A Tribute To My Mother

I realized yesterday just how much my mother means to me. I really don't know if I can put this into words without sounding trite, or like I want to elicit emotion. These are just the facts and something I hope will inspire and challenge each of us.

Yesterday afternoon after work I had about five hours of Christmas shopping ahead of me. My mother asked if I could come by the hospital (where she goes each day for radiation treatments). She and my dad had a Christmas gift for Brian and I.

So, gladly I went and my dad left to do some errands. It was my job to see her over to physical therapy after she got out of her treatment session. She came out and said, "Oh, I forgot I have to see the doctor today before I go." My first thought was, "I wonder how long this will take". Then I thought, "Well, I would like to visit with her so it's probably working out for the best."

A side note: recently I have begun to see who in my life is most important. That is, who really cares for me. To be fair, I know that I need to BE a friend to have a friend (Proverbs 18:24). But here's what is different about a mother's love: You don't have to be her friend for her to be yours. She will love you unconditionally.

So we are sitting there waiting for the doctor (mind you, my mother's right hand is swollen twice its normal size and her left hand is slowly regaining it's function. She can hardly pick up a cup) and she says, "Open your Christmas gift--I wrapped it myself." She had taken a piece of tissue paper and wrapped up a gift for me, and one for Brian. There wasn't even any tape on it, so I know she probably refused my dad's help and insisted she do it herself. Somehow, that tissue paper means more to me than the gift.

Her wrapping our gifts symbolizes a couple of her best character traits: making the most of what she has and giving her very best to me. She always has and always will. For many years she worked a full time job, got her college degree and sent me to a private school. When I saw the effort she put into "wrapping" our gifts, I forgot about all the shopping I had to do and sat with her, waiting for the doctor, relishing our time together.

So remember this Christmas that no one can take the place of your mother. If you have a mother she probably has made mistakes, but take time to appreciate her. It is a time for family. I am so thankful to have my mother in my life this Christmas. Each day is a gift for us to cherish one another. Merry Christmas!

Prosperity

Psalm 35:27 says, "Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause;

And let them say continually, 'Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His Servant'."

John 10:10 is one of my favorite verses. It says that the enemy comes to steal kill and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life and have it ABUNDANTLY.

You do the math.

Go Shawty

It's my birthday! Spiritual birthday, that is. On this day 12 years ago, I saw a dream come to pass. I had a terrible sickness for a year that went un-diagnosed. This Methodist raised young woman was hoping to be healed. I had a prophetic dream that I was "slain in the Spirit", and it came to pass at a healing crusade December 7, 1997.

I've never been the same. As I began to reflect on the past 12 years today, my thoughts lingered in the past for a second, but turned and focused primarily on the present and future.

You see, the number twelve is significant. Biblically it can represent authority or perfection of government. This year (especially since going through a trying time these past 2 months) I have become a more strong and confident individual. Part of my success can be attributed to Brian. He encourages me to experience the FREEDOM I have in Christ, and to get out of the box of rules, regulations and self-imposed laws. I have learned the importance of following God, not man.

But thanks be to God, I can finally say I know who I am in Christ. This is totally the work of Holy Spirit in my life, and came mainly through studying the Scriptures. I know there is more to learn!!

I just want to say that I love Holy Spirit more now than ever. Here's a good example of the freedom He brings. The other day I realized that instead of telling people "no" straight forwardly, I had a tendency to say, "Well, I might not..." Immediately He brought to mind a principle. If you were abused in the past, you can fall into the trap of insecurity, lacking confidence in communication. He said, "KD, you can just say 'no'."

I use that example to say that I certainly feel like it's been 12 years. My soul has been pruned tremendously. Hundreds of "issues" worked through, and thousands of lies exposed. But now I am begining to walk in power and awesome God-given authority.

Jesus said, "All authority on Heaven and earth has been given to Me. Therefore, Go and make disciples of all nations... (Matthew 28:18)." We are in Christ. I believe I am a walking miracle, and so is everyone who has been baptized into Christ. We have the power we need to help a hurting world.

I am ready to go on the next mission. More details later on that.

Nothing I've ever given up for Christ has ever been missed. He's given me 100 times more than I've ever given up for Him. Mark 10:30 says we will have 100 times (in THIS life) as much as we've given up for Him. I am looking forward to what He has in store in the years to come!

Confidence and Safety

Proverbs 3:25 says, "Do not be afraid of sudden fear or of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught."
Notice the phrase "when it comes". At this point in my life I am not surprised at the onslaught.
It will come.

However, God's promise to us is too keep our feet from being caught. 1Samuel 2:9 says that He keeps the feet of His Godly ones, but the wicked will be silent in the darkness, for by strength shall no man prevail.

Let us be reminded once again that God is our safety, our refuge and strength. Not by might nor power, but by His Spirit are we kept safe.

In the path of wisdom there is peace. This is the other side of the safety issue. Proverbs 3:17 says that "All her (wisdom's) paths are peace. Ephesians 6:15 talks about "having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability promptness and readiness produced by the Good News] of the Gospel of peace."
Keeping our peace is key to living a victorious, and confident life. I saw a sign this week that said, "Anger is one letter away from danger." Wisdom tells us to keep our peace. If we are covered by Christ, whom shall we fear?

Not to deviate from the subject at hand, but we need to remember who we are. In the past we may have been poor and alone, but God says that we are kings and priests. He says that kings will be our fathers and queens our mothers (Isaiah 49:23). He says that He raises the poor out of the dust, the beggar out of the trash pile and sets them with the princes of His people (1 Samuel 2:8).
Personally I realize that I've had a beggar mentality for far too long. Part of being a King is realizing that He will contend with those who contend with me (Isaiah 49:25) and that I can walk in confidence and peace knowing that He keeps me safe.

the Secret Place

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will take refuge. You will not be afraid of the terror by night nor of the arrow that flies by day" (excerpts from Psalm 91).
This is the definition of peace. Not that things are always perfect...there will be arrows that fly by day. But we can dwell in the "secret place" and the Lord will fight our battles (2 Chronicles 20:17).
Romans 8:38 says that neither death nor life, angels nor principalities, things threatening or things to come, height, depth or any thing else will be able to separate us from God's love. This love is ours because we are in Christ. It is not dependent on anything we do or do not do. We can trust His love to lead and protect us.

Psalm 91:4b says that His truth will be our sheild and buckler. We need to read His Word daily to receive living and active truths that will protect us from the snare of the enemy. I love to worship with singing and playing instruments. Normally that is what I do to draw closer to God. I realized a couple of weeks ago that I had not read the Word very much, so I opened my Bible and it spoke directly to some situations in my life. We need that intimacy with God that comes through the reading of the Word, and while it is true that He fights our battles, we must do our part as well by getting direction and wisdom from Heaven.
Also, when we stay filled with the Spirit, we will see that the "arrow that flies by day" will actually just bounce off us. We are better equipped to handle life's challenges.
The alternative is that the world will be on top of us, instead of us being on top of the world.
There is indeed a "secret place" in God, but we have to get there, and trust Him while we abide under His shadow.

He Has His Way in the Whirlwind

It has been almost one month since my last post. Over the past month I have watched my mother go through a major transition in life. She is working on getting the use of her hands, and having to depend on others. This past month I have seen my family have to pull together on her behalf, putting aside their differences and past hurts. I have also had to re-visit some old scenarios, to realize that I indeed have changed and been delivered from my past.

My life has changed as well. I graduated from my season of rest and healing, which was more powerful than any intense prayer session. It was much needed.
Now, I stay busy working, being with my mom and taking care of household responsibilities.
Nahum 1:3 was on my mind this morning. It says, "The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet." Is it possible for the Lord to actually bring order to our lives out of chaos? I know He does.
Before all these changes, I had more of a sense of control. I was investing time and energy into things that I see now may not have been the Lord's perfect will. I realize now what should be most important in my life, and who cares about me the most. I was trying to do too much before. Really life is quite simple, and it's a day by day thing.

I am a planner. This season has taught me that sometimes it's ok NOT to plan! God has everything under control. Can he bring order from the whirlwind in our lives? Yes. Romans 8:28 says He makes ALL things work together for our good. He is the only one who can do that and we don't have to figure out any of it. All we have to do is trust Him. God is working a deep work in me through Romans 8:28. Each time I meditate on it, it goes deeper into my soul. So today, join me in believing that He has His way in the whirlwind, and He is working everything out for our good!

Don't Stop

It's good to praise when we don't feel like it. In fact 90% of the time we probably don't. However, if we keep praising Him until we feel His heartbeat (and we will if we don't give up), we will be filled beyond measure.
In a healthy marriage you want your partner to be happy. You want to do everything in your power to ensure that they are fulfilled. How would it feel if your spouse just stopped at "ok"? Or, had a chance to bless you and decided to do something else instead? Sometimes when we have a chance to be with Him we might sing a couple of songs or read something inspirational, but it's more out of duty than relationship. Here's the litmus test: if we stop.
That's right, if we just stop without reaching Him and intimacy with Him, it's like we've done nothing at all. 1 Corinthians 13 says that if we don't have love, we have nothing.

My encouragement to myself today and others that read this is "don't stop". He will fill us if we press on in intimacy with Him.
The same is true about God. He will not stop until we are living the most abundant fulfilling life imaginable. But there's something that will bring this about sooner--our obedience. It's like a dance--he can't twirl us or dip us until we step out on the floor. But when we do, oh baby!
He will not stop until we are over-flowing (John 10:10). He said that's why he came and died.
So, let's not stop until we see Him. And He promises to not stop until we get enough--not just of His presence, but all the blessings He has for us.

Rest and Freedom

About a week ago I sensed the Lord asking me to take a spiritual break--to rest. For me this meant not constantly looking for ways to encourage or be super intense. It was good for me, but difficult.

Today I woke with a sense of freedom. I had a dream that set me free. I have also realized what was weighing me down, what even caused me to be physically sick last week.

I have to say that my first scripture and point was taken from Joseph Prince. Last night he was speaking on entering into the rest of God (see Heb.4:10). That verse says that if we enter into His rest we are free from the "weariness and pain of human labors". Prince commented on worry, and how when we worry we are actually stopping the flow of the Spirit of God, and seeing things in a wrong perspective.
To me, this meant taking on people's troubles and worries. Isaiah 53:4 says that Jesus bore our sorrows and distresses.
I asked the Lord last week if it was "wrong" for me not to want to encourage anyone. What I have just shared was His answer to me. For years I have taken on the false responsiblity of sharing in other's worry.
Philippians 4:6 says not to be anxious, but to petition God instead...with thanksgiving!! That does not sound like worry to me.
In conclusion, these passages can refer to the one who has lost their peace, or the "fixer" that tries to help everyone. Jesus died and took our pain, so that we don't have to abide in it! We must abide in Him and seek to enter into His rest.

At this point, I really want to be an encourager--an encourager that says, "Cast your cares on the Lord"(1 Peter 5:7)! I can not do that for someone else.
At the end of the day, we all need to seek the Lord for ourselves. It is great to have a friend to rely on, but if we get rid of our worries by taking them to Jesus first, we will be able to encourage others, and truly enter into the rest of God. That's the kind of encourager I want to be!

The Importance of Being Yourself

Each one of us was created by God for a distinct purpose (see Psalm 139).

Today I had a sequence of thoughts that went something like this :
Oh wait--I need to give you the backdrop. I admire Sheryl Crowe. She's been rocking hard for years! She has her own unique style. I'm talking style here, not Christian vs. non-Christian.
Ok--having said that, this is how my thoughts lined up:

I had a picture of Sheryl Crowe singing some Chris Tomlin song in just the same style that he uses. It was really depressing. It's like she had given up her style when she became a Christian.
If she is not a Christian at present, I really hope she joins us :) Wouldn't it be tragic, though, if after accepting Christ she gave up her own unique style?

So the Lord whispered to me this morning, "This is the importance of being yourself. The world will lose something unique and necessary if you are not true to your own personal style."

This could pertain to things other than music. What about your personality? What about your special gift in which you operate? It may not be like your neighbor's gift. In fact, it will never be. It may look the same, but it will still never be exactly the same.
So in the day to day business of life, let's remember that we need to be ourselves. I believe it gives God the most pleasure when we are ourselves...whatever that may look like.

Just in Time

I believe that there is a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 8:6 says, "For every purpose and matter has its [right] time and judgment, although the misery and wickedness of man lies heavily upon him."

"Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]." Hebrews 4:16

I've always heard that God is rarely early, never late, and is ALWAYS on time!
Stay in faith today. The timing of our loving Heavenly Father is perfect.

Thanksgiving!

He's worthy of all of our praises. Sometimes we need to praise when we don't "feel" like it. It is during these times that we are giving a sacrifice of praise to the Lord (a thank offering).

I like Psalm 50:23 which says, "He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he who orders his way aright, to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God.

All those things that may concern us are taken away in an atmosphere of PRAISE!!
Praise gets our attention off of ourselves and on to God. He begins to fight our battles (2 Chronicles 20:22) when we praise, while giving us relief from burdens. He is worthy!

Love

There's a lot to be said for love. If God is love, and He is unsearchable, just think of the endless ways that love can be displayed!
I was reading this morning in Song of Solomon 8. Verses 5-7 are really meditation worthy.

"Who is this who comes up from the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved...Set me like a seal upon your heart, like a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy is as hard and cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a most vehement flame [the very flame of the Lord]! Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would offer all the goods of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned and despised." (Amplified Bible)

I began to think, how did the Bride know she could lean on her Beloved? If his love for her is like the love described in verses 6-7, then she could fully trust in Him and lean on Him.
Isn't it great to know that God loves us this much? Deeper than we could ever know or search out.

According to Webster's Online Dictionary, vehement is defined as, "marked by forceful energy, powerful, intensely emotional and impassioned, fervid, deeply felt ;forcibly expressed."
I see "forcibly expressed" when I look at what happened at the Cross.
That's the kind of love you can count on--deeper than we can fathom.

Waiting and Trusting

I am learning to be content in waiting. This requires TRUST in God. I am pleased to say that with His help I am really enjoying this season. I kind of don't want it to end in a way. I was reading this morning about Paul in prison, John Bunyan and others who produced their greatest literary works while kept in solitude and a place of waiting.

Psalm 57:1b-2 says, "...In the shadow of Your wings will I take refuge and be confident until calamities and destructive storms are passed. I will cry to God Most High Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!"

I have made a decision to trust, be happy and ENJOY my life! God is faithful to do what He has promised.

God's Hands

We were watching television last night and saw a commercial where a man and his son had really tiny hands. It was meant to be funny, and it was, but it occurred to me that oftentimes we see God like this.
God is not weak and wondering why terrible things happen in our world. Psalm 139:2 says, "You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways." When I think of sifting, I picture God's large hands sifting out rocks and letting sand through. The sand might represent the current path that we are on. Nothing takes Him by surprise.
Psalm 138:8 says, "The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness O Lord endure forever..."
God's hands are our hedge of protection. I do believe we should obey what the Spirit is telling us to do at times in order to remain within that hedge. In the big picture, our Father has large hands that sift out our path and make it perfect. What a comforting thought!

Waiting

This post may be without scripture, partly due to the fact I can not access Bible.com from where I am! However, God has me in a season of waiting. In certain areas I have literally done ALL that I can do, and now I am just waiting on Him.

Job, music, relationships and future events...I am waiting, but it's okay. I am learning how to be content in whatever circumstances I am in. I have a blessed life. Why not enjoy each day while I am waiting on the Lord? I have decided to make the most of every opportunity!

I read a devotional the other day that said, "It is much harder to wait than to walk." This is true. I used to be such a driven individual. Thank God for the people he has placed in my life to teach me how to be more laid-back. I think this season may be a time of re-programming for my physical body. It was used to "GO! GO GO!"

I wrote a song the other day from Psalm 57 that says, "I will stay close to you til the storm has passed". And hopefully afterward, right? :) But the point is that we can find refuge in HIM at all times... when things don't make sense, and while we are waiting.

Go Show Yourself

Action. The lazy ear hates this word. I would consider myself a pretty active person, but sometimes you just don't "feel" like doing what needs to be done.

However, in regard to the poor and needy God requires us to take action. Like I mentioned in my previous post, the Lord has been challenging me in this area.
Proverbs 19:17 says, "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him." Psalm 41:1-3 says that if we consider the weak and the poor, God will bless us. He will even go so far as to strengthen us on our sick bed and "transform" any illness that we might have.
I thought about the story of the lepers in Luke 17:12-14. It says, "And as He was going into one village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance.And they raised up their voices and called, Jesus, Master, take pity and have mercy on us! And when He saw them, He said to them, Go [at once] and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cured and made clean."

These lepers had a need. Jesus told them to do something. They did it and were healed!
It seems that when we get our eyes off ourselves and do what God instructs us to do we will definitely be blessed in our area of need. Lord help us to remember to sow seeds of mercy!

Mothers and Fathers

I've been overwhelmed the past few hours with some dreams and visions. A dream that I had back in January came to my mind. The Lord gave me the "buckle" (a belt buckle I found in a field over-seas) of a well-known missionary. I hesitate to share details because I want to focus on the Lord here and His heart for the poor and the fatherless.
In our country and around the world, satan is attacking the family unit. This is a serious matter. We need spiritual mothers and fathers to step up and take their places no matter the cost.
I have been challenged in this area. I have also had some thoughts on this matter and its relationship to the furious outbreak of cancer that we are currently seeing.
Someone challenged us a few months ago to ask God what is causing cancer. I asked the Lord, and I felt that I heard Him say, "A FATHERLESS GENERATION". Now I realize that this is not the cause of every single case of cancer. However, deep in my heart I feel that this is a clue for us.
This particular missionary that I mentioned earlier is a spiritual mother to many children. And guess what? Her husband is and has been a spiritual father to thousands of children. He has been attacked so much in his body and needs a lot of prayer right now.
Got time for one more example? I was watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition the other day and the family that got the makeover had adopted several children from China. I don't even know if they were "Christians" or not, but you could see the tremendous love and care that they provided for these children. Each of the children had some sort of problem--being deaf, blind, missing fingers, etc. The FATHER developed brain cancer. It's as if satan saw the needs of these children and attacked where it would hurt the most. I'm not trying to develop any theories, only relaying what I am currently observing in the natural and the spiritual.
It is time for all of us to rise up and take our place in the kingdom. Even if you are 22 years old, you can be a spiritual mother or father as the Lord leads. May He encourage you in your calling.

I Wasn't Expecting This...

Do you like predictability? I do. However, I am finding that to truly live from my heart I have to let go of expectations and control.
Over the past several months, we have been weighing some mission-oriented options. The reality is beginning to set in, and I have had questions and concerns. Today the Lord gently reminded me of the vow I made in college to do missions. It was a particular day in our Baptist college chapel, and I was very sincere. So was the Lord.
Today God asked me, "Why are you fighting change? this might be the avenue I use for missions." In John 3:8 Jesus says,"The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Over the past several years I have gotten used to questions like, "What are you doing now...?" I just smile and give an update. I think we all want some sort of stability in life, but our stability must primarily come from Christ.
What about you? Are you hard to figure out? Are you full of visions and dreams and do you actually go out on a limb sometimes? That may be a good thing. I would dare say you might be the kind of person Jesus was talking about in John 3. It is great to be a person who lives by the Spirit--a person who lives from the heart regardless of previous plans or expectations.

Favorite Things

Hebrews 13:5 says,"Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]..."

We can possess things, but things should never possess us. I love the last part of this segment of Hebrews 13:5 that says that we should be satisfied with what we have. John 10:10 says that we are to enjoy our lives. That even means our stuff!
I am learning not to complain. For instance, I am learning to say, "Well, even though I don't have a fenced in back-yard, what I DO love about my house is the big picture window in back. In fact, I think I will raise the blind today and just enjoy the view."

I have even thought about having a "favorite things" album in my facebook pictures. I am learning to celebrate God's blessings, enjoy what I already have and cease from complaining and wanting what I do not have.

Continual Waterings of Divine Grace

That title sounds so eloquent. It did not come from me, but from Matthew Henry whose commentary I will cite at the end. The past 2 weeks the Lord has been trying to work something in me.
In the past I often have felt overwhelmed by circumstances (patterns developed in childhood). The other night we watched a movie where a woman was trapped by a man. I won't go into the details, but I literally felt like something was choking me--like a snake had wrapped around my neck. I could not breathe and Brian had to pray me back to health.
Since that incident (which had never happened before) I have wondered why it happened. This week during a trying circumstance God gave me these verses. Please look them up if you are able.
Isaiah 27:1-5 has come up twice lately. It says that God will destroy the serpent and instead make Israel a vineyard of red wine that He will water every moment. The briers and thorns He would destroy, in order to make her a vineyard. Henry says,"God also takes care of the fruitfulness of this vineyard. We need the continual waterings of Divine Grace; if these be at any time withdrawn we wither and come to nothing." We need the wine of His presence. It helps us not get entangled in the "briers and thorns" of this world (circumstances). His presence can deliver us from every bondage and yoke! He will replace the briers and thorns in our heart with His most intoxicating presence. Verse 5 says that we must "take hold" of His strength. It is available every moment.

Power

I have a little bit more to say about the POWER that comes when you are doing what you are meant to do. Take Michael Jackson for instance. Inspite of the fact that he had some struggles (we all know what they were in part) I can say this about the man: he used every ounce of effort and talent that he had. He used his musical abilities to the utmost. People said that when he had a new dance to learn, he went to the best instructor so he could nail the dance perfectly.
There was power in that. He developed and used his gifts.
Since I'm on the subject, I can't help but wonder if Michael had a gift for leading worship. I think he did. People worshiped him easily. I wonder if he had directed people's focus to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords if he would still be being used by God. Even if he died, his death would have been more of a celebration than a funeral. I heard a radio show DJ say something very true this morning. She said,"If Michael was here with us today, he would tell us to worship God and God alone--to turn our focus to God not a man." When someone is exceptionally gifted, they should most importantly use their gifts to glorify God, while leaning on Him vitally to handle all the power that comes as the benefits of using their gift(s).
Thank you Joy Wells for the scripture reference Psalm 22:3 which says, "But You are Holy, O You who dwell in the praises of Israel."
Let us keep praising God, using our annointing and talents to our fullest capacity only for Him!

Find Him There

I searched high and low to find the scripture today that states that God inhabits the praises of His people. Because of time and eye strain I will just make that statement in faith:)

I believe that when we are doing what we LOVE to do, what we are called to do--that we will find God there. This morning as I picked up my guitar, I heard Him say, "You will find Me there." I wasn't even singing, only playing.

Enjoying what we do gives God praise, honor and glory. He loves to see us enjoying our lives. John 10:10 states,"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)."

As we use our God-given gifts and talents, fulfilling His purpose for us, we will experience that peace and joy that He promises--and we will find Him there.

As I was saying...

This is the second post today. The first was lost somewhere in Albany Georgia. Maybe I will find it along with my new Eddie Bauer sunglasses that were lost on Friday.

Romans 8:28 says that,"We are assured and know that God [being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose."

Since this is true, all the enemy can do is try to intimidate us and cause us to fear in the process of our trial. Franklin D. Roosevelt once said that , "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." That is so true. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." Whatever trials may come our way, we know that our Father will work it all out for the good.

So eat that!, devil. And I want my sunglasses and my car back!

Resting and Recieving

My last post was several days ago. Partly because of traveling, but also because I felt I needed some much needed "spiritual" rest.
On Wednesday, I felt the Lord whisper to me, "Receive my love for the next three days-make that your focus." For me, that meant not doing anything overtly spiritual or pushing my way through life. I have had several opportunities to be very pushy (one being getting the warranty company to get out to inspect my car). However, I really tried to just relax and receive God's love. It's great to be in His flow! Psalm 37:7 says, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him..." It is wonderful to rest in God. Hopefully what I have experienced the past several days will continue to help me in my every day life.

Sweet Home

In the church, we need to be careful about putting people in places of leadership when they are not ready. I need to make it clear that I am saying these things to show what God is doing in my life right now. I am in NO way unhappy about my current church...I love it!

When I was first filled with the Spirit, like many others, I wanted to serve God in every way possible. There were opportunities for that--lots of them. I began to take on a religious "shell" where it seemed like I had it all together, when I really needed to be discipled and healed in a lot of areas.

Yesterday, God freed me from that shell. I feel like a weight has been taken off of my shoulders. I am free to be me. If that means leading worship, great. If that means watching movies and hearing God through them, great. Speaking of movies, last night I was watching Sweet Home Alabama (muted because Brian was doing some work in the room). Reese Witherspoon's character had a choice at the altar to choose the man who represented the "shell" she had adopted in her current life, or her true husband, the one who knew her for who she really was. She picked the latter.
The Holy Spirit said to me, through a simple picture with no sound, "Lay down your religion and go with Me." So I am.

I was reading in Isaiah 52 this morning. Verse 2 says, "Shake yourself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck..."9) Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem." To me, God is saying, "K.D., shake off the shell. Now, sit down. You don't have to actively pretend to be something you are not."

And neither do you:)

the Big 3-0

I believe that the next 30 years are going to be the best yet. I am believing for signs and wonders, and music. When I woke up this morning I wrote a song on the piano. When I took it to the guitar, it was the same rhythm and chords that I have been playing for 2 years with no words! Funny how it didn't occur to me until after the fact.

No man pleasing these next 30 years either. God reminded me yesterday in church who I am and what I have been through to get here. He gets all the glory!

I am more free than I have ever been in my life. God is restoring things that I "gave up" for Him, especially in the areas of music and creativity.

Good times.

One

^"6But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.⁷For this reason a man shall leave [behind] his father and his mother ^d]">and be joined to his wife and cleave closely to her permanently, ⁸And the two shall become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.⁹What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide" (Mark 10, Amplified Bible).

Back in elementary school we used to do the three legged race. I feel like in marriage I'm running a three legged race! There must be unity to have success.

I am learning some things, ever so slowly :) in marriage. I am learning to trust, yield and adapt. I love the Amplified translation because it goes into detail. Ephesians 5 says ,"Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord.²³For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body.²⁴As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.²⁵Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her..."

If a husband loves his wife (v.23) it is easy for her to trust and adapt. In the major and minor decisions of life it is so important to work together as a team, but every team must have a leader. Take that principle to the bank, take it to your church, and take it to your marriage. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who makes life simpler for me. When picking your marriage partner make sure it is someone that will make a good team mate!

Support

I am beginning to realize how important it is to have support. God is first, family and friends second. In Hebrews 13:5 He says that He will not fail us or leave us without support. Verse 6 says, "I will not be seized with alarm. What can man do to me?"

Recently I was having some fear of the future. The Lord spoke to me and said, "I will never leave you or forsake you--you won't be left behind." What a comforting thought!

I read Streams in the Desert this morning and thought I would type an excerpt from the reading for today. "Tomorrow's bridge is a dangerous thing; I dare not cross it now. I can see its timbers sway and swing, and its arches reel and bow. O heart, you must hope alway; You must sing and trust and say: I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorrow, but I'll borrow none today." At the end was the quote, "The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself as to how it is to cross rivers."

On second thought...

I meant to say in the previous post that the only thing that will limit God is our lack of faith in a situation. Oops. I'm just really excited to go out of town I guess:)

Don't Forget to Pray!

It is easy to get so wrapped up in our circumstances that we forget to call on the name of the Lord. Acts 2:21 says that "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." In Isaiah chapter 7 the Lord told Ahaz to "ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; as it either in the depth or in the height above."

Ask anything. Believe for anything. The only thing that limits God is our faith!

Don't forget to pray. He cares for you.:)

Refresh and Restore

Acts 3:19 "So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord..."

Today I need refreshing. I recently had breakthrough in an area that had burdened me for a long time. In fact, it caused me much physical pain and trouble. Since the breakthrough, God has been saying, "Rest, relax, refresh and restore".

Have you ever been injured? You know that afterwards you need some recovery time. How much more do we need recovery time after walking in bondage for years, and then being delivered!!

So I'm seeking to rest today. It's as if I have a new lease on life. I appreciate a husband who loves me enough to sacrifice his time and effort so that I can have an easier life.

Today's thoughts are candid, but I needed to share them. Hope everyone that reads this will not be afraid to take some time out to refresh and restore.

Staying in Faith

I like these excerpts from Romans 4. "For Abraham, hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised...No unbelief or distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, fully satisfied and assured that God was able to keep His word and to do what He had promised."

And it happened--God's promise did come to pass. Staying in faith is not always easy, especially when our circumstances point to things staying the same. Doubt and unbelief are only attacks. Doubt and unbelief and impatience will only result in the birth of an "Ishmael" in our lives. Who is responsible for the turmoil to follow? We are. Whatever we start in the flesh will have to be maintained in the flesh.

My prayer today is that I will be able to stay in faith. Giving praise and glory to God, I will keep my eyes on Him and His promises, knowing that He is fully able to accomplish what He has said that He will do!

I Won't Back Down

A few mornings ago, I woke up thinking about the battle. I thought about the Tom Petty song I Won't Back Down. Then I thought about Philippians 1:28 that says, "And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but a sure token and evidence of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God." The following verses are good too, but too lengthy to type here.

Later on in the day, I had a battle in my mind. I struggled and prayed and asked God to speak. In the truck I decided to vary my listening options by channel surfing when I stumbled upon none other than Mr. Petty himself singing, "You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I'll stand my ground...and I WON'T back down!". That is awesome, and that is how the Lord is helping me through this season.

When he wrote Phillipians chapter one, Paul (v.30) told the readers that they were engaged in the same conflict in which they saw him and that he was still in the same conflict.

To everyone that needs encouragement today, please know that "there ain't no easy way out" but God is readily available to help us be constant and fearless.

Things Above

I am recognizing more and more that we were created to live for much more than what we can see, touch and sense in the natural. That is why Colossians 3:2-3 says, "And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God."

We substitute many things for the higher life. God is calling us upward and we cling to the natural.
Ephesians 6 tells us that are battle isn't with flesh and blood. We are spiritual beings in a spiritual battle.

Personally it seems like the more I try to reason things out in my mind, the worse my situation becomes. When GOD is leading, He does give me practical wisdom in my mind. So if I seek Him first, I will have peace and be in the right place at the right time.

I am seeking today, to keep my mind on things above--the higher things.

An Addition...

Yesterday I meant to include this verse. It is 1 Thessalonians 5:24 "Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]."

It seems that waiting and trust go together. It is easier to be patient when we know and remind ourselves that He is faithful to do all that He promises. :)

He Will Finish It

Sometimes waiting is so hard.

I was reading Phillipians 1:6 this morning and it encouraged me. "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ, developing and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you."

It is so easy to want to give up on our dreams and desires. A wise man once said, "Satan doesn't care how well you run, but if you finish the race." Sometimes breakthrough is right around the corner and sometimes we just have to wait. That is where faith comes in. Satan wants to fill our minds full of doubt so we will speak it out. Doubt and unbelief make for a self-fulfilling prophecy. We have to stay in faith, press on and finish the race.

He will bring it to completion. We have to trust Him, not our emotions and that is sometimes not easy.

Being Creative

I've been thinking about the week of creation lately. My husband and I are both very creative. Personally, I need quiet and time to be creative. You have to make room for it just like you have to make room for cultivating relationships.

A thought occurred to me, and any comments would be appreciated. I like to hear other viewpoints. The thought was this: We are made in the image of God, and He took time to be creative. In fact, He created the world and every thing in it before He made man and woman.

Why didn't he make man and woman first? I know He had to prepare a place for them, but He also needed space apart from relationship to create.

Brian is so lucky I'm getting this revelation:) I am too, because it is like water to my soul to be creative!

We get so busy with work and obligations, but it is necessary for even just a few minutes a day, to be creative. I pray that God will help us all to have balance and use our creativity for His glory!

Fear Not

Recently, I've been experiencing a little stress. It's amazing that the simple words "Fear not, for I am with you" really comforted me in a time of perplexity and despair. God is enough!

Isaiah 43 is a wonderful passage of scripture. There are so many nuggets of truth in there such as, "I WILL WORK--who can hinder or reverse it?" Nobody. God is so sovereign, yet so involved in our individual lives.

Verse 2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you." Notice it didn't state "IF" you go through, but "WHEN". There will always be sin in the world. God won't violate man's free will. He doesn't hurt us, other people hurt us and there are bad effects from living in a world of sin!

Fear. As a single woman, especially one who has traveled abroad and will be traveling more, God has used verse 4 so many times. "Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life."

Have you ever seen God re-arrange circumstances on your account? He says He will, but we must have FAITH that He can move that mountain, and that He loves us enough to do it.

This is such an awesome passage to meditate on. Try it!

Meditate

Lately I have been seeking to meditate on things that God has been teaching me over the past few months. Instead of a "word for the day" I feel like I am receiving reminders from the Holy Spirit on what He has already shown me. Then, I take those principles and meditate on them. It's like He is sowing them into my heart in a deeper way.

Psalm 4:4 says, "Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still."
I think about a cow chewing its cud. A little uncomfortable at times, but necessary:)

Higher Ground

I'm going up! Lately, I've been encouraged to believe for better, higher and stronger.
You may interpret that however you like. It's been a while since my last post, mostly due to the fact that we've traveled quite a bit since last week, and Brian had corrective eye surgery.
Talking with him these past few days, I realized the strong desire he has to fly. I don't see anything wrong with that. To me, flying gives you a sense of power, of being on top of the world.

Everyone wants to be their very best (well, most people do). Brian and I both feel like this next season we are going higher. There will always be people to bring you down, thoughts to bring you down, but it seems like all the while God is saying, "Up! up! up!".

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "But we all, with uncovered face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
As we behold Him, staying in His presence we will go higher--from glory to glory.

In the words of Stevie Wonder, "No ones gonna bring me down--Oh no...Till I reach my highest ground. Dont you let nobody bring you down (they'll sho nuff try) God is gonna show you higher ground!"

Wait

There are times to move and there are times to wait. It's easier (for me anyway) to move than to wait. I learned a big lesson in waiting when I was 17 years old. I had to be in bed for almost a year, with the exception of the occasional car ride or walking to the end of the driveway.

I used to be such a driven individual--even as a child. It's been 12 years since my healing took place. He takes us and transforms us into something new, if we are willing and obedient!

I'm still learning to wait. Yesterday I had an errand to run, but after I got dressed and ready to go, I felt the grace lift to do it. Instead, I felt like some other things needed to be done. In addition to that I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Don't go". I don't look for a word from God on every little detail of life, so I kind of brushed it aside and went anyway.

After a 15 mile trip one way, I got to my destination only to find that the office was CLOSED!!!

I read this morning in Psalm 106:13-15, "...They did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted and tried to restrain God [with their insistent desires] in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls..."

I am learning to give myself grace in this area. We are all learning to hear His voice. I chalked yesterday up to a learning experience. Today, I make the 15 mile trip again, but I think I'll call first to make sure they are open:)

Thanks

I am reminded today of how important it is to maintain an attitude of thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus."

As human beings, our natural tendency is downward (think of gravity). Our thoughts will spiral downward too, unless we consciously decide to keep a positive attitude. Reading the Word of God is the best way to keep a good attitude.

I thank the Lord today for breakthrough (personally, financially, and otherwise). I thank Him for prosperity, because His Word says that He delights in the prosperity of His servant. I thank Him for provision for every need. I thank Him for all the little blessings that I experience every day.

Begin to lift your eyes toward Him and His goodness today. He responds to our faith. Keep your thoughts positive!

The Glory of Kings

Proverbs 25:2 says,"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing."

I love to search out things. In the woods, in a new place, and in the kingdom of God. I believe that God likes questions, because He loves to answer them. I would encourage you today to ask Him some things. See if He may surprise you with His answer. He is hiding some things so that we may find them.

Sometimes I like to "hide" from my husband just to see if he thinks I'm worth finding. He usually does:) We are made in the image of God. How bad do you want to know Him? If we seek Him, He will reward us (Hebrews 11:6) and we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

The Best Is Yet To Come

We buried my Grandmother yesterday, but it is even more important to realize that she left us a few days prior. I picture her dancing in His presence, free from struggles and oppression. Going through this time of loss, I realized some things. First, death is not as scary as I thought. If what I believe as a Christian is really true, then I ONLY have things to look forward to, not to dread.

Secondly, I realized that the only things in life that really matter are those people in whom we have invested, and the things we do for God. In front of my Grandmother's casket were her three children. Behind them, her grandchildren. In my heart, her words of wisdom and her legacy.

Brian and I are also planning on moving very soon. During this season, I have realized that we have to let go of the old things in order to step into the new. Philippians 3:13-14 comes to mind. It says, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

It is an upward call, not downward. Anytime I start thinking "downward"--thoughts of not moving forward, hanging on to the past...It's like God says "Upward and Onward!"

In times like these, we come face to face with the reality of our faith. Do we really believe the best is yet to come? I choose to believe that today.

Looking Forward

Earlier today I just kept thinking about the good things God has in store for all of us. The word "Promises" came to mind. As I was checking my in-box, I got a devotional from Joel Osteen talking about that very subject.

We can look forward to all the good things He has for us. In His word He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He says we have a hope and a future. He says that He will withhold NO GOOD thing from those who walk uprightly.

But what about our own personal promises. Perhaps a word from someone older and wiser, or even better...a word about our future from God Himself. You may ask, "Could that really be God?" If it keeps coming back over and over it is probably God:)

Meditate on His promises to you today. If you have been going through a difficult time, this should lift your spirits!

Maintaining Peace

I am learning a lot right now about maintaining peace. It's so easy to want to demand our way, to focus on our "rights". The other day I was asking the Lord about a particular situation and I seemed to hear Him say, "You have to lay down your rights."

Jesus was the servant of all. He considered others first. I don't have many pet peaves, but since this is my own personal blog, I will ramble a bit about one in particular. Lack of integrity!!

My parents always taught me to return a phone call. They always taught me to consider the needs of others before my own needs. As I've stepped into the kingdom of God, I realize that simple practical things are VERY MUCH a part of being in the kingdom. I like what Joyce Meyer says, "You want to cast out demons, but you don't have authority over a sink full of dishes!" My favorite is when someone says, "I'll be there" then doesn't give enough consideration to make a call, send a text or whatever to say their plans have changed.

There will be times we get busy, distracted and forget to make that phone call. That's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about patterns in life that can hinder our ministry.

Well, I'm really soapy now from sliding around on my box, so I'll conclude with Romans 12:18. "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Obedience

Psalm 32:7 says, "You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

Verses 8-9 are the KEY: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you."

None of us hears God perfectly. 1 Corinthians 13:9 says that we know "in part". But we can do our best to obey what we believe He is speaking to us. We must take the first step and obey.

Here is the promise in verse 10b: "He who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him."
His mercy is there to catch us when we fall. His mercy is there to cover our mistakes. All he asks is that we obey.

Solomon Says

I really like this verse, because it brings the supernatural to earth. "There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself enjoy good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God." Ecclesiastes 2:24

Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the big picture, that we forget to enjoy the little things in life. It is the little things that truly make life enjoyable. Personally, I hate to be in a rush. I like to take my time and enjoy whatever I am doing. As Vanilla Ice said in the 1990's "Anything less than the best is a felony." :)

I hope that you will pause today and enjoy whatever it is that you are doing. I will certainly try to do that myself, remembering that it is all from the hand of God!

Life Abundantly

One of my favorite verses is John 10:10, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." In Psalm 30, David says, "What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth and faithfulness to men?"

I believe that God wants us to have an abundant, victorious life. I read just last night, "Victory, by its very definition, overcomes every circumstance, every challenge and every obstacle."

God will give us what we need, and help us. This shows others around us that He is an awesome God!

Move

Yesterday when I was working, I heard a song playing in our office and today it came to me as I was waking up. The lyrics that spoke to me are as follows, "There's a dead end to my left
There's a burning bush to my right...

Or am I standing still?
Beneath the darkened sky
Or am I standing still?
With the scenery flying by
Or am I standing still?
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you that passed me by?"

To me, the dead end represents the past--we can't go any further that way. It's over.
The "burning bush" represents the presence of God and what He's calling us to. It is scary sometimes! But if we don't move with Him, His best will pass us by. His love remains, but the choice is ours.
I pray that we can find strength to step out of our comfort zones when He calls us to--not to stand still, but to move.

Trials

I've been going through a trial recently, and the Lord reminded me of a verse I read a few weeks ago. Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. 5) Fear not for I am with you..."

Trials will come, but He will be with us through every one of them. I like the comment Joyce Meyer makes about trials, "I do know they are intended to strengthen you, to develop your character, to cause you to persevere, to sanctify you, to purify you, to teach you the unique lessons of suffering, to teach you the benefits and disciplines of sacrifice, and to make you a better person. You may cringe as you think about these things, but if you really want to fulfill your potential, you simply must be prepared to go through them.

In all these things, it is comforting to me to know that He is with me, the rivers will not overwhelm me, and I won't be burned by the fire. I feel the Lord strengthening me by His words today and I hope you will be strengthened as you reflect on this verse.

He's Got the Whole World...

In His hands. "For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills or upon the mountains where thousands are. I know and am acquainted with all the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are Mine and are with Me, in My mind. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are Mine." -Psalm 50:10-12

It's amazing to know that God says even the animals are "in My mind." I am reminded of Romans 8:32 which says, "He who did not withhold or spare [even]His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?

He owns it all. Whatever you may be needing today or whatever I may be needing today--He has it available. Getting out of debt, paying the bills, relationships, healing-whatever we may need, He has it all. I am also reminded that he says in Matthew 6:33 that we are to seek FIRST His kingdom and righteousness and all "these things" will be added unto us. May God's abundant provision be lavished upon you today.

Security

Psalm 25:2 says, "O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me."

This past year I have had to learn where my security is truly found. I know we've all experienced disappointment in our lives at some point. I sense the Lord saying, " Will you give me a second chance?" Not that He has failed us by any means, but that WE must dare to put our hope in Him all over again. Perhaps before our hope was in a person, but we became upset with God when that human being failed us. At our conference a few months ago, Bill Johnson said that insecurity was only mis-placed security. Today I'm choosing to hope in God, and I know that I will not be disappointed. I hope you find the courage to do the same!

For a moment...

Psalm 30:5 says, "For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Trials are seasonal. I don't think the Lord meant for our lives to be one big trial. We can have peace in the midst of the storm.

Joy comes in the morning! Keep holding on. Brian and I were talking about the song by Third Day that says, "There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you...so keep holding on!" Keep holding on.

Rest

^"1THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. ²He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. ³He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake." Psalm 23 (amplified)

I'm just crazy enough to believe that God's rest can be with me no matter what life brings. There is a place of rest, and I'm seeking to abide there! By the way, thanks for all the replies on my last blog:) Hope God brings some miracles your way this week.

Miracles

Somewhere down the blog line I wrote about believing for the promise, faith being the title deed and so forth. Now I will let you know what I was personally believing for--a new car! In my Amplified Bible it actually used the words "title deed" so I began a few weeks ago claiming it. First, the Lord put in me a desire to get out of the house a few hours per day and get a job. Then, by several warnings showed me that my old car was unsafe. Last week, Brian had several impressions and one of them was that I was going to get a new car soon. We went up to Atlanta this weekend for a Benny Hinn Miracle service, and God began to speak to us about several things. Since I'm starting my new job this week, we felt released to look for a car. I drove from Atlanta yesterday in my 2004 fire engine red Volvo! It's like new. He is making all things new. I heard the chorus of this song yesterday...The verse ain't too spiritual, but the chorus really spoke to me, so here is a small part of the chorus...

"If your body matches what your eyes can do--you'll probably move right through...Me on my way to you!"

God showed us this weekend that He is a progressive God. We can not cling to where we are now and expect to be where He is. He is moving! He gives us dreams, desires, and enables us to see them with our spiritual eyes (the eyes of our heart). It is our job to believe and move forward. We will move right through...

It's Your Love

Oh it's a beautiful thing don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know what it is that won't let me go

It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love

Better than I was, more than I am
And all of this happened by taking your hand
And who I am now is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together,
I'm stronger than ever
I'm happy and free

Oh it's a beautiful thing,
Don't think I can keep it all in
If you asked me why I've changed,
All I gotta do is say your sweet name

This is an excerpt of "It's Your Love" by Tim McGraw. I kept hearing this song as I awoke this morning. I've only heard it a handful of times--like in the background at a clothing store, etc.

Because of my dislike of most country music songs, I never paid it any attention. The Lord can speak through anything. Recently we've been encountering Him in powerful ways. His love is so fulfilling! I pray His love will overshadow anything you may be going through today. It's fairly simple to play on the piano--Brian could be Tim and I could be Faith Hill. I think I might have seen some old Wranglers in the closet..:)

God's Protection

Today, through all the bad weather, I've been thinking about some verses on God's protection. Psalm 91 is my favorite. Verse 14 says, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him...". Verses 9-10 say that no evil will befall us, or any calamity come near our dwelling if we make the Lord our refuge. How comforting!

Verse 11 says that He will give His angels charge over us to accompany and preserve us in all our ways of obedience and service. This reminds me of Psalm 145:20. It says, "The Lord preserves all who love Him...". It's great to know that He is on our side today. We are friends of God.

I Will Yet Praise Him

Psalm 43:5 says, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."(See also Ps. 42:5,11). This Psalm has been coming to my mind lately. Sometimes we don't want to admit that we are a little sad or downcast. We can still praise Him. In fact, once we start to praise, He will inhabit our praises and our problems seem to fade away.
Just a personal testimony: a couple of days ago I strained a little muscle in my neck. It was one kind of embedded in there, not on the outside. Then yesterday, I did something to aggravate it. I just decided to move on with life, hoping it would go away. Today as I sat at the piano, just playing and praising--not really moving my body at all, that little area in my neck popped, and straitened out. Praise God!!! If we will just praise Him, His presence will overshadow us and He will take care of the things that concern us.

Promises

Today I was reading in 2 Peter 1:3-4 and found it very encouraging!

"For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence(virtue). By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape from the moral decay that is in the world because of covetousness and become sharers of the divine nature."

You know, if we can focus on His promises to us, we can escape most of the "moral decay" in the world. His promises encourage us and keep us on the right track. What Has he promised you? The Bible is FULL of His promises to us. Have a great weekend!

He is Faithful

He is always faithful to His promises and to us. Hebrews 10:23 says, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." This reminds me of Abraham. Romans 4:20-21 says that he did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in the faith, giving glory to God--being fully convinced that what He had promised He was able to perform. Others may not be faithful, dependable or reliable. They may let us down--they probably will if we let them get close enough. BUT God will never leave us or forsake us. He has a plan and a way. We must trust Him today.

Victory

Jesus said in John 14:20 that He is in the Father and that we are in Him and He is in us (if we are believers). We have victory because we are in Christ. John 16:33 says,"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Whatever the world throws our way, we must stand on the fact that we HAVE the victory in Jesus Christ. Claim the victory today. He works all things together for our good if we love Him.

God Has Big Plans

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says, "...Eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man all that God has prepared for those who love Him. Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man's scrutiny]."
God likes to surprise us--to do things for us that we were not even expecting.

Isaiah 64:4 says, "For from of old no one has heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and shows Himself active on behalf of him who waits for Him."

I choose to be expectant today--to know that God has big plans for me!

From Pit to Praise

I like these two passages of scripture. They really speak for themselves!
Psalm 40:1-3 -"I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear and put their trust and reliance in the Lord."

Psalm 57:6-8-"They set a net for my steps; my life was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way; into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody."

Persistence in Faith

Recently, I have been believing God for something specific. I realized that I can not make it happen in my own strength and that unbelief can actually hinder me from obtaining the blessing. I like the amplified Bible, and in it, Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things we hope for...."
If faith IS it, then unbelief will surely block the blessing. Also I read in Psalm 33:16 that even a king is not saved by the greatness of his army. The Lord's eye is on them that hope in his mercy. Verse 22 is one of my favorites, "Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You. To believe in a moment is easy. To wait in expectation and trust in God over time is not always easy. Luke 18:7-8 reminds us that God is a just judge who will avenge us who cry out to Him day and night. "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find [persistence in] faith on the earth?
Hebrews 10:35 says that we should not throw away our confidence because it has great reward.

Loss

If you have experienced loss recently, then I hope this will encourage you. Psalm 34:18 says that the Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.
We need to pray for those in our area who have lost the ones that they love. Isn't it good to know that God is near in our times of personal loss? Mourning is a part of dealing with trauma and tragedy. May God bless everyone we know today who has experienced loss. May He be near to them!

The Narrow Path

"Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus..." Hebrews 12:2

It's easy to get tangled up in our emotions and let things out before we even think about what we are doing. There is the broad path (see Matthew 7:13-14) and it is pretty easy to walk that path.
Then, there is the narrow path. This is the way of the Spirit. Joyce Meyer said that the Lord spoke to her once and said, "On the broad way there is room for all kind of fleshly things like bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment, etc. But on the narrow way there is only room for the Spirit." She also says in her commentary that "emotions tempt us to take the easy way...wisdom moves us to take the way that seems hard at first, but later on we find that it leads to life."

Take time to focus on Jesus today. Look away from all that hinders and gaze into His face.

Psalm 30

Here are some encouraging excerpts from Psalm 30.
(2)" O Lord my God, I cried unto You and You have healed me."
(5) "For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
(11)" You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
(12) To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever."
I believe that there are short seasons for mourning. Here, the psalmist says that God turned his mourning into dancing so that he would be able to sing and give thanks to God.
Joy comes in the morning, not the mourning. :)

You did it for Me

"...Lord, when did we see You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave You something to drink? And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You? And the King will reply to them, 'Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least[in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me." Matthew 25:37,39,40
Can you see the face of Jesus in the people you are serving today? If you work with the public this is especially true for you. What if they are ignorant and rude? Jesus says to serve them as if they were Him.
What a challenge! Proverbs 19:17 says that if we give to the poor we lend to the Lord, and whatever we give will be given back to us.
No one may ever see us do these things, but God does. There is a reward.

Feelings

I was thinking earlier today, before I went to church...I didn't really "feel" like going, even though I always get blessed when I go. My thought was this--the Word says we should always make an effort to get together with other believers in order to encourage one another (see Hebrews 10:24-25). I'm not trying to make any rules here or get into specifics. Sometimes our circumstances are such that we simply can not go. I'm talking about feelings--God given emotions that can NOT be our God. I like the following quote and really only wanted to post it today. It has helped me remember not to live by my feelings, but rather what the Word says (especially about who I am and what I have in Christ) and what I sense the Spirit is saying. I don't know who said this, but I thought it was important enough to write it down about three years ago. "To make sense and feeling the judges of our spiritual conditions, what is it but to make ourselves happy and miserable, righteous and unrighteous, saved and damned in one day...Be much in believing, and make only the scripture the judge of your condition...If you resolve to make sense and feeling the judge of your conditions, you must resolve to live in fears, and lie down in tears."

Psalm 34:10

This verse is good for us considering the state of our economy right now. "The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing." Isn't it good to know we are in God's economy?

What I'm Learning...

 We are in a battle. Ephesians 6 says we are to put on the full armor of God. I don't want to get into all the specifics of that chapter, because each of the pieces of the armor of God are important. I want to focus mainly on verse 18. "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and entreaty..." Brian challenged me on this several months ago. I was struggling with negative thoughts and it was really affecting me.
Last week, I ended up going somewhere that seemed harmless, even good and profitable. Only, I did not have peace about it. That morning I was kind of un-focused and not really in the "spirit of prayer". However, I felt a little twinge in my heart about going. I pressed on anyway, and got attacked. I sensed the Lord telling me this morning, "You didn't have your armor on". Specifically He was showing me that when we pray in the Spirit, He helps us know which way to go. If only we will listen to God! If we disobey the Holy Spirit (His promptings, etc.) in the little things, it hardens us to His voice and can prevent us from hearing Him on more important matters.

Papa

When I woke up this morning, I sat down to pray and wait. I heard the word "Papa". I began to let my mind wander, thinking about the man I used to call Papa (my grandfather) until he died several years ago. He was quiet, but hilarious. He had the driest sense of humor and a lot of jelly beans by his side.  I would enjoy our visits--he taught me how to play checkers and win. I would ask for one jelly bean, then another, then another--asking politely every time. Each time he would say "yes".
 The verse that kept coming to my mind was Matthew 6:32- "People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met(The Message)." The verses surrounding this one are worth reading. He knows our needs and desires (our jelly beans in life...) Verse 33 says that if we seek HIS kingdom all these things will be given to us. As we seek him he is our reward, but a jelly bean every now and then always adds some fun to this life!