At the Mention....Chris McClarney

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGD-z5GraKM

We can sing lyrics of songs from our mouth, but if we don't believe what we are singing, it's really empty praise. When we read the word of God and doubt what we are reading, it's just empty words on a page. What then becomes of our prayer life when we talk to God?  It would probably sound like doubt behind what we are praying for. It all becomes lifeless. Not praying with the authority and power that Jesus said we have.

Worship music has always set my heart on fire. That is why I love to blog. I look at every word as a prayer, as praise, as worship. I know He's listening and smiling because I BELIEVE!

I mean look at this chorus: "The Name of Jesus will be my fortress. No power on heaven or earth could ever stand against it. I fear no evil. I will take courage, for all creation will bow before Him." It's lyrics from my lips with belief behind every word. That makes it praise and worship to the King of my heart.

Look at what Jesus tells us in His word in Matthew 28:18, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Jesus said that! Look at Luke 10:19, "Behold, I have given YOU authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you." Did you get that?? Read it again to yourself! I will live the rest of my life believing that! But I also have to walk in it, and sometimes I fail because of my thoughts. But praise Jesus, it's not for long.

Believing all Jesus is, all He says in His word, and walking this life in all that He died to give me, will make my prayer life powerful! James 5:16..."The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." This is how I want to live the rest of my days, and encouraging others to believe and not doubt.

Powerful and effective! To think, at the mention of His Name, enemies scatter!!!

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Much love

Kim D

Not Affraid.... Red Rock Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRetFyXS5dc

 

The lyrics of this song are so true in my life, but sometimes its easy to loose focus. The enemy loves to put blinders on us.

I am on my way to having knee surgery June 26th, and also an appointment with the foot doctor for the opposite foot. That appointment didn't go so well. Absolutely not at all what I expected to hear. Or the direction I was being sent. But when the lion inside stopped roaring, I listened to that still small voice of my God.

If I told you I wasn't afraid after my appointment, I would be lying to you. I was actually full of fear! After he had me walk and watched my steps, he sat down and ran his fingers through his hair and said: "Kim, this is not what I expected. I think you have Charcot Marie tooth disorder. In short, muscle deterioration that will only get worse in time. Imagine hearing that! Well I focused on it and fell apart right there. He then said: "I need to send you to a neurologist for testing." Well of course I didn't even think of all the prayers that are being prayed for me, and also my own prayers for God's direction of Doctors for everything. I was blinded for a while until I made phone calls to family and friends. Then wouldn't you know it. I put on my Pandora and this song came on. I played it over and over, and kept telling the enemy he was a liar!!!!

God's got this, and me. He is arranging everything as He sees it needs to be. I am confident of that now. God is all knowing. Nothing is a surprise to Him like it can be to us. But God has a plan. He knows me oh so well, and that comforts me, Psalm 139: 1-6.

Fear is the complete opposite of my God. The enemy, with his big mouth, wants to seek to devour, 1 Peter 5:8. I am learning to listen to that still small voice, 1 Kings 19: 11-13.

Here is a beautiful text message I got from a sister in Christ the moment I got in my car to drive home. God's perfect timing before the song came on..... "When something is delayed and not denied, God is shifting things. Putting the right people in place. You are in the Masters hands."

My God is making a way, so I am not afraid.

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Much love

Kim D

Remembrance.....Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9kbdFCSrFU

I owe everything to Jesus. My life, my all. He gave this gift of life, in this time, for a purpose. I pray I always live life with His purpose always in mind. He's been so good to me. To think, where would I be, if not for all He's done.

Oh my, the lyrics to this song are heart melting. How could you not be so in love with this kind of love? This Jesus, Who gave His all for you, for me. John 1:12...This love that makes us whole again, if you would just receive it and believe it.

So if you are a believer, there is no excuse for us not to at least plant a seed. You may not have time for the Gospel, but we always have opportunities in the day to tell people of the joy and hope we have found in Jesus. Love has a NAME. It's Jesus!!! We are not here to be popular with people. We are here to magnify His Name. Use it, because it is the Name that saves.

I had a crazy encounter at my job the other morning. I met a women in the convention center at around 5:30 am when I was unlocking doors. She was just looking for a cup of coffee but the hotel coffee shop wasn't open yet. I brought her into one of our meeting rooms that we were setting for breakfast and got her a cup of coffee. I then proceeded to have a short conversation with her. She is here on vacation with her daughter and grandchildren. She said they were her life. I told her, me too. I told her I have been a widow for almost 4 years. She told me she is a widow too for about 15 years. Her husband passed from malignant melanoma and he has never been in the sun. I told her that's why I believe it is God's will when and how He calls us home. I told her I believe our stories are written from beginning to end. She then said, well whoever is writing my story has been good to me. I told her, thank the good God above. He is the author of our stories.....

Let's live our lives in remembrance, and give Him glory. 

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Kim D

Edge of Heaven..River Valley Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka-mF-1HwF4

Have you ever watched those videos of military men or women coming home and surprising their little ones? Oh how it just brings me to tears! How they cry out, "daddy or mommy." Just gets me every time. It makes me think of when I will one day run into my Saviors arms. Right now, is like living on the edge of heaven while I wait. I cling to His Holy presence, longing for that one day I will be with Him. 

For now, I live to encourage as many as God will give me, to the most beautiful love relationship that I found in Jesus Christ. There is none like it even though I'm alone, I never feel alone. I have been a widow for close to 4 years now. Sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. I miss him everyday, but in heaven there is no time. I remember my dad taking off his watch off and telling me he didn't need it anymore. You think, maybe he knew? Just one of those nuggets to me.

When I read Psalm 90:4, it says, "For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past"...  Or look at 2 Peter 3: 8, "But do not forget this one thing...with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." I love that!!! It comforts me greatly.

But for now, if He returns first before He calls me home, you will find me doing what Jesus told all His followers to do. Mark 16: 15, Share the Gospel, the revelation of Jesus Christ.

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Kim D

Who You say I am..... Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKw6uqtGFfo

I love a conversation that broke out at work the other day. I also loved that an important truth got out with no one getting mad, just laughter.

You know Oz never gave anything to the Tin man, Scarecrow, or the Lion that they didn't already have. They just needed to be reminded. That's the same thing with us. I don't think we realize all that God want's to show us of what He has been deposited in those of us who choose to believe and follow in this love relationship with Jesus, 2 Timothy1: 7. "Who the Son sets free, is free indeed. I'm a child of God, yes I am." I am who He says I am. I have all that He says I have.

Well here's how the conversation went. I asked one of the servers if another one of the servers foot was ok. She hurt it during work. He said, "Kim, your asking the wrong person. I don't have a heart. Well all the servers who know me, knows that that statement pushed the door right open for me. I said, "well, I'm going to sit you down and tell you more about Jesus and you might just get a heart." Another server said, "he doesn't have any brains either Kim." Well we all laughed. I then proceeded to say, "well I guess you don't have any courage either. If you really knew Jesus, you would have all three." We all laughed again. I love that we could all laugh about it, but it is really a serious issue when you don't know Him.

Everyone who knows me at work, knows my passion for Jesus. There are times when someone will ask me a serious question and I pray to give an answer. Sometimes I really want to retire, but I love how I see God using me here. It's not just work, it's also a place of ministry.

Jesus tells us in James 4: 8, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." The more you get to know Him, by spending time with Him, the more He draws beautiful qualities out that we don't realize are there. You begin to think clearer, have compassion for others, and the courage to stand up for yourself and others.

Some of us don't know who we are until we have that close relationship with Christ. He has a way of bringing out the best in you.

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Kim D

Come what may.... Lindy Conant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrb1MHU37E4

Our marital vows never changed. But for some of us, it's the commitment to one another that changed, for whatever reason that may be.

But if you are a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, our vow and commitment to Him should never change, no matter what comes our way. Look what Jesus says in John 6: 60- 67. Many would not want to follow Him anymore. It was just to hard of a teaching.

I've heard, and still hear today, they don't want to follow Jesus anymore, or go deeper, because it's just to  hard. It's the same way with marriage commitments today. Not many stick to the, "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health" anymore. It's more like, "Well, you don't make me happy anymore, or, if you don't change some of your ways I'm done, or, how do you like this one, you just don't have the body you use to have. Yup, that's one I've heard people say. Unreal!!! Marriage is a commitment, a covenant. Things that make us happy can fall apart at any time in life. So just think about those things. Things like good health, making great money, going on awesome vacations. All these things, and more can change in a blink of an eye. What do you stand on then? What makes your heart pound with deep love no matter what? What are you really in love with? For me it's Jesus! No matter what comes my way.

Malachi 2:15, John 17:21, I know God made me. I know God loves me. I know I have a purpose here that's not my own. I am one with Him in body and in Spirit. This is a love relationship that I will never turn around from. In every season, He is with me. I chose this path because He chose me. I made a vow, a commitment to my Lord and Savior. Unconditionally!! I hope you choose too.

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Kim D

Worthy..... Elevation Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak5WTb-mgeA

Worthy, the only One Who is worthy, Jesus! He deserves all our praise and adoration.

Romans 5: 6, "When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners." This whole chapter gets to my heart like nothing else can. What great love this is for mankind. Read it for yourself.

I will never understand a life unwilling to surrender and fall in love with Jesus. Unless you read the bible like it's some ordinary history book, or you haven't read it at all. I mean, some people say that they are agnostic or atheist, and they haven't even read the bible. Pick it up with a different frame of mind and heart, and see if you don't come alive! It is the Living word of God. A book that is so alive every time you read it and experience it.

Those of us who have come to Jesus Christ by faith, have a peace and a joy that people just don't understand when we are going through trials of some kind. James 1: 2-4, We know when our faith is being tested, that it is our time to grow. Trials develop us spiritually as we draw closer to God in His word. He's also given us power through the gift of the Holy Spirit to press through, Acts 1: 8.

Another great promise is, He is with us always: Joshua 1: 9... Isaiah 41: 10... Deuteronomy 31: 6.... Zephaniah 3: 17... Matthew 28: 20. It is in knowing and experiencing these promises, that He is with me everyday and all day, that this is the secret of my joy, my peace, and my strength. Nothing I go through comes as a surprise to Him. It has already been written in my story for His glory. I pray my life shows how the love of Jesus has taken me over, and spills over onto others.

Acts 20:24, "My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. The task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." 

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Kim D

This we Know.... Vertical Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq233lM3k9w

Love this song. So positive and powerful to sing to the God I know.

Love these verses. I hope they encourage you.

Deuteronomy 28:13, "The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be on top, never at the bottom."

Hebrews 10: 39, "But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved." 

What we as believers have to keep in the very front of our thoughts is, the enemy is defeated! Colossians 2: 15, " He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them by the cross." Thank you Jesus! He may get a whisper in every now and then, but it's only what we magnify about that lying whisper, and if we allow it to overcome us, that we will continue to spiral down. Know the word of God and His promises. Hebrews 4: 12,They are sharper than any double edged sword.

Please read James 4: 7-10. Don't miss the most important move on our part for the devil to flee. Submission! Come near to God and He will come near to you. Repent, grieve, mourn and wail over our sin. Humble ourselves before Almighty God, and He will lift us up.

John 3: 16, God did all He can do for us. He sent His only Son, Who willingly died for the sins of the world. We who believe this are victorious. In life we win, and even in death we win. We have everlasting life! How much better can it get? We are in a world, that I think is very clear to see, fading fast. God is so patient with us all. Not willing to loose one, 2 Peter 3:9. There is not any sin that He will not forgive. I know that's very hard to comprehend, but it's the truth. Only God can love with that depth of love. You will one day be accountable for the choice you make. I pray you choose Him now. You may not have tommorow. He is the only way to our eternal home. Dont gamble with your death date. 

I hold onto every promise Jesus ever made. He is unfailing! My hope, strength, and peace, even on the darkest days remains in Him alone.

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Much love

Kim D

Lord of Lords .... Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDbvKqXLL7k

"Let the things of this world NEVER sway me"

Exodus 20:12, "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." I thank my God that I had parents who loved me enough to discipline me when I did something that I was told not to do, or anything that would put me in harms way. I am eternally grateful that I have a heavenly Father who loves me more than even my own parents, and He disciplines too. No one likes to be disciplined, but it's for our own good and protection. That's love! How do you respond to that love?

We all have choices. Nothing goes unseen by him. He can't change people's choices. From the beginning of time God has given us all free will. Ezekiel 18: 30-32, " Therefore, (put your name in this. Make it personal) you Israelites (Kim), I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses, then sin will not be your downfall... For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign Lord. Repent and live!". ... Oh, if we would just let Jesus be our LORD! Not this buffet god, where we pick and choose what we want to surrender to. Give Jesus the authority He rightly deserves over our lives. Matthew 28:18, " Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me."  ...

There are many people who believe in Jesus, even the demons believe.   Problem is, even christians who say they believe don't let Jesus Christ have authority over their lives. Which means they just believe , but he is not Lord over their life. Complete surrender.  Not just choosing what you want to surrender. There will be great consequences to this. Roman's 13:2, "  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Revelation 3: 16, "So, because you are lukewarm...I am about to spit you out of my mouth." You know, like that sip of lukewarm coffee that you thought was still nice and hot. You spit it out.I don't know about you, but that scares me. Not only does it scare me, but it breaks my heart to know my own decisions are breaking God's heart. 1 John 2: 4, "Whoever says, "I know Him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person." We can't fool God. He knows us inside and out. Either He is Lord of your life, or He's just someone you say you believe in, and that's not enough.  We must repent, turn from sin, and surrender all if He is our LORD.  

Psalm 46: 10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  Still in control,  just patient! 2 Peter 3: 9, ..."  But is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance"

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Much love

Kim D

Love like this... Lauren Daigle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7eyU9EPGWo

Ephesians 3: 18-20.... God's love reaches every corner of our experiences in life. It's wide, it's long, it continues the length of our lives. It's high, it's deep, it reaches to the depths of discouragement, despair, and even death.

I can't believe God's timing of when I stumbled upon this writing from a son who wrote it in memory of his dad that just passed. After reading the scripture above, and this song playing in my head all morning, I stumbled upon it. It's amazing how Jesus spoke to my heart and turned it to Him through song, and scripture, and this young mans writing.

I'm going to start this blog by using his writing, but I'm going to put Jesus where he put dad, and use the present tense instead of past tense.

"I would like to express my relationship with my Jesus. My Jesus is always there for me when ever and where ever I need Him. No matter what the reason is. When I stumble in life He always tells me, "you'll be fine, and do you know why? It's because you are mine." My Jesus loves me unconditionally. He believes in me when I don't believe in myself, and has confidence in me when I don't have any. My Jesus always says, "Kim everyday is a new day. Appreciate and be grateful for everything around you. You never know your last day."...... I have to say, what great words of wisdom to his son.

It will take me my whole lifetime to understand love like Jesus. I didn't do anything to deserve it, and I certainly can't earn it. I will never be good enough. I am just a sinner saved by His amazing grace. He loves us so much, and wants us where He is when our time and purpose is done here. I will spend the rest of my days letting Him fight the darkness that tries to pull me down. He is my light, my truth, my way. No weapon formed against me will prosper, Isaiah 54:17.

Jesus overcame, and He told me I will too. My story is already written and He is my Dad. I love you Daddy God.

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Kim D

New Wine.....Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ozGKlOzEVc

Romans 8: 17...."we share in His sufferings"....

Life will bring many of us through crushing and pressing. Nothing good comes easy. Just like a nice fine wine. Picking the finest grapes, and then crushing them to make a fine wine.

The scripture clearly states, that if we are His children, then we will share in His sufferings. But the best part is we also share in His glory. All for Him. All to build His kingdom. To share with others where our hope comes from.

I know that I have prayed fervently for God to please change something's in my life. But rather than Him changing them, He was changing me. This made me understand the scripture, 2 Corinthians 12: 8-9 so much more. Paul never had his prayer answered the way he expected either. He even pleaded with God. But through God's grace, His power was being made perfect in Paul's weakness. I mean it truly is amazing how this happens, but it does. You praise and love on God no matter what you're going through, and He shows you just how strong HE IS!

It's easy to want to give up, get mad at God, fall off the path He's got you on because you just don't understand it. But, like Paul's thorn, God is using it for His glory, and we get to share in that. What ever you're thorn may be, don't give up. God is breaking new ground. He's going to bring new wine out of the crushing. And where there is new wine, there is new POWER!

Ephesians 3:16 ...."out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with POWER through His Spirit in your INNER being"...2 Corinthians 5: 16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet INWARDLY we are being renewed day by day....so we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal." I love that!!

One more great promise of God's spoken word in Philippians 3: 20-21, "But our citizenship is in heaven....the Lord Jesus Christ....will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." Oh that glorious day!!!!

So while I'm still here, like the lyrics say: "God I came here with nothing, but all you have given me. Jesus make new wine out of me. I lay down my old flames to carry Your new fire today." Be a light to this dark world like Jesus was.

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Much love

Kim

Spirit Lead Me....Michael Ketterer Influence music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ko4yroBP0A

2019: Spirit lead me in what I see, hear, and do. I choose to trust You.

I think the biggest lesson we learn as believers in Jesus Christ, and the hardest, is to trust what God is doing, even when we can't see or understand why.

The hardest thing for me to realize in my faith walk was, that God allows suffering. He doesn't cause it, He allows it. All you have to do is look what He allowed to happen to His own Son. I am so grateful that Jesus offered Himself up for us. Never turning back. Knowing the reason why He had to do it. Or look at the book of Job. Read the New Testament stories of His true followers. Here's a few scriptures you could look up on this: 1 Peter 3:14...1 Peter 4:1...1 Peter 5:10....2 Corinthians 4:17.....Hebrews 2:10....Romans 5: 3-4....Isaiah 43:2.

I've talked to many Christians that feel we don't have to suffer because Jesus did it for us already. That's not even scriptural at all. A Christian shouldn't live by feelings, but unfortunately many do. Like, "If it feels good do it. As long as you're not hurting anyone." That's a lie right from the pit of hell!

Jesus talks about suffering in many scriptures: Matthew 10:38...Matthew 16: 24....Mark 8: 34, If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me." Or Matthew 20: 22, "Are you able to drink from the same bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink?" Jesus spoke truth that was, and still is hard. Even many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed Him, John 6:66. Is it a coincidence that that number is 666? The mark of the beast, Revelation 13: 18.

I don't live by feelings anymore. They use to make me mad at God, and always questioning Him, why? Feelings can steer us off the way God is leading us, even if it is hard. I have friends that are carrying heavy, heavy crosses, such as cancer. Not even knowing the outcome yet. Some who are no longer with us. Yet the way they carry this cross of suffering, is pointing many people to Who Jesus is in it with them.

Our life is truly an alter. Once you really grasp that, He begins to take us further into our written story for His Glory.

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Much love-- Kim D