Greater still. Brandon Lake

 https://youtu.be/-0Zrn1o0VXY

Oh so good..My Utmost

Security for Today. “You shall not go out with haste….” As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ.

Lost in Your Love.. Brandon Lake

 https://youtu.be/HWHtxE_MYsE

Matthew 18:3 And He  said “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

I love looking at little children and their faces and smiles. I always say "they don't have a care in the world." And if they did, they wouldn't realize it.

Oh God take me there..... That faith of a child.

I love the fact that my fear has no choice but to surrender. That's the power given to us when going all in. 

The more time I spend with the Lord, the more I fall in love with Him.  The more I get to know His character and trust Him with every part of this precious life He gave me.

 I don't have to know what tomorrow brings as long as I know He is in my tomorrow. 

Knowing Gods character, experiencing Him in this life, has made me realize to never stop asking, seeking, and knocking on those unopened doors. He is faithful and good.  He works out everything for our good, and His purpose and glory.  We may not like what we're going through. We may not like the waiting of the things we are praying for. But in that waiting, He is creating in us that faith and trust of a child. To put everything in the hands of our faithful, good Father.

For Your glory always Lord

Kim D

The Blood.. Bethel music.

 https://youtu.be/4DtiMf1xoLM

2 Corinthians 5: 17-21......Galations 6:14-15

 Living a good life without an inward change leads to a shallow or empty spiritual walk. What matters to God is that we be completely changed from the inside out.

 The Holy Spirit gives us this new life, and we are not the same anymore.  We are beginning a new life under a new Master, Jesus Christ.

 Focusing on the tragedy of the cross, can't help but change you. Because it's only by the blood that we are made new.

 Our spiritual power is in the cross. It is what defeated satan.  Jesus came because He knew what his death and resurrection. was going to do for us.  He accomplished our redemption by giving His life in substitution of our own.  If that doesn't begin to change you from the inside. I don't know what will. 

 I love hearing people's testimonies. I love hearing what Christ has done in someone's life.  I love seeing the power of Jesus Christ in someone's life, and how he is carrying them through some kind of suffering.  But what we speak first should really be like Paul in, 1 Corinthians 2:2, " For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."

 It's only by the blood. I've been washed from the inside. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus.

For Your Glory Lord

Kim D

Getting there.. Stephanie Gritzenger

 https://youtu.be/un6HKDXqC4U

 Oh what Jesus Christ has done for all of us. All the glory and the honor He deserves from our lives. How we live it. How we speak from our lips. What we allow our ears to listen to, and our eyes to see. Are we really giving Him all the glory and honor that is due His Name?  Are we only as close to Him as we want to be?  That's not honor and worship.

 We are all sinners saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. We will never be perfect this side of heaven. But a pure heart desires to get there. Are you one who continuously says, "I'm not there yet?" That shouldn't even be something that flows from our lips. Or at least it shouldn't end there. We should say, "I desire to have a pure heart that chases after God the way He chases after me."  

The Bible tells us that we were created in His image.  Question is, does Jesus see himself in you? Is he comfortable everywhere you take him?

 There is a reason for our journey and the purpose in our learning and pain. Some of us are more stubborn than others. Some get there quicker than others. Some of us God has to drag quite a few times before we realize what Hes doing.  

I was actually that stubborn child growing up. I was probably punished more than my sister was. But the love that I had, and the honor and respect for my parents, always brought my heart where it needed to be.  Obedience, not because I didn't want to be punished, but because of my love for them.

 Our lives are the altar for Jesus. Is He being magnified in us? Or are we constantly making excuses not to draw closer to him?It's a love relationship. Either you love him for your convenience of things. Or you are totally head-over-heels in love with Him.  You can't fool God, because He is the only One Who searches the depths of our heart and knows the truth of our worship. To know Jesus, really know Him, is to Love Him with your whole heart, not devided.  We certainly wouldn't want to be loved that way.  His presence is my promise. And I don't want half of Him, I want all of Him.  

 I don't know about you. But I want all that He has for me along this journey here.  I want to see Him in the land of the living.  When you desire to be so close to Jesus, you will find Him in all your questions.

 I am so in love with Jesus. I will never stop chasing after him this side of heaven.

 Are you getting there?

 Father God, we praise you for your patience, for your mercy, for the blood of your precious son. Please help us not to take that for granted.

 Always and forever Lord God for your glory.

1John 3:19-24... Genesis 1:27.. 

Kim D

It's always been you.. Phil Wickman

 https://youtu.be/BDURInx_GUk

 Thank you Jesus for never giving up on me. You let me in when I was at my worst.

 Each day as you spend time in the Lord's presence, let this thought be with you. Christ is all.... Christ is all to teach me to pray, to strengthen my faith, to give me the assurance of his love, to give me direct access to the Father, and to make me strong for my everyday.

 Christ in me. What a difference it makes if we could take the time every morning to focus on the thought, Christ is in me.

 This is something that I have told all of my grandchildren.  From the time they were little babies, I would tap their heart and say, "Jesus is in your heart."  As they got older, around 2, I would ask them, "Where is Jesus?", and they would tap their heart. Oh how I loved to see their little hands tap their heart. 

 Christ dwells in me. In the midst of my everyday, I look upon my heart as is dwelling place. John 14:20, Jesus said, " When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." Colossians 2:9, " For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in the human body." How awesome is that!!

 But first you must believe. The Bible tells us to believe, receive, and become a child of God, John 1:12.  You will never walk alone through anything. You will never be the same.

 His love is truly the compass of my heart.

 For your glory Lord

Kim D

My Jesus.. Anne Wilson

 https://youtu.be/K6aScSPhkWI

1 John 4:11  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought to love one another.

 Dear Lord only with Your help. I take great pleasure in doing Your will. I set my eyes on You today, fully focus to live my faith with unselfish acts of love and kindness. May my actions and words always point others to You. Amen.

  The chief attribute of the Father and of the Son is love to each other, and love to mankind. This should be the chief characteristic of a true Christian. Life becomes a well of living water, flowing out  as love to the Lord Jesus.  We should take pleasure in doing the will of the Lord. As the love of Christ, and the patience of Christ, was shown to us, we should exhibit the same.  There is such great joy in being a witness to the world of the power of Christ that changed us. 

I have learned that it is so important to even love those who anoy the heck out of you. By that I mean. Pray for them. At that moment start praying.  God has put them in your path for a reason. Give to them the patience and compassion that God has given to me. I had this experience on my cruise.  Such a friendly outgoing person me and my sister met at  Karaoke. We bumped into him quite a bit on the ship. But one day was a little longer conversation.. I knew there was a purpose. Language was a bit much in conversation. That F word like it was nothing. But he was genuine.  Loud, but genuine. He wasn't even a drinker. It's just who he was. I prayed for the Holy Spirit to show me the open door to mention Jesus, and He did.  I asked what his faith was, because he started talking about the hardship in his family with his children and divorce.  He explained how he believed, and it wasn't just Jesus. I spoke, seed planted for Gods glory.  We continued to stay friends on the ship,  and enjoy each other's company when we happened to see each other at karaoke. He was such a great singer. Give somebody God's time when you sense it. You never know what that seed planted will do.

 Always for your glory Lord. 

Kim D

Cast your cares.. Stephanie gritzinger

 https://youtu.be/gWcE2QNQE9s

Psalm 27: 13-14

I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

 Nothing more true than this right here. Remaining confident in hope.  He is good no matter how He answers. Because He is always working good in us. And that good that Hes working in us, is not just for ourselves. But it is to encourage others of what He has done and continues to do.  Even if it's just taking us from fear and anxiety, to hope and faith.

 Remain confident and prayer. Be consistent in prayer. Prayers prayed according to God's will are already answered in eternity. Believe that!  Rest in that!  So why pray if it's already answered?  Your prayers will change from asking, to  believing the very thing you're praying for.  I believe nothing makes God more happy than hearing prayers of faith in what we are praying for.  Even if our prayers aren't being answered as quickly as we would like, we begin to sing praises of hope.  Praises of Who He is. What hes done. What He is doing in us.

Of course we would all love immediate answers to our problems. But in the waiting is where He is drawing us closer to Him.  He tells us in his word to come to him and he will give us rest.  To cast all our cares upon him.  To trust him and not to lean on our own understanding. There is freedom in letting it go and trusting him.

 So when you don't know what to do.. pray, and cast all your cares upon Him.

 For your glory Lord

Kim D

Holding on to hope.Bryan and Katie Torwalt..

 https://youtu.be/fTXtI-bIu3U

John 16:33, " I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

 This peace is truly a peace that passes all understanding. In John 8:31-32,  Jesus speaks about abiding in Him and knowing the truth, and the truth will set you free.  Knowing the truth! Jesus has said that all power has been given to Him in heaven and on Earth.  Knowing the truth, that I am in Him, and He is in me, what can come against me?  Knowing that saten was  defeated at the cross, and that he only has as much power as I give to him. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7,  What a treasure it is to have the living God make His home within us.

 The more time I spend in the word and learn about trials. The more I learn that a trial is a negative event that God either causes or allows.  But every trial is only to grow and mature us spiritually. To drive us to God at another level of knowing Him, and Christ in me. 

 I am learning more and more to fight the good fight of faith, 1 Timothy 6:12.   I love how Hebrews chapter 11:1 puts it. It tells us that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

 There are many things that I don't see the way God sees them. The things that He allows to come my way, are for the good in moving me closer to Him. Knowing him more. That he is kind and powerful, and a good good Father.  But satan's tactic is to move me further away by keeping my eyes on the struggle, and the wondering in my mind of why?  Or how can this be good for me?

  I know that I will never understand everything and I don't need to have all the answers.  But I do know in Ephesians  chapter 6:10-13, God's  word tells us to be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. And 3 times in these scriptures He says to "stand firm!"

 So as things are allowed to come my way,   I know He is with me. He will help me "stand firm" as He fights my battles as I dress in Him.  He is truth. He is my righteousness. He is my peace. He is my shield. He is my salvation. He is the word that cuts to the core. 

For Your glory Lord

Kim D

I will praise you... Hillsong

 https://youtu.be/1vXd_cSEPN4

 To be totally honest,  there are some lyrics in songs that are hard to sing, and some verses in The Bible that are hard to say Amen to.  As I am going through the process of waiting another 6 months to get a mammogram to check on things.  God has been continually speaking to me the words.. Hope, faith, trust, be still.... 

I remember when my husband passed,  it was hard for me to sing... "It is well with my soul"...  I know that God understands that, and he would do a work in me to bring it to when I sing it, I mean it. He continues to do that with me on a daily basis.

 Right now the scripture that is hard for me is,  Psalm 112: 6-8. " Surely he will never be shaken, a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news, his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord, his heart is secure, he will have no fear,  In the end he will look in triumph on his foes".....  No fear of bad news?  That's a tough one. But as you continue to read,  it is exactly what the Lord wants to build within me, within us. A heart that is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. A heart that is secure.  I want that! 

 In life we are always running into trials that build our character. They are either going to mature us, or break us. By that I mean. We could let the darkness continue to bring us down. Or we can focus our eyes, and seek Christ, hope in Him, and wait for Him patiently to reveal what is happening. John 12: 35 “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going."

 We go through things that can bring us to a dark place. Sometimes it's health issues. Sometimes it's marital issues. Sometimes it's problems with our kids. Whatever it may be. Remember what is spoken to you in the light. But that I mean. The time when you are desperately seeking God for answers and He either gives you one word, or one verse. Hold on to that. Because that is the very thing that He is trying to build in you. 

Even when we are not faithful, God remains faithful to us. Its Who He is.  Even when our hope runs low, God's hope in us never does. Even when our faith is small, God's faith in us never fails.  He is always looking our way even when our eyes wonder in every direction. Hes a good Father!

 Lamentations 3: 22-26, We are not consumed because his compassions never fail us. They are new every morning and great is His faithfulness. Never give up hope in the Lord. Never stop seeking him. He is faithful to complete the work that he is doing within us.

 For your glory Lord

Kim D

I've got joy... CeCe Winans

 https://youtu.be/JYuBzCuuj14

 There is nothing, absolutely nothing that can compare to having a love relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 I've got joy in the struggle, and the struggle is real.  I've got peace in the storm, because storms of life are real.  I've got strength in the battle, because the battles in life are real.  But I know one thing for sure. I'm a child of heaven and my "Hope" is secure.

 I went for a mammogram a couple weeks back and they called me back to do another mammogram and an ultrasound. I'm human, and of course it makes you nervous. But I know one thing for sure, I don't fear anymore.  Even when not knowing the outcome yet. Truly, if you know me, I have changed. I don't get shaken to the core anymore. I don't dwell on it daily.  I know my Jesus is my peace when I don't have the answers.  I know that prayer Warriors are praying.  I know that my love for Jesus is genuine. Not for what He can do for me. But what He's already done and continues to do in me.

 All I know is during the few weeks before getting in to be checked again, all I heard Him telling me was hope. Hope and pray.  Nothing wrong with hoping and praying. Nothing wrong with calling people and asking them to pray along with what you're hoping the outcome is. 

 The word "hope" has been in my head daily.  When I went in the changing room for my first exam, the mamo do over, only more extensive. The sign on the wall that my eyes went right to was hope. Could it be a coincidence? No, it was not.  I sensed it in my spirit and giggled along with God. The next room that I had to go into for the ultrasound, I got to have a conversation with the tech because that exam takes a little longer.  So of course I asked her where specifically they were looking, and if it seemed like anything. Of course she couldn't give me any answers except for, "there's one side that they were looking at that wasn't the same as last year." That would usually shake me. But this time it didn't. I kept hearing in my spirit,  "people are praying and you just keep your hope and peace in Me."  So talking a little more with her, she told me that sometimes they see things and people come back and they are gone. I asked her if she believed in prayer. She said "oh yes I do."  I said "so do I." I told her people are praying for me now and I won't give up hope. I told her the sign that was in the other dressing room that said hope. She said "well look at my wall."  Well there it was. Another picture that said "hope."

 All I know is, God broke my chains of fear in this area. Things are what they are going to be and you can't change that. But you never give up hope. You never give up trusting. And you never cease praying. 

 He's got all of my worship, all of my praise, All of my honor, and I've got joy, because I've got Jesus.

 For your glory always Lord

 Kim D

Embers..... Hillsong

https://youtu.be/OjRuXu58B8Q

Philippians 2: 12-13, The bible tells us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Take very serious the word of God. Work it out, because the power of the Holy Spirit is within, and it fights with the flesh to come out. Like the caterpillar, there is a beautiful butterfly inside this body that struggles from within to come out.

2 Peter 1: 3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

Most people work out to get tone ,strong, and some to loose weight. This takes time, but the more you stay consistent at it, you will see changes.

Galatians 5: 16-18, This verse reminds me of when I was a personal trainer and people would tell me, "I want to turn this fat to muscle." You can't do that. They are two different identities. But you can build more muscle to burn the fat. Just like our flesh and spirit are always at war with one another. The flesh is never going away, but you can build your inner spirit by your intimate relationship with Jesus. Spending quality time with Him to melt away those fleshly desires. You can't just go to church on Sunday and expect to have a strong spiritual soul. It's going to become flabby.

1 Peter 1: 23, "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." In Christ we are a new creation in the making, 2 Corinthians 5: 17.

We have this living power of the Holy Spirit. But when we received Jesus Christ as our Savior, it was in seed form. That seed needs to be nourished to grow. Like a fire that's dying, but the embers are hot and glowing. Fan the flame and bring the fire alive. His Spirit is within all who believe. He wants all the earth to see that He is Lord through our lives. Be a soul on Fire. Strong in Him from the inside bursting out.

For Your glory Lord

Kim D

Sovereign.. Shane and Shane

 https://youtu.be/Dl9a7sE4bcM

  The lyrics of this song just strengthen me so much. It's so true. Our God is Sovereign, and nothing takes Him by surprise. He makes no mistakes. He has a plan and a purpose for each of us.  We have The Bible which is our roadmap to life. The end of the story shows the victory that has already been won. So as we travel through His..tory, lets hold the Banner high.

 Even what the enemy means for evil, God is always working it out for our good and His glory, Genesis 50:20.  Even in the valleys He is faithful, Psalm 23:4.

 In my prayers the other day, I asked God to help me hear His "why not be my witness" louder than my my "why" to things that are happening today. Well He did, and as always through His living and active Word.

I am reading the book of Revelation, chapter 12:12-17. Verse 12"  Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the Earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.".....The enemy knows his time is short so hes stepping up his game. We are truly living in the last days. Even though the devil is very powerful,  as we can see by the condition of our world, he is always under Gods control. This is one of the reasons why God allows satan to work evil and bring temptation,  is so that those who pretend to be Christ followers will be weeded out from Christ's true believers. 

Verse 17, " Then the dragon, (saten) was enraged at the woman, (Mary) and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring, (we who believe)  those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus".... 

 We are in a spiritual battle, Ephesians 6 versus 10 through 12. We know from the word of God that Satan and his followers have been defeated and will be destroyed. Yet Satan is battling daily to bring more into his ranks, and even causing believers to be lukewarm christians, Revelation 3:15-16.  When you are in a battle, you don't want to be lukewarm. You want to be on fire and ramped up for the one you are fighting with.  God will not lose the war, but we must make certain not to lose the battle for our own souls. Don't waver in your commitment to Jesus. There is no time for indecision.

For Your Glory Lord always

Kim D

Someone's praying... Brad and Rebecca

 https://youtu.be/NZGlRspD0Ic

Prayers of The Righteous: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 

 I pray that if you don't believe in the power that prayer has, that you will come to believe.

 I can't even count, the countless times I have reached out to the body of Christ, to lift me, or a family member, or a friend up in prayer. I don't hesitate to reach out for prayer. I believe in it with all my heart. Because I have experienced the power that comes from it.  The peace and the strength that comes from it. I can be down in the dump's one minute, and lifted up the next. 

I know all too well, that just because I am a Christian, a follower of Christ, does not mean that hard times are not going to come upon me.  But I also know, that a Christian's most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer.The results are often greater than we thought are possible. Some people see prayer as a last resort to be tried. Prayer should come first, because God's power is infinitely greater than ours. It only makes sense to rely on it. Especially because God encourages us to do so.

 I serve God in an awesome Bible study with ladies. We have a text message group prayer chain.  I can't tell you the countless times that we have carried each other to the throne room of God, and have experienced peace, strength,  and miracles.  There is nothing like knowing, someone is carrying you, when you can't carry yourself to the feet of Jesus. 

 There is another scripture I absolutely love. Romans chapter 8: 26-27, " In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the spirit, because the spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."...... Even when we don't know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for us, and God answers.

 Like the lyrics of this song... Mountains can be moved,  Lift your faith, the miraculous can overtake the room.  When we cry out there is power. Call upon the King, He is listening.  At the right hand of the Father, Jesus is listening to make a way for me."

 Pray for one another. There is there is power.

 For your glory Lord

Kim D

Revival.... Chris McClaren

 https://youtu.be/FMxtKrT5jd8

 We know that only God can heal our land. That only God can make things right again.  Over and over again, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, God says, "return to me" in one way or another. 

Zechariah 1:3..2 Chronicles 30:9...Isaiah 44:2...Joel 2:13.. John 15:4...John 14:23

 As christians, when are obedience to God begins to disintegrate, so goes the family, so goes the nation.  When we stop letting God lead us, we become no better than the evil people around us. When we make our own laws for our own benefit, we set standards far below God's. When we leave God out of our life, we may be shocked at what we are capable of doing. 

 I believe the horrible crimes we are seeing, are not just based on the failure of the government to have Godly principles. But because Christians are luke warm. Looking more and more like everyone else.  We are compromising. When we need to submit to the authority of Christ, 2  Corinthians 6:14-17.

 Revelation, chapters 1, 2 and 3, should really awaken the church! Revelation 3:2, "Wake up!".....  Revelation 3: 15, " I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So because you are a lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I'm about to spit you out of my mouth." 

WOW,  that's actually how it feels, and looks in this crazy world. God's not playing. It's time for us to stop playing church, and playing Christian. 

 Just like our pastor taught last Sunday, "you can't call yourself a Christian if you're not following." Bold truth spoken from the pulpit. 

 Whenever we get away from God and his word,  all sorts of evil follow. Our drifting away from God may be slow, but it is for sure to affect the future generation. We must continually call our nation back to God.  God's moral and spiritual reign must begin in the heart of each and every one of us.

For you glory Lord

Kim D

High and lifted up.. Hillsong

 https://youtu.be/slLSH7ntjxw

Isaiah 6: 1," I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted"...

 When God removes things from our life, how do we handle it? It could be a death of a loved one. It could be a divorce, family issues. Anything that is allowed to happen in our lives is for a purpose. 

 When God removes things to put Himself in that place, that is usually when we don't understand, and start to fall apart. But that's when we should seek Him deeper and see the Lord like Isaiah did. 

Our vision is dependent on Christ being formed in us......

From My Utmost: His use of external circumstances to bring about internal purification.

Your priorities must be God first, God second, and God third, until your life is continually face to face with God and no one else is taken into account whatsoever. Your prayer will then be, “In all the world there is no one but You, dear God; there is no one but You.”

Keep paying the price. Let God see that you are willing to live up to the vision.

For Your glory Lord 

Kim D

Knowing You.. Steffany Gretzinger

 https://youtu.be/l_wC29WxfEY

I never see anything that happens in my life anymore as a coincidence. Everything happens for a God given reason. Every situation I find myself in, good, bad, or ugly,  is a way to find a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ and all He is in me. The Holy Spirit is determined that we have this knowledge.

When I go through something and I need His peace and strength, I pray for it. I ask people to pray for me. I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal things in me that I need to change. Peace, strength, and joy of the Lord does not come, until what the Holy Spirit is revealing in me to change and I am obedient to that change. He doesn't care who's right or wrong in anything. His concern is to look more and more like Jesus in all things. This is a lifelong process of sanctification and allowing the Holy Spirit to change us within by daily reading of Gods word which has the positive effect on our minds and hearts,  John 17: 15-19...

I want to know Jesus in everything I go through. Psalm 77:11-12, " I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."  Memories of his miracles and faithfulness are what sustain us through present circumstances. There will always be new things in our life to cause us too worry, or have anxiety. But the key for me to peace,  is remembering all that God has brought me through.  How it was a choice to be still with Him and grow. To let Him use whatever He has allowed for His glory.  So look back and remember where you were, and all He's brought you through. Then help someone else. That is what this life is all about. 

For Your glory Lord

Kim D

Integrity... River Valley worship

 https://youtu.be/sGsQyzay140

Conviction is a marvelous thing. It changes us if we allow it and don't make excuses. 

 

I am reading 2 Peter 1:3-9, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness."..  The scripture goes on to talk about making every effort to add to our faith, goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. "If we possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep us from being ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is near sighted and blind"....

So if we're not allowing the Holy Spirit, (His divine power) to work on developing these qualities, maybe we don't belong to Christ. The scripture clearly says, "in increasing measure."

Reading this lead me back to Philippians 2: 1-18.  That our attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ. Verse 12 tells us to,  "continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

 The Holy Spirit is at constant work in us if we allow him. He's growing us, in great measures. 

Take a look at one more scripture with me. Matthew 5: 9, " Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."  A peacemaker. Not a gossiper, not one who follows the crowd, not one who pays back evil for evil. But the one that is different.  The one that people say, "you're a fool.  Or you are weird."  A fool for Jesus, that's fine with me. That's what I desire to be. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, and constantly being drawn in closer. This is my prayer. 

Thank You Lord for this precious gift within. 

I want to live with integrity. For your glory Lord

Kim D

Fill me... Red Rock Worship

 https://youtu.be/TxnEFolX-Ns

Romans 5:5...." God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Knowing that this world will never change, I can only ask the Holy Spirit to continue to change me.  As the world gets uglier, I can become more bitter and angry. Or become more of what the word of God tells me. Matthew 5:7-9,  Blessed are the merciful... Blessed are the pure in heart.... Blessed are the peacemakers... James 3 talks about the taming of the tongue.  That it's like a fire,

 verse 6.  Verse 8 tells you that it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 1 Peter 3: 8-12.  These verses talk about being compassionate and humble. Not repaying evil with evil, or insult with insult.  Seeking peace and pursuing it. In our fallen world it seems acceptable by some to tear people down, or to get back at them if we feel hurt or disagree on a matter. In God's kingdom, revenge is an unacceptable behavior, as is insulting a person no matter how indirectly it is done. We must rise above getting back at those who hurt us. Or those who have a different opinion. Opinion is all it is, if it isn't Gods truth. Let it go. Don't fall into satan's trap and fight and quarrel. Ask for wisdom, James 3: 13-18.  As the Holy Spirit fills us, He purifies our heart. He gives us self control. Then the words that we speak will please God. Instead of reacting angrily to these people pray for them. OH LORD HELP ME!

 So many things that we see happening should not be a surprise when you know that the Bible tells us the world is satan's. (2 Corinthians 4:4--Ephesians 2:2)

Someday I will be going to my eternal forever home. I can only hope to hear, Matthew 25:23, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

While I am here, I need to ask God to continually help me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. 

Thank You Lord for hearing my prayer. 

Kim D

Fresh Wind .... Hillsong

 https://youtu.be/SdDdMzt_w2U

I haven't been able to write a blog for a few weeks now. Usually my heart wallows up with words and scripture when I have a song that continues to ring in my head. But this time I just couldn't.  God was trying to speak to me,  but I wasn't hearing with His heart, and He sure had His flashlight on mine.

With all the ugly going on, and all the lessons I have been learning on truth, I thought that the posting I was doing on FB with scripture, God would be happy about. Maybe He was glad it was being told. But there was something more going on I wasn't catching onto. It's His word I thought, so it's the truth. I truly thought, It may even help someone. Problem was, I thought I was doing it in love. But God sees to the deepest part of our hearts that we don't even realize. But today I heard Him loud and clear.

From where I was in my reading in the Bible, in James 3: 1-12, I was very much convicted.  Especially when reading the verses 6-10. Verse 6 "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Verse 8, "but no man can tame the tongue, it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness." ..  Don't miss that, "made in God's likeness."

Then I read this in a devotional today..."sin will kill the life of God in us. We must mentally bring ourselves to terms with this fact of sin".... As a Christian I know I don't even have to speak it. All it has to do is be in my thoughts and I'm sinning.  So yes, I may be writing loving truth, but what is really going on inside me. There's no fooling God. He will reveal it to you one way or another.  He desires for us to have a healthy Christ center character.

  Every single human being on the face of the Earth is a creation of God. They may be far from God and very different. But they are still His creation.  We should be people of prayer. Like it says in Ephesians 6: 18,  "And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." 

 I won't stop speaking the truth. I won't let the enemy stop that. But I will read Psalm 139: 1-4 and 23-24 before I do.   How can you go wrong if you ask God to search your heart first. "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely".... or Jeremiah 17: 9-10.." I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind"  Don't miss that, "examine the mind."

"So we the church who bear Your Light. Lamp aflame, city bright. King and Kingdom come is what we pray. We need a fresh wind. Pour Your spirit out."

Holy Spirit help us.  If we want to see the overcoming of Jesus in our life, we need to become poor and spirit, Matthew 5: 3.  

For Your glory Lord 

Kim D

Fresh wind... Hillsong

 https://youtu.be/SdDdMzt_w2U

Ephesians 3: 7-12 ...." To make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord"......  God's great plan is carried out through the church.

Sad truth,  revival won't happen until we turn from sin. Sin that is crystal clear in the written word of God. We the church, need to be one with Jesus, not with what the world calls ok. That is a deception of the enemy.  Love is truth. Truth is Jesus! He sets the standards. Speak the truth in love. What makes us mad, turn to prayer. Oh how I personally need His strength in this area. Evil only does what it knows to do. We need to do what we know to do, pray.  Because our fight is not against flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:12, " For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Saten loves anger, but he hates prayer. SO PRAY!

Ephesians 2: 19-22 " Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his spirit.

"We need a fresh wind. The fragrance of heaven. Pour Your spirit out. For hearts that burn with holy fear. Purified in faith and deed. Refiners fire strengthen what remains."

Lord Jesus, let it begin with me.

For Your glory Lord 

Kim D 

The commission... CAIN

 https://youtu.be/APATH3ea-D0

Last words are precious from loved ones who are getting ready to leave this world and enter into eternity.  You know that you are getting close to hearing the final words from your loved ones so you get as close as you can.  I will never forget the peace on my husband's face, and on my father's face when they were getting ready to leave this world. I will never forget their last words.

We are not asked of much from our precious Savior. Matthew 28: 18-20.

 Jesus left the disciples with these last words of instruction. They were under his authority, they were to make more disciples, they were to baptize and teach these new disciples.  It is not an option, but a command to all who call Jesus Lord.

Paul gives Timothy a commission before he is executed in 2 Timothy 4:1-2.

  In 2nd Timothy, Paul knew that he would soon be executed and he wrote his final thoughts. He passed them on to Timothy, passing to him the torch of leadership. Reminding him of what was truly important, and encouraging him in the faith.

So let's tell all who Jesus puts in our path of what He's done for us.  Jesus has faith in us that we will do greater things. Let's not let Him down. His Spirit is with us wherever we go. 

For Your glory Lord 

Kim D

Love note... Upperroom

 https://youtu.be/Zppusz1ALI8

There is nothing more comforting to me than to know Jesus is ALL AROUND ME.

His Word is our love note from Him. Can we hear it? Are we reading it? Are we spending that precious intimate time with our First love? 

Revelation 2:4 " Yet I hold this against you:  You have forsaken your first love." 

 Since the time in Jesus days, the zeal for Christ seems to be getting less and less.   May we never lose sight of the seriousness of our sin that we have been forgiven for.  Don't lose the thrill of that. 

 Just like when a man and woman fall in love. There is so much excitement. You can't wait to talk on the phone. Or go out on a date. So exciting, and should remain that way even after the marriage. Call each other in your day. Send a loving text message.  Continue to have date night. 

If we can do that with each other, Jesus deserves so much more. 

He sent His only Son. To be with whom He loves, John 3:16.

 The lyrics of the song make my heart melt. Knowing I'm never alone.  I don't think I'll ever eat dinner alone the same again.

"A dinner for two
Just me and you
Let's take some time
To sit down in dawn
I broke my bread
And poured out my wine
I did what it took
To make you my bride
I'm bringing you back to the garden
Back were it all started".....

I love you Jesus

Kim D