Where is He Leading You?

~ "Your grace abounds in deepest waters." ~ If He is leading you in something and you aren't heeding the call, your fears or flesh or pride are in the way ~ step out of the boat in obedience and faith. He will always give you what you need to follow His will. 
~ "You call me out upon the waters; The great unknown; where feet may fail. And there I find You in the mystery, In oceans deep My faith will stand."

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Repetition

Life can be full of repetitive motions.  I try to be cheerful in all things, but I admit I get a little restless sometimes.  I am a homebody by nature, but sometimes I do feel like I need to see new things.  Need a little excitement, or a change of pace.  Those are the times when I can let my mind go, get myself down, and feel ungrateful.  That is not a good place to be. The mind is powerful, and when we let it, we can think thoughts that we shouldn't. We let the enemy in to attack our minds and that's when we need to cast down those thoughts.  The Word says that a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

There can be monotony in our daily activities.  Sometimes we can feel that no one notices or appreciates it.  Picking up another pair of underwear off the bathroom floor, another wet towel off the carpet, another dish from the living room, putting another roll of toilet paper on since they never magically replenish themselves.  But I try to remember in the midst of it, what I am doing.  If I am working as unto the Lord, then I become more thankful and more mindful about my activities.  My hubby goes off to work every day, whether it's twenty below zero or 95 degrees and so muggy that you can cut the air.  I never hear a complaint.  He cheerfully goes and provides for us every day.   I LOVE being so blessed that I can stay at home with my kids.  I love to have dinner waiting for him.  I know that God has me here in this spot for a reason.  Raising our kids is a high calling!  I have been blessed to even teach my children at home.  Shaping and forming them in the way they should go is not a light task.  Since I was a five year old, I can remember wanting to be a wife and mommy.  Is this everyone's dream? Certainly not. Am I saying that it has to be your dream? Certainly not.  But it was my dream.  And I am living it! What a blessing!  Life isn't perfect, and never was meant to be perfect, but we can have the Joy of the Lord in us and try to be joyful in the simplicity of our daily tasks.  Find joy in the perfectly imperfect aspects of life.

Find joy in the simplicity of life.  It doesn't have to be complicated or fancy.  I love to clean, organize, bake, cook, and serve others.  Maybe I am odd! But making my house a little haven in the chaos of life is something that brings me joy.  To have it fairly organized,  dinner and a treat freshly baked, clean sheets on the bed.  Ahhhh, that is a good day!!  To have my hubby happy to come home in the evening and to feel honored and appreciated is something that I like to do.  A hug and a kiss at the door always makes him feel appreciated.  Call me old fashioned, but I love those simple daily things. To find a peace in the tasks that may seem so menial and thankless.  But if you do it with a cheerful heart, a heart that wants to give to others and serve our Lord, they are never ever menial.

So when your mind wanders, and you are feeling like you are discontent ~ pray that those thoughts are cast down in the name of Jesus! Dig into scripture and remember all of the promises of God. He has you here for a purpose! Every little thing that we set our hands to can be part of that purpose.  Serve Him and serve those around you and you will find more and more contentment.  Serve in a selfless way, not looking for anything in return. It doesn't have to be huge.  Pray for someone and encourage them. Bring an elderly neighbor a bouquet of wildflowers. Drop a coffee off to that mama that is having a hard day and give her a hug, drop a note in the mail for someone that has been on your mind with a scripture.   These little things are pick me ups that often mean more to the person than we would ever think. And those are the things that can bring joy to us when our minds try to get away from us and tell us that our tasks are unworthy. And put a pep in your step ~ when you are folding your laundry, pray over each piece you fold and for each family member.  When you are cleaning, crank up your praise music! When I bake for others, I try to always pray over the food as I am making it and pray for the person that it is going to.  These may seem like little things, but they are so important, and can help change our perspective.  When we devote ourselves to others instead of just ourselves, it is right where we need to be.

When I am doing yet another load of laundry, I remind myself how fortunate and blessed I am to have a washer and a dryer! To have water and soap and electricity! To have the clothes to wash! Those are small things that we seem to take for granted. That wet towel on the floor? Means I have a hubby that enjoyed a hot shower after a hard day of working outside providing for our needs.   When I look at each task from this perspective, it truly does change my thinking from the thoughts that try to creep in and take over my mind.  To be thankful in ALL things is something I am working on.  Does that mean I have overcome those thoughts? I wish I could say yes.  I still allow them to creep in from time to time, but now I can recognize them and kick them out with the help of my Savior.  Serving was meant to be done with a selfless spirit, not one of selfishness looking to be served. Those selfish thoughts that will always put your mind in the gutter of ungratefulness and it's a downward spiral from there.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

The Hem of Jesus

Needing encouragement? Are you in a situation where you feel that you have tried all of your resources and there is still no resolution?  Sometimes we can talk about it, cry about it, complain about it, fear our situation, but have we prayed in faith about it?

Just a touch from the hem of the garment of Jesus.   The tassel on his robe. That is all she wanted.  She had heard He was there and she had such hope and a belief.  She had spent all of her resources on doctors.  None had been able to help her, and the Word says that she only grew worse.  I guess some could say that she had come to the end of herself.  She had no more resources from which to draw.  She was in a place of desperation. Desperation, but yet there was a hope.

She had suffered for so long ~ 12 years.  She believed that He could make her well.  She was shunned, unclean.  Yet she had enough hope to go there that day, and to struggle through the crowd just to touch his cloak. She was probably weak for the condition she had dealt with for so long. She knew that she was facing ridicule, that her uncleanness was thought to make everything she touched unclean. There were throngs of people, she must have had to push through them, touching many along the way.  But she was willing to risk it all to get to Him.

When she was within reach, she reached out and touched the hem of His garment.   Immediately her condition was healed.  And she knew it!   And Jesus knew it.  He felt the power go out from Him.  "Virtue".  He asked who touched him.  The disciples must have laughed, almost scoffed, after all  the crowds were so thick, many are touching you!   People were probably pushing and shoving their way to get a glimpse of him and many were probably brushing up against him. But He persisted, and trembling, she fell at His feet and told him her story.  How frightened she must have been ~ she,  who was unclean, was touching Him????

And what were His words? He told her that her faith had healed her ~ go in peace.  What a witness to the people in the crowd that day.

I want to cultivate a faith like that. Always be filled with HOPE, knowing that just a touch on His garment is all it takes to make us whole.  This reminds me to reach for that hem, knowing that it is HE who is my all in all.  Always.  Reach out for your Messiah today, no matter what you are going through.  Come to Him with faith, believing.   I know I will reach and cling to that hem.

She only touched the hem of His garment

  As to His side she stole,

Amid the crowd that gathered around Him;

  And straightway she was whole. Oh, touch the hem of His garment,

  And thou, too, shalt be free!

His healing pow’r this very hour

    Shall give new life to thee!

                                                 She came in fear and trembling before Him,

  She knew her Lord had come,

She felt that from Him virtue had healed her,

  The mighty deed was done.

                                            He turned with “Daughter, be of good comfort,

  Thy faith hath made thee whole“;

And peace that passeth all understanding

  With gladness filled her soul.

by George Frederick Root

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Rejoice in Hope ~

HOPE ~ a strong and confident expectation; to trust;  the act of hoping stresses two things ~ futurity and invisibility.  Things we cannot see and have not yet received. But we have the certainty that what God has promised will happen, according to His word.

We often throw around the word "Hope".  I hope it rains, I hope it doesn't rain, I hope I sleep well, I hope can do this or do that.  But Hope is so much deeper than that. 

We serve a God of Hope. He is the source of all hope, and without Him we have no hope. Hopelessness is a very strong word.  It means we have absolutely no expectation of a good outcome or of success, no remedy, no cure, incapable of redemption.  What a poor state to have that feeling of hopelessness! I think of that feeling, and how empty we have to get to have such a feeling that there is absolutely no hope, we are in absolute, utter despair. I am so thankful that Jesus has given us a true Hope! I never want to feel the feeling of utter hopelessness.  

One Biblical translation of Hope that I found is that it often translated into something strengthened by being bound together.  Think of a rope, that is bound so well that it can stretch and will not break.  It can endure the weight as it is stretched and pulled. Hope is like that rope.  Trusting in an unbreakable promise.  True Hope in the things in His word, and His promises are to be our confident assurance. 

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

The Word tells us to "Rejoice in Hope".

We can rejoice, knowing that our Hope is in Him and that He loves us and cares for us and hears our petitions. 

There seems to be so many burdens on my heart right now.  So many are going though trials.  Things can get clouded and seem uncertain. The storms of life come and we can feel shaken and tossed about. 

But Hope is something that we can cling to. Thinking of Hebrews 6:19 ~ "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast." It brings my mind to the translation of hope being like a rope.  I picture that anchor weighted on the rope that is stretching but will not break.  The rough waters and storms may come, but the anchor is held through it all. The anchor trusts that the rope is sure. 

That is the Hope that we have ~ it is so sure, so strong, so steadfast that we can rest in Him. Cling to that rope ~ it is sure!  "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;"
Do not give up Hope, dear one! Continue to pray and trust and rejoice! He will not leave you ~ He is your Hope, your Assurance, your all in all.  

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

He is Faithful

We have had a beautiful, hot summer.  I am loving every minute of it.  That being said, we are in desperate need of rain! Wells are drying up, ponds are low, crops are beginning to die.  It's been our fervent prayer ~ our Pastor put it on our prayer chain on Monday night.  This morning the skies have opened up! It seems to be a nice soaking rain ~ and every little bit helps at this point.  I've never been so happy to see rain, and am so thankful for His faithfulness! Even in the little things.

No matter what is on your heart, He cares about it.  In the midst of your day, don't forget to cast your cares on him.  He cares about the needs of His children and will give us the desires of our hearts, according to His will. He tells us in His word to pray without ceasing.  He does hear our prayers.

Years ago I remember clinging to James 5.  I remember reading it and praying it and memorizing it and believing it with all my heart and soul.  Again, God was so faithful in my situation that seemed bigger than a mountain to me. The doctor told me that I needed a miracle to prevent a surgical intervention.  Those were his words.  I remember how my heart sank at the thought that in the mind of the Dr., it was basically a given that I would be in the operating room. Oh how surprised he was at the next appointment when the situation had changed! God healed me and I would no longer need surgery.  Praise and all the glory went to Him! I told the doctor that I had prayed so fervently for that miracle. Maybe he still remembers that? Maybe it strengthened him and stirred his faith? I do not know, but I do remember the absolute joy and how thankful I was to a God who cares and who hears our prayers.

Our prayers may not always be answered in the time or the way we expect them.  But He hears them all, you can count on that.  Sometimes His answer is to wait.  But continue to pray. And remember to fellowship with Him always, not just when you are in a tough spot.  Thank Him daily for all that He has done in your and through you.  We, as His children, are truly a blessed people!

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit."

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Feathered Entertainment

The drought we are experiencing is taking a toll on our gardens and our lawns here.  But I've noticed it's also brought with it an excess of hummingbirds! We always have lots of these cuties at our feeders, but now I can hardly keep up with filling them all.  They are so entertaining to watch as they buzz around the gazebo.  They dart through and love to fight over the sweet sugar water we've set out for them.  I could sit for hours watching them and we've decided who needs tv when we have this to entertain us!  We've seen up to eleven at once, though they are not easy to count.  Just another reason why summer is my favorite.  Get outside and notice the little bits of joy around you!

Battling for the last drop ~

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Walk in Love ~

Do you have relationships that have been severed? It is a painful thing.  What can make it more painful is when you've tried to reconcile the relationships and are only rejected further.   When your attempts are not only rejected, but also ignored, it hurts and it causes deep pain.  But that pain isn't something that needs to continue to hurt you.
You can pray for the person, you can pray for the situation, but you can never make someone love you. Remember that your attempt is seen by a Holy God, and that their rejection is not a reflection of you, but it is a reflection of their heart.
Though we tend to mourn what we have lost in a relationship, focus on what you have in your other relationships.  Put your love and energy into building on those relationships. We can mourn to a point where we are not nurturing what we have in the here and now.
Often people who are bitter want to hurt other people.  It may be that they are not content in their own lives, and they do not like seeing someone else who has what they want.  It is a sad state of their heart and their mind.  The Word says that we are to not be envious.  It says it is "the rottenness of the bones".  That is a very strong statement.  It speaks of having a sound heart over envy.  Contentment does come from a heart that longs for Him and the things of Him.  Those things that moth and rust cannot destroy.   When people envy, they have not received the contentment that comes from the simple things in life and in a true relationship with a loving Father. 
People will envy, they will judge, they will hold past mistakes against you, they will hold grudges.  All we can do is try to make things right and then continue pray for their hearts.  After that we cannot force them to love us or even like us.  Do  not harden your own heart and become bitter because of their situation.  If you have done what you can, and what the Word instructs, you need to move on in prayer.  Bitterness will only rob you of your own joy, it will allow satan to control you and there can be no true Biblical love when we are harboring bitterness in our hearts.
I read this quote today . . . "It does not take a rifle-bullet to destroy a life. Men have died from little scratch-wounds." (by J.R. Miller)

Do not let the wounds of bitterness, the wounds of people who cast stones, the wounds from a relationship that you cannot restore due to someone with a bitter heart continue to destroy your or your life. 

In Christ we have the power to overcome the hurt of a broken relationship.  The Word tells us that He heals the broken-hearted and He binds up our wounds.  If you have done what you can, move forward in those truths.  Seek shelter in the shadow of His wings.  Remember that your most important relationship is the one you have with the Lord.  He loves you and is there for you and He seeks a relationship with you.  He is always with us. 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).

Seek Him for he his always gracious, and then walk in the Love that can only come from Him.  

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 13

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup"