Tuesday, December 29, 2015

From the Inside out..... Hillsong


John 10: 10 …….. Galatians 5: 16-26…..

Don’t just look at these verses, meditate on them. Talk with God. If you are tired of always trying to be free from things that you know are wrong, but you just can’t seem to break free. You need a Supernatural healing that only comes from walking in the Spirit.  You can have the Spirit of the living God in you. You could have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior. But you can’t have the abundant life Jesus talks about unless you walk in it. You can enter the kingdom of God when you die, because you put your faith and trust in Jesus. But that doesn’t mean you will inherit the kingdom of God here on earth, the abundant joy, unless you walk this life by the Spirit.  It takes responding to God’s view point on ALL issues of life. Whether you understand them or not, doesn’t make a difference. As long as we are on this side of heaven, we will always have room for change. I highly doubt any of us are perfect, and if you think you are, that’s the first sinful thought you need to ask God to change.

Galatians 5: 16-18, We can’t change from our flesh ways from the outside in.  The cry of our heart and soul should be for God consume us. Give Him all control to change us “From the inside out.” That is how we bring Him praise and glory.

Flesh, struggles and repeats. The Spirit, walks life with ease. It’s like walking up the stairs in your own strength, or taking the escalator. The power moves you a lot easier without even losing any breath. If you think you can fix a problem within yourself, how do you know it was God who fixed it? It won’t repeat itself. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. It doesn’t say you won’t have the desire, (temptation). The Spirit delivers us from  problems that the flesh can’t. Galatians 5: 19-21, Look at these verses of the flesh. I know I struggle with a few of them, so I might as well struggle with them all according to the word of God. Sin is sin! There is no way I could be free of any of these in my own strength. I need to not just have the Spirit, but walk in it. I don’t want any part of my flesh to rule me!!

So how do you know you are walking in the Spirit? Look at Galatians 5: 22-25. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the fleshwith its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

I always have room for change to look more like this fruit. Only God in me, will enable me with the power to change, what the strength of the flesh can’t change.

If anyone out there reading this doubts your salvation because you may struggle with any of these temptations in the above verses (19-21), don’t doubt, PRAY! You have the Spirit if you feel convicted. You are just struggling walking in it… Pray..

…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim


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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Here's my heart Lord.... Lauren Daigle


Sadness can overwhelm me at times. I entertain thoughts that flood my head over things that I have no control over, and never did. The only control I ever have is my prayer life. Once you realize that nothing changes the foreseen plans of God, your able to experience the peace of Jesus. You learn to live again.

Well, when I heard these words, it helped to take all the lies away that the enemy wants to continue to torment me with.

“Here’s my heart Lord. Speak what is true.  I am found, I am Your’ s. I am loved, I’m made pure. I have life, I can breathe. I AM HEALED, I AM FREE!” This is what God wants me to hear my husband saying, because it is the truth. He is free from the temptations of this world that the enemy used, to try and keep him from a personal relationship with Jesus. Satan would also have loved for me to have backed out of my marriage over these things. But praise God, “Who is greater in us than he who is in the world”, we OVERCAME!! All glory to God! Heaven won! Yes I miss him horribly, but he is free!! I know the purpose for the good times, and the bad times. 32 years, and I wouldn’t trade a thing, knowing what I know now.

I have got to say, that a lot of my days have been filled with depressing thoughts that try to have their way with me. “You should have done this, or you should have done that… or… He should have done this, or stopped doing that, and he would still be here… LIES!!  We have no control over, or nothing could change God’s plan. He already knows all the choices we are going to make in life here. It doesn’t change our appointed time.

Job 14: 5, Psalm 39: 4, Every one of us, have a number of days that the Lord has given us this side of eternity. The only control we have is our own common sense choices, or better said, Spirit lead choices.  Also our eternal choice. Whether or not we choose to have a personal relationship with Jesus. If you don’t believe, than you already made your choice.

Some people smoke, drink, give into all kinds of temptations, and live a long life. Some people don’t do any of these things,  serve God with all their heart, and die young. Some babies are born to die. There is no way to make sense of any of this, and even if you try, you will come up empty and more confused. That is right where the enemy loves to have you, because you lose all peace. We are not the ones in control, God is. This doesn’t mean that we should live reckless lives at all. You never know when your last day will be. When you have a relationship with Jesus, your thought life changes, which changes your actions. The things that you once thought were O.K., aren’t so O.k. anymore. You may have thought you weren’t hurting yourself or others, but God reveals the truth to your Spirit, 2 Corinthians 3: 18. This is the point of where you must choose how you will continue in this gift of life. Whatever the amount of days, months, or years God has for you, you don’t know. So pray for wisdom, and live wisely.

I know every day I need to say to God.. “Here’s my heart Lord” speak to me today what is true. Then I have a choice to let God control my thoughts, which control my mood and every move.



…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Trust in You..... Lauren Daigle


Truth is, we could shake our fist at God, kick ,cry, and scream at the things we are in wonder about. He still loves us. I have never known such a love as His. I have been blessed with the most wonderful parents, but still, His love is the most comforting. Even though I can’t see Him, I can feel Him.  If we just trust Him, He will bring rest to our mind and soul like no one else can.

I often wonder why God took my husband home not long after he surrendered his life to Jesus. He came to realize what it meant to have a relationship with Him, and he wanted it. Just because you become a child of God through this relationship, doesn’t mean you still won’t struggle with weaknesses that are being broken from the old nature. We are not perfect, but we are being made perfect. God knows how much we are going to allow Him to change us from our old selves to the new. Our lives are a testimony to all He is doing in, and through us. He gives us time and many chances. I, and my husband, if he was still here to tell you, would tell you that God is a very patient God. I asked my husband many times if he blamed God, or was mad at God for having cancer again, and he said no with all sincerity!

I had so many dreams of serving the Lord together with my husband, but God saw something in my future that I don’t see. I know one day He will show me.  Isaiah 55: 8-9, Whatever it is, I will trust in His word. His ways are higher, and His plans are always good. Even if I don’t see it clearly yet, or understand it.  I have to  let go of my dreams, and lay each one of them at His feet. I don’t have any guilt talking openly to God about how I don’t like it. I can tell you, that by doing this, it has brought me to a better understanding, love, and trust in Him, that is hard to explain unless you have experienced great pain and grief.

What God sees in our future, never changes. He knows what tomorrow will bring, because there’s not a day ahead that He has not seen, or stood Himself. From the day we are born, until the day we die, He knows every mountain we will face, and He is always by our side. So when God doesn’t move the mountains, or part the waters , or give us an answer as we cry out to Him, there is really no other choice than to trust in His plan. Romans 8: 28, I believe with all my heart that He works all things out for the good for those who trust Him.

He has a purpose that we may not see while we are in our wondering. But if you constantly seek Him, talk to Him, cry out to Him… you will see that He is your strength, your comfort, the steady hand and firm foundation, the rock on which you will stand.


…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Let There be Peace on Earth....

 
With all the mass murders, I am sick of hearing people BLAMING GOD! Either bring Him back to His rightful place in our lives, schools, businesses, and get on our knees and pray unashamed, or worried about who you may offend,  or get use to all the destruction, 2 Chronicles 7:14. It’s here too. Not just in a far off country. What will you do when terror is knocking at your door? Will you call on God then? Will you get on your Knees then? Get your head out of the sand, pick up the BOOK, and study with all your heart, soul, and mind NOW. Listen to the God of the universe, PRAY! Follow the example of His Son Jesus Christ! What great love was lavished on us that none of us even deserve, but there is life in His name, John 20: 31.
 
2 Corinthians 4: 4,  “ Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”
 
No God, NO Peace… Know God, Know peace! Some people don’t have the same father as my Father. I can only pray they wake up.
 
“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God as our Father, brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.”
Well that was God’s plan, but people make their own choices. It’s called free will. Or just plain old COMMON SENCE!
 
 
Can you, if you are a parent, stop your children from doing what may harm them…. NO!.... I can tell you that because I didn’t listen to everything my mother and father told me. I had to learn the hard way. Thank God I never hurt anyone but myself. My Kid’s, the same thing. I can tell them, preach to them, they still are going to make their own choices. But there will be a time when they are old enough to understand, that if they don’t live by the way I am telling them in my home, they will have to make a choice and live somewhere else. It’s the hardest thing a parent will ever have to do, but that is love,.. tough love. I thank God my mom and dad cared more about serving the Lord than being my friend. They made me leave the comfort of home, because of my own choices to live the way I wanted to for a time. If I was going to hurt myself with my choices, they weren’t going to let me live under their roof and do it.
 
We are given  time here, and we are either going to pass or fail. I look at this world as God’s school ground, not our permanent home. Satan, the god of this world, has his way of teaching and influencing. No book, just your mind, your thoughts, your choices. Proverbs 14: 12, “There is the way that seems right to man, but in the end is the way of death.”… and that sure looks like that is the way this world is going.
 
There are many bibles of different religions. The Koran, Buddhist Canon of Sacred Scripture…. They all begin with some flashes of true light, but end in darkness. Most casual observers discover that the Bible is radically different. It is the only book that offers us a way out of our sin, out of the loneliness and darkness of this world, and into the marvelous “light.”
God gave us this book to guide us through life, giving us clear wisdom. Some of us pick it up only when we have a question. Some pick it up only on Sunday. Some pick it up when the going gets tough. Some of us burry our heads in it, desperate for God daily. Who do you think would pass the final exam? Who do you think God the Father won’t let live under His roof?.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Come Alive (Dry Bones).... Lauren Daigle

 
Let’s step into the valley unafraid. Let’s be the army for God that comes alive. Breath Your breath oh God!!!.... “Come Alive” church of God.
 
When we put God FIRST, we see through His eyes, which there are NO GRAY AREAS!! Have  you noticed the more secular this world comes, and the more we live in those gray areas , this world is going to hell quickly. Wake up dry bones.
 
Seek what is right by God’s standards. Don’t feel you’re doing something wrong when you stand for God’s standard in love, not judgment. It’s not your opinion, it’s the truth of His word, and the truth can set them free by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
To love God first, is to live a life that pleases Him. He cares very much about where we place Him in life. He request, and requires FIRST! Seeking first the Kingdom, means God’s rule over the life He has given to us.
 
When I was a kid, I remember pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, every day. That was so we remembered those committed, and dying for what it stood for. God ask us to pledge allegiance TO HIM! To what Jesus died for, and to STAND FIRM on that belief. Everybody’s answers to the questions life can bring,  is wrong, if they don’t agree with God.
 
God says to “Seek the Kingdom.”   Some people say, “I don’t understand the bible”… SEEK…. “I don’t know the answer”….. SEEK…. “But why”….. SEEK…. We can google everything today. Google your questions according to God’s word and it will come up. Then go into the bible for yourself.
 
If you are a believer, you are part of a Kingdom, and King Jesus rules. Question is, are you just a believer, or are you an action follower? God won’t hide anything from you when you seek His answers. You may want to hide from Him, but don’t. There is NOTHING He can’t clean up.
 
We will never experience God, and live by His standards, if we don’t seek Him. We will continue to live in our comfortable gray areas, and watch this world continue to go to hell.
The world is lowering God’s standards…… Who are we listening to?
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

One Thing..... Hillsong

 
Philippians 3: 7-20…
 
Be my “One thing” “Jesus You’re everything I need right now.”
 
Holidays can be a very hard time for some of us who are experiencing pain of some sort, and that’s O.K….. So what do you do when the reality is that your situation will not resolve in this life? When you feel like there is only half of you left.
 
Try to focus on God’s love instead of how different it is for you this year. Remember our citizenship is in heaven. God calls us all heavenward in Jesus Christ.
 
Our actions really say a lot about our faith and full trust in what we believe. I cry openly whenever it comes on. There is no stopping it. When people ask me, it’s an open door to share my deep hurt until I see my loved one again. God takes the half that I am right now at this time, and still uses it for His glory.
 
Philippians 4: 13 “ I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” Yes, I keep saying this to myself as I walk through the hall ways of the convention center that I work at in Disney. Listening to Christmas music, decorated so beautifully, and I just cry! Not the same this year for me with the loss of my husband. But I continue to seek the secret to the joy of this season. Look at the verses before this one. Verses 11 and 12…. “I have learned the secret of being content in any, and every situation.” …WOW… How do you do that? That means any situation, loss, sickness, hungry, poor, anything that you can think of that seems impossible to get through. Now the secret to me is in Philippians 3: 7-11, count any gain as loss. Why? Because of the worth of knowing Jesus MORE and MORE! He is the well that never runs dry.
 
Philippians 3: 12-14,This season “ I will press on to take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me.” The reasons of why He came to us.  He came to show us love.  He came to die for the sins of the world. He came to show us the power of His resurrection. He came to tell us that through Him, we will have everlasting life. 
 
That is exactly what my husband has. Everlasting life, and worshipping and celebrating with Jesus every day.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Somewhere in the Middle......Casting Crowns

 
Psalm 32: 1-5
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me, my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
 
Are you “Somewhere in the middle?” “Somewhere between hot and cold? Somewhere between the new and the old? Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be? Somewhere in the middle you’ll find me?” Great lyrics…. Goes well with 2 Corinthians 5:17, … “ if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.”
 
How can God fill us when we are somewhere in the middle of who He wants us to be? Not a total surrendered life to Him. We are to represent a new creation, not remain where we are. In our comfortable self. Being a follower of Christ is in no way comfortable. If anyone told you that they lied. Read the bible. Did Jesus look comfortable? Did his followers look comfortable? Yet there is comfort when you draw near to Him, remain in Him, in the darkest of circumstances. We need to rid ourselves of what needs to be surrendered, so God can finish His work in us, and our lives glorify (advertise), Who, and what God only can do in our lives. And this may not be a comfortable process.
 
We get frustrated with God for how long our troubles in our lives keep going. Yet we fail to see that the problem is sometimes our own self, The bad choices we make again and again. For me I can honestly say that some losses I have been through was my own foolish decisions.  Yes, when we ask Jesus for forgiveness, He forgives our sin but not always the consequence of the sin.
 
So many things can trip our walk up with God. We know in our heart what they are. Ask God to help you see so you can move forward with Him. Galatians 5: 7, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” I love that verse!!! Once you realize who keeps tripping you up, tell Satan he has no place in you. Get the hell behind you!! The God of heaven and earth is by your side.
 
 
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Till I met "YOU" .... Laura Story

 
“Till I met You” Jesus, I never knew what true freedom, love unconditional felt like.
 
You may be one of the many of us who have known pain and deep regret. Feeling the weight of all the mistakes that you have made, and how it feels to drown in your own shame. If you don’t feel the freedom from it, then your falling for the great deception of the enemy.
 
It is impossible to be changed forever without having a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Once you do, you will never be the same. 2 Corinthians 5: 17, You don’t want to go back…. John 8: 36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Galatians 5: 1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
 
Surrendering to God is the end of your earthly shame and pain, and the beginning of your story with your Savior. Don’t fall for the deceptions that the enemy will make you think about. Read God’s word and speak it out loud to him. Tell him to back off. The arms of mercy has reached for you and gave you new eyes to see the truth. The truth of His word like: Psalm 103: 12, and Isaiah 43: 25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your sins, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
 
You’ll never know freedom, what grace could do. The broken chains, the hope that saves, a life made new, till you encounter Jesus. Some of us find this sweet release early in life, and some of us not till late. God NEVER STOPS knocking at your heart. The moment you surrender your life to Jesus you are healed. Maybe not to finish life here on earth, but God’s plan for eternity is made complete in you. That’s a true miracle.
 
What an awesome God. Psalm 145: 8, The Lord is GRACIOUS and MERCIFUL, slow to anger and ABOUNDING in STEADFAST LOVE.
 
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Forever.... Kari Jobe

 
I will sing this at the TOP OF MY LUNGS whenever Satan thinks he is shaking the ground I walk on!!! “MY resurrected King has rendered you DEFEATED”!!!
 
Romans 8: 35-38 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?.... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,”
 
The way we think, in our human thinking, it is impossible to overcome fear and anxiety. There are things in life that can scare you to the core of your very being. The only way to beat this beast of an emotion, is by surrendering it to Almighty God. Psalm 56: 3, Stay in prayer and absolute trust in Him. There is no other way. What you are facing might not go away if it is God’s will in your life. But God will never leave you either.  Isaiah 41: 10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
 
Not many people get through life without any problems. Some circumstances are so bad it can leave you feeling hopeless.
Psalm 143: 3-7, “The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead.”---- Oh yes, he certainly can make you feel like this. It’s like he has his foot on your neck holding you down in such fear. If you are experiencing the “valet of the shadow of death,” you have my sympathy. God is still God in all of this. He is faithful, but it is on His terms, not always ours. He’s made promises, and He sticks to them. Sudden changes do not surprise or move Him. He remains the same yesterday, today, and “Forever.” He always shows up when we totally surrender to His ways and come to acceptance, even if we don’t like it.
 
Job 9:10, “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” God truly moves things to work for our good, and for His purpose. He cares about every detailed plan of our life, but He sees them in light of all eternity. Keep looking at all that God has brought you through when you thought there was no way you would be joyful again. Always remember, NOTHING is too difficult for Him to handle.
 
I remember as a little girl, me and my dad would dance to a song and he would hold my hands with my feet on top of his and guide me. So now I pray to my heavenly Father: Help me to keep my feet upon Yours as we dance through life together Daddy.
 
Forever dear Lord I will lift You high. Forever may You be glorified.
 
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Only YOUR love.... Keri Jobe

 
Dear God, “Only Your love” drives me to want everyone to experience You for themselves. I can describe Your love, but I can’t make them want to choose You for themselves. Father, I won’t stop reaching out to a lost world because of my love for You. I too was lost, but now I’m found. I am forever grateful You never give up on us! No trial or sorrow will ever stop me, Amen. All glory to You my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
I’ve never been to Niagara Falls. Someone whose been there described to me how beautiful it was. Even though I could picture it, it will never be as beautiful as actually experiencing it. Until we personally see and feel  the beauty of some things that God created, we will never get the full beauty until we experience it for ourselves.
 
Psalm 86:5 “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, ABOUNDING in love to ALL WHO CALL ON YOU.”….. You see, God is abounding in love and forgiveness. But it’s a personal choice to call out to Him. Where do we find mercy and grace? It’s found in Jesus. Only one of the criminals next to Jesus, dying on the cross,  found it before he took his last breath. He turned to Jesus and humbly cried out to Him. Jesus said to him… “Today, you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 33-43…… Which criminal are you? The arrogant one, or the one who recognized he needed a Savior.
 
Jeremiah 31: 3 “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” His love never changes. It’s the same yesterday, as it is today and tomorrow. He is constantly drawing us in by His unfailing kindness. Do you recognize it? It is an unchangeable part of His character. If it were not for His great love, none of us would stand a chance in the future life.
 
God is love. Until you actually choose to open up and experience it, until you possess it yourself, you will be left to wonder. One can describe to you how faithful God has been to them, and how they have experienced His forgiveness. But it’s a personal choice to feel it for yourself. God’s love and forgiveness is even more beautiful than anything we can fix our eyes on. Fix your eyes on Jesus, on the cross of forgiveness and grace. That is true beauty. Again, I can describe it to you, but you have to experience this one for yourself.
 
Lamentations 3: 22-24… I love this verse!! When I think of how I could have been left in my sin….. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassion never fails. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness.”
 
If you haven’t experienced His great love and forgiveness, and the freedom that comes with it, I pray you don’t wait another minute. Invite Him in your heart forever.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
 
 
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Monday, October 19, 2015

My Story .... Big Daddy Weave

 
Don’t miss the beauty of the lessons of Jesus, even if it hurts. You may not like how life is going for you. ( Hebrews 12: 1-2, 2 Timothy 4: 7, Acts 20:24)…. But if in the end is VICTORY over the enemy, wouldn’t you want to run the race to the finish line and one day hear: “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25: 23.
 
It may not be your story, but it is mine. But before I write of what I believe, let me begin by saying, it is the kindness of Jesus that drew me in. A love that never gave up on me. That He could love me, a sinner, and die for me, before I even chose to love Him. That blows my mind every time I think about it. He loved me IN MY SIN. So my whole story is of Jesus, and how only He can teach you unconditional love when you think you have no more to give. How can I not extend what was given to me. That’s when Jesus, if you allow Him, will show you just HOW MUCH HE LOVES those who are hard to keep loving. Our life purpose, is to be created in His image. What a different world this would be if mankind would just humble themselves to the King of Glory.
 
Yes, my husband was taken from me too soon. God knows I don’t have to like it, because I don’t. But I do LOVE how Michael’s story ended. In the last few years of His life, he was born again into a relationship with Jesus. Spending time with Him on a daily basis, not just on Sunday. Mike had NO FEAR of death when he knew it was coming. He always said, “we are all terminal, we just don’t know when that day is coming. So know Him who is going to carry you home.”
 
I praise my God for holding us strong in our marriage. Because there were times I wanted to give up. But God’s love for Michael in me never gave up. It’s when you pray a prayer to God, when you have just had enough, He rushes in on those precious words to His ear. I remember praying: “OK God, I can’t do this anymore! So if You want me to stay in this, then CHANGE ME.” Bingo! That was the words He was waiting to hear. “Change me, because “I” can’t do this anymore.” All glory to God for being used by Him, and for the choice my husband made in Jesus. One day I will see him again.
 
Mercy wins, because GRACE IS GREATER than all our sins!! The kindness, and the love of Jesus, drew my husband in too.
So this is my story, this is my song, and I will praise Jesus my whole life long!!!
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
 
 
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Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Say AMEN..... Finding Favor

 
Do you really love God unconditionally?  I mean through the good, the bad, and the pain and suffering life can bring. This is love,  John 14:21
“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." Yes it’s a personal thing between you and what Jesus is speaking to your heart. Not everyone’s story, and the purpose of which God is using you is the same. Follow through with Jesus in spite of your suffering and pain . He will show Himself to you.
Romans 8: 28-39…  This part of the scripture really speaks loud to me… “IN all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Not how we think life should be, but in the mess of things. Meditate on this scripture and see how the Holy Spirit speaks to you. You may not like it, but if you obey, and let NOTHING separate you from the love of Jesus Christ no matter what circumstance you may be in, you will be more than a conqueror, truly victorious! A life lived with no regrets because you know your purpose.
What valley are you in? Life wasn’t meant to live only with the mountain views. The image of Christ in us, our hope, our faith, our trust in Him, is experienced and made in us in the valley.
 
Life, and the promises Jesus says in His word, I believe by faith. When He tells me in His word that He has gone to prepare a place for me. That He will one day take me to that place. I believe it by faith, John 14: 3. It is the most comforting truth in the middle of any pain or sorrow you may be facing. But the sorrow is only a temporary shadow in the valley of death, Psalm 23: 4. So I “Say Amen.” Thank You Jesus. You are faithful!
 
1 Corinthians 15: 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where O death is your sting?” Death is swallowed up in VICTORY! Do you believe this? Do you believe Jesus overcame the grave?
 
I’ve seen the faithfulness of God. Even if I didn’t like how it ended for me here on earth. At least my husband has heaven. For better, for worse, in sickness, and in health. We have been through it all. My husband has had cancer twice. Once he received a miracle of healing after a long battle. Seven years free and given back a wonderful quality of life. After that, cancer came again. This time with a rapid vengeance. The only difference this time, was my husband had given his heart to Jesus 2 years prior to receiving this devastating news. He had peace in this storm, and hope for tomorrow. His tomorrow wasn’t to have more years here with us. His tomorrow is forever. Revelations 21: 4, no more tears, sickness, or pain.
 
For me here, God is renewing my strength daily. By reminding me of all He has done, and how I’ve seen Him move in our lives. In time I will be able to say, “it is well with my soul.”
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Monday, October 5, 2015

Through all of it..... Colton Dixon

 
I’ve seen miracles that God can do. In my life, and the people I love. He truly is the God of the impossible. But we have to come to realize that life is according to His will, and His plan, not ours, as painful as that may be. If you look carefully at Who God is rather than your circumstance, you will see that He is a loving and compassionate God. He graciously covers us with His compassion. Isaiah 30: 18 … “the Lord longs to be gracious to you… He will rise up to show you compassion.”
 
Many of us can relate to the verses in the song…… “I’ve seen joy and I’ve seen regret”…. But has God been your God through all of it?
 
I can honestly say, no…. and that is the worst feeling in the world. It feels like death when you are in a situation in your life where you have no control !! But that was when I didn’t have Jesus Christ as my Savior. I only knew of Him in religion, BIG DIFFERENCE!! Religion is what causes war. It always has, and always will. It is a title, a label with no heartfelt  feeling. This is the best way I can describe it in my opinion. A relationship has feeling. There is a heart behind it. You will never find in all your relationships, one like Jesus. That is what He is about, not what religion you are, but if you have a relationship with Him.
 
When painful situations in life rise up, God is drawing you near to Him. I mean, if life is going perfect, why would you even think you needed Him. Usually in tough painful situations, that’s when a lot of people turn away rather than turn to Him. They say things like, “If God is so loving, why is this happening?” This is a world of good and evil. Choices people make that will either make it pleasant to live, or miserable. That is not God’s fault. Remember, this loving God gave us all free will. Free to choose how to live while we are here. This is not home!
 
There are few people that I have what I call, a great relationships with. I mean the kind of people you could count on to help you in your time of need no matter what time of the day it is. When they say they are there for you, they really are. When they say they are praying, they really are. I don’t know what I would do without this type of earthly relationship.
 
That is my relationship with Jesus, anytime, anywhere. It is Who He is. More constant than the stars up in the sky. All these years, all my life. I look back and I see Him, and I still do, and I always will.
 
Life truly is a journey into eternity. You’ll see joy and you’ll see regret. But I pray He’s your God “Through all of it.”
 
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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Monday, September 28, 2015

What you won't do for love.....Bobby Caldwell

 
Some of you may not know, but my husband has passed. He fought a good fight. Cancer thinks it won, but death has no sting when you have Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior, and he did. He is truly VICTORIOUS! I will miss him horribly, until we meet again.
 
God really has a sense of humor. I was at the gas station pumping  gas, and a song was playing that I just loved back in the day of dating my husband. I couldn’t stop singing it, and no it wasn’t a Christian song. The title is, “what you won’t do for love,” by Bobby Caldwell. I couldn’t believe how God was speaking to me through this song and it’s lyrics.
 
Back in my dating years, I dated just a few guys, but when I met my husband I fell in love with him. I knew it was different from the others. It’s something you just know. Well after 3 years of dating him he broke it off. I was devastated!! He was my first love, and what I mean by that is I gave myself to him, and him only,  intimately. There wasn’t anything that I wouldn’t do to show him how much I loved him. That is why these lyrics just get me: “What you won’t do, do for love. You’ve tried everything and you won’t give up”… Well long story short…. After a long break up he came back to let me know, “gotta thing for you, and I can’t let go.” Then not much later, he asked me to marry him.
 
So now let me tell you how I see this song spiritually: You will have to listen to it too, and maybe you will see. The lyrics are great!!
 
Me speaking to God: “I guess You’ve wondered where I’ve been? I searched to find the love within. I came back to let you know. I gotta thing for You and I can’t let go. My friends wonder what is wrong with me. Well, I’m in a daze from Your love you see. I came back to let You know. I gotta thing for You and I won’t let go.” I am now in the GREASTEST love relationship of my life. My true first love.
 
God has done everything to show me His love. He NEVER gives up showing any of us how much He loves us. He gave His Son to die for us, John 3:16, while we were yet sinners He died, Romans 5:8. He is not willing to lose any of us, John 6: 39. He will try everything and never give up.
 
Listen to the song and maybe you will see it the way I do to God. If you don’t you will still love the song.
 
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

The Word is Alive ..... Casting Crowns

 
Wow Great song!!! I pray that when you hear this song, and you read this message, that you will look up the scripture I give to you. It’s the Word, the Living Word, and the Word always was, and always will be, because the Word is Jesus, and He is ALIVE!!!!! Hebrews 4: 12, “For the Word of God is LIVING and POWERFUL, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit”….
 
John 1: 1, “In the beginning was the “Word” and the Word was with God”….. Right in the beginning of his gospel, John tells us that Jesus was far more than just a great teacher or a mighty prophet. He was the “express image” of God’s person. In some translations it says Jesus is, “the radiance of God’s glory and the EXACT representation of His being”……. I love that!!!! Why do some people try to complicate God’s word. He is God in Three Persons. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. If God wanted to be God in 6 persons he could. He’s God! He calls the shots and gives everything, and everyone its name.
 
Repeatedly the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is God, the “express image” in the flesh. Jesus is worshiped as God, praised as the Creator, recognized as Ruler, and glorified as God’s ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. Read it for yourself in Hebrews 1: 1-13.
God’s Final Word: His Son
1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
The Son Superior to Angels
5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father”
Or again,
“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son”
6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7 In speaking of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels spirits,
    and his servants flames of fire.”
8 But about the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
    a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
    by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
10 He also says,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe;
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.”
13 To which of the angels did God ever say,
“Sit at my right hand
    until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet”
Read verse  8 and 9 again, not with your mind, but with your open heart and faith. God the Father set His only begotten Son above all others. Jesus is named God by His father, it’s that simple. Don’t complicate it. He is the only One equal to His Father. Philippians 2: 9, “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and GAVE HIM THE NAME that is above every name.”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mountain-Valley-Devotionals/508413785852066
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
 
 


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Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Hanging by a moment...... Lifehouse

Subject: Hanging by a moment...... Lifehouse
 
 
I was listening to this song on my IPod while I was getting ready for church, and I thought about the lyrics as I replayed it. Many Christian artist write of personal experiences, and I wondered if that was of this song. I know these lyrics can hit home with most of us…… “Desperate for changing, starving for truth. I’m closer from where I started, chasing after You. I’ve fallen even more in love with You, letting go of all I hold on to. I’m standing here until You make me move. I’m hanging by a moment here with You.”
 
As I listened to the song, I thought how thankful I am for Jesus, and that the most important decision I ever made in my life was accepting His invitation to have a personal relationship with Him. Romans 10: 9, Have you taken the invitation? The bible tells us, if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
 
There is a lot of things we dive into in life without even giving it a thought. Take a moment and think about this. Are you one who says, “Oh I’m just going to do it, what do I have to lose?” Well you have nothing to lose, but everything to gain when you dive into a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you take His invitation, He’ll take all of you. He will complete everything you think you are lacking.
 
I know I don’t have this whole thing figured out, and I don’t have it all together, but I know that I am completely satisfied. There is nothing in this world that can ever change my mind or satisfy my heart and soul like Jesus.
 
Well after that song was over, the very next song that came on was one of Michael Jackson’s song that I wrote about in the past blogs. The lyrics go like this…. “Can it be I stayed away too long”……. It is called.. “I wanna be where you are.”
 
Well how about you? Have you stayed away to long? Are you feeling discontented?  Can you let go of all you hold on to? I promise you, you will have nothing else to find. Like Jesus said in His word…. John 4: 14, “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” Because He satisfies.
 
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Thursday, August 27, 2015

Holy Spirit..... Jesus Culture

Subject: Holy Spirit....Jesus Culture
 
 
Ephesians 5: 18... "be filled with the Holy Spirit"...
Acts 4: 31 "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit"...
 
There is no way that I could live this life in my own strength. I can only press on because of the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised us. My flesh fails everyday in so many ways.
 
I am here to tell you that I have tasted the sweetest of loves. God's presence around me, and in me. I would not be able to handle each day knowing my husband has been labeled with terminal lung cancer if God’s Spirit wasn’t alive in me. Even still, there are days I just want to crawl up in a big ball. God shows me how much I need to drown myself in Him daily!
God's promise was to raise His Son from the dead and He did. He will also, daily, raise me from the death I feel in this storm with my husband. I am learning how to draw strength from God, and the power switch is faith. Hebrews 11: 1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for".... verse 6 "and without faith it is impossible to please God"
 
I sing this verse over and over throughout my day. I sometimes wake up with it on my mind..."Holy Spirit You are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory God is what our hearts long for. To be overcome by Your presence Lord."
This may be a long song if you take the time to listen to it. But it is so powerful, and I sure need it!!!
 
If we as followers of Christ are not filled up with the Holy Spirit, than what are we partly filled with? Spell flesh backwards and leave off the h. Yup that's it, "self." I want to be overcome by His presence. Not overwhelmed by my flesh in the circumstance. In self, statements rise up in you like.. "I can't it's too hard.. This just seems impossible... there is no more hope in this... and any other negative statement Satan wants to rip you apart with.
 
Are you full of the Spirit of God? That is what gives us real life, strength, and everything else we need from Him that the flesh can't give. Galatians 2: 20, You see, it's not I who lives, "but Christ Who lives in me." But here's something very important from Hebrews 11: 6.... "anyone who comes to Him MUST BELIEVE that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
 
Do you believe that He exist? Are you seeking Him daily? Everyone of us, at one time or another in our lives, will find ourselves in a desperate, maybe devastating situation. Who are you going to call on when no one else seems to have an answer, SELF? Good luck.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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Saturday, August 22, 2015

Sovereign .. ... Chris Thomlin

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=092EJCNU


I have been spending a lot of time in the hospital as my husband fights stage 4 lung cancer. This song is absolutely awesome!!! When you can't find the words to pray, you can't seem to read His word, listen to this, it will bring you peace.....


Also Some scripture that is carrying me through. I pray it encourages you, or someone else you can share this with..
1 Peter 5: 6-10 //// James 1: 6-8  //// John14: 27  ///// Isaiah 26: 3-4 //// Psalm 46:10


When all is said and done, we really have no other choice than to trust the God of the universe!!!!


In the strength of Christ
Kim .....
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Monday, August 10, 2015

When the tears fall....Newsboys

Subject: When the tears fall.....Newsboys
 
 
Isaiah 58:11, "The Lord will guide you always: He will satisfy your needs...and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
 
This scripture is a desire of my heart, but how do I get it? I spend time with my best Friend. I want be well watered with Godly wisdom so I can overflow and encourage others who are loosing hope, or hurting and searching for answers. There are things that God has brought me through, and things I know are coming that He will bring me through. He is the same God in every storm I go through.
 
Matthew 22: 37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind." This scripture has more and more deep meaning to me the more I read and meditate on it. Don't wait to spend time with God just "when the tears fall." The soul demands fellowship with God at all times, good and bad. Unless you feed the soul, and exercise it daily in quietness with God, it becomes depressed, confused and restless. Many people turn to alcohol to try and calm down and drown out the reality of life. Some turn to new sex experiences, drugs, anything that satisfies their deep longings of their soul. Nothing but God can completely satisfy, because the soul is made for God. It will always be restless and in some kind of torment without Him.
 
Lessons during loss, trauma, and disappointments, are never easy. They are uncomfortable, and they can be very devastating. This is when the reality of what we are really made of comes out. Especially your relationship with God. Do we love and worship Him only when times are good?
We need to face the reality that life is going to throw us many curve balls. Loving and going deeper with God is a choice. I choose to continue to go deeper with Him. To allow these curves to become a testimony for Him, and to help others who are going through heart crushing times. He will take my life and make it a masterpiece for His glory,
Ephesians 5: 19-20.
 
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
 
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