Believe - Brooks and Dunn

What a beautiful touching song… BELIEVE!!!  I pray by the end of this song, and after you read His word, you’ll be singing “I Believe!” With your volume turned up, and your hands raised high, and who cares if everyone thinks you’ve gone crazy.

In case you've never seen this picture, It’s real, and it’s my car God chose to have this precious bird make it’s nest on. Some people saw this picture and thought the bird was fake, and I put it there, (go figure).  Some people just have a hard time believing anything. I also wrote a devotional about it that you could find in my blogs under the title of: Descending like a dove.

What is CHRISTmas without Christ? The manger in your front yard, or on your coffee table may be fake, but what happened, and what is written about the birth of Jesus in God’s word was very real. "You will find a baby... lying in a manger." (Luke 2:11-12)

I pray if you don’t have the Spirit alive in your heart and soul, that this CHRISTmas, you will open the most important gift waiting to be opened year after year, and you won’t find it under the tree.

Jesus was God’s gift to us. Some people believe, and some don’t. Jesus was not just a great prophet, as some people say. He is God in the flesh, who has come to be the light to all of this worlds darkness, and to free us from our sins. To make a way for us to the Father, and to have life everlasting. If you have never read John 1:1-18, The word became flesh.  John 3:16-21, God so love the World.  John 14: 1-14, Jesus confronts his disciples, READ IT!!!  If you've read it, read it again! God’s Word is life changing, and meant to change us into a new person. But don't take my word for it.

How do you keep from going crazy with all that goes on in this world? I can tell you how I do it, “I raise my hands, and I bow my head, I’m finding more and more truth of the words written in red!”

So my prayer for you this season, is you are more and more convinced of those words written in red.

I hope we can all impact people like old man Wrigley.

Merry CHRISTmas

Kim

Creed - Rich Mullins

I pray you believe EVERY WORD of this song. If you do, then, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hollowed be His name,” is the same Father.

Next time I hear a knock at my door, from Saturday visitors, I am going to welcome them to come in and have prayer before we have conversation.

Last Saturday I had those regular visitors that come, and before they left, I asked them if we could have prayer, and they said, “No, we have to leave.” I couldn't believe it. Who doesn't need prayer, or to just give thanks for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? I had to wonder if My Father is their father. When I closed the door, I asked God, “Why didn't they allow me to pray?” In my Spirit I sensed God say, “How did MY SON say to pray?” That’s when it hit me, “OUR FATHER,” may not be their father.  

I don’t like when I invite someone in and they point out everything that is wrong about the manger scene on my coffee table. What’s important is Jesus did come to save the world, and that’s what is important. I really don’t care what anyone thinks about when, or where, because, “I believe what I believe, it what makes me what I am. I did not make it, it is making me. It is the VERY TRUTH of God, and not the invention of any man.” I love talking about what matters to God, and that is that Jesus has made a way to the Father, He is "the way and the truth and the life."
(John 14:6).  Salvation is available to all WHO BELIEVE this truth.  After he speaks about the Resurrection of Christ, Paul reminds us that, "By this gospel you are saved." (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).  

There is a penalty for distorting the gospel...  Read about it in Galatians 1:6-9, especially the part about, "God's curse."  Stand firm for the truth you hold, and share what really matters.

People will ask you why you follow God, why we have so much hope.  Peter tells us, "be prepared to give an answer to everyone... But do this with gentleness and respect..." (1 Peter 3:15).  I am so thankful that God has prepared me with answers, and has given me a compassionate heart for the lost,(and Saturday visitors.) I will always welcome them into my home. They may think they are coming to teach you something, but God has another plan in mind. Remember, there is always a learner in the group. I know this because I have friends who have changed to Christianity because of hearing the truth, and the truth of God’s word would, "set [them] free."  Just like God’s word says in, John 8:25-32.

It is not us who do anything. It is God doing the work through us, and for His Glory, and that has to be our hearts intention. Don’t get mad at them, have compassion. They may come knocking at your door with a magazine to give you, but you hold the truth of Jesus to give them.

Remember... God ordains everything in our lives, including those annoying Saturday visits, and how He may be using you in that visit.

So instead of shooing them away, invite them in, and share the gospel. I hope some of these bible verses help you to share the truth with them.

Kim

Waiting here for You - Christy Nockels

Alleluia ---

In any song, I love when the word Alleluia is sung. It has so much meaning to me, and just makes my heart cry with GREAT THANKS to JESUS.

Do you admire Him, desire Him?  Love Him? Are you thankful for all the things He has done, will do, and is going to do, according to His will?

We live in such a fast-paced world. We want everything now. I mean look at the technology of phones now, people hold the whole world in their hands. Answers to almost anything, without waiting to go home to your computer. The microwave was invented to cook food faster. Most of us don’t even want to wait for water to boil, so we put it in the microwave, and still stand there tapping our foot.

Some things in this life we don’t have to wait for. But when it comes to prayer, most of us have waited years for answers. Some answers we might not receive until we see Jesus face to face. God has a plan, a purpose, and it’s His will in our life we should desire as hard as this may be.

Daniel 12:12, tells us, “Blessed is the one who waits.” Plead your case to God, be honest with Him about your weakness, and how hard it is. Then wait in faith, and in patience, and with, “hands lifted high, singing Alleluia” through the hard times, showing God you trust Him and His plan for you. Show Him your heart will stay fixed on Him no matter what. Proclaim to Him that He will STILL be your joy, your refuge, your salvation, and your strong tower!

Numbers 9:19-23, “When the cloud remained….the Israelites….did not set out.” Our Father will never keep us somewhere without His presence, or His daily supply from His word. Wait till the cloud clearly begins to move, then let His hand guide you. Move ahead bold and confident, taking every step in obedience.

“He’s everything He promised, His faithfulness is true.”

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1).  

Kim 

A Beer with Jesus - Thomas Rhett

If God is everywhere, and I believe He is, than Jesus would be glad to meet you right where you are at. Even if it is in a bar, needing someone’s help from that bar stool. Someone to talk to, instead of drowning out your problems. We are all sick, and in need of a healing.

Just like Jesus was judged by being with sinners, (including tax collectors, 

(Mark 2:15-17)) I guess a Christian would be judged for having a beer or 2 in the bar. But if a Christian wasn’t in the bar having a drink with sinners, how would we reach that one that may be calling out for help from that bar stool. (SELAH !)

As long as you are being led by the Spirit, and do not cause someone to stumble, we need to follow where Jesus leads. You could be a great witness to God’s strength when they ask you how you stop at 1 or 2 drinks. That’s your open door to tell them about Jesus.

I believe Jesus doesn’t mind where we go, if it is Him who sent us!

I truly believe that saying having a drink will lead to drunkenness, is like saying eating food will lead to gluttony. I like a glass of wine, or maybe even two, but I will not get drunk.  That's what the bible condemns.

Ephesians 5:18 - "Don't get drunk on wine... Instead, be filled with the spirit."

Proverbs 20:1 - "Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise."

Isaiah 5:11 - "Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks..."

Isaiah 5:22 - "Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,"

I believe what the bible says, and have asked Jesus to speak to my heart about it. I feel like "there is now no condemnation..." (Romans 8:1).  

We all have issues, our, "plank in [our] own eye," so let’s not judge anyone, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. (Matthew 7:4-5). 

Grace and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ to you

Kim