God knows my heart...

Today, on FB a sweet friend of mine posted this little status update. It's a goodie. I won't add or take from it because she said it just the way it needed to be said. Of course she did, she's a preacher! :) You can check out Mark & Victoria's website Global Impact Ministries here

In the meantime - enjoy the little reminder below, and then do an inventory check! <3 kisha="kisha" p="p">

"God knows my heart. God knows my heart." True. But....."He will judge everyone according to what they HAVE DONE." (Rom 2:6) and "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he HAS DONE." (Rev 22:12) and "For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people ACCORDING TO THEIR DEEDS." (Matt 16:27) and "I know your DEEDS." (Rev 3:15) and "I know your WORKS." (Rev 2:2) It matters what we DO, people. It matters! YOU determine YOUR reward. ~ Victoria Bowling, 08/01/2012

Pressing on, and pressing in...

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

Right now is a serious time of pressing in. God has me in a place where I must heavily rely on all that He has called me to, and all that He has instructed me to. It's tough at times, but then I consider my flesh so weak, and spoiled. I want instant gratification without the work and sacrifice. Is that really what a 'warrior' should look like? No. It is not. So I press on toward the goal, and I will win the prize, and I will move Heavenward, here on earth, in Christ Jesus. I will see this through to fruition.

I wonder what 6 months or a year from now will look like? I am excited for it, and I know it will be good! But in the meantime, I press on. I call those things that be not, as though they were (Hebrews 11:8). I shut down outside voices telling me this is crazy, they couldn't do it, and that I should have a plan before I just go. I shut them down, and shut them up. Including the ones in my own head. I answer with the word of God. (Romans 4)

Ruth 1:9

While perusing my margin notes on my bible app- I found a verse in Ruth 1:9 where Ruth is blessing her daughter in laws instructing them to find rest in the homes of their new future husbands - and the note I wrote there asking God for the same thing (don't even remember when I did that!) how faithful is God? All thru scripture we are reminded how he hears and answers our prayers! My hope is in Him alone!

had to keep this somewhere

A friend of mine shared this with me on Facebook, and I needed to put it somewhere, because it was sooo good, and spoke directly to me. It's the word, and I know it's for me, so I'm taking it. So Good.
God is so faithful. This is exactly what I needed to hear, and it came at just the right moment, and actually also brought tears to my eyes, seeing my friends praying for me, and God answering my heart through their love and diligence for me.  LOVE You Sharon!

"Kisha, thinking of and praying for you this morning!

Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 1:5, 2:3"

Light and momentary

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.


After church today, I spent a few minutes chatting with a friend of mine. I really like this guy. He's young, a lot younger than me, but has a maturity about him that makes him seem a whole lot older than he is. He's a diligent, hard working individual whom loves God, and seeks to prove it in every area of his life. I'm impressed with a guy who can be mid-20's and have been a fire fighter for 10 years, and an EMT for 7. His whole life is dedicated to serving others.

Anyway - our conversation today revolved around various things going on in our lives - each of us looking to move away to another area of the country, the trials of work, and also, how GOD has answered very specific prayers regarding our church and even MORE specifically, our team. God has been so faithful, bringing the help that we need to the table. And to know that we are really solid and can perform even under the pressures of a Celebrity athlete (Jim Kelly) without a single hitch was so impressive - and speaks volumes to how God has just SHOWN up in an amazing way. 


I'm sitting here now, in the quiet of my house, reflecting on our conversation, and it occurs to me... Everything that we are going thru, each trial and trouble that has to be addressed, whether financial, spiritual or emotional, is light and momentary.

There will come a time when I will look back at this period of my life and think "really, was it all THAT big of a deal?" Light and momentary. Our lives constantly move forward, and I just feel that once in Heaven, I will look back at my brief moments on life, whether it's 70, 80, or 100 yrs (Like our Pastor's Grandmother) and I will think- whew that was light and momentary. When reflected by the light of eternity - I surely hope that all that I've worked and toiled towards here on earth reflects an eternal Glory that outweighs them all. 

The circle maker

So my first I-book download, I chose a book we are reading corporately at church.

I have to Admit I'm having trouble putting the book down! It's pretty incredible reading and I'm loving every minute of it.

Most of it reiterates what I've been taught for years about our personal responsibility to our prayer life and how we have a responsibility to camp on our prayers and make the power to see the through happen.

It's such a good book! I highly recommend you download it today:$

What do I know of Holy?

A couple of phone calls ago, my mom and I were having a discussion, and she posed this statement.

Many are believers, but only a few are disciples.

Wow. Isn't that the truth? So many people walk thru life behaving as though they have no redemption, no Risen Savior, nothing paid for them at the cross, except some mediocre sense of 'My sin'... but they don't live it with passion or understanding. They know they will get into heaven, some by the very seat of their pants... but no real vision for their life as God sees it. Oh they pray for the poor, send money here and if we're lucky, we might get them to a third world country, or heck even down to the "City" to help once in a while...

But where is their life mission? Where is their purpose? What is their calling? Do they know? Do they care to know? Or are they going through the motions, never compelled to leave their comfort zones and move further into the life of a disciple?

I am in love with this song right now. It compels me to go deeper into my life with God. Compels me to  find out His purpose and plan for my life. My thoughts are not my own. My path to take is His for the Choosing. I Must follow it with all of my energy. My very life is in HIS hands. I don't ever want to take that for granted. This song, basically says, what do we know about ANYTHING bigger than ourselves? The answer... lies in our own hearts.



Love
Kisha

hardly a crutch

The Christian life is a disciplined life. This is neither easy or simple to constantly go against the grain of society, to constantly be rubbed in the wrong direction, to constantly have to put down yourself, and still be full of Joy. To follow Christ is NO Crutch - it is a cross to bare. However, the payoff is an eternity of freedom. My flesh WILL do what my spirit tells it to do. It will NEVER be the other way around.

Faith - not a shot in the dark :)

Hebrews 11:6
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.


Faith. What exactly is Faith?
Hebrews 11:1
[ Faith in Action ] Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Meaning, what we believe will happen, we fully expect to see happen, even though we cannot see it now, and have no assurance of it happening, other than that we "know" it will come to pass, and so we act and believe as though it has, in fact, happened. 


Yeap.

I am fervently believing God that what I am praying for, will come to pass. But that's between Him, and me. 

Everybody needs a few "faith" friends around :)

So, Tye and I picked up a Bible Reading plan from church so that we can read thru the New Testament together this year. We started a bit late, since neither of us were in church last week, but still - we're committed so we believe we'll get the hang of it. Over the next couple days, we'll just do double reading, and catch up by the weekend!

Anyway - today's reading was Mark 1& 2. And while Reading in Mark 2, it hit me. Everyone needs a few faith friends. So as Tye read the passage, I had this movie going on in my head... 


There's a bunch of people gathered around on any given day, all listening intently to what was being said. Outside there's this paralyzed man, and his 4 buddies. There's no way into the house, the crowd is not moving, and no one is letting these guys get ahead of them in line to see Jesus. 


And you're lying on a mat. Completely paralyzed. You can't move, you can't feed yourself, you can't dress yourself, you can't even change your "soiled" (for lack of a better term) clothing, and you know your answer is inside... but you can't get there. Not on your own.So how many of our "Christian" friends would be like... yeah Dude, we're sorry but we can't get in there. Too many people, too much going on, too hard to get around them. Sorry we couldn't help you. 


You know the Bible never indicates that this man said anything. Or pleaded with his friends to find a way. As far as we know, He may not have shouted, or begged, or cried, or anything. We kind of get a clue at the end of V5 that he may have even felt guilt ridden and dejected, and may have told his friends "It's ok, take me home".

Now granted, I'm just imagining here... but just imagine with me for a minute. 

• 4 guys, A mat, and a paralyzed man. 
• A large Crowd
• The Son of God inside
• A hut/house/tent (whatever) 

Someone looks around and said, "well if we can't get him in the door, or a window, we'll just lower him thru the roof." uh... really?

Mat guy is probably thinking how the heck are you going to get me ON the roof, and then down thru the roof? I imagine one of two things. Either he trusted his friends implicitly OR he freaked out. I'd freak out. My answer might be on the other side of the roof, but it takes my friends to get me there... and I don't know if I'd have faith enough to trust it. AND, they just happened to have the tools with them to cut thru a roof? Ok maybe it's a mud hut roof, but I can't believe it was a quick and easy task... can you? 

Now, take a moment and imagine with me for a minute you're the crowd INSIDE the house. You're sitting there at the master's knee, OR you're across the room barely able to see his face, and suddenly there's a scratching sound. Then a sawing sound, and then all the roof materials basically fall on your head. Well maybe not ALL the roof materials, but I imagine dust, debris and some roof materials are landing on them. I imagine a lot of bewilderment and wondering what on earth! 


And the home owner? Yeah... right! I'd be outside screaming at them to knock it off, threatening to call the police, anyone if they don't quit cutting a hole in my roof! And then... as if NOTHING ELSE was weird already, Mat guy appears being lowered down into the middle of the room. 

These "Faith Friends" - are strong, dedicated, determined, disciplined and they are going to get their answer. Period. They came for something, and they are NOT leaving until they have it. (Hmm... wonder how many times I've meekly approached the throne for something, saw a crowd gathered around, and walked away... figuring it wasn't the right time? )

Now stop for a moment and think like a 20yr old young man. Because Tye made me laugh at this moment when he said "Mom, they were probably tired of changing his dirty diapers and were like nuh-uh dude... this stops today. You gotta get better cause man... this ain't cool!

LOL so whether Tye is right or not, you imagine he's onto something because in Verse 5 it says "when Jesus saw their faith".... and I'm guessing it was Mat Guys friends faith he was looking at. They did just climb a roof, cut a hole big enough to lower a man through it, and then, lower the guy down.

Jesus then says "your sins are forgiven you" - to the paralyzed man. So we assume it wasn't his Faith that was making him whole - he was downtrodden in guilt and condemnation!

Oh but isn't God good that when our friends intercede on our behalf we can STILL have victory? Mat guy walked out of that house... and I imagine that the crowd parted like the Red Sea when he stood up, brushed himself off, picked up his mat, and walked out of there. 

So who are your faith friends? Who holds you up when you're downtrodden? Who intercedes on your behalf and sees you through to your Victory? 

I thought of you today...

Psalm 139:23
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
I surrender my heart to you God. Make your plans known to me, for I am anxious. I know not where to turn, and what to do. You guide me, and lead me, and show me your plan. I wait patiently for you to reveal to me what I need to know. 
So grateful that you hear my prayers and you answer me. I'm confident in this, I say I believe. I boldly come, knowing it will be done. Please don't delay and make me wait even one more day for my heart is heavy and that which I hope for has made me sick. Fulfill my longing Lord, that I might be a tree of Life... 

Dangerous Decisions

So recently I picked up this little booklet which is an excerpt from "Defining Moments: When Choices Matter Most". The booklet, written by Dan Schaeffer, who is previously unknown to me, makes some excellent points about how we go through life, seemingly unaware of all of the small, and large, choices that will have significant impact on the rest of our lives.

While reading the booklet, he quoted something quite profound, and I immediately knew I wanted to share it here. It's a quote by Senator Dan Coates, in a reader's digest from 1996.

"Character cannot be summoned at the moment of crisis if it has been squandered by years of compromise and rationalization. The only testing ground for the heroic, is the mundane. The only preparation for that one profound decision which can change a life, or even a nation, is those hundreds of half-conscious, self defining, seemingly insignificant decisions made in private. HABIT is the daily battleground of Character" 

Hmm... Habit is the daily battleground of Character. Isn't that something to chew on.

What are your daily habits, and how are they affecting your character? For me these questions include how do I spend my time, what do I choose to allow into the windows of my soul (eyes, ears)? Who do I spend my time with? What do we discuss when we are together? How does this make me a better person? Am I spending too much time in a particular area of my life? How do I overcome this insane desire to do everything my way?

Of course, one could go crazy asking all of these questions, so I really don't recommend sitting there wasting away your day with it. But a good, honest, assessment of daily life would be beneficial to my character. Basically what I would equate as a 'character checkup'.

Can I encourage you today friends, to perform a "character checkup"? Ask yourself if you've earnestly been seeking the things of God? Or have you been squandering your years with compromise and rationalization? And what do you plan to do about it, Today?

Inspired

Following God is never easy on the flesh, or our mental strength, but it sure does build up the soul!
So today, is another excersize in flexing those faith muscles. Having no clear direction or path can be a challenge. Keeping my heart open and my spirit refreshed feels good. After some time in prayer while hanging out at the washing machine, I prayed that God would give me the very message I needed to hear, during this interesting time in my life.

With so many things changing, both positive, and seemingly not positive, I often wonder exactly where I stand, and if it's exactly where God would have me be. While I have peace, and very little cloudiness on the matter, I know that God is good, and as long as He's my anchor, I cannot really get too far off the path he's laid out for me.

So earlier, I logged into my Facebook account, and since I'm subscribed to Biblegateway.com - I get their daily "verse" that they share with everyone. Normally, I either don't see it, or don't pay attention to it, but today was one of those rare days where it not only showed up on my wall, but it was so clearly for me, that I just laughed. I shared with Jeff that it felt so personal, like God was specifically telling me, this is my vision for you! Amazing that something written 2400 years ago could touch me so personally, isn't it?

Are you trying to figure out yet the verse? Well ok, I'll share it with you!

The Lord says, "Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening. Don't you see it? I will make a road in the desert and rivers in the dry land." - Isaiah 43:18-19 

Yeah, that's Good "GOD" word for me. Exactly what I needed to hear, from my heavenly daddy. So reassuring, so timely, so appropriate.

So Grateful. 

I should be getting ready for work but...

my 16 yr old son was baptised yesterday. We did a lot yesterday but THIS was the most important. My pastor is on the left, his assistant is on the right, and Ty is in the middle. I am so proud of him. He did this all on his own. He signed up, he made sure he was prepared, and he did it. His girlfriend is in the background with the sweater on. I had to share. Later I'll update with the rest of the weekend and what we did.