Good news, God's righteousness

"For our sake He made Christ virtually to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become (emdued with, viewed as being in, and examples of) the righteousness of God (what we ought to be approved of and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness). 2 Corinthians 5:21 amplified

Do you struggle with feeling like you have to follow a set of rules to be pleasing to God? Or that you need to accomplish this, that, and the other to meet His standards of approval for your life? If so, Satan has you buying into lies that he has deceived countless of us with throughout the ages. Ask God to deliver you from this crazy train of thought and put you back on the right track.

Our Heavenly Father loves us and is already pleased with us because He sees us through the lens of His perfect Son Jesus Christ. When we believe on Him, we are saved. And all that He died to purchase for us becomes ours. Victory over the enemy!

You and I don't have what it takes to make it back to our Father. But our Redeemer lives! And He freely gives us what we need. His robes of righteousness in exchange for our failures, shortcomings and weaknesses. If you are very aware of these in yourself, rejoice! You can now see your dependency upon God and are in a great position to call out to Him for help.

"Humble yourselves, (demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation) under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care (ALL your anxieties, ALL your worries, ALL your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. " 1 Peter 5:6,7 amplified

Sometimes all we need is a little perspective change: His righteousness, not our own. Accept and receive that today. Belief in His words is a POWERFUL, life-changing thing.

Here's a simple prayer:

Lord, thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. I ask for the grace to put on Jesus's righteousness today. Free me from the mindset of "following the rules" and the striving for perfection that keeps me bound. Thank You that You LOVE me and are already PLEASED with me because I am Your son/daughter, the work of Your hands. You see Me through Your Son Jesus. I believe that You have a smile on Your face with You think about me!

In confident joy,
Kim

Thoughts on Psalm 33

Sometimes our problems threaten to overwhelm us. But to keep things in perspective, we need to look at our problems in proportion with Who God is. How big He is, how much authority He has and how much He cares for us and loves us tenderly.  What a Good Shepherd He is!

"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!" 

Psalm 34:3

Joyce Meyer (one of my FAVORITE Bible teachers!) said that to magnify something means to make it bigger than everything else. So let's begin to magnify God above our problems. I recently heard a simple truth: we need to glance at our problems but stare at Jesus.

I think a good way to practice this is by camping out in the Word of God and meditating on it's truths. Set your mind on things above and fix your eyes on Jesus. Get your mind renewed each day when you wake up. Think on all He has done, the great things throughout history and the things He's done for you personally. We don't want to forget what He has done, we want to earnestly remember it. And when we do, our hearts are always encouraged. Always. When we begin to remind ourselves of the goodness and greatness of our God, we begin to rise above our circumstances and live in an overcoming mindset.

This morning I woke up with a heavy heart. In fact, I've been fighting this for awhile. Each day is a battle. I asked the Lord where I should go in the Word and He led me to Psalm 33. The whole thing is so positive, I was uplifted and felt encouraged to write about it. A complete "about face" from where I was when I woke up. The whole chapter is excellent, but here are the verses that stood out to me and encouraged me:

"Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, for praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright in heart.

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 For the word of the Lord is right; and all His work is done in faithfulness.

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He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the loving-kindness of the Lord. 

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By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth.

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For He spoke, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood fast. 

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The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of His heart through all generations.

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Behold, the Lord's eye is upon those who fear Him, who wait for Him and hope in His mercy and loving-kindness, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

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Our inner selves wait earnestly for the Lord; He is our Help and our Shield.

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For in Him does our heart rejoice, because we have trusted, relied on and been confident in His holy name. 

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Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You." 

Psalm 33:1, 4-6, 9, 11, 18-22 amplified

These words are incredibly precious to me. They are not hollow, but full of meaning and hold great weight because they ring true, and I know it. I feel like each of the above scriptures requires a "Selah. Pause and calmly think on that."

We have so many external pressures in our daily lives, I believe it is a necessity to get quiet before the Lord. Take the time to put Him first (magnify!) so we can tap into that deep, inner vitality which strengthens us and gives us the grace to overcome in each day. 

"And let the peace and soul harmony which comes from Christ, rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts.....Let the Word of Christ have its home in your hearts and minds and dwell in you in all its richness..." Colossians 3:15a,16a amplified

I want to live from the place of knowing and experiencing for myself how big God is. Remembering each day that He's so much bigger than my circumstances. I want to practice casting my cares on Him and hiding His words in my heart. I want to declare His truth over my circumstances. My process is to read it, write it, speak it and sing it......until it becomes second nature. Until it penetrates my heart and becomes rooted down deep. Until it comes out of my mouth as the overflow from my heart.

"The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good..." Luke 6:45a NASB

Is anything too hard for God? Does any problem stump Him? No! He is sovereign. Lord over all. He has infinite wisdom. In fact, He is so in control, He makes all my problems work to accomplish His purposes and He works them out for my good! Who else can say that? Be encouraged today as you think on Who He is. :o)

Busy Bees

We are such a busy society and we live in such a busy culture. But I think there is a trap in busyness. As Christians, we are to pattern our lives after Jesus. I recently read an article that said, "Jesus would regularly get away and be with God in the secret place. He didn't get filled up by ministry; intimacy with His Father was what replenished Him." (see article here)

I know the stories of Jesus. I know he retreated often to pray. I know He only spoke His Father's words. I know, I know, I know.....Sometimes I think I'm so "familiar" with the Bible that I forget to take these truths to heart. I brush them off without giving them thought and reflection, pondering how I can apply these examples to my own life for my benefit! But for some reason, when I read that phrase, said that way, a light bulb went off in my brain. aka Revelation!

In essence, I saw the relationship and the contrast between being filled up and being poured out. Jesus' whole life was poured out for us as an offering AND He says we can come and drink of the waters of life that He has any.time.we.want. But....we have to make time for that. (see these scriptures)

The story of Mary and Martha comes to mind, found in Luke 10:38-42, amplified translation:

"Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching. But Martha, overly occupied and too busy, was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me, to lend a hand and do her part along with me! But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion, that which is to her advantage, which shall not be taken away from her."

Now, I would like to take a moment to point something out. Martha had an idea about what Mary should be doing. Oh dear! We are always coming up with good ideas of what we think others should do. This is a form of obligation that we put on other people. I'm willing to bet that if Martha had also sat at the Lord's feet, eventually everybody would have pitched in and it all would've gotten done with great joy and fellowship happening at the same time! I picture lots of laughing and talking while the work was getting done. :)

"My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me caretaker of the vineyards, but I have not taken care of my own vineyard. Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, Where do you pasture your flock?" Song of Solomon 1:6,7 NASB

"My beloved is mine and I am His! He pastures His flock among the lilies." Song of Solomon 2:16 NASB

I don't want to be anxious and troubled about many things, but truthfully, I find myself there a lot. I want to choose the better part in this life. I don't want to let the peer pressure of my society get me so busy that I don't have my priorities straight. My best choice is partaking of Him and drinking deeply. I have to draw away and be fed. And the good news is that He fees us among the lilies, which sounds like a great place to me!

The truth is we make time for what's important to us. We prioritize as we see fit when we should prioritize as He sees fit. Jesus tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and everything else will be added to us. I like to think of it like this: If I prioritize Him first into my daily life, everything else will fall neatly into place. THIS is the secret to making YOUR life work!

Here's a few tips, based out of the Word:

(Please keep all things in the perspective that God doesn't "need" anything from us & He's also not staring down at us, knit-picking over every little thing we do or don't do. He is gracious, kind & always working things for our good. We do these things because they help us keep healthy, happy & ultimately lead to our success!)

1) We need to be reading and meditating on the Word of God, daily.

Psalm 1:1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners...But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night.

2) We need time in prayer. Both to speak and to listen. Sometimes we have things on our heart that we have to get off our chest or we will explode! And we won't be able to listen until we unload. On the flip side, it's also important to be still and know that He is God. Ask God for sensitivity to His Holy Spirit to hear what is being said. Often, it comes in the still small voice of a whisper.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah

Lamentations 2:19 Arise, cry aloud in the night watches; Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to Him...

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

3) Setting aside time before our day gets going is always helpful. Before the crazy kicks in, it's good for us to get "centered" so to speak.

Psalm 5:3 In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord; in the morning I prepare a prayer, a sacrifice for You and watch and wait for You to speak to my heart.

Bottom Line: I won't have anything I need to give to anybody else, if I don't get replenished in quiet time with the Lord. I have found that putting Him first somehow energizes me to do what I was discouraged about facing today. And don't feel pressured. His mercies are new every morning! The truth is none of us get it right 100% of the time and we can't do ANY of this without His help. So ask! It is good for us to see our need for Him and to depend on Him DAILY.

Invite God into the process of helping you with your schedule. Ask Him for the grace and wisdom to find what works for you and how you can put Him first. Don't get frustrated and quit if it doesn't work perfectly the first time you try. Allow time for tweaking.

And if you are shaking your head at me thinking, "You are crazy lady! If you only knew how much I have going!!!!"....know this: We all have seasons where we feel like things get out of control. Not a single one of us has escaped that. Thank God for grace in difficult seasons. :) Here's the good news: If you ask God for help, He will help you.

~Kim :O)

Therapy

This past week I've gone through some intensely difficult and emotional memories. The Lord has always been faithful to bring things up, in His timing, so I can work through them and find healing, rather than living wounded for the rest of my life.

My current process has been about deep roots of bitterness and resentment. I know I need to forgive, like our Heavenly Father forgives. And it has been a strange experience to have such deep feelings of bitterness, resentment, anger, hatred even while at the same time crying out to God for the help to forgive. I need His help if I’m ever gonna get there. In the midst of the totally wrong heart response, I desire the right and pleasing heart response. In essence, my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. This is the blueprint of what it looks like to need Him. To be daily dependent upon Him.

TRUTH: God LOVES to forgive so we should too!

This isn't easy to achieve, but it is a goal to aspire to. Something I think may take a lifetime of practice. Forgiveness is a key to unlocking our healing and finding freedom.

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There is something I really want. I mean, I REALLY want it. For one reason or another I just haven’t been able to achieve or obtain it. I feel entitled to it. And I’ve been dialoguing with the Lord about how I know my feelings of entitlement are wrong. If God wanted me to have it right now, I would. Selah. But in His kindness, He simply asked me “Why?”. Why is this SO important and what would it mean to me to have it? So I started journaling. And in doing so, I was able to let all the feelings seep out onto the page and release them in a healthy manner.

After a few days of self-pity (which always makes pain more painful, and during which the Lord was still kind to me in my wallowing) I got the idea to make a list (I'm a list person!) of my hurts and look for the best in them. He counseled me to look for the blessings within the hurts. Journaling is my friend. I was able to see the good, appreciate it and be thankful. Sincerely thankful. I was able to see His provision and His goodness. And I have taken my thoughts penned down and turned them into prayers.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace that passes understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

I've been asked (not forced) to lay some things down and let go of them. And for my own benefit, not pick them up again. To not look at the hurts anymore but to count the blessings and to see Jesus in them. To keep my eyes fixed on Him, not the disappointments. The decision is mine but I know healing is on the other side. I'm working through. 

Sometimes I pick things up again, turn issues over in my hand and study them further, which can result in all the emotions being stirred up anew. It's a day by day trust exercise to leave things at the feet of Jesus. But God is always gracious and helps me lay it down again so I can continue on to my final destination of true acceptance and forgiveness. 

When all is known and all is forgiven, foundations are strengthened. Peace and rest come. Joy and contentment become my companions.

TRUTH: Letting go and laying down are the processes through which we find joy, peace and contentment.

Dying to self and crucifying the flesh are never fun or easy things to do. Often times they are messy. Things gets ugly as the flesh kicks back. However, if you submit yourself to the process these things yield the greatest results and produce the best fruits in us. Jesus learned obedience through suffering therefore we can too. He is our perfect example.

"Just think of Him who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself (reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials) , so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your own blood." Hebrews 12: 3,4 amplified

All the while He has been confirming to me that He has me right where He wants me and I am right where I am supposed to be. There is even a strategic purpose to where He has me right now and that gives me hope. A perspective change has happened.

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“I will let all bitterness, indignation, wrath, passion, rage, bad temper, resentment, anger, animosity, quarreling, brawling, clamor, contention, slander, evil speaking, abusive or blasphemous language be banished from me, with all malice, spite, ill will or baseness of any kind. And I will become useful, helpful, kind to others, tenderhearted, compassionate, understanding and loving-hearted, forgiving others readily and freely, as God in Christ forgave me.” Ephesians 4:31-32 amplified - first person confession

Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 13:5

1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV "Love does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

Love keeps a record of how many wrongs?

Oh, love keeps NO record of wrongs.

It is a sobering truth.

But what a relief that I can let go of all my tallying.

He isn't that way towards me.

And I don't need to be that way toward anybody else. Not even a little bit.

Sometimes we get hung up on the little bits. We self-assess and think we're doing good with the big things and completely miss the little things we're holding onto. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all truth and His still small voice reveals the small things that are hidden away yet tripping us up.

Thoughts on Philippians 4

Sometimes I read a passage of Scripture and I glean so much from it. Maybe you will find encouragement from these thoughts as I did.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:4-8 NIV

Just breaking it down from start to finish:

Rejoice in the Lord CONTINUALLY. Keep resetting your focus and gaze on Jesus (the Author and Perfecter of my faith) as many times as needed in a day! Think on Who He Is and find joy in that. In Him. The Glory and the lifter of my head. His faithfulness will bring me to completion.

It's okay to be gentle, vulnerable, humble. Don't let people's callousness of heart make fun of you or belittle you for it. Serve with love and don't apologize for it. Or bow down to someone else's opinion. We are admonished in the Word to love and serve. Bottom line. Rebuke accusation, condemnation and any guilt that tries to sneak in on you for not being able to be perfect aka please everyone. You can't be all things to all people. Don't let that stop you from doing what you can do! What you're called to do. And to be who you really are in Christ.

The Lord is near. Don't be anxious. Kim or insert name here, the Lord is near to you! So don't be anxious about the outcome OR fret about the details. What you need to do is trust Him with each little concern that arises. Take it to Him. Pour out your heart. Ask for help. Cast your care. Let it go. Wait and trust with joy. He's gonna work it all out. I know Him! That's how He is! ??What would happen if you didn't worry about this and chose to trust Him implicitly instead??

To be successful in my life I need to pray about it ALL. Talk to God about every little detail. Be thankful and appreciative! (Side note: a heart of thanksgiving is a cure to so many ills) Ask for what I need. That's ok! :O) Trade anxiousness for peace. HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE! When I do these things His peace will guard my heart, which is the wellspring of life so I can live. And live abundantly just like He promised. Not dragged down by the cares of life.

Lastly, think on good things while I'm waiting on Him, waiting for answered prayers. Think happy thoughts! Again, rejoice in the Lord. After all, HE IS
True
   Noble
      Right
         Pure
            Lovely
               Admirable
                  Excellent
                       Praiseworthy!

The true meaning of Christmas

I've heard a lot about the true meaning of Christmas these past few years and it got me asking myself what it means for me. What gives this crazy, busy, and often expensive season meaning?

Giving and serving are two practical ways I deliberately and intentionally fight the materialism that threatens to steal my joy and leave me feeling empty. I love that we participate in Operation Christmas Child and spend time and effort to bless those less fortunate than ourselves. I love that we put up a Jesse Tree, a recent addition to our family's Christmas traditions. And perhaps my favorite thing is attending the candlelit Christmas Eve service as we choose to put God first before presents. But that's not it.

What it really boils down to for me is one thing:

Emmanuel. God WITH US.

God loves us. Us being His children, fashioned by His own hand, in His own image. God loves us so much that He came down to be with us. To dwell among us. (John 1:14)  He just wants to be with us. He just wants us to be with Him. (John 17:24) How refreshing to have this reminder every year to help me refocus my gaze on my Savior and leave all the stresses of this life in His capable hands.

"Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." 1 Peter 5:7 Amplified

So as the world rushes on around me, I quiet myself like a child on his mother's lap (Psalm 131:2) and I remember again, He is with me. Because He wants to be.

"You could've left us on our own, but You're here." ~ Francesca Battistelli