Tuesday, August 26, 2014

To know You (what would you say in the face of death) Casting Crowns

 
I know this song by heart, love it with all my heart, but can’t sing this one line with all my heart. “To know You, is to never give in or COMPROMISE.”
 
After seeing all that is going on in Iraq with the Isis terrorist, I asked myself, “what would I say if I was told to deny or die?” First I pray for their dark souls to see Jesus. Than I had thoughts of the horrific things they do. What if they had my children, or grandchildren, or any of my family members. I mean, I am just being honest. I’m not afraid of death, but the things that I have been reading and seeing, I had to ask myself, would I be like Peter in the face of death and fear?” Oh how I pray that I would have the grace that I would need to face death if it ever was to come to facing it in that matter. I don’t think I could live with the heartache of denying my Jesus. “To know “You” is to never worry for my life.
 
There is a sign at my location at Disney that says: We exist to have a place to fulfill our need, to make a lasting difference in the lives of our fellow cast members and guest.  I looked at this every day for a few months and wondered, how can I use this statement to glorify God? Here ya go: Christians still exist because our purpose is to advance the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. To make an eternal difference in the lives of those who choose to believe.
If you’ve read the books of Acts, read them again. It will amaze you on how it sounds so much like today in Iraq and the Isis terrorists killing Christians. As you get into chapters 3-8, you will see that NOTHING, NOTHING, not severe beatings, being put in prison, not even staring in the face of death stopped the gospel of Jesus from advancing to all the earth. Acts 2: 7 “And the Lord added to the church DAILY those who were being saved.” Acts 4, you will read how the Priest and Sadducees were greatly disturbed that the disciples teachings of Jesus and His resurrection was being spread. Verse 17 you read how they severely threatened them to speak no more of Jesus.
The world and Satan will try to stop us, but because it is God’s purpose to go forth with the truth we hold, we can’t be stopped. Acts 5: 17 you read again how they put the disciples in prison, but at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors. Verse 39 “but if it is of God, you CANNOT overthrow it.” Even after beatings and being thrown in prison, Acts 6: 7 “the number of the disciples multiplied”…
Acts 7: 54-60 They stoned Steven to death. It goes on and on, but not even death stopped the spread of the gospel, it only furthered it more! What does that tell you? To me, evil is used as an instrument to show only God’s strength in us. When we are weak, He is strong. God word is proven truth!!
 
We have it made compared to other countries. We don’t want to offend anyone…. Really? Christians are being beheaded, starved, beaten, children killed in front of their parents. Can you imagine this horror? YET, they will not turn from what they believe. 2 Timothy 3: 12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus WILL SUFFER persecution.” It’s a given, God said it, so following Jesus won’t ever be easy. You can’t read the bible and think it ever would be.
We see terrible things happening. Satan’s plan then and now, is to stop the church. Matthew 10: 28 As Christians we know that they can “kill the body, but cannot kill the soul.” Philippians 1: 21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
It’s really a win, win situation. Let us live, and we will preach Jesus everywhere! Kill us, and we spread the gospel through our death. We win in life or death. IN your FACE SATAN!! We praise You Jesus and the power of Your Spirit!
 
Oh God, how we need Your grace not to fear when death is knocking at our door. Give us a deep confidence in Your word. We know that Your hand ordains everything, and everything is for Your glory to advance the gospel, be it in life or death. Those who persecute, are only instruments used by You to further Your Kingdom. We pray for all that is going on in the world. We hold on to Your comforting promises God, and we believe that, Psalm 46: 1-11 You are our refuge and strength, a VERY PRESENT help in trouble.” I truly can testify to this over, and over, and over again! It also makes it easier to go through this world knowing that it is only temporary. Eternity will be with You.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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Monday, August 18, 2014

My God is Awesome... Charles Jenkins

 
Let me tell you why I feel so many goose bumps rise, and tears flow from my eyes when I sing this song, “My God is Awesome” First of all, I mean it with ALL MY HEART!!! I know my life has a purpose, and for how long, only God knows. But I know He loves me, even if all my prayers aren’t answered while I’m on this earth.
 
As I grow in my relationship with Jesus, and have been in the hard waiting areas, I see now that God was always true to His promises. It didn’t feel at all like that in the beginning of my walk with Him.  I remember reading scripture like, 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” Or Romans 8:28 “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” All I remember saying sometimes is, “really God?” Shaking my fist at Him and crying out, “where are You in this.? Why don’t I feel any of these promises in Your word?” Well, all I can tell you is I never gave up on God and seeking Him for His truth. For some reason, I never questioned His love.  I know that He had BIG shoulders, and deep down inside I felt that He was hurting with me. He showed me that He cries with me and understands my questions and pain in John 11: 35.
 
I love the story of Lazarus in John 11, who was sick and even died because Jesus delayed in going to Mary and Martha even though He loved them all so much. As you seek God, and read the stories in the bible, you begin to have a better understanding of things that happen in life that cause pain and heartache and why He delays sometimes. We have to remember, we all have been called according to His purpose, and His will.   The question we should all ask ourselves is, are we willing to be used by God? Will we allow Him to use us, or our loved one to glorify Who He is? Even Jesus prayed for His Father to take the cup from Him if He was willing, Luke 22:42.  Jesus knew what pain He was going to go through. He was so scared, He sweat blood, but He wasn’t going to give up.
 
Jesus says in verse 4 of John 11, “This sickness is not unto death, but for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” But even death of a believer can bring God glory, because many can come to Christ by seeing the strength and faith of the one who is dying. It’s a strength that we all need, and you would think, most of us want in times of weakness. I’ve seen it, and it truly has made my faith stronger and fear of dying less. Matt from my church died a few years ago at a young age. He was a husband and a father of 3, and helped many of us to see that it’s not what Jesus will do for you. He didn’t heal Matt of his cancer, and He may not heal you or a loved one of some illness or condition, but God is still good. God just calls some of us home earlier than others. Matt’s life and death brought much glory to God. I know He never questioned God’s love either. He talked much about Who Jesus is, and what He’s already done for us. He died for the sins of us all. If you are a believer of this, and He is Lord of your life, you rest in knowing the promise that Jesus said, He has prepared a place for us, John 14: 2-3. To me, this is the ultimate promise that keeps believers running this race on earth to the finish line, and to bring as many with us as God puts in our path. This pain we go through, and this world we live in is only temporary.
 
So why did Jesus delay in going to Martha and Mary? He also said to his disciples “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.” Jesus not only healed Lazarus, He raised him from his death. Nothing is impossible for Him, but, God is more concerned in growing our faith than making us comfortable. The hard waiting times, when God seems far away, can enlarge our view on Who He is if we would continue to trust and believe. He is a God Who loves us more than we know, and wants us to know Him as a loving Father. His power is available to us all in dealing with things that are devastating.  I believe that is why He delayed.
Until we come to understand and believe at our deepest and innermost level that God is love, we will struggle with trusting Him. When we continue to believe that God is love, even when we don’t see or feel it, that is when we grow more and more spiritually.  Verse 45 of John 11 says, MANY had seen the things that Jesus did that day and believed in Him. But some went away and plotted  to put Him to death, verse 53. Why, after all they witnessed would they want to kill Him. That is something that I will never understand, just like now, how many people hate Christians, and some countries are forcing many to convert or die. But the bible tells us, that is what will be in this world. This just proves to me more and more that my faith is real, it’s love!!! We don’t kill anyone who doesn’t want to convert to Christianity, we love and pray for them.
 
There is SO MUCH to be spoken to our hearts in this story. It hits home for me because I’ve been there, in the grieving and questioning like Mary and Martha many times in my life. I’ve seen God heal when I thought it was near the end, when doctors had another plan. I’ve seen Him fight for my marriage when I wanted to give up. I’ve seen God bring some of my lost loved ones to salvation. I see how He provides all my needs, not wants. I see how prayers are unanswered, yet I still have peace. God is good, ALL the time. I pray you will grow in your relationship with Him to see that.
 
So I sing…… “My God is Awesome. He can move the mountains. Heals me when I’m broken, strength where I am weakened. PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Here is a quote written from honorbound.org>>>>>>>>What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe?
 
Sadly, the signs don't always bring faith. Those who are determined not to believe always need more proof.
 
Our response to a miracle can reveal our level of self-centeredness. When we refuse to believe, we realize that in matters of faith, seeing isn't believing. But for those who choose to see, the evidence is overwhelming. So perhaps the best question isn't "what has Jesus done for you?" Rather, we should be asked, "what have those great moments taught you to believe?"
 
 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Valley-Devotionals/508413785852066
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
 


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Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Cross... My hope America.. Billy Graham

 
This is such a GREAT message. I hope you can take 28 minutes out of your schedule to view this. If not, I pray that God clears your schedule of  28 minutes and 52 seconds to be exact. Just listen, and OPEN YOUR HEART!
 
There truly is no life outside of Jesus Christ.
 Quote: Why is the cross so offensive?......Well,  It confronts us all, and we all are going to have to face it now or later. It directly confronts the evils that dominates so much of this world. It demands a new life style in all of us. To give up control of our life to Jesus.
 
I love what Billy Graham says about the atomic bombs. That it’s not so much the atomic bombs that are dangerous, but the human hearts in back of the bombs. Filled with envy, hate, strife, greed and lust. This is what pulls the trigger.
 
Please take the time to listen, and share it on your face book. Get this message out there. We all need a refreshing!
Just 28 minutes and 52 seconds.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Monday, August 11, 2014

Let them see You..... JJ Weeks

 
Love this song!!!  So short, but packed with TRUTH and PASSION!!
 
“Take away everything about me Jesus, and “Let them see You” in me. This is truly my heart’s desire even though I fail You every day somehow. I thank You for the conviction of the Holy Spirit that breaks my heart every time I do.”
 
I consider myself just an ordinary person. I think most of us feel that way about ourselves. But just ordinary is what God loves to use. God uses ordinary people who fell head over heels in love with Jesus.
 
I love what Jesus asks Peter in John 21:17, “Do you love me?” He ask him this not once, but three times. I remember wondering why did Jesus ask him this same question three times. If you go on to read the rest of the verse Jesus says, …. “Then feed my sheep.” In my opinion, if we have experienced this magnificent love of our Savior, we want to feed as many as we can, out of our love for Him. He didn’t say to Peter, “now that you know enough about me, go feed My sheep.” He said if you love me “then feed My sheep.”
 
We may not be any Billy Graham, but we are still useful to God if we have the love of Jesus to offer this world. Love attracts people in my opinion, more than knowledge. Yes God wants us to seek knowledge, but as you seek knowledge you can’t help but see the love of our Savior. Without love, 1 Corinthians 13: 1 says, “I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Without love for God and people, our knowledge is of no use to God. To say or to do good to others without the compassionate heart of God, and out of love for Him alone, is of no use to anyone.
 
All Jesus ever said was to follow Him. For me personally, I’ve found my Purpose, have you? Are you following Him? We all have a purpose here. To follow Jesus in His ways, to love our enemy, but to hate what is evil, and to go out and feed His sheep.
 
 
Oh how I pray Father “Let them see You” in me. Not just when it’s easy, but in the hard ugly times too.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

I don't wanna go.... Avalon

 
You can call it brainwashing songs and messages if you choose, but I call it soul and heart washing.
 
Jesus truly changed my world. This passion that I have, I find it very hard to contain it. I praise God for this gift that He gave me. Using songs, scripture and writings, to prayerfully touch those that are still reaching for help and answers. 1 Peter 3: 15 does tell us to be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have.
 
I remember a time in my life when it felt like I was a million miles away from real peace and joy, and wondered would I ever have it with all the stuff going on in my life.  God sent many people my way who called themselves Christians, and I wanted what they had. Even though they had many troubles in their life, they still had this peace and joy that I couldn’t understand. They had an answer for almost any question I asked. They didn’t just want me taking their word for it. They would show me God’s word and it matched how they put it into their words so I could understand it. That just kept amazing me more and more. Not to mention, how it started to make me search it on my own. Well they never gave up on me praise God. I always asked questions, and they would sometimes turn it around and ask me one or two. Their questions always pointed to how great God was. It really showed me the wisdom they had. They were never pushy with me, just always there.  I guess they saw that my hands were still reaching for help…….
 
I had a conversation with my husband about not being able to understand why anyone wouldn’t want to know this beautiful Savior in a personal way. Even if you think it is just a bunch of stories written by men, aren’t they beautiful stories. Isn’t it better to go through life believing the beauty of why Jesus came to us then to believe nothing at all? Well, you can stay a million miles away if you choose, but “I don’t wanna go” anywhere if I know He isn’t there.
 
Where I feel the Holy Spirit leading me, that’s where I will go. Here’s how my husband explained it… If you were to see a sea of people drowning, some with their hands up still reaching for help, and some who have given up and started going under. Who would you go after? Of course the ones who have their hands up and still are seeking help. You can’t help those who don’t want it anymore. They are sinking deeper, so grab on to the ones you can.
 
This reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 7: 6. “Do not waste what is holy on people who are unholy….They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” They don’t appreciate either holiness or the beauty of spiritual truth.
 
I know where I am now with His touch and love filling me like an ocean. I know where I would be without Him too. Going under deeper and deeper, further away from the Light and the truth that can save me.
 
I pray that your head is still above the waters where your ear can still hear the truth, and the eye of your heart still has a glimpse of the “Son.” Then by your OWN CHOICE, if you will receive it into your heart, you will breathe new life. The truth will save you now, and for all eternity. Grab on and live, or let go and drown in an ocean of dark lies. John 1: 5 “God is light, and in Him is NO DARKNESS at all.”
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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