1 John

I have been reading in my devotion this week from Men of Integrity. This week has been about marriage and it has been good. Here is the link http://www.christianitytoday.com/moi/

It has been a very good read this week. Today I was taken to 1 John …… so as I am reading I almost make it through the second chpt and then Rhema arrives in 1 John 2.20

1 John 2:20-21
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. NKJV

1 John 2:20-21
But you belong. The Holy One anointed you, and you all know it. I haven't been writing this to tell you something you don't know, but to confirm the truth you do know, and to remind you that the truth doesn't breed lies. The Message

Holy Spirit says "You know who you are, now you need to walk and believe in who I say you are." I can't tell you how many times I have read this. When I think of how many of us don't walk in who he says we are. We don't want to believe the truth.. My name is Kevin and the Spirit of the Lord is upon me and I have been anointed to preach and heal and to set the captives free. So I have all of this going on in my head and then I get to verse 27

1 John 2:27
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.NKJV

1 John 2:27
But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you—Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught. The Message

I am looking for a verse and this just leaped off the page at me was not prepared for this one but it is the truth.

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. NASB95

 

So I read all of this and think about how many times I (and we as men) seek advice and counsel from other men instead of the Holy Spirit who guides and instructs in all things.. I know for myself that I like asking godly men what they think because I know I will hear a real voice, something that is tangible. Where I should be going is to the Holy Spirit and have that faith in things that are unseen. No unbelief

The word this morning for me is believe in who I am and walk in that.

The Fear of the Lord and His anointing on me.

 

Thank you Lord!

Thank you for the Awesome Snow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to begin?

Isaiah 43:1
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! NASB95

It is always easy to lose focus and to take your eyes off the prize and then you get in the word and quickly you are reminded of who you are.

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.NASB95

The trials …. He is there …….. everywhere ……….. when I am alone. There is that character thing again. Hmm. When I am not working …….. He is there

Isaiah 43:7
Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made."NASB95

I have been created for His Glory. I have been created in his image. Why would I want to tarnish that? When you work for someone, why would you want to do anything that would tarnish the image of who you represent? We do it to the Lord though ….. dont we? There are many times that I just flat chose not to die to myself. I make that decision ….. not anyone else. We are talking about the computer here for me. What about you? What is the decision that you make that you know will tarnish His Image?

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

I can't help but wonder when you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice if this could be construed as a fast from wordly things?

 

Just some thoughts

Kevin

 

 

 

1 Thessalonians 5.19-22

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. NLT

Through past events of not working, not making money, doing everything possible to get work. (Advertising, calling previous customers and even when I am working not getting ahead.) I am thinking that maybe I should be working for someone. My dream has always been to be a Class "A" Golf Professional at a country club or semi private a course and then eventually own my own course. I went to college in California in the early nineties to be a golf Professional and that dream got smashed. Anyway, as I look back over the last 7 weeks and everything that has transpired over that time, conversations that I have had and where the men's group is headed that I co –lead. Coupled with the feeling of not serving on a Quest as much leads me to believe I am going a different direction in my career. In Amarillo, the golf opportunities were slim where here in the Metroplex they are endless.

So, I believe this is the direction the Holy Spirit is leading me. I feel that many of the words I have read over the last two weeks have been prophetic and even today. Stay away from every kind of evil. Today's scripture really spoke to me. So much is said in so few words

Thanks

Kevin

Ephesians 2.8

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; NASB95

As I was reading in my Men of Integrity Devotion, It talked about "Why give Grace" I thought about myself and the grace that I don't extend my family. I mean the Lord extends me grace all of the time. As I have said before "what is good for the goose is good for the gander" So why is that so hard? My wife comes from a family that loved her when she was growing up …. My family did not. What I mean is ….. My parents neither one were very nurturing. That is the past and it is time to get past that part of my life. When it comes to Jacob and Kelly and I have not showed grace especially to Kelly. Jacob her son and I know this has been very hard for her. I have no doubt when Jacob moves out that my relationship with him will begin to improve. The big question is how much grace do you give someone before it is not grace anymore and it becomes enabling?

Went to a funeral yesterday and is was joyful and sad. I struggle with people when they say that he is in a better place and we will see him soon. That doesn't help me the way I feel now which sadness. I understand what they are saying I am just not there yet. I am finding that for myself I am not spending enough time with people (my dad and mom especially)

When I got home last night, I went t right to bed, it was late. Before I went to bed I read in a new book my wife received yesterday. "Comfort for the Wounded Spirit" I opened it up to the first chapter and this is what the first four lines said.

Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],AMP

That is exactly what I read yesterday morning in Isaiah. Hmmm you think the Lord is trying to tell me something? (Twice in the same day?) I have been thinking about going down to Union Gospel Mission. They are needing people to speak. (C. Oakes told me about this)I want to do it but at the same time it scares me. I heard a couple of Sunday's ago that the Lord will give you what you need, but first he will give you the desire, the desire that you have not had before. I feel that he is telling me that I have it and he will supply the words when it is time.