Love is Patient

Well, this has been a long week and I have not been a good patient. Scripture says, 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. I have failed in the underlined areas …. Mainly with my wife. I want to be easy to live with not hard. Having surgery is one thing, at least I could walk. With a broken leg …….. That is a whole new ball game ……… everything has changed. My office is my couch, thank goodness I have a laptop. For the most part, my lifestyle has changed my character has been tested and it has not been pretty. I have to scratch my leg with a coat hanger. This morning was the first time I woke and said yes! My devo took me to Isaiah 60 20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. So it ends today and I make the best for what I have. Great friends and most important a Loving wife …. My Kelly. I thought today was the 19th only to figure out after my devo and writing that it was the 18th, but the Holy Spirit spoke to me anyway, Oswald Chambers day 19. Below just laid my wide open I did the emphasis

"Arise, shine." Isaiah 60:1

We have to take the first step as though there were no God. It is no use to wait for God to help us, He will not; but immediately we arise we find He is there. Whenever God inspires, the initiative is a moral one. We must do the thing and not lie like a log. If we will arise and shine, drudgery becomes divinely transfigured.

Drudgery is one of the finest touchstones of character there is. Drudgery is work that is very far removed from anything to do with the ideal - the utterly mean grubby things; and when we come in contact with them we know instantly whether or not we are spiritually real. Read John 13. We see there the Incarnate God doing the most desperate piece of drudgery, washing fishermen's feet, and He says - "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet." It requires the inspiration of God to go through drudgery with the light of God upon it. Some people do a certain thing and the way in which they do it hallows that thing for ever afterwards. It may be the most commonplace thing, but after we have seen them do it, it becomes different. When the Lord does a thing through us, He always transfigures it. Our Lord took on Him our human flesh and transfigured it, and it has become for every saint the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Exodus 14

I want to thank everyone for their calls and prayers over my ankle. It has been good as of late to have been in the word and in prayer on a fairly regular basis. Since I had the accident the other day I can still come to Him and not feel like I come to Him only when things are bad. So before I started my devo this morning I confessed to the Lord that I had fear that my ankle was broken. But I was going to stand on your promise that you are the great Healer and stand in agreement with every one that had been praying for me. This is the scripture that started off my devo this morning.

Exodus 14:13-14 But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. "The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent."NASB95

It is very interesting that I have ten jobs working, what I mean is I have ten jobs that I will be doing. I can't help but wonder if this forces me into more of a general contracting mode than being a worker man. General contacting is what I want to do. So here is my question for you? How is your relationship with the Lord? Do you come to Him on a regular basis or only when things are bad?

Who do you Love

I am reading a new book by the same Author Dr. James B Richards. He wrote "How to Stop the Pain" that I read back during the summer. This book is just as good. "We Still Kiss" is the name. I have been stuck on chapter five for three days now. It is titled "You can't give away what you don't have. I really don't know where to start …. So I will just say this. When you wake up in the morning do you make it a point to show love to everyone you come in contact with? Even that person at work that you cannot stand. You know the one. He got the promotion that you didn't think he deserved; you know what I am talking about. I could go on but you get the picture. Personally I have never actually thought about purposing in my heart to love someone that I didn't like. Quote from book: If you are inwardly experiencing something that makes you critical and faultfinding, it is not God and it is not love. If you are experiencing God, you will experience emotions of being love and accepted. When you are experiencing love, it is easy to give it to others. You are sharing with them from the overflow of your personal experience. The way you relate to the people around you is simply a reflection of what you are currently experiencing in your own heart.

1 John 4.12 when we love each other God lives in us, and his love with in us grows ever stronger. LB

You have to make a decision to know God's love, once you do that then you can give away what you have. Here is the truth …. You can't give away what you don't have. You don't have the luxury when you are a follower of Jesus to pick and choose who you are going to love, that includes yourself.

Blessing Your Spirit

This is the first devotion out of the book Blessing your Spirit by Arthur Blank and Sylvia Gunther.
I read it three years ago but felt it was time to read it again. Every devo is in the format below. The devo is 40 days

Psalm 139:16 ……………..Every day of my life was recorded in your book. …………NLT. This is what really struck me this morning as I read 139, this half a verse "my life was, it does not say my life is" It is talking past tense here. So read the devo this morning, put in your name and pray it out loud over your self

[Fill in your name],
I call your spirit to attention in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Listen with your spirit to God's Word for you. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be". - Psalm 139:13-16

Your Father made you special. You are a very special person, created and crafted and designed by God your Father. Before the foundation of the world, your Father planned for you. You are no accident. You did not have to exist, but your Father willed you into existence.

He chose the day and the time you would start your life. He chose your parents and wove you together in your mother´s womb. He planned your birth order and put you in your family. He chose every one of your 23 pair of chromosomes. He chose every one of your 10,00 plus genes. He chose every part of your spiritual heritage. Some parts are not so beautiful, and some parts are absolutely gorgeous. Yet your Father wove it all together an gave you everything you need in the package of your life to be an overcomer, a victor, to take the negative parts of you heritage and triumph over them, to walk in the beauty of all that God has placed within you. Your Father made you beautiful and beloved.

I bless you, because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God invested an incredible amount of effort and concentration in designing you. You are unique, one of a kind. There in nobody else like you. God has thought extensively about you. Every detail of your body, every organ, and every cell is the result of God´s thoughts. Every facet of your personality is the result of His kind intention. You are beautiful, and you are beloved. God has blessed you with His love. God smiled on the day He created you. He had been waiting for millennia for the particular point in time when you were conceived. He had great joy in His heart when His plans actually came together. H nurtures your spirit; He watches over you. Your world needs you. You bring something to your family that no other person has. They need the gifts you bring. Your family would not be complete without you. Others in your circle need the deposit that God has placed in your life.

Your Father wrote your days in His book. He has already read the final chapter, although we have not had that privilege. Your life is not a random thing. He is looking forward to the chapters of the story He has already written. He designed your spiritual heritage. Your generational blessing go back a thousand generations. There is a spiritual treasure chest of generational blessings with your name on it. Those are being released to you incrementally over the course of your life at the appointed, appropriate time. All this is God´s master plan. God has foreseen your pain. He promises that because of His love, His power, and His blessing upon you, He causes pain and negative things to be transformed into good things before the end of the story of your life. We don´t know everything about who you are loved, you are a blessing to your family, and you are a life-giver in the world. You are special, and we celebrate God´s miraculous design of who you are. I bless you in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

*****

This is an excerpt from the book Blessing Your Spirit

by Sylvia Gunter and Arthur Burk.

Clear Creek Home Improvements

Clear Creek Home Improvements

Phil 2.13

My devotion took me to Philippians 2 this morning and several things stuck out this morning, Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. NLT
This may sound weird, but last week the Lord showed me that I need to love my self, be okay with who I am and how he made me. Part of that is I have always not liked pictures of myself all the way back to my childhood. Yesterday I started a business Facebook page, I felt I needed to post a picture of myself (which I never had done before) on my profile. That was a big step in seeing me the way other people see me. Seeing myself the way God sees me and being okay with that.

So here are my questions for you, are you allowing God to work in you so you can do what pleases Him? Or are you doing it your way and feeling frustrated, are you okay with who you are? Did you say YES! This morning. I leave you with this prayer to pray over yourself from the book Blessing Your Spirit

You were designed by your Father to face problems and solve them, not just to escape them. The problems God has designed for you to solve will bring the greatest treasures in your life. I will be remembered for the problems I solved not the problems I created. I bless you with wisdom and pure joy when you face different kinds of problems. Whatever problem you face, I bless you with rejoicing in the situation, instead of complaining and turning back. I bless you with the faith to look at the problems through your Fathers eyes and realize that every problem that comes your way, brings you an opportunity to experience His faithfulness. I bless you with the joy of discovering the wisdom of God and the mind of Christ to solve your problems. I bless you in the name of Jesus.

The Quote

I heard a quote one day.

I woke up this morning with it on my mind.

 

The more you focus on who you are not;

The less you become who you are.

 

I think for me the more I focus on the one issue(I have other issues) that I have (lust and what comes with it) the bigger the issue it becomes.

What is it for You? I wrote this last week.

So here is the question … are you down in the pit or are you drawing near? Are you Passionate about Jesus or are you passionate about your misery?

 

 

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.NASB95

Say Yes

Today I say "YES" Do you say yes? During my time this morning I was directed to Isaiah 42 and I asked "what do You have for me this morning" More confirmation is what I received...) The Lord likes to think big)... Isaiah 42:6 "I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, NASB95 A light to the nations? That is big …. My thought was a light to my friends and new friends and then I hear "why not the nations? Get out of the box!)
Isaiah 42:7
To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison.NASB95
This is what I do, to help men and women get free.
Isaiah 42:8
"I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images.NASB95 There is the gold and silver … the images, brought up last week again. Isaiah 42:9 "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."NASB95 New things … I like it and I believe it! Pray this passage over yourself today and say YES! Replace the you with your name.

Isaiah 42:6-9
"I am the Lord, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. "I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."NASB95

Be Blessed today and be Free

Kevin

 

 

 

364 days ago

I was going through my blogs this morning when I read what I had posted 364 days ago. It was an eye opener. The Lord gave me a word this day and I did not follow through. The word fell on rock and the wind blew it away. Interesting what I wrote this morning and then I read this.

 

1/31/2010 I broke my fast last night, the Lord never gave me a set time to fast, but I got peace last night when I realized what was going on … a redirection. Here is what I know; the fast has reset my direction and my priorities. No diet …. Just eat right and exercise. No fast food that is the killer. Walk or ride a bike every day and lose 50 pounds. The lord has shown me that as the leader of my home that my wife will not follow suit until I get disciplined myself. My body is a temple and I am not doing a very good job at taking care of it. If I was a car I have not changed the oil in a year and have been filling up my tank with regular instead of premium.

Now to my time with the Lord this morning. I read in Oswald who took me to Romans 1, nothing jumped out at me so I continued to read on into chpt 2 Romans 2:5 but because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, NASB95

What is stubbornness? I would think that it is rebellion. 1 Samuel 15:23
for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king."NKJV Personally I do not want to walk in this. This was a major thumping for me as far as my eating goes, my lack of exercise, and my judgment of people. The whole morning was a major eye opener. The biggest thing by far is how I lead my wife spiritually and physically. Praying with her when the Lord says, instead of not doing it. Ministering to her the way I minister to men. Giving her the voice that I give men who are in need of ministry. That was what the Lord showed me two years ago when I when on Bushido. My life scripture was and still is James 1:26-27
if anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart; this person's religious service is worthless (futile, barren). External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world. AMP

To sum this up in the words of Richard Henderson and I quote "If you minister to men and women and not your family then what you are doing is making your wife and children the widow and orphan's in your own home" when I asked my wife is that was me she looked at me and said "Yep, that is pretty much you most of the time" I will never forget that. I still struggle in that area but not near as much. I am trying to find a balance. Now to the rest of the story. The passage below nailed me as well and to sum it up. I need to practice what I preach and now that I am a co – leader of a men's group at church this is more important than ever.

Romans 2:17-24
You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God's law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God's law gives you complete knowledge and truth. Well then, if you teach others, why don't you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, "The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you." NLT

James 3:1
NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].AMP

 

Thanks for reading

Kevin

1 Samuel 3.10

1 Samuel 3:10 And the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, Samuel! Samuel! Then Samuel answered, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.AMP A couple of things to note here, the Lord had been calling Samuel but Samuel did not know it was the Lord. He thought it was Eli. So it makes me wonder how many times does the Lord call us and we think it is someone else or maybe our own inner voice? I think deep down (now this is my opinion) we know it is the Lord speaking to us. How simple is it when you are fixing to do something and you hear a gentle whisper in your mind and it says "don't do that" So then what do you do? You have a choice you can click the mouse or not click, eat when you're not hungry or not, lie or not lie, you get the point, or better yet the Lord tells you to do something and you don't. I am writing this because this is right where I am right now. Ever since I wrote that prayer last Monday I have been hearing the Lord through scripture and through my morning devo's and today is not any different. Today's devo is about Eli and Samuel and it was just more confirmation. What I mean is …. What I am hearing, I know it is Him and so in this last week there has been no Eli in my life. Below is the devotion from Oswald Chambers

The dilemma of obedience

And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision. 1 Samuel 3:15.

God seldom speaks to us in startling ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand, and we say, 'I wonder if that is God's voice?' Isaiah said that the Lord spake to him "with a strong hand," that is, by the pressure of circumstances. Nothing touches our lives but it is God Himself speaking. Do we discern His hand or only mere occurrence?

Get into the habit of saying, "Speak, Lord," and life will become a romance. Every time circumstances press, say, "Speak, Lord"; make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline, it is meant to get me to the place of saying, "Speak, Lord." Recall the time when God did speak to you. Have you forgotten what He said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thess. 5:23? As we listen, our ear gets acute, and, like Jesus, we shall hear God all the time.

Shall I tell my 'Eli' what God has shown to me? That is where the dilemma of obedience comes in. We disobey God by becoming amateur providences—I must shield 'Eli', the best people we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli; he had to decide that for himself. God's call to you may hurt your 'Eli'; but if you try to prevent the suffering in another life, it will prove an obstruction between your soul and God. It is at your own peril that you prevent the cutting off of the right hand or the plucking out of the eye.

Never ask the advice of another about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will nearly always side with Satan: "Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood."

Favor

Woke up last night around 12.30 with those images of silver and gold floating around in my mind. It was not good. So I got up and prayed and took those thoughts …. Images captive. In my drug using days I would have said I had a using dream. Those were not good either. So I got out some journaling I did four years ago and I read. It was an eye opener and it is so simple, but we/I make it so hard sometimes

Obedience triggers the Fear of the Lord Obedience triggers Favor

I just had to sit there and pause. In fact after I was through pausing, I continued to read, but I could not get that out of my mind! I must have gone back to it seven or eight times. It was my handwriting but it was the Lord speaking. You want favor? You know what to do. Romans 6:17-18 But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. NASB95

Psalm 119:58-59 I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word. I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies. NASB95

Psalm 51 10

When I woke this morning I immediately heard Psalm 51 and I thought to myself "I know that passage." So I got up and went through my routine and then set down to read. Have it already marked up so that was a distraction right from the start. It is just like hearing Gods voice over all the other sounds in your head. He will make a way and He did. So this passage jumped off the page at me. Psalm 51:10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. NKJV this whole week has been about climbing out of the pit that I fell into (because I was not watching Jesus) I cried out and He heard. I feel strong in His Spirit and protected. I feel verse 10 Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. This is how I feel today. So how did all this happen? Holy Spirit says in James. If you will draw near to me, I will draw near to you. It is that simple. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. The Message: So hear is the question … are you down in the pit or are you drawing near? Are you Passionate about Jesus or are you passionate about your misery?

Galatians 5

Galatians 5:13

For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. AMP

Strong's: 1 a place from which a movement or attack is made, a base of operations.

Galatians 5:13

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. The Message

I can't help but wonder how many times I have destroyed my freedom by not listening to the whisper of the Lord. It is one thing to serve, but it is completely different if you are serving out of Love and not obligation. There have been many times I have used my freedom as an excuse for sinning because I know I am forgiven. If I understand what it is saying about opportunity … when I do this then I have opened up base camp in my heart for the attacks to come …. Or better yet my selfishness, judgment or whatever trips my / your trigger My Flesh!

It is a good day today and I am free

Isaiah 30

Isaiah 30:19-23

O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left. And you will defile your graven images overlaid with silver, and your molten images plated with gold. You will scatter them as an impure thing, and say to them, "Be gone!" Then He will give you rain for the seed which you will sow in the ground, and bread from the yield of the ground, and it will be rich and plenteous; on that day your livestock will graze in a roomy pasture.NASB95
This just really rattled my cage this morning in a good way. The other morning I wrote in my journal that is in my drawer and one of the things that I wrote was "Lord I feel like I have already dealt with all my wounds" While I was typing that He interrupts this phrase with "No you haven't" I have to tell you that really pissed me off, but at the same time I am grateful that He corrected me. I have to say though that I angrily said "Yeah? Then what are they?" no answer to that one. So today I am reading and come to the above passage which speaks volumes to me in many ways. He hears my cry so He is going to answer. He will no longer hide Himself from me. My ears will hear the whisper of His voice. Today is the day to walk in victory.

So I think the big question is this ….. If you hear the whisper will you obey? In your life what are the images of silver and gold?

2 Timothy 2:20-21

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. NKJV

Luke 18.1

Luke 18:1
ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up).AMP I can't help but wonder if every time I pray and I feel I don't get an answer means that I am closer to getting an answer? That is, if I continue to pray. Luke 18:7 and will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf?AMP I have to tell you as I battle lust and what comes with it, the bad eating habits and the judgment that I have. I don't pray like I should in fact there is part of me that wants to believe the lie that this is how it is going to be and I know that is Bull#$%. I can tell for me when I have skipped a day of praying and being in the word it shows. My wife and friends can tell when it has been more than a couple of days. Attitude starts to creep in and anger. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.KJV when you pray that is your armor. Doing this on my own does not work.

 

 

Nehemiah

I woke up this morning and I hurt, I hurt for myself. I lay in bed and I said Lord your word says that if I draw near to You, You will draw near to me. It is so easy to tell that to other people and believe it for them but not yourself. I got up walked in to my office and purposed myself not to turn on my computer and I prayed instead on my knees. Then I walked through my house and anointed my doors with oil and prayed more and then I sang to Him. I then sat down and read my devotion that took me to Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 9:19
"But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. NLT I have to wonder what I have been following lately? Sometimes there are places I go that I in a quiet way ask the Lord to stay outside. As I read on I come to Nehemiah 9:28
But as soon as they had it easy again they were right back at it—more evil. So you turned away and left them again to their fate, to the enemies who came right back. They cried out to you again; in your great compassion you heard and helped them again. This went on over and over and over. The Message
Once again he shows mercy, because that is who He is. I read further Nehemiah 9:31
Still, because of your great compassion, you didn't make a total end to them. You didn't walk out and leave them for good; yes, you are a God of grace and compassion. The Message

He shows mercy again. This is something I know, but the reason I wrote about this is because of what I wrote yesterday. (Luke 18.7 …………His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night ……..) This is what I received, You have to cry out to Him and pray until something happens and I pray, but sometimes I quit early or give up. It is a mindset and I have to reset my mind … a daily renewal. What I wrote today is just confermation of what I heard yesterday. Thank You Jesus

 

KG

Isaiah 30.21

Isaiah 30:21
your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.NASB95

I am reading in my devotion this morning and it is talking about God's whisper. The example the author is talking about is when he asked God one day "God, if there is something you would like me to do then please say so, it doesn't matter what it is I will do it." So I read this devotion and as soon as I am done I notice I am really hungry. So I got up to go to the kitchen and no sooner had I stood up did I hear the whisper. Really it wasn't a whisper it was loud in my mind. I hear "sit down and finish your time with Me" Can I say that I almost ignored what I heard and went to the kitchen to feed my face, but I didn't, I sat back down and this is what I got. I continued to read further and this is what I saw and heard. Isaiah 30:23 Then He will give you rain for the seed(God will give us words)
which you will sow in the ground……………………….., I find it very cool that the other day He has me write about Proverbs 18 about listening then He gives this to me today about God's whisper. If we don't slow down and let the other person speak and finish and listen. The one thing we could miss is our voice drowning out what Holy Spirit is trying to say. So here is the big question. How many times do I or we hear the whisper of God and choose to walk the other way, maybe even dismissing it thinking that "Oh … that wasn't God or whatever you tell yourself"

 

 

Proverbs 18.13

Proverbs 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.NKJV

Proverbs 18:13
Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. The Message When I read this , I had to set and just wonder how many times (I don't do this all of the time) I have answered someone or told them what I thought … basically interrupting them…. Before they were through. It saddens me to think that I believe that my voice is more important than theirs. When I cut someone off in the middle of the conversation I feel I have already passed judgment on them because what I have to say is based on what I perceived that they are saying, but if I don't let them finish how will I know? I know there is a level of discernment but you still need to let them finish. If I have passed judgment then how can I love this person?

 

I want to become a model for people to follow not an expert who thinks he can fix people. That is not my job ………. To fix people. I have enough of Kevin to get fixed to last me a long time. Trying to fix someone else takes away time and energy that I could spend on hearing Holy Spirit for myself.

2 Chronicles 14

2 Chronicles 14:11
Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, "Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You."NASB95

Today put God between you and the enemy and get out of His way. Whatever difficulties that you are facing, you need to ask yourself. Am I in the way? Or am I out of the way? Reality is you might think you are out of the way when really you are right in the thick of it. 2 Chronicles 15:4 "But in their distress they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and they sought Him, and He let them find Him.NASB95
So get out of the way and He will find you, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Luke 2.11

Christ has come and this is a day to rejoice! Luke 2:11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.NASB95

Could you just for a moment imagine opening up your bible to find the last book in it was Malachi. No hope, no comfort and no salvation. Thank you Jesus that you are there in the world's most famous journal. As I reflect on the last few days. It has been tough post surgery. I have tried to stay focused on the prize and I would like to say the pain was too much. Then I have to think about what Jesus went through on the cross. My pain is nothing compared to what he went through. Here is what the message says... Hebrews 12:3-5 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. The Message
I am very grateful, but it would be easy to feel sorry for myself. When I think about the five inch gash and the three in gash in my gut it pales in comparison to Jesus on the whipping post. To think, I have pain meds, Jesus did not.

I am supposed to go to Waco today, but I don't want to, because I hurt. So I have a choice, I can hurt at home or hurt there. Either way I am going to hurt. So I am going to Waco. I want to thank everyone for calling and checking up on me it has been overwhelming. I wish everyone A Merry and Joyful Christmas and a prosperous 2011.

Smile today they are contagious

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."NASB95

 

 

Use me God

Ever heard the phrase "Use me God, Use me!"

I want to ask you a question. Would you ever "use your sons or daughters to get something done for yourself?"  That almost sounds selfish and that is not who God is. He is not self seeking, agreed? Do you think they would ever say Daddy use me?  I am going to use my child to get what I want. If you are led to go into the mission field is it so you can be used by God or to walk in what you have learned from your Father, to serve not to be used. I think because your Daddy loves you and that you love him that you are going to do the things that make your Daddy proud because of who you are in Him!  He is not going to use you,   He is going to stand back and watch because you have listened and learned to walk in His ways, to learn his statutes, His commandments, His ordinances and His testimonies.  This is my Son for whom I am well pleased!  You are not going to get in the way because you have learned to speak when He tells you to speak and you do what He tells you to do. Just something to think about.

1 Kings 2:2-4
"I am going the way of all the earth. Be strong, therefore, and show yourself a man. "Keep the charge of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn, 4 so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'NASB95

"I'm about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you're made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you'll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go. Then God will confirm what he promised me when he said, 'If your sons watch their step, staying true to me heart and soul, you'll always have a successor on Israel's throne.'

 

Always be ready

Always be ready! Are you? Are you ready for that one person who comes up to you and says "can you tell me exactly what it means to be a Christian and how I can become one?"
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, NIV
Personally, I have never had anyone ask me that specific question before, but you know he is out there. I would hate for someone to ask me that question and then I do my best job at explaining what I know and then they said they had to go and then they looked at me and said "Oh well, thanks for trying" that would be a sickening feeling. So my question is Are you ready for that question? Are you prepared? That person is coming.

1 Peter 3:15 through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.The Message
I think there are a few things we can do to prepare for this time. First, know your story and be able to share it in 3 to 5 minutes. Speak the truth in love and show compassion. I think it would be good for your relationship with the Lord to be in a good place, People can tell if you are approachable. Speaking on your relationship with the One. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best. Where are you today? I can say for myself that I am a 7 today. I have been better and I have been worse. Have a great day!

2 Timothy 2.3

As I read my devotion this morning it took me to 2 Timothy. The first thing I see is the title to Chapter 2, it says "Be strong in Grace" My first thought was "I am going to be tested today" my next thought is "oh great, what is coming now" so now I begin to read Chpt 2 in the nasb and as I am reading I come to a scripture that I have memorized in another version. This version 2 Timothy 2:3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. NASB95
This made it a little more personal. I just have to remember that whatever circumstance comes my way today I have the opportunity to allow it to mold me into a reflection of our Lord or not. Grace, Grace and Grace. I assure you, I will not be the only one that will be tested today, look forward to your test. You might not even know it until it is over. Know who you are today!

Amen

Guard your heart

I heard someone say once that worry is fear with teeth, that has always stuck in my mind. Do you ever wonder if you worry hard enough that you might actually change the outcome of some circumstance in your life? A circumstance that most likely you have absolutely no control over. Maybe you are going to have surgery …… like me on the 23^rd. Don't think for a minute that I have not worried about the outcome of this routine surgery. As I get closer to the date I find nervousness and I hear the thoughts. What if something goes wrong? What if I die? Things happen you know. Guess what I WILL BE A SLEEP! Can't do a thing. I can get prayed up. I can take that the thought captive; I know I am not in control. Philippians 4:6-7
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. The Msg.
So here is what I know, I have a choice …. I can take that thought as a warning shot across the bow of my ship and take aim and shoot back with a folly of prayer or I can worry about something I have no control over. Give it to Him because He has giving us a promise
Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.NKJV

When man makes you a promise and he breaks that promise or tries to break his promise, this is what you hear "but you promised!" We hold Man accountable and man will fail. Our Lord does not fail and his promises hold true, after all, He is wise, He is willing, and He is able.
Matthew 6:33-34 Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.The Message

Amen

 

Worry or self-discipline

Is worry a sin? Hmmm…………. I think so. What does the bible say? Philippians 4.6 says don't be anxious about anything ………………. Romans 14.23 says ………………..Everything that does not come from faith is sin…… Do you ever say "I am concerned about something" "I have some issues I am working through" "I have lot on my mind right now" These phrases make you sound smart, like you're an important person with big things going on. What they don't do is make you sound like a worry wart. You are just sugar coating the fact that you are worrying. Call it what you want but the truth is this, worry is SIN! Isn't this fun! So here is where I am at, I am over weight …. About 50 lbs. Now granted I am 6'2" 255 but that extra weight is in the wrong places. I have been thinking about this for the last year
(another one of the phrases that makes me sound smart, but really it is worry) as I watched myself slowly gain the weight and not exercise. So here is where the worry sets in. I am not 30 anymore, I am 49 so I have to do something, exercise and eat better before circumstances in my life dictate that I do, and I don't want that. So what is worry? Worry is the sin of distrusting the promises and power of God. It is choosing to dwell on, to think about, the worst case scenario. It is faith in the bad things rather than faith in God (quote from the book Christian Atheist)
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.NLT
So dose self discipline and worry go hand in hand? I think so…. At least for me they do. If I had self –discipline with my eating and Dr. Peppers then I would not be overweight. So may lack of self-discipline has led to my overweight and my silent worry. My lack of self-discipline has led to numerous issues in my life that I worry about. (or really issues that I don't trust God about)
Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?NKJV
"life" is translated from the Greek word psuche (sue-kay) which also translates to the word soul. That passage takes on a whole new meaning. It actually means every aspect of your life, it means Bushido (The way of the warrior) this warrior trains every part of his body. The mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. It means yesterday, today and future life (soul). Jesus says ……. Don't worry! So, I leave you with this. He who knows what to do and does not do it, that is sin to him. I have work to do …. Do you?

Nothing like having to look at yourself to see who you are.

TGIF

TGIF Today God Is First by Os Hillman

 

As I was going through some documents that are saved on my computer, I came across this one and it really resonated in my spirit. It is interesting because when I feel like everything is going wrong or I feel like the Lord has pulled away from me, It is more my fault than anything. Just something to think about. I have to be carefull and not give the enemy to much credit for the problems that I actually cause myself, The article below does have a lot of truth

 
"One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?'" - Acts 19:15
Are you a threat to the kingdom of darkness? If satan and his demons had a board meeting and your name came before the board, what would they say? Would they say that you are one of their most feared enemies and they needed to keep many demons harassing and opposing you? Or would they say, "Gentlemen, this person poses no threat to our activities. Leave him alone. He needs no help from us." There are millions of church-going believers sitting in pews Sunday after Sunday who pose little threat to the kingdom of darkness.
If we truly believe that we war against rulers and principalities that cannot be seen, then we must realize that their mandate is to hinder any believer who is seeking to walk in the fullness of God. However, "greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 Jn. 4:4b KJV).
If you are seeking to fully follow the Lord, you can expect harassment from the enemy. God permits temptation because it drives us deeper into the soil of God. These times reveal God's power to keep us and walk us through the temptations. Our message becomes fruitful when it is born out of obedience and suffering for His name. Do not consider it strange if you find yourself fighting major battles the more obedient you become to the Master. God desires each of us to become a feared enemy of hell in order to affect satan's domain. When you begin to feel harassed, chances are you are beginning to affect the kingdom of darkness, and satan doesn't like this.

So, how many demons do you think are assigned to you? Better yet how many demons has the enemy pulled away from you since you are not doing what you are suppose to be doing? Hmmmmm?

    

Psalm 115

Psalm 115:11
All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. NLT

Psalm 115:11
You who [reverently] fear the Lord, trust in and lean on the Lord! He is their Help and their Shield. AMP
As I am reading this morning I go to Psalm 115 because I am going on Quest 115. This was something I felt last night in our staff meeting. I knew I was going there this morning and I was not disappointed. When I got to this passage it made me wonder just how much I trust the Lord. Is my trust in the Lord a direct correlation to how much I fear Him and if I fear Him, then does that mean that I have trust in Him? But then comes the next promise for those who fear Him, He will bless you. It gets better, His mercy is great for those who fear Him! So I guess the big questions are …….. Do you trust Him with everything or are their parts of your life that you keep for yourself, because you feel you can do a better job?

Psalm 115:13
He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly. NLT

Psalm 115:13
He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great.AMP

 

Psalm 103:11-12
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. KJV

 

Matthew 26.40

Just a little something the LORD showed me back in 2009. I came across it this morning as I was reading, so I thought I would share it with you.
Matthew 26.40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"[1]
Here is what I got from the above passage.  Jesus says (Kevin's paraphrase) You are one of the disciples in the Garden  (Think about this for a moment.  The God of the universe is in the Garden Praying….. he is sweating blood …. it is so intense … picture it in your mind the scene from the passion of the Christ)  (remember he has already told them once too watch and pray)  He walks over to the disciples and says what are you doing?  I told you to watch and pray so you would not fall into temptation.  Why are you sleeping?   The disciples are in the Garden with the God of the universe.  He is telling them to watch and pray.  He is saying …. "Keep your eyes on me and Pray   He is saying   "WATCH ME"  " Focus on Me!!!!!   nothing else.  I AM   ….. I AM   …….. The God of the universe.  I am going to die for YOU and you are sleeping?   You are putting something else before me?   So what is the temptation here?   the temptation was sleep. (some might call it Idolatry)   Something other than the God of the universe became more important and it was sleep.  the God of the universe goes back to pray more and they fall asleep again.  Were they even tired?  they were tempted to fall asleep when they should have been watching Jesus and praying and instead they fell.

So… Are you focused on Jesus Today?  Or are you focused on something else other than The GOD of the Universe

Well … this is my take.  Add or take away.

Proverbs 14.29

Chapter 25 (How to stop the Pain) in relationships we surrender some of our rights as individuals. What I mean is, when you care for one another you must accept the fact that our actions affect others. Quote: As such, we cannot ask people in our lives and then refuse them the right to give input into our lives. "You can be in my life, but keep your opinions to yourself" is not the stuff of real relationships. If you want to grow in any relationship then you must consider how your behavior affects the other person. So think about this for a moment, in your relationship with your spouse or who ever, was it your behavior that caused the friction? Where something that was so simple just blew up? Sometimes we just don't listen to what is being communicated to us, especially when it comes to our spouse. Proverbs 14:29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity. The Message Nothing like feeling stupid when someone is trying to tell you something and you don't want to hear it. "It is not being judgmental when someone points out that our behavior is unscriptural. It is called meaningful input." So you have a choice, you can listen and receive or get mad and go pout or do whatever you do when someone is trying to speak into you. Some of you may feel that you need new friends because you don't like the way your current friends are speaking into you. That is not the answer. So I would say this ……. When someone is speaking into you and what they are saying is making you upset, then I would seek Holy Spirit and ask this question. If what they are saying is true then why is it making me so upset, why am I fighting it, what are you trying to show me Lord? Amen

Jeremiah 17:5
Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man (or himself) And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord.NKJV

Jeremiah 17:7-8
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.NKJV

 

Which one are you? This is as much for me as anyone.

Confession

We had men's group tonight at my house. We meet every Wednesday night and it is always good. We have about five to six that meet. We get in each other's stuff. No posing allowed. Good shot in the arm tonight. Sometimes you just need to confess so you can be healed. James 5:16
Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].AMP It is amazing that when you do what the Word of God tells you to do then his promises come. I confessed rebellion, got prayed over by righteous men and got healed. It is not that I don't know what to do …. It is that I don't do it. I don't have a knowledge problem I had a rebellion problem. He who knows what to do and does not do it, that is sin to him. (Not my favorite scripture) We finished up the night with this scripture out of the Amplified Bible. Philippians 4:11-13
Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].AMP So I have two questions for you. Are you content? Have you confessed and got prayed over and healed?

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

We talked about attitude tonight. I have to confess that my attitude has not been good lately.

Philippians 4

Something I have not thought about in a long time. Praying for the Holy Spirit to rest on me when I am at a coffee shop or restaurant or a family gathering. You know …. Praying in a way so the Holy Spirit would fill that place and radiate from me. Don't talk about God. Don't pray out loud for people to hear you, but just be Jesus with skin on and be Joyful.

Romans 8:26-27 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will.NLT
I will have to admit that lately I have not been doing this …… praying. You have to understand that praying is communicating with the Lord and reading scripture is listening. Have not been doing that very well either. You know …. You skip a day, then you skip two then all of a sudden a week goes by and you wonder why you are in a funk. Imagine that! So that is where I have been …. Just kinda doing my own thing and it is just not working. When you stop reading and you stop praying then you reap what you sow. One more thing I just realized, my gratitude tank has been on empty. Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.NLT So there you have it, that is where I have been.

Grace pt. 2

So here is the follow up to grace, I failed miserably. No sooner had I wrote my post did I get put to the test that night. Bekah had auditioned for Sing Song at Abilene Christian University as a freshman and she made it. Freshmen don't make, but she did. My precious daughter Bekah texted us at 11.00 with the awesome news, but I could not see the forest for the trees. I was dead asleep, but she did not know. I was not happy, because I knew I would not be able to go back to sleep. (it took me almost two hours to go back to sleep.)
James 1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.NLT
I did not listen, I was quick to speak and quick to become angry. In other words there was no grace at all from me and I was judgmental. I would hate to think that the Shepherd who had one sheep wander off kept quiet when he found the lost sheep. If it was at night I am sure he would have gone to wake up people to let them know the good news. If you don't every fail at the test, how do you expect to get better. I had someone tell me today that when you get a revelation from the Lord about something that you should be prepared that you are going to get tested about it. That seems to be the norm lately. Romans 12:3
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.NASB95

It has been a hard two days, but we are better now. I apologized and Rebekah and I had good conversation today. I thank those men who spoke into me the last two days. It was well received and correct …….Kevin

 

Grace

Every had one of those days? The day where nothing goes according to ……….Whose plan? Traveled 45 minutes to a job to do something really stupid and totally unnecessary, only to find out later that I have to go back because that stupid thing we did was not right. Or to arrive at the next job to work to realize that what we needed to do had to wait another day. To arrive at the next job to install three doors, only to realize after we ripped out the first door and (trashed the jamb) that it was the wrong size. So we had to put the jamb back together (which was difficult and re-install the old door.) After further observance we figured out that all of the doors were wrong. They got messed up at the factory. So I got the lucky job of telling the clients that the doors were all wrong and we had to order new ones. But before I told them I asked the Lord if they would show me as much grace as you have shown them. That is what happened……… GRACE!
Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.NLT Acts 20:32
"And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.NLT Romans 1:7
I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.NLT
So after everything that happened yesterday I got to see firsthand the grace of God on me. I have to tell you …….. That job had the potential to completely derail me for the rest of the day, but it did not. Once again I had a choice, walk in my depravity or experience the Grace of our Lord. I figure that in the so not distant future I will have the opportunity to show someone the Grace of God like I was shown yesterday. So here is the big question……… Are you showing your spouse, children, co-workers ……… anyone, the same amount of grace that the Lord shows you? Or are you playing God and withholding that grace because you don't think they deserve it. Guess what? If you are then you have become the wicked servant. If you are showing Grace, then may you have peace.

 

 

1 Peter 1.6

My wife is leaving to serve on Heart Quest today and there is always a little bit of fear in me. I know I need to take that thought captive, but still it is there. I have battled all morning to avoid getting in the word. Does that ever happen to you? You know you need to read but you avoid it at all costs. You walk by your bible and you feel the tug, but you put it off? Or maybe this……….. You tell yourself you will read in a minute and before you know it you don't have time and you are out the door. I actually made myself get in the word and it only took three hours to get there. So I hear James 5, but it was 1 Peter that nailed me. 1 Peter 1:6
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.NLT
So I continue to read and then I get to verse 13 1 Peter 1:13
So think clearly and exercise self-control. ……………………………………. 1 Peter 1:13 I didn't have to read any further. Enough said.

Walk in who you know you are today and be free.

 

 

2 Corinthians 10.5

I walked in victory yesterday. I was at my father-in-laws yesterday afternoon working on his unprotected computer. What I mean is, on my personal computer I have an internet filter to prevent inappropriate material from being accessed. Steve's computer does not have this. So there I am working on getting his email and office working when he says that he has to leave for about an hour. I was terrified. I know my flesh very well. As soon as he said that, I heard the enemy say (perfect you can look at whatever you want) so I had a choice, I could get up and walk away or I could kick the enemy's ass. I did not call anyone, but what I did was take that thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,NKJV You see, the Lord had me call a man who lives in Michigan ( At the time I did not know it was the Lord, I called to just say hi) and we talked about this very thing as I sat in Steve's driveway. He reminded me about 2 Corinthians 10.5. The whole time I was there in front of the computer the enemy continued to accuse me. I know who I am and yesterday I walked it out. I am broken right now and I don't even know why, but I know it is God. Thank You Jesus

I leave you with this, 2 Corinthians 10.5 works for everything; it works on anything that comes against you that is not of God. The other area of my life that the enemy has come against me is with my Daughter Nichole. When she got pregnant at the age of 16, every dream and expectation I had was smashed to hell. One day when I was beating myself up … thinking, where did I go wrong raising her? The Lord gave me a word … a promise on June 22, 2008 at 8:30 pm, I was reading in Proverbs 22, verse 6 leaped off the page. All of you with children know this scripture.
Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.NLT. As soon as I read that I heard the Holy Spirit say "Patience Kevin …… Nichole is not older yet" I have had peace ever since. It gets better … on down I came to this verse Proverbs 22:19 I am teaching you today—yes, you— so you will trust in the Lord.NLT I hear "trust me and my promise" so now when the enemy tries to accuse me about Nichole, I take that thought captive as well

 
 

 

The Email

I have been going through a little email battle with a company that I get a little men's devotional magazine from. I finally got frustrated enough that I sent him an email, (the editor) Tired of being frustrated.  Cancel my subscription please.  Not my individual but the group.  I will send a check immediately for the remaining balance.
It is interesting here because you never know when God is going to show up. (I think I wrote about this a few days ago) Here is what he responded back with. I am so very sorry about your frustration. I am also saddened that the men in your circle of influence who were served by Men of Integrity will no longer receive our spiritual encouragement and challenge. Please do accept my sincere apologies. We really do try our best to serve our customers, and it is we deep regrets that we have not been able to serve you.
So I just sat there and stared at the email for a while and then wrote a response. Here is what I said. I have started a men's group in my home that is not affiliated with a church it is only affiliated with Jesus.  I am not with the other group anymore.  All I wanted was to drop my subscription down to 10 instead of 20 and I could not figure out how to do that on the website.  Don't sweat it, the men in this group don't even know. 

Here is what I know.  That Jesus said in Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."NKJV

So you see all is not lost.  Emails suck because you don't hear the tone of the individual on the other end.  I am not mad; it is just easier to cancel than to keep going back and forth.  I think the Men of Integrity magazine is awesome and I have been reading it for four years.  In fact I have some missing copies.  What can I do to get the missing copies?  Do you have some back issues that you would sell?

You know as I read my email to you and ponder this whole thing ,  Holy Spirit just showed up and got my attention, and I just realized that I have not shown you any grace and certainly not the grace that my Father shows me.  For that I am sorry, will you forgive me.  Will you drop my subscription to 10 instead of 20?  Can you do that? 

 

So here is the deal, do I/we show the same grace to friends, family, businesses, whoever we interact with the same amount of grace that our Father shows us? Or do we pick and choose who we give grace too? Let's go one more ….. Do you Love unconditionally or do you have standards that you go by and you pick and choose.

Kevin

 

 

 

 

 

Mark 10.21

I had someone tell me the other day "you need to be careful and don't make his problem your problem" the rich young ruler asked Jesus "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Mark 10:21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."NASB95. Here is the part that gets me, the ruler asked and Jesus told him what to do. So what did the ruler do? He walked away sad, because he had much property. So what did Jesus do? It is not what did Jesus do, it is what he didn't do. He didn't do anything. He didn't run after the ruler and say HEY! Didn't you hear what I said? I said you needed to sell all of your stuff and follow me. He didn't call him up 3 days later and ask him again if he sold his stuff. He didn't call him up 3 weeks later and ask him if he sold his stuff. He just ……walked…… away.

Another instance in is where Jesus is talking to Peter. John 21:22-23
Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me." So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"NLT So many times we want what is the best for other people and Jesus says "What is that to You?" Jesus knows what is best and sometimes we just have to get out of his way and let him deal with someone the way he sees fit not the way we see it. Jesus wants us to follow Him and He will work out the details.

Kevin

 

Matthew 6.6

Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

So is that what you do? I mean really? Is that what you do? When was the last time you got quiet? I mean really quiet? This is what it looks like to me; you get up in the morning or late at night and you get quiet. You don't open up your bible; you don't get on your knees and pray. You just get quiet. You quiet your mind and you sit and listen. For me that looks like sitting in my favorite chair in my office and closing my eyes and try to think of things of God. It is a very difficult thing for me to do. To get quiet and not be distracted. Matthew 6.6 says when you pray, go to the closet (secret place) and shut the door and when your Heavenly Father sees what you have done in secret He will reward you in the open. For those of you that have young kids or grandkids this is what that looks like. Do you remember the last time that little child just came over and crawled up in your lap and didn't say anything but was just quiet, (maybe fell asleep) and what did you do? You held this child and just loved on that child. You might even have whispered something over that child. You most assuredly spoke a blessing over that child. That is what it looks like. You go to the secret place and leave all of your cares, crap or whatever you want to call it outside, and close the door. You crawl up in your Fathers lap and let Him speak to you and you don't say anything in return, you just listen. I promise you when you do this; it is an incredible experience, very peaceful.

Kevin

Nehemiah 2

I am putting a bid together for a kitchen remodel. It would be my first full blown kitchen remodel. New cabinets, appliances, paint and tile. I received an email from the customer about the scope of work and they approved it. Now I can give them the numbers without so many money changes. So I prayed about how much I should make on it, how much profit. I had a number in my mind.

So I did a little bible roulette and I opened up my bible to Nehemiah 2. 9 through 12 and I didn't know what they were talking about. So I went back to the beginning of Chpt 2 and read. When I got to the end of verse 8 that is when it just jumped off the page at me and that was really cool and I got total peace about what I am charging and feel I will get the job.

 

 

 

Nehemiah 2:8
And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king's forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself." And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.NLT

Isaiah 55.9

I often times sit around and wonder about the crap that I am sitting in. You know … sometimes you just have to flush the toilet. I know this sounds vulgar, but we are talking depravity here … your cesspool. Have you smelled yours lately? I have noticed over the last few days … since last Wednesday that I have been on a somewhat downward spiral until last night. The other thing I have noticed is that I have caused my own issues. I heard a message on TV and God spoke through a circumstance. It is so easy to miss God when our minds are closed. I didn't really want to watch Joel Osteen because "REALLY" he kind of annoys me with all of his blinking. I kept watching though and he started to get my attention and then I realized that I really didn't want to hear the Lord that way. I wanted to hear him my way and I almost missed him. How many times do we get stuck in old traditions and then we miss what God is saying? We put God in a box.

Be open to what God is saying no matter what circumstance you are in. God speaks to us right now as if we are already what He has called us to be. Not where we are right now.

Isaiah 55:9
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.NKJV

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 11.26-28

1 Corinthians 11:26-28
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. I don't know about you but this is saying every time you eat remember … do you? I have to say that I don't take communion every time I sit down to eat …. But I think about it almost every time. So is that my conscience or Holy Spirit? 27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. So what does it mean to partake in an unworthy manner? What does that look like? 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.NASB95

dok·im·ad·zo/] v. From 1384; TDNT 2:255; TDNTA 181; GK 1507 and 1508; 23 occurrences; AV translates as "prove" 10 times, "try" four times, "approve" three times, "discern" twice, "allow" twice, "like" once, and "examine" once. 1 to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals. 2 to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy. So here is my question….. When you examine, what are you examining? What does it say above in the definition? To Approve, deem worthy. Guess what? You are approved and you are worthy! Why? Because you are a son of the living God. The goal is to look inward and to look at the cross of Christ and what His blood purchased, His sacrifice makes us approved. The world teaches us to look at our hearts and to ask "What's wrong with me? Paul says to examine yourself for approval. Look into your heart to find what brings you approval (quote chpt. 28) The only thing that qualifies us before God is the finished work of Jesus. Amen!

Kevin

James 5.16

The fear of Judgment …. A nasty place to be, an easy place to be. The Lord does not sit up there and decide to leave you or forsake you for something we did, but He hurts because of what we are doing to ourselves, whatever that may be. So many times we will confess our sin to the Lord but we will not confess to one another like it says in James 5:16 therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.NIV You have to get to a point where you can confess to one another without the fear of being judged. Many times it is the fear of being judged that makes us not want to confess. Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.NIV

So confess your sin and walk free or keep it to yourself and be bound up. So the question is this: have you confessed to the Lord but not to your brother? If that is the case, then do what needs to be done and don't give the enemy any ground by keeping your mouth shut. If you are fessed up, then more power to you. Amen

Be Free

 

So we will better know you

 

Lord, sometimes we cannot help the way we think.

That really does stink.

You know what, that is okay.

Look to the clouds and pray.

 

Sometimes Lord, we cannot explain

The way we truly feel.

Sometimes we are in so much pain

Nothing seems real.

 

Everything You do God, is so calculated

So why does life sometimes feel so complicated.

He speaks to us in prayer that is how we communicate.

He always gives us something to contemplate.

 

The Lord instills in us confidence

The Lord in our lives is not a coincidence.

Sometimes it takes a crisis to get us out of our stalemate.

He tells us that whatever we do, please do not deviate.

 

The Lord is talking about our walk.

He says, "spread my word when you talk."

Some people will not listen, that is okay.

Those that do not listen get their names and pray.

 

 

 

By kevin gwyn

ÓCopyrighted 4/17/2002

 

 

 

The rest of the Story

The rest of the Story: Darrin Hufford is the man in the story. He is the author of several books. This story comes from the book I just finished called "The Misunderstood God".

A young married couple had asked him to stop by their house and minister to the young lady who was living with them. They said she was demon possessed. They were going to be with him but they had to go out of town at the last minute so he had to go alone. This made him very nervous. He had actually been training for a while about deliverance. So he got prayed up and when arrived at the house he even drove around the house seven times. He put anointing oil on his hands so when he shook the girls hand he would scare the demons but to his amazement nothing happened. So he sat down with the young lady and she begins to explain to him that the demon in her spoke to her all the time and that she knew his name. That is when he said, can I pray with you? she said, yes but you cannot use the J-word (Jesus). That was paralyzing to the author! It would be like training a soldier in the use of a weapon and then stripping him of it moments before battle. How are you supposed to cast out demons without using the name of Jesus? So what did he do? He pleaded the blood, rebuked the demon and called down the blessings, but nothing happened. He said he was dead in the water and felt like a traveling snake oil salesman at the end of his bag of tricks.

So he sat there with her for more than two hours feeling embarrassed and emotional spent. While sitting there thinking about what else he could do, he caught a glimpse of the little girl. She had not slept in days. He saw a little girl consumed in fear that she could barely sit still. It was in that moment that his heart broke for her as if she was his own child. He got up and walked across the room and took her into his arms and held her tightly. Everything in inside of him melted and he cried with her as he held her. That moment that young lady was set free. Her name was Joy. And she had reclaimed her Joy in his arms. He learned that day that tricks are for kids. Though he was stripped of using Jesus' name, He found that if he became Jesus to her all the power of the universe was at my fingertips. It was love that sat her free. From the day forward the author says that his entire ministry was built on the foundational truth that God is Love and that it is more important to be Jesus with skin on than to just say His name. God is Love and nothing else. God gave us the Golden rule. Do unto others as you would them do unto you. The golden rule is for God as well….. Not just us.

John 15:17
These things I command you, that you love one another.NKJV

The J - Word

I have something for you to think about. You get a phone call from someone who asks you to go over to a friend of theirs to minister to the individual. They tell you this individual has demons hanging off of them like bats! This individual is expecting you. When you arrive this person answers the door and invites you in. You see that this individual is somewhat scared but you do not know what this person is scared of. You begin to ask questions and then you ask if you could pray for this individual and this individual says yes you may, but I have to ask you that you not say the

J – word (Jesus) when you pray for me. What are you going to do?

This is just something to chew on.

Kevin