Turn to the LIGHT!

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ~ 1 John 1:5 TNIV

Darkness is defined as:

• Devoid or partially devoid of light
• Not receiving, reflecting, transmitting or radiating light
• Arising from or showing evil traits or desires
• Dismal, gloomy
• Lacking knowledge
• Relating to grim or depressing circumstances
• Secret
• Closed to the public

There are numerous expressions regarding dark or darkness:

• In the dark
• Dark horse
• Dark side of someone or something
• Pitch dark
• Whistle in the dark
• A shot in the dark
• Darkness of night
• Heart of darkness
• Cover of darkness
• Darkest hour

All of these “dark” expressions depict uncertainty, lack of knowledge, speculation, secrecy and bad situations.

When we search the Scriptures, God answers our questions and let’s us know what He expects of us. He equips us through His Word to have knowledge.

Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give insight into all this. ~ 2 Timothy 2:7 TNIV

We are instructed to live in a specific manner.

Live as citizens who reflect the Good News about Christ. ~ Philippians 1:27a God’s Word Translation

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light for the fruit of light consists of goodness, righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord. ~ Ephesians 5:8-9 TNIV

Be cautious of whom you associate with.

It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ~ Ephesians 5:12 TNIV

It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. ~ Jude 1:19 ESV

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:5 TNIV

Turn to the Light! ~ Kim

Are You On Track?

We are in the eighth week of "twenty-eleven" and almost entering the third month of the year. I pose the following question to you, "What's going on with your New Year's resolutions?"

Are you making strides?
Are you where you thought you would be?
What looks good?
What still needs work?

Irregardless, to where you stand with your resolutions for 2011, I want to offer you encouragement for the journey. If you haven't stuck to your guns, it's not too late to start applying yourself. If you're just plain having troubles, re-evaluate the goals you set for yourself. Are they too lofty? Or do you just plainly need some help? Don't be afraid to ask for help. God never intended for us to be alone and He promises to be with each one of us.

And may the LORD our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful! ~ Psalm 90:17 NLT

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~ Ephesians 2:10 TNIV

Are you on track? If not, why not? He equipped us with what we need and who we need to get the task done. Now, go on -- GET TO WORK! ~ Kim

My Final Hour

When faced with the last hour of life, what would you focus on?

I feel confident in the fact that earthly desires and passions would go by the wayside quickly. While some days I think I would kill for a piece of dark chocolate, I don't believe that it would be my focus in those final hours because I am a child of God.

As a believer, I have promises that I know in my heart of hearts will be fulfilled and my earthly desires will surely pale to the glories that will be afforded me in heaven.

As it is stated in Psalm 103:12-13 TNIV:

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Because He lives, my sins are forgiven and I can look forward to eternity with my Heavenly Father! Are you ready to live for the PROMISE?

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. ~ John 14:27

Peace and Love ~ Kim

STOP!

Is your spirit restless with the idea, the very notion, the mere thought...

STOP!

Would you do it if it were the last hour of your life?

Regret defined is to be very sorry for. No one wants to be SORRY. Sorry means pity, scorn, ridicule, deep distress, grief, sadness. Where's the joy in any of these things?

"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is." --Mary Anne Radmacher

In our daily walk, we will be challenged. Some times we will soar on the wings of eagles. Some times we will fall. The important thing is to know how to get up again.

When you fall, confess your sin.

• Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ~ James 5:16 TNIV
• I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. ~ Psalm 38:18 TNIV

That's right, admit you made a mistake.

• Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. ~ Psalm 32:5 TNIV
• “Only acknowledge your guilt—you have rebelled against the Lord your God…and have not obeyed me” declares the Lord. ~ Jeremiah 4:13 TNIV

Why? Because this is when forgiveness begins.

• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9 TNIV

You looked away from the prize and it's not too late to refocus on the big picture--the ultimate prize:  Eternal Life

• 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. ~ 1 Timothy 6:12 TNIV

So you had your fun but was it really fun if it's made you feel so bad?

• What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ~ Romans 6:21 TNIV

The gift of the Holy Spirit rests within each one of us. Don't wrestle with the Spirit! Let it lead you!

• Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind controlled by the sinful nature is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. ~ Romans 8:5-6 TNIV

Give God your very best you. He gave you the ability to renew your mind.

• Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is true worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:1-2 TNIV

Repentance can cleanse the stain of guilt.

• Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ~ Hebrews 10:22 TNIV

You are a child of God. Expect to be disciplined!

•  In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as children? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he love, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child.” ~ Hebrews 12:4-6 TNIV

Our God can cleanse and renew each one of us when we fall.

• Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. ~ Psalm 51:10-12 TNIV

And unlike mankind, Your Heavenly Father will always be with you.

• …be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ~ Hebrews 13:5b TNIV

Are you ready for the fall? More importantly, do you know how to get back up? I pray O Lord, grant us all the grace to sustain any fall. In Jesus Name, Amen. ~ Kim

Are You Prepared?

In my youth I was told, "heaven is a prepared place for prepared people". This was interesting to me then and it still intrigues me now. We are to be constantly preparing for the "promised land".

If I want potatoes for dinner tomorrow, it will do me little good to plant them in my garden tonight. There are long stretches of darkness and invisibility and silence that separate planting and reaping. During the stretches of waiting, there is cultivating and weeding and nurturing and planting still other seeds.
~ Unknown

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! ~ James 5:7-9 TNIV

I leave you with this thought, "are you prepared?" ~ Kim

I Want Patience -- NOW!

• What's your capacity for waiting?
• What's your endurance level in the face of suffering or difficult times?
• When things don't go according to your plan, who do you blame?

Scripture gently reminds us of the following:

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one of you is tempted when you are dragged away by your own evil desire and enticed. ~ James 1:13-14 TNIV

Our Heavenly Father's gift of the Holy Spirit which rests within each one of us (2 Timothy 1:14) gives us the ability to be and do things we never thought possible. The fruit [meaning offspring, outcome or product] of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22b TNIV).

So, with this knowledge, I need to stop saying, "I have no patience", "I can't wait", "Why is God doing this to me?" because He has equipped us with the ability to bear these things. It's about showing some self control, girding myself with endurance and being accountable for my actions.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God's people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17 TNIV

Patience takes time and effort to develop. Take time to smell the roses, slow down, think things through to completion, and although you may not have it NOW:  Good things come to those who wait! ~ Kim