Jesus Wept.

Jesus Wept.

In the story of Lazarus (John 11:28-44), the women are all gathered together, moaning and weeping and mourning the loss of Lazarus.  And when Jesus arrives on the scene, and sees Mary  and the Jews with her weeping, "He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled" (vs 33)  Then Jesus asked to see where Lazarus was laid, and they replied, "Lord, come and see." (vs 34) and  "Jesus wept."(vs 35)  

There is something special to me about this verse.  "Jesus wept!"   Can you picture that?  Can you imagine Jesus weeping?  His dear friend is dead.  His other dear friends are suffering because of the loss of their brother. And Jesus wept!  

Jesus knew that in just a short time, He would call Lazarus forth from the grave, and Lazarus would come back to life.  Jesus knew how the story would end, the good things coming soon.  But when His friends were mourning, Jesus wept with them.  Why? Why would He weep when He knew that Lazarus would come back to life?  Jesus wept for His friends, the ones living, the ones grieving, Jesus wept for Mary and Martha.  Because Jesus loved them and had compassion on them.  

I believe that just as Jesus wept for Mary and Martha, Jesus weeps for us too.  Jesus knows the future, the good things coming...but when we go through hard times and we find ourselves weeping, Jesus weeps with us! Why? Because Jesus loves us.  Because Jesus has compassion on us.  In our time of loss, in our struggles, in our brokenness, Jesus comes on the scene, and He weeps with us.  

In verse 38 it says, "Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb."  After weeping with Mary and Martha, Jesus went to the place of their sadness.  The source of their pain and He did something incredible!! 

In vs 39, He asked for the stone to be removed and Mary speaks up and says, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."  Many times we do the same thing...Jesus comes to the place of our pain, our suffering, and He ask us to "remove the stone" or open the door so He can have access to that area in our life, and we are quick to come up with a reason not to remove that stone..."But Lord, there will be a stench!"   "But Lord, it hurts too much!"   But Lord, it's too bad" "But Lord, _________!"fill in the blank with whatever excuse we can find.

Jesus' response to us is very similar to what He said to Mary..."Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"  In other words, If you just have faith, if you just believe, you will see the glory of God! 

   

Once the stone was removed, Jesus prays, and then cried in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!  and Lazarus came out of the tomb bound with grave clothes...and Jesus said "Loose him, and let him go!"  When we remove the stone, open the door and allow Christ access to those dark, hurting places of our lives, He calls out to us and brings us back to life.  The areas where we struggle with losses, hurts, sins, or failures, become new with just the sound of His voice.  Then as we struggle with the baggage left over, our "grave clothes" wrapped about us...Jesus says, "Loose him and let him go!"  and Jesus does what He does so well, He sets us free!! 

I don't know what your situation is, what area in your life you find yourself weeping, or hurting, or struggling...but Jesus knows, and Jesus is weeping with you, loving you, and asking you to remove the stone, open the door, and allow Him to bring new life to those dark corners of your heart and life.  Will you remove the stone today??  Will you give Him access?? 

Let's Pray!

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You love us! Even though we fail and fall, though we are broken and scarred, though we make mistakes and mess things up so quickly...You still love us!  You weep with us, You see our mess, our pain and our failure, and You are moved with compassion. We are so thankful!
Today we choose to open the door, to roll the stone away and give You full access to those areas of our lives that are so hurt, broken, sinful and just plain stinky!  No more excuses, no more holding back, today, Lord we give those areas to You, and ask You to bring about new life and set us free from the "grave clothes" that entangle us.  Thank You Jesus for your love and forgiveness.  We love you, Lord! 

In Jesus Name, AMEN

Build on the Rock!!

Build on the Rock!!

"24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, 29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." 

Matthew 7:24-29

As a young child I remember learning the wise man and foolish man story, through the children's song...

"A wise man builds his house upon the rock. 

A wise man builds his house upon the rock. 

A wise man builds his house upon the rock, and the rain come tumbling down. 

The rains come down and the floods go up. 

The rains come down and the floods go up. 

The rains come down and the floods go up, but the house on the rock stands firm.

A foolish man builds his house upon the sand.

A foolish man builds his house upon the sand.

A foolish man builds his house upon the sand and the rain come tumbling down. 

The rains come down and the floods go up. 

The rains come down and the floods go up. 

The rains come down and the floods go up, but the house on the sand goes splat."

The incredible thing, is that in all my years of singing this song, and hearing sermons preached on this scripture, and reading this scripture in my own study times, I don't ever remember hearing anyone say/point out, nor did I ever notice, that this scripture doesn't just talk about building the house on the rock. It gives specific instructions on what building your house on the rock means. Look again at the beginning of this portion of scripture, at verse 24.

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:"

So how do we become like the "wise man"?


By listening to Jesus' words and then doing what He said.


It is such a simple concept, and yet so hard to follow through and do everyday.


Just before Jesus spoke these words, He gave specific directions on how we should live our lives. Starting back in Chapter 5 He goes through the Beatitudes; then being salt and light. Next, He talks about how He is the fulfillment of the law; and then on to murder; Adultery; Marriage; Oaths; going beyond the call of duty - the second mile; and loving your enemies. The in Chapter 6, Jesus continues teaching on, doing good; how to pray; fasting; laying up treasure in Heaven; the lamp of the body; serving two masters; worry; And in Chapter 7, judging others; asking, seeking & knocking; the narrow path; knowing people by their fruits; doing the will of the Father; and then building on the rock.


The third verse of the song goes on to say, "So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ." If you ever wondered how to build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ; Or if you ever want to be likened to a wise man...these teachings from these chapters are the sayings of Christ, the very things He wants us to hear, and then do. There is so much in these three chapters... So i encourage you to read them, and pray asking God to help you to see what areas you need to work on. We all make mistakes and fall short, but with God's help, and through the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can study these scriptures and start working to living our lives to honor and serve God!


I don't think there is anything we could do that would please Him more, than living our lives to honor and serve Him.

Romans 12:1

[ Living Sacrifices to God ] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

1 Peter 2:5

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-11

2 Peter 1:5-11

Fruitful Growth in the Faith 

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Faith - Virtue - Knowledge - Self-control - Perseverance - Godliness - Brotherly Kindness - Love

What a list! I believe that today the church as a whole needs to take this scripture to heart.  If we start out with just enough faith to accept Christ's gift of salvation, and we end there and do not add to it all these other things I believe we are fooling ourselves.  Peter says to give all diligence (perseverance in carrying out action) as we add these things to our faith.  These things do not come easy...it will take much time, discipline, work.  We must actively work at it, it will not happen on it's own.

So how do we add these things to our faith?  Let's look at what each item means, and what we need to do to make it a daily part of our lives.

Faith - Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Faith is something God gives us, when we lack faith, God will help us to grow and develop stronger faith in Him. Prayer and Bible reading and daily spending time in God's presence is required if we want our faith to grow.

Virtue - The definition is "honor, integrity" - So how do we go about adding virtue, we must work to be honorable, to have integrity in all we do.  What we say and do should be honest, and good.  People should be able to trust that when we speak, or make promises, that we will follow through, that we are good on our word.  We will only be able to truly do this with God's help...the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us so that the things we say and do align with God's Word.

Knowledge - mean's "a person's understanding; information".  In 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) it says it like this... "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth"
So how do we add knowledge to our faith? By studying God's Word.

Self-control - the definition of self-control is "willpower over one's actions".  This is not an easy one.  Many of us today lack self-control, and the only way to add it to your faith, is by daily asking God for His help, working daily to control your actions and words. We will one day give an account of the things we've said and done.  God does not take this lightly.  We must work to control ourselves - and following the Holy Spirit's leading is the best way to get started on developing this skill.

Perseverance - Paul said it like this in 2 Timothy 4:7(NKJV) "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Now that is perseverance! Through the good times and bad times, continuing to push forward, never giving up, never turning around, always continuing on toward the goal! It is hard work and may be painful at times, but in the end when you stand before God and you are able to say as Paul said, "Lord, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." and God's reply is, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."  It will all be worth it!!

Godliness - by definition is "Holiness".  On our own we will never be holy, righteous or Godly.  The bible says in Isaiah 64:6 that "all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags".  So how do we become Godly? By once again allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. If we have not accepted Christ gift of  forgiveness of sins, God looks at us and sees someone He loves dearly, but also he sees our sin, and He cannot have anything to do with sin (thus the reason we need salvation).  But when we've accepted Christ's gift and have been cleansed from our sins, the Holy Spirit comes and fills our lives, and when God looks at us He see someone He loves dearly, but instead of all our sins, He see's Christ blood washing us and making us new, clean, white as snow.  And In God's eyes we are perfect, righteous and Godly! Not because of what we've done, but because of Christ in us!

Brotherly Kindness - Luke 6:31"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."  Brotherly Kindness, is so important! When we love other people, treat them the way we always want to be treated, and put their needs above our own needs, what a wonderful way to show the people around you the love of God. Jesus said in John 13:35 (NKJV) "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Brotherly Kindness should be the Christian trade mark!

Love -  Here is what love is...
1 Corinthians 13:1-8(NKJV)
The Greatest Gift

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

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

I did a study called "Loving Well" written by Beth Moore way back when I first started this blog.  And one of the things I remember most from that study is this...We cannot love others with God's Love, if we ourselves do not have God's Love filling our lives.  We cannot give out something that is lacking in ourselves...it is only when we are filled up with God's love, that we can truly give it away.  If we try to do it on our own, we will fail, our love is limited and conditional.  But God's love is unlimited and unconditional...we need to allow God to so fill us with his love that it overflows and spills out into the lives of those around us!


What an incredible scripture...I am so glad for this reminder, to add all of these things to my life.  God is gracious, loving and so good.  He will help us to do it, if we will just ask.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for Your love, and for Your Word, for Your Son who gave His life so we could be called Your sons and daughters, and for the Holy Spirit - who teaches, guides, protects, and teaches us in all things.  You have given us everything we need in order to add Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self-control, Perseverance, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love to our lives. And we ask today that you will help us to grow in each of these areas.  Thank you for working in our hearts and lives changing us from glory to glory! We love you so much!

In Jesus Name, AMEN

Doers of the Word!

James 1 - Doers of the Word!

As I was reading the first chapter of James this morning I had many thoughts come to me about what it is saying and what it means to us as believers, followers of Christ, as Christians.  

James has a lot to say in this chapter about being doers of the Word and not hearers only.  And I found myself wondering what would happen if we as Christians would rise up and do what the Word says, not just hear it and be unaffected by it.  What if, when we read about faith, we make the decision to step out in faith in a new way? or when we read  

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."  

What would happen if Christians around the globe took this scripture to heart and started thinking and meditating on the good things the Lord has done, and the promises He has given us, in stead of all the evil happening around the world?  

God's Word is so powerful and has so much to say about our lives and how we should live them.  God has given us His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), it will help us to make right choices and decisions. God's Word will give us strength to face the hard times.  God's Word will build up our faith, and encourage us when life gets rough.  God's Word is living and active and sharper than a double edged sword! (Hebrews 4:12) It cuts all the garbage and junk out and helps us to see the path clearly.  We need to start acting on God's Word...not just hearing it, and walking away unchanged.

I want to be a Doer of the Word!! 

Lord, thank you for giving us Your Word! Your Word is so important in our lives.  Many times we forget, we get busy, and we allow other things to crowd in. Today we ask for forgiveness and we ask that you help us to make Your Word a priority in our lives.  Make us doers of the Word!  Lord, We don't want to be just hears.  We don't want to go through life missing out on all you have for us, we want to open our hearts and lives up to You, and allow Your Word to lead and guide us. Thank You for Your love and mercy! Thank You for all the promises You've given us! You are indescribable, amazing, wonderful! You are good, and we thank you! 

In Jesus Name, AMEN.

Good Morning Holy Spirit Chapter 8

Good Morning Holy Spirit

Chapter 8: A Mighty Entrance

1. Do you have an answer in your heart to the personal question, What does the Lord have in store for me?

Yes, I know that God has great plans for me, plans to prosper me, plans for a hope and a future.  But I also know that God desires that in all things we grow to become more like Christ daily.  We were made to be a refection of Him...everything we go through, whether good or bad, all works out for good, it all brings about God's plan in our lives, and there is nothing better than God's plan for us.

2. How can you find the answer to the previous question?

The only way to know what the Lord has in store for you, is to know Him personally.  Spend time in His Presence, and in His Word, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and to lead and guide you...it won't be long before you see that every promise in God's Word is for you, and all God's promises are true, He hasn't failed yet and He never will...He is faithful at all times in all things.

3. What is the Father's great desire for us?

The Father's greatest desire is to have a personal relationship with us, to see the reflection of His Son in us.  You see without Jesus in us, we have no place in God's Presence, without Jesus' refection we are not good enough, nothing we do will ever be enough...that is why we needed a Savior, and still need a Savior today...It is only through Jesus that we can boldly stand in the presence of the Most High God.

4. Read the complete book of Acts. In your own words, write down God's plan for us.

I believe that God's plan for us is this...To be cleansed and forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus, to walk daily in His presence, to be lead by the Holy Spirit, to change from glory to glory, becoming more like Jesus everyday.  We are to live victoriously, boldly, and righteously. We are to have faith, not fear, to love and serve others with meekness and humility, and to make our relationship with God our first priority, then all of the other things will fall into place. God has taken care of everything, He is so good!

5. What is the purpose of the signs that follow in the Holy Spirit's presence?

I believe the purpose of the signs that follow the Holy Spirit's presence is to build believers faith, and to show the non-believer that God is real.  The signs are to bring God glory, not man. They always lead people directly to Christ.

6. Is the Holy Spirit for everyone? Is He here today for you? How do you know? Read Acts 5:32; 

10:44-46.

Yes, He is for everyone! Yes, He is here today for all of us! I know these things because of what I've read in the scriptures,  but I also know through experience, the Holy Spirit has touched my life, and I will never be the same.  

7. What is the foundation and authority for all of the work the Holy Spirit was sent to do?

The foundation and authority for everything the Holy Spirit does is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Unshakable Faith - Day 47: Noah And The Nephilim

Unshakable Faith

Day 47: Noah And The Nephilim

1. Have you learned to be comfortable in the presence of angels because there is a great deal of interchange between them and humankind, especially believers?

This is not something I think about on a daily basis, but scripture is clear that God has given His angels charge over us, this means they are assigned to protect and work on our behalf.  Also, scripture says that some people entertain angels with out knowing it.  The knowledge that they are there is in the back of my mind, but I have not really thought about it.  So I guess I am completely comfortable with it...it just seems normal to me.

2. The Scriptures are clear that some will not only do the works that Jesus did, but greater works. Do you think this is possible?

Yes, if Jesus said it, and He did! Then it is true.  We may have trouble comprehending it, or fully grasping it, but it doesn't change the truthfulness of it.

3. Christians who are born again by the Spirit of God are in fact a "super race." Are you a member of this "super race"?

Yes! When we accept Jesus as our personal savior His Spirit, the Holy Spirit comes and resides inside of us.  We are now enabled to do what was impossible before, not because of who we are but because of Christ working in and through us.  

Unshakable Faith - Day 45:Calling On The Lord

Unshakable Faith

Day 45:Calling On The Lord

1.The Lord knew the end from the beginning, and from the beginning He planned and prepared for our ultimate redemption and restoration from sin. Isn't this amazing?

One of the most humbling and awe inspiring things is sitting down and thinking about all God has made, all He has done to provide, and sustain humankind...His love for us is so great, He is so good.  Here is a song that tells it all so perfectly.

2. Have you been deceived by satan, but realize that the Lord is the author of all good things and repentance is the way back into His mercy?

Absolutely, we all at one time or another fall for a lie of satan, and no matter what the lie, or how great the sin seems to be, Jesus has paid the price, and all we need to do is repent of our sin, and run to God.

3. What are the true riches of the Kingdom?

True riches of the Kingdom are the truth and knowledge of God's ways.  God's ways are so much greater and higher than our ways, we will spend all eternity exploring the riches of His love and mercy!

Unshakable Faith - Day 42:Jealousy And Murder

Unshakable Faith

Day 42:Jealousy And Murder

1. Have you had bouts of jealousy?

Yes, there have been times when I've found myself feeling jealous of another person.  It always seems to stem from an area of insecurity I have, that someone else seems to excel in. Whenever I find myself feeling this type of emotion, I pray and ask God to forgive me, and I ask Him to help me see things from His perspective.  We all have areas we excel in and we all have areas that need some work...God loves us just as we are, it is not a competition...there is no need to allow jealousy to cause division because of our own insecurities...We just need to be who God created us to be!

2. Do you agree that it was "inevitable for man to become a murderer"?

Man was made in God's image, we were meant to be just like God.  When Adam chose to disobey God, and listen to and obey the devil, man no longer naturally is like God, but naturally is like the devil.  The devil is the father of lies, and is a murderer, so yeah, once sin entered the picture, it was just a matter of time. 

3. Will you be standing among those in the Church who are standing together in unity because they love one another?

Yes, I know how easy it is to allow small simple things to divide us, and I pray daily that God would help me to see sin for what it is and help me to not allow it in my life.  I want to grow daily to be more like Jesus, and I want His love to fill my heart and life, flowing out to touch the lives of those around me.  

Unshakable Faith - Day 41: Sin and Depression

Unshakable Faith

Day 41: Sin and Depression

1. Have you suffered from depression?

No, I've never had to deal with depression, though I've had family members and friends who have dealt with it at times.

2. To be delivered from depression is not by having someone accept you the way you are, but by someone loving you enough to correct you so you can do what is right.

Loving someone enough to take a stand and tell them the truth even if it is not what they want to hear is one of the greatest ways you can love someone...Just remember to always speak the truth in love, if it is not said in and with love, it will do more harm than good.

3. Do you know of someone, or the family of someone who committed suicide?

I have heard many stories but I don't know anyone personally who has committed suicide.  It breaks my heart every time I hear about someone who thought the only way to make things better was to end it all...If they only knew that they could turn to Jesus and that God would help them work through the troubles and issues, if they only had the hope that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus, it would have made a huge difference in their life and the lives of their loved ones.  If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts, please tell a loved one, a pastor or a counselor, get into the Word of God, talk to God, tell Him your doubts, your hurts, your troubles, ask God for guidance, healing and provision...start working on making good choices and decisions...There is hope, and it is found in Jesus!!

Unshakable Faith - Day 38: The Covering

Unshakable Faith

Day 38: The Covering

1. Had you before considered that when the Lord made a covering for Adam and Eve by shedding the blood of an innocent animal, that it was a prophecy of the atonement that Jesus would make by shedding His blood for our sins?

I have read that portion of scripture multiple times, but I never made the connection...what a beautiful way for the Lord to show us His plans and provisions generations before it was to come.  This is a great reminder to me, that God is in control, and He is working in every situation to bring us all to the place of close communion and fellowship with Himself, He loves us enough to go the distance and do the hard work on our behalf, because He wants to be with us for eternity...What a wonder God's Love is!!

2. Have you ever refused to go to the cross and tried to carry the guilt of sin yourself? If so, you are saying that the cross was not enough.

Accepting the gift of forgiveness and salvation through the cross of Jesus, at times can seem almost to easy.  The office supply store known as Staples, has the red "easy button" in all their commercials, in fact you can buy little toy "easy buttons" to put on your desk as paper weights.  But the idea is that when some task seems like too much, or you don't have the time, you just hit the "easy button" and the task is done for you.  Many times in life we think it would be nice to have a real "easy button", but we don't realize that Jesus has given us the best "easy button" ever...all we have to do is call on the name of Jesus...He is enough, He will cleanse us, restore us, heal us, provide for us, and protect us.  I encourage you to accept the gift He has given to you...and stop struggling and trying to do it on your own...We can never do enough, all our good will never out weigh all our bad...We need Jesus!

3. You can have confidence to enter into the very presence of the Lord, not because of anything you can do, but because of the blood of Jesus.

It is only through the blood of Jesus that we find restoration, and redemption...Allow Jesus to cleanse your heart of sin, you will never be the same, those burdens that weigh you down, the cares and worries, the sickness and pain, give it all to Jesus, and let Him make you whole today!

Unshakable Faith - Day 37: The Curse On Man

Unshakable Faith

Day 37: The Curse On Man

1. Why was the harmony, communication, and fellowship with the Creator profoundly damaged by sin?

God created everything to work together in harmony, but when Adam chose to disobey God even though he knew it was wrong, it brought about this curse that we all live under...If Adam had made the choice to obey God, even though his wife had been deceived, the harmony, communication and fellowship with the Creator would not have been as severely damaged, it might not have been damaged at all.  I think the same is true for us today; when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are made new.  But when we continue to make choices that are wrong, it affects the blessings of God being poured into our lives.  God has great plans for us and blessings He wants to give to us, but we have to be obedient to His Word in order to receive them.  It is so important for us to do our best to obey, serve, and honor the Lord in all we do.  

2. In everything you do, are you looking for the redemptive purposes of God and the restoration of all that was lost through the fall?

I can't say that I look for God's redemption in everything I do, but in most things, yeah!  I am learning to look for God's hand at work even when we can't understand why something is happening.  I've come to realize that maybe we see something as bad, or undesirable, but God in His infinite wisdom uses even those situations to work out His good and perfect will in our lives...Sometimes it is not clear to us what God is doing, but that is where faith comes in...we need to learn to trust Him, even if we don't fully understand. Trust me, it is not easy to do, but I am learning that it really is the best thing to do!

3. Have you overcome your natural resistance of authority with the true spiritual authority that is rooted and grounded in love?

Not completely! I have come to realize that when I get upset about something someone in authority is requesting of me, many times, I would have willing done that very thing on my own, it was just the idea of them telling me to do it, that caused me to not want to do it.  Which is absolutely silly! I have had the Holy Spirit nudge me, and all the sudden I realize what a child I am being, my attitude is all wrong and all because someone asked me to do something, I was already going to do!?!  So I have been working on making myself stop, pray, ask for God to help me adjust my attitude and then I make myself go on and do the task with a good attitude.  I tend to think of the song by Steve Curtis Chapman -  Do Everything - "Do everything you do to the glory of the one who made you, cause He made you!" 

Unshakable Faith - Day 36: The Curse On The Woman

Unshakable Faith

Day 36: The Curse On The Woman

1. What do you think about the "women's lib" movement?

I think there were some valid reasons for the women's liberation movement, but I believe it has been taken too far.  Women weren't made to be treated as lesser people, but they also have a God given position that is subjected and submitted to their husbands.  This doesn't mean all women are to submit to all men, just that a wife should follow her husbands leading as the head of the house.  Today many women try to take the leading role, they feel like they shouldn't have to submit to anyone.  This kind of attitude come directly from listening to the lies satan feeds us.  We need to realize that there is a reason for the way God set things up...men need to step us and start leading their families, in a loving and compassionate way, just as Christ loves the church...that means laying down their lives for their wife and children! And women, we need to honor and respect our husbands, encourage them and be the best helpmate we can be.  When our husbands lead in the way God designed, and we submit to their leadership, our marriages will be the best relationship possible between two people.

2. Do you believe that men and women have equal but different authority in a marriage?

I believe that God made men and women equally, but designated the man as the leader, to be a covering of protection, over the family.  When men fulfill there God given role and women fulfill their God given role, the two work hand in hand...it creates a wonderful -he takes care of her and she takes care of him - relationship, where everyone's needs are met and everyone puts the other before themselves.  It becomes a harmonious beautiful relationship!

3. Does your family truly reflect the relationship between Christ and His Church?

I can't say that we have it perfectly worked out...It is in our fleshly human nature to want to go against the way God designed it.  But my husband and I both recognize this, and work to stay in the roles God designed for us.  There are times when we make mistakes, get selfish, or step out of bounds  and God helps us through them.  But there are also times when JC leads and loves as he should, and I submit and love him as I should, and it is those times that are the best times of our lives.  Those are the times that we can work together in harmony, and truly be one!!

Unshakable Faith - Day 29: The Fall

Unshakable Faith 

Day 29: The Fall

1.  have you been guilty of sins of omission, which is not doing good when it is in your power to do it?


There have been times when God has laid something on my heart, and I have allowed doubt to keep me from being obedient and stepping out of my comfort zone to do or say something that God was asking me to do.  One such time, as a teenager, I was leading worship for our youth group, and I felt the Lord prompt me to have the worship team sing a specific song, and then to pray. I hesitated and went ahead with what we had already practiced before hand, and when I turned the service over to our youth pastor, he immediately requested the team to sing that song, and then started to pray.  Here is the deal, the very words I had in my head to pray, were the words he prayed, and I immediately knew that I had been disobedient to the Holy Spirit's leading.  The amazing thing is that God doesn't just give us random things to say or do, He has a reason for everything.  Someone in the youth group that day needed to sing that song, and hear those specific words.  My disobedience didn't keep them from getting what they needed...God provided some other way, but I missed out on the blessing that always follows obedience.  


2. Are you fleeing from sin by pursuing righteousness, fleeing from hatred by pursuing love, fleeing from fears by pursuing faith, fleeing from impatience by seeking to be more patient?


Yes! It is not enough to just say "I'm going to stop doing this sin!", we need to actively seek to fill the void, time, or space in our lives where the sin was with Christlike traits.  If we stop doing something bad, but forget to fill that area of our lives with Godliness, that void will end up full of sin much worse than the original sin.


3. Do you have a vision of growing in the grace. fruit and power of the Spirit?


Yes! I know that in and of myself, there is nothing worth bragging about.  There is nothing in me alone that will make a huge difference in anything going on in this world.  But when I look at Christ and see His love, grace, mercy, and power working through me, I see that all things are possible! Christ gives me the strength, the joy, the peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit to cause great things to happen not only in my life but in the life of those around me.  Without growth in the grace, fruit and power of the Spirit, my life would loose all hope, and purpose.  

Unshakable Faith - Day 19: God and Man

Unshakable Faith

Day 19: God and Man

1. If your spiritual hunger for the supernatural is not filled with a relationship with God, the void will be filled with spiritism and the demonic supernatural.  Have you witnessed this experience in yourself or others?


Through out my life I have seen many people who, lacking a relationship with God, tried to fill the void, and when one thing didn't work they would move on to another, and another. Generally speaking, the things they try progressively get worse and worse, until they are doing things they never thought they'd ever do.  It is so sad to see a life destroyed, when the answer they are looking for is right in front of them.  You see God made us all to have a God shaped hole in us, so that we would long for and desire to be with Him.  But He also, made it easy for us to be with Him...We don't have to get cleaned up first, He loves us just as we are. His love will help us and direct us if there are things we need to change.  But we will only be able to know what needs to change, and have the ability to change them when we are walking with God.  God is right there waiting for us to turn to Him, He is not some far off God we have to go dig out of some hidden cave. He is right here! All we need to do is call out to Him, and He will answer!


2. Have you learned that it is better to loose everything than to lose your relationship with Him?


Yes, There is nothing in this world that compares with Him.  It is through Him, and for Him that I live.  If God were not, none of us would be either! 


3. Christ fully functioning through you is confirmed when all of the gifts are functioning through you.

1 Corinthians 12
The Gifts of the Spirit
1 "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 

2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 

5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 

6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 

9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 

10 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.

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 

13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 

14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 

16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 

18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 

19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 

20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 

23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 

24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 

25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 

28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 

30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 

31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way."

Unshakable Faith: Day 17 - The Commission

Unshakable Faith

Day 17 - The Commission

1. Do you think people are filling the earth, subduing it and ruling over it, just as God originally planned?


Yes and No! Yes, the human race is filling the earth, subduing it and ruling over it.  But No, we are not doing it just as God originally planned.  When man fell, and sin came in to bring death and destruction, it changed everything.  We have much to learn about how to fill the earth, subdue it and rule over it in the right manner...as we draw closer to God and become more like Him, He will teach us and help us to fill, subdue and rule as He desires.


2. How does reading Isaiah 11:6-9 make you feel about the present and the future?


Isaiah 11:6-9
6 "The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea."

It almost seems impossible! It is hard to imagine a world where there is complete and total peace...even the animals are at peace with each other, and with mankind too!  Amazing!!! The cool thing about this scripture is that it clearly shows us just how far we have fallen and the effect our fall has had on all creation.  So when Jesus paid the price for our restoration, He also made a way for all creation to be restored to this beautiful, peaceful and completely enjoyable state.  

3. Is His Bride close to proving Herself worthy of great authority before the angels and principalities and powers in the heavenly places?


I believe with all of my heart that the Bride of Christ is still a work in progress.  The Bible talks about the Bride being beautiful without a spot or wrinkle.  The church as a whole today has many spots and wrinkles.  Divisions between the churches and denominations. People who claim to be Christians, but live defeated and sinful lives, and more...  I'm not saying we should be perfect, that is not even possible, that is the reason we need a Savior! But I do believe that as the body of Christ we should be striving to grow more like Him daily, and as we do, it will have a great effect on our daily lives and on the church as a whole. 

Unshakable Faith: Day 14 - The Crown

Unshakable Faith

Day 14 - The Crown

1.  Have you overcome the Fall by your faith in the cross of Jesus Christ? If so, you are an heir to the Throne.

This question is so important!  If you are not able to answer with a definite "yes!" I encourage you today to come to Jesus.  The only way to overcome the fall (sin) is to accept the gift of salvation and forgiveness of sins, through the gift of God's only Son, Jesus! Jesus came and lived a perfect life, then died on the cross. Jesus took all the sins of the world, all the illnesses and pain, and he bore them on the cross so that we wouldn't have to.  All you need to do is simply talk to God...tell him you believe in His Word.  That you believe Jesus is His only Son, Jesus died on the cross for you, and rose again on the 3rd day.  Then ask God to forgive you, make you new and whole, and to come walk with you and lead you every day.  It may seem like that wouldn't be enough, but Jesus did all the work on the cross,  now you just have to accept His gift!

"The End of The Beginning" - tells the story quite well, I hope you enjoy!

Watch Christian Videos and Read the Online Bible at GodVine.com

2. Have you fallen into the trap of trying to change yourself? Did it result in looking at yourself instead of Him?

God is faithful to teach us and lead and guide us in everything, if we will just listen! I've found that it is very easy to hear from the Lord about something in your life that needs to change, and then to get so distracted by trying to change it, that you forget that it is not you, but God who can make you new!  I am so thankful for the faithfulness of God, when we forget to let Him be in control and try doing it on our own, He doesn't get angry, He doesn't say "Well, I tried and they obviously don't want My help, so I'm through!"  No, He continues to speak to us, to nudge us and to gently remind us of where we should be, and that He is the only One who can help us get there.  His patience with us, is incredible! 

3. When you sin, do you run from the lord or to Him?

I think we all naturally because of our humanity, tend to run from God when we are in sin.  But the only way to make things right and get back on the right path is to run to God.  He is willing to forgive and to restore what was lost to us, but we have to take the first step, and turn to Him.

Unshakable Faith - Day 10: The Lights

Unshakable Faith

Day 10: The Lights

1. Just as the sun is the source of your physical life, so Jesus is the source of all life.  Is He your source of life?

Yes, Jesus is everything, without Him I would be so lost and messed up.  Jesus has saved me from not just the sins I have committed, but He has walked with me helping me to make better choices and decisions, saving me from making huge mistakes.  Jesus is the reason I am who I am, and He is continually working on me to make me more like Him. 

2. The Church has been a great influence on events in past ages and this age.  Is there more the Church could be doing?

Yes! God created us in His own image, for one purpose, to be like Him, to be a reflection of Jesus.  

When others around us look at us, they should see Jesus...and when God looks at us He should see the reflection of His Son.  

If the only thing I am reflecting is Kayla, then I am not fulfilling my God given purpose, I hope that when others see me, they see something more.  I hope they see Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Hope, Life, Faith, - JESUS! I want others to see Jesus in me. And that is what God wants from the Church as a whole as well.  

When God looks at the Bride of Christ, we should all be a reflection of Jesus, without a spot or wrinkle (the only way we can be without a spot or wrinkle is through the blood of Jesus, When we fully reflect Jesus, then God will see Jesus' righteousness in us, instead of all our own mistakes and failures).  We as the Church need to strive and work to reflect Jesus in all we do, everyday!

3. Are you always seeking to walk in the greater light of Christ?

Yes, walking in the Light of Christ is the only true way to live.

Unshakable Faith - Day 9: The Seed

Unshakable Faith

Day 9: The Seed

1. One of the basic strategies of the enemy is to destroy life and blur the distinctions that God created.  Are there examples of this in your life? Your community?

Satan, our very real enemy, works to blur lines in the church, in relationships, in just about everything.  Young adults feel it is okay to be rude to their parents because the lines have become blurred.  Married couples end up in divorce, because the lines have been blurred.  Everywhere we look we can see problems that all stem from this one scheme of the enemy.  But we need to remember that though Satan is busy trying to defeat us, the battle has already been won, and we have the victory through Jesus Christ.  He has conquered death and the grave, He holds the keys to the gates of Hell, and one day soon, Satan will be bound and the gates of hell will be locked with no chance of him ever getting out.  I think of the words of an old Carmen song, "God is exalted, Satan is defeated!"  - AMEN!!

2. Are your words filled with faith, hope, and love? Are you planting trees that will one day bear the fruit of faith, hope and love in the earth?

My hearts desire is to always speak words of hope, faith, and love, but I cannot say that it is always true.  I have found myself at times guilty of speaking and thinking negative things, in what seems like a negative situation.  And God is faithful to remind me of the power in our words, so I am striving and working on letting the love of God flow through me so that it will direct my thoughts, words and actions to respond to negative situations based on His love, instead of my own limited understanding and limited love.

3. Are you determined to always speak words that will edify and build up one another?

Yes, I am not always great at doing this, but I am determined with God's help to continue to work on it and to do better about watching what I say and how I say it...there was wisdom in the words of Thumper (a little rabbit from the movie Bambi) "If you can't say something nice, then don't say nothin' at all."  What a difference it could make in so many lives, if words of encouragement were spoken instead of words pronouncing defeat.

Unshakable Faith - Day 7: Heaven

Unshakable Faith

Day 7: Heaven

1. When did you first behold the glory of the heavenlies where Christ is seated, and realize that you have been placed with Him by the power of His cross?


I have not ever thought of it in this way before, but as I think about it, I know that I first beheld the glory of the heavenlies as a small child.  I grew up seeing God do miracles and working in peoples lives...then as a teen I was filled with the Holy Spirit and came to know God in a completely new way.  I have known most of my life, that because of the power of Jesus' cross, I have a heavenly home, and that this earth is not my real home.  I can't say that I have seen the heavenlies with my physical eyes, but I have seen them with the eyes of faith.  And I can tell you that Heaven is real, and I have a mansion waiting for me there!


2. Have you heard - or said - "Don't become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good"?


I think I have heard that saying at some point in my life...but I never really gave it much thought.  I have to question the logic behind it...how could being heavenly minded ever hurt anything here on earth...there is nothing bad, or evil in heaven...Heaven is a wonderful place full of God's presence...if anything people should want more people to be heavenly minded as it would cause some major changes to happen here on earth...and I'm talking changed for good!


3. The true good that you can do on earth is dependent on the degree to which you have attained the heavenly treasures.  How full is your treasure chest?


The Bible says to store up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust and thieves can't kill steal and destroy...How do we do store up treasures in heaven? Well, certainly not by spending our time and money on things that are only temporary...things that will perish and will not last for eternity.  So then the opposite is how to gather and store up treasures in heaven...by sharing God's love with everyone, by spreading the good news of the gospel, by being a light in the darkness around us, by investing our time and money into things that will last for all eternity, by being heaven minded, not earthly minded.   I think my heavenly treasure chest has quite a bit in it, but I am also sure that I could continue to store up treasures in heaven for the rest of my life, and there would always be room for more...I guess I imagine that the treasure chest grows with the amount of treasure put into it. 

Unshakable Faith - Day 6: The Day

Unshakable Faith

Day 6: The Day

1. Great saints have gone through periods of darkness before they were brought forth into the purposes of God. Can you say the same?

Yes! In various forms, situations and circumstances...God has allowed trial or times of darkness to surround me.  But He has always been faithful to bring me out stronger and better than before.  Sometimes the trial brought about a change in the way I look at things, which then prepared me for the next task God had for me.  And other times, it brought out a compassion in me, so that I could understand a little more what someone else might be going through.  Always it was with a purpose, and always God was in control and working things out for good!

2. If you would go to the cross daily with all that you are and have, in what ways would your life change?

If we could learn to go lay down everything at the foot of the cross, everyday, even multiple times a day...it would change just about everything.  We would be free to love without worrying about being let down or hurt.  We would give without needing someone to give back to us.  We would be free! 

Rick Joyner said it like this, and it is just so good, I have to copy it here for you: 

"We are also assured that there is a way of escape with every trial. The way of escape is always the same, and that is the cross.  If we would go to the cross and die to ourselves, our own ambitions, and the cares of this world, which are usually the roots of our trials, we would immediately find a peace that goes beyond human understanding,  We are called to be dead to this world (see Gal. 6:14). What can the world do to a dead man? It is impossible for a dead man to feel rejected, abused, taken advantage of, or be concerned with loss.  If we would go to the cross daily with all that we are and have, we would be the freest people the world has ever seen."

3. Do you see every test as a great opportunity?

No! I know that every test has the potential to be a great opportunity, and I wish I could say that when the testing comes I always see it as that...but the truth is I don't always see it as an opportunity. Here is the great thing is...even though I may not see it for what it is, God is always faithful to work it out for good...as long a I continue to obey, trust and have faith in Him.