"Know the Right Savior"

Hello all! It's been snowing here like crazy the past couple of days which makes for very sloppy driving. Although it sure does look beautiful! It definitely brings about the feeling of the Christmas season for sure!

As always, this time of year can tend to get bogged down with many (great) things, so keeping our focus 'upwards' can prove to be a bit more of a challenge among all the busyness. I do pray that there are even the slightest reminders (daily) for us all, that at the end of the day, it's all about Him. May we always remember that Christ is seated on the throne, at the right hand of the Father in the heavenlies - which puts us right there with Him!

This, of course, is only accomplished providing we choose daily to walk with Him and give Him full Lordship over our life. This not meaning we live a perfect, problem-free, or stress-free life...but that we choose Him over anything and everything else - because He FIRST chose us!

How we live our lives has an impact on everyone who surrounds us in our everyday environment. What are we saying to those by our reactions to difficult situations? When we've been wrongly accused of something? When we've been confronted about something or simply being cut off by someone in traffic? Are we expressing Christ?...or self?

If we're honest, our answer in most cases I'm afraid, would be the latter. Why? Perhaps it's because we know a fair bit about God, but there fails to be a personal relationship with Him - a friendship with the One who saved us. We have some wonderful friends that we would do anything for, and vica-versa. But the only way we know we'd do anything for them, is by investing our time and our energy into authentically getting to know them. Developing such an intimate friendship with them takes time and vulnerability - on both parts - for us to really know the lengths we would go for them,

The same is true in our relationship with God. Since He already knows us, (even better than we know ourselves!), and He has already laid down His life for our salvation (that's just incomprehensible, and no other person can ever top that!)...then it's up to us to be investing our time and energy into authentically getting to know Him. With all He has done for us - this places the title of "Best Friend Ever" (among countless other amazing titles!) over His head! Knowing about Him and knowing Him are two completely different and separate things, and in my opinion...I want to know and love the One who laid down His life to save mine - don't you?!

In closing, I've added a devotional I received yesterday through James McDonald's  "Walk In The Word" ministry. The wonderful thing about getting this yesterday specifically, was that it was confirmation regarding a conversation I had the night before last - which (in part) was exactly what this devotional states! I LOVE it when I receive confirmations from the Lord!

Take a read!

 "Know the Right Savior" - Trent Griffith - Senior Pastor - Harvest Granger, Indiana

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” - Matthew 7:21-23

Sometimes, the people with the most exposure to the Gospel are the least likely to think they need the Good News. Oh, they may say that Christ is their Savior because it’s the right thing to say, but a personal relationship may be lacking. Because they have such knowledge of how they should live according to biblical principles, many times they think they are saved when in fact, they are not. It is very possible to live so “above” others morally that we don’t see how desperately we need a Savior. Why? Because people become their own savior without even realizing it.

You can speak the right language and not know your Savior. You can know the right biblical answers and not know your Savior. You can look and act the part of a Christian, bringing others to know their Savior, and still not have the right Savior.

It is just our natural bent to want to be our own savior. That’s why these verses in Matthew can be so convicting. Every time we read them, it should stop us in our tracks and make us evaluate just who or what is our savior. We must be mindful that how we live is a testimony or witness to who we serve.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1, “To walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” The key words are worthy and called. How we act is hugely important for the reputation of the Lord who called us. We wear His name on us at all times. If you are a parent, think of how you feel when your kids do something that is just awful. What’s goes through your mind? Right or wrong, you probably think of how their behavior makes you look. It’s no different with how our behavior can sling mud on the reputation of our Heavenly Father. This is one reason why behavior matters.

Now go back to the verses above. Read them slowly and ask yourself if how you live is for your own reputation or for that of God. If you call yourself a Christian, why you act the way you do, whether it’s good or bad, reflects on the true nature of that relationship. You just might need to know the right Savior.

Such great exhortation in that piece...and a very legit charge for us too. I hope and pray that YOU know 'the right savior'...if not, it's never too late to start!

Until next time, blessings upon you!
'K'

 

"When we grow, there are growing pains"

Well, I had the rug pulled right out from under me yesterday...and without the count of '1,2,3'!  Yep, flat on my little tooshie, and wind knocked out of me ta'boot.  I hate when that happens.  However, that's not the most upsetting thing about it.  My reaction left much to be desired.  Thankfully, (no doubt by the grace of God!) I was at home with no one around when this occurred.

As I went into a momentary state of envy, I began my pity-party.  You see, my reaction wasn't necessarily in response to this particular instance, but more so towards the sum-total of the constant circumstances that appear to be surrounding 'this area' of life for me. 

Once the pity-party was over (thank God it was short-lived), I had then hit the wall of realization - I'd been selfish.  Yuck!  "This isn't me", I thought.  Then I was reminded, that this is our human condition - our sinful nature - our natural bend.  It has been since 'the fall', and it will continue to be a struggle for those of us who choose to follow Christ, until the day He returns and calls us home. 

In a sad sort of way, this brought about some comfort.  Comfort in the way of knowing I'm not the only one who battles against this kind of thing, yet it doesn't take away the 'pain' of going through things like this.  As I was faced head on with my ugly selfishness, I began to pray for the Lord's strength to get through it and deal with it the best possible way - all the while doing so with a genuine and happy heart. 

Over the remainder of the day/night, God has proved faithful - once again!  It doesn't mean that 'all is right with the world' or that I even understand it all.  One thing I DO know, is WHO my God is, and who I am IN Him.  As well as, that my God is using this to build me up in Him.  To encourage me and to challenge me to continue walking in faith, trusting in His sovereign will for my life.  To strengthen me in my walk with Him - daily.  To remind me that when we grow, there are growing pains, and without them we become stagnant. 

Perhaps you are being tried and tested right now too.  Maybe the rug has been abruptly pulled out from under you, blindsiding you completely.  Take heart in knowing that always clinging to Jesus helps the fall to be a little softer and that getting back up on your feet happens a little quicker - at least I have seen that been the case over the years as I've grown in Him!

Blessings upon you!
Until next time,
'K'

'Laughing hard and playing beyond'

While we were over at a friend's house tonight, our kids were playing downstairs as my friend and I visited upstairs.  At one point my friend relayed to me that she'd heard my daughter...during one of their laughing fits...say, "I'm really tired!".  It's funny how she acknowledged it yet continued on laughing hard and playing beyond what she had left in her little self!

Now as I'm just about to head to bed, I was sitting here thinking about my kids and the long couple of days they've just had. It amazes me how their little bodies can just keep going! As I pondered that, this little poem was born!

 

Rise With The Son

 

 

It's time to retire,

A long day it's been.

So much you have done,

And so much you have seen.

 

May you rest and recharge,

As you lay ever still.

Your new day arrives soon;

Lord willing it will.

 

God's hand is upon you,

My sweet little one.

And I pray that each morning you

Rise with the Son.

 

 

~KMC2012~

 

 

What a blessing God has given us in our children!

Until next time,

'K'

 



The importance of true authentic relationship

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately.  Having been blessed to spend some quality time with some of my dearest friends this past month, I've once again, come to realize the importance of true authentic relationship.   When you don't have to put on a mask and they see 'everything', and still choose to be your friend in spite of your 'everything'.  When you're virtually stripped naked...left vulnerable with nothing to hide, it seems within such friendships, it's oddly enough, one of the most safe and comforting places to be. 

I love my old, near and dear friends - for we've walked many miles of our journeys together this far.  In the same breath, I love getting to know my new, near and dear friends too!  Even though it can be a scary thing - to build that trust with someone new requires vulnerability - the rewards of finding such gems make it worth while!

The more I step back and see how my circle of friends has changed (some more now acquaintances and some completely removed) the more I see the influence of God surrounding me.  I love this!  I relish in the precious time I get to spend in true genuine fellowship with these friends.  Sharing what God is doing in our lives, and walking it out together while supporting and encouraging one another to continue on the narrow path to be more like Christ.

I've been doing some research for something I'm writing, and while going through scripture, I was reminded just how important our circle of friends is to our spiritual well being.  Here are just a few little nuggets of scripture to help us discern who should be our 'go-to' people...where we get our advice, encouragement and our support from. : 

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safe.
Proverbs 13:20 - Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

 

Ask yourself if there is someone in your 'core group' that is hindering your faith walk instead of helping it.  Also ask if you are hindering or helping your friends faith walk.  The above verses surely will help the process!

Blessings until next time,
'K'