Go, and sin no more.

“We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. . . He is the [atonement] for our sins.” (1 John 2: 1-2).

We can be a slave to sin, or choose to turn from it. Sin cuts us from fellowship with our Holy God who wants to have communion with us, and for our joy to be full. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. We can’t go on sinning, and expect communion with Him.

Satan, the accuser is demanding a death penalty. But we have the best defense attorney in the universe pleading our case. Jesus, God’s Son, is our defender.

I heard a true story on Z88.3 the other day by Steve Brown, about President Lincoln. He had bought a slave girl, and after he did he told her, “Your free to go.” She was confused, and asked him, “Free to go, to do what I want, to go where I want?” He said, “Yes.” She said, “Then sir, I want to go with you.”

I just loved the image that gives. It reminds me of the story in the bible of the woman who was caught committing adultery in John 8. On the verge of getting stoned, Jesus freed her, and she was given a choice: He told her, “go, and sin no more.” (John 8: 3-11).  She was guilty of the sin, but Jesus was also showing the ones who condemned her, that if they were without sin, to cast the first stone. They all dropped their stones, and walked away.

None of us are without sin, and are in need of a Savior, , “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3: 23-24 NIV).  

Justified means to be declared not guilty. It is as though we never sinned. Redemption refers to Jesus setting sinners free from slavery to sin. In the old testament, a person’s debt could result in his being sold as a slave. The next of kin could buy his freedom.

Christ purchased our freedom, and the price was His life.

Don’t you want to go with Him? No longer being a slave to Sin? Acts 3:19 tells us to, “Repent then, and turn to God, so your sins may be wiped out,” (NIV).

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Wedding Day

There’s a stirring in the throne room, and all creation holds its breath. . .

Anyone who has ever been married, or attended a wedding, I’m sure you know what everyone can’t wait to see. . . the bride. Most brides are clothed in a beautiful white gown and everyone can’t wait to see her in it.  I’ve been to many weddings, and when the doors open for the bride to walk down to her groom, there is total silence. Most weddings, you even rise to your feet. The groom waits in anticipation, and before you know it, the two become one, “till death do you part.”

Jesus waits for His bride too, look in Ephesians: Jesus, (The groom) loves the church, (His bride). The church consist of all faithful believers, from all time, and he gave His life for her, “That he might sanctify and cleanse [her] with the washing of water by the word,” (Eph. 5:27).  This is a marriage of our hearts to Him. It is eternal. There is no “till death do you part,” no divorce, and no abandonment. It is now, and forever!

Jesus is in His throne room, waiting for His bride to become one with Him in our hearts, here on earth, and when He calls us home to be with Him forever. Revelations 19:7, Jesus will be standing there, waiting on the other side as the bridegroom, waiting to meet His bride, "For the marriage of the lamb has come," 

(2 Corinthians 5:21).  He saw the grand design He created when He breathed us into life. “He that has the bride is the bridegroom.” (John 3:29).

There is pain and heartache here on earth, one day He will set us free from it. The hands that bear the only scars in heaven, will touch your face. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes," (Revelations 21:4).  The clouds will roll back as He takes our hand, and walks us through the gates. Forever we will reign, on that, “wedding day!”

Marriage is a rewarding relationship here on earth, but if anyone tells you it’s not hard, they’re lying. It is rewarding though, when you work at it. The greatest reward to me personally, is how much I keep falling in love with the Jesus who teaches me how to love.

I can personally testify to the truth of a verse in this song. You may not hear the words you long to hear from your spouse often, but, “the words you long to hear are written on His face.” 

Look at the cross, Jesus, the lover of your heart says, “ I've loved you always," with His arms spread wide, "This much!”

You are beautiful to Him. Let that satisfy your longing.  Be set free!

Grace and peace to you

Kim

YES!!! I believe in God.

April 20th, 1999.  A horrible shooting occurred at Columbine High School. I will never forget it, just like 

9-11 and the Twin Towers, the death of so many, at the hands of the enemy.

We can’t stop evil, but we can show what, and WHO, we stand for, even in the face of death. “O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).  If you are a child of God, we can lose our lives here, but we will be with Him forever. WE WIN!!!!!!!

Those 2 boys, so lost, and so full of evil, so unhappy with life, went on a shooting rampage in their high school, killing as many as they could. I can’t even imagine the horror of those students, hiding, and running for their lives. Then if they found you, they killed you anyway. They found Cassie, hiding, and praying, and then they asked her if she believed in God. She said yes, and they shot her. Satan thought he won, but God turned it out for good.

I choose to believe that Cassie was looking right into Jesus’ face, with His arms out to her, and her ready for Him, and home, instead of the barrel of that gun.

There were many songs, by different Christian artist, written about this horrible shooting. The song I attached has always been my favorite. Over 70,000 people turned out for this service. The bible tells us that: 

“Ye  thought evil against me; but God meant it [for] good… to save [many] people.” (Genesis 50:20). Many died to this world, but now many will one day see heaven when they die, because they turned their lives around. All because of the wonderful legacy Cassie left behind, and her powerful response in the face of death. There was many other heroes, like teachers who died trying to save the students. Many will be remembered, and I don’t believe this shooting will ever be forgotten.

Satan loves to cause as much harm in this world as he can, but I say, “To God be the Glory,” when lives are turned around for the good, after such an evil act.

"Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." (Philippians 1:20).  Jesus so completely won her heart, that it beat alone for Him, not ashamed, not the fear of death, but full of courage. To His Glory she lived, and in defense of the Gospel, she died.

When I hear this song, it always makes me think, “what would I say in the face of death?” I could only hope, and pray, that the YES in my heart, would flow from my lips.  “  If any man will come after me, let him deny himself. . .  whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25).  In my heart, I would rather die, then say no and just go on living.

When we lose this life, (our old self) He gives us new life in return, on earth, and in heaven when we die.

I’m not ready to die yet, but I am ready for Jesus whenever, and however, He calls me home.

Cassie was ready, I’m ready, I hope you are, because there is a lot of evil in this world. God can’t stop people’s evil choices, and who you are going to serve?  I can only tell you, one day He is coming to put an end to it, I hope you have a peace inside of knowing you’ll be with Jesus.

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Stomp! The Devil won't steal my joy!

Wrap your hands around your Spiritual bat, and HIT that devil right at the kneecaps. Are you with me?

When we get in our cars to go somewhere, it's the law to buckle our seatbelt. It just may save your life. But it is a choice we have to make.  A friend of mine came to work the other morning and his lip, and top of his head was bleeding. He had gotten in an accident on the way to work. I asked him if he had his seatbelt on. He said he has it buckled 24/7. . . behind him, and sits on it.

I thought to myself, wow, that’s what some people do with Jesus. He’s always behind them, and everything else they want to do is first. Jesus is here for us, wanting to protect us, and lead us daily. Yet a lot of us put Him behind us.

Seatbelts are made for our safety, and so is God’s word. "take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day," (Ephesians 6:13).  We take our chance everyday out in this world, without clothing our self with Jesus Christ and his, "armour of light." (Romans 13:12). “the whole world [lies] in wickedness." (1 John 5: 19).

Just as I know, it’s a fact that seatbelts can save you, I know it’s a fact - and truth - that my Father in heaven wants to protect me.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Our protector, and deliverer, 

“We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. . .  For I [know] that neither death, nor life. . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God,” (Romans 8: 37-39). I don’t leave home without my belt of truth, my breastplate, my feet fitted, my shield, my helmet, and my sword. Now I’m ready for the battles that will come every day. God’s armor brings victory. It’s so much more than protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Himself. His life surrounds you, and keeps you safe in Him.

We can’t expect to be safe in our car without our seatbelt around our waist. Some accidents are really bad, and you still may get very hurt, but you may come out with your life. That’s why it’s a law, but your choice.

God offers us safety too, but not the absence of pain, because of this world we live in. But if you wear the name of Jesus, you will come out with your life!

1 Peter 4:12-16

So when you go out to drive on the roads, that lead to your destination, Buckle up. (Selah)

Grace and peace to you

Kim

For the Love of You. . .

Is your heart breaking?  Do you feel all used up sometimes, lonely, wanting to feel alive again?

Because of Him I’m alive. It’s because of His sacred heart within me beating, that makes me feel so alive every day, even in the bad, and lonely times.

Some people have a casual relationship with Jesus. They see him when they want, and call on Him when they want. They praise Him in the good times, and get mad at Him in the bad times. That’s not love, that’s love with conditions. That’s got to break His heart, especially when He loves us under any condition.  Casual, conditional relationships, usually do break someone’s heart.

It’s like when growing up, in those dating game years and someone’s heart always got broken because one cared more than the other. Someone told you how much they loved you, and you believed them with your whole heart, and gave a part of yourself away. That really hurts! I think a lot of us have experienced that horrible feeling at least one time in our life. Some of us experience that even now in our own marriages.  There is only ONE who cares for you more than anyone in your life. I am giving my whole self, my whole heart, to the only ONE who won’t break it, My King of Kings!!!! My only Prince charming, who charms me, and gives me lovers goose bumps EVERY DAY.  I won’t just have a casual relationship with the only One who can be, and is, my everything - JESUS!!!

In today’s generation, it seems like casual sex is no big deal. I try to teach the younger generation, and some even older, that are still chasing after dead end relationships, that there’s only one worth chasing after. But if we would just stay still long enough, we would realize He’s been there the whole time waiting for us to notice Him. He is trying to get your attention, even in your lonely marriage. Look to Him, and don’t take your eyes off Him to how someone else is treating you. There with Him, and only in Him, you will find acceptance, and be loved unconditionally.

"Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much." (Luke 7: 47).  When you experience God’s love and forgiveness, He will make you feel so alive and accepted; captivating you by who He is, and how He moves. What other love can take your brokenness and turn it into innocence? Like she says in the song, "I watched you carve streets of gold, from the sand and gravel." He will become the only road on that big highway you’ve been traveling that you will want to take. He is the only road that leads to glory.

I pray He becomes your deepest longing, and you see Him everywhere, and in everything. Then everything you do, will be for the love of Jesus.  The book of Matthew tells us: "seek ye first the kingdom of God. . . and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33).  Life starts to make sense when we get the order right.

Be that sky on fire.

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Set the world on fire.

There is a fire that burns inside of you for Jesus.  Once you’ve invited Him to make a home in your heart, it’s a fire that you'll want burning forever bright, for Him. You may feel small, but He is BIG enough. He gives you joy, "that your joy might be full."  (John 15: 11).

One of Jesus' commands was to love others, even our enemies.  "bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." (Matthew 5:44).  If we love as Jesus loved, and pray for our enemies, our joy will be complete. I spell JOY  like this: 

Love Jesus first, and do as He commands.  

Love, Others. 

Love Yourself.  

Jesus wants to carry all your burdens so you can have Joy complete. "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30).

We have to remember something very important so we don't get stuck at O: loving others. It's that you can’t change anyone but yourself. Stop trying, move on and keep your Joy.  It hurts to see people, especially family members, who don’t see Jesus for who He is. But if you’ve done as He commands -  told them about Him, love and pray for them - you have to leave them on His potter’s wheel and trust Him. You don’t make them see anything anyway; God is the one who opens their eyes to the truth, and sometimes it's through circumstances brought on by their own choices and stubbornness.

Take the story in Numbers 22: 21-34. Great story of how God used a donkey and an angel, to try and turn someone in the right direction. Sometimes, I feel like that beaten donkey: God uses you to try to protect someone from dangers they don’t see or don't even want to see. So why even do it?  Your love and obedience to Jesus, is reason number one. Your love for Others, (them included) is reason number two. Reason number three is for Yourself.  Satan loves to keep whispering in your ear, trying to keep you from the joy Jesus wants you to have.  Do all that God leads you to do, and let go "[Cast] all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 

(1 Peter 5:9).

Remember, after telling people the truth of God's word, "if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you." (Matthew 10:13).  Now as God’s word says in Rom. 1:20, "they are without excuse.” 

“[Since] they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a [depraved] mind.” (Romans 1: 28).  Not God’s choice, not your choice, but theirs. It doesn't mean you or God doesn't love them.  

Don’t keep getting beaten up, and don’t stop setting the world on fire, many will respond.

Grace and Joy to you

Kim

Everything you do. . .

It matters… Do Everything you do to bring a smile to His face, for His glory.  Then you have a story of grace.

13 days into the New Year. Do you feel new yet, have things changed, or are you still stuck in your old self the way Mat. 9:16-17 describes? God wants you to change, even if things don’t. You could have a new year, new day, new calendar for 2012. What does it matter, if you still have the old mind set, and attitude. Consider yourself stuck in 2011.

We are at January 13^th already, and I am still reminded every day, I have to surrender everything to God, EVERYTHING, to keep my peace, and joy. This has been my mind set for the New Year, that I try very hard to keep.

I can step into the door of my work office, and some days I will lose it as soon as I look at work that should have been shared by a co-worker.

When God says to surrender, He means surrender everything. Even those attitudes of the flesh, “I don’t get paid for that,…well they didn’t, so I’m not.” If you have a job, consider yourself blessed, and work in thanks. Don’t worry about what someone else does, or doesn’t do. Remember God sees everything you do. Keep doing it for the glory of Him, and who you are in Him. Don’t stoop to a lower level, because you will feel as low as you stoop. Stay on higher Ground with your God. Let Him lead your attitude there too.

A friend of mine came in the office this morning to visit just at the right time. I was frustrated, and explained to her why. She just said, a few small words ( “two wrongs, don’t make a right” ) that put me right back on track. Not to mention, the perfect song was playing, that I have above for you to hear. God puts things in such perfect order. He certainly brought me right back to where he wants me to stay. I have tried to have a better mind set everyday on things, as Ephesians 6: 11 says, Satan loves to get in the mix and make your day miserable.

God wants you to stay focused on Him. He has the power to do anything, even, "Take up the stumbling block[s] out of the way..." (Isaiah 57:14.)   You may trip up at times, but you will get back up again.  I know if I continue to look at what someone else does, thinking, “Doesn't anyone see what’s going on?” That all doesn't matter.  I will not have the joy God wants to give me for each day. I want God’s attention, no one else’s, and I know I have His, and He WILL take care of things. Even if it’s just making me a better child of His.

We will face two enemies every day, our carnal nature, and the devil. So as 1 Corinthians 15: 31 says, “die everyday.”

"So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:8.)

P.S. . . I thank God for the people He puts in my day at the perfect time when I can’t see straight. Thank you, my friends.

Keep you peace for the whole year. Renew your Mind !!!

Kim

Can't Get Over You.

When I look at these young men singing for Jesus, and not about their girlfriends, it just melts my heart.

There’s nothing I love more than to see men in love with Jesus. I’m a mom of 2 girls who are now married, and it’s always been my prayer that they would be with men that have a heart for God. I know if they are, they will truly be loved unconditionally. They will have their struggles, but they will know how to get over it.

God loves like no other. It has nothing to do with anything that we do. Time, and time again He forgives us. Marriages today have faded from the way it should be. It’s become so easy to just leave, verses persevere through the good and the bad times.

When these guys are singing that verse, “Hold me closer, I don’t want to lose this moment,” you can really see their passion for Jesus. The words to this song make a beautiful prayer to our Lord. It truly is words of a love relationship, that must really please God’s ears to hear from His children.

In the arms of our Father, only Grace can be found. He changes you from the inside out. His love stays the same, even through the good, and the bad times. His love for us is unconditional, and His patience is endless. Sometimes our love can sway up and down for God. Loving Him in good times, and questioning Him in the bad. Throughout the history of the bible, and even now, we His children disobey, but He’s always willing to accept us back - open arms. How precious the grace of God. How are we showing Him thanks with this life He’s given us?  How can we ever get over a love like His, or at least seek being loved like the God of the bible who says, "I am the Lord, I change not. . ."  (Malachi 3:6).   He loves us, and He never changes.

  

Psalm 34:8 says we must, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” 'Taste and see' is an invitation. We have to take the first step. Once you’ve done that, you can’t help but discover how good and kind God is.  Then you have to choose to keep growing up in Christ. Once you see your need for God’s word, and Jesus in your life, you want to keep growing up spiritually, and your heart will begin to sing, “Your love has covered me, and now I can’t get over You.”

What beautiful words to our lovers heart.

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Welcome Home

“Welcome home Jesus, because I can’t make this place all that You can.” Great powerful words!

Jesus can’t make your home all He wants’ it to be, if you don’t invite Him beyond the welcome mat.

 “Behold. I stand at the door and knock.” (Revelations 3:20.)

Not everyone I know, knows where the key to my house is. Most of my family does, and Jesus is my immediate family member. I gave Him the Master key to my house, when I was about 35 years old. And He’s been my interior decorator ever since.  “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord.”  (Colossians 2:6).

Don’t stop there. Keep inviting Him deeper into your life, into every room of your house. He knows the mess anyway, but He is a gentleman, and will not go where He is not invited. He’s waiting on you to invite Him in, and sit with you a while. You may wonder at times why you feel so lonely, depressed, still defeated by problems. You have to invite Him past the front door of your life. If you only give Him 10 percent, 90 percent will still be a mess.

It’s like when you move into a new home. You don’t leave the walls bear, or the floors dirty. You decorate little, by little until everything is the way you want it. Well that is just what Jesus wants to do with the house He’s invited into, and that’s you, if you let Him.

Let Him in to decorate, “To spread His Love upon the walls, and occupy the empty halls, until who you are has faded, and no more doors are barricaded.”

He wants a relationship with you. Not just an occasional visit. He wants the Master key. You can tell how close you are to Jesus, by how far you allow Him in to sit with you each day. He’s in my house to stay. He is a better interior decorator than I am anyway.

You want to know the most amazing thing about that? You don’t have to pay Him, He paid in full already!

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Reborn

Well it’s a New Year , and a lot of land to cross. The change starts inside you.

I always hear the same resolutions every year. The ones I hear the most are exercise, and diet. The other is getting closer to God. I hope this song motivates you to do both. 

Our spiritual situation, and what we choose to believe, affects every area of our life, giving us victory or defeat in whatever land you are crossing, “but you know Him, for He [lives] with you and shall be in you.” (John 14:17).  Not just knowing Jesus by theory, or mental knowledge, but by experience, because He’s in you. So wherever you are weak, look to 2 Cor. 12:10, He is strong.  You have to have faith in all things and believe that nothing is too hard for God, for, “without faith it is impossible to please [God.]” (Hebrews 11:6).

The change starts from inside you by knowing the truth of God’s word. “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).  Do you feel tired, unmotivated? Ask Jesus to strengthen you, and in your way of thinking. Stop making excuses, and do what’s good for you, now and for your future. Do you want to posses the land of exercise and good health? It comes down to changes, and choices that we have to make. Doing a workout video in the morning before everyone gets up. Or going for a walk at lunch break. Let someone watch the little ones for 1 hour after work so you can do something for you. It will do you all more good than you realize. Make changes in your eating, like grilled instead of fried. No mayo, or cheese on a burger, and of course, no fries or soda. No heavy carbs at night when your body doesn’t need them for energy, they just get stored, and turn to fat. If you keep making excuses, you are on a path of health destruction, instead of victory. Satan just loves that. But you have Jesus, (and weight watchers free on line).

It’s a New Year, go forward with God and take possession of your land by faith. Follow Him with all your heart and mind, Deuteronomy 1:36. There is, and always will be mountains and valleys in whatever your land is, but it is a land your God cares for, and His eyes are continually on it from the beginning of the year, to its end, Deuteronomy 10: 11-12.

So go ahead by faith, and take possession of your land - health, job, children, husband, wife, wanting a child, God’s eyes are on it all. We can’t see all God sees, we just need to trust Him.

You want something more? You’ve got to believe.

God’s grace and strength to you

Kim

Beautiful to Me

Even though there is still so much I don’t understand of God’s Holy mystery, I stand in awe of how He makes everything so beautiful to me. The suffering and the crucifixion of Jesus was something He didn't deserve, but God had a plan and a purpose for us all. Through Jesus, our broken lives were given what we needed. He didn’t hold back one breath; He even gave His last one so we would live.

In the Old Testament, people offered animals as a sacrifice for their sins.  “We all like sheep have gone astray, each one of us have turned to his own way...”    
(Isaiah 53:6).

Here, Isaiah speaks of Israel straying from God and compares them to wondering sheep: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.”  

(Isaiah 53:7).   Here Jesus offers Himself for our sins. He is the lamb, bearing all our sins, making us acceptable to God. What can we say to such Love? How will you respond?

In John 1:29, Jesus was with the people, and they witnessed all that He did, and some still rejected Him, still today they reject Him, or they follow with half their heart.

The death of Christ had, and has, a purpose. He reaches down through His sacrifice, holding our fragile lives. The aching, and longing in your heart, has a plan and purpose. If you would just let Jesus in to use it.
Just as His hands built heavens halls, He’s making you so beautiful. He will hold your wounded heart, and “...finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”  (James 1:2-4). 

Grace and peace to you
Kim

"Let faith arise..." And dance!

There are days I have to remember to lift my eyes to the problem solver, not the problem.

Have you ever had those days where you are saying, “God where are you?”  He didn't go anywhere. We are the ones who are looking at everything else that takes our eyes off Him. The devil's greatest joy is when he accomplishes this. As much as God has brought me through, and as long as I have been serving Him, this doesn't mean I won’t have troubles. It is just a part of being human, and living in this world, that can bring many troubles. We are always in need of our Savior as long as we are still here.

What could make us feel any more secure than Psalm 121, which tells us the Lord and maker of heaven and earth watches over you  and will not slumber...

I read God’s word every day, yet I still can have moments where I look away. I use to be in that dark pit for days. Now the pit isn’t as deep, or as dark.

I am so thankful for God in my life. I don’t know how people do it without Him.  I remember when I was a little girl my dad use to take my hands, and put my feet on top of his and dance with me. I didn't know the moves he was going to make to the beat of the music, but he did because he has been dancing a long time before I was born.  Well if we let Him, our Father in heaven wants to teach us His moves through life, if we would just trust Him with it.

So I give my Father in heaven my hands and feet every day. Sometimes I don’t like the song he’s dancing me through, but I trust Him.
 
Grace and peace to you… I hope you dance
Kim

Glory Baby. Psalm 34:18.

Psalm 34:18, God is close to the brokenhearted.

There are so many baby stories. Some happy, some sad, some we don’t understand. There are women who would be great moms but can’t have any, for reasons only God knows and holds in heaven. There are moms who we think should have never been allowed to have that precious gift. There are some who have had miscarriages, or who only held them for a moment.

I knew a woman who had carried full term, then held her baby only for a few minutes before she went back to Jesus. Some problem the doctors detected in her early months of carrying. She had no thoughts of aborting, and left it in God’s hands. Today, she writes wonderful things on facebook about her faith.

A friend of mine during her early months, had a doctor tell her that her baby only had a 1% chance of surviving. She told her doctor, “My God works with 1%.”  She has a healthy baby girl, and named her Grace. What faith.

So many stories of faith, hope, and strength. My daughter is one of them. I remember when she came and told us she was pregnant with my grandson, not very long after she had lost her little one to a miscarriage. I never heard her question anything.  All I saw was the strength and hope to try again.

The only comfort found in the loss of a child, is also found in the song below: Jesus will hold them before we do. We can only imagine what Heaven's lullabies must sound like. Rest in knowing that heaven is their home, and it’s all they’ll ever know.

For those who have been trying, Gods word says that, “all things work together for good,” (Romans 8:28).  We have to trust and believe the Creator God knows what’s best for us.

I know we look at those who have abused or killed their babies, but God is handling that too:
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." (Proverbs 15:3).
"[does] He who formed the eye not see?"  (Psalm 94:9).

Leave things in God’s hands, and never cease praying.

For those who may have had an abortion, remember there is grace and forgiveness in His blood, if you believe.
 
Grace and Peace
Kim

"Remind Me Who I Am."

We all have expectations on how we should be treated and spoken to. That’s why we need to remember who we are and how we reflect Jesus.  God allows difficult and hurtful people into our lives so we can reflect Him, and not our flesh attitudes. This is very hard to do because the natural thing to do when someone hurts you is to get even. That is not what God’s word tells us to do.

Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”  At the end of the day, it’s between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

It breaks God’s heart when even His own children can tear people apart inside, or take a step back from Him and the work He is doing in them. We need to be very careful where our flesh can take our mouths. Remember the bible says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” And, “pierce like a sword.”  

(Prov. 18:21; 12:18)

You may have been the one hurt, or you may be the one God is using for that difficult person who, because of being so broken down by words, and how they are treated by someone in their lives, really don't know who they are. Teach them about Jesus by your actions, and speech. That their identity doesn't depend on something they've  done.  It’s who they are in Jesus Christ. The more they agree with God about their identity in Christ, the more content they will become with themselves. 

Remember, don’t let them trip over you, on their way to Jesus.  If it doesn't have to do with salvation, let it go. Things like how they dress, tattoos, piercings, who they’re dating, things like that will all come in time with their growing in Jesus.

Jesus died for all of us. When you’ve made that step, and given yourself to Jesus, and now belong to the family of God, remember Ephesians 4:30 “and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.”  We are all far from perfect, we are all a work in progress, “And our righteous acts are as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6).  We are all impure, and saved by the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ. In Him, and in Him ALONE, we are made perfect. Understanding who we are in Jesus, is what gives us a strong foundation to build our life on.

Here’s a few scriptures from God’s word to tell others, and remind ourselves...

“Who I am to Jesus.” (1 John 3:3).  

I am loved.

"To the praise of the glory of his grace," (Ephesians 1:6).  

I am accepted.

"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,"  (Colossians 1:13-14).  

I am forgiven.

"Behold, all things are become new."  (2 Corinthians 5:17).  

I am a new creation through Jesus.

Because of Jesus, and His death for me on the cross alone, I am forgiven and loved.  May we all pray 

Psalm 19:14:

“May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight oh Lord.”

Grace and peace to you

Kim

Be Blessed... Watch and listen.

Mountains and valleys will come this year. Listen…Watch….Be Blessed !!!

Let my words be few, because this says it all !!!!!!

Kim

A strange way to save the world.

I read a true story from devotional writer, Ron Hutchcraft, the other morning.

When he was a little boy, he and his whole family didn’t have Jesus in their lives. Ron said there was room in his parents’ life for drinking, gambling, and arguing, but no room for Jesus, they were all spiritually nowhere. Then came the night his baby brother was rushed to the hospital, and never came home.

After such heartbreak and questions, Ron’s dad decided to take him to church, only his dad would wait in the car. One Sunday, Ron asked Jesus in his heart and after service, he ran out to tell his dad . It wasn’t long after his dad went to church with him and also asked Jesus in his heart. Then after that his mom followed. Ron said he got a brand new mom and dad, all because his baby brother died. He said he understood as a little boy, that the death of his baby brother helped lead his whole family to Jesus.

It’s hard to understand, and answer all the questions of suffering and pain, but it truly is in those times that you cry out, and God runs to you. You might say what a strange way to save a family, but then you would also have to say, what a strange way God chose to save the world. Through the death of His only Son.

Jesus came into this world as a baby to grow up and show us who His Father is through Him, John 14: 8-10. He showed us what true love, and obedience is, John 15: 9-13.

I find comfort in knowing this world is not the end, or Jesus wouldn’t have told us that, John 14: 1-4. God will never give up on trying to get our attention. Yes, sometimes it is through heartache and pain.

I pray you know, and believe the truth of Christ, and keep Christmas in your heart all year through. He died for our sins, past , present , and future.

Happy New Year.

God’s grace and peace to you

Kim

The only hope... Prov 17:1

Proverbs 17:1 - “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet, than a house full of feasting with strife.”

Some days I just want to run from everything. There are times I want to put up a good fight for what I think is right for me. Sometimes I think my anger and what I’m fighting for is worth it at the time.

Then I get this pressure inside me, that causes me to lose my peace. I know God is trying to get my attention. I try sometimes to ignore it because the fight feels good at the time, but He keeps telling me, “I’m much better off in His hands than mine.”  So give up the fight, it’s not worth what I’m causing inside me, and what I’m reflecting.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Pick and choose your battles.”  When battles are for things you want (monetary things), having your way, then they are your battles. You will always sink, and regret what it causes in you and to others. Plus the fact that you probably didn’t look much like Jesus when you were arguing. Things of God, I will fight about, like how I’m treated and spoken to as a wife, mother, and so on. Things that break His heart, He will fight for you.

Sometimes after what I thought was worth arguing about, I lose touch with God, and peace. That’s a good clue it wasn’t a battle God was fighting with me. I usually say, “Where are you God?” and He says, “No... where were you?”  Then I get this voice again inside me saying, “Now you need to go and apologize.” I say to myself, “you got to be kidding me.” But as clear as day, I know, that I know I was wrong. It wasn’t worth fighting for. I sure didn’t look like Jesus, and I need to humble myself.

That’s a beautiful place to be, when you’re open to where God is taking you, and changing you. He wants to hold on tight to you, and give to you the feast of who He is… not the crumbs you fight for. Proverbs 15:15… “But the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”  We can choose our attitudes over any situation. So before you lose it, examine what you allow to take you to that place where you will regret what it does “inside you.” Our attitudes and actions color our whole personality.

God has so much more for us. What He does inside us is worth so much more than, “things.” We have to come to a point where we realize, we’re much better off with what He has for us.

There are many days I beg Him to hold tight, to take my life from me (my wants). He is the only hope for me. I’ll never want for more.

Grace and peace to you

Kim