Washing Feet

John 13:14 and since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.

Washing someone’s feet is such a simple thing, yet so powerful.  I think many times we hear “wash his feet and we choose not to for some reason or another.”  It is not about washing feet though is it?  It is about serving,  it is about Loving one another.

I was reading this morning and came across a quote that just froze me.  The quote said this, “It’s the simple things, like carrying my child to bed---- his sweaty little mane of hair resting on my shoulder.  His entire life leans on mine.  I am moved by that truth like no other.” 

When was the last time I relied on Jesus in that way?  It is really not that hard we just make it that hard

Bless you today!

1 Cor. 10:13

I thought this morning’s devotion was really good and it made me think so I wanted to share it.

Kevin

Who Said It … Perry Noble

What he Said … A Misguided and Damaging Belief

Having served in ministry for more than two decades, I've seen a common idea that simply isn't true dominate the landscape of the church. And in my opinion, it's one of the most damaging beliefs a Christian can hold.  Here's the false idea: "God will never give you more than you can handle.  "I suspect we've all had this concept pitched to us at some point as one of the key principles of the faith. We've heard it from the lips of other Christians; we've read books about it; we've seen the phrase on bumper stickers. But I'm telling you, it simply doesn't ring true—from the standpoint of human experience or from God's Word. When we buy into this false idea, it only leaves us confused, frustrated, and angry.  The truth is, God often allows us to face more than we can handle. But it's not because he's cruel or heartless. It's so we'll stop trying to live life on our own strength and learn to depend on his.

I have heard this spoken to me and it makes perfect since.  If He doesn’t give us more than we can handle then we won’t rely on Him.  I think this thought comes from the passage 1 Cor. 10:13 the first scripture I ever memorized

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

So remember when you are going through the trial to count it all joy and rely on Him and not yourself.

So when you are tempted do you rely on Him or yourself?

When you are going through the trial are you relying on Him or yourself? 

Are you in control or have you relinquished control?

Bless you today

The condition of your heart

Luke 6:43 "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
So if your friends and family had nothing to eat but the fruit that you produced. Would they be full, hungry or starving? What about your enemies?
I hate the thought that comes after I say something, (did I just say that?) You know what I mean …. When you read someone the right act on the phone that can't or will never see you.
The flip side to the above statement is this, I love it when I say something and someone smiles and says thank you.
I have heard that the words from your mouth reflect the condition of your heart. So today be aware of your words. Are they full of life or death?
How is your heart today?

Character

When Paul received his sight, he also received spiritual insight into the Person of Jesus Christ. His entire life and preaching from that point on were totally consumed with nothing but Jesus Christ— "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul never again allowed anything to attract and hold the attention of his mind and soul except the face of Jesus Christ. We must learn to maintain a strong degree of character in our lives, even to the level that has been revealed in our vision of Jesus Christ. ……………………………………………………………………… Oswald.

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

What is Vision? Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; 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 for me.

What is character? There are two kinds of character I feel. There is what you have when you are around people and then there is the character that you have when no one is around. They need to both be the same, are they?

Are you consumed with nothing but Jesus? I can tell you for me and I am not always consumed, I want to be! I want to be passionate about Jesus not just know him.

I have work to do.

Have an AWESOME day today

Know the Sacrifice

 

Behind the tattered robe,

Is the greatest story ever told.

What He did for man,

Some people will never understand.

 

Those that do,

Know the Sacrifice.

Your blood dripped from the Cross.

It will never be lost.

 

It is captured forever.

Through the end of time.

It will wash the sin away.

No longer will we be held at bay.

 

"Lord why have you forsaken me?"

"My Son, it is meant to be.

We must cleanse the Earth of sin."

"My Son, sacrifice your self, it is time to check in."

 

His cries were heard through out the Land.

His death allows us to make a stand.

Glory to the man who saves us.

Glory to our Lord Jesus.

 

Never could I imagine the suffering.

The Pain that You felt

The blood running into your eyes,

It crushes my heart . . . . . . . makes me cry.

 

Looking to the Heavens

You were so helpless.

Knowing you were going to die.

Yet, you did not fight back.

 

You were on the cross

Your spirit not broken.

Your Father has spoken.

"You are not lost."

 

"My Son, come be with me.

That is the prophecy.

That is what is meant to be,

You will be my legacy."

 

By Kevin Gwyn @ prayer vigil 3/26/2002 ÓCopyrighted 03/29/2002

Who Is This Man?

 

Who is this man?

He is called the Messiah.

He came to deliver us.

The Son of Man, He is Jesus.

 

They say You are the King of The Jews.

We know You are the King of all.

That day You felt so small.

But we knew You stood tall.

 

Your time has come, it is okay to cry.

You knew You were going to die.

You knew You were going to be betrayed.

You were in the garden and You prayed.

 

You knew what You had to do.

Which was to die for everyone.

No one wanted to help.

Nothing but scars and whelps.

 

He healed so many at his expense.

He was accused and had no evidence

The truth is all He had for his defense.

Still, He had to suffer the consequence.

 

They hit You.

And called You names.

Your tears fell like the rain.

How could your people be so insane.

 

So much dissension.

The crowd had every intention.

The people needed to repent.

But Jesus, did not resent.

 

They flogged You.

They spit on You.

What could you do?

They knew Your soul was true.

 

The thorns pierced Your skin.

You knew you could not win.

You did this for me.

To the cross, You carried my sin.

 

They drove the spikes through Your wrists

You were in so much pain.

Yet, You did not resist.

This was your destiny.

 

They slashed You with a whip.

Broke open Your back.

All they did to You was attack.

As Your blood did nothing but drip.

 

His blood washes away our sin.

His blood did not go to waste.

His tears dripped from his chin

Jesus searched his soul deep with in.

 

Jesus, they could not keep You down.

God took away Your frown.

You rose in three days.

Jesus, thank You for giving Your life away

 

By kevin gwyn Ó Copyrighted

04-10-2002

Pure in Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God —Matthew 5:8

………………………………………..God makes us pure by an act of His sovereign grace, but we still have something that we must carefully watch. It is through our bodily life coming in contact with other people and other points of view that we tend to become tarnished. Not only must our "inner sanctuary" be kept right with God, but also the "outer courts" must be brought into perfect harmony with the purity God gives us through His grace. Our spiritual vision and understanding is immediately blurred when our "outer court" is stained. If we want to maintain personal intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean refusing to do or even think certain things. And some things that are acceptable for others will become unacceptable for us.

A practical help in keeping your personal purity unblemished in your relations with other people is to begin to see them as God does. Say to yourself, "That man or that woman is perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend or that relative is perfect in Christ Jesus!" O. Chambers

That the last part may be difficult at times for me. To see God as He sees them can often be a daunting task. Lord give me strength and vision to see all people the way your Son saw them when He was on the cross. Amen

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6.33

Content?

He must increase, but I must decrease —John 3:30 NKJ

I get up this morning feeling I am supposed to write. So I began to read and read. I read some thing's over and over. The first thing I read this morning was Oswald. The first thing I see is John 3:30 can't tell you how many times I have read that. So that wasn't it. So I read all of John 3 then I go to Philippians 4 (that is what I heard) The I go back to the devotion and John 3:30 leaps of the page and then it comes together. I hear Holy Spirit say "that is your problem" to be content I have to increase in your life!

Philippians 4:11 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. 12 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. AMP

Sometimes it is so simple and we make it difficult. I can tell you for me when I am wrestling with the darkness, I am not content and I don't have peace. Today I have peace. Amen!

The last few days I have been chewing on this quote. We are only what we are in the dark; all the rest is reputation. What God looks at is what we are in the dark—the imaginations of our minds; the thoughts of our heart; the habits of our bodies; these are the things that mark us in God's sight. Oswald Chambers

 

The Mountain top

This is part of Oswald Chamber's Devotion this morning. ……………………………….The final stage in the life of faith is the attainment of character, and we encounter many changes in the process. We feel the presence of God around us when we pray, yet we are only momentarily changed. We tend to keep going back to our everyday ways and the glory vanishes. A life of faith is not a life of one glorious mountaintop experience after another, like soaring on eagles' wings, but is a life of day—in and day—out consistency; a life of walking without fainting (see Isaiah 40:31). It is not even a question of the holiness of sanctification, but of something which comes much farther down the road. It is a faith that has been tried and proved and has withstood the test. Abraham is not a type or an example of the holiness of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith—a faith, tested and true, built on the true God. "Abraham believed God. . ."

3 For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." 7 "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. 8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin." . When I read this I can't help but think of all of the men and women that have gone through Quest and Heart Quest. All of the men and women who continue to walk in there healing. Sometimes you just have to go to a place where you can receive and NOT have to give. You have to go to a place where a table has been set and all you have to do is pull up a chair and eat. A place where you can have an encounter with the Living God! These last 70 days have been a whirlwind for me. I have been in 70 days of prep work and serving on back to back Quest. What I got to be a part of is something I will never forget. Thank You Jesus for giving me the privilege of walking with all of these men

Now you understand what I meant when I would say

"Radical obedience ALWAYS precedes the miraculous."    

Thank you for receiving all that the Lord has for you.

Kevin

You a stumbling block?

2 Corinthians 6

³ We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. ⁴ In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors.

You never know who is watching besides the Lord. Just praying over your lunch at a restaurant could be all that someone needs.

Road rage with a Jesus sticker on your vehicle maybe the straw that breaks the camel's back for someone else.

Just some thoughts for the day while you are driving.

 

Remember

Hebrews 10:32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. 35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

 

I don't know that there is anything I can add to this. I think sometimes we forget and just need to be reminded.

Have a great week and may you find favor in then Lord

The little dog part 4

The Little dog part 4.

I digressed; I went downhill in 2012 with my dog. Without me realizing I resorted back to some old behaviors and before I knew it she was acting all weird again. I was done; I wanted to get rid of her. I could not see that it was me again! (WHEN DOES A DECIEVED PERSON KNOW HE IS DECIEVED?) What I mean is I called one of my customers who rescues pets and told her I give! I am getting rid of her. That was back in late October. She made a suggestion that I call her trainer so I did. The trainer made two suggestions to me. So right then I had a choice to make. How bad do I want this relationship restored? For me I was very skeptical of the suggestions. I thought I knew better (Pride WHAT COULD THIS PERSON TELL ME THAT I DON'T ALREADY KNOW? I HAVE TRAINED DOGS BEFORE!!! ) within three days of doing what the trainer said to do I made major progress with Pin Pin. Now she sits when I tell her to sit. She stays when I tell her to stay. Eats when I tell her to eat. I can put food on her nose and she will not eat it until I say eat! It is really very amazing. My dog loves me! "Pin Pin" that is what I call her now is my dog. She follows me everywhere. She obeys me when I give her commands. I think for me it is all about having a teachable spirit.

The truth is I could have gone to many people about this problem and I have before, but this time I spoke to someone who knew what they were talking about, but I still had reservations. I thought "what is the worst thing that could happen? I almost felt like Holy Spirit was giving me direction and I listened.

So in this story the dog trainer was the Holy Spirit and I listened to her instruction instead of getting advice from every Tom, Dick and Harry or Sally. So many times we as men or women seek what we think as Godly counsel when In fact we are looking for someone to agree with our pain so we can justify it. I you speak to enough people you will get 50/50 answers. What we need to do is seek Holy Spirit and listen and when he tells us something we don't want to hear, something that may actually wound us, then know it is for our own good. The worst thing to do is go around and tell a bunch of people this is what the Lord told me. So some can say ….. "I am not so sure that was the Lord" that creates doubt.

Listen to Holy Spirit. You know His voice and then trust what you are hearing. I am not saying don't check what you are hearing. I am saying don't check with 15 people just check with 1 or 2

This is what the Lord says: Jeremiah 17:5 "Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, (OR THEMSELVES I added this part because that is what the Lord showed me one day) who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. 6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild at Heart

So I am reading in Chpt 7 of "Wild at Heart". There is an author by the name of Neil Anderson. He says, "Don't wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving; you will never get there, feelings take time to heal once the choice has been made to forgive."

You have to get to the point of acknowledging the hurt, seeing that what has happened mattered. Then we choose to extend forgiveness to that person. Forgiveness says "it was wrong, it mattered, and I release it to you.

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

I know I have been touching on forgiveness a lot and it maybe bothering some of you. If it does then ask Holy Spirit why?

I have to ask myself the same question.

Walk in your healing today!

Boiling water

"Once a dog has been scalded with boiling water he will even fear cold water"

Jesus desires to heal our wounds. So many times we choose not to let Him heal them because it is not the easiest road to take. Humility and self-denial is the path that leads to healing and spiritual maturity. It is the decision to make another person's well-being more important than your own, even when that ex-wife, ex daughter in-law or anyone in your life that has brought you great sorrow.

Pride cannot travel this path, but only those who desire peace at the risk of rejection. It is a trail that leads to humility and abasement. It is the road that leads to life.
(From the Bait of Satan)

There is that word choose or choice. That is what this whole thing is about. Are you going to let Jesus Heal you. Are you going to go to that person that you have an offense with …. Travel down that road or are you going to sit on you pity pot and declare that he or she owes me for what they did to me or for what they did to my sister or brother. You know we also have to decide not picking up an offense for someone we know that was or is being treated badly.

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

So you have a choice today, are you going to do what your Father in Heaven tells you to do or you going to walk in disobedience?

Your forgiveness may be the very thing that leads that person to the Lord. Who are you to deny that?

Yell a loud NO!

James 4:7"…let God work His will in you. Yell a loud "NO" to the devil and watch Him scamper. Say a quiet "yes" to God and He will be there in no time.

I read this and wonder if we really take this serious? Think about this scenario for a moment………… (And this goes for me as well) You are sitting on your couch and you get a knock on your front door. When you open the door it is a scantily clad woman who wants to come in and do a little dance for you. She was sent by the enemy. So are you going to yell a loud "NO" to the enemy and watch her scamper? Slam that door shut in Jesus name? I would hope so. This is the same scenario that happens with our computers or walking in the mall or going places where we should not be going, bars, casinos. You have to be prepared for battle before you go into battle. One of the first lines of defense is "NO"

Then take the though 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, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Think also about this. There is power in your words. There is life and death in your words

Life or Death

 

Proverbs 18:20 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. 21 Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose. MSG

Often times I wonder do we fuel our own unforgiveness by the words we speak over that person and by the words we speak over ourselves? Case in point. How can I forgive the man, he is married to my ex-wife? Look at the pain he has caused in my life. I will never recover from this! He has ruined our children. If am I constantly calling him names. He is Worthless, look what that A#@#$#$#@ did to me, He is going to get what is coming to him, I hope he dies, I think you get the point. Our words give life or death. It is your choice on what happens. What does James say (any one read James lately?) Do you curse your boss? (You wonder why you don't get a raise) What about the coworker that is lost? Are you Jesus with skin on? Or are you an ASS! It is all about choice. Do you want them to know Jesus or are your actions denying them?

James 3:5-6 it only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

I leave you with this. Over the last few days as you have spoken to others or spoken about others what did you say? What did they hear from you? You either pierced their hearts with poisoned tip arrows or gave them life giving words.

You want to forgive someone? Then I believe you have to start with the words you speak over or about them.

You have to think about the agreements that you are making. Who are you agreeing with? Jesus or the enemy.

My father of my grandson has had some problems but I refuse to speak badly of him. He knows I know just about everything he has done to my Princes. I love him and I am Jesus with skin on even when I don't see him. He is going to be in my life forever and I have a choice to speak life into him or death. I choose life. I choose wisely.

If I speak death then I am just carrying the match to set the forest on fire.

Today I choose to give life!

 

The Trap

I really feel like I am supposed to post some stuff about the spirit of offense and walking in unforgiveness. So below is actually a post from back in July 2012

 

The Trap,

Ever been trapping? Anyone who has ever been trapping knows that it takes one of two things to be successful. It must be hidden in the hopes that the animal will stumble upon it, and it must be baited to lure the animal into the traps deadly jaws. This is what satan does and he is more deceptive and cunning than any human on this earth. It is his job to trap you that is his only focus in my opinion.

Offense is one of the most insidious, nastiest, most deceptive kinds of bait there is and we have all encountered it at one time or another in our lives. Offended people choose to live this way and they produce much fruit. It is just not the edible kind. Many signs of being offended are, hurt, anger, jealousy resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred (which is murder) and envy. I would say if you have any of these symptoms then most likely you are walking in offense. Most people who are offended do not even realize they are trapped. They are so focused on the wrong that was done to them. They are in denial. The most effective way for the enemy to blind us is to cause us to focus on our selves. What do we called it when we focus on ourselves? Would that be PRIDE? Holy Spirit says in James 3.16 for where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

Jesus said in Luke 17.1 it is impossible that no offenses shall come, but woe to him through who they do come.

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. It is those who you care about you that hurt you that hurt you the most.

2 Timothy 2: 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

I have questions …. How does your fruit taste? If I went to your spouse and asked if you are hurt and offended or walking in unforgiveness, what would they say?

Are you living with a victim mentality? Do you defend your position on the matter?

Are you prideful? Pride will keep you from admitting your true condition. Out of the mouth the heart speaks.

Parts of what I wrote today came out of chpt one of the Bait of Satan. Choose to be free today!

 

Last question are you walking in unforgiveness and if you are how long are you going to be that way before you forgive?

The right words

Matthew 10:19 When you are arrested, don't worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. 20 For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

So many times I want to speak before I am supposed to. Instead of pausing for a moment. What does James say? Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. There is so much wisdom in that verse. Sometimes I believe what we want to say is more important than waiting on the Lord and I have to say, that sometimes what the Lord wants us to say is nothing.

So today really focus on what you are going to say. If you pause you most likely will not put your foot in your mouth and wound someone with your words. Today let the Lord speak for you.

Bless you today.

The Rock eternal

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. 4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

I just got back off of Quest where 20 men gave their lives to the Lord! What an awesome time to watch the Lord show up and show off like He always does. I am always amazed at the transformation that I get to see over the five and half days of the event. For myself I got more freedom. Wednesday morning I received the below passages for myself. Since the event is over I know realize that they are for everyone who walks with Jesus in there heart.

14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2-14

27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him

Remember Hearing God is not something you do. It is who you are!

God speaks to us as we already are. Not where we are right now.

Walk in peace

Here I am!

 

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me' —Isaiah 6:8

God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, ". . . who will go for Us?" The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God's call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. O. Chambers "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).

Right now my spiritual attitude and the condition of my ears are in a good place. I just amazes me how one tiny hiccup (sin) can quench spiritual attitude and make my ears deaf!

Un-confessed sin, un-forgiveness, bitterness and judgment to name a few.

How is your attitude and ears?

Are you hearing the Lord or do you feel He is quiet?

 

Confronting or Running

Matthew 18: 15 "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

I have never been able to understand why people hurt people, but they do. Where does it happen the most? In Church! You go to church and you are approached by someone who says "did you know that so and so is going around saying these things about you?" Someone is spreading lies about you and you might not even know this person or better yet it is someone that you thought was a friend. What do you do? Scripture is very clear on this and it is a very hard thing to do. I have had to do it and I have had people approach me as well. On an event that I went on back in 2007 we had a motto or creed you might say. It went like this. " If you have a problem with me, then come to me!" So many times it is so much easier to just run away from the problem. What does that solve? It solves nothing, but what it does do is create unforgiveness, bitterness and all that crap that goes along with running away and not facing your problem head on. Thank the Lord I have people in my life who love me enough to tell me if I have said or done something to hurt them. I would hope that you love that person enough to tell them the same.

We are suppose to love our neighbor …. Right?

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NLT)23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

So what is Holy Spirit telling you right now? Are you going to confront or you going to run.

We are not responsible for the circumstances we are in, but we are responsible for the way we allow those circumstances to affect us; we can either allow them to get on top of us, or we can allow them to transform us into what God wants us to be. Conformed to His Image, Oswald

Philippians 1:21

My Unstoppable Determination for His Holiness. "Whether it means life or death-it makes no difference!" (Philippians 1:21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.) Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted. But before we choose to follow God's will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God's gentler nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide— for or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably. Oswald C.

Isn't it just like us to have to have a crisis in our life before we have a come to Jesus meeting? I would like to think that I stay close enough to Him that this does not have to happen. I would be fooling myself to think that. Reality is there are times when I think I know better than the Lord on what is happening in my life. I think to myself, that is not an open door and I will shut that door myself. Then the door will open again, because the Lord is gracious and I am stubborn. Below is what I have written before which I think falls under the same lines as what is being talked about above.

When I choose that path most of the time it is because I think I can handle the situation on my OWN!  Then the question comes up that is always asked of me.  "how is that working for ya?"I hate that question because my answer is always,  "it isn't!"  I say all of that to share with you a little nugget on surrender. Surrender is always a tough one for me as well.  What is the worst thing that could happen if you surrender?

Here is what  François Fenelon the Archbishop of Cambria said in the 17th century.  He was the spiritual advisor to Louie the 14th.  He said this in a letter to the King about surrender.  There is more in the letter but this is the main point.

Let me tell you what real surrender is.  It is simply resting in the love of the Lord, as a little baby rests in his mother arms.  A perfect surrender must even be willing to quit surrendering, if that is what the Lord wants.  We renounce ourselves, and yet, God never lets us know when it is complete.  If we knew, it would no longer BE complete, for there is nothing that bolsters the ego quiet so much as knowing that it is fully surrendered.

Surrender consist, not in doing great, heroic deeds about which self can brag, but simply in accepting whatever God sends, and not seeking to change it.  Surrender is the source of true peace.

I have noticed for myself that when I have completely surrendered.  (at least when I think I have)  I feel at peace.  When I think I have surrendered something but I am restless about it and  I don't have peace,   then I am still holding on to it.  I don't like that. 

The more you look at what you are not;  the less you become who you are!

Kevin Gwyn

Any thoughts??????

Where the Battle is Won or Lost

Another great Devo

Where the Battle is Won or Lost

'If you will return, O Israel,' says the Lord . . . —Jeremiah 4:1

Our battles are first won or lost in the secret places of our will in God's presence, never in full view of the world. The Spirit of God seizes me and I am compelled to get alone with God and fight the battle before Him. Until I do this, I will lose every time. The battle may take one minute or one year, but that will depend on me, not God. However long it takes, I must wrestle with it alone before God, and I must resolve to go through the hell of renunciation or rejection before Him. Nothing has any power over someone who has fought the battle before God and won there. I should never say, "I will wait until I get into difficult circumstances and then I'll put God to the test." Trying to do that will not work. I must first get the issue settled between God and myself in the secret places of my soul, where no one else can interfere. Then I can go ahead, knowing with certainty that the battle is won. Lose it there, and calamity, disaster, and defeat before the world are as sure as the laws of God. The reason the battle is lost is that I fight it first in the external world. Get alone with God, do battle before Him, and settle the matter once and for all. In dealing with other people, our stance should always be to drive them toward making a decision of their will. That is how surrendering to God begins. Not often, but every once in a while, God brings us to a major turning point— a great crossroads in our life. From that point we either go toward a more and more slow, lazy, and useless Christian life, or we become more and more on fire, giving our utmost for His highest— our best for His glory.

After I read this I just can't help but wonder if it is time to take a sabbatical? Scripture alludes to taking a sabbatical three times a year. Exodus 34.23 Three times each year every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the Lord, and the God of Israel. 24 I will drive out the other nations ahead of you and expand your territory, so no one will covet and conquer your land while you appear before the Lord your God three times each year. This passage is about getting away and the Lord not letting your enemies get the upper hand while you are a way.

So I have questions for you. When was the last time you went away to be with the Lord? When was the last time you actually got with the Lord on a problem and waited for the answer?

This is a very hard thing for me to do. No reading …… no praying ……. Just go to the secret place with your question and get quiet and listen. Try this, because it is not easy. Get on your knees or in your chair or on your floor. Cell phone off, landline off, TV off and computer off. Where it is dead quiet in your home and go to the Lord and listen. Try this for 15 to 30 minutes. Very powerful. I find for me when I do this I will actually go into some type of trance. (if that makes since) Maybe sleep? I always hear the Lord though.

What works for you? Let me know.

Be blessed today!

The Season

I had a dear friend of mine ask me a question Saturday. He said, "What season are you in?"

I did not know how to answer that question. I said I would have to get back to him on that. I have been thinking about that a lot since Saturday. We are all in different seasons of our lives in different areas. We may be in one type of season in our marriage and a different type in our jobs. I can say for me I am in a new season with my daughter Nichole. A healthy season of healing. Some of us maybe in a new season in our life that we are afraid and don't like. God knows what he is doing though.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 for everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 2 A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. 4 A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 6 A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. 7 A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. 8 A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

The last thing I want to share is this. As I was going through my bible this morning and I landed in Isaiah 61. (This is while I am searching for Ecclesiastes)

Isaiah 61:6 you will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. 7 Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

As I read this I knew it was a word from the Lord, because I started to weep. I have really been feeling as of late that 2013 will be my best year yet. I feel that this word is saying get ready. I am going to double your business. No more shame and dishonor from the temptations of pornography, I have retired from that area of my life. I am a warrior priest and the priest of my home. I feel that in 2013 there will be more men and women and children to minister too ….. more opportunity as I stay retired.

You cannot give away what you don't have!

Matthew 10:34

This morning's devo I though was really good. It could in fact be that it spoke to me and will not speak to you. Nevertheless I wanted to share it with you.

Kevin

The Focus Of Our MessageDecember 19, 2012

Matthew 10:34
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword

Never be sympathetic with a person whose situation causes you to conclude that God is dealing harshly with him. God can be more tender than we can conceive, and every once in a while He gives us the opportunity to deal firmly with someone so that He may be viewed as the tender One. If a person cannot go to God, it is because he has something secret which he does not intend to give up— he may admit his sin, but would no more give up that thing than he could fly under his own power. It is impossible to deal sympathetically with people like that. We must reach down deep in their lives to the root of the problem, which will cause hostility and resentment toward the message. People want the blessing of God, but they can't stand something that pierces right through to the heart of the matter.

If you are sensitive to God's way, your message as His servant will be merciless and insistent, cutting to the very root. Otherwise, there will be no healing. We must drive the message home so forcefully that a person cannot possibly hide, but must apply its truth. Deal with people where they are, until they begin to realize their true need. Then hold high the standard of Jesus for their lives. Their response may be, "We can never be that." Then drive it home with, "Jesus Christ says you must." "But how can we be?" "You can't, unless you have a new Spirit" (see Luke 11:13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.")

There must be a sense of need created before your message is of any use. Thousands of people in this world profess to be happy without God. But if we could be truly happy and moral without Jesus, then why did He come? He came because that kind of happiness and peace is only superficial. Jesus Christ came to "bring . . . a sword" through every kind of peace that is not based on a personal relationship with Himself.

Are you troubled?

Jesus, the Way to the Father

John 14:1 "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. NLT It is always a shock when I read this very powerful scripture. I have it memorized, but it is almost like my mind has been erased when I come to it in my reading. It seem like every time I come across it I need to be reminded of what I need to be doing. That is getting out of my own way.

I have to believe that when you walk in John 14:1 then Philippians 4:7 Happens to you. 7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that * tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall * garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. AMP

I also believe walking in verse 7 leads to verse 11 and 12

4:11 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. 12 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. AMP

So I have questions?

Are you troubled? Do you have peace?
Are you content or do you compare?

I say stop right now and ask Holy Spirit

 

If nothing changes then nothing changes.

Kevin

4:13 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].

Patience

Luke 18:6 Then the Lord said, "Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man* returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?"

I read this story and I had to just stop for minute and ponder. There are several of you that have been praying for something and you feel like God is not answering your prayers. I think in your prayer you need to be praying for patience as well. Don't give up, the widow in the story above repeatedly came to the judge seeking justice and he finally gave it to her. The Lord's time is not our time. He is never late but He is always on time!

Keep your eyes on the prize and don't get ahead of the one who leads.

Be Blessed

Greater things!

The last couple of months I have struggled with being successful. What I mean is my marriage is good my walk is in a good place and my business is doing very well. Some times in my business I feel like I am in uncharted territory. My business has tripled in the last year in half. There are things that I do that I feel are responsible for this. I pray for favor. Favor with my clients, favor in all relationships, favor in my marriage and favor for the business that the Lord has trusted me with. (so why wouldn't these things be doing good)

Needless to say with all of that said, this morning I received a scripture that explained everything to me and I got peace. John 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. So what I hear from this is that I will do stuff that Jesus did. I will also do things that He did not do, GREATER THINGS! That is powerful.

I have read this scripture many times before, but this morning it became Rhema. It became alive!

Be blessed today and know this!

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Repent

Below is part of the Oswald Chambers devo this morning that really got me to thinking.
Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation . . . —2 Corinthians 7:10 Conviction of sin is best described in the words:
My sins, my sins, my Savior, How sad on Thee they fall.
The entrance into the kingdom of God is through the sharp, sudden pains of repentance colliding with man's respectable "goodness." Then the Holy Spirit, who produces these struggles, begins the formation of the Son of God in the person's life (see Galatians 4:19). This new life will reveal itself in conscious repentance followed by unconscious holiness, never the other way around.  . The foundation of Christianity is repentance. Strictly speaking, a person cannot repent when he chooses— repentance is a gift of God. The old Puritans used to pray for "the gift of tears." If you ever cease to understand the value of repentance, you allow yourself to remain in sin. Examine yourself to see if you have forgotten how to be truly repentant.
Galatians 4:19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.
There have been times that I have repented and it just felt like words and then there have been times I have repented and was literally filled with Godly sorrow.
I just wonder if there have been times that I repented for the other person to hear and not actually repented to God. Maybe that is why some of those times I did not feel the sorrow. I was repenting on the outside but not on the inside.
Thoughts?
Have a great weekend!
Kevin

Flint, Sponge or Honeycomb

Today's devo coincides with an email I received from a warrior oversees who is on a ship in the Navy.

Someone once said that there are three types of givers in life. One type is a flint, another is a sponge, and the third is a honeycomb. To get anything out of the flint, it must be hammered; even then, all that results are chips and sparks. To get anything out of the sponge, it must be continually squeezed and put under pressure. Finally, there is the honeycomb, just overflowing with its own sweetness. We can apply this analogy to our hearts. Sometimes, like the flint, God needs to work in our hearts in a difficult way in order for us to receive his goodness and then give it out. Sometimes, like a sponge, God needs to squeeze us and put pressure on us to bring forth any life from our hearts. Other times, like the honeycomb, we come to understand the goodness and grace of God, and love for other people overflows from our full hearts.

From: Wayne [mailto:chossen12@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 5:27 PM
To: Kevin Gwyn
Subject: Re: [Matthew 6.6] Luke 11.28

Well it all started when I move my family from Virginia to Texas hoping to get a fresh start and it was a blessing with the house and UNTIL the house foundation shifted. I found myself after all filing chapter 7 and it proceed to go downhill from there and while all this happening I'm sailing out here on a ship to provide with a job that god bless me with to take care of my family while they are there and I'm all over the country and while looking back I'm not moving at all but also feeling that I'm losing all that I wanted for my family, house, car, etc. and I'm calling and calling and calling GOD FOR HELP because my family is there with her brother that prosuded us about Texas to move there and he don't even check on them while I'm away so it's more stressful but am starting to feel crush and I don't have human soul as of now to help but the blessing I feel is that I'm preaching god word and praying and giving scriptures to all the people on the ship etc., that would RECIEVE gods holy word and while I'm standing waiting on god to move on my behalf, it's getting scary so; that's why I say pray for me and my family while as head of the family that I don't fall by the wayside. Thanks for listing.

Sent from my iPhone

ALWAYS FORGIVE AND GOD WILL ALWAYS FORGIVE YOU.

So I read his email and I have been praying on what to do. For me I am supposed to help him. Not sure what that looks like, but I am waiting for a response from him.

He is obviously facing financial difficulty while away. So I am asking on Wayne's behalf (he does not know I am asking this) the devo today just really spoke to me. Maybe it is just me that is supposed to help, I don't know. I say pray about helping his family financially. I am not sure how all this looks but the Lord knows. Wayne is a patient of Kelly's at Mansfield Family Dentistry

If anything please pray for Wayne and his family.

 

Bless you today!

Are you ready?

1 Peter 3.15
But in your hearts revere 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.

I read this and I wonder who the Lord will put in front of me today? Am I ready? Am I ready to be salt? If someone came to me and asked me to tell them about the Lord, can I?

Knowing your story or testimony is important. If someone came to you and asked you about your salvation experience will you be able to tell them? Would you be able to tell them who you were before you got saved? where you were at the time you asked Jesus into your heart? How He has changed you since that day? This is a big part of your testimony. Scripture says in Revelation 12:11- And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.

Have a great week!

Luke 11.28

Luke 11:28 Jesus replied, "But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice."

A few things happened this morning. I was reading back in one of my journal's and came across a quote that I had written almost 3 years ago 3/9/09. I chewed on it for a while and moved on. Then I opened up another journal that I keep when I go on quest and when I opened it up it took me to the same quote again. This time this journal entry was 9/15/10. Okay I am listening, this is twice in two different journals. Hmmmm (this is why we journal)

So here is what the quote said "God speaks to us right now as if He has already called us to be, not where we are right now." How many times have you been in a bad way, not feel good about yourself ect…. Then you hear the Lord and He speaks truth to you and it just slams the very thoughts you had about yourself or the situation you are in? You then have a choice, you can receive the word of the Lord and be blessed when you put it into practice or stay in your crap and have pity on yourself.

One more item or question…….

Ask the Lord right now this question.

Lord, I ask you right now is your Love overflowing in my life with enough intensity to soak someone else?

Be Blessed

A word for you

Nehemiah 1:10-11

10 "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."

Did you go to bed angry?

Ephesians 4:26 And "don't sin by letting anger control you."* Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

I wrote the other day about being "Mad a God" I think being mad at God is like being mad at anyone. Does not matter if it is your spouse or the person that cuts you off on the road? It is about what you do with it. You have a choice to stay mad or not. It is like so many other things in this walk with the Lord. CHOICE, you choose to go to bed angry at God or your spouse. Have you ever noticed that when you go to bed angry that you will toss and turn all night or not even go to sleep at all? Sometimes I think that is when we hear God the most and we choose not to listen. You lying in bed and you hear from the Lord "just say you're sorry and ask for forgiveness" You are laying there thinking "I'm not saying that, it was not my fault!" Now you're mad at the Lord too! You are laying there and soon you become the judge.

I have done all three, gone to bed mad at my Kelly, lying there and then Hear God and choose to be prideful and toss and turn all night. Knowing all I have to do to get a good night's sleep is to say I am sorry.

Why do we do that?

Disclaimer: I did not fight with my Kelly last night.

So here is my question: Did you go to bed angry last night?

Ephesians 4:26 And "don't sin by letting anger control you."* Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Run, Pursue, Enjoy

2 Timothy 2:22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

So I am walking out in my driveway praying this morning when I hear "2 Timothy 2:22." I don't have a clue what it is. Now that I have read I, I believe it is self-explanatory and also a warning and a way to live.

Run

Pursue

Enjoy

They say you are an average of the five people you hang around with. Who you hanging with?

 

Be Blessed today

My Hearts-Christ home

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:
be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:
if any man hear my voice, and open the door,
I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelations 3:19-20

My Heart-Christ's Home is written by Mr. Robert Munger and it blesses my heart each time I read it. How beautifully it is written and so describes the interior of our hearts. I pray that it will bless you and change the dwelling place of Christ within you.

One evening I invited Jesus Christ into my heart. What an entrance He made! It was not a spectacular, emotional thing, but very real. Something happened at the very center of my life. He came into the darkness of my heart and turned on the light.

He built a fire on the hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness, and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship. I have never regretted opening the door to Christ and I never will.

In the joy of this new relationship I said to Jesus Christ, "Lord, I want this heart of mine to be Yours. I want to have You settle down here and be perfectly at home. Everything I have belongs to You. Let me show You around."

The Library

The first room was the study--the library. In my home this room of the mind is a very small room with very thick walls. But it is a very important room. In a sense, it is the control room of the house.

He entered with me and looked around at the books in the bookcase, the magazines upon the table, the pictures on the walls. As I followed His gaze I became uncomfortable. Strangely, I had not felt self-conscious about this before, but now that He was there looking at these things I was embarrassed.

Some books were there that His eyes were too pure to behold. On the table were a few magazines that a Christian had no business reading. As for the pictures on the walls--the imaginations and thoughts of the mind--some of these were shameful.

Red-faced, I turned to Him and said, "Master, I know that this room needs to be cleaned up and made over. Will You help me make it what it ought to be?" "Certainly!" He said. "I'm glad to help you. First of all, take all the things that you are reading and looking at which are not helpful, pure, good and true, and throw them out!"

Now put on the empty shelves the Books of the Bible. Fill the library with Scripture and meditate on it day and night. As for the pictures on the walls, you will have difficulty controlling these images, but I have something that will help."

He gave me a full-size portrait of Himself. "Hang this centrally," He said, "on the wall of the mind." I did, and I have discovered through the years that when my thoughts are centered upon Christ Himself, His purity and power cause impure thoughts to back away.
So He has helped me to bring my thoughts under His control

 

The Dining Room

From the study we went into the dining room, the room of appetites and desires. I spent a lot of time and hard work here trying to satisfy my wants. I said to Him, "This is a favorite room. I am quite sure You will be pleased with what we serve."

He seated Himself at the table with me and asked, "What is on the menu for dinner?" "Well," I said, "my favorite dishes: money, academic degrees and stocks, with newspaper articles of fame and fortune as side dishes." These were the things I liked--secular fare.

When the food was placed before Him, He said nothing, but I observed that He did not eat it. I said to Him, "Master, don't You care for this food? What is the trouble?"

He answered, "I have food to eat that you do not know of. If you want food that really satisfies you, do the will of the Father. Stop seeking your own pleasures, desires, and satisfaction. Seek to please Him. That food will satisfy you."

There at the table He gave me a taste of the joy of doing God's will. What flavor! There is no food like it in all the world.

The Drawing Room

From the dining room we walked into the living room. This room was intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a sofa, and a quiet atmosphere. He said, "This is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet, and we can fellowship together."

Well, as a young Christian I was thrilled. I couldn't think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes with Christ in close companionship. He promised, "I will be here early every morning. Meet me here, and we will start the day together."

So morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the living room. He would take a book of the Bible from the case. We would open it and read together. He would unfold to me the wonder of God's saving truths. My heart sang as He shared the love and the grace He had toward me. These were wonderful times.

However, little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened. Why, I'm not sure. I thought I was too busy to spend regular time with Christ. This was not intentional, you nderstand. It just happened that way. Finally, not only was the time shortened, but I began to miss days now and then. Urgent matters would crowd out the quiet times of conversation with Jesus.

I remember one morning rushing downstairs, eager to be on my way. I passed the living room and noticed that the door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly in dismay I thought to myself, "He is my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as my Savior and Friend, and yet I am neglecting Him."

I stopped, turned and hesitantly went in. With downcast glance, I said, "Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?" "Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you. Remember, I love you. I have redeemed you at great cost. I value your fellowship. Even if you cannot keep the quiet time for your own sake, do it for mine."

The truth that Christ desires my companionship, that He wants me to be with Him and waits for me, has done more to transform my quiet time with God than any other single fact. Don't let Christ wait alone in the living room of your heart, but every day find time when, with your Bible and in prayer, you may be together with Him.

The Workshop

Before long, He asked, "Do you have a workroom in your home?" Out in the garage of the home of my heart I had a workbench and some equipment, but I was not doing much with it. Once in a while I would play around with a few little gadgets, but I wasn't producing anything substantial.

I led Him out there. He looked over the workbench and said, "Well, this is quite well furnished. What are you producing with your life for the Kingdom of God?" He looked at one or two little toys that I had thrown together on the bench and held one up to me. "Is this the sort of thing you are doing for others in your Christian life?"

"Well," I said, "Lord, I know it isn't much, and I really want to do more, but after all, I don't seem to have strength or skill to do more." "Would you like to do better?" He asked. "Certainly," I replied.

"All right. Let me have your hands. Now relax in me and let my Spirit work through you. I know that you are unskilled, clumsy and awkward, but the Holy Spirit is the Master Workman, and if He controls your hands and your heart, He will work through you." Stepping around behind me and putting His great, strong hands under mine, He held the tools in His skilled fingers and began to work through me. The more I relaxed and trusted Him, the more He was able to do with my life.

The Rumpus Room

He asked me if I had a rumpus room where I went for fun and fellowship. I was hoping He would not ask about that. There were certain associations and activities that I wanted to keep for myself.

One evening when I was on my way out with some of my buddies, He stopped me with a glance and asked, "Are you going out?" I replied, "Yes." "Good," He said, "I would like to go with you."

"Oh," I answered rather awkwardly. "I don't think, Lord Jesus, that You would really enjoy where we are going. Let's go out together tomorrow night. Tomorrow night we will go to a Bible class at church, but tonight I have another appointment."

"I'm sorry," He said. "I thought that when I came into your home, we were going to do everything together, to be close companions. I just want you to know that I am willing to go with you." "Well," I mumbled, slipping out the door, "We will go someplace together tomorrow night."

That evening I spent some miserable hours.... I felt rotten. What kind of friend was I to Jesus, deliberately leaving Him out of my life, doing things and going places that I knew very well He would not enjoy?

When I returned that evening, there was a light in His room, and I went up to talk it over with Him. I said, "Lord, I have learned my lesson. I know now that I can't have a good time without You. From now on, we will do everything together."

Then we went down into the rumpus room of the house. He transformed it. He brought new friends, new excitement, new joys. Laughter and music have been ringing through the house ever since.

The Hall Closet

One day I found Him waiting for me at the door. An arresting look was in His eye. As I entered, He said to me, "There is a peculiar odor in the house. Something must be dead around here. It's upstairs. I think it is in the hall closet."

As soon as He said this, I knew what He was talking about. There was a small closet up there on the hall landing, just a few feet square. In that closet, behind lock and key, I had one or two little personal things that I did not want anyone to know about. Certainly, I did not want Christ to see them.

I knew they were dead and rotting things left over from the old life. I wanted them so for myself that I was afraid to admit they were there. Reluctantly, I went up with Him, and as we mounted the stairs the odor became stronger and stronger. He pointed to the door.

I was angry. That's the only way I can put it. I had given Him access to the library, the drawing room, the living room, the workroom, the rumpus room, and now He was asking me about a little two-by-four closet. I said to myself, "This is too much. I am not going to give Him the key."

"Well," He said, reading my thoughts, "If you think I'm going to stay up here on the second floor with this smell, you are mistaken. I will go out on the porch." Then I saw Him start down the stairs.

When one comes to know and love Christ, the worst thing that can happen is to sense Him withdrawing His fellowship. I had to give in. "I'll give You the key," I said sadly, "But You will have to open the closet and clean it out. I haven't the strength to do it." "Just give me the key." He said. "Authorize me to take care of that closet and I will."

With trembling fingers I passed the key to Him. He took it, walked over to the door, opened it, entered, took out all the putrefying stuff that was rotting there, and threw it away. (You are only as sick as your secrets) Then He cleaned the closet and painted it. It was done in a moment's time. Oh, what victory and release to have that dead thing out of my life!

Transferring the Title

A thought came to me. "Lord, is there any chance that You would take over the management of the whole house and operate it for me as You did that closet? Would You take the responsibility to keep my life what it ought to be?"

His face lit up as He replied, "I'd love to! That is what I want to do. You cannot be a victorious Christian in your own strength. Let me do it through you and for you. That is the way. But," He added slowly, "I am just a guest. I have no authority to proceed, since the property is not mine."

Dropping to my knees, I said, "Lord, You have been a guest and I have been the host. From now on I am going to be the servant. You are going to be the owner and Master."

Running as fast as I could to the strongbox, I took out the title deed to the house describing its assets and liabilities, location and situation. I eagerly signed the house over to Him alone for time and eternity. "Here," I said. "Here it is, all that I am and have, forever.

Now You run the house.
I'll just remain with You as a servant and friend."

Things are different since Jesus Christ
has settled down and made His home in my heart.

 

~by Robert Boyd Munger~

Mad at God?

Oswald Chambers

If you are not living in touch with God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him. You must go through the trial before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because by going through the trial you learn to know God better. God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.

James 1 2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, for whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I read this and as I think back, I wonder how many times I have blamed God for something or passed judgment on Him. When I think back at those times and remember what was going own ….. I was usually pretty far from God at that time. You know what I mean …… not spending time in the word, not praying Not doing anything that would help to cultivate my relationship with Him. I just want to blame him. That's all I want to do.

Now when I hear the phrase. "It is okay to be mad it God, He can take it, and He is a big God." Now it makes me wonder about what kind of relationship I really have with Him? Hmmm

Any takers?

 

Be blessed today!