I think it’s hard to know how to love God

1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in love".  First we must love God.  How can we love what we can not see?   I find it easier to love things and people than it is for me to remember to Love God.   We must love God, in order to truly love people.    What I do to, keep God front and center in my life with love is to try my best to be thankful to Him in all things.    I need to constantly think and pray, “Thank you God, …. Thank you God for loving me so much that you sent Jesus to die for me…, Thank you God that there is nothing to big for you,   Thank you God that I can TRUST you in all things…..” I need to stay in thanksgiving and awe, to remember to seek Him and His ways above my own ideas of fulfillment.   Reading His word daily helps me stay grounded in His love.    We love Him because He first loves us!! When I think of how much He loves me, it's easier for me to love Him back.   One of my dearest friends used to say, " Don't love something that can't love you back".  God loved us first, He created each of us on purpose and loves each of us as we are.   He doesn't love our sin.  But with a love beyond understanding He love us.     Today, I am going to try to simply rest in His love so I can love Him back.   I will walk in adoration of His magnificence!  Even in His majesty He has the time and desire to love each of us intimately.   What an amazing love,  He has for each of us.   Be filled with that love today and “do everything in love.” Perfect love casts out fear!!

Embrace what God has given you to do!

1 Peter 4:9 "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  10 each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace, in its various forms."  

1 Peter 5:2 "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing as God wants you to be, not greedy for money, but eager to serve."

As I read theses passages I am looking at my heart.  Am I truly eager to serve?    Sometimes, as I offer to do this or that,  I have a lazy attitude inside me and grumble and complain in my heart. I tell myself ,”I just don’t have time for this” or “I really don’t feel like doing that”.  We are to give and do things with a pure heart for service.  When I choose to full heartily embrace what God has put in my lap my experience of doing it is amazing!!   Today,  be inspired to sincerely give of yourself with joy serving others with all sincerity of heart😇🙏❤️ Don’t let a lazy,over burdened attitude, take over your heart.

His Rock not our platform

Psalm 62:1-2. "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." 

When I stand on the ROCK of Jesus Christ I am not shaken!! Each day I start out with a Kimberly plan.   Each day that plan morphs into something else.   Yesterday, was a beautiful example of how it morphed into Gods' plan.   The beautiful things I got to do yesterday were not at all what I had planned.   They mainly turned into talking with people I love.  Those of you who know me personally know I am a very active person.   But sometimes my activities take my complete focus, my eyes become on what I can do,not what God can do through me.    Many times, I have been told to take to heart, Psalm 46:10"....be still and know that I am God". Yesterday, I asked God to let my day be about Him.  I asked Him this with all sincerity of heart and He certainly blessed my day.   Being patient and letting God guide me is very difficult.   I like to be busy.  My mom used to say, " busy people are happy people".  I agree with her to a point.    If I'm too busy my business becomes my rock.  When I am busy I can avoid feeling the pain of this life.   When I am still with God and let Him truly be my ROCK.    He walks me through what ever it is I'm going through and gives me the assurance His plans for me are greater than mine.    I hope this helps you let Him be your ROCK today and always😇🙏❤️Today I will try not to be so busy with my own plans that I miss Gods plans for me!

Don’t take offense. Respond with love

Psalm 55:12 "If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. 13 But it is you, a man like myself; my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God."      

Sometimes our closest friends and loved ones seem to turn their backs on us.   Sometimes they do and sometimes it's just our misreading a situation.    In todays world,especially, people get distracted and forget about their real life Friendships and families.   Screen time becomes more important to us then Face to face time.   It's our culture not our hearts.  1 Corinthians 13 states "Love is patient ".  Today, if someone is seemingly, turning away from you, don't be offended simply be patient and kind .   We are to love others as Jesus loves us.   Not push ourselves on others, but have true heart felt love and forgiveness, toward others even when they are too busy for us.    Many times we have to simply love  people from a far and pray for them.  People act the way they act for many reasons, often it has nothing to do with us.   It is better not to take offense in the first place.   Put on Love and concentrate on the Love of Jesus!   Hebrews 13:5 " .....Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."   Mathews 28:20 " Lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age."   Jesus is with us always.   We are never abandoned, never!!!   Our humane relationships can and will be difficult.  Our number one relationship is that with our Savior!    Jesus said, take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy my burden is light!😇🙏❤️(Matthew 11:29-30)

Perfect love casts out fear!! Fear not!!!

 Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry Abba, Father."   We are not to walk in the Spirit of fear!!   We are to walk in Sonship with our Lord Jesus Christ!!  The basis of me not TRUSTING God, is fear.   Perfect love cast out fear!!  When, I TRUST He loves me perfectly and all things, will work together for my good.  I can truly have His peace and joy in my trials.  I try, try try to love God with my whole heart.    My problem is there are other things in my life that take over, ahead of God.   It's my constant battle to try to seek Him first and His ways.    When I am in Kimberly ways and desires, fear creeps in.  I fear things wont happen the way I think they should. I fear God won't give me the desires of my heart.   How ridiculous!! He promises if I seek Him first and love Him first He will give me the desires of my heart.   Perfect love cast out fear!! God loves each of us perfectly.  Fear sets in when we don't love Him perfectly back or don't TRUST in His perfect love.  

1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love.  But perfect loves drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because He first loves us."

Don’t worry, He has plans for you!!!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

This has long been one of my favorite verses.   Sometimes, I see the glass half empty.  Then I remember He has plans for me, plans to prosper me, not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.   I switch my focus to what is right.   My glass becomes half full.   Actually it become full to over flowing!!!  A beautiful sister of mine gave me a plaque that reads, "Gratitude, turns what you have into enough!"    Today TRUST in Gods plans for you!!   His supply is endless.  He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future!!!

Nothing can separate you from the love of God through Christ Jesus!!! Nothing!!!!

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”.  Isaiah 59:2. “ But your iniquities have separated you from your God; Your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear you.”       Here is the good news!!!!!   Romans 8:37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, neither angles or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Nothing can separate us from God through Christ Jesus!!!!  Our sins do separate us from God, it’s through Jesus sacrifice for each of us, that keeps us in the love of God.  As humans we struggle with desiring our sin over Him.    Our sinful flesh is never satisfied when we give into temptation we just want more and more.   When we seek first Jesus He gives us living water within us and we are filled to over flowing.  It’s crazy to me that I am so tempted by the flesh  when I can be fully satisfied with Jesus.   Jesus paid the price for all our sin and lustful acts and in exchange gives us His right standing with God when we simply believe.  TRUST!   When God looks at us through the blood of Jesus He sees us righteous.   Nothing separates us from the Love of God through Christ Jesus.     Walk in the assurance He has you!!! Confess your sin, repent and try, try, try again.  We are each sinful give it to Jesus and walk with God!!!!

What will come out, when you get squeezed?

  Ephesians 4:31 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."   If you squeeze and orange orange juice comes out.  If I get squeezed today what will come out?  If I am harboring any unforgiveness  in my heart or any evil thoughts toward others that will be what will come out.   It's easy to let people offend us.   It’s best not to take offense in the first place.   Hurting people often hurt others. We are all coming from a place of brokenness. Today, let the love of Jesus fill  the brokenness, so we can truly walk in love and forgiveness; so when we get squeezed love comes out.  (For me to BE the love of Jesus, I have to stay in Hid Word, listen to radio, keep fellowships with others trying their best to do the same and Be Thankful in all things!!!!)

Shinny object chasing?

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight."   One of my best friends and spiritual mentors always reminds me that my "pride", gets in my way.  I really don't like it when she says this.   I like to think of myself as a woman who seeks God first.   She is right, I often think, God should give me what I want and do what I think is best.   I'm so glad I'm not God.   I don't know what is best, I often think I do.  When I have the discipline to wait upon the Lord, He reveals what is truly best.   I often can't understand.  When I TRUST Him with all my heart, and try my best to apply His word to my life.   He makes my path straight.   If left to chasing Kimberly desires my path gets pretty crooked.  Without keeping Jesus front and center, my pride has me chasing rainbows and shining objects .   Let our Everlasting, Loving Lord help you keep your path straight today and always😇🙏❤️ Are you chasing any shinning objects instead of seeking Gods will?

Being good just isn’t enough. We need Jesus!

“But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart ”

—John 2:24–25      The other day I asked a friend of mine if he knew he was going to Heaven when he died.   He said, "I hope so."    I said, "You can know so!!" Then I asked him, "Do you know you are a sinner?"   He became pretty uncomfortable and said, "that's pretty personal".  I said, not really.   We are all sinners.   He said he tried to be a good person , "I'm not perfect. But I'm a pretty good person".I said, "No one is good enough to save themselves.  Our sin separates us from God, Only Jesus can pay the price of our sins and make us right with God." We talked further and he realized his grumbling and complaining are sins, he realized he was a sinner and needed a Savior.   My friend went on to believe in his heart and confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord!    I know my friend now has Heaven to look forward to!!!!   If we don't recognize we are sinners we don't need a savior.    Do you know you are a sinner? Do you trust that Jesus paid the price of your sin on the cross?   Do you believe He rose from the dead and is sitting on the right hand of the Father? Do you KNOW you are going to Heaven?

Know so!!! TRUST Jesus as your one and only way.   Know that no matter how good we may be, we are not good enough on our own.   We need Jesus!!!!

Invest. Don’t retreat!

 1 Timothy 4:7-8 "Have  nothing to do with godless, myths and old wives, tales; rather, train yourselves to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value in all things, holding the promise for both the present life and the life to come."    Last night I watched an old movie, "Yes Man".   It's a cute flick about a guy that got out of his isolated comfort zone and started living his life to the full.  This man isolated himself because of a relationship that caused him pain.   He hid himself as to not get hurt again.  Truth is sometimes when we put ourselves " out there " we get rejected and that is a huge type of pain.  The alternative of never letting people close is far worse than the temporary pain of rejection.    How can you shine the light of Jesus if you don't invest in others?  Today,  let's not weary in well doing and keep fighting the good fight.      Love others as Jesus loves you!! If man rejects you, shake it off.   Jesus will never reject you.   He is with you always even to the end of the age!!!( Hebrews 13:5&Matthew 28:20). Go forth in Godliness towards all in your life!!

Problems are small when God is Big

Lamentations 3:55-57. " I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. 56 You heard my plea; "Do not close your ears to my cry for the relief." 57 You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear. ". Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved!!!!  (Joel 2:32) Years ago I was dying, and I called upon the name of the Lord and immediately was surrounded by a warm white light and a peace that surpassed all understanding.    It was one of the most amazing moments of my life.  Since then I have not feared death in Jesus.   In this life, there has been much trouble, but when I simply call upon the name of the Lord Jesus, somehow  the trouble gets small and God gets big.   Today, call on the name of the Lord and you will be saved!!

9/11

I remember exactly where I was 911, 2001.  Most of us remember exactly where we were when we heard about tragedy.  9/11 was the first time in my life that I questioned the sovereignty of the United States of America.  Nations rise and fall but our Lord remains the same. He is greater than any tragedy.   Psalm 84:10-12. “Better is on day in your courts, then 1000 elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.  12 O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.” Trusting God, in all things is the basis for our long term health and wellness.

Live generously even out of lack

1 Timothy 6:17 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."     So that they make take hold of the life that is truly life!!!!   Live generously is the theme of Thrivent.     It's a great life philosophy!!!   When I remember, everything I have, including my time belongs to God, I have a heart felt desire to be His good steward.    My finances and time are often tight.  So I can look at lack.   When I do, I feel " Stingy".  When I give generously out of a pure heart God just turns what I have into enough and reminds me it's all His anyway.    I hope this helps you today too.    Live  generously!!😇🙏❤️

Your way or His will?

1Peter 4:2 " As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God."    This is such a tall order, when everything around us tells us to desire more, more, more!!!  I was at home the other day, and sincerely remembered  how fulfilling the simple life is.   I can get so busy in my life I forget to simply "BE".   Today, I will try to simply “BE” in Gods will, not Kimberly chaos. Not sure I can do it.   But I'm convicted to try 😇.   What about you? Are you too busy to “BE”? Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, weather in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Crisis… in it? Coming out? Going in?

Lamentations 3:54-57 "the waters closed over my head, and I thought I was about to be cut off. 55 I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. 56 You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears to my cry for relief."  57 You came near when I called you and You said, Do not fear. ". Do not fear!!!    The other day our pastor preached that all of us are either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis or about to go into a crisis.   It was not my favorite thought.  At that moment I thought, no right now things are really good.   I can't imagine an other crisis, I think I've had enough.   Then we had a crisis.  In the midst of this, I simply cry to the Lord.    I don't trust in my understanding because I can’t understand.  I chose to TRUST that God knows and cares more than I can imagine.  I chose to TRUST His arm is not too short and He is with us loving us through it all.      Jesus said, "In this life you will have trouble, fear not! I have overcome the world."   We do live in a fallen world.   We will have trouble.  Let's not let what ever crisis we are going through, to or from,  shake our faith. 😇❤️.  Keep the faith!!!!