Relevant and Real

Fighting the Fight of Faith

2011-06-20T10:50:00.002-04:00

The battle's pretty hot today,

Here on the front lines,

But I’ve got the higher ground today

So i know I’ll be just fine.

Its here i will take my stand,

Down on my knees,

I'm armed and protected

From my head to my feet.

This hand to hand combat

Is not fought with my ability,

But by god’s word, my sword and weapon,

I overcome and win victory.

I hear the enemy louder now,

As the battle intensifies.

He's a little more cunning than i gave him credit,

But I soon realize,

God knows his every move

And as his tactics are exposed,

All the enemy's best laid plans,

Are overcome and decomposed.

In Christ, I’m more than a conqueror.

In Christ, I’m more than i appear.

But I am what I am by the grace of God

I’m a soldier, bold and clear.

Evangelism: Determine to Finish What You Start

2011-04-17T17:03:00.001-04:00

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17b

It’s interesting to note, that before Jesus began his ministry, he was led into the wilderness. You would think, after reading how the heavens opened and a dove, representing the Holy Spirit, descending upon Him and hearing the Father say, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased” [Matthew 3:17] dynamic, high volume tent crusades would follow, but that’s not what happened. Instead of hitting the road as an instant full time evangelist with an enormous following, He was led into the lonely, isolation of the wilderness.

It's important to understand that before Jesus would take this world by storm. He was about to transform twelve average men into powerhouse ministers, who would ultimately turn the world upside down. He would heal the sick, blind and lame, caste out demons and free all mankind from the cruel reign of sin. By subjecting His body to the rigorous conditions of the wilderness terrain and fasting forty days and nights, Jesus committed himself to the art of discipline, thus drawing a line in the sand in an outward confession that the ministry He would start, He would finish. He made his position known and His mind was made up, nothing Satan could do or would offer could ever deter or distract Him from His mission.

Today, we’re faced with a whirlwind of a challenge. While some ministers move forward in their calling, some leave the ministry disgruntled and confused, but the mission is still very much before us. While the population multiplies and cultures change, our mission grows more evident and clear. We’re called and commissioned to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. We are to teach the Word, as Jesus taught. So why then are so many falling away? The answer is complex yet simple; many are losing their determination to finish what was started.

Perhaps you’ve lost focus of the task God has given you. The enemy, like a tornado, has blown in and destroyed all that you’ve built and labored for. You feel buried under the rubble, left with nothing but the debris of failed attempts and shattered dreams. Go back to the wilderness! Go back to when God first validated you, when His Spirit first rested upon you and you knew without a doubt you were called to greatness.

Oh how His passion fueled your ambitions and motivated you to look beyond the puzzled faces that stared in disbelief. When you breezed past the doubters that questioned how God could use someone like you. Remember? Remember when His anointing showered you, filling you until your cup spilled over into the hearts and lives of all who were around you? It started in the wilderness, where you drew the line in the sand and committed yourself to a life of discipline; determining within yourself that this was the point of no return, you wouldn’t leave like you entered; you wouldn’t come out the same. Return to the wilderness, the place where you got alone with God and engaged in hand to hand combat with Satan and made your position known. It’s time! It’s time to finish what you’ve started!

Feeling the Heat: When God Reveals Himself

2011-04-08T12:05:00.002-04:00

“… our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18

There it stood bold, yet lifeless, glistening in the sun. King Nebuchadnezzar beamed, no doubt proud of his golden accomplishment, as the herald announced, “To you the command is given, nations and men of every language, that at the moment you hear the music, you are to bow and worship the golden image that our king has set up. If you do not, you will be cast into the firey furnace!” Fear grips every heart as the debate to stand firm or bow begins. Sure we’d like to cough up the heroic theatrical experience and say, “I’d never bow!” but truth be told, once the realization of getting baked alive hits us, our first response quickly catapults us in the opposite direction.

For Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, however, the choice was clear. “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol... You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” [Exodus 20:3-5a], wasn't a quote sketched to decorate their homes; it was a command God inscribed in their hearts. And as they were quickly ushered into the king’s presence they boldly proclaimed, “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery furnace; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” [Daniel 3:17-18]. They knew God was fully capable of intervening in their situation and while I truly believe they felt they were ready to die if God so chose, I can’t help but wonder if, while on their way to the furnace, did any doubts surface?

“Oh God, our hope and trust is in You! Lord, I know you spoke the worlds into existence. I know you made the sun to shine and gave life to us all and right now, Oh God, I pray that you’ll put the fire out before we’re thrown in. Reveal yourself mighty and the king and all his subjects will see your hand at work and will bow to You and see You as the One True God!” How often have we prayed such a prayer? We’d love nothing more than to tell God how to reveal Himself, usually by saving our skin. Then who’s to say they didn’t either. We like to super spiritualize people in the Bible and give them extra credit, but they were just as human as you and me. The closer they got to the furnace, feeling its intense heat, I imagine the harder they prayed.

Then suddenly, as they were thrown into the blazing fire, their captors fell dead. Yet, to their amazement, they were still very much alive. What I wouldn’t give to hear their worship right then. God didn’t save them from the furnace, but He chose to reveal Himself by protecting them in the midst of its flames. Isaiah 55:8 and 11 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD… My word which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Like the three Hebrew boys, when we stand upon God’s Word, our faith will be put to the test. Sometimes God may choose to intervene before we’re feeling the heat or in the midst of the fire, but either way, He will show up and reveal Himself in the most amazing ways. So today, I want to encourage you to trust Him and put your full confidence in His Word, because like Meshach, Shadrach and Abed-nego, you too will come out without even the stench of smoke!

Open Doors: Let the Search Begin

2011-03-31T14:27:00.002-04:00

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season." 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

Have you ever experienced the gnawing feeling of hunger pains? How about that embarrassing growling sound your stomach makes when it announces to the world, "Hey everybody! She's hungry!" As humorous as this sounds, it's perhaps the best description I can give for what I've been feeling lately. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:16b, "...for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" Barnes Notes expounds upon this verse saying, "I was called into the ministry in a miraculous manner; I was addressed personally by the Lord Jesus; I was arrested when I was a persecutor; I was commanded to go and preach; I had a direct commission from heaven." I couldn't say it better myself!

Growing up I heard my dad, on many occasions say, "If I ever get to the place I can't preach, I want God to take me." In 2006, God granted my dad's request. Though he loved us and he certainly loved life, there's no doubt in my mind, his greatest passion was fulfilling God's call upon His life. He deeply loved to study the Word of God and spent most of his time doing just that. He pastored for almost 30 years, preached many revivals, preached in adult daycare facilities, nursing homes and traveled far and wide with our family's Gospel music band. He gave himself completely to the call of God.

Lately, my hunger pains for ministry have intensified. Like my dad, I too am fueled by an overwhelming passion for God and the understanding that the rapture could take place at anytime; therefore, I feel such an urgency to search for avenues to minister. I have prayed for open doors and while those doors are opening, I've found that I've had other open doors this whole time.

Talking with a close friend the other day on this very subject, I said, "If we ever get to the place, where we feel the "stage" is the only place we can minister, we're sadly mistaken." We have this amazing stage called life! While our enormous venues may vary, such as our homes, schools, the places of employment, the grocery store, restaurants, etc., we have the same message to share, Jesus Saves!

So today, as you're praying for God to open doors for your ministry. Allow Him to show you every door He's already opened for you today. No matter how small or insignificant it may seem, an open door is an opportunity to share Jesus!

FYI! Be sure to make a note of these open doors!

Nursing Home - It's sad to say, but there are many living in nursing homes who've been pretty much abandoned by their friends and family. With few or no visitors, you can really brighten someone's day by letting them know you care about them. Whether you sing and make music or just stop by to sit and visit. Your being there can mean so much to so many!

Adult Daycare Centers - Somewhat like child care facilities, Adult Daycare Centers are for our aging or handicapped loved ones who need constant care and/or supervision while we work. Perhaps you're not musically inclined, but love to scrap book, tell stories or paint, contact an Adult Daycare Center in your area and ask how you can become a volunteer.

Your Church - Whether the church you attend is large or small, I guarantee you, there are areas to serve. Such areas like: mowing the grass (grounds keeper), cleaning toilets (church janitorial team), administration, hospitality/greeter, the music department, nursery, children's ministry volunteer (assistant or main teacher), senior ministry, young married ministry, etc. Ask your pastor. I'm sure he or she can point you where you're needed most.

Youtube Video - Someone told me the other day that Youtube was the second most popular search engine, right behind google! Do you love to sing, preach, play music, minister through drama, etc? Set up a camera and let God use you!

Blog Sites - Do you love to write? Do you have a testimony to share? WordPress, Blogger and a few other places are available for you to freely voice/type your praise.

Social Sites - There are many social sites available, facebook probably being most popular right now. While some may abuse these with pointless gossip, you can make your profile page your open door to minister!

Start brainstorming for ways to share the Gospel! You'll be amazed at all of your open doors!!

Sold Out!

2011-03-21T11:39:00.003-04:00

A few years back, I wrote a song entitled "Sold Out to You". The first line reads, "Why do I do what I do. When I know you don't want me to. I make promises, full of sincerity but I fail to follow through, I always do what pleases me." Pulled from the tear stained pages of my very personal journal, it's anthem that echos on today with the chorus, "When I really just want to be everything You want me to be. Why do I fail? I just want to sell out completely to You. I want to be sold out to You."

Let me take you back a few years. Desperate to know God's will for my life, I was an eighteen year old singer, songwriter and musician traveling with my families gospel group when God laid it all out for me. He was to be first in my life and that the guy I was engaged to at the time wasn't the man he had for me. Talk about giving it to me straight! God did! His words hurt and my heart was crushed, but I already knew I had been trying to force my will for far too long. I had a choice to make and not an easy one at the time, but that Tuesday night, April 14th, at a little church in Clayton North Carolina, I decided to sell out completely to God. I chose to surrender my will, my life and my desires to be everything He created me and had called me to be.

Not quite as simple as it sounds now, the decision I made that night meant I had to make a lot of changes in my life. Was it worth it? DEFINITELY! Did it hurt? ABSOLUTELY! What did it accomplish? COUNTLESS SOULS COMING TO CHRIST AND SO MUCH MORE! I can't begin to count the benefits of that one conscious decision.

Now let me carry you to 2005, when I actually wrote "Sold Out to You". Once again, I found myself in a dark hour. See this choice of following Christ is a daily choice. There's a struggle, a battle, a warfare we're in with our flesh and the enemy of our soul. God was showing me more of His plans for my life and the dreams and visions felt impossible, unattainable, always just out of reach and I felt so inadequate. Sitting at a piano, in a room all alone, I prayed that verse and chorus, you just read, over and over until I realized it flowed with the music I was playing. Then I decided to begin writing it down. The second verse says, "Why do I feel the way I feel, so confused and condemned. In You there's liberty, God, I surrender all of me... just to be sold out to You". By the time I got to what we'd call the bridge of the song, I like to refer to it as the climax, because it was like the dam broke and the tears were gushing out. I was wailing before the Lord. "Oh I'm tired of running to hide from the storms of this life. I want to be free, free to be, who I am in your eyes. So now I'm giving you my life."

God's plans for our lives is perfect. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) What powerful words God spoke to the prophet Jeremiah, yet we too can take these words to heart. God knew us for he formed us in our mother's womb. He called and set us apart for His perfect plan. Nothing we do or face catches Him off guard or surprises Him, our poor choices or the choices made for us by others. His desires for our life does not change with what we do or don't do, He loves and desires us all to be like Him, with Him and to live for Him.

But before we can fully walk in His perfect plan, we must make that conscious decision to sell out completely to Him. To surrender our will, our control and our desires and allow Him to have full control of our outcome. He's trustworthy! He's our creator so of course He knows better!

Perhaps you're in that hour of decision. You want to be everything God created you to be. You're struggling within yourself to make the right choice, knowing it'll cost you everything. His plan is perfect! Nothing you give up was really ever yours to start with, but was a diversion, a temptation to move off your destined course. God has a plan for your life and as your creator, only He knows where He's designed you to be, who He's designed you to be and for what purpose. Let Him lead! Follow Him and those dreams and visions He's given you, that passion you feel for that calling can and will be realized by His power and might... just trust Him! Because before you can step out, you've got to sell out and believe me, He's worth it!

Shine the Brightest

2011-03-21T10:31:00.000-04:00

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 NASB

This morning, as I pulled the blinds to begin looking for the school bus, my daughter said, "Mom, I don't want to go to school. I want to stay here." While this little spill may be common for many parents, it hasn't been for us. Faith has always loved school; that is until we moved here.

Life in the ministry has its many challenges... one being relocating. Faith will be nine years old next week. She's in the third grade at her third school. Her other two schools were relatively small compared to where she is now. Though her first school was made up of mostly military families and transplants from all over, it still had a home-town feel. Her second school she transitioned well to. It was smaller than the first and was totally "home-grown". It was Mayberry with perhaps a few more deputies than Barny Fife. Faith loved school. She had her own alarm clock set and was usually dressed and eating breakfast before we were up. She's a morning person, yes, but she just really loved school.

As I stared out the window into the darkness, looking for at least a quick glimpse of school bus lights, it hit me. It's easier to spot the bus when it's the DARKEST! Immediately I felt a devotion coming on. You see, you don't need a flashlight in broad daylight. It's pretty useless there. No, where you need the flashlight, is in those dark, cramped spaces, under the bed and in those hidden places. The flash light is needed when there's no other light to be found. Those places where we don't like to go, where it can be scary, uncomfortable and our vision is impaired. Where we can only see as far as the light is caste, BUT that's where it's needed most!

Saints, we are the light of the world, ambassadors. God has made His light to shine upon us so we can reflect Him to a lost and dying world. He sends us out of our restful comfort zones into a world to seek and save. Though we can't always see the way as clearly as we'd like, our vision being impaired at times where we can only see each step we take, we trust Him to lead us, knowing He's already prepared the way. He leads us to places we'd never have chosen, at times to people we'd never have met, to fulfill one purpose and one purpose only... to GLORIFY THE LORD!

Jesus said, "... if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself" (John 12:32). Speaking of his death on the cross, he was making clear to His disciples that in His death, He could redeem all mankind and when Jesus commanded His disciples to GO into ALL the WORLD and make disciples (Mathew 28 19:20), he promised them He'd be with them. That promise and command was for YOU & ME as well. We're called and commissioned to reflect and shine His light to a darkened world, darkened by sin's corruption. We're called and commissioned to take His light into the world, that means leave the four walls of our comfortable homes and churches and search out that one that's lost in our community, our places of employment, our schools, our city, etc. We start at home, doing all we can to reach our families, but the search doesn't end there.

Today, let me encourage you. Perhaps you're struggling to make the necessary steps for where God is leading you. You're afraid and in desperate need of assurance. If God is leading you, that's all the confidence you need. Or perhaps, you're in the darkest storm you've ever faced. All hope seems to have escaped in the cracks of your life and now you're strength is fading fast. Call out to Jesus! He sees you, hears you and though you haven't realized it yet, He's already holding you. He's been carrying you this far, you just haven't realized it yet. Let Him have all that you're holding on to, trust Him and let Him lead you in what to do next.

To my dear brothers and sisters in the faith, I have one more plea mixed with exhortation. Time is quickly passing and our Lord's return is drawing near. My heart is grieved by so much of what I see in our church world today. Back biters, back stabbers, gossips, people sowing discord, jealousy, haters and the list goes on. We're quick to point fingers, but we're all guilty if we're not careful. It's imperative that we remain clean and set apart, in the world but not of the world, meaning simply this. It's imperative that we're recognizable! Though this has been disputed to death, the Word of God is clear so KNOW HIS WORD and DECLARE IT, LIVE IT and let HIS LIGHT SHINE! The darker the hour, the brighter we'll shine!!

Value: We're Not Napkins

2011-03-16T09:26:00.003-04:00

“But you are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9 NASB

Recently, I was out with a group of friends when someone announced "Hey! There’s …!" Immediately, I began feeling rather anxious and curiously checked my pulse. Just as I had suspected, my heart rate had jumped sky high. What was wrong? I was letting someone else determine my value.

Sure, I’d like to think I dance to the beat my own drum, but truth be told, many attempts to be different may in fact be stimulated by the need to feel less threatened. In other words, if I don't fit the mold, I can’t be compared to the mold. Either way, no matter how we deal with anxiety, we must understand that anxiety is often triggered by fear and in this case, the fear of how I was viewed by others. You see, “so and so” had hurt me deeply.

The next day, I shared the experience with my husband and he looked me, eye ball to eye ball, and said, "When are you going to stop letting people determine your value?" My heart sank as I felt my daughter's eyes burning into my soul. I was exposed! Now she could see that I'm not this strong woman I'd like her to think I am, but rather this frail, scared little girl, full of extraordinary dreams and grand aspirations, yet haunted by "what if" and failed attempts. With tears filling my eyes and one single tear escaping down my face, I looked at her and said, "Mommy is such a hypocrite, huh? I tell you not to let what people think bother you, to just let what people say roll off, that as long as you know the truth, that's all that matters. Yeah, it sounds great, huh, but your daddy is right. I've let stuff like this hinder me all my life and it’s simply got to stop!"

I glanced down at the table and caught inspiration from a simple, little napkin and shared, "You see this napkin? Several stores sell these napkins, but for different prices. Walmart has their price and Dollar General has theirs. They each decide how much these napkins are worth and then sell them for that price. We're not napkins! People can't slap a price tag across our face and label our worth and we should never let them! God created us and though corrupted by sin, when He could have discarded us as trash, sent His only Son, Jesus, whom He dearly loved. He knew Jesus was without sin and was our only hope for redemption, so He sent Him to die in our place, raised Him back to life, giving us new life in His death and resurrection. God has declared our value and He says we're royalty! We're more valuable than we can fathom and no one can change that."

Today, perhaps you’ve been hurt by things people have said or done. We put on a mask and claim, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” When in fact, you’re completely shattered inside and unable to brush off what’s been said. Let me encourage you with these words. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “… you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Allow Him To Lead

2011-03-06T17:57:00.000-05:00

Sometimes we get caught in the trap of confusion, b/c we can’t see where we’re going or how we’ll get there. We get stumped by what we see and don’t see and we’re haunted by where we’ve been. Saints, this renders us useless.

I want to challenge you today. Stop worrying about the how's, the when's and the why's and just trust Him! Allow Him to lead & guide you, trusting He knows the way!!

Great News!!

2011-02-28T16:36:00.002-05:00

Guess what?!?!?!

Great News!!!!

JESUS IS COMING!!!!

Exhortation

2011-02-28T16:32:00.000-05:00

If there's ever been a time when I know, like I know my name, Jesus could come, it's today. Saints, there's no time to play. There's a lost world all around us who need to know HE LOVES them. It's time to unite, put our armor on & move forward together in one mind (HIS MIND), one Spirit (HIS SPIRIT) & one mission (HIS MISSION)!!! Are you ready?!??!?!?!

Realizing the Dream

2011-02-25T15:59:00.001-05:00

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB

When God plants dreams within our hearts, they take root and grow. Then passion and confidence collide and a beautiful explosion sets off some pretty amazing chain reactions. Believing He can make those dreams reality, we set out to explore uncharted waters, engage in scary, yet exciting excursions; the road is endless and the sky is the limit. However, a few miles into this expedition, we find ourselves staring at a detour sign, but I like what one preacher recently said, “We get frustrated by those men in orange vests and want them to get out of our way, but the fact of the matter is, they’re there to warn us the bridge is out. If you plow on through, you’re headed for danger.”

It’s true, when taking a trip, we often map out our destination by choosing the quickest routes and looking for the fast lanes of the interstate, but we’re completely oblivious to any danger awaiting us on the roads. Eager and excited to get where we’re going, we accept the distance but quickly grow frustrated by any detours, even though we know they’re set up to protect us.

Satan, the enemy of our soul, will do whatever he possibly can to create pot holes in our lives. He’ll tear down bridges between relationships, create storms to drop debris in our path; he’ll even, try washing the road right out from under us, making us feel isolated and alone. None of these things take God by surprise. In fact, if He allows us to go through the storms, He’ll turn the opposition into opportunities to reveal His strength and glory.

It’s imperative that we remember God has a plan. He creates and gives life to the dreams He’s given us. He’s mapped out our course and will bring us to His destination. It may not be the quickest way or the route we would have chosen, but must trust Him. He’s already paved the way before us! The detours we come to our not stop signs or U-turns, but are reminders that He’s with us, protecting us and leading the way.

One of Life's Little Lessons

2011-02-21T12:57:00.001-05:00

This morning I saw, what I thought was, a nasty dead bug lying on the floor. I grabbed a paper towel to pick him up, when immediately and to my surprise, I found he was not dead, but very much alive. I jumped, I screamed and after regaining my composure, snatched his hide up and flushed him down the toilet. I shivered from head to toe at the though that he had invaded my house. I watched with pleasure, as that little intruder floated aimlessly away. I don’t know how it got in, but I knew it couldn’t stay. This is MY house and there’s just simply no room for him and the nastiness he brings!

Feeling violated, I was reminded that no matter how clean I try to keep my home, those little pests are relentless. They’ll stop at nothing to look for ways to get in. After all, it’s what they do. They like to claim everything as their own, so they raid and steal. Sound like anyone else you know?

The Word of God describes our adversary, Satan, as a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He’s like a roaring lion roaming to and fro, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He’s a stalker. He studies our behavior, watches every move we make and skillfully devises a plan to steal from us, with his ultimate goal being to destroy us if allowed. No matter how clean or well-constructed we are, he manages to find “cracks” to slip through, but take note, we’re not ignorant concerning his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). We can be armed and ready for his attack, if we’ll prepare our minds for action and keep sober in spirit (1 Peter 1:13). Even then, it’s not enough to crush the enemy and send him on his way. We’ve got to deal how he got in and the aftermath he leaves behind.

As I sprayed the bleach and wiped the floor, cleaning up bug remnants, I began to feel this clean kind of freedom. I mean, before, I questioned where the bug had been and wondered if everything around me was contaminated by its nastiness. Satan has the same effect. Satan thrives off of fear so it’s imperative that we put him in his place, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and, although I’ve cleaned my house extra hard, I realized there were more drastic measures to take.

It’s not enough to just spray the outside of my home (that’s a whole other devotion for a whole other day), I must spray inside my home and on a regular basis! It's important to cover all our bases. Where one bug got in, if not dealt with, it's there for another bug to enter. But if you deal with the problem head on, you'll save yourself a lot of time and headache!

You can be assured; Satan has perfected his craft, so do not give him opportunity (Ephesians 4:27); remain sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). We must equip ourselves for battle (Ephesians 6:11), knowing that he’s waiting for our most vulnerable moments, those long nights when the lights are low and we're off guard, he'll start sneaking in.

Don’t be caught off guard! Keep your eyes open and stay prepared!

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Fight the Good Fight!

2010-12-07T10:38:00.000-05:00

1 Timothy 6:12-16 NASB
"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen."

I have such a burden for ministers & their families. You're called of God to give your life, blood, sweat and tears. Your sacrifices so often go unnoticed, but remember, your rewards are not down here. God knows right where you are. He sees your faithfulness and obedience and the strength you may feel is fleeting, is being renewed daily by His.

Don't give up! Keep fighting the good fight of faith! There are too many around us needing to hear the message that Jesus loves them, so keep marching on!! My prayers are with you!

Walking in the Rain: Waiting for His purpose

2010-11-19T12:50:00.000-05:00

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecc.3:1)

It was a cool autumn morning, I wanted to crawl back in bed and go to sleep. I had so much to do, but felt so blah. No amount of coffee could pull me out of these blues. I needed sunlight! It had been raining for days. Much like my life at the time, I craved a silver lining, but all I received was the cold, dark, stormy days and nights. It seemed almost ironic; the weather symbolizing my life.

As I stepped out to face the day, I began to equate this with our Spiritual journey. Oh, how we bask in the sunshine and dance in the cool breeze of the days when life is good! It’s not hard to find solace when our dreams are realized; but in the garden of life, sometimes the clouds hang low and the rain must fall.

I’m reminded of that seed planted deep within the dark, moist, soil. Hidden away from the sun's rays, fighting for life, the seed is watered and begins to grow. It brings forth life in the darkness and presses forward endlessly until it breaks through to the sun. Like the flower, God knows how much rain it takes to sustain us. It’s in those dark lonely hours we give birth to the dreams He places within us. He gives us the strength to endure the pressures all around us as we press toward His light.

With tears streaming down my face, I closed my umbrella and looked to the sky. My whole perspective had changed! No longer was I focused on all the hindrances of the rain, but on its benefits. No longer was I drawn aside by its distractions, but attracted to its rewards.

This Holiday Season, don’t be swept away by the hustle and bustle of life. Stop and take a moment to reflect on the goodness of the Lord, giving thanks for the seasons of laughter and the seasons of tears knowing that He loves you and believes in you. He’s created you with a special purpose that no one else can fulfill. So trust Him and enjoy the sunshine or a walk in the rain, as He plants His purpose in you.

Today's Prayer

2010-11-17T18:39:00.000-05:00

In the cool, crisp breeze of the morning, I hear you gently calling, “Draw near, my love, to me.” Your sun radiates in the horizon and I’m overcome with joy and peace. What is this love that words cannot describe, but sets my weary soul at ease? What is this feeling that I feel, that somehow replaces all my grief?

You satisfy my thirsting soul and fill the hunger deep inside. You’re the breath I breathe, the song I sing, the giver of all life. I can’t imagine life without you. There’s no hope. I wouldn’t even try. You’re my redeemer and my provider; my passion and my supply. All that I long for, you more than satisfy. All that I’ll ever need, in you I know I’ll find.

Jesus, you're the lover of my soul. Without you I'm incomplete. I give you all glory, honor and praise. No one compares to you. No no one can compete. Today, I surrender all that I am to your will and your desire. Create in me a clean heart, O God, renew and rekindle that fire. Your wish is my command, O God. No matter where this road may lead. All I ask of you, my Lord, is that you fill me with more of thee.

The Voice of God

2010-11-17T18:29:00.002-05:00

You've been hurt by those who claim to love you.
You've been rejected by your own.
You've reached out to be slapped away
Now you feel so all alone.
Your life has not been easy
You've shed more tears than most your age.
You search for truth, hope and love
I am the truth, the light, the way.
Don't be fooled by those who come in my name
Their fruits speak clearly from whom they've been sent.
Come to me, my sweet love
Speak your heart, feel free to vent.
I knew you before the world's were framed
I've prepared you for this day
I long to spend eternity with you
Let me wipe your tears away.
My grace is sufficient
My love will never end
Draw near and I will show you
I'm one on whom you can depend.
I love you more then you'll ever know
I love you more than your mind can conceive
Remove your doubts, your fear and anxieties
Come and believe
Allow me to reveal myself
so you'll know and understand
I'm not a man that I should lie
Draw near, come take my hand.

Living.

2010-11-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Living = Risks. With every decision, we risk whether or not it was the right one, the best one or the only one. You can't change the past but you can definitely learn from it!

Life.

2010-11-03T08:46:00.000-04:00

Life is full of challenges. The question is, are you willing to prepare for those challenges? Are you willing to look fear in the face and kick it out of the way? Or are you going to just let life pass you by and only day dream of where you'd like to be?

Life is full of disappointment. The question is, with whom will you be most disappointed in? Will you allow others to dictate what you can and can not do or will you look deep inside yourself, pull out the inner strength needed to achieve your goals and learn to accept that not everyone will have your back?

Life is full of decisions. With each new sunrise, you're demanded to choose how you'll live that day. You're never promised tomorrow and you can't change the past, so ask yourself, "How can I make this day count?"

Life is full of discovery. In the dawning of a new day, we witness God's artistic beauties as light dispels the darkness. What terrified us in the night, with it's creaking shadows and taunting gloom, is exposed revealing we were safe all along.

Life is full of tears. Whether we laugh until we cry or cry until we laugh, life offers the opportunity for both. Facing its challenges, understanding its disappointments, realizing there are times when you don't know what decision to make, so you trust your instincts, you discover that life is really what you make it. It's about perspective. Don't casually watch life pass by, embrace it's ups and downs and when you get knocked down, get back up, brush yourself off and keep going. As long as there's breathe, there's hope. As long as there's life, there's an opportunity to live and make a difference. Are you ready?

[Woke up with these thoughts running through my head this morning.]

This Place Called Desperation

2010-07-29T14:36:00.001-04:00

Here we go again, same destination as before. The sign reads “Desperation”. Oh I've been here before. I had hoped I’d never see this place again, but to my surprise, I had no choice in the matter so I’ll just buckle up and drive.

The city streets are full today. I guess there are a lot of others just like me; they’re searching for answers, frantic to find a lead. God, if Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, why am I seemingly driving in circles? I’ve tried to do the math. I’ve ended up on Lonely Street more times than I’d wish to share, but here I go again, just a few more blocks and I’ll be there.

What’s going on with me? Have I lost my sense of direction? I thought by now I’d be anywhere else, instead I’m here at the corner of Pain and Persecution. Where are “Dreams Come True” and “All Goals Reached”? Those are the places I had in mind. What? I don’t understand. Take a look at this sign. “Humility Lane three blocks ahead” God, I just don’t understand. I’m waiting now at the corner of “Patience” and “Wait”, please tell me this is all part of Your plan.

I sat for a spell, wailing in anticipation. Will I ever leave this place, am I’m doomed to die here on the parkway, Frustration? There! You win! All my defenses lay crumbled in defeat. I’ve arrived at Mercy Station and I lay here humbled at Your feet. The road’s been long and now I see, why I’ve been led back to this place. For it’s in this place called Desperation I see you face to face. No mask or masquerade, I'm transparent and revealed and in this place called Desperation, I'm in your presence renewed and healed.

More Than A Confession

2010-07-02T21:17:00.002-04:00

"...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11 NKJV

I made You my choice
many years ago.
Though I've made mistakes along the way
You've never let me go.
What more could I ask for?
What more could I desire?

I invited You to be my Lord
when I was but a teen.
Lost and bewildered
I surrendered and received You, my King.
What more could I do?
I was all I had to give?

Today, I've walked and talked with You
As I have for all these years.
But today seems so different
I feel more intensely, You drawing me near.
What You have in store for me
I'm not quite sure.

I'll accept new challenges.
I'll follow where You lead.
You are my best friend, Lord
You are all I need.
You're more than a confession
You're everything to me.

Written By: Kimberly Waters
July 2, 2010

Faith Staring Adversity in the Face!

2010-05-14T12:55:00.002-04:00

Mark 4:35,37-40 NKJV,
"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ...A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

There are days when our faith is shaken and all we've known and held onto seems to calapse around us. It's as if, we've somehow become color blind and all we see are the dark, gray circumstances threatening to capsize us, leaving us gasping for air in the sea of life. As we're tossed about by the waves of change, doubt and fear, we call out to God for help. Will we cry out with accusations or trust Him to help us?

I read a quote once that read, "When you can't hear God, read God!" How true! May we grip ever so tightly to His written Word when it seems we're deafened by the howling winds and crashing waves.

Written By: Kimberly Waters
May 14, 2010

Standing on the Word:

"For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth. The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command. The LORD shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the LORD’S plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken." Psalm 33:4-11

Take A Moment

2010-04-27T10:59:00.001-04:00

I invite you to take a moment
Perhaps to walk by a beautiful stream,
Stop and smell the roses,
close your eyes, rest and dream.
Reminisce of days gone by or
Ponder thoughts for today,
Go ahead and plan tomorrow
While you're warmed by the sun's rays.
Forget your fears and past regrets
Embrace the joy and peace
As the breeze blows through your hair
Find your sweet release.
Can you feel Him right beside you?
Can you hear His voice so dear?
He's singing over you, my child.
Listen! Can you hear?
Such a beautiful voice He has
Much more pleasing to the ear
Than all the songs the birds can sing
As His love draws you near.
Dwell here in His presence.
Do not rush away.
Captivate this moment
Cradled in His arms stay.
Your Faith will be strengthened,
Your passion rekindled as well,
Here in His presence
Because you stopped, listened, beheld.
No where else can you find
A more restful place to be
Than in His presence
Surrounded by His peace.

Written By: Kimberly Waters
March 30, 2010

Year of Transformation!

2010-04-01T14:06:00.003-04:00

"James saw an epidemic of worldly living among his readers. In 4:1-10 he warned against worldliness and showed its effects on the prayer life of his recipients. In 4:11-12 and in verses 13-17 he showed, respectively, that worldliness produced a critical spirit and a godless self-confidence.

In describing the effect of worldliness on the prayer life, James showed that his friends resorted to scheming, quarreling, and striving in order to obtain their wishes. They failed to receive what they truly needed because they did not ask. Whenever they did ask, they failed to receive because their request was tinged with self-will (4:1-3). James’ description of God in 4:5 demonstrated that God tolerated no rivals and wanted complete commitment from His followers. God could make heavy demands on His followers, but He could also provide the grace to meet those demands (4:6). In 4:7-10 James uttered in rapid-fire fashion ten imperative appeals to submit to God and avoid worldliness.

One evidence of worldliness James cited was the presence of a critical spirit (4:11-12). He saw that Christians were defaming one another in the same way that the ungodly defamed Christians (4:11; 2:7). James warned that those who belittled fellow Christians had set themselves up as judges and had assumed a position that rightly belonged only to God (4:12).

Probably the arrogance James denounced in 4:13-17 came from self-confident Jewish businessmen who planned their lives without reference to God’s will. James warned his readers that life resembled a transitory vapor and that all of life must be planned with reference to God’s will (4:14-15). The sin James described in this paragraph is an example of a sin of omission."

- Holman Bible Handbook: (James 4:1-17) The Avoidance of Worldliness

I'm persuaded that when we become so critical of others that we choose to point out their flaws, we blind ourselves from our own and deceive ourselves into becoming self-righteous hypocrites. Setting ourselves up as judges, we will be held accountable to God for every idle word we speak. I've been guilty. How about you?

"... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2 NASB

Today's Prayer

2010-04-01T13:52:00.002-04:00

Penetrate my heart, O God
Purge my wickedness
Harbor me safely in Your arms
Fill this emptiness
Without You I am nothing
Apart from you, I'm lost
I see myself so clearly now
In the shadow of Your cross
I struggle to survive down here
You see me, this I know.
For every time I call Your name
Just in time You show.
I wrestle with my own desires
Sometimes I move too quick or too slow
In my heart I've hidden your Word
that from my mouth Your Word will flow.
Anoint me with Your Spirit
Empower me this day
Take the wretch that I have been
And use me Lord I pray.
You are my heart's desire
You are the reason for all I do
You are my hiding place, O God
I choose to abide in You.

- Written By: Kimberly Waters
April 1, 2010

A Surrendered Heart

2010-02-25T16:44:00.001-05:00

I want to be a blessing! As tears fill my eyes right now, God knows the deepest desires of my heart, that that I hold dearest to me. I surrender it to Him.... trust! Trust is so hard to come by these days and so hard to give, but He's proven Himself faithful all these years. He's never allowed us to slip or fall without standing ready to catch us if we'd call upon Him. He's never left our side or changed His mind regarding us. He's never given up on us! He knows the need you have and the weight you're carrying on your shoulders. He sees your tears and stands ready to mend your broken heart as soon as you're ready to surrender it to Him. He loves you! It's not what He does, but who He is. He is the way, the truth and the life... He is love!

Do Not Fear

2010-02-18T11:09:00.002-05:00

Genesis 15:1; 21:17; 26:24 "Do not FEAR..."
Exodus 14:13 "Do not FEAR..."
Numbers 4:19; 21:34 "Do not FEAR"
Deuteronomy 1:21; 3:2; 3:22;31:8 "Do not FEAR..."
Joshua 8:1;10:8,25 "Do not FEAR..."
Judges 6:10,23 "Do not FEAR..."
Ruth 3:11 "Do not FEAR..."
1 Samuel 12:20 "Do not FEAR..."
2 Samuel 9:7;13:28 "Do not FEAR..."
1 Kings 17:13 "Do not FEAR..."
2 Kings 6:16; 17:35,37-38 "Do not FEAR..."
1 Chronicles 22:13; 28:20 "Do not FEAR..."
2 Chronicles 20:15,17; 32:7 "Do not FEAR..."
Proverbs 3:25 "Do not FEAR"
Isaiah 7:4; 8:12; 10:24; 35:4; 40:9; 41:10,13,14; 43:1,5; 44:2; 51:7; 54:4 "Do not FEAR"
Jeremiah 3:8; 10:5; 30:10; 46:27,28 "Do not FEAR..."
Lamentations 3:57 "Do not FEAR!"
Ezekiel 2:6 "Do not FEAR"
Joel 2:21,22 "Do not FEAR"
Haggai 2:5 "Do not FEAR"
Zechariah 8:13,15 "Do not FEAR"
Matthew 10:26, 28, 31; 14:27 "Do not FEAR..."
Luke 5:10; 12:7 "Do not FEAR..."
John 12:15 "Do not FEAR..."
1 Peter 3:14 "Do not FEAR..."
Revelation 2:10 "Do not FEAR..."

Fear cripples, blinds, discourages, torments, tortures, embarrasses, distorts, defames, slanders, misrepresents, deceives, damages, silences, paralyzes, distresses, imprisons and enslaves it's victims. No wonder God told us so often NOT to fear! Fear replaces faith, erases trust, manipulates hope and destroys opportunity. Chained as a prisoner of fear, you shrivel into an embryonic state and waste away day after day, after day. Depression engulfs you with a tidal wave of despair and like a hopeless caste away, you're washed up on the island of "if only". Ever been there? Are you there now? I can offer you hope!

Through out scripture, God implores us to resist fear and embrace faith. We are told to be of good cheer (Matt 14:27 KJV) and to take refuge in Him, our present hope in time of need (Psalm 46:1 NASB). We find solace under His wings (Psalm 91:4) and are promised hope for tomorrow, strength for today and courage in the midst of our trials. We're comforted by the knowledge that He'll never leave us, nor forsake us, (Hebrews 13:5) but that He will go with us... even to the end of age (Matthew 28:20)! For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

I encourage you today to take a step into the direction of FREEDOM, resist the urge to fear and embrace Faith in God. Trust Him!

Morning Prayer of Trust in God.
Psalm 3
O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah
But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God!
For You have smitten all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the LORD; Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.

Evening Prayer of Trust in God.
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?
How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD. Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD! You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

A Devotion by Kimberly Waters
February 18, 2010

Desire, Discipline & Determination

2010-02-12T09:07:00.002-05:00

Several years ago, I endeavored to teach a class, of ten students, how to play the piano by ear. Using a method my grandfather, Rev. Marvin R. Howell created, I asked my mom to duplicate the piano chart my grandfather had made her, that I had also used. Though I was hardly qualified to teach, I was asked so often I thought I'd give it a try.

Weeks before our first session, I began making notes, trying to remember how I started learning to play. I failed miserably at piano lessons. Once the teacher would play the song, I would play it back for her without reading the music. It didn't much reprimanding me for me to lose the desire to learn anything from her.

Night after night, I'd go to sleep listening to soothing piano instrumentals. Day after day, I'd sit at the piano for hours, crying and begging God to teach me to play. I bet I spent more hours praying than practicing. It wasn't hard to pick out the notes to my favorite songs, but that wasn't the same. I wanted to play! Using the same piano chart my grandfather made for my mom, I taught myself every chord and their inversions (root, 1st & 2nd inversions). It wasn't long before I could take the notes I had picked out for a song and could begin chording it with my right hand. Using my left hand was tricky, considering I'm right handed. My left hand just seem to be useless on the piano. So I remembered a few runs from previous piano lessons and incorporated them in my class.

After making special notes, based on how I learned to play, I found three principles that carried my desire to learn from a dream to a reality. I like to refer to them as the 3-D's: Desire, Discipline and Determination. A goal set by a DESIRE to play, required DISCIPLINE and DETERMINATION. The goal could only be reached through endurance and patience. Though I'm hardly the pianist I'd like to be, I am encouraged and fueled by the knowledge that I can be as good as I want to get. Continuing to implement the 3-D's, there's nothing we can't do.

So whether it's learning to play a musical instrument, training to be famous athlete or whether you're studying to become a doctor or lawyer, remember this. As long as you have the DESIRE to grow in knowledge, as you DISCIPLINE yourself with the DETERMINATION to succeed, you can make any dream a reality! For behind every excuse, there's a lack of desire, but behind ever success there's a person who never failed to give up!

What's in a title?

2010-02-11T23:18:00.002-05:00

Lately, I've been debating changing the my blogger title from "Relevant and Real" to something, well, anything else. I've brainstormed continuously hoping to think of something more creative, distinctive, perhaps something more appropriate. Much to my surprise, I've discovered there's no title quite as fitting as "relevant and real". I guess I could go with something like, "Thoughts & Prayers", "Random Thoughts" or, "Living Out Loud", but what's in a title?

Here are my thoughts. I tend to "shoot from the hip" and just write what comes to mind. Sometimes I share sermon outlines, devotions and/or poems I've read or written. There's no telling what you'll find on here, but this much is guaranteed, it'll be relevant and it'll be real. Like this blog entry, for instance. It's 11:42pm. I need to go to bed, but I just couldn't drop the ball again and end my day without bringing closure to the idea of naming this blogger. So, for now, I believe we'll just stick with "Relevant and Real" and see where it takes us. ;)

A Genuine Friend

2010-02-11T20:05:00.002-05:00

True and genuine friends are like precious jewels hidden in God's creation. You can search the world over, dig and sift through the muck and the clay, but only if you search hard enough, long enough and in the right places, will you find the jewel whose value can't be measured or bought.

There Are Days...

2010-02-08T09:23:00.001-05:00

There are days when life seems to be
Nothing more than a nightmare, a really bad dream.
I want to wake up and run from the scare
Only to find you standing right there.

There are days when life's a big joke.
We laugh till we cry and we cry till we choke.
Our smiles seem to carry us on
like the breeze in our sails, smooth sailing we're sailing right on.

There are days we'd rather never speak of
When our faults are exposed and we must share words, in love.
It's then I find how priceless you are.
For a true friend is hard to find, but a true friend you are.

There are days when it's imperative to
Count our blessings, evaluate our selves and assess our relationships, too.
It's important that those dear to us should know
That they're always on our minds, in our hearts and we love them so!

Written By: Kimberly Waters
Feb 8, 2010
"There are Days"

In His Presence

2010-01-07T17:53:00.001-05:00

"Too many people pray like little boys who knock at doors, then run away." - War Cry

Oh how guilty I am. Too often I've failed to see the beauty in the throne room of God. So distraught by my situations, my vision was distorted. I ran to God with the knowledge He could help me, but sat restlessly as if He were just a mere counselor sitting there listening with nothing to add. Why? Knowing He is my provider, knowing He has never failed me, why do I enter His gates like a child who is afraid and alone. Why do I fail to remember that inside those gates I've danced for joy, liberated and free to worship. Why do I fail to see that He reigns in my heart. I have no need to fear. I have no time for anxiety. I am His child and with that seat, I'm blessed and highly favored. I don't have to hang my head in shame, but I can come boldly before the throne of God and speak freely with my Father.

Today, I see myself for who I really am. All the filth and shattered pieces of my life have been beautifully changed and I'm a new creation. I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. He loves me! He delights Himself in me. Today, I see Him for who he really is. Though I can not wrap my mind around Him, in my own simple way I see His beauty, His majesty and I lay here, prostrate before Him, in awe of His infinite wisdom. He knows all things and nothing takes Him by surprise. He knows my weaknesses, my faults and failures and sees beyond them to that beautiful girl He predestined to live with Him forever. I see the nail-pierced hands that reach out to hold me. I feel His warmth embrace as He wraps His arms around me. I'm lifted as my burdens fall from me. How could I ever race away from such an experience? How could I ever miss this?

He's calling you to come. He's longing to be with you today. Don't run away like you have better things to do. Go now and realize what you've been missing.

by: Kimberly Waters

Trust in the Lord

2010-01-07T17:48:00.000-05:00

With a heavy heart, I began reading God's Word today with an "I need to do this" mentality. Quickly this changed to "Oh how I needed this!" Isn't if funny how we can read the same passage over and over, but somehow in His timing, He can cause the words to pierce our heart and captivate our attention?

In Matthew 8, we find a leper coming to Jesus wanting to be healed. He says, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” His question was not if Jesus could heal him, but rather was it His will to heal Him?

Next when Jesus arrives in Capernaum, he’s greeted by a centurion with even more faith saying, ““Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus said* to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel…And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.”

Whether you’re praying concerning God’s will regarding your situation or if you’re praying for a dear friend or loved one, God knows your need and is more than capable of intervening in your situation. Continue to trust God and watch Him move on your behalf!

Psalm 115:11-12 NASB
"You who £fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us;"

Trust

2010-01-05T13:45:00.002-05:00

It was once said, "Trust is a very precious gift. Once earned or acquired, it can unlock the door of the heart and allow the creation of a beautiful, lasting relationship. If ever that trust is destroyed, however, the door will lock forever as one hides safely and securely behind it's walls of security forever."

As sad as this quote sounds, how true it rings for so many. Trust is a very precious gift. Some give it freely, risking everything. Some respectfully reserve the right to ask others to earn it. Either way the moment trust is given, the risk of getting hurt begins. The decision is to whom will we deem worth it.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-02T11:01:00.002-05:00

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” This timeless treasure, written by Eddie Pola and George Wyle, describe my feelings perfectly. I love Christmas! Though we don’t usually see much snow in Eastern North Carolina, we do have our fair share of ice, but somehow even without the snow Christmas day is the most beautiful day of the year. There’s nothing quite as special as gathering everyone you love all in one place, reciting the story of Jesus birth, laughing till you can barely breathe as you share memories of Christmas’ past and making new memories that you will laugh about next year. Yes, Christmas is truly the most wonderful, beautiful and magnificent time of the year. Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

Overwhelming Sense of Urgency

2009-10-01T10:45:00.000-04:00

For several weeks now, I've felt an overwhelming sense of urgency. I can't explain it, but it's taken over my mind and my heart. There's a passion burning inside of me that can't be easily put out. I've cried and prayed more in the last few weeks than I have in a while. Why? Because the world around me is lost, searching for answers, searching for security and peace and while we have the answer we're too busy fussing and complaining about how loud the sound is, "I don't like that song," or "the day the church gets a projector, I'm leaving." Oh it sounds funny, but don't laugh. It's the truth. These things are taking place across our spoiled nation. We've made this thing about us and that's where we've gone wrong. We've shifted our focus from God to self while our families, friends and neighbors die lost.

Lately, I have been overcome with grief. My heart has been heavy even to the point where you could see the effects of this stress on my heart through my clothes with every beat. I've written it off as anxiety, but it's deeper than that. I do not cry for myself, but for those who can't seem to see their own condition. I've wept and repented for my laziness, carelessness and for keeping my silence when I should speak out, but now I weep for those who are in trouble. They've seared their hearts and closed their ears. They've rolled their eyes and with their actions rejected God. How can God speak and those who call Him Lord just walk away as if He never spoke a word?

Yesterday, I drove down to the beach a little after 4pm. With my Bible and journal in hand, I found a secluded spot and began to pray. I'm so hungry for God, for a move of God. Nothing else will satisfy. Nothing else can compare to His glory. I stayed there for hours, just me and God. I read His Word, meditated on every word, but my heart was arrested by the words found in Matthew 23:13, "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in." Today across America, we have churches and those who are religious standing between people and God. Notice what Barnes Notes has to say regarding this passage of scripture.

"MATTHEW 23:13
Woe unto you—You are guilty, and punishment will come upon you. Jesus proceeds to state wherein they were guilty. This most eloquent, most appalling, and most terrible of all discourses ever delivered to mortals was pronounced in the temple, in the presence of multitudes. Never was there more faithful dealing, more terrible reproof, more profound knowledge of the workings of hypocrisy, or more skill in detecting the concealments of sin. This was the last of the Saviour’s public discourses; and it is a most impressive summary of all that he had ever said, or that he had to say, of a wicked and hypocritical generation.

You shut up the kingdom of heaven—Note, Matt. 3:2. They shut it up by teaching false doctrines respecting the Messiah; by binding the people to an observance of their traditions; by opposing Jesus, and attempting to convince the people that he was an impostor, thus preventing many from becoming his followers. Many were ready to embrace him as the Messiah, and were about entering into the kingdom of heaven—that is, the church—but they prevented it. Luke says Luke 11:52 they had taken away the key of knowledge, and thus prevented their entering in—that is, they had taken away the right interpretation of the ancient prophecies respecting the Messiah, and thus had done all that they could to prevent the people from receiving Jesus as their Redeemer.

We have an awesome responsibility. We're called and commissioned by God to go into the world and make disciples. We're called to deny ourselves, told to pick up our cross and follow Him. Jesus did not seek to be served, but instead chose to serve others. He left His throne in Heaven to done the robe of flesh, become like you and me and give His life on the cross. He didn't seek attention, but chose to bring attention to God. When and why did this whole thing become about us and what we want? Who are we without God? NOTHING!

God says in Job 38:4-14 NLT, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels£ shouted for joy?
“Who defined the boundaries of the sea as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, ‘thus far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’
“Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? Have you ever told the daylight to spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night’s wickedness? For the features of the earth take shape as the light approaches, and the dawn is robed in red...."

The LORD, your Redeemer and Creator, says: “I am the LORD, who made all things. I alone stretched out the heavens. By myself I made the earth and everything in it. Isaiah 44:24

We must remember our place in the grand scheme of things and return to our creator. We must repent and humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and become His servants once again. Time is running out and there's no time for playing games, being stubborn, hardheaded, stiff necked and selfish. There's no time for fussing and complaining. It's time to return to our first love and put away childish behavior. Let us open our eyes once again and see God in all His glory. Let us open our ears once again to hear His voice. Let us open our hearts once again and be moved with compassion for the lost. If not, we will be as the scribes and pharisees found in Mathew 23:13, rebuked by God. The world needs to see Jesus! This world needs to hear Jesus!

Pray with me. God forgive me! I see myself through Your eyes today. I see the filth that has corrupted and distorted my vision. I've been blinded by the god of this world, molded by this world's design and have compared myself to those around me instead of You. Please forgive me. Teach me, instruct me. Create in me a clean heart, God. Renew a right spirit in me. Don't remove Your presence from me, but allow me to be Your servant once again. Use me for Your glory. Revive me! Set my feet straight and I'll follow You, Lord. I am Yours! I need You, God! I love You, God! I denounce all other gods for You are the one true God. I surrender all -- ALL -- of me right now. I am Yours! Take me, use me, saturate me with Your anointing. Give me the words to speak and shine through me so that all may know You. In Jesus name I humbly pray, Amen.

The Decision is Yours

2009-09-28T16:28:00.001-04:00

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
—John 1:12

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
—John 3:16-17

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
—John 14:6

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
—Acts 13:38-39

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
—Romans 1:16

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
—Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 6:23

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
—Romans 10:9-13

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
—2 Corinthians 5:17

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
—Ephesians 1:13-14

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
—Ephesians 2:8-9

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep (meaning death) we might live with him.
—1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
—Titus 2:11-14

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
—1 Peter 1:8-9

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"Knowing this you can choose to walk away, but you can't say you didn't know." - William Wilberforce

Challenge of the Heart

2009-09-28T16:05:00.001-04:00

Tonight my heart is heavy.
There's so much to be done.
I hear the cries of a hurting world
They need to be won.
There's a void they can not fill
Though they've seemingly tried everything
Money, drugs, the list goes on
But still something is missing
We hold the key
that unlocks the door
We have the hope
they're searching for
His name is Jesus,
the risen King,
If we can but go to where they are
We can help them see their need.
See right now they can't see past religion
to see that relationship is what it's all about
They can't see past our list of do's and don'ts
Because too often we fuss and pout.
When will we wake up and stop ignoring
the real issues that bind our hands and feet
While we're selfish, self-centered, with mouths running wild
We're setting ourselves up for defeat.
The mission is simple
but the fight is draining
The message is repent
but we keep refraining
from dealing with the issues in our hearts
How can we reach others
If we're torn apart?
Unity, unity,
Gather the called
United we stand
Divided we fall.
God is calling
A world is dying
Wake up, sleeper
Start crying.
The altar is empty
The pews are not filled
Hell is enlarging
Because we're not in the field
Wake up, Wake up
Sound the alarm
The enemy is attacking
and we are not armed.
Our weapons are not carnal
but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strongholds
So wake up, put your armor on.
Stop fussing and griping
Stand up and move on
There's too much at stake
For you to think of yourself alone.
God is calling, a world is dying
Friend, what will your choice be
if we'll unite and work together
So many bound can be made free.

Written by: Kimberly Waters
Sept 27, 2009

You Are My Everything

2009-09-22T21:06:00.003-04:00

My heart is wide open
Nothing's hidden from your view
I lay here at your feet, Lord
I long to worship You.

You are my shelter
You are my healer
You are the rock I lean on
The friend that I depend on
You're my provider
You are my counselor
And I take refuge in
The shadow of Your wings
You, O Lord, are my everything

You are beautiful
No one compares to You
Your majesty and grace
leave me speechless.

Words and Music By: Kimberly Waters
All rights reserved Copywrite 9-22-09

Open Your Ears And Listen!

2009-09-22T09:58:00.002-04:00

Romans 12:2 NLT, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”

Isn’t it funny how often you hear people say, “I wish God would let me know what I need to do”, yet their actions speak differently? I mean, take for instance, John Doe. John Doe is a good man, has a good education, a good job, and provides well for his family. He’s a loving father and husband. He’s faithful to church every Sunday and Wednesday and he’s always in the altar crying and seeking God. Looks good doesn’t it? Well, let’s look closer. Let’s see what God sees.

John Doe wakes up every morning at 5am. He gets a quick shower, brushes his teeth, grabs his briefcase, breakfast and coffee and rushes off to work. With his Christian music blasting, he prays for God to help him be in a witness, but at work, he overhears some buddies of his talking about a party they attended. As they boast of their lude behavior, John knows he needs to walk away but something within him wants to listen. John begins to get visuals in his mind. He knows it’s wrong, but as long as he doesn’t act on them, he should be fine, right?

During lunch, he grabs a quick meal, tries to relax just a bit before heading back to the mind grinding, number crunching career he chose and went to college for. He closes his eyes, has his CCM blasting, but when he closes his eyes his mind begins to wonder. Before he knows it he's began to fantasize about things he shouldn't. He looks over at his Bible in the passenger seat, but says, "No I can handle it." Though he feels guilty he justifies himself thinking, "I'll never actually do these things."

5 o’clock hits. John races out the door, endures the traffic until he finally pulls in at his beautiful home in the suburbs of Whereverville. "Hi honey, I'm home!", he kisses his wife, grabs his kids in his arms and asks them all about their day. Seated for dinner, this close, loving family, sits giving God praise for the delicious meal set before them, completely unaware that the enemy has his sights set on them.

Later John and his family enjoy some quality time together. It would seem they have it all together. It would seem this family would be indestructible, but the enemy has a fool proof plan that he's mastered for centuries.

That night, once everyone is in bed, drifting off to sleepy town, John lays awake and in the quiet, he hears God speak. “John, my son, satan is laying traps for you. Today, you gave ear to a conversation you should have walked away from and closed your ears from listening to me. When the battle intensified with visuals, you allowed lustful desires run freely in your mind. Listen to me, son, if you don’t take these thoughts captive and caste them out, they will overtake you, cause you to become dissatisfied with your wife and family and cause you to begin looking elsewhere for what I’ve already given you. Get up! Come downstairs and spend time with me now. Let me sanctify your mind and help you put your armor back on. The enemy has set his sights on your family and he's begun with you. Let me give you the thoughts you need to think.”

Right now, John has a choice to make.

There are a lot of homes being torn apart today. Many families that we'd say would never be torn apart, are being torn apart. Why? Because the enemy is perfecting his tactics daily. He has no new tricks, just new people to try them on and guess what. He's so subtle that we don't take him seriously in the beginning. John is a good man. He sincerely wants to please God but he's not taking the necessary steps to do that. We are in a war and that war is not with flesh and blood, but with spiritual wickedness in high places. There's a real devil, Satan. The bible says he desires to sift us as wheat. (Luke 22:31) Do you know what that means? In Luke 22:31, Jesus warns Simon Peter about his arrogance and self-confidence. When wheat was sifted during the time of this instance, it was thrown in the air. The wheat would fall and the chaff would blow away. Jesus was warning Peter that Satan had his sights set on him. He had requested to show God and everyone else that Peter was nothing more than chaff among wheat. That he wasn't all he said he was and would never be much more than just mouth... all talk!

Today, Satan has his sights set on each and everyone of us. He desires to embarrass us before the Father and each other and ultimate destroy us. Sin gone unchecked will lead to destruction. You may think you're strong enough to handle things, but you're not. We must put on the mind of Christ and allow Him to renew our minds daily. We must put on the full armor of God, take every thought into captivity that exalts itself against God, take the enemy seriously. There's too much at stake!

1 Peter 5:8-9a NLT
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. "

Like Fire

2009-09-11T22:35:00.001-04:00

You know there have been so many times when I've questioned, "God can you see me? Can you hear me? Are you still here? Why can't I hear you? Why can't I see you working?" Only to find that He's still here speaking softly. I get so distracted by the sounds of the winds and the rain beating against me that it drowns out His voice, but then He tells it all to cease in our intimate times alone. Oh Hallelujah!! I'm learning more and more what it means to praise Him in the storm and just trust Him.

Sometimes I feel like I can relate so well to Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. His message was never received. He was rejected, his messages were rejected and all because God was rejected by the people. I'm reminded so often of Jeremiah 20. Jeremiah, in obedience to God, is prophesying and Pashhur the priest, the chief officer in the house of the LORD --- the house of the Lord now --- doesn't like what he hears so he has Jeremiah arrested, beaten, wipped and put in stocks. Can you imagine what Jeremiah was thinking that whole night?!?! No doubt he was bleeding, in agony and unable to find a position that didn't strain in ever weakening muscles. For a full night he suffered and, no doubt, questioned God's whereabouts. The next day, when Jeremiah was released, you'd think he'd "like his wounds" and get out of there, but notice what He did.

Jeremiah 20:3-6
The next day, when Pashhur finally released him, Jeremiah said, “Pashhur, the LORD has changed your name. From now on you are to be called ‘the Man Who Lives in Terror.’ For this is what the LORD says: I will send terror upon you and all your friends, and you will watch as they are slaughtered by the swords of the enemy. I will hand the people of Judah over to the king of Babylon. He will take them captive to Babylon or run them through with the sword. And I will let your enemies plunder Jerusalem. All the famed treasures of the city—the precious jewels and gold and silver of your kings—will be carried off to Babylon. As for you, Pashhur, you and all your household will go as captives to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you promised that everything would be all right.”

Can you imagine what Pashur was thinking? I'd like to think that he saw God radiating through that tired and wounded man of God. I'd like to imagine that he felt God's overwhelming conviction, but the fact is, people don't always recognize God's voice. How about Jeremiah? Here he is prophesying with such boldness. There was no time for fear, no time to think "what's going to happen to me after this?" I believe He was so overcome by the presence of God, so saturated in God's anointing that he didn't have time to think about what He was saying, it just came out. Notice what Jeremiah goes on to say.

"O LORD, you persuaded me, and I allowed myself to be persuaded. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked by everyone in the city. Whenever I speak, the words come out in a violent outburst. “Violence and destruction!” I shout. So these messages from the LORD have made me a household joke. And I can’t stop! If I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am weary of holding it in!
I have heard the many rumors about me. They call me “The Man Who Lives in Terror.” And they say, “If you say anything, we will report it.” Even my old friends are watching me, waiting for a fatal slip. “He will trap himself,” they say, “and then we will get our revenge on him.” But the LORD stands beside me like a great warrior. Before him they will stumble. They cannot defeat me. They will be shamed and thoroughly humiliated. Their dishonor will never be forgotten. O LORD Almighty! You know those who are righteous, and you examine the deepest thoughts of hearts and minds. Let me see your vengeance against them, for I have committed my cause to you. Now I will sing out my thanks to the LORD! Praise the LORD! For though I was poor and needy, he delivered me from my oppressors."

Like Jeremiah, we're called to proclaim a message that at times will not be received. We will shed many tears along this journey, but like Jeremiah, when God's presence overpowers us, we have no choice but to proclaim His truth. It's like fire shut up in our bones.

You Whisper Softly

2009-08-28T18:55:00.001-04:00

You whisper softly,
"Daughter, draw near,
I'll take your sorrow,
replace your fear.
Yesterday is gone
Today is at hand
I hold your tomorrow
Come walk in my plan.
You'll hear other voices
As you walk along
They'll try to distract you
and say you're alone.
But do not listen
No don't give them ear
I'll never leave or forsake you
I'm always right here.
Don't faint in well doing
Be of good cheer
The race is almost over
The ending is near.
There's work to be done
No time to waste
Take heed, my daughter,
Do not haste,
Be careful on this journey
Be wise in all you do
I'll give you My wisdom
And I will guide you.
I'll wrap my arms around you,
Carry you when you're weak,
I'll be a shield around you,
Wipe the tears from your cheek.
Come to me, daughter,
Hear the words I say
You are my love
and I'm with you always."

Written By: Kimberly Waters
Date: Aug 28, 2009

Frustration

2009-08-26T21:26:00.002-04:00

Fit to be tied,
I want to run.
Ready to ride
Into the setting sun
Far, far away
Anywhere but here
Somewhere else
As long as it's not near
I want to feel
The cool breeze blow through my hair
I want to feel
Something other than eyeballs that stare
Why are people full of complaint
Why are people so full of hate
If only something could be done
But wait it has
You gave Your only Son.
Yet they reject even Him
They'd rather live and die in sin.
So what am I left to do
Share the Gospel anyway
and leave them without excuse.

Recaptured Vision

2009-08-26T21:24:00.001-04:00

God's sweet, soft voice once called my name
so many years ago.
I responded with "Yes, my dear Lord"
Though His question I did not know.

As He embraced me in His strong, gentle arms
My heart released it's joyful praise
"I will serve you, O Lord. I will go where you lead.
I will proclaim Your name all my days!"

My heart was so intertwined with His
It mattered not what he'd implore.
My answer would never be withdrawn or be swayed
I was ready for whatever He had in store.

Or was I?
I dare not speak in vain.
What's this He's asking of me?
This is impossible! I'm going insane.

You've called me to witness
You've called me to shine
You've called me to speak out saying
"you'll open the eyes of the blind"

You've showered me with blessings
Taught me to play and sing
You've set my feet on this winding path
telling me you will lead.

I'm trying hard to follow
I'm trying hard to keep up
Sometimes I try to jump ahead
and sometimes I want to give up

This is impossible for me, Lord
This is so out of my league
I'm not strong enough for this, Lord
I beginning to feel fatigue

The way is sometimes clouded
Perhaps I've gone astray
No wait, I think I hear you
Keep talking, please don't delay.

Your voice brings me comfort
It's the security I need
Cause when I can't see Your hand at work
Your voice safely guides me.

I've stumbled several times now, Lord
I've fallen and skint my knees
I never realized, way back when,
How difficult this would be

But I won't turn back
No I didn't speak in vain
I'm proud to be a Christian
I want to proclaim your name.

I'm a soldier in Your army, Lord
My battle scars are old and new
My vision has been impaired at times
Cause I took my eyes off You.

Now I'm firmly rooted and grounded
I know in whom I believe
I will keep my eyes fixed on Jesus
I will not be deceived

You called my name then and I answered
Today my answer is still the same
The vision is recaptured
My heart cries "yes!" over and over again!

Written By: Kimberly Waters
Date: August 26, 2009

Trust & Obey

2009-08-12T10:44:00.003-04:00

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

This morning I woke up to Jeremiah 29:11 repeating in my heart. Sometimes, I believe, we ask to know God's Will to feel that the sense of purpose for our lives. One we know our calling, we want to know the next step to take, the next plan of action and while all this is fine and dandy, the next thing we do seriously messes us up. God speaks. He tells us where to go, what to do and you know what we do? We begin to try to logic His reasons, His motives and how all this is going to work in our favor. We are such "me, me, me" driven people. We want to know how His plan is going to benefit our lives. Guess what. It's not about us! That's the first lesson we've got to learn. His plan, His purpose, His Will it's all about Him! He is the alpha and omega. The beginning and the end. The author and finisher of our faith. Everything revolves around Him -- not us. The second lesson to learn is to trust and obey.

I home-schooled my son for preschool. I started out desiring to teach him the basics, but what I found more often then not, God was teaching me the basics. It never failed almost ever lesson I prepared for my son, God prepared a lesson for me too. One such lesson was when I presented my son with a connect-the-dots worksheet. He's first questions was, "What is it, mommy?" I said, "You'll find out by connecting the dots." This worksheet was designed to help teach him to count, if it were numbers and the alphabet if the dots were marked with letters. This also taught him how do draw lines from one point to another, how to hold his pencil and the educational reasons keep going. For me, I learned that we are just like my four year old son. We want to know the purpose behind the design and we connect the dots we begin to get frustrated, feel confused, lost even because, unlike the worksheet, we don't always see the next dot to go to. This is where we learn to trust and just obey.

When I rededicated my life to God in 1998, I had so many questions. "Lord, what is Your will for me? Have I messed up Your perfect plan for my life? Oh God please use me! Don't allow me to mess up again. Show me Your Will and help me to follow you." It didn't take long for God to answer me. He guided my heart with these words, "Daughter, I love you. You will marry a preacher. Don't date anyone who is not a preacher." No those weren't His exact words but that pretty much sums it up. He let me know what to stay away from and what to focus my attention on... His Word! His desire was to be my companion and, in His time, He'd send me the man He created for me and in 2000 He did just that. Our journey together hasn't always been easy. We've faced many hard trials together in the ministry and in our personal lives, yet through it all, we're learning the art of surrender, trust and obedience! God asks us all to surrender ourselves to His purpose and to trust Him. Our vision is impared by all that we can't see, but He sees the finished product, the final masterpiece. He knows all things, sees all things and instructs us accordingly.

Now, I have a huge problem. Maybe you do too. When God points me in a direction, tells me what to do, where to go and what to say, I instantly begin pondering the reasons. I want to know why, how, how long, what is this leading to and let's not forget the "how does this benefit me". I'll admit it. I'm guilty. I'm an -over- analytical person. I love to study people and why we do what we do. I'm bad about listening to someone speak, but reading their body lanuage and facial expressions more. I read "between the lines" more than I hear what they're actually saying. This is impossible to do with God. First of all, just to state the obvious, we can't see him. Secondly, because we can not comprehend His ways. Job 37:5 says, "God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend." Ecclesiastes 11:5 says, "God’s ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother’s womb." We can read and study God's Word until we can quote it back and forth, but we'll never fully understand and comprehend God. It's impossible. God reveals Himself in small doses through out His Word and I'm convinced He does the same in our lives.

I have many friends, but only two best friends. It takes time to get to know someone, to trust someone and to find that special something that sets them above the rest. Building such a relationship requires time, effort and the "want to". The relationship grows with time and experiences, until one day you look back and find that with each experience you've learned to trust them more. The same can be said for our relationship with God. Our relationship with God will determine how well we trust Him. As we spend more time with Him, He reveals Himself more and more and allows us insight into His heart, His purpose and His plan.

Today you may be trying to connect the dots. You feel confused, lost and wondering what's next. Let me encourage you. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by those things you're not meant to understand and focus your attention on God. We're not meant to live life like a giant scavenger hunt looking for clues to paste the pieces together. We know our mission (Matthew 28:19-20). We know our final destination (John 14:2) and we know that God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). Now let us trust Him to lead us and guide us according to His divine plan, knowing that He has it all planned out and can and will sustain us in our journey.

Let us pray.

Dear Lord,
We praise you and magnify your name. Thank you for being patient with us, for allowing us to be apart of your perfect plan despite our many shortcomings. Thank you for helping us to realign ourselves through Your Word. Father, we don't understand Your ways, nor do we understand your reasons. Please forgive us for being selfish and wanting everything to make sense to us. Please help us to accept the plate you set before us and be satisfied with your plan for our lives today, for we know you will take care of tomorrow. Touch our hearts, open our eyes and ears and fill us with your peace and joy. Encamp Your angels angels around us and keep us with your mighty power. We desire to please you and you alone, O Lord, to give you glory and honor and praises. We surrender ourselves to your Will today. Use us as you please. In Jesus name, Amen.

Just Say the Word!

2009-06-29T11:05:00.006-04:00

This morning, I woke up bright and early with a lot on my mind. I needed to go for a walk and just spend some time with God. I wanted to hurry and get out the door before anyone woke up, but that didn't happen. As soon as I was dressed, had Rockie on his leash and had walked out the door, I heard my little girl ask, "Mommy, can I walk with you." I couldn't resist. I saw her smile and just couldn't help myself. I knew I needed the alone time but couldn't find it in my heart to tell her no, so she came with me.

As we walked, I began releasing all that was on my heart. Though outwardly it was unnoticeable, God heard everything I was thinking. Later, when we got back, I took out my Bible for my morning devotion. God had definitely heard my cry for help and He responded with this story found in Matthew chapter 8.

Matthew 8:5-10, 13 NASB
"...when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. “For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. And Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed that very moment.

When I read this story today, the words "Just say the word" captivated my heart. What faith! What amazing, unwaivering faith! The centurion recognized Jesus authority and knows that with just a spoken word from Jesus, his servant will be healed. What a lesson we can take from this.

What's going on in your life right now? What do you have need of? Are you searching for answers? Are you searching for peace? Perhaps you're battling with your health, finances, direction or maybe you're just seeking a closer walk with God. First, remember this. We need to recognize and remember Jesus' authority, then surrender our needs and caste all our cares on Him and then just begin to rejoice knowing that when God speaks His Word will make the difference! He knows where you are today. He knows what you're going through and He's right there with you. Don't give up! Don't give in! Keep trusting Him and like I heard someone say recently, "When you can't hear God, read God!" His Word is faithful! His Word is sure! His Word is Powerful! His Word is all that you need! Amen! Amen! and Amen!

Worship Him today!

Hebrews 11:3a NASB
"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God."

Isaiah 55:11 NASB
"So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Hold On, Holdfast and Have Faith!

2009-06-24T10:52:00.003-04:00

Today as I read, a passage of Scripture that's not new to me, spoke volumes to me. Though I've heard it preached, taught and have even taught lessons on the subject, today while reading, it was like a light switch was flipped on in my head.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB), "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"

Let's stop right there for a moment, shall we? Jesus tells us not to worry about our life. He gives beautiful examples of how God cares for the birds of the air. Have you ever watched a bird early in the morning, while the ground is still soft and wet with dew? The bird conveniently snatches up a worm that came up to enjoy the cool breeze of the morning air.

I enjoy watching birds. I love to hear them sing their clear, crisp melodies of praise. They seemingly have not a care in the world. In moments they can flap their wings, reach the heights and see the all the beautiful sights that you and I would have to hop in an airplane or climb a mountain to see and even then our view would pale in comparison to theirs. What a life, but wait, notice what Jesus says in Matthew 6:26b NASB "Are you not worth much more than they?"

Psalms 8:3-4 NASB says, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained (created); what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"Who are we in comparison to other creatures God has made? I'll tell you. In no other creature has God breathed His breath of life, no other creature was created in His image and no other creature has ever been ransomed by the blood of His only Son, Jesus. Think about it! God loves us! He created us for the sole purpose to be His companion. He enjoys are company. He loves to embrace us in His arms and caress us with His gentle hand of mercy. Everything else was created for our pleasure, for us to enjoy as a gift of love. Has your spouse ever given you the whole world? Neither has mine, but God did. Only He can.

Jesus goes on to speak of the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-30) and shares that not even King Solomon with all His wisdom and wealth was ever clothed with such beauty as that of a single lily, and shares that if God so clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He clothe us. Wait a second, I hear a rebuke coming... "You of little Faith!" Watch out, where's my umbrella, it's raining conviction right now! I'm so guilty! I've worried so much over so little in the grand scheme of things. I've allowed the cares of this life to captivate my attention when I should have stayed focused on Him. He is God! He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. He's trustworthy and faithful!

Jesus continues to exhort us in Matthew 6:33 NASB saying, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Oh my! The end of this verse sends chills down my spine, causing me to cringe, but it's true. Job 14:1 NLT says, "How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble!" What a word of truth, but here's more truth...

John 16:33 NLT, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

2 Corinthians 12:19 NKJV, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

John 14:1-4,6 NASB, "Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.

John 14:27 NASB, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

What a comfort and a joy to know that through all the toils and trials of this life, God is with us and His grace is sufficient to keep us! As the song says, "Though all hell asails me, I shall not be moved."

Today you probably feel like you've been lost at sea. You may feel if one more wave crashes against you, it's all over. Your strength is gone, your heart is breaking. You feel alone and seemingly no ones sees and no one cares. Let me encourage you today. God sees and God cares! He has already prepared the way before you. You may feel you can't see, hear or feel Him, but He's there! He's parting the seas in front of you. Just keep holding on, keep trusting Him! In the darkest of nights there's a lesson to learn. A seed has been planted and it's breaking out of the mold and shell. It's growing! Pretty soon you'll blossom as His beauty radiates through you and His fragrance fills the atmosphere around you. Hold on, holdfast and have Faith!

All Things Work Together For Good

2009-06-23T07:59:00.002-04:00

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Every time I read this passage of Scripture, I wonder why God called me. For the most part, in a crowd of people, I’m least likely to be noticed. Perhaps it’s because I’m the one who enters a room and looks for the corner. I’m not one to demand attention. I’m quiet and shy. So why would God call me? I’ll share a secret with you, because He has a plan!

I’m always encouraged when I read how much God loves and forgives the people of Israel. Even with all their drama, He remains faithful to His promise. He promised them peace and prosperity for as long as they served Him, worshiped Him and put any other god away and they did and they had peace and prosperity. On the other side, He told them that at any time they turned away from Him, their enemies would overtake them. We see throughout Scripture where God’s words became reality. We see and hear it on the news even today, but the fact remains, they want peace but peace won't come because of that covenant. God still loves His people and has a plan for His people. Whether we trust and obey or if we turn away, He still has a plan. It’s up to us to fulfill our purpose. We can choose our own path, be led astray and we’ll face hard times alone, or we can choose to surrender to His call and walk this road of life with all its mountains and valley’s but with assurance knowing God has paved the way before us.

Worth It!

2009-06-23T07:35:00.001-04:00

In a day filled with insurmountable pressures, it’s no wonder discouragement and disappointments run rampant. Just when you think you’ve got life figured out, here come the many loops on this grand roller coaster ride of life. You’re up one day, smelling the roses, and the next, something or someone comes along and mows right over them – and you. Thank God, He remains in control during the midst of our confusion and turmoil. Without Him, we’d be as a good friend of mine use to say, “As lost as a ball in tall weeds.”

Sometimes I feel lost. Sometimes I feel like it’s, one more blow and I’m knocked out for good. Sometimes I ask God, “How much more of this can I take?” I get discouraged and, Lord knows, I’ve had many disappointments. Gazing from the outside in, some would say, I’ve endured more defeats then I’ve celebrated victories. Though it may appear that way a lot of the time, deep inside, I know that though I can’t always see the outcome and though I don’t always understand the how’s and why’s, I can rest assure of this truth, God is doing a work in me.He’s molding me and fashioning me into a vessel He can use. That makes it all worth it!

The Voice of God (Poem)

2009-05-30T23:55:00.001-04:00

You've been hurt by those who claim to love you.

You've been rejected by your own.

You've reached out to be slapped away

Now you feel so all alone.

Your life has not been easy

You've shed more tears than most your age.

You search for truth, hope and love

I am the truth, the light, the way.

Don't be fooled by those who come in my name

Their fruits speak clearly from whom they've been sent.

Come to me, my sweet love

Speak your heart, feel free to vent.

I knew you before the world's were framed

I've prepared you for this day

I long to spend eternity with you

Let me wipe your tears away.

My grace is sufficient

My love will never end

Draw near and I will show you

I'm one on whom you can depend.

I love you more then you'll ever know

I love you more than your mind can conceive

Remove your doubts, your fear and anxieties

Come and believe

Allow me to reveal myself

so you'll know and understand

I'm not a man that I should lie

Draw near, come take my hand.

Written By: Kimberly Thomas-Waters

May 19, 2009

Wait for the Lord

2009-05-07T12:24:00.000-04:00

^{"Wait for the Lord;}
^{Be strong and let your heart take courage;}
^{Yes, wait for the Lord."}

^{Psalm 27:14 NASB}

^{With so many decisions to make, so many choices to choose from. In every aspect of my life, I want to be pleasing to the Lord. I want to be where He wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do, living as He wants me to live and just totally, completely, 100% be sold out to Him! My heart's desire and #1 passion is to be everything God wants me to be. I've failed him all too often. I've went my own way too many times. I've made my decisions too many times and have had to reap the benefit or consequeneses. God doesn't break our arm to be in His perfect Will. He gives each of us our chance to choose. At times we go our own way and tho' He blesses us, the blessings are not as great as they could have been. And some times going our own way gets us in to big trouble. No matter where our own path leads us, He's forever standing there waiting for us to come back to Him and with open arms He invites us to follow Him again.

Too many times, I've had to learn things the hard way. My stubborness, hard-headedness and impatience has lead me all too often to grief. Whether sin or just simply walking in God's permissive will neither are as satisfiying as God's Perfect Will! It's only when we stand and wait on the Lord that our strength is renewed. It's only when we wait on the Lord that our battles are overcome. It's only when we wait on the Lord that our requests and petitions are answered and the path is brightened enough to take another step. It's only when we wait on the Lord that are faith is increased!

Maybe you're facing a "mountain". Maybe there's something or someone in your way. Whatever your circumstanc, wherever your decisions have left you or are leading you, and no matter what your choices may seem to be... "Wait on the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait on the Lord!"

He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the beginning and the end! He is Jehovah Jirah! He is God! Praise Him Saints of God for His goodness and His mercy! He IS worthy to be praised!

- originally posted at www.mychurch.org/kdtw 9/17/07}

Just Sing

2009-05-07T12:21:00.001-04:00

When you feel you can't go on... sing your song!
Make up the words as you go along... but sing your song!
No one can sing it for you. This is yours and yours alone.
Give everything you've got, don't fear the outcome.
Give glory and honor where they belong...
give praise to the Lord, sing your song!

Change

2009-05-07T11:49:00.001-04:00

"When you consider how hard it is to change

yourself and your own ways,

think how nearly impossible it is

to change others."

- "I'm More Than A Pastor's Wife" by: Lorna Dobson

Today as I was reading, "I'm More Than A Pastor's Wife" by Lorna Dobson, I came across this profound quote. There's much to be said on the subject. As anyone can attest, change is never easy. At the forefront of change you'll find struggle, rejection, closed ears and big mouths. Let's be real here. Change calls for... well... change.

When we’ve come to the realization that we have to lay across the bed to zip our favorite pair of jeans (ladies) or that we can no longer see our belt (men) we come face to face with the reality that something needs to change. Oh yeah, it hurts our feelings when we have to pass up that nice, delicious, cream-filled donut or just say no to another helping of that delicious ALL YOU CAN EAT dinner buffet, but when that belly and those hips begin to shrink, you start dancing and singing praises. Don’t tell me you don’t! So we agree, change is not easy, but oh so worth it! So then why is it so hard? Here’s why! As a general rule, we do not like to deny ourselves. We want what we want, when we want it. We’re, by nature, selfish people… generally. It’s a lot easier for us to point out the faults of others and glorify ourselves; however, when we do this, we’re only deceiving ourselves.

As I read the quote above, I had many thoughts. I know once I have my mind set on something I’m not easily persuaded or convinced otherwise. Just ask my husband. I’m a deep, analytical thinker… known to be over analytical at times. It takes a lot to make me believe something and once I believe something to be truth, it takes God to change my perspective or my take on the subject. Argue, make threats, fuss, pout and whatever else, but you’re only wasting your time. I’m stubborn. I like it! I’m not gullible or easily swayed. I listen to all sides but in the end I make up my own mind with much prayer and after looking to the Word… but guess what. I’ve been wrong! Yeah. I’ll admit it. I’ve been wrong about lots of things in my life that I believed to be God’s truth. It took time, study and a lot of time with God to convince me I was wrong, but nevertheless, I was wrong. So, if it took so long or so much to change me, how can I begin to expect changing others to be some how be easy.

Change can be scary. So does that mean we should forget change? NO! Take it slow? Yes and No. It depends on the seriousness of the situation. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack and you’re rushed to the hospital only to find that you indeed have blockages, a change is eminent. There’s no time to waste. Something needs to be done or you’ll die. The problem won’t go away until something gets done. But if you visit the doctor for a regular scheduled check-up and they tell you your triglycerides are high, they’ll more than likely suggest a diet change, possibly even some medicine. This would be considered slow change. Evaluate the seriousness of your situation and with much prayer determine the steps you need to take. Through it all keep this in mind. When dealing with others whom the changes will affect, be understanding of what’s running through their mind. Try to encourage, inform and uplift them, but where change is needed, change must come. You’ll battle resistance and feel misunderstood, but rest assured, you must press forward toward the prize.

Trust God to lead the way!

You Might Be Tempted To Laugh!!!

2009-05-07T11:46:00.003-04:00

You Never Hear in Church

Hey! It's MY turn to sit on the front pew!

I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went over time 25 minutes.

Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.

I've decided to give our church the $500.00 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.

I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.

Forget the denominational minimum salary: let's pay our pastor so she/he can live like we do.

I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!

You may be tempted to laugh as you read these, but for many churches, these "jokes" are so true. It's sad. It's a shame. Many things in life are temporary. Your house, your car, your golf clubs, your job, your money, your time here on earth... all temporary! What's not temporary? Your soul and the souls of your family, friends, co-workers, class mates, neighbors, the guy waiting on you at your favorite resturant, the checkout girl at the grocery store. While none of the temporary items I've mentioned are pointless, it is pointless to gain the whole world and lose your soul. Take this test to see if your priorities are way out of line. Remember, taking time to do things enjoyable is NOT wrong, but if they take more of your time then those things that matter most, your priorities are out of wack.

1. How much TV do you watch per week? Is it more than the time you spend with God?

2. Can you give more details about your favorite sport, fashion, etc. then you can about God and His Word?

3. Have you shared more gossip then Gospel this week?

4. Does your family get leftovers while your job gets quality?

5. Does God get quality or leftovers?

6. Does your favorite sports team get more praise at the game then God does at church?

7. Are you loud for you child's sports team but a quiet worshipper at church?

8. When's the last time you fed the hungry, took care of the orphan and widow?

9. Have you shared the Gospel with the person beside you today?

10. Who are you most devoted to, will sacrifice everything for, will lose yourself for?

We're all crazy busy these days, but let's not lose ourselves to the things of this world... they're only temporary. Instead, let's remember to lay up treasurers in Heaven where moths and rust do not destroy, where theives can't break in and steal. Let's remember the Great Commission and be reminded that we are called to death not till we're old. Let's be reminded to care for one another and prefer our brothers and sisters before ourselves. Let's be reminded that GOD comes first in all things. Let's lay aside every sin and weight that so easily distracts us and pulls us aside and let's run this race, before us, with patience, diligence... with joy! We're each gifted to work in one or many areas. Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus and stop gripping about stuff that simply doesn't matter. My heart cries out to you today. I'm so burdened for the lost. I'm so burdened for our churches across America today. We've got to wake up and be about our Father's business. Time is running out! Souls are dying lost! Forget about pleasing self or the person next to you and let's start pleasing God!

Take the challenge.

Shine His Light Today!

Hearing God (Sermon Outline)

2009-05-07T11:44:00.000-04:00

1 Samuel 3.1-10

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, lie down again.” So he went and lay down. The LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.” Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

1. He ministered but he did not recognize the voice of the Lord

There are people that are working for the Lord but do not recognize His voice
Eli was the priest, but there was no open vision
Some prophets in the OT prophesied what was popular and what the king wanted to hear & were unable to hear the voice of God. They were worthless watchmen.

2. He really knew the Lord

Not everyone that says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven
Jesus will say to many “I never knew you”
You cannot substitute religion for relationship
The Pharisees said “We are Abraham’s seed” Jesus said “You are of your father the devil”

3. God called to Samuel three times without Samuel hearing God

God is continually speaking to men
To the unsaved through nature
To His people “I continually held out my hand”

4. Samuel finally said “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening”

When we listen, God will speak
Jesus said “My sheep will hear my voice” “I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice”
Isaiah 3“Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live;

We hear God…

Through His Ministers
Through His Word
Hebrews 4 12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Through our prayers

The Deaf & Dumb man brought to Jesus
Mark 7 32They brought* to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored* Him to lay His hand on him. 33Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva; 34and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said* to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” 35And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.

1. He took Him aside by himself

Some things need to be just between you and Jesus
Some our hearing problem can be fixed when we get alone

2. He put His fingers in his ears

Sometimes you got to shut off all the other voices to be able to hear God’s voice
Since Jesus was unable to communicate to him by talking, He touched the hearing organ in order to show him what He was about to do

3. He touched his mouth - your hearing affects your speech

Numbers 23:19 NIV

2009-05-07T11:42:00.000-04:00

¹⁹ God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

It's amazing how often we forget the awesomeness of who God is. I think we often fail to remember He is God and not man. We put our trust and hope in man and as soon as he/she falls short we're disappointed and distraught. At least this is true for me... so I won't speak for anyone else.

God forgive me today for letting the things of this life distract me and pull be back. Forgive me for looking around instead of looking up. Forgive me for my faults, failures and unbelief. Forgive me when I try to walk in my own ability for I have NO ability without You. Thank you for your love and grace. Your mercies are brand new every morning. You're amazing... simply amazing! You captivate my heart and set me free to dance in liberty. You fill me with breath to sing your praise and empty out all the grief and pain that can easily slow me down. Thank you for reminding me just who You are. Thank you for revealing Yourself in ways only You can. I am Yours! I am not my own and my life is surrendered at your feet. Take me and use me as You see fit. Encamp your angels around my family and my home and release us to perform Your Will. Anoint us with Your anointing! Break the yokes! Tear down the walls, the strongholds, and let Your freedom be known. Your promises are true! What You say, You will do! I believe! I believe! I believe! I'm leaning on You! I'm following You! I'm trusting You!

Yes You Have!

2009-05-07T11:33:00.000-04:00

This morning while I was praying, I was sharing with God all that was on my heart, as if He didn't already know. I held nothing back. I expressed my thanks and my praise, my concerns and my fears. I want so much to be all He desires me to be. I don't want anything and I mean ANYTHING to hold me back from His perfect Will for my life. Anyway, I expressed my feelings the only way I knew how, by just letting them out and you know what??? He answered me with these words, "I've already made the way for you." What a calming, relaxing, reassuring thing to hear! In that split second my fears were relieved, my worried countenance appeared brighter and more confident. These were the words He's been telling me for months and years. This reminder gave me the strength to continue on, to perservere, to press through, to lift my hands and begin to praise and rejoice in the storm. I told the Lord, "Yes you have!"

What are you facing? What do you have need of? Caste your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you! He's already made the way for you!

-originally posted on www.mychurch.org/kdtw, April 7, 2009

Walk in the Rain

2009-05-07T11:10:00.000-04:00

Early this morning, I was disappointed to see that it was still raining. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know we need the rain, but I really wanted the sun. There's just something about waking up to a beautiful sun shiny day, hearing the birds sing and the feel of the cool morning breeze gently blowing through the window. There's just something refreshing about it. It's like natures wake up call. It's better than coffee and I love coffee! But no, not today, today I woke up to a dark, gloomy, gray morning. Instead of birds singing their praise, I heard rain beating the window and though there would have been a cool breeze, had I opened the window, the rain would have saturated my floors. Nope, it wasn't going to be a beautiful day at all. I wanted to stay in bed, but I couldn't, I just had too much to do.

I tried really hard to make the most of the day, but no matter how hard I tried, the gloomy day kept sucking the energy right out of me. So, when it came time to pick up my daughter from school, I decided to get out my umbrella and just walk in the rain. What could it hurt? It's better then waiting 30 minutes in a line of cars. So I'd get a little wet. Maybe it'll help wake me up. But when we began walking back, the rain kicked up to be more than just a drizzle. I began questioning whether I had made the right decision after all. I had only brought one umbrella and one of us was going to get soaked. So, I handed Faith the umbrella, assured her that I wouldn't melt and we started back.

As the rain ran down my face, I began to think about our Spiritual walk. How we bask in the sunshine and dance in the cool breeze of the days when it's easy to rejoice and life is good. We love to relax and listen to birds sing as we smell the sweet fragrance of God's love, joy and peace. But in the garden of life, sometimes the clouds hang low and we're forced to run for shelter or walk in the rain. We weep as it rains on our parade. Our smiles turn to frowns and our laughter turns to wailing and travailing in tears. We run for shelter but can't find relief. We ask why and wonder why the rain has to come. We feel disappointed and question when will the sun shine again. But then I thought about that seed that's planted deep within the dark, moist, soil; away from the sun's rays, fighting for life. I think if it weren't for the rain, the seed would dry up as the sun dehydrates the soil. And as the seed brings for life and begins to make it's journey through the soil to reach the surface, if it weren't for the rain, it would scorch, burn and die before becoming that beautiful flower it was intended to be. That seed was never meant to stay hidden, but was intended to walk in the rain.

Like the flower, God knows how much rain it takes to sustain us and how much is too much and would drown us. He'll never put more on us than we can bear. He believes in us, loves us and sees more in us than just the simple seed in which we began. He's cultivating us into something far more beautiful than we can fathom. So trust Him and enjoy a walk in the rain.

-first blogged on www.mychurch.org/kdtw, April 2, 2009