Thank You..... Jonathon Helser (Bethel)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2qUoZKxC9s

How do I say "Thank You" for all that God has done, and all that He will do?

For me personally, it's allowing Him to use me. To trust Him in all things. Even in the things He already knows that I am frightened of.

God doesn't have to come every time I call out to Him, but He always does. He doesn't always change my circumstance, but He certainly changes me. That's because He always shows up in splendor. Something only He can do......

You know what it's like to me? It reminds me of when I was little and something would frighten me. I would yell from my bedroom, or run into my parents room for my mom. Just her presence would sooth me. Then she would talk to me and all my fears were gone. Even when I got older and had those teenage heartaches. All I had to do was talk to mom.

 Then there came a time that conversations with mom weren't fully satisfying my shame, fears,  and emotions. God wanted to be my all in all. It took me sometime to get that, but I am so glad I did. He walked through every wall I thought was protecting me. He stepped into my past and filled my world with His grace.

You know, He didn't have to come for any of us, but He wanted to. So how do you say thank you to Jesus for the life that He gave, and the cross that He bore? He poured His love out on that cross of suffering to ransom our souls. Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

So this life that He gave me, I give back to Him. I've come to realize, it's not my life. It's the life He died to give me. It's not even my day, minute, second, or even my own breath. Acts, 17: 28, Because of Jesus, I live and move and have my being.   Mark 8: 35,  "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it." Putting all my wants and desires on hold because My Daddy God has the best for me. While I am here, this side of heaven, I will trust Him with my life.

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Kim

Heaven Come.... Bethel (Jenn Johnson)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kxWMq7gGF8

 What a beautiful song of simple truth.... .

"Heaven come and fill this place. Glory to glory, and grace to grace. Here and now let Your Kingdom come"...............

I know how I feel when my thoughts are fixed on all Jesus is, and all He has done. I also know how I feel when I let my thoughts wonder. I know it's a choice to let those thoughts take me away from the peace and joy He offers. That's why everything I am cries out for more of Him.

I don't feel bad when I am afraid, or if I get anxious over things I don't understand that God might be calling me to be a part of with Him. All I care about is that He understands me, and is right there with me. Luke 22: 42, Even Jesus cried, "Not my will but yours." While Jesus was here on earth He was fully human and understands all our emotions. Just as the Father was with Jesus, He is with us. Leading us on in everything He purposes for us to do.

I always have to look back and remember all that God has already done and brought me through. His promise is that there is more to come. So when I get that stirring in my soul, I know that God is on the move. It's my choice to join in and let His kingdom come through my life.

 Isaiah 26: 3, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." This truly is the key to me. I trust God, that whatever it is He is calling me to be a part of, He's there, He's all around me. Knowing this truth, my heart, mind, and soul can stay at peace in moving forward with Him. Keeping my every thought fixed on His purpose, His will, His glory. To live in this earthly body trusting God in all things. Even if I don't like it or understand it. Galatians 2: 20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Dear God , I love to be with You. Your presence is heaven to me. You never change. You are, and always have been faithful. I desire to experience You daily. Let Your kingdom come in my life Lord.

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Kim

  

Even when it Hurts (I'll praise You) Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sv_876eqxg

There is no greater comfort than knowing a loved one has gained forever with Jesus Christ because they have put his faith and trust in Him as their Savior.

Have you ever been so hurt that you were lost for words? I have, and I'm sure it won't be the last time as long as I am on this side of heaven. But I can bring heaven to my heart and soul when...... "Even when it hurts" I will sing Him praise!!! That stuffs the enemy right back to hell and out of my presence!!!

Jesus takes our fainted heart and washes us in His love. His grace comes in just when you need it. If it's in sickness, watching a loved one suffering, a child making harmful choices, a spouse that decides they no longer want to be married.... life this side of heaven has it's heart aches! Things may not turn out the way you have hoped or even prayed for. How do you deal with it? What do you place your hope in? What truth do you hold onto? God never let's go of you. He knows things we may never know this side of heaven. We just need to trust Him, and that He truly is working out everything for our good and His purpose.

 I've seen death coming, and I know how a believer welcomes it when they've had enough, and they're tired of fighting. Jesus Christ makes that difference in them. They have no fear. It is the peace that passes anything we can understand. They are given that grace in their time of need, and so will we.

When you can praise God for all you are learning in painful experiences, you are on your way to healing. These words hold true to my everyday..... "When my strength is lost, when I have no song, when the fight seems lost, when it hurts like hell, even when it makes no sense to sing... Louder then I'll sing Your praise. I will only sing Your praise!"

 We have to remember that our story is for God's glory. Our misery, becomes our ministry.

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Kim

Thy Will.... Hillary Scott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAmh3yvmzXs

1 year Sept 12th. Hard to believe how fast time passes us by. Does missing someone get any easier, no!! But somehow, by only the grace of God, you learn to live again for all there is to live for!!!

When I heard this song, it made me think of the last few weeks of my husbands life. Loosing the battle to cancer, but gaining eternity, forever healed, with Jesus. I didn't want to think I was going to loose him. To me, nothing is over until God says it's over. Sometimes the ones going through the suffering know a lot more than those of us who are pleading with God. I know Michael knew something I didn't know just by our conversations. The crazy thing was, he was at peace. I would pray like I've never prayed before, and all Mike would say is, "Thy will" be done God. That's when I believe God started to prepare me. I came into agreement with Mikes request to our Lord.

About 1 year after my husband surrendered his life to Jesus, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. I think I was in more shock than he was, and I was definitely mad at God. Yet knowing God understood my confusion, I cried out, "what the heck is going on God?" All I could ask God was ..... "Why, why now? He just gave his life to You. Our marriage is suppose to be all that You ever wanted it to be. Oh God, please let me have more years with him to serve You together." I know God heard me. But in the quietest voice I think I ever heard God speak in my life, He was saying..."This is where I always wanted your husband, that I gave you, to be with Me. In a love relationship with me." Wow, talk about humbling someone. That went straight to my heart. I started to understand all the hard times of our marriage, and why God held it together. It was, "for such a time as this."(Esther 4:14) Mike battled with a lot, as we all do, but nothing that the blood of Jesus doesn't cover. It covers a multitude of sin! (1 Peter 4: 8)

Mike and I prayed, along with many others, in believing that if it was God's will he would beat this. Mike fought a good fight with faith and love for God all the way through. Never once did he get mad at God. I even asked him that question many times, and he said, "of course not." The way Michael handled his suffering, I couldn't help but be completely humbled. I learned so much from Michael in the time when God was calling him home. 

The lyrics of this song were more of something within myself. Michael was never confused about anything. He knew God saw him, heard him, and had better plans for him than this world could ever offer him. Mike accepted it. Now he has goodness with him forever and ever. I miss him everyday, but God's will was done. I will see him again, because we share the same faith in Jesus. Victory in His Name!!

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Kim

Here with You..... Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsyBCIy-eDk

The eyes of a person tells what's in their soul.

Matthew 6: 22-23, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

It's no coincidence that God led me to this song, or this scripture all in the same day! If you've never listened to the songs I send out, please listen to this one. It opens with a sunrise that looks like an eye, and the lyrics "Eternity in my soul" Oh how I praise You Jesus for this revelation. Now I can visit that vision Satan tried to rip me apart with, anytime You want me to. I see it with Your truth. Not the enemies lie. You turned it out for my good!!!! Romans 8:28.... Step back, once again Satan, YOU JUST GOT YOUR BUTT KICKED!!!!

Now I know why my plea with asking God, "please keep my visions away from that hospital room on that last night" wasn't answered right away. In fact it took a whole year, but God is always on time. He wanted me to see what He was trying to tell me. That vision of my husband in the hospital room, the last time I would see him, I could not get his eyes out of my mind. It always made me just break down because of wondering what he thought when he heard what the doctors told us all. But now I know what God wanted me to see. Michael's eyes told the truth of his soul and his faith and peace he had in Jesus Christ. Now I won't be tormented by this vision. I will praise God every time I get it. I am reminded of the living hope he had.

I know God was already speaking to Michael, leading him on to the only hope he had left, THE LIVING HOPE! 1 Peter 1: 3, " Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"...When all hope runs out, the doctors come into the room full of family members and tells you, "there is nothing more we can do." What do you put your hope in? I can tell you the peace of the light of eternity in my husbands eyes, was already in his soul. He told me, "we are not going to prolong this." Who would want to when you have the hope of heaven. Mike was ready, are you? It won't be long before I see him again because I have that same hope. I am just traveling here a little longer to lead others to this hope.

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Kim