What to pray?

 Ephesians 1:17 “I keep asking that the God of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glorious Father,  may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and His incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,”

Ephesians 1:17-20 is an awesome prayer to pray for your  beloved and for ourselves!!  Many time we tell people we will pray for them and we don’t t do it that moment, then we forget.    Or people frustrate us and we pray selfishly, that they will come around to our way of thinking.   Today, if you  are lead to pray for someone  pray Ephesians 1:17-20 over them.   Pray that the Holy Spirit may fill their hearts;  that they May KNOW the love and power of Jesus Christ intimately.  Pray that they may sincerely believe in the saving grace of Jesus.  When we firmly TRUST Jesus in all things, we are truly healed and saved even in the midst of our worse case scenarios.

Forget the former things

 Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  19 See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the dessert and streams in the wasteland.”

Forget it!!! Let it go!!  I often think of  my accident.   I replay, “Why didn’t I just let go?”   Yesterday, a friend of mine reminded me of how silly it was to waste my time thinking those thoughts.   Many times I waste my time  thinking about the past.  Sometimes I replay things and pretend different conversations and different choices.  What a huge waste of my brain!!!   My valuable time and energy is much better invested figuring out solutions  for my here and now!!   Looking forward to what God is doing.   He makes streams in the dessert!! He makes a way in the waste land!!  Let’s not dwell in the past, let’s pursue today and our future!!! 😇🙏❤️

Leave pain pursue peace

 Lamentations 3:39

“Why should the living complain
    when punished for their sins?” 40 

Let us examine our ways and test them,
    and let us return to the Lord.”

If we love our children, we discipline them that’s the way it is for our heavenly father. He loves us so we have to face discipline. If you have pain right now from something that you’ve done wrong that’s on purpose so that you turn from what’s wrong and do what is right; so you can live your best life here and now!!  God loves us each so much,  even in the middle of our sins.    Our best lives now is when we leave the mess of our sinfulness  and walk in the light. We are saved because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, our eternity is secure, through our faith in Jesus.   Happiness here on earth is when we turn from the pain and pursue God’s peace.   Lets not complain when we are punished, let’s own our sins, repent and return to the Lord.

Self esteem verses Christ Esteem

 1Thessalonians 1:4 “For we know, brothers loved  by God, that He has chosen you.”

Yesterday, a friend of mine and I were talking about self-esteem versus Christ esteem.  Looking at ourselves, we see our shortcomings. We see how many times we fall.  It’s easy to define ourselves by our falls.  We are defined by the righteousness of Jesus Christ!!  He takes our sins and removes them, as far as the east is from the west and remembers them no more!!                 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone the new has come!”  Self esteem is fleeting Christ esteem is eternal and deep.   When we live in Christ esteem we lift our heads up, we have the strength and courage to fight the battles before us with dignity, respect, honor and joy.    Live in Christ esteem today and always.  We are loved by God and He has chosen us!! 😇❤️🙏

Have you been ignoring red flags?

 Proverbs 22:3 “A prudent man see danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”

This reminds me of my attempts at love relationships. I see red flags, but I ignore them. I forget that if God is in it, He will give me confirmation not isolation.  I do not need to push through red flags, instead I need to see them, back off and TRUST God. For some reason, I ignore red flags with people.  I have spent years pursuing painful friendships.  I have seen danger,  but kept going.   I’ve done this because I put my trust in man, and my desire for human affection above trusting God.   If you are finding yourself rationalizing red flags, step back, trust God.   Be inspired to wait for His green light!! 

Mother’s advice to her son

 Proverbs 31:2 “O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel-not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, 5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.” …………10 A wife of noble character who can find?   She is worth far more than rubies.  11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.”

What this mother wants for her son; she wants him to invest his time and energy in righteous living,  not things that will destroy him.  She  wants her son to find a wife of noble character,  one that is his teammate one whom also is pursuing righteousness.   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.”       I was compelled to read Proverbs 31 today.   It reminds me of the woman I want to be, a woman of noble character.

I want a differ t answer to my prayer

 James 4:3 “When you ask you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. …… 7 Submit yourselves then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.”  

Sometimes, I pray for things and I just don’t get them.   I know God hears every single prayer.   He answers every prayer, many times his answer is no or wait.   I want, “yes, yes, yes of course Kimberly,  you can have whatever you want.”  A loving father does not give his children things that will hurt them.   If I’m not getting my prayers answered likely my motives are wrong. I hope these verses help you today too.

Be wise

 Ephesians 5:15 “Be careful, then how you live- not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Be wise!!! Discern the Lord’s will and do it!!!    My injury has been teaching me to BE in my present moment and not rush through.  I have been finding so much joy in this.    The other day I enjoyed watching a couple sparrows on my deck.  A simple pleasure I haven’t allowed myself to slow down and do before.    Yesterday, a friend of mine dropped me off an hour early for an event.  Normally, I would have paced up and down that hour thinking of all the other things I could be doing.   Instead, I took the time to enjoy the people that were there and learn more about them, it was perfect.   In AA we recite the serenity prayer. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can,  and the wisdom to know the difference.”   This is wise!!! Be wise today, let God’s will unfold in your life.  His way not yours!! 😇🙏❤️

Be anxious for nothing!!

 Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!   5Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will gaurd your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   

When FAITH comes anxiety ends!!!   These last few weeks. I’ve had a plethora of things happen. It just seems like one domino is falling after another,  last night. I was really quite teary when I was talking with a friend by the fire. She said, she was surprised, it has taken me this long, to break down.  This morning when I read,  “Do not be anxious about anything “.  It gave me so much peace to remember this verse.  Sometimes life can feel like you’re just getting hit with everything all at once.   Even if you are, it won’t last forever.  Today, be healthy and well no matter what.   Remember, when you truly put on your faith, anxiety ends. Have a great day.😇

Hot tempered verses calm

 Proverbs 15:14 “A hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.”

Who are you?  Quick to anger or a patient calm force?    Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”   I used to be so full of rage.    It would take me over!! I discovered athletes and that gave me a physical way to discharge the rage.    I still will take a walk or go do something physical when i feel stress come on.    Many times I cant release my emotions physically.   I have learned to take my anxiety about whatever, and give it to Jesus.    This is a solution that truly calms my soul and can be done in a moment.    It’s easy to get caught up in emotions and be reactionary.  Discernment, trusting God’s got this, is how I can be patient and calm and help dissolve a quarrel.     What will you do today when you have the opportunity to be hot tempered or calm?

Rejection

 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.”

When our friends leave,  when we get rejection from those that we were close to, it is painful.  I internalize rejection, questioning my own value.  This is me putting put human rejection above knowing I am loved and created by God on purpose for His purpose.    How ridiculous!!  Even Jesus was rejected by His closest friends.  Peter denied Him three times and Judas betrayed Him for 30 pieces of silver. Today be inspired to remember that people come in and out of  our lives for a reason and a season. Our Lord Jesus  is with us always, even to the end of the age!!   He never leaves, He never rejects. He is with us always!!    Trust Him, even in the pain of human rejection.   😇🙏❤️

Identify with your identity that will never change; you are a child of God!!!

 Isaiah 40:8. “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”…….29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Yesterday I had a follow up with my surgeons office and the reality of my medical condition, is I may not be able to return to the things I love like bicycling the hills, water skiing, snow skiing, cross country skiing,  and pickle ball for six months to a year.   These are things I spend many hours enjoying. I have had an identity of being an good athlete most of my life.  I enjoy people acknowledging me because I am good at sports.  This is a pride thing!!  Now, God is reminding me to embrace my identity as a child of God over all things!!  I should have done this all along but when I shine at sports, I get many accolades from people, which has been nice for me.   Being and extreme athlete has been wiped  out in one quick accident. Being a child of God can never be taken away from me!!!   In order to stay strong, determined and not grow weary and tired. I have to remember my true identity is in Jesus Christ.   We all face changes in identity.   Today, I hope this helps you too remember you are extremely valuable, you are a child of God and that will never be taken from you no matter how many times your identity in this life may change. 😇🙏❤️

Storms come … clean it up. Move on!

 1Peter 2:24 “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”

So we may die to sins and live for righteousness!!   Let go of the bad embrace the good!!!   Think on what is right, stay thankful, live grateful!   Be in awe,  of His great power and His intimate love for each of us.  Last night we had a big storm come through.   It knocked down a big tree in my yard and took our electricity out.  I’m dealing with the hazard of a down hot power line.  I’m choosing to be thankful. We are all safe. I’m choosing to see what is right and trust Him in what is wrong.   This attitude of looking for the good can be described as an attitude of gratitude.  🙏.   I need this “attitude of gratitude” as I trust God has cleansed me from my sins and helps me move toward right living!! Let’s, let go of the old ways that no longer serve us and embrace the new that do!!!   Let's let go, just as we let go of the storms and embrace the clean up!!😇🙏❤️

Love the “Eye of the crap tornado”?

 1Peter 4:8 “Above Above all love each other deeply because love covers a multitude sins.”  Above all love each other deeply!!!   I’m an active member of my AA community and we talk often about how we were the eye of a "crap tornado" spewing our crap over everyone we loved.   I praise God,  I had people that loved me through the depth of my disease.   Now as I’m living a sober lifestyle, I pray that God gives me the ability to love others deeply, even if they’re caught up in the middle of their junk.   This doesn’t mean I become a doormat and people stomp all over me.  It means instead of being judging and angry with my people entangled in their alcoholism or other health issues I try to love them where they are at.  I try not to have expectations and not to internalize times they offend me. Sometimes, loving someone who is actively destroying their lives with alcohol or other things, means, praying for them and keeping my distance.   I wish I could fix other peoples health issues.   Jesus is the great healer.   I can pray that He helps them know Him and Trust Him as Savior, this is the foundation for my true health.    I hope this helps you today too…. Love each other deeply even  when others seem to be unloveable. 😇🙏❤️.  Im very thankful for the people that have done that for me.

The ultimate Hilltop

 2 Corinthians 1:20 "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 hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

Guaranteeing what is to come!!!!God has Good in store for us! Ultimately, He has heaven in store for us and that is very very good!!  Have you ever talked to somebody and asked them if they know they are going to heaven and their answer is I hope so? We don't have to hope so. We can know so!  If I wasn't sure of my eternal destiny I couldn't have true peace.  We have assurance in our eternal destiny, through putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, The One and Only Way.  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."  Meanwhile, during our lives in this world, we have the assurance things will get better. This life is full of hills and valleys before my accident, someone asked me how I was doing.   I said, "Right now I’m on hilltop and it’s awesome. I’m gonna enjoy this hilltop for now because I know there will be a Valley coming and then there will be another hilltop."  God works things out for His good.  Our ultimate good, ultimate hilltop is when we reach Heaven!!! In Heaven; no more valleys!! Praise the Lord!!!😇🙏❤️

Do it for Him not you

 Haggai 1:7 “This is what the Lord Almighty says:  “Give careful thought to your ways.  8 Go up to the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says The Lord.  9You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away.  Why?”declares The Lord Almighty.  “Because of my house which remains in ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house.”  Give careful thought to your ways!!! I am thinking of my ways and how self centered they can be.   I have had a tremendous out pouring of support from my “lake family”.  Its been so comforting to have so many people be so extremely kind and generous with me during this difficult time tie in my life.    I am evaluating my own ways.   Thinking of my own self seeking ways and feeling convicted to focus more on being the love of Jesus. Thank you my friends and family for being so good to me and reminding me to serve others with Christs love.    “Life on earth is soon to pass, only what’s done for Christ will last!”   I love this quote!!   I hope it inspires you today too!!

Down hearted?

 Proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”   What a fitting verse as I am nursing a broken bone.   I was feeling a bit of despair this morning, a bit of broken heartedness. I cannot travel to see my grandson on his birthday today or be with my friends and family, who are remembering my daughter-in-law on her memorial bicycle ride this weekend.  I can’t travel because it’s too painful to leave my leg down for too long. Then I read proverbs 17:22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine. “ There are many things we can all focus on that will make us down hearted. Today,  I choose a cheerful heart. I choose to be thankful I have a grandson.  I choose to be thankful that my beautiful daughter-in-law was in my life in the first place.  I choose to be thankful this moment, even if I feel teary!! I do this, so  I can have a cheerful heart. Today, I choose the joy of the Lord. May you choose a cheerful heart today too!!!

He know each of us, do we try to know Him?

 John 10:14 “I am The Good Shepherd ; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me-“.  God knows each of us intimately!! He knows exactly what we are going through and He understands.   He knows every hair on our head and every word we speak before the word is even formed on our tongues.  Even our closest people,  don’t know us as well as God knows us.  We are to know God too.   We are to know Him by TRUSTING in His intimate, constant love for us.   We are to know Him by reading His word and letting His word take firm root in our hearts and our minds.   Since I have been injured, I have been watching a Netflix series.   As a result I think about the characters and the messages of the show.   I am feeding my mind things that are occupying space instead of things that are helping me think well and be well.  What I truly want to be thinking about is Knowing and trusting in God's love for me and understanding how I can love Him.  Getting caught up in a fantasy world is not helping me with the strength and determination I need to fight this battle.  God’s word states, if you love me you will keep my commands.  Today, to find the strength, courage and song to live for Jesus, in spite of my new difficulties completing simple tasks, I will try to remember; God knows me, I know God.    I hope this helps you today too ….. KNOW and TRUST God.   😇🙏❤️