Monday, June 20, 2011

A Relationship

Greetings~
1 Peter 1:2 (in part) Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Earlier this year I read and listened to a CD of the New Testament. (great way to spend your time when your driving). Then I went to Genesis and began reading the Old Testament. Now I'm reading in Joshua. 

As I've shared before, the Lord is speaking to me about 'digging in deeper', to not just read, but study.  To REALLY get to know Him and grow in my relationship with Him.  God's timing is so right on!  I receive a daily journal entry from Mike Clarke (Papi as he is known to the children at Casa on the Rock orphanage in Guatemala).  He shares what is happening with the children, and also shares a short teaching.  I just read his most recent entry.   I want to share a portion of it with you.

Joshua was told by God "As I was with Moses so I will be with thee". Wow! He was telling Joshua "I want a relationship with you!" That is what Christianity is supposed to be for all of us. It is not a religion, it is a relationship. It is His presence in my life. You know that Joshua must have been so scared! Felt so inadequate! Doubted his own ability!

When God was dealing with the heart of Moses He told him in Genesis 33:14 "My presence will go with you" and then He follows up in the same chapter verse 15 with Moses saying "If you do not go with me I do not want to go".
Moses had asked the Lord for 3 things. First, "Teach me your ways". We should all want to know His ways so we can follow Him wherever He leads. Second, "Let me know you". I cannot say that I know God if I do not know His Word. Third, "Let me live in your favor". Again without knowing His Word you cannot know Him and without knowing Him you cannot live in the favor of God. It is His favor to us that gives God pleasure.

If God is not pleased with us He will not be present in our daily lives. God shows the world the difference between His children and them is His divine presence. He is not in fellowship with the ungodly. To have church without His presence is to go through motions that do not change the lives of anyone. If God is not pleased with us then He demonstrates that by removing His presence.

How can I please Him? I will suggest some ways tomorrow morning.

Visit http://www.casaontherock.org/newsandevents/mikesjournal/ to read more of Mike's journal entries.

I am settling in over here in Idaho.  It is still cool and rainy. This week the weather is suppose to warm up. I am so very looking forward to some warmth!
The church I am attending has small group bible studies, and many opportunities to serve in the church. I just finished the 'hi and welcome' 101 class that tells you what their foundational beliefs are.  I am pleased to say it is very similar to Calvary Chapel. (my home church of 14 years).
Every one here is very friendly, from church, to the grocery store (where the checkers actually look at you and talk to you, haha) to the local Harley dealership, to the fabric and shoe store.  I am amazed at what a friendly place this is. 
The dots are starting to connect at my new job. That's always a nice thing when it starts to make sense!!
My friend that I'm house sitting for, set me up a little sewing station so I can work on my grandsons quilt.  :)

Overall; things are good. God has given peace about being here, He is providing for my needs.  I enjoy the phone calls from my church family, and my friends in NC.  I think of them and look forward to seeing everyone again in Aug. before I go to Guatemala.

God had dealt with me for a few months now about stepping out in faith. I have done so, and He is faithful, (just like He tells us in His word)!! imagine that! LOL~ but it is truly an amazing feeling to know that the God of the universe, LOVES YOU, and CARES ABOUT ALL THE LITTLE DETAILS OF YOUR LIFE.....

WOW! No words can describe how FREEING a feeling it is to be IN HIM and allow Him to live and work in your life.
If you don't know Him, or if you've drifted away, He is STILL there waiting for you to turn to Him, repent (turn from your ways) and turn to Him. He WILL do all the 'house cleaning' in your life, you just have to accept His free gift of eternity with Him. 
Act 3:19 NIV - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Jhn 3:16 KJV - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Rev 22:17 NKJV - And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Rev 22:21 NKJV - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you all. Amen.

Kim

Saturday, June 11, 2011

another day

AHHHH~ it's Saturday and that feels so good... to be able to do my 'to do' list~ haha  Seriously, it is nice to be able to 'catch up' on some things that I've put off all week.
My job is going well. It is rewarding to be able to tell a person, 'you start work on' ........ So many people are out of work, it is huger than how it effects each of us personally.

This week God continues to teach me (and talk to me) about the need for me to go deeper into His word. The need to really 'ponder' over what I am reading. Let it sink in, THINK about each instance described.  There is much more to His Word than just reading the words written in it. They have LIFE, They are always new, and inspiring. It IS relevant to our world TODAY.  
In order for a person 'to get it' they MUST pray and ask God to open their eyes, and give them His understanding of what they are reading.  Other wise: they are blinded to His truth because they can not see due to being in darkness. Just as we can not see in a dark room without light, people who have not accepted Jesus, walk daily in darkness and do not even realize it. HE IS LIGHT, He gives us TRUTH to walk in, this truth (HIS truth) brings such joy.  It is AMAZING. This joy, NEVER leaves us, nor forsakes us. Yes, there are days that are challenging. Days that I do not 'feel' so up and happy. but God gives me a sound mind to overcome my 'feelings' not allowing negative thoughts to overcome me.  If I will just look to HIM, PRAY to Him, SEEK Him, He WILL provide for me in what ever way to over come and succeed... as long as I am IN His will. He can not bless me if I am doing Kim's will. just doesnt work like that.  I am the clay, HE is the potter. the clay can not say to the potter, 'i want to be a jar that only holds roses.  NO, the potter knows what is best for me, and He will provide ALL that I need.  He knows what this vessel should hold.... haha and  it may not be roses...they have THORNS.. .LOL   and maybe I have thin skin and would get pricked by them... anyway~ this is trust, this is faith, He IS the way to everlasting life WITH HIM. there is NO OTHER WAY to Him.

{Jhn 14:6 NIV} - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
{Jhn 12:44 NIV} - Then Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me.{Jhn 12:45 NIV} - When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.
{Jhn 12:46 NIV} - I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
{Jhn 12:47 NIV} - "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
{Jhn 12:48 NIV} - There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.
{Jhn 12:49 NIV} - For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it.
{Jhn 12:50 NIV} - I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."

I pray the Lord fill me with His Holy Spirit and lead me into ALL understanding of His Word. 

{Job 28:28 NKJV} - And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom, And to depart from evil [is] understanding.' "
{Psa 111:10 NKJV} - The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do [His commandments]. His praise endures forever.
 I LOVE THE NEXT VERSE!! IT TICKLES ME!! LOL{Pro 4:7 NKJV} - Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [Therefore] get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding



I pray Iwould not be a stumbling block to any, but rather let the light within me (His light) shine for ALL the world to see, that it maybe a beacon for those in the darkness.
{2Pe 3:18 NKJV} - grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Kim

{Pro 2:6 NKJV} - For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth [come] knowledge and understanding

Thursday, June 9, 2011

be still, know I am God

{Psa 46:10 NIV} - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
resting a while: whew, am I glad of it too~

I am in Post Falls, Idaho now.  I am glad to be 'still' for awhile. I've traveled so many miles.  At times it was scary, I didn't know what the 'next' step would be... I had to rely on God for His leading. He tells me not to fear, nor be afraid, that He will NEVER leave me, nor forsake me. (this promise is yours too if you are His child)
{Isa 41:10 NIV} - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.{Isa 41:13 NIV} - For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
{Deu 31:6 NIV} - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."{Deu 31:8 NIV} - The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."{Jos 1:5 NIV} - No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you
God IS MERCIFUL and I am so amazed at His mercy toward me.  I am so undeserving, yet He loves me. He loved me BEFORE I knew Him, BEFORE, I was saved, and He'll love me AFTER I goof up again.... but now the difference is I KNOW HIM, I desire to know Him MORE... know His character, who He is.  I love God, He is a loving father, Jesus, the one true son of the Father that came to earth just to save ME, (and each person that will accept Him, can live forever WITH HIM) the Holy Spirit that indwells me..living inside me. guiding me, directing me. 

How do I learn about WHO God is.
By praying, talking to and with God. (Listening to Him also) READING His Word.. the Word IS Jesus:
{Jhn 1:14 NIV} - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
STUDYING the Word of God~ THE HOLY BIBLE, digging deeper than just spending 5 minutes reading a day.. figure out for yourself what the words mean.. THINK about the people and their lives.

INCREDIBLE!!!  The Holy Spirit gives decernment~
GO TO CHURCH... have fellowship with other Christians..
{Act 2:42 NIV} - They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.Learn about what He says about HOW to live with Him forever. (forever = Eternity)
Eternity, wow, think about that one. Eternity.....E T E R N I T Y ~ either WITH God, or away from God.  We ALL will live for eternity.....God gives us the choice of where we will spend it, either WITH Him or AWAY from Him. 
God so loved the world He sent His ONLY son to earth,
{Jhn 3:16 NIV} - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
{Jhn 3:17 NIV} - For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
{Jhn 3:18 NIV} - Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

  He died for us, taking MY sin on Himself and being punished because of my sin, DYING on the cross (the most humiliating way to die in those days) He never even became angry with the crowd as they did these things to Him,
He PRAYED FOR THEM....
{Luk 23:34 NIV} - Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
(He prayed for His enemies, they hated Him, yet He loved them)
This is our example of REAL LOVE. God IS LOVE. God is Just. He can not pardon any sin, that is the reason Jesus died to take our place... EACH ONE OF US... there is NO greater love than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends.
{Jhn 15:13 NIV} - Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Please continue to lift me up in your prayers.  Also the missions trip to Guatemala.  I will return to NC just before I fly to Guatemala for a week.
If you would like to sponsor me on the missions trip you can send any amount to:

Calvary Chapel of Asheville, NC
just make note that its for the missions trip.

 Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Kim

Sunday, June 5, 2011

travels and praise

Jer 29:11 NKJV - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jer 29:12 NKJV - Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Jer 29:13 NKJV - And you will seek Me and find [Me], when you search for Me with all your heart.

The Lord has laid upon my heart to dig deeper into His word. To understand what the meaning of the words mean, not just read over them, but CONSIDER the meaning of EACH word. How did that person feel as God spoke to him or told him 'to go', what did that person have to do to be obidient?
The Lord God is so very merciful towards me.  These past 5 weeks I have traveled many miles. Driving by myself, pulling a trailer with my motorcycle about 3000- miles.  The Lord spared me, and gave me clear weather, while all around me storms and flooding, but none hindered me.
I have flown hundreds of miles visiting family and friends. Again, all went very smoothly. The Lord gave me peace and hopefully I planted seeds in His name. Only He knows the outcome of that.

Naturally my funds grow lower and lower; Although I have had peace that my travels were/are according to His will and direction for me.  Yesterday I prayed; "Lord, I am concerned about my money, its getting low. Its your money, I am trusting you to provide what I need to pay my bills".  This morning I applied for a job. Was called in for an interview after lunch, hired 2 hours later. PRAISE GOD.  It is not a lot of money, but it is enough.
There is a song by Jennifer Knapp where she sings; "oh Holy Spirit won't you say a prayer for me"~ this rang deep within me, and I pleaded this statement to the Holy Spirit. He is faithful and for two nights my soul prayed as I slept.. WOW... really cool thing to experience.
The Lord also has been speaking to me about praying and then doing some more praying. That if I want a closer relationship to Him, I need to spend time with HIM.  praying.  AND reading His Word.  I need to spend TIME with Him.  Not give Him the left-over time I have when I'm tired or distracted. NO, He needs and should receive RESPECT from me in giving HIM my ALL just as He gave me His ALL.

1Th 5:17 NKJV - pray without ceasing

1Ch 17:25 NKJV - "For You, O my God, have revealed to Your servant that You will build him a house. Therefore Your servant has found it [in his heart] to pray before You.

Neh 1:11 NKJV - "O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man." For I was the king's cupbearer.

Job 33:26 NKJV - He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness.



God the Father has blessed me beyond anything I could have imagined. I have a safe home to stay in, a job that is challenging ONLY 3 MINUTES away!! ha, I've driven LESS than 35 miles in a week... I use to drive that ONE WAY to work each day!!! How AWESOME to work so close.  

I am very excited about Guatemala!! just two months away!! YEAH!! 
and I get to return to NC and see my family in Christ. I have missed their fellowship. Although some have called and it is ALWAYS so good to visit on the phone. What a blessing.

Please continue to pray for me, and praising God for His faithfulness towards us, His children.

in Him;
Kim