Roots by the stream

Jeremiah 17:8  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

Jesus said there is only one way to develop and grow spiritually, and that is through focusing and concentrating on God. In essence, Jesus was saying, “Do not worry about being of use to others; simply believe on Me.” In other words, pay attention to the Source, and out of you “will flow rivers of living water” OC

 Psalm 1:3  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers.

I am reading this and wondering just how deep are my roots?  As I read the devo this morning it made me wonder do I focus more on Jesus or more on the things I feel will help  me get closer to Jesus.  I woke this morning thinking “yes”  I will do what you say.  Let people see Jesus with skin on.  I have noticed lately that I have been having anger issues.  It is hard to be Jesus with skin on and have anger issues at the same time.  I know my roots are deep but I think they need to be deeper.

Be blessed today and walk in your freedom!

Love Today

………………………………………“The Lord . . . is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish . . .” (2 Peter 3:9). I should look within and remember how wonderfully He has dealt with me. The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way. I may get irritated because I have to live with an unusually difficult person. But just think how disagreeable I have been with God! Am I prepared to be identified so closely with the Lord Jesus that His life and His sweetness will be continually poured out through me? Neither natural love nor God’s divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured. Love is spontaneous, but it has to be maintained through discipline.  Oswald Chambers

John 15:12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

2 Peter 3:9  The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Romans 2:4 – “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

I have been silent for a while, but not because I have been in a bad place.   I have been given stuff just for me.  This morning I woke to hear “YES” Lord!  I was excited to get out of bed.  Sometimes I just have to be reminded.  The other thing was this mornings devotion.  It really struck me.  The last couple of weeks at night I have been prayer walking out in my driveway.  Every night one of the things I do is repent.  Sometimes I repent for sin I have committed that I don’t even remember,  I just want to have a clean slate when I go to bed.  I have been sleeping very well.

The last thing I want to say Is “I want to love people the same way He loves me and I find that difficult many times”  I am working on that.

Peace today for you.

  I  wanted to reflect on yesterday on what I wrote.  I want to clarify something,  I am NOT a sinner saved by grace but I am a righteous man of God who has been called and commissioned, Anointed and appointed, blessed and Highly favored. 

2 Cor. 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

I am a son of the Most High God.

 I feel  like what I was trying to say yesterday was more along the lines of …….  The importance of being in the word.

As I listened to this song this morning. I had an overwhelming presence of His love like I have never felt before. Very Awesome.

Seems like all I can see was the struggle

Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past

Bound up in shackles of all my failures

Wondering how long is this gonna last

Then you look at this prisoner and say to me

son “stop fighting a fight that's already been won"

 

I am redeemed, you set me free

So I'll shake off these heavy chains

Wipe away every stain

Now I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed... I'm redeemed

 

All my life I have been called unworthy

Named by the voice of my shame and regret

But when I hear you whisper "child lift up your head"

I remember oh God you're not done with me yet

 

I am redeemed, you set me free

So I'll shake off these heavy chains

Wipe away every stain

Now I'm not who I used to be

 

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me

'cause his day is long dead and gone because

I've got a new name, a new life I'm not the same

and a hope that will carry me home

 

I am redeemed, you set me free

So I'll shake off these heavy chains and

Wipe away every stain

Now I'm not who I used to be

 

I am redeemed you set me free

So I'll shake off these heavy chains and

And wipe away every stain

Now I'm not who I used to be

Oh God I'm not who I used to be

Jesus I'm not who I used to be

 

'Cause I am redeemed

Thank God redeemed

 

 

Psalm 81

Psalm 119:20 my soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.

Psalm 81.10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt.  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

I read this passage and it makes me wonder just how open my mouth is?   I think sometimes it is just closed completely and that is not who I am.  I have to remind myself who God is …. Someone who loves me in spite of all the crap that I have.  That I am a sinner and I miss God’s ways constantly.  I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and will make more if I am not in constant communion with Him.  The word of God is here for a reason  …. To help me to be a better son.   To give me an avenue to hear Him.   I must stay in contact with the Lord, Jesus and the Holy Spirit all the time.

What is the best way to do that?  Scripture is very clear …….  Joshua 1.8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Lord, I ask for a thirst and hunger that would surpass anything I have felt before.  My mouth is open wide to receive all that you have for me.  I am redeemed and you set me free.  I am not who I used to be.  In Jesus name

 

Be blessed today and walk as Son’s and Daughters of the King

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!