Contentment with great joy.

Proverbs 40:8 "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches but give me only my daily bread.  9. Otherwise, I may have to much and disown you and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."   Just the right amount of everything.   Being content with what I have is so important to my health and wellness.  I trust God knows my needs and is giving me everything I need.  Contentment with great joy!!  It is a beautiful way to live, but takes a continual thanksgiving for my present😇🙏❤️ Happy New Year!!

Hope not fear

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed within us."   The humane condition, we are often suffering in something.   Each day we have a choices on how we process life's challenges.   We can have hope or we can have fear.    John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   Take heart is fear not!   Today my dad is in the ICU.  I am holding unto hope.  I am also asking for your prayers.  Thanks so much😇🙏❤️

Secrets keep us sick

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."   In AA I learned,"Our secrets keep us sick.".  One of my dear friends says,"You have to "own it" and then "no More!".   19 years ago today, I owned my alcoholism and all the destruction that came with it.  I was truly repentant and I did and have done whatever it takes for ,"no more!"   I thought when I quit drinking I would be done sinning.  Of course I was wrong.  We each sin daily.  It's the plague of humane life.   For true health and wellness confess and try, try, try again for,"no more!".  Confess to Jesus!  He is with you always!! ( Matthew 28:20) He is faithful to forgive and faithful to give us His righteousness!! We are not the sum of our sins we are the righteous of Jesus Christ.   This is the powerful gift of Jesus!!  Don't let sin hold you in darkness. Confess, repent and No More!!   If you fall back in, confess, repent and no more.   Keep on keeping on in Jesus.  Our secrets keep us sick. Jesus is our great healer!!!

Be His light!

John 1:9 "The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." Jesus is the true light!! I think it's so cool that we celebrate our Dear Saviors birth around the Winter solstice.   June 21 has long been my favorite day of the year.   It's the Summer solstice and the longest day of the year.    December 21 is my second favorite day of the year because that's when the daylight hours start increasing.   It's a day of hope for me.   Christmas too is a day of hope for me!!I love the "Son" shine!!! I love warm Summer "Son" shinny days!!!  Even more I love the Warmth of Jesus!!!!This Christmas season and beyond don't be content to just enjoy His light.  Be His light!!! Shine on!! Matthew 5:13 "You are the light of the  world......16 In the same way, let your light shine before men.  That they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven."   Let His light increase in you, like the daylight is increasing !!   Keep on keeping on!!! Merry Christmas!!😇🙏❤️🎄🎁

As it is

As it should be!    Some of us are getting anxious about the things we still need to do and others of us are having our first Christmas alone. God knows.  He knows exactly where each of us are in our hearts and He is with us meeting our every need.   Let Him meet all your needs and desires this Christmas.    This is a Holy time.    Romans 8:28 “And we know all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. 29 For those God fore knew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that we might be the firstborn among many brothers.”   

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”

Philippians 4:11 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.”   This Christmas time might not be everything you are looking for, but God can work it for everything He is looking for in you.    Merry Christmas.   Enjoy this Holy time, let it be a Holy time!! Happy Birthday Jesus!!!😇🙏❤️🎄🎁

Best gift ever

Proverbs 20:7 "The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him."   The best gift we can give our children is to love them with the love of Jesus, showing them Jesus is their Savior.  All of us are sinners.   We can all be righteous when we accept the powerful gift of Jesus.   “By His stripes we are healed!!”  ( Isaiah 53:5).   Thank you Jesus!!! Now let’s go tell it on a mountain and spread the greatest gift ever!!!!   Merry Christmas 😇🙏❤️🎄🎁

Sin looses its grip

Nehemiah 9:17 "They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you preformed among them. They became stiff necked and their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery.  But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.  Therefore you did not dessert them,".  This verse really stood out to me today, I am remembering the draw I had to my old ways.   A couple days ago someone was gossiping, I was drawn to it even as I was being convicted to STOP!  I know better than to indulge in things that hurt me yet sometimes I am drawn to such things.   Sugar is a tuff thing for me this time of year too.  Gluttony is not okay just because it's Christmas.   The list of sin that tempt me that I fall back into is long.   But the love of God  is bigger and longer.   He gave us Jesus, our simple belief that He is our Savior rescues us from the bondage of sin.    My life is better here on this earth when I resist sin.  Sin enslaves me.   This Christmas is a good time to remember we are set free from sin and death by the powerful gift of Jesus!! Our God is forgiving, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.   This Christmas time let’s love Him back by seeking Him first!!😇🙏❤️🎄 The more we seek Him the less power sin has on us(James 4:7-8)

His peace in this busy season

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”   

This final week before Christmas is filled with a “to do” list for me.      This year I have been sickly which is very strange.   I am one who  almost never gets sick.    So as I look at my to do lists my priorities seem to change instead of focusing on the hustle and bustle I’m focusing on the peace of Jesus.   It’s really making my Advent  season sweet.   I might not get everything done. But truth is most people don’t care.   On the flip side, the people around me, do care that I am present in my present moment without being stressed about getting things done.    Today, this week and always whatever you do,do it in the name of the Lord with thanksgiving.😇🙏❤️.  Merry Christmas

Treasured Christmas time. More valuable then Holiday pay

Matthew 28:20 "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."   He is with us always!!   Sometimes I forget this basic truth.  I am never alone!!  I do not have to fear loneliness.  As Christmas approaches this year it looks a bit different, my adult children have to be at many different Christmas gatherings.    When I worked on the Fire Department I missed many Christmas's at home, in exchange for Holiday pay.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.     Now I realize how extremely sacred Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are.   Because of the Birth of Jesus Christ we are never alone!! We have our Savior with us AlWAYS!!!! Merry Christmas!!!😇💒. Enjoy every minute of this wonderful Advent season!!

Advent celebrating the greatest gift to mankind

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you've been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God-9 not by works, so that no one can boast."  Yesterday I asked a lady in my Bible study why she wanted to do Gods will.  She said, "for my salvation and the salvation of my family, that's a pretty good reason don't you think?"   Her response is actually quite common. Many people look to their own good works for salvation.   You ask the average person if they think they will go to Heaven when they die and they say, "I hope so, I've been a pretty good person".   Our good works are like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) They do not earn us Heaven.   Only the Grace and Mercy provided by Jesus sacrificial death on the cross  and raising from the dead provides us Heaven when we believe.   We do good works or strive for Gods will in our lives because we love God and want to do life His way.   It's a response to our salvation not an earning of it.   We are all sinners and we all need a Savior. Jesus is the only way, truth and light.  No man comes to the Father expect through Him. (John 14:6) The good news is every man can come to the Father through Him!! He is the greatest gift mankind has ever received and that is what we celebrate this Advent season😇🙏❤️

Get it done!

Luke 14:28 "28 For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?"   This morning I'm "Counting the cost " of my procrastination.    I am guilty of letting, "I don't feel like it " take over.    There is a time for everything,  a time to rest and a time to work.   Lately, I have had to really fight procrastination.   Today I will try to remember everything I have is a gift from God, including my time.   Today, I am determined to let, " get it done" win over "not feeling it".     I will be more diligent to “count the cost”.    I always feel great when I “ Get it done!”   I often feel regret when I avoid my needed work.   I hope this helps you today too

A heart at peace give life to the body

Proverbs 14:30 "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."            

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  It's one year ago today that my Mom went on to be with the Lord.   I miss her so.   It's been hard for me to watch football this year because we did so much of that together.  A friend of mine talked football with me the other day and I felt the joy of it return to my soul.   Might sound a bit silly, but it hurts to watch football without her.  Last night and a little on Sunday;  I truly enjoyed watching football again.  My Mom is in perfect peace.  She witnessed to that before she left.   For me to not be in perfect peace and not enjoy the things we used to enjoy together is silly and certainly not what she would want for me.   Today, be in His peace so you can enjoy your life!😇🙏❤️🏈Thanks Mom for the love of Football❤️🏈💃

Keeping our promises helps our lives

Matthew 5:37 "Simply let your yes be yes and your no, no anything beyond this comes from the evil one."   When I first quit drinking I was surprised at how many broken promises laid in my wake.  Many of my problems were because I had not followed through with what I said I would do, or I had done what I said I wouldn't do.    It takes tremendous conviction to be consistent and let your yes be yes and and no,no.   It seems culturally acceptable to say, "plans changed" , and simply not follow through on our promises.   When, I keep my promises it helps my life. Just a point for you to ponder as you start your Monday morning😇🙏❤️

He know , and still He loves

Psalm 139:16 "your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your blood before one of them came to be."    I love this verse to remind me nothing about me surprises God.   He knows every day of my life and chooses to love me.   He knows everyday and every moment of your life too and chooses to love you.  He loves each of us, so much He gave His Son,  to Die for us, while we were yet sinners,  to pay our sin debt in full and make us His righteousness in full!!   We are not defined by our sins.   We are defined by the righteousness of Jesus, believe and TRUST.   

We will not perish!!

 John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and Only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."   This verse has so much promise!    I have recently been hovering on,”shall not perish”.   I can go down the rabbit hole of defeated thinking.   When I go to defeated thinking, it’s as if I am perishing in hopelessness.  We are more than conquerors in Jesus Christ!   We will not eternally perish, and we will not perish in our here and now!!!  Today, TRUST!   Trust that Jesus takes your sins and gives you His righteousness.   TRUST you are the righteousness of Jesus Christ!! We will not perish, not today not ever!!!!!  Thank you Jesus!!!

Enjoy your lot

Ecclesiastes 3:22 "So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?"   Enjoy your work!    I have many cleaning jobs over the years. I loved the Fire Department.  But part of that job was cleaning toilets.  I loved my work at the health clubs, but there too, toilets.    Now as a retired person, I choose to treat my day as a work day.   I keep myself scheduled and do many things.  I consider it my "job" to take care of my home, my health and my relationships. I try to honor God in all I think say and do.  Of course I fail miserably.    My point is no matter what your "job" it's important to enjoy it.    I am still not a fan of cleaning toilets.  I am however very thankful I have them to clean.    What ever your lot is, be inspired to enjoy it and do it well for the glory of God."😇🙏❤️

Sing!!

Ephesians 5:19 "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."   Speak life, sing life!!! Jesus said," it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man it is what comes out of his mouth that defiles him".   When we intentionally give thanks, speak psalms and sign hymns it helps us.   Today if you are tempted to talk about what's wrong, STOP and sign about what's right.   There is always, always something to be thankful for!!!

Let your sleep be sweet

Psalm 3:8 " I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety."    My son married Saturday, to his brilliant bride!!   I couldn't be happier.    I was so exhausted yesterday I slept almost 14 of the past 24 hours. (which is very very odd for me)   I am a wellness advocate and sleep is one of the most important things we can do to improve our health.  (7-10 hours a day for most adults is recommended).   I'm someone that will push this limit and find myself on 5 hours day for many days in a row.   I don't like to sleep in and I don't like to turn in early.   So it's my personal health obstacle.   Yesterday I was reminded of how important sleep is.   Many people can't sleep because they can't turn off their brain and spend time in worry.   There is no need to worry about anything when you TRUST God.   I too can be tempted to rehash things in my head.  Tonight let your sleep be sweet, lie in peace, trusting Our Lord makes you dwell in safety, and also the ones you love.   Rest in perfect TRUST, let your sleep be sweet!! 😇🙏❤️

My food

John 4:34 "My food", said Jesus, "is to do the will of Him who sen the me and to finish His work."    Thanks giving has become known as a time for feasting, but true fulfillment comes in giving.   Happy Thanksgiving week!😇

Ever lasting Arms

Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."  He who dwells in the shelter  of the Most High, will rest..".   In the shelter of Jesus.    Last weekend, the focus of our retreat was keeping the “Joy of the Lord as our strength” so we could fight fear anxiety and worry.    I think of “Joy”as a “deep peace inside my soul”,  that is not dependent upon my circumstances.    In order for me to get to that place of deep peace.   I have to TRUST God in all things.  I have to be able to "rest" in the shelter of the Most High.    I can go down the rabbit hole of worry or feeling anxious about things I've done or left undone.  When I am tempted to live in this "stinking thinking" I try to imagine cuddling under the Wing of the most High God, in the shelter of His everlasting arms. I hope that visual of being safe under His wing helps you today too.   😇🙏❤️

Full Armor!

Ephesians 6:10 " Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so you can stand against the devils scenes."      Put on the full armor of God so you can stand your ground, so you can stand firm! Stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, your feet firm in the gospel of peace, holding the shield of faith,wearing the helmet of salvation and using the sword of the Spirit which is the "Word of God".   Pray in the Spirit in all occasions.   The Lord your God goes with you wherever you go.   Be strong in Jesus!!

You have the full armor of God!!!

Loved as a bridegroom loves his bride

Isaiah 62:5 "As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."   My oldest son is getting married.  I look at him when he is with his fiancé and his whole soul lights up.  He loves her with every piece of his body.  He loves her through the depths of his soul.   His countenance comes alive when she is around.  That is the way our Heavenly Father loves us.  He loves us each completely.  He thinks of us and He smiles.   He calls each of us His most treasured procession.  (Dt. 26:18) He knit us together in our mothers womb (Paalm139), there is not a hair on our heads He doesn't know.   Gods intimate love for each of us is beyond our ability to understand.    We can TRUST in His Devine love for us and for our children.   Gods arm is not too short.  He knows what He is doing.   Keep your peace today,  by trusting in His sincere over joyed, love for you and your loved ones.  Many times because of my sins I feel unloveable.    God love is unconditional.   While we were yet sinners He sent His only Son to live and die for us, so our sins can be washed away and we be given the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We are loved by the most high God.  He is excited about you as a bridegroom loves his Bride!

Sluggard?

"Proverbs 13:4 "The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."   Monday, Monday....brand new week, will we get our work done?   I'm a procrastinator.   I stay "busy" during the day but I loose focus and go in many different directions so I don't get important work done.   As I read this verse my procrastination is reminding me of being a sluggard.  I have found if I do the things I have to do first, I am much more productive.   If I "Put things off", often they don't get done or when I do them I give it a half hearted attempt.     I long to do things well, when I walk in procrastination or laziness I am not doing things well.   When I don't do things to my best ability I feel embarrassed about my efforts.  Therefore, I don’t want to do things.  It's a vicious circle.  Today is   Monday.   A great day to start fresh for the week.  My goal is to keep a good calendar and be diligent about getting things done, even if I don’t,”feel like it”.  Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."  Be inspired to give today your best shot, don't let your day shoot you 😇

Every thought captive

2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretense that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."   

Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ!! Sometimes I can hear the "Stinking Thinking" inside my head that tells me I am not enough, that I can't do.....Truth is, I am not enough.   With Christ in me, I am more than enough!!! Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."   Don't let the Spirit of fear come upon you today.   Take very thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus!!!! 

Set Free!

 2Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come!"......21 God made Him who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."     Theses are great verses in 2 Corinthians!    I remember when I first realized I am forgiven, my sins are forgotten and I am made right with God!!    I am made right through faith in Jesus.  By His grace we are saved! By His grace we stay saved!   When I told my children, "I'm a new mom!" They were skeptical.   "What ever mom, we've heard this before."  They had heard me promise to quit drinking many times before.   Why would this time be any different?   This time was because this time I knew it was the power of Jesus that set me free from the power of sin and death.  Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!(John 8:36) Even after all these years,  I am tempted to see what is wrong with me instead of seeing myself as the righteousness of Jesus.   When I hear the voices of inadequacy, shame or guilt and fear I know those thoughts are lies.  I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!(Romans 8:37)Today, don't let the lies of the enemy tell you, you're not enough.   Tell those a voices that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus!   The old is gone and the new is here!!!

He is the Potter We are the clay.

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the Potter; we are all the work of your hand."   We are the clay, He is the Potter.   This verse is really touching my heart today.   There are many events in my life that I would change, if I could go back in time and change them.   But we can't go back.  We can go forward in Christ Jesus.   Every thing we go through, can lead us closer to God,if we TRUST He is the Potter and we are the clay.   This life can be very difficult and some of the painful events we go through here are devastating.   Romans 8:18 " I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."    Even if we get 100 years here on this Earth, it pails in comparison to eternity in Heaven.    Keep the faith and keep waiting upon the Potter. His work is beyond all compare!!!

Pray first!

"Now, All I can do is pray."   Have you heard this said?    Many people say this.   Truth is, first thing we need to do is PRAY!   I have many testimonies of the power of prayer.  Problem is, often God doesn't answer my prayers in the way I want Him to.   He always hears and answers our prayers!  (When we pray through Jesus name, it is the prayer of a righteous person)1Timothy 2:1 " I urge, the, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-".    Many times I feel powerless, I often am.    Jesus is sovereign over all!!  Be inspired, first pray, do what the Holy Spirit guides you to do, then pray in thanksgiving, God is handling it all.   Simply TRUST He has it all under His Devine control!!! 

Proverbs 15:29 “ The Lord is far from the wicked but He hears the prayers of the righteous.” We are right with God, when we TRUST Jesus as our Savior.

Prayed for what I thought “should be”Gods will

James 4:1"What  causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but you don't get it. You kill and covet,  but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  3. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

Sometimes these verses are hard for me.   I have prayed for a healing that didn’t come.  I was so mad at God, when my beloved went to Heaven.  How could God allow this?  In verse 3 “when you ask you do not receive because you ask with the wrongs motives”. My pride tells me I know more than God.  My pride tells me what I think should happen is true. If I believe the promises of God then I have to TRUST Him in all things.  My beloved has the privilege of living in Heaven.  I should praise God, not curse Him.  Grief here on Earth is very painful and difficult.  When our loved ones,pass in Jesus, they are in pure joy.  If you are mourning someone, who has passed in Jesus, remember where they are.  TRUST  God has them safely, in His ever lasting arms. 😇🙏❤️They are more than Okay, they are awesome!!!   Hold onto "They are doing Awesome!"  We too can go to Heaven when we put our TRUST in Jesus.   We will be reunited!!  When we are, it'll be as if no time has passed, like we haven’t missed a moment.  There is no “time” in Heaven.  Crazy cool huh?   I can hardly wait to be reunited with my beloved!!😇🙏❤️💃

Persevere!!

James 1:9 "A brother, in humble circumstances, ought  to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich, should take pride in his low position because he will pass away like a wildflower….12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those that love Him.”   As I read these verses I am thinking of an old friend that was a very financially successful, wealthy, man.   He told me, he never told people of his successes, he would relate to others by sharing his failures.     He said, “we can all identify with each other’s failures”.  One thing I enjoy about being a member of AA is that we talk about our struggles and more importantly how we persevere in sobriety regardless of the struggles.   “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials.” We all face trials.   Be encouraged to keep looking up, and help others do the same.  Don’t let your failures define you.   Let your perseverance through trials in Christ Jesus, define you!!😇🙏❤️Persevere!!

Busy?

James 4:17 "Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins."        This is tuff stuff!! I often "put off" the good, I know God wants me to do.  I get busy.   If you ask me, “Busy with what?”  I really don't have a good answer. Busy with, this or that, fills my day.   Sometimes God puts a person or a thing to do, upon my heart and I think to myself, "That's a great idea! I'll do that after I do....."and then I forget to do it or loose motivation.  I find if  I do a little something everyday in the right direction, I am more motivated to stay in Gods will.  Today, do you know what “good” you ought to do? Ask God for His help and take a little step, you'll be amazed at how  He will multiply your efforts.😇🙏

How Great Thou Art!

 How Great Thou Art!!  Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.   24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

I'm sitting, reading, watching the sunrise, thinking of how great God is.   I’m sitting in awe of His magnificence.  Last night,  I gazed at the stars and the moon.  He created everything on purpose for his purpose.   How great Thou Art! I used to think of God as being infinitely big,  putting all the planets and stars in the sky.   Infinity goes both ways.   He if also infinitely intimate!   He knows every hair on each one of our heads, our thoughts our words before we speak them.  He loves each of us intimately  we are each His most treasure possession.   How He can know each of us and know every star is beyond me.   He is truly a great God and we can trust him.  

Today, let's try to see how great our God is and thank Him for it.   Let's encourage each other to do the same.

Go Team!

Genesis 2:18 "The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him."  My brother just got married.  He loves baseball. In baseball you need a good team.    In marriage you also need a good TEAM!   I like what Genesis 2:18 states,  " a helper suitable for him." When we are given to each other in marriage it is important to remember we are on the same team.   We are to help each other.   We are to help each other.   As brothers and sisters in Christ we are also on the same team.   Ecclesiastes 4:12 "Though one may be over powered , two can defend themselves and a cord of three strands is not quickly broken."  Our best "team" includes Jesus to make us a three fold cord.    Today whether you are married or single remember you are on the winning team, help each other walk a good walk.   It's important to be careful when choosing your team pick people that help you not hurt you. On my way home from the wedding I met a high end baseball player at the airport.   He was getting married for the second time.   He told me in his first marriage, they forgot they were on the same team.     I hope this helps you today be a Christ centered team, as you try hard to help each other be Evrything God created you to be!!😇❤️💃. Go TEAM!!!

Be like the tree!

Jeremiah 17:8 "He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of draught and never fails to bear fruit."    "I want to be like that tree!" Is what my lovely daughter in law wrote by this passage.  I do too!!! Many things come up, doubt and fears try to steal my joy.  Jeremiah 17:7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him."     To be like this tree we FIRST need to TRUST God in all things.  

Plan B

Jeremiah 17:7 “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in Him.”    TRUST!!  Wednesday, my Dad dropped me off at the airport in CA.  I was sad to leave, but looking forward to time with my grandson on Thursday.   I had a tight connection in Chicago and missed my flight.    I watched the plane sit there for a good 15 minutes with the gate closed.  i was not allowed on.  No exceptions!  I was so frustrated I just wanted to cry.   All I could think of is that if I was going to be gone an extra day, I would rather be at my Dads’. A man at the airport comforted me with Romans 8:28.  He didn’t know I was a Christian.  That is just the way he comforted me. I was so refreshed by his big smile and him reminding me of scripture.   I made it home Thursday night.  My plane ride back to Wisconsin was glorious!!   I had views of full fall colors, and amazing clouds, none of which I could’ve seen if my flight would’ve been at night.   God gave me a silver lining.  During my down time, I was able to accomplish work for a project I have a deadline for.  Everything worked out and I get to spend time with my grandson today.   I felt pretty hopeless and very teary, as I looked at that plane at the gate.  Sometimes,  the things that make us very teary open the doors to something else.  TRUST He will make you a way.

3 Near death experiences

Romans 8:18 "I consider the present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."   

Romans 10:13 ""for,"Everyone that calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved."

Near Death, I have heard of three testimonies of it mine is one.  1.  "It was cold black and scary."   2. "It was like nothing, like falling asleep".   3.  It was the most alive I've ever been!  It was glorious!  I was surrounded by a warm white light and I felt a peace that surpassed all understanding and I knew that I knew I was going "home" I could feel my beloved welcoming me.   When I was wooshed back to my body and woke up on the recovery room table I wanted to go back.   I didn't want to have to do this life because the next was so much more. ".   Number 3 is my testimony.    I wasn't living a great life or going to church regularly when I had my near death experience, what I did, was in all sincerity of heart called out to Jesus to save me and immediately I was surrounded by a peace that surpasses all understanding!!   The beautiful thing is you don't have to wait tell death is knocking at your door.   You can call upon the name of the Jesus now.     I have problems in life just like everyone else, but in my here and now I am able to have His peace knowing I have amazing to look forward to.      I hope this helps you today too.   Simply call upon the name of the Lord with all sincerity of heart!😇🙏❤️

One and done!

Hebrews 10:10 "And by that will, we have been made holy, through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Once and for all!!!    I was reminded yesterday that I don't have to keep asking for forgiveness over and over again.   Jesus said, "It is finished".   One and done!! He takes our sins and removes them as far as the East is from the West and He remembers them NO More!!!!  ( Psalm 103:12) He paid the penalty for all our sins yesterday's , today's and tomorrow's on the cross. Our sin debt has been paid in full!!!! Believe and receive your full pardon .    I think it'd be impossible to identify all my sin and confess each one.   I am by nature a sinner, we all are.    It's our sanctification process of identifying our sins, confessing our sins and trying to improve our lives, by turning from sin and turning to God.   That is sanctification.  Our salvation has been bought, ONCE And for All!!   Walk in your salvation today. Jesus did this for each of us Once and for All, end of story!!!😇🙏❤️Don’t keep beating yourself up over something that has been forgiven and forgotten!!

Forgiven; even in the horrible

 Psalm 34:4-5 "I sought the Lord and He answered me;  He delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame." One of my very best friends used to say, "If you have Jesus in your heart, it shows on your face!"  I recently heard of a horrible sin, that a 17 year old girl committed, during an act of rage.  She went to prison.  A prison guard reported, “All she does is cry.”  I'm thinking of her and praying for her this morning.    The picture I have of this child is the opposite of the radiant face described in Psalm 34:5.  No matter how many or how horrible our sin; Jesus died to pay the price of all of our sins!!!!  He died once for ALL, all of us, all our sins!!!   I used to think it wasn't fair that someone that intentionally murdered many people could be forgiven the same as a gossip and complainer.   Sin is sin, it all separates us from God.  Jesus is the great uniter!!!  Praise the Lord we can be forgiven and made new in Jesus Christ!!! Yesterday is gone!  No matter how horrible or good someone is, we all fall short of perfect,  which is Gods standard.   The Good News is Jesus was and is perfect.   He is the Son of God , He lived a perfect life, then gave himself as the perfect sacrifice for each of us, so we can be forgiven,  restored and made right with God.   Jesus rose from the dead and has prepared a place for us in Heaven, which is our forever home.  There, we get to live forever without being plagued by sin!!!!   All we need to do to is TRUST Jesus as our Savior, simply believe!!!! 1.  Know you are a sinner and can't save yourself.   2 Believe Jesus died on the cross to pay the price of all your sins and make you right with God.   3 Believe Jesus rose from the dead.  John 3:16. " For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." We need not perish in our sins.  We can be restored, and radiant!! TRUST Jesus as your Savior today!!😇🙏❤️

“Yes” Lord!!!

2 Corinthians 1:18 “But  just as surely, as God is faithful our message to you is not “Yes”and “No”.  19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me, and Silas, and Timothy, was not “Yes”, and “No”, but in Him it has always been “Yes”. 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.  And so through Him the “Amen”  is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, 22 set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our heart as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

“Yes Lord!” Is the response I want to His Yes!!!   Sometimes I feel like Jonah and don’t want yo do what I know I need to do for Jesus.  Yes Lord,  opens doors!!   It can be hard to get out of our comfort zones and say “YES”.  2 Corinthians 1:20 “No matter how many promises God has made, they are “YES” in Christ.”   God does tell us no, but His promises are “YES” in Christ!    Today, I pray that each of us can have the courage and perseverance to say, “YES Lord!” In Him, it has always been YES, even when He has given us a no.     TRUST

Do you help your brother stumble?

Romans 14:15 “If your brother is distressed, because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by you're eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way, is pleasing to God and approved by men."   When I quit drinking, it was really important for me and it’s still important for me, to be around people,who do not drink alcohol.   I want to have good behavior and pleasing behavior to God.   I need to surround myself with other like-minded people in addition to reading my Bible, praying and truly wanting to be pleasing to God.  I need to surround myself with a good environment.  I also have to be a good environment for those around me. How are you doing with being healthy, peaceful, and joyful?  Are you helping others in your life choices and your attitudes?   Are you helping build others up or are you helping them stumble?   Today be inspired to be part of the solution not the problem.😇🙏❤️

What’s your earthquake?

 John 14:27 "Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."   

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Do not be afraid!!!  There are many things that can make us fearful.   I am visiting my family in California.  Yesterday, there was an earthquake a little north of here.  I received an earthquake alert on my phone.  When I got the alert, the idea of being in the middle of a significant earthquake frightened me.   Immediately, I fought the fright with "Gods got me, right where He wants me and if I die today, I can be in Heaven."   I thought about leaving my beloved children and grandchildren but went back to, " God I trust you in all things".   Perfect love casts out fear!   Gods love for each of us is perfect.   There is not a moment in time He is not with us carrying us through.   He is giving each of us His peace moment by moment even when we face death. California residents face earthquakes often.  It’s usually not a death facing event.   My fear or worry was all for not.   I have heard that 90% of what we worry about, never happens.   Today, don't worry, don't fear,instead let the peace of God rule your heart, no matter what your earthquake.😇🙏❤️

Strength arises as we Wait upon the Lord!!

Psalm 27:14 " Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."  My strength arises as I wait upon the Lord!   Wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord.    In the waiting, I can get anxious.   I get afraid God won't do what I want Him to do. ( Often He doesn't, after all He is God.   He sees what will be best.   I only see Kimberly's perspective).   I try to take things into my own hands this usually ends up disastrous.  We have to do some acting of course, in order to get a job, we have to apply.  In order to have money in the bank we have to save it.  I order for me to quit drinking, I had to enter treatment.    Wait upon the Lord, doesn't always mean do nothing.   It's a healthy balance of doing what you can and trusting God in all of it, trusting God in the waiting.    We live in a very instant gratification society.   God definitely doesn't work that way.  In our waiting He helps us with some of our greatest developments.    Be patient in your waiting today.   Trust God!! He knows what you are going through and He is doing a good work in you as you, wait upon the Lord!!!😇❤️🙏

What are you gazing at?

Proverbs 23:31 "Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! 32 In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper."   When I quit drinking I had to stop gazing at wine.  I had to stop fantasizing about being a "normal" drinker and embrace being a non drinker!   In order to change my behaviors I had to think on what I wanted, a deeper relationship with Jesus.  There is an old saying,"Keep your eye on the prize".   What we think about expands!! Is there something in your life that takes your heart off Jesus?  Confess it to Him, ask Him to help you change your thoughts and change your hearts desires to align with Him and His ways.   

Stay salty!!

Mark 9:50 "Salt is good, but if it looses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

Have salt within ourselves!!!  Salt tenderizes.   Is the love inside of us strong enough to tenderize those around us?   Jesus said, love others as I have loved you. (John 13:34) If I start to get judgy or critical of others I'm not walking in a salty type of love.  I am not salty on my own, I need Jesus to help me have a love inside that shows on the outside.   When I feel like I'm loosing my saltiness, I try to remember how much Jesus loves me.     

We love because He first loves us.  (1John 4:19)

Today, be at peace with those around you, love them with a salty, tenderizing love regardless of if you approve or disapprove of their lifestyle. 😇🙏❤️

We enter naked and we leave naked

1Timothy 6:6-7 "But godliness with contentment is great gain.  7For we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it."

Naked, that is how we come into this world and that is how we leave this world.  My Great Grandma Holt at one point in her life had much financial means.   When she passed, she had no material wealth.  Yet in her poverty, she gave me the most!!  My Grandma made sure I was confirmed.   During my confirmation class I realized, "Jesus, loves me!"   That was huge!   That is HUGE!!   I was a child that felt no one could love me.   Then Jesus, through the Bible, told me He loved me.  He loves me so much that He died for me!!  My grandmas greatest gift to me wasn't diamonds or pearls, it was steering me to the Word of God!   She helped me know Jesus as my Lord and Savior!!  We come into this world naked we leave naked.   Will you share the gift that lasts forever today?  Will you share the hope we have in Jesus.   The hope that surpasses this life!!   Through Jesus we receive the greatest wealth of all!!   😇🙏❤️

An unexpected passing

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  

Today, I learned of an other young person who passed unexpectedly.  This beautiful soul believed Jesus is her Savior.  This beautiful soul is safe in the arms of Jesus, she has no more pain no more sorrow, only joy and peace.   It's not our behavior or good works that gets us to Heaven.  It knowing we can't earn it.  It's through Jesus, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins .   It's Jesus who rose from the grave.  It's the powerful gift of Jesus that ushers us to Heaven when we die here,  if we simply believe.   Take comfort, when our loved ones die in Jesus they live!!  John 11:25 "

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Please pray for this family.   Even with the assurance  our loved ones are with Jesus.   The loss of a child is so very very difficult.  

I Believe! Help me with my unbelief!!

Mark 9:23 " " If you can?" said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes."  24 immediately the boys Father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."    

Sometimes,  I get discouraged.  I start wondering; “why God why”, instead of asking God to walk me through it and show me what He wants me to understand.   Mark 9:23&24 really helps me; “Lord I believe, help me with my unbelief!”  Faith, the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.  When I cry out, “Lord I believe! Help me with my unbelief!”  It really helps me turn back to my faith.   Why do I waiver in trusting God completely?   Why do I ever doubt?   God has come through for me over and over again.   Still sometimes, fear enters my thoughts.   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.”  God love for each of us is perfect!!! We need not fear!   If doubt or fear is knocking at your door today; fight it with the simple prayer, “Lord, I believe help me with my unbelief!”

Let’s walk in the freedom Jesus died to give us! 😇🙏❤️

His love is Greater than all our sins!!

  Psalm 51:12 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing Spirit."

When I had my born-again experience, I felt beautiful again as beautiful as a virgin white as snow. The old was gone. The new was here. I never thought that I would ever sin again.  I felt “set free”!!   I did sin again.  I don’t remember what the sin was; gossip, complaining, a lie? I remember how it made me feel.   I felt  dirty.   When I identify with my sinful flesh that’s how I feel.  Jesus died to forgive us for all our sins, yesterdays’, todays’, and tomorrows’!! When we identify with who we are in Christ Jesus; repentant, forgiven and righteous Our hearts become new and we want to walk in the light. Unfortunately we continue to sin.   We are not defined by our sins. We are defined by the righteousness of Jesus Christ!!  Every day we can turn from the old and walk in the new because of the glorious gift of Jesus Christ.   As we keep moving forward with Jesus, sin has a lesser hold on us.   ( James 4:7 “ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”).  We are saved by faith not by works!!!     We have a refining process here on earth, it is a battle of fighting off our sinful flesh.  Our salvation is free gift from God!!! Today be inspired to walk in who you are in Jesus, forgiven, redeemed and righteous!!! We are His most treasured possessions!!   In order for me to stay healthy and well I have to remember His love is greater than all of my sin!!!

Broken and contrite heart leads to fullness

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God, are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."  As I read this verse, I thought about when I quit drinking. I spent 29 years wanting to quit drinking.  This morning I’m remembering how devastating the disease of alcoholism was ravishing me and my family.   I had a broken and contrite heart,  I truly desired to live for the Lord, not live for my alcoholism. That was the beginning of my new life.  Sincere repentance lead me to Jesus, my forgiveness, my new right standing with God, was what I received!!!  I never want to go back to drinking.   It was destroying everything. To stay clean, I continually let go of the old and reach for the new in Jesus Christ.   He is the best health and wellness program I can imagine!!!    What ever hinders you from being all God created you to be, be inspired to let it go and latch on to Jesus!!!😇🙏❤️ Be truly well!!!

Do not fret- it only leads to evil

Psalm 37:8 "Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil."   

I used to have a real temper. I would get so angry that I had nasty things to say.  I could just feel the rage vibrate my whole body.  It was a horrible thing.

All that anger, all that rage started with just the wrong thinking.   In the Bible. It says "it's better not to take offense in the first place".  Now, when someone  does some thing, that is seemingly against me, I remember; they too, are coming from a place of brokenness.

I ask God to heal their heart, fill them with His Holy Spirit, so they can trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and know His  peace.

Anger, evil speaking, course jestering, all that comes from letting my mind go down the rabbit hole of fret and stinking thinking.  When,  I seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, I can love others as He loves me; loving people where they are, not where I want them to be.   Then, I don't get the rage inside of me.    Instead, I get His peace and true compassion for others.  

Today, if you are tempted to get angry, STOP, let Jesus fill your heart with His peace.  Do not take offense in the first place it only leads to evil.

Create in me a clean heart O Lord, What a beautiful prayer

Psalm 51:10.  "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."   I can say this verse over and over in my head and heart.   It's so beautiful!!!   I so long to have a pure, clean heart and a steadfast spirit.   Let's hold tight to Jesus today letting Him guide our hearts , that whatever we think, say and do may honor Him.   Dear Lord give each of us a sincerity of heart to seek You!😇🙏❤️

Eager Expectations!!

“And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure. ”

—1 John 3:3 

Today, I woke up and sat outside as the night sky and the moon gave way to the day and the sun.   It's a warm morning in Minnesota, we don't have many of these left.   I am embracing it.    Sometimes,  I embrace things I need to let go of.  Sometimes, God has clearly shut a door.   It’s hard to leave the comfort of what I know to go to the unknown.   Todays verse reminds me to eagerly embrace what is next.    The main thing we are to eagerly embrace is Christ Jesus return!!!! Eagerly embrace Christ Jesus in our daily lives. He is the  true day that follows the night.    I hope this helps you today too.   "Look forward with eager expectations!!😇

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!!!!

Anything Bitting you?

 Habakkuk 3:18-19 "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.   I will be joyful in God my Savior.  19 The sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights."    Today, I have a full day and need to be strong and alert.   I often use this verse, when I am racing.  Today,  I see its relevance in an average day.   I was bitten by something on Sunday.   I've had a systemic reaction which has zapped me.   This reminds me of how in any moment everything, including our health can change.   Jesus,  is the only one that remains the same!!  Let's let Him keep us strong, going the heights today and always no matter what bites us!!😇❤️🙏💃

Not poverty or riches

 Proverbs 30:8 "Keep falsehood and lies from me; give me neither poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have to much and disown you and say, Who is the Lord?  Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of God.

My brother told me of a research poll. That found , the happiest group of people in the US have an income between 70-100k a year.  

I believe I am happiest when I am thankful for what I have.     When my eyes are on wealth I can’t get enough.   When my eyes are on lack I get anxious.   When my eyes are on Jesus knowing, He meets all my needs. I get peace.  

To the Full!!

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  

If what ever I am going through is based on killing, stealing and destruction it is not from God.   My hope lies in knowing that Jesus can take the horrible and turn it around.   Some how when I hold unto Him, in my troubles, and I can feel the Son-shine again.  I can feel His joy.   He wants us to have life here on earth to the full!!  I can only imagine how amazing life will be in Heaven.  Keep your eyes upon Jesus.    He'll keep you in all of your ways😇❤️🙏

In the storm, get a down grade

 Today, I am deeply saddened by the poor health of one of my dearest friends and mentors.   Sometimes life seems so unfair.  In her case, she has suffered more than anyone should have to.    Many  of my friends and loved ones have had such significant sufferings.  Some pain is so great it’s hard to think of anything else.   This is the verse she gave me today; I hope it helps you too in your afflictions.   Psalm 43:5 "Why are you downcast , O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."   Today,  try our best to praise Him in our storms.

When I praise God in my storm,  it somehow gets a downgrade 😇

The Apple of His eye!!

 Psalm 17:8 "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."   It's hard to understand but each of us are the "Apple of His eye".  Jesus loves each of us intimately and is with us in our each and every moment.   "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings!! ".  This prayer is giving me such great comfort today.  I hope it does you too😇❤️🙏

My soul cling to You

Psalm 63:6-8 "On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  7 Because you are my help.  I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me."   I have been teaching health and wellness since the 70s        If people don't get good sleep everything else is off too.  One of the very first things I try to help people with is their sleep.   Research shows that people who don't get enough sleep tend to be 25- 30 pounds  over weight.   My clients say they can't sleep.   They wake up and can't get back to sleep.   This passage is a good reminder that our rest comes from the Lord.   If you are one of those people who struggle with good quality sleep try to comfort yourself in Trusting Jesus instead of getting out of bed before you should or tossing and turning through the night.    Try to simply, "

Be still and know that He is GOD.    (Psalms 46:10)

TRUST.   He loves you and the ones you love even more than you can imagine

Godliness with contentment is great gain

 1 Timothy 6:6 "But Godliness with contentment is great gain."    Godliness with contentment to me is walking in Joy with Jesus knowing no matter what His ways are greater than mine.    It's walking in love, it's walking in TRUST.   It's walking in constant forgiveness and continual renewal so I can keep up with try, try, try again.    Godliness with contentment is great gain.    Can you embrace this in your heart today?

Know Him more!!

Have you ever met someone and you just want to know them more?   That's how we are to peruse our relationship with Jesus.  People don't always let you" know them more" Jesus wants you to continue to draw closer and closer to Him.  He know every intimate detail about you and loves you more than you can imagine.    He loves you so much He died for you to make you right with God and gives you eternal life in joy.    He longs for you too long for Him.   As you fill yourself with Jesus.  He fills you to over flowing!! 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

James 4:7-8 "Submit yourselves then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and God will come near to you."

Are you doing it differently now?

1 Peter 1:22 " Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."  Love one another deeply, from the heart!   Love with sincerity of heart!!   I was walking with some young people, one said,  he likes to listen to advice of older people.  He like to listen to what they would have done differently.  I have a number of things I would have done differently.  My two main things;1 I would have started reading and applying the Bible to my life, as soon as I could read.  2 I would have handled marriage differently; I’d have realized I was worth loving.    I would have chosen to love my husband with sincerity of heart even in the difficult times, instead of becoming angry and easily offended. .    Youth is a funny thing, for me I didn't see very clearly at all.  I'm thankful that at 61 I'm still young enough to have learned lessons from my youth and have time to do things differently.    The most important thing I can do now is love  the Lord my God with all my heart, mind and soul and love others with a sincerity of heart.😇💃🙏❤️🌸 If you were to give advise to someone about what you would have done differently are you doing it differently now?

Greatest inheritance

1 Peter 1:6 " In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.    These have come so that your faith -of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Faith is worth more than gold!!  Recently one f my boys mentioned to me, I'm of the age I need to be thinking about my aging process and how to prepare.   I'm only 61 so I feel young, but he's right.   I started thinking about how I want my assets distributed, but when I think about the most valuable asset I can leave them is Faith.   The greatest gift my grandparents and my mother gave me is not financial but spiritual.    I know that no matter what I face in my here and now it is temporary.   I know that through Jesus my eternity is set in Heaven.   That is truly the best inheritance ever!!!😇❤️🙏🌸💃🚴🏾‍♀️

Handling a big lose

1 Corinthians 2:9 "However as it is written:  "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.""     Sometimes our loses can feel overwhelming, we can't imagine anything being able to fill the hole left behind.   We can look at the hole and the emptiness , thinking only of the lose and loose hope.   Jesus is the way to fill us to over flowing no matter how deep our lose. Fix your eyes upon Jesus, TRUST He will provide.  Be thankful in the midst of it all. " No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him."   TRUST.  

What’s growing in you?

 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temples and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple."   We are Gods temple!! What we put in our temple includes what we feed our minds.  The thoughts we let ourselves think, the music we listen to, the morning radio shows.  What we think about expands.  

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praise worthy-think about such things."    An old friend of mine committed suicide, before she did this she had a lot of compulsive thinking in the wrong direction.   Her Theropist said, "You have a well worn path of thinking in the wrong direction."    That is an extreme example of wrong thinking but we can wreck this very day, if we let our brains go to dark places.    We are each Gods temple; let's feed our body, mind and soul what is edifying!!!😇❤️🙏🌸💃

Sincerity of heart all day long

Psalm 139:23 " Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.  24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  

This is a great verse and a fantastic prayers!! There is so much power in praying the word of God. On my own my prayers can be the same old same old.   Jesus told us not to pray in blind repetition  as the Pharisees.   Psalm 139:23-4 is a heart felt prayer.  David yearned to be closer to God and to do His way.  David was a sinner, we are all sinners. I am healthiest when I, shake off my wrongs, accept the forgiveness Jesus died to give me and try try try again to remember to seek God first and do His will not mine.  It’s so easy to think I’ll do this,  when I wake up each morning.  Still I forget while I’m going about my day.   God please fill each of us with an out pour of your Holy Spirit so we can remember You  and Your ways all day today and each day!😇💃🙏❤️🚴🏾‍♀️

What is your idol?

 Jeremiah 2:5 "This is what the Lord says,  "What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me?  They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves."    Wow!!! What a powerful truth!    I noticed myself getting a judge full  heart the other day.  It was not about one thing or one person, but about a number of things and a number of people.  This verse is helping me look at my heart.   Am I truly seeking God and His Word first? Am I truly living by Jesus command, "Love others as I have loved you:".     I started a Bible study yesterday,"Learning to encourage each other in Gods Word". One of the ladies pointed out it's no good to be able to spout off Bible verses, if you don't act the part.     Today, I am hoping to keep my heart upon the Lord, so I can truly, "Act the Part".   Hope this helps you today too. 😇💃🙏❤️John 13:34 “A new command I give you: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Out of the over flow of the heart

 Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks."   Wow.  What a powerful TRUTH!!   Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  Have you ever been in a bad mood?   Sometimes I don't sleep well or I eat too much sugar or I don't take time for my wellness routines.  When I neglect my health I can easily get into a negative nilly attitude.   The biggest part of my health and wellness is starting out my day thankful and reading Gods word.   This sets the stage for my heart to be right.  What ever I fill myself with grows.  I have to be very careful that my "self talk" is the encouraging word of God.   If I neglect this simple practice my heart gets defeated and I see what's wrong and not what's right and pretty soon you'll hear me grumbling and complaining .   Grumbling and complaining are signs of the evil over flowing in my heart.   God is our strength and our song!! Today let’s let our hearts be filled with His hope and joy so our mouths will be overflowing with His encouraging words!!😇💃🙏❤️🌸

Fully alive here and then

 John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?"   He is the resurrection and the life!!  Not only the eternal life but our life today in our hear and now!!   I was so dead in my trespasses and sins then He helped me quit drinking and freed me from the guilt and shame that I deserved.    I remember that when I quit I thought I'd be a really good person as long as I didn't drink.   Truth is I sobered up and I was still a sinner.  I still am a sinner.  The difference now is 1.  I truly do want to leave my sin behind me. 2.  I am not defined by my sin!  Jesus took all my sins, yesterdays,todays and tomorrows on the cross and washes me clean from it all.   He does that for each of us!!! Plus in exchange, He  gives us His righteousness!!  God looks at us as righteous because of Jesus not as sinners!!   Out of my thankfulness I keep trying and trying  again to do what is right because most of my heart wants to do what is right.    I say most of my heart because there is still a part of me that wants what God doesn't want for me.   I am still a sinner, I can hardly wait tell I get to Heaven and there I will no longer be stricken with sin.    3.  We get to go to Heaven, when we die here on earth!!! Even though we die, we live!!! We fully live in this life and the next because of the glorious gift of Jesus Christ!!!😇🙏❤️🌸💃🚴🏾‍♀️

Praise the Lord for perseverance!!!

 Psalm25:4 "Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." 

My Hope is in Him all day long!!! When I hope in the Lord, I have His peace.   I can get pretty wound up, doing this or that. Trying to "make things happen".  Some of my projects turn out and some are big flops.  When I have a big flop, I often keep trying to make it happen anyway.  I know Einstein had 999 fails before he got the light bulb perfected. So I use that when I am in my try,  try,  try again mode.  Truth is sometimes  I'm just going down a path God is not about to bless ever.  I also don’t want to give up right before the blessing.  It's hard for me to know when to quit and when to push through .  This verse is helping me today.  Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and tech me, for you are God my Savior, my hope is in you all day long."  I’m really glad I didn’t give up trying to quit drinking.   Praise the Lord for perseverance!!😇

Help me with my unbelief!!

Many times things have happened in my life, things that don't seem fair.   My faith gets shaken.   What's my alternative? To not believe?   Where would I be then?   What hope would I have then?   I can't understand why things happen the way they do, but through it all I can choose faith and TRUST God.  Sometimes to do this I use the prayer, "Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief."    I hope this helps you today too😇🙏❤️🌸💃🚴🏾‍♀️

Mark 9:24

“Immediately 

the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome 

my unbelief !”

Don’t be sad for me….

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."   A friend of mine lost his wife, he said he felt sorry for her, she loved her grand babies so much.   I said,  “sorry for her?    If she is in Heaven, she is in complete joy.   You are sorry for yourself.  I understand feeling sorry for myself because of what feels like unbearable grief. But if I believe what I say I believe and my beloved passed in Jesus.   I should be happy for them, sad for me, yes but Heaven is a reward for those who diligently seek Him, not something to be sorry about for them that die in Christ.  Sorry for those that don’t  go to Heaven I get.  Sorry for those of us that will miss them in our beloved in our here and now,  I understand.   But why would we want the ones we love to be here, when they can be in Heaven?   This world is full of trouble.  In Jesus and only through Jesus can we have true peace.   Through Jesus as our Savior we have peace and joy that is eternal.  😇❤️🙏🌸💃

He is our Shepard. We are in His pasture

Psalm 100:1-3. "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.  3 Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture."   

Shout for Joy with gladness and joyful songs!! We are His!! We are the sheep of His pasture!!   Sheep are looked after and cared for by their shepherd.   They don't worry or fret they simply TRUST the Shepherd!!    They know they are HIS!!  We are the Lord's most treasured possessions!! (Exodus 19:5).  May you rest in this assurance today!!😇🙏❤️🌸💃🚴🏾‍♀️

Not so bold

Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in Heaven."  This is the verse that hit me like a ton of bricks last night.  A friend of mine asked me to sing  “Amazing Grace” with her at the Karaoke.  I said, " Not here with this crowd". She said, "We could do the Elvis version, why not? ".  I just said no.  Wow! I think of myself as a fairly  bold Christian, but obviously not!   

Matthew 16:24 "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."     I know I'm forgiven, Peter was forgiven for denying Jesus.  But "boy o boy", I am disappointed in myself.    I had a true chance to be bold and I failed.    How do you do being BOLD for Jesus?

What if the end was near?

Isaiah 49:6 "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the Earth."  I will make you a light, that you may bring salivation to the ends of the Earth.   What an order!! Last night a friend of mine sent me something about the fires and geo engineering.   The article made me think, of loosing people I love and If it were the end of times, have I been bold in the Lord?  Have I helped people see the truth of Jesus?   1 Do they know they are sinners?   2. Do they believe Jesus died on the cross to pay the price of their sin?  3 Do they believe  Jesus was raised from the dead and is alive now?    

Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with  your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."   Believe and confess!   Today I hope to be bold in spreading the simple TRUTH of Jesus so we may all have hope no matter when the end may be.

Monday Monday

John 6:27 "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to the eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval. ". 

Monday, Monday it's a beautiful new opportunity to set out for Jesus.     I try to make each of my days count.  Often I loose heart.  On Mondays it's a good time for me to make a plan and try to stay with it.    " Life on Earth is soon to pass, only what's done for Christ will last."    What can you do today that will last.  

Affliction to assention

Psalm 119:71 "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."    

When I read this I think of the drunk driving ticket I received that made me realize I had to quit drinking.   That ticket was one of the best things that could have happened to me.  It was not pleasant to deal with.  Much of our plights are like that, not pleasant to deal with.    Some of our hardships can feel unbearable.    Philippians 4:13 " I can do everything through Him that gives me strength."   I am a much better person because I quit drinking and turned to Jesus.  I have true peace in my heart not a temporary numbing.   I praise the Lord for what seemed to be an affliction at the time.  I hope this helps you today too.   😇❤️🙏🌸💃

Lead me to your truth O Lord, Your ways are everlasting!

This is how we fight our battles

Habakkuk 3:18-19 " Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights."    I love these two verses in Habakkuk!!!  I use 19 in my races.   He makes my feet like the feet of a deer!! When I watch a deer 🦌 run through the field I love their strength and grace.    We Have strength in God's grace!!   Today, let’s allow Him provide us everything we need to get through.  The battle is His not ours! 🙏😇❤️TRUST

Wisdom and understanding

Proverbs 4:26 "Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm."    This verse reminds me of the song, "My Feet are on the Rock". Proverbs chapter 4, talks about wisdom.  When I am able to apply Gods’ word to my everyday life I am applying wisdom.      When I am able to apply His word and desire it in my heart that is understanding.   Many times Gods’ way, His direction is not what I desire.   So I try to make God change His mind.  I know by reading the Bible, some of what I desire is sin.  I pray, Dear Lord let me desire in my heart what you desire for me.   Wisdom and understanding seems simple, but I don't think it's simple at all. 

Wait, be strong and fear not!!

Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."  Wait!  I am not a fan of waiting.   There are many lessons I have learned in the waiting.  Yet, I still don't like waiting.  The Bible doesn't say like it, it says, " be strong and take heart"  take heart is also referred to as fear not!! Be strong and fear not in your waiting as you TRUST God 100%.   He's got this!!! Wait upon the Lord.😇🙏❤️🌸💃

People pleaser?

John 5:44 "How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?"   Wow.   This verse is hitting me hard today.  I tend to be a people pleaser.   It gets me over busy and sometimes I loose my peace.  I forget the verse; "Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10).   Are you being a people pleaser or a Jesus pleaser?    We are saved by faith not by works, but are our works for Him or our own glory?

His Joy is our Strength

Nehemiah 8:10 "Nehemiah said, Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to the Lord. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the LORD is your strength."

John 1:12 "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.  " John 1:16 From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another."   Are you living in the Joy of the Lord?   Do you walk in His strength?  We are each His Children.  He gives us each the fullness of His grace,day by day moment by moment.  Walk in victory!! The Joy of the Lord is your strength!!

Happiness is?

Happiness is not having what you think you want.   Happiness is wanting what you have.   Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   God has plans for each of us. His ways are not our ways.   Choosing His joy in our current life, is the key.   John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."    These are the words of Jesus.    Today don't let the thief tell you that your life is not enough, let JESUS FILL YOU TO THE FULL!!😇🙏❤️🌸💃

Fire insurance & life assurance

Jesus is more than fire insurance, He is  life assurance!!

Psalm 139:23 "Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting." 

When I was little girl I thought of God as a white haired old man sitting on the top of the world judging people.  I believed Jesus for my eternal life but didn't understand He is walking with me, being my ever present help in my mortal life too.  I'm truly thankful to have Heaven to look forward to.   I'm constantly comforted knowing Jesus is with me every step of the way in this life too.   Enjoy walking with Him Now and then!!😇🙏❤️🌸