He loves you so very much.
Heavenly Father, we believe in Your greatness. We know You see us and hear our prayers. Please forgive us for our sins; for ways we have strayed from faithfully loving You, following You, and giving to You while we ask, ask, ask. Show us the way You want us to walk. Increase our hunger to daily study the Bible so we walk in Your will. We love You and ask Your forgiveness.
Thank You, GOOD SHEPHERD
Friends, THANK YOU for your prayers for the P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation Conference at Monadnock Christian Ministries! It was such a blessing being with the ladies and a special blessing at the end of the conference to pray with a lady who accepted Christ as Lord!!! Thank you for your prayers while I attend the Mothers of America Convention, Sunday – Wednesday in Washington, D.C.; for God to open doors of ministry and service to Him.
Are you worried about your future? Don’t be. Why? In John 10:11 Jesus describes Himself in this way,“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” Jesus is the good shepherd. Study and follow what He says in the Bible and He will take care of you.
Christ Jesus, You are the GOOD SHEPHERD who has laid down Your life for us. Thank You! We love You.
Good News for People with a Bad Taste In Their Mouth
Have you ever had a “bad taste in your mouth” after experiencing something unpleasant? Many today would say, “yes.” Many are going through life with a “bad taste” in their mouth. They’re “fed up” with the news. They can’t “stomach” another …..whatever. That’s where followers of Christ come in. Second Timothy 2:21 describes believers as vessels. As Christ’s vessel, we have the opportunity to “serve” the Lord’s love and Word to those who are spiritually hungry. Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is GOOD; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Many are starving for some good in their lives. Will you serve Christ’s goodness, mercy, and love to them? If you’re not sure how, Discovering His Passion will show you how Christ engaged people in spiritual conversations and how you can, too. Believe – Know Jesus as Savior is a link you can share in an email or text. God is GOOD. Let’s share the good news of His GOODNESS with others.
LORD, You are GOOD! Help us be ready vessels to share Your WORD and LOVE with others.
He Sees Your Tears & Just So You’ll Know…
I’m going to try, but, if I miss getting 365 Days of Praise – Beyond Ourselves to you over the next 7 days it’s because I leave my house Friday 4 a.m. to get to the airport to fly from San Antonio to New Hampshire. I’m rejoicing at the opportunity to take the P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation Conference to Monadnock Christian Ministries where women from 6 states will gather for the weekend. Thank you for your prayers for travel safety and an outpouring of God’s Spirit on the weekend! THEN, Sunday, I fly from New Hampshire to Washington D.C. to attend the Mothers of America Convention, Sunday – Wednesday. I’m honored beyond words to be included in the mothers gathering from across our nation. I’ll will be thinking of you and if Internet connections, flight connections, time connections allow, will get 365 Days of Praise to you! Thank you for your prayers. They mean the world to me.
One of the many things that amazes me in the Bible is that God SEES and addresses individuals. I suppose because God is enthroned in heaven, I sometimes forget that His eye is also on you and me. Not only is His eye on us, He sees us when we’re crying. He hears our prayers, as Isaiah 38:5 reminds us. “…‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have SEEN YOUR TEARS;” Are you crying? Are you sad? Are you grieved beyond the point of crying? God SEES YOUR TEARS. He hears your prayers. Don’t stop. Don’t give up. God is on your side. He sees what is going on. Trust Him. Keep your eye on Him. Keep praying. Follow His prompts. Receive His tender words that He sees you. He’s got this.
Heavenly Father, You who are enthroned on high but are also tender and compassionate toward us. You SEE OUR TEARS. You hear our prayers. Thank You. Help us mindfully watch and listen so we follow Your promptings.
If You Need Some Order in Your Life
Have you ever thought about how God is a God of “order”? If not, consider how God’s order is pointed out in Jeremiah 31:35. “‘Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed ORDER of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name.’” God is a God of order. He created order in the universe. He created order to our days, nights, and seasons. He created order in protons, neutrons, and electrons making up atoms. And of protons and neutrons being made of three quarks each. If you’re struggling to have order in your days, weeks, and years or order in your family, business, or ministry, call on God. Ask Him for wisdom for how to better order your life, family, days, and weeks. Begin each day with a prayer to the God of Order then walk in His counsel.
Heavenly Father, You are a GOD OF ORDER. Please order our days so we live faithful, full lives that bring You honor.
When We’re Wrong
Jesus is the one talking in Matthew 22:31-32. He has just told those who were asking Him questions that they were mistaken. Imagine that! Humans can have wrong thinking. What’s interesting is that Jesus then used the Old Testament to correct their thinking. “…regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB”? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” To those who think the Old Testament is irrelevant, please note that Jesus often quoted it as true, authoritative, and relevant. What did Jesus quote? That GOD IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD, BUT OF THE LIVING. Do you have a loved one who is no longer alive on earth? If so, be assured on the basis of Jesus’s words that your loved one is alive.
GOD of the LIVING, thank You for receiving our believing loved ones into Your presence. Thank You that we, too, will one day be alive in Your presence forever.
If You’re Feeling Lonely
Our day comes to an end. Our weekends come to an end. Vacations come to an end. Times with loved ones come to an end. But Psalm 90:2 assures us that one thing will never end: God. Consider the psalmist’s encouraging words. “Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” How reassuring! God is EVERLASTING. He existed before He “gave birth to the earth and the world.” He will exist no matter what happens to the earth and world. If you’re feeling a sense of loss or loneliness, or if it feels like everything in your world is changing too quickly, hold fast to God. He will not end. He will be with you forever.
Lord, You are the EVERLASTING GOD! We rejoice in Your everlasting presence with us.