Daily Faith Life

No Problem Is Too Big

2012-01-29T17:30:22-08:00

Does your community have problems? Mine sure does. During these difficult times, people are grasping at every straw just to survive and take care of their families. Many feel defeated, depressed, and hopeless. I have committed to prayer for my own community and I challenge you to pray for yours, as well. Tell God you are willing to be a vessel He can use in prayer and action to bring hope and deliverance to your neighbors.

Pray the will of God into you and your neighbor's lives. We know from the scriptures what the will of God is.

His will is to bring salvation to everyone who will receive His free gift of life through Christ Jesus .
His will is to deliver from every demonic spirit, influence, and to break the power of the enemy from our community.
His will is to heal in body, soul, and spirit every person who comes to Him.

This is how we are going to pray-for people to be saved, delivered, healed, and the power and glory of God Almighty revealed in our neighborhoods.

But, you say, "There are too many problems and the problems are too big?"

I've been reading about the Exodus of the children of Israel when they left Egypt and headed out to the promised land. As we know, they didn't go directly there, God had them go the long way around because He had some things to teach them. Then, they rebelled and spent forty more years in the wilderness before finally arriving at their destination. Many, many lessons are in this but one thing that stands out to me is the way that every time they faced and obstacle, all they could see was the problem-and they had some pretty big problems.

But to God, it was only an opportunity to show Himself strong on their behalf. He always had a plan and His plan was to glorify Himself, but he first had to get Israel's attention off the obstacle and onto Him and His provision.

At the Red Sea (Ex 14: 10, 13, 15, 18) they were facing the sea on one side and the entire Egyptian army on the other-God told them to stand still. He says "I will gain glory"

At Marah they were thirsty and the water was bitter-God told Moses what to do to heal the waters. When they were hungry and God sent them quail and manna

All the way to Jericho God used every obstacle as a divine opportunity to reveal His power and glory.

God fought their battles and they reaped the spoils.

Let's be encouraged that the size of the problems in our communities only give God more glory when He moves to bring about deliverance and salvation. Let's believe our prayers are the catalyst to bring about change, to bring about a mighty move of God.

Matthew 18:18-20 ( NIV ) I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 7:7-8 ( NIV ) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

How to Stop the Power of the Cross

2011-07-01T08:14:22-07:00

^{Mark 11: 23 NIV} "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

These words from the lips of Jesus are almost unbelievable. Whatever we ask for? Does He really mean this? Does he mean we can ask for complete healing, salvation, and deliverance for ourselves and others?

Yes, this is exactly what he is saying. What power we have in prayer when Jesus, himself, tells us to ask and expect to receive the answer to our request.

Jesus doesn't stop there. He goes on to tell us how we can be sure to NOT receive the answers to our prayers. In fact, he tells us how to get the Father to NOT forgive our sins. This sounds to me like he is saying this is how to NOT be saved. Read the next two verses and see if you agree with me.

²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, FORGIVE them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Jesus says the same thing when he gives us the Lord's Prayer. Look at these verses from the mouth of Jesus.

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6: 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Then, Jesus sets the example at the cross, speaking of those who had cruelly driven nails into his hands and feet.

^{Luke 23: 34 NIV} Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

We know the results of unforgiveness in the natural realm. Unforgiveness leads to;

Deepseated and uncontrolled anger
Stress, anxiety, and depression
Health problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and cancer

But that is not the reason the believer needs to forgive-at least not the primary reason. Unforgiveness blocks God from your life.

When you think of forgivness, does it make it seem as though the offence is unimportant? That God doesn't care you were hurt? That you were wronged?

This is why Jesus went to the cross!

Read Isaiah 53 again. Jesus took upon himself all of that for us. Jesus felt our pain and our rejection. He suffered it all for us. When we refuse to let him have it, we say that his sacrifice was not enough and, when we do that, there is nothing else God can do. We are left to our sins, our hurts, and our future without God.

Forgiveness is esential, but not easy. We have to do it, as everything in the spiritual realm, by faith. Read my article on forgivenss and pray about what God wants us to do.

Make this July 4th YOUR Independance day. When the fireworks are exploding overhead, let the anger, hurt, and resentment explode along with them. Let Jesus take all the hurt and experience true freedom in him.

Blessings;

Kay

The Secret of the Cross

2011-06-16T06:51:31-07:00

This second installment in the series on why the world does not listen to our Christian message, deals with the secret of the cross. The day is coming when those of us who have accepted Jesus' work at Calvary will shrug off the world and it's bondage and live like the redeemed ones we are. When we walk fully in the revealed knowledge of all Jesus has done for us, the world will take notice. Some will want to know how they can have it, too, and others will hate us for living in the freedom. Know that people will react to the life lived freely, some with desire to join us and others with jealous hatred, but there will be no apathy.

Jesus sacrifice bought total and complete deliverance for us. Any area of our lives that are still under bondage of any kind, no longer have to be that way. Since Calvary, we have been set free. I am asking God to reveal this to you and to me more fully every day.

Follow along with me as we look at just exactly what happened at Calvary and what it means to us, the believer.

Jesus sacrificial death at Calvary was;

Promised in the Garden of Eden. The promise to the woman and her seed in Genesis 3:15 was given so man would know he was not abandoned. Man was banished from the garden, but God had a plan to restore fellowship.
Hidden from natural man. The worldly, or natural, man is unable to see or understand the meaning and power of the cross. He is not supposed to, after all. The natural mind cannot comprehend, it must be revealed by the Spirit.
Not understood by the devil and his demons. The Bible says, if the devil had known, he would never have crucified Christ. Imagine, the moment the devil thought as his greatest achievement-he had managed to kill God's promised one--became his worst nightmare. Yes, the devil knew Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise, sent down from God, but he failed to see the whole picture. Just when he thought he has stopped God in his tracks, the devil discovered he has unintentionally completed God's plan. The devil nailed the final nail in his own coffin.
The pivotal point of human history. Human history is marked by "before" and "after". When Jesus said "it is finished", everything was forever changed. The contract was complete and can never be revoked.
Destroyed the curse. The curse that came upon man in the garden because of man's disobedience, the curse that brought sickness, poverty, lack, mental illness, aggression, and every other malady known to mankind was forever ended. It no longer has any authority over the believer. Why?
Jesus took our place. When we say Jesus died for us, it is not just some nice slogan. Jesus actually took our place in death and in hell. God put all of our sin upon him. Take a minute to think about this. Picture Jesus hanging on the cross, now picture all you sin placed upon him, all of your sickness placed upon him, all of you grief placed upon him, all of your defeat placed upon him, all of your pain placed upon him. See Isaiah 53. God placed it on him, then God had to turn his back because holiness cannot look upon sin. Matthew 27:41; Mark 33:34; John 19:30 Jesus bore all of that. He died and he went to hell on our behalf. This is when the Devil thought he had won. He thought he had, at last, defeated God's plan and that God had no way out. What a shock it must have been when Jesus stood up in hell-he who had no sin having been punished unjustly for sin-and, in the power of God, walked out of hell taking many souls with him. Believe it, if the Devil could have stopped him, he would have. This is why..
Jesus' resurrection is the final defeat of sin. When we identify with Christ at Calvary, we also identify with Him at his resurrection. Think of it as a legal matter. Our sin, sickness, defeat, poverty, all that came with the curse, is paid in full. See Romans 6:23. Death is the required payment for sin and that requirement has been met by Jesus' death. As far as sin, the devil, and the curse is concerned, we died with Jesus at Calvary. We are dead to the world. See Galatians 2:20. When Jesus walked out of the tomb, we walked out with him. We are dead to the world but alive to God. The world and the curse have no authority over us.

Of course, we still live in the world in our natural bodies. Therein lies the secret. We are in the world, but not of it. We live here in natural bodies and are citizens of another place, subject to other laws, not the natural laws of this world. I'm speaking here about the natural laws of death and misery, not those laws mankind has decreed to bring order to society. We are still subject to those-but that discussion is for another time.

How are we to live? As emissaries of heaven, representing to this world the love and freedom of that other place. See 2 Corinthians 5:20.

Next time we will discuss practical ways we live in this kind of freedom. To fully realize and live this way is radical. I challenge you and myself to read the scriptures with an open heart and pray for Divine revelation to walk each day in the freedom of Christ. Galatians 5:1.

Blessings

Kay

Colossians 3:1-4 ( NIV ) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Corinthians 2:7-8 ( NIV ) No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Galatians 3:13 ( NIV ) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

Isaiah 53:4-6 ( KJV ) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Galatians 2:20 ( NIV ) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 13:4 ( NIV ) For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’' power we will live with him to serve you.

A Difference In What We Say, What We Do, and Where We Go

2011-03-07T08:31:47-08:00

Those of us who are believers in Christ through his blood, know the answers to life, its problems, and its trials are only found in Him. Yet, when it comes time to share that message with our neighbor, our words seem weak and empty. We truly want to help our neighbor see the truth, but he does not listen or, even worse, patronizes us while we talk. This series of posts will examine why our words are so ineffective and what we can do to change the way we are heard.

The number one reason the world does not hear our message:

The world sees no difference in the daily life of the believer.
1. What we say.
2. What we do.
3. Where we go.

This point is illustrated by something that happened to my daughter on Friday evening. She was helping at her children's school with a PTO fundraiser. There was some kind of a mix-up with scheduling and a church youth group arrived, expecting to use the same facilities. Everything was worked out eventually, both groups proceeded with their planned functions, but in the process, the church group became angry and argumentative, believing they were not being treated fairly. It became so hostile, my daughter's principal told her this is why he doesn't attend church, because church people act this way. After things calmed down, the leader from the church group apologized, but the damage had been done.

Of course, everyone acts like this, but that is the point, people representing the Lord are expected to act differently.

Do you agree? Does the world have a right to expect Christians to act differently?

Conformity is a huge issue in society today. In spite of advertising to the contrary, more and more pressure is exerted to make sure we all act, think, and behave in socially acceptable and politically correct ways. To be viewed as different, isolates us, draws attention to us, and can become dangerous. But even small differences in the way we act or speak can make others uncertain in relating to us and leave us out of an invitation to the neighborhood cook-out. Nobody wants to be left out. We are afraid to be different, afraid of rejection, afraid of being alone.

Yet, we must not be afraid to be different. When we remember what God has done for us through the blood of Christ, it is no hardship to reject what is temporary in favor of that which is eternal.

1 John 2:15-17 ( NIV) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Many groups have taken this idea and made it their creed to become so different others have to take note. But, being different just to be different accomplishes nothing except alienation. We have a reason that changes us to the extent that the difference is within us, showing itself that we are citizens of another place.

Hebrews 11:13-16 ( NIV ) All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Heavenly Father;

I recognize I do not belong here on earth, I am a citizen of heaven. I ask you, Father, to inhabit my thinking, my actions, and my motives. I ask you to change me more and more into your image so that you show forth in my life in the things I say, the things I do, and the places I go. Be lifted up, Lord Jesus, in my life today.

A Message That Speaks

2011-03-03T05:03:02-08:00

Matthew 28:18-20 ( NIV ) Then Jesus came to them and said,"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Mark 16:15 ( NIV ) He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

How can we change the world, if the the world doesn't take us seriously? Society seems to barely tolerant Christian beliefs. Television, movies, and current books make a joke of people of faith, although faiths other than Christian seem to get more respect. I saw a list of ways to get rid of proselytizers at the front door in the current issue of Reader's Digest (there are some I'd like to get rid of myself.) It's getting more and more like you have to hide or apologize for your beliefs and please don't try to share with anyone at work or in social settings. Religion is, after all, a personal thing.

At the same time, people are more and more desperate for answers to the inner emptiness, lack of purpose, and general deadness that screams out every waking moment. Speaking of waking, when it's time to sleep, drugs, legal or otherwise, are the method of choice to quiet that voice long enough to allow a period of oblivion.

Some choose to stay in a drug induced stupor, apparently until the grim reaper shows up to take them out, never confronting the questions that, without Christ, really have no answers. The illegal drug business continues to cost us in both lives lost and moneys spent.

Others spend their lives and fortunes on an endless series of self exploration in the hope of finding those answers and, presumably, peace. The March 7 issue of Time magazine has an article examining the ever growing and hugely profitable self-help business. Even in times of economic recession, or perhaps because of it, the self-help business continues to generate billions and attract more and more of those who are looking for some kind of answers that will quiet the inner raging.

In coming posts, we will identify and discuss seven reasons the world does not hear and receive our message of God's love. Check back and join the discussion.

Blessings;

Kay

Put Fear in Its Place

2011-02-27T13:54:29-08:00

1 John 4:18 ( NIV ) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Lately, I have spent quite a bit of time thinking and praying about the subject of fear. God tells us over and over to fear not. He says in the above passage that fear has torment(KJV). We all know this is true. Who has not spent at least one night worrying and fretting, unable to sleep, afraid of what may or may not come to pass? Yet, God tells us to trust Him instead. It sounds easy, but we all know it can be difficult to let go of the fear- the torment. It's as though fear has a clinging quality like a spider web. You brush it off and brush it off and still, there are strands of it remaining on your clothes or hair.

We fear when we do not believe and trust God's provision for us. God tells us he is our Father and, like a good father, wants only good things for us. Luke 12:32 ( NIV) Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

He tells us to call on him when we are in trouble and HE WILL answer and deliver us.
Psalms 50:15 ( NIV ) and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

Psalms 91:14 ( NIV ) "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

I get a picture of Him sitting at the edge of his throne, just waiting for us to turn to Him, to call on Him, to lift our attention from the trials and evils around us toward Heaven and allow Him to do for us what He so much wants to do--bless us.

Fear and faith are exact opposites. One cancels out the other and causes it to be ineffective. If we want our faith to move mountains, we must identify those areas in our lives where fear still rules, repent and begin to actively resist the fear. God has promised when we resist, it will flee.
James 4:7 ( NIV ) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

Here are some of the areas that may seem right to the world, but are actually rooted in fear. Join me in digging them out and allowing the word of God to take root instead.

A workaholic or get ahead mentality.
Psalms 127:1-2 ( NIV ) Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Romans 12:17 ( NIV ) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Arrogance and selfishness.
Philippians 2:3 ( NIV ) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
An unforgiving heart.
Ephesians 4:32 ( NIV ) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Concerns of all kinds. 1 Peter 5:7 ( NIV ) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Concern for the future. John 14:1-3 ( NIV ) Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am

Concern for health. 1 Peter 2:24 ( NIV ) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Financial concerns
Psalms 112:3 ( NIV ) Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Concern for children or family.
Psalms 112:2 ( NIV ) His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Concern for safety. Psalms 4:8 ( NIV ) I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Steps to Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

2011-02-22T11:21:07-08:00

It was hard to hear of the killing of the four American missionaries today. They knew how dangerous it could be, but chose to go anyway for the chance of placing some Bibles in the hands of the people. What an example of courage and dediction for the rest of us. I know they are enjoying their reward with the Father right now.

With so much going on in the world, both on the large scale and on the very personal scale of our own lives, it is more important that ever that we spend time before the thorne of God to hear what He has to say to us. God is looking for believers who will listen to His voice and allow themselves to be used to pray God's will upon the earth. God does need us to pray. He does need us to "stand in the gap" for our world and for others.

I talked in an earlier post about praying in tongues. If you found this interesting, or even problematice, these steps along with accompanying scriptures to study should answer you questions and help you receive this gift for yourself.

God has already given the Holy Spirit. It is up to the individual believer to receive God's free gift. We receive any of the promises of God the same way we received salvation--by faith. Acts 19: 1-6; Acts 8: 14-16 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Anyone who is saved is ready to immediately receive the Holy Spirit. The only preparation needed has already happened at the new birth. Acts 2:37-38; Philippians 3: 12-13
Be ready to receive the moment you ask the Father. Oral Roberts used to tell people to place there hands on the television to give them a point of contact and a moment to expect to receive. Find your own point of contact and expect to receive.
Matthew 7:7 ( NIV ) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Release any fear about what will happen and submit yourself to the Father.
Matthew 7:9-11 ;Luke 11:11-13 ( NIV ) Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
Know what to expect. The Holy Spirit gives the utterance, but the individual does the actual speaking. Acts 2:4; Acts 10: 46; Acts 19:6; I Corinthians 14: 2,4-5
Open your mouth and be ready to use your own mouth and vocal chords to make the sounds of the new language the Holy Spirit gives to you. John 7: 37-39

Let me know your experience as you move in this area of the Spirit.

Blessings

Kay

Church, Obedience, and Pleasing God

2011-02-20T12:29:58-08:00

Today is a beautiful Sunday morning and I am enjoying it by walking in the sunshine beneath huge, overhanging oak trees along the streets of my neighborhood. There was a time, not very many years ago, when I would have been in church services on a morning like this, and every other Sunday morning. For most of my life, I was in church nearly every time the doors opened for services, but I almost never go now. Shouldn't I be in church? After all, the writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter ten, verse 25: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 ( NIV )

I do meet with other believers, occasionally, and find those times immensely encouraging.

Some points to consider about anything we do in the Lord.

Please God. It's so easy to forget God is not impressed with our perfect attendance record, our strict adherence to religious dogma, or our long list of good works. God is pleased when we move in faith because the only way we reach God is when we operate in faith. Faith is the bedrock from which good works spring. Works is an outgrowth, or result, of our faith. We are called to good works. Works we do through faith in the promises of God.
Hebrews 11:6 ( NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
James 2:18 (NIV) But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
Avoid the need to please man. When we want the church leadership to notice how spiritual we are we look for affirmation from man. In the process, we do our spiritual leaders a disservice by elevating them to a place they do not belong. Yes, we should honor those who are over us in leadership and in teaching, but to allow them to consider themselves higher, or better, than any other believer is wrong. Give honor to whom honor is due but never give over personal responsibility for spiritual welfare, protection, and growth. I refuse to be the conduit to build any man's ego.
Even our own ego. Our presence at services often served to build up our own impression of ourselves. We can look at our record of attendance with pride and feel good about it all. In the service of others, it is the one who does not seek or even desire recognition for what he does that seeks recognition from the Father. I know that Bob and I have always been happier when doing something that no knew about until later.

I am seeking God for direction to find a group of believers I can feel I belong. I'm sure He will guide me in that.

Blessings

Kay

Morning Prayer

2011-02-17T14:57:39-08:00

I woke up early this morning. I could get all spiritual and say the Lord woke me up, but the truth is I have been exercising more and some sore muscles were the culprit. I was shifting around in my bed a little after four when I felt a need to pray. I began praying as I lay there, but since I couldn't get comfortable anyway, I got up, found the heating pad for those sore muscles, and spent the next hour praying in the spirit, or in tongues.

If this sound strange to you, maybe I can answer a few questions.

Did I know what I was praying about? No, I was using the prayer language God has given me through the Holy Spirit. There are times when I have an idea or impression about what I am praying, but this morning, I did not know.
1 Corinthians 2:10-12 ( NIV) but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
Was I frightened? No, I was calm and unconcerned, other than the need to pray. Sometimes, I feel a heaviness or burden that forces the words out of my mouth in a stream almost faster than I can say them. Today, there was the peace and quiet of the early morning surrounding me.
Did I pray in English? About those things of concern to me? Not at that time. Later in the morning, I had my regular time of meditation and prayer. I prayed then about all those things in my life that press upon me.
Is this from the Bible? Yes, it absolutely is. Jesus promised this gift, it came upon the disciples waiting at Jerusalem at Pentecost, and the Apostle Paul both exercised it and taught us how to use it.
John 14:16-17 ( NIV ) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

1 Corinthians 14:18 (NIV ) I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Will I ever know what it was about? Probably not. There is a great deal going on in the spiritual realm at any given time. I might have been praying about something in my own life or in the life of a family member or friend, or I might have been praying about something in someone's life far away whom I do not know. It doesn't matter what it was, God looks for those who will pray. Those who will take time aside and allow His spirit to pray through them. God looks for the one who will take a faith stand and side with Him to see the Kingdom of God come upon the earth.

Will you be that one?

Ezekiel 22:30 ( NIV ) I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.

For further reading on this subject: see eBook Powerful Personal Prayer: Ten Keys to a Dynamic Prayer Life, chapter titled "Pray with Understanding."

The Golden Rule

2011-02-15T07:24:13-08:00

"He who has the gold, makes the rules."

When I told Bob I was writing a post about the golden rule, he quoted the above, then asked if maybe I meant the other one. He was joking with me, of course, but it strikes me as indicative of our lives that most people would refer to the above quote if asked,

"What is the golden rule?"

To me, this speaks sadly to the importance we, as a society, place upon wealth, influence, and the worldly system. I wonder if the man on the street today even knows there is another golden rule.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31 ( NIV ) Do to others as you would have them do to you.

There was a day, not that long ago, when kindness and consideration for others counted for something. There was a time when the qualities of selflessness and modesty were highly esteemed and sought after, speaking of strength of character and wisdom-even godliness.

Today, we push and strive to get ahead, considering any fall-out of harm or hurt to others- if we think of them at all-as the price that must be payed in the fight to the top. It is a war, a war with casualties, and we fight so we won't be one of them. Terms like "road rage" or even "sidewalk rage" are commonly understood and accepted as the way things are.

Common courtesy has no place in a war. It is a thing of the past. In the process we have lost the ability to turn it off-to rest.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Such a simple statement, yet, it says all that needs to be said about how we are to conduct our lives in regards to our relationships with others. Consideration of others in this way is opposite of the way the world acts. The world's way is full of anger, bitterness, and self-serving. God's way of others-serving is full of blessing and peace.

Join with me in prayer:

Lord Jesus, help me today to treat others the way I want them to treat me. Help me to put aside anger and unforgiveness and show kindness to the people in my life today.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ( MSNT ) Let all bitterness and all passionate feeling, all anger and loud insulting language, be unknown among you—and also every kind of malice. On the contrary learn to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has also forgiven you.

James 3:13-18 ( MSNT ) Which of you is a wise and well-instructed man? Let him prove it by a right life with conduct guided by a wisely teachable spirit. But if in your hearts you have bitter feelings of envy and rivalry, do not speak boastfully and falsely, in defiance of the truth. That is not the wisdom which comes down from above: it belongs to earth, to the unspiritual nature, and to evil spirits. For where envy and rivalry are, there also are unrest and every vile deed.

The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceful, courteous, not self-willed, full of compassion and kind actions, free from favoritism and from all insincerity. And peace, for those who strive for peace, is the seed of which the harvest is righteousness.

Blessings;

Kay

My Flu Shot

2010-10-29T06:12:42-07:00

I see advertisements everywhere about the availability of the seasonal flu shot. I have yet to get mine, but I do take the time daily to remind myself of the following scriptures that inoculate my life and spirit against Satan's attacks in these five areas;

Health Jesus took my sins, my diseases, and my shame at Calvary. Why would I want to carry them, too? I refuse them in Jesus' name.
Isaiah 53:5 ( NIV ) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
    the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

    and by his wounds we are healed.

Matthew 8:16-17 ( NIV ) When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

   "He took up our infirmities

    and carried our diseases

Proverbs 4:22 ( NIV ) for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.
Protection The whole of Psalm 91 covers this subject as well as many other scriptures. If there is fear in this area, I spend more time repeating these verses to myself and to Satan.
Psalms 91:9-10 ( NIV ) If you make the Most High your dwelling--even the LORD, who is my refuge--
     then no harm will befall you,

    no disaster will come near your tent.

Psalms 34:7 ( NIV ) The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Children We can ask and believe God for the salvation and protection of our entire family.
Acts 16:31 ( NIV ) They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."
Psalms 112:1-2 ( NIV ) Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.
    His children will be mighty in the land;

    the generation of the upright will be blessed.


Isaiah 54:13 ( NIV ) All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.
Finances
Psalms 112:3 ( NIV ) Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
Guidance
Psalms 112: 4 ( NIV )
     Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,

Isaiah 58:11 ( NIV ) The LORD will guide you always;   he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.

    You will be like a well-watered garden,

    like a spring whose waters never fail.

Psalms 27:11 ( KJV ) Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Seeing The Future

2010-10-26T20:48:09-07:00

Halloween is this week and I have been thinking about why people are so drawn to the things of the occult.

I think people are drawn to the occult for three main reasons; the illusion of power, the illusion of knowledge of the spirit world, and the illusion of seeing the future.

You may notice I use the term "illusion" in all three of these reasons. Why? Because the devil is a liar (John 8:44). The promises he makes he will not keep. He allows the individual to experience just enough of the smoke and mirrors that imitate spiritual things that the person gets a high from it and becomes hooked by what he thinks is the real thing, but the devil's purpose in allowing this is to destroy the person and ruin his life (John 10:10).

Jesus said in John 8, that the devil's very nature is that of a liar and the truth cannot be found in him. His reward, however, is coming and all who align themselves with him will experience his judgement with him.

Revelation 21:8 ( NIV ) But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.

So, if the devil is lying about spiritual things, what is the truth?

God has always spoken to his people by supernatural means. He used the Old Testament prophets to issue warning of coming judgement. He showed Joseph in a dream the coming famine in Egypt and they were prepared. God showed Daniel many things concerning future events, some of which have yet to transpire. Does he still talk to his people today by supernatural means? Unequivocably, yes!

In I Corinthians, chapter 12, is a list of the spiritual gifts that God has given to his church. Such things as wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, tongues and interpretation, and discerning of spirits are mentioned here.

Each of these gifts is supernatural.

Notice a few things about these spiritual gifts.

The purpose of these is for the common good, the strengthening of the church-not for personal gain or dominance.
The gifts are divided among believers-no one person operates in all of them but the church body should have all in operation.
It is the Holy Spirit who distributes the gifts at his will.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ( NIV ) Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

The supernatural events of visions and visitations are still available to the church today, as well. Paul had a vision that directed him where to go next on his journey. John had a vision about the end of the age that he wrote down as the Revelation.

Did you know that God wants to tell us the future? Not so we can go on television and make predictions, but so that we can be prepared, or know which decisions to make. Don't believe me? Read and pray over the following scriptures and tell me what you think.

If we operated in these spiritual gifts, we would be living in the supernatural all the time. This is God's plan and desire for us as believers, and for his church. The phony stuff the devil allows his followers to experience in the things of the occult are nothing compared to the life God has for his people.

Let us determine to seek God and yield ourselves to Him in such a way that he can and will reveal himself to us by supernatural means.

Blessings

Kay

John 16:12-14 ( NIV ) I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Psalms 25:14 ( NIV ) The LORD confides in those who fear him;

he makes his covenant known to them.

How to Have Confidence To Ask

2010-10-25T03:54:34-07:00

Matthew 7:7-8 ( NIV ) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

In previous posts, we discussed prayer, and how to boldly ask the Father for what we need. Jesus tells us here in Matthew seven to simply ask, and it will be given. It seems simple, almost too simple. Just ask, seek, and knock? The scripture tells us in Hebrews, chapter four, to have confidence when we come before the Father in prayer. Yet, sometimes, we don't feel that confidence when we pray. Here are some things to think about that will help us pray with confidence.

Be sure you are saved. If you are not sure of your relationship, take a few moments now and take care of it. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10, that if we "confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." It really is that easy, do it now and know you are born again, you are a child of God, and enjoy the privilege of coming to the Father in prayer.
Repent of sin and worldliness. It's easy to become so busy that we often don't even notice how the world's ideas and sin have taken hold in our thinking. Make no mistake, the battle is in the mind. When our thinking is straight, so is the rest of it. Let's take a moment and allow the Holy Spirit to show us areas in our thinking where we need to repent and change. Confess and receive forgiveness. It's that simple. 1 John 1:9 ( NIV ) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Do not allow feelings of guilt or unworthiness to keep you from praying with confidence. When we confess our sins, God forgives. He doesn't put restrictions on it, we do that. God doesn't say we have to wait a week or show we really mean it, He says he forgives. It is the devil who accuses us and often our own guilt that condemns. Reject that condemnation and pray with confidence. Romans 8:1-2 ( NIV ) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Take God at his word and approach the throne of God boldly to receive the answer to our prayers.

Hebrews 4:16 ( NIV ) Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Thirteen Reasons I Love the Number Thirteen

2010-10-21T18:45:31-07:00

No other number carries the badge of evil like number thirteen. The number thirteen speaks of witches covens and black arts spells. High rise buildings seldom have a thirteenth floor and numbered streets often skip thirteenth street.

I refuse, however, to give anything up to the devil and so, I show you thirteen reasons to love the number thirteen by showing you thirteen scriptures that contain at least one thirteen in their reference. I trust it will be a blessing;

Kay

Matthew 5:13 ( NIV) You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Luke 11:13 ( KJV) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
John 4:13-14 ( NIV) ¹³Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Colossians 2:13 ( NIV ) ¹³When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,
John 14:13-14 ( NIV ) ¹³And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 16:13 ( NIV ) ¹³But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Acts 4:13 ( NIV ) ¹³When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Romans 10:13 ( NIV ) ¹³ "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Galatians 3:13 ( NIV ) ¹³Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Colossians 1:13 ( NIV ) ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
Philippians 2:13 ( NIV ) ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 3:13-14 ( KJV ) ¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 13:13 ( NIV ) ¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Six Steps to Making a Prayer List

2010-10-19T12:14:19-07:00

Last time, I talked about boldly asking the Father for the things we want in prayer.

Bob and I talked about where we were in our lives and decided it was time we did just that. We approached it six steps.

We spent some individual time just thinking about exactly what we wanted to ask of God. Our minds were a jumble of thoughts and impressions, so we decided to spend time in individual prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to settle our minds and clarify our thoughts. In about a week, we felt ready for the next step.
We set aside an evening to talk and pray together. We locked ourselves in our room, turned off our phones and committed the time for this purpose.
We compared notes about each of our thoughts concerning what we needed from God at this point in our lives.
We made a list from our collective notes. This was the list we would pray together about and boldly ask God to answer. Some of the items included a time frame, some did not. For instance, certain requests we want to see by Bob's birthday next summer. Other items we'd like to see right now. We dated the list and made a copy for each of us.
We prayed together. We read Matthew 18, verse 19, and agreed together for each the the items on our list. We confessed(spoke out loud to each other, to God, and to the devil) our faith that these things would be done according to the scripture.
We praised God for our answers. These words of Jesus are compelling because they make a simple declaration of fact. We purposefully put ourselves in agreement with Jesus that they will be done for us by our heavenly Father.

Matthew 18:19 ( NIV ) Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

Give these six steps a try and watch God move in your life to get you those answers.

Blessings;

Kay

Drifting or Steering

2010-10-18T06:40:20-07:00

Matthew 7:7-8 ( MSNT ) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸For it is always he who asks that receives, he who seeks that finds, and he who knocks that has the door opened to him.

I have felt impressed over the past several weeks to look specifically at the things I am asking of God. What I discovered, to my surprise and shame, was that I was asking almost nothing. I have been content to live my mostly comfortable life, follow my own instincts and plans concerning my daily routine, and allow myself to drift along through the days.

No wonder my life seemed flat and colorless. I identified several problems with this way of life.

How can I know God's leading in my life? Without His leading, I am left to my own thoughts. I don't know the future, but He does. I don't know how to avoid pitfalls and problems, but He does. I don't know how to bless my family, but He does.
I was more sick and defeated than I realized. The world expects sickness and defeat as normal, but to the believer, health and victory should be the norm. I had let my thinking become so like the world, I hadn't even realized how much I had allowed the enemy to rout my personal life in these areas.
I had stopped believing for the impossible and allowed my faith to become stagnant. The Apostle James says that faith without works is dead, but works without faith is ineffectual. The things we do must be motivated and spring forth as a result of the purposeful exercise of our faith.
How can I receive answers to my prayers when I have not asked? God told Adam to subdue the earth. His message to us is almost the same. We are to rout the enemy by preaching the gospel, praying for the sick, and casting out demons. That's what Jesus told his disciples to do:
Mark 16:15-18 ( MSNT ) Then He said to them, "Go the whole world over, and proclaim the Good News to all mankind. ¹⁶He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he who disbelieves will be condemned. And signs shall attend those who believe, even such as these. By making use of my name they shall expel demons. They shall speak new languages. They shall take up venomous snakes, and if they drink any deadly poison it shall do them no harm whatever. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover."

And that's what the early church did. If this seems a wonderfully impossible place toe be, maybe it is because we have been too content to just roll along in life. It's past time to take charge of our lives.

Let's be bold to ask the Father for something impossible today. For it is only to the ones who ask, the answer will be given.

Blessings

Kay

Rejoice or Complain

2010-10-16T07:46:23-07:00

Psalms 118:24 ( NIV ) This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

It's easy enough to make this declaration when the sky is blue, the water is still, and the wind whispers softly against the cheek.

What's not always easy is to make this the declaration from the heart when the sky is stormy, the waves are crashing, and the gale force winds whip at us from all sides.

This is what I have had to make myself do these past few weeks. Certain circumstances in my life are out of my control, I don't particularly like them, and I don't want to do some of things that are required of me right now. I could mully grub around and take on a "poor me" attitude. It's easy to do that. Instead, God has challenged me to lift my eyes to Him and make this declaration of faith.

Three things happen when I lift my eyes, heart, and hands to the Lord and say "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."

1. My attention is immediately taken off my problem. As long as I'm looking at my problem, I can't see anything else. I am sucked into a spiraling whirlpool of defeat and despair that leads to no good place. By making this declaration, I am immediately thrown free of that whirlpool.

2. I acknowledge God is in control of my life. While my attention is on the circumstance, I am saying, in effect, that the circumstances are in control of my life. When I make a declaration of faith that God is in control, it takes the responsibility off of me. I am His to take care of.

3. I put myself in position to receive God's blessings. As long as I am centered on myself, I have closed myself off from the Lord and His ability to set me free. When I yield myself to Him by acknowledging Him, I free myself to receive.

My particular circumstances have improved, and I am seeing many small blessings every day. The challenge is to keep my attention focused on Him by spending more time in prayer. God has said he will show us secrets when we pray. I'm excited about the prospect of hearing some of God's secrets. How about you?

Blessings,

Kay

The Truth Can Still Set You Free!

2010-09-23T11:40:39-07:00

In the midst of all the cleaning out I've done recently, I came across a book I haven't read in more than twenty-five years. It is Kenneth E. Hagin's Bible Faith Study Course. Years ago, I devoured this book. I listened to Rev. Hagin preach this information both in person and on audio cassette tapes and I still remember the excitement I felt when I first heard these truths. I never imaigened it was up to me whether or not I lived a victorious life. I used to think it was all up to God. Well, the truth is, God has already provided all I need to lead a victorious life. Whether or not I avail myself of His provision is up to me. Oh, what freedom this gives!

I opened and began reading Bro. Hagin's book again and immediately something deep in my spirit began to burn. As I read, it seemed as though hot coals lept up from deep within and stoked a fire that had been long banked. During the daily buisness of life, I had allowed these truths to slip from my conscious mind, but now, the scriptures quoted in the book and Bro. Hagin's thoughts and experiences relating to those scriptures, charged my spirit and the excitement of years past came rushing back. The more I read, the more charged up I became.

With acknowledgment to Rev. Hagin, I share some key points from his book. If this interests you, follow the link for more of the same.

Faith is the way we connect with God.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Faith-the faith to receive salvation and the faith to move mountains-comes the same way-by hearing the word of God. The unsaved must hear that Jesus came to save him. The believer must hear and know that God desires him to live in health, prosperity, and victory over the devil.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Faith grows as read and meditate on God's word. We must know what God says about something in order to move in faith in that area. Constantly filling our minds with the word transforms our thinking and puts us in a position to believe with the heart.

We say what we believe. This is true in every case. If we want to know what we truly believe, listen to what comes out of our mouth. We can try to correct our speech, but eventually, the truth of what we believe will come out. By meditating in the word, faith comes to believe the promise, then our words will agree.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

I was praying with someone recently to receive healing. I asked her to pray and thank God that Jesus took all her sickness and disease at Calvary. She did pray along those lines, but as soon as we finished praying, she said, "I don't know, it's such a mess. I don't know why I can't receive my healing." She can receive her healing, she just needs to understand Jesus has already died for it, just like he has already died for her sins. I asked God to open her understanding to the truth of the word in this area.

Confession preceeds possession. God spoke into the void and said, "Let there be...and it was." When we see a promise of God in his word and we wish to appropriate that promise in our lives, we must speak to the mountain. Notice we speak to the mountain while it is still present in front of us. This is not lying, it is seeing into the spirit realm and taking Jesus' death at Calvary as full payment for our deliverance from the devil and all his works.

Mark 11: 23 ...whosoever shall say unto this mountain, "be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea"; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

True faith requires action. With our heart full of the word of God and our mouth speaking in agreement with that word, action will be a natural result. What kind of action am I talking about? The kind that is in agreement with the promise, the kind that acts like the promise is true, before we see it with the natural eye.

James 2:17 Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

I will share more from Kenneth Hagin's writings in later posts. In the meantime, what experiences have you had in using your faith in God's word?

Five Things Every Christian Should Know

2010-09-20T07:45:16-07:00

I was saved for years before I knew these five things, yet they are fundamental truths in the kingdom of God. These things are some of what becomes available to us when we come to Jesus, receive forgiveness for sins, and get washed in His blood. Do you know these five truths? I hope you do know them but if you don't, I hope this post will get you studying the Bible and learning how to apply them in your life.

Blessings;

Kay

I am a new creature in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:17 ( NIV ) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
I am the righteousness of God in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 ( NIV ) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
I am dead to sin and the things of the world-including sickness and disease.
Romans 8:10-11 ( NIV ) But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
God himself, makes his home within me.
Ephesians 3:17 ( NIV ) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Colossians 1:26-27 ( NIV ) the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. ²⁷To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
I am called to fight the good fight of faith.
1 Timothy 6:12 ( NIV ) Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

The Weight of Things part 3

2010-09-17T09:57:39-07:00

Matthew 6:19-21 ( NIV ) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

In this third installment on the Weight of Things, you may be wondering if I've turned my back on all material things. Never! I love my things and the comfortable life they represent. The question is;

How much stuff is too much stuff?

Years ago, Bob and I attended a series of Bible teaching sessions focused on raising money for missions. The emphasis was on our sacrifice here so that we could send more money to the field. To help remind us what is truly important, little stickers were passed out that read "Perishable." We put one of those stickers on vaious items around the house to remind ourselves that the world and all of it's tresures are passing away, but they that do the will of God abides forever. I still occsionally think about those stickers and the truth of that word.

The thing I've been thinking about lately is the pull my possessions have on my attention, my time, and my affections. Just because I own something does not mean my heart is pulled away from the things of the Lord, but when I have so much, they do pull at me and I am not as free to walk away, or risk loss of status in order to speak up for or do for the Kingdom.

More than that, with the pull of things always at the edge of my mind, I am not free to devote my thoughts, my attention, or my efforts toward matters of the Lord. Perhaps, you don't experience the same, but I feel compelled to examine my heart and life in the light of this.

I am convinced God wants us to live comfortable lives and enjoy an abundance of material blessings(see John 10:10), but we must be on guard to make sure our hearts are centered in the right place-on Him and Him alone. After all, the things of the Kingdom of God are the only things that will endure.

Luke 12:15 ( NIV ) Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Blessings

Kay

The Weight of Things part 2

2010-09-15T14:30:50-07:00

Today, we continue our discussion on the weight of things. In part one, I shared with you how I have begun to feel the weight of the things I own pressing down on me and taking up my air. What I mean when I say that is I feel constricted, less free, because of the abundance of the possessions I own. Today, I want to talk about freedom and how much of it we give up just to have possessions.

When you own a thing, something is required of you in return. Think about these points in relation to everything you own.

It must be maintained. If it is something small, say great grandmother's teapot, it must be cleaned and put away properly so it does not break or get lost. If it is something larger, say a lawn mower or motorcycle, the engine requires certain maintenance work, spark plugs and the like, and gasoline and oil must be provided at proper times. But, you say, it is not much work and it is worth it to have these things. On to my next point...
The burden of care expands exponentially for every item added. Great grandmother's teapot might not be a problem to take care of, but suppose she left you a complete set of china, crystal glasses, two antique book cases, and a hundred year old doll? Sounds wonderful? Yes, it does, but now you are the custodian of family treasures. Where do you store them? Can you use them? Are you free to dispose of them? What if, in addition to the lawnmower and motorcycle, you own two jet skis, a trail bike, and a golf car? Now, your maintenance requirements go up significantly. This is in addition to your one or more vehicles, camper, and bass boat. You say you hire out some or all of the work? This leads to my next point...
Time is money, and both are limited. In our capitalistic system, we trade our time for money in the form of a paycheck. Everyone has the same amount of time every day but everyone does not have the same number of days in a lifetime. The time spent taking care of, or the time represented by the money spent taking care of our possessions, is lost forever. Is this the way we really want to spend our lives?
Everything we acquire comes with responsibility. From the purchase of a Big Mac meal deal to that of a new car, we accept certain responsibilities. In the case of the fast food meal, responsible people put the leftover paper into a trash receptacle. The new car owner must get the required maintenance checks in order to keep his warranty in effect. I may choose to sell some or all of great grandmother's things, but I will research their value and try to get a fair price. It is the responsible thing to do.
What we spend our time and money on are the things most important to us. This fact is the center of what I'm saying here. There is nothing wrong with owning things, we work hard and purchase things to enhance our lives, but it is easy to find ourselves spending all our time taking care of these same things that we have no time left to enjoy them. And even worse for the Christian, if our attention and effort is spent owning and maintaining possessions that will pass away, Where is the time? Where is the fervor for the things of the Kingdom of God?

Remember Jesus' words in Matthew chapter six, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24 ( NIV ) No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

1 John 2:15-17 ( NIV ) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

I ask you to join with me in thinking about these things, meditating on these scriptures and praying about our response. I have shed some of my possessions, though I have much more. My immediate goal is to lighten my life by another third. I would love to hear from you about what God is saying to you and what you are doing in relation to these thoughts.

Until next time

Blessings,

Kay

The Weight of Things

2010-09-14T06:24:22-07:00

Over the past few weeks, I have cleaned out the corners of the bedrooms, gone through the closets, and packed boxes full of things I removed. Why have I done this?

I need some air.

I realized a while back:

I have spent decades of my life gathering things, or stuff. That stuff sat in the back of my closets, on shelves around my house, in the corners of the unused rooms, and in boxes in the attic and garage. Sure, it's good stuff, stuff I have used in the past and might possibly use again. It is stuff I like and choose specifically to enhance my life and that of my family.
It's just too much stuff! I felt claustrophobic just thinking about all the stuff in my closets. I realized with surprising clarity that I really don't want that much, that it is a weight that holds me down and oppresses. You don't agree? Consider this,
The process of cleaning out took will power and determination. I had already discarded junk and worthless items, what was left was closets full of good, even new, clothes and household items. I made my goal to divide my accumulations in half. I didn't quite make half, but I did box up a good bit and made empty space in some rooms and closets.
I couldn't just throw it away. It cost money and time to accumulate those things, they have value and I felt a responsibility to, either keep and use in an appropriate manner, or dispose of in a responsible manner.
I gave away some things. I packed bags of clothes and other items and took them to people I knew would use them or pass on to others.
We held a huge yard sale. I priced the items to move, after all, I really didn't want them, right? I fought myself constantly to not grab up certain items and return them to the house. Actually, I did grab a few things and take them back. I guess I still need to work on this.
We gave away what was left. Well, almost all that was left. I am dumbfounded at the pull these things hold over me. Some items are almost impossible to let go. There is a spiritual truth here I am working on.
I'm not finished. I still have way too much stuff. I really don't need things I'll not use in a year. My goal is to reduce the remaining accumulations by another third over the next four months.

Of course material things are necessary in our lives,we need clothes and household items to live, but most of us have so much we couldn't even tell you what is in our packed and crowded closets.

What do you think? Are you holding onto things in the hope or the fear you might need them? What steps have you taken to reduce clutter?

Next time we'll continue this discussion about true freedom.

Blessings;

Kay