Heart of Kim

I am convinced more and more each day of the importance of “guarding our hearts” from the deadly poison being spewed from the world’s system of thought. We are told in the Word to “guard our heart with all diligence”. Look at the following scripture:

Proverbs 4: ²⁰My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.  ²¹Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.  ²²For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.  ²³Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  ²⁴Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.  ²⁵Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.  ²⁶Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.  ²⁷Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Look at verse 23 in the Amplified: ²³Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

Another translation says “the forces of life”.   In a world of constant distractions it’s all too easy to fall asleep at the wheel, so to speak, and allow just anything and everything to pass through our eyegate and eargate. 

The Word begins to take a backseat to all of the affairs of life.  The word is worked in only when it becomes convenient and doesn’t interfere in our busy schedule. By the time we get around to the Word of God, we’re so tired; we fall asleep.  Then when it’s time to be on guard against all the wiles of the devil, we are dull of fresh revelation, thereby not on guard against the subtlety of the enemy.  This weakened condition causes us to become prey to deception.

In this hectic world that we live in we must make choices that side with the written Word of God if we are going to realize the “more than conquerors” that we have been made through Christ.  We have been made His righteousness, we have been made kings and priests unto our God, we have been made free from the law of sin and death and we have been given everything that pertains to life and godliness. 

Tests and trials are a part of this life.  Jesus said in John 16:33  

  ³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

But He overcame and has given us authority over all the power of the enemy. However;  lack of knowledge and knowledge with no faith/action equals to nothing.  We can find ourselves bound and frustrated by the circumstance of life rather than victorious and overcoming.  In the Revelation of Jesus Christ it says they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the lamb, the word of their testimony and loving not their lives unto the death.

Sorry, but the third part of that verse we don’t even like to quote because we equate it with physical death.  Look, if we won’t die to ourself now and put His Word first place in our life; let’s not kid ourself, we certainly wouldn’t physically give our life willingly.

But, to overcome, we must “guard our heart”.  Why?  Because, out of the abundance of our heart, our mouth speaks and we get what we say!  (Matt 12:34, Luke 6:45, Mark 11:23-24)

Honour and Respect for the Word of God must be first place in our life, especially our “thought life”.   We must realize and have revelation that the Word of God “is God” and it is the power of God unto salvation from whatever we need saving from.  Guarding our heart, realizing that from it comes the power of life and death rolling off our tongue and affecting every area of our life.  We will live and eat the words that we speak.  Jesus, said three times  when He was tempted “it is written”.  If it was important enough for Jesus to overcome temptation with the Word, we must conclude that it is just as important for us to be full of the Word and on guard at all times and ready to fight the fight of faith.

Keeping and guarding our heart with all diligence will help us to stay strong, alert and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It will help us keep a mindset that is free from being watered down, diluted and tainted by the world’s way of thinking.  Remember; satan is the god of this world’s system.   We are new creations that should be thinking according to the kingdom of God’s system. We are told to cast down imaginations (thoughts) that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God!  It’s easier to recognize those thoughts and deal with them when our library of information that we have received and loaded into our mind is the Word of God!  Let’s begin to set a watchman at the door of our mind/thoughts and our tongue and take our rightful places as overcoming and victorious sons and daughters of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!   

Terry and I will be married 27 years tomorrow and I thought it might be good to share some of the key ingredients  we found that are essential for a successful relationship. I would like to preface this with one sidenote right up front. When we met, both of us had recently been through a divorce and both of us had determined to examine our own heart, repent where needed, and wipe the slate clean for a fresh start.  We also made a decision to totally forgive the X;  retaining no resentment, bitterness or ill-will.    (Forgiveness is a decision;  feelings follow the decision, not the otherway around)  We both had went before the Lord and ask for His help in finding a mate. If you find yourself in a similar situation married or divorced; the same principles apply.  No one can be free to love another if unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, hatred or any other such thing is being embraced by that person.  Because of those decisions,  we were free to build upon a clean and clear foundation without any debris or clutter.   The following is not necessarily in the order of importance.  All principles outlined are of utmost importance.

Both, Terry and I, had made the decision that Jesus Christ would be the Lord of our life.  We both were looking for someone who had the same core values and beliefs.  When we met we had both already been filled with the Holy Spirit.  Our meeting was supernatural. I don’t have the time nor space to go into that here, maybe in a future post.  

When we met, neither of us had  much to offer in the way of natural things.   We determined not to judge based on the natural appearance or circumstances.  We had determined to listen to the Spirit of God.  What we were looking for was the “green light” from God.  The reason:  Only God knows the heart of a person.  We both trusted in His knowledge and wisdom.  Up to that point “our knowledge and wisdom” had gotten us nothing but heartache and grief.  Trusting God concerning finding a mate or loving the one you have is of utmost necessity! 

We have always “respected” each other.  Marriage doesn’t dissolve the individuals into one person.  I know two become one flesh; but both people are individual and  a unique creation of God.  I see young couples constantly trying to change the spouse into what they think they should be.  BIG Mistake!  Trying to change another will only reinforce self condemnation in that person and maintain a steady stream of anger and strife in the household.  Each person must respect the other person for who they are.  

We have tried our best to honor and serve each other.  We have an unspoken agreement to not talk or discuss each other with another person.  Especially if we are in disagreement.  We have always tried to exhort, encourage and build each other up at home and in the presence of others. We have always tried our best to run to each other (not from each other) when problems arise.  We have endeavored to communicate on a continual daily basis concerning each other, the things we feel, think and deal with in life. 

We have considered ourselves mated for life and have refused to even consider any other option.  We have been quick to apologize to each other, quick to forgive each other and slow to judge each other.  We have been an open book with each other, spirit, soul and body.  We have laughed together and cried together.  We have prayed together and repented together.   We have grown closer and closer as the years have gone by. We have become one in thought, action and life.  

No wonder, the scriptures call us the “Bride of Christ”.  If you think about it,  the things that I have mentioned are vital in our relationship with the Father.  The same progression takes place over a lifetime.  The more time spent with the Father, the closer we become.  The more open we are with the Lord, the more He can show His love to us.  Jesus never condemns.  He died and rose that we might be free to be ourselves with Him, without fear and doubt.  He loves us with an everlasting love and as a gentleman, never forces His will on us.  He invites us to walk and talk with Him, that we might know Him.  If I had to choose only one ingredient for a successful relationship, I would have to choose “communication”.  Without it, we couldn’t and wouldn’t ever know each other.  A successful and healthy relationship is the one that maintains continual  fellowship.

I have not posted much lately.  Simply put, the Holy Spirit has not given me anything to say.  I endeavor to write, being led by the Spirit of God.  Quite frankly,  anything that “I”  have to say, is not worth much.  As I was praying about this post, the only leading was, “pray”.   After thinking on this, I realized that “pray” is exactly what He meant.  So, I will pray.  May you be blessed as you read!

Father, Thank you for being you.  I can come to your throne in boldness because Jesus has paved the way.  The way for me to approach you in confidence was carved out by the blood of the Lamb. I come before you, in confidence because I know I am welcome.  Thank you.  All glory and power to you.  All honor to you. 

Lord, government and government leaders are on my heart.  I see natural intelligence, but I see no wisdom.  Forgive us as a nation, for as a nation, we are turning away from you.  Father, grant us repentance, as a nation, and begin to turn the hearts of those in authority to seek your face.  Let men and women obtain revelation of their need for you.  Father, we have become a self-righteous nation because we have become self-righteous people.  Father grant us forgiveness, as a nation and as a people, and give unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus Christ that we may know where we came from and who we are.  Grant those in authority that are born-again, God-fearing believers courage and strength to speak truth and not fear.  Speak to our leaders in the night seasons and reveal yourself to them.   Deliver our nation from the hand of the enemy and set us on a course that we may return to the Godly principles that America was founded on. 

Father, I pray for all pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles and prophets.  I ask that you strengthen them by your power in their inner man.  Give them a burning desire for your Word.  May they become soooo hungry and thirsty for you, your Word, and your Spirit.  May they crave manifestation of your power and your Spirit. Those  who are frustrated, unfrustrate them. Those who are hurting, heal them. Those who lack, supply their needs abundantly. Those who are weary, revitalize them. Those who have quit, encourage them to get up. Those who are persecuted, become more real to them and show yourself mighty on their behalf.   Those who are in error, yet have a heart for you, teach them. Those who are angry, redirect their anger. Give them insight into the plans and purposes that you have for their measure of influence.  Reveal your plans to them. Impart wisdom, that they may continue to fulfill their callings. Saturate them with a renewed confidence in your grace that is on them to equip the body for the work of the ministry for this hour.

 Father,  you are a Spirit and you tell us that we must worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Teach us what this means.  Bring us to the place of emptying ourself of ourself.  Deliver us from self-righteousness and a spirit of criticism.  Forgive us of  our judgement of others, haughtiness, pride and arrogance.  Open our eyes to truth. Open our ears to hear truth. Give us understanding hearts.  Reveal to us our own hearts, that we may be corrected and trained according to your Word.  Kindle a flame of fire in our hearts for you and you alone that cannot be quenched.  Teach us to number our days and remind us of your mercy and grace.  Bring us to the realization that you are God and there is none beside you.  Hear our cry.  Create clean hearts within us, renew our spirits.  Bring us into full revelation of the light of your glorious gospel. Remind us of who we are in Christ. Walk with us, talk with us, teach us all your ways.  Thank you for the blood. Thank you for grace.  Thank you for Jesus.  Thank You.

I believe I have asked according to your will and therefore I believe that you have heard me and all who read this prayer and agree.  I now receive the petitions that I have ask of you. In Jesus Name. Amen.  

There are keys to the kingdom of God and they are found in God’s Word.  Let’s endeavor to feast on the Word of God each day that we may be skilled in the Word of Righteousness and workmen that need not be ashamed. 

I will close with the Ephesians Prayers that Paul prayed. God Bless!

Ephesians 1: 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,  16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;  17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:  18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,  21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:  22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 3:  14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;  17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,  18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.  20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Do you ever feel stressed out?  I know that I talk a lot about how people feel, but, these feelings are reality and are common to all people.  We have to deal with a whole range of feelings each and every day so I think it is important to address what the Word has to say. 

1 Peter 5:6-8 (Amplified Bible)

⁶Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

    ⁷Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.

    ⁸Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

We are told in verse 7 to cast the whole of our care on Him.  This takes a willful choice on our part.  Sometimes it is necessary to just STOP and CAST.  We are not pack mules and God never intended us to carry burdens and weights.  It would be one thing if our carrying cares would accomplish anything – but carrying cares has never resolved anything and never will!  Casting care can only be done by humbling ourself and trusting in a saviour that cares for us – literally.  Worrying is nothing more than fear, plain and simple.  We have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind, the scripture says.  When you find yourself loaded down, worrying, anxious and stressed out, you will find that there is an absence of peace.  It is the desire of the Lord that you live your life free from anxious fear.

 Satan will keep loading us up till we are running over with more than we can tolerate.  Stress weakens your whole being.  Stress comes in many different forms and in many different ways.  Stress can cause us to become locked into the mindset that there is no way out!  Satan wants us to believe in our heart and confess with our mouth, calling forth things as we See them.

 When sin entered this world, so did stress, anxiety, worry, fear and such like. However; when Jesus came upon the scene, here is what He proclaimed and here is what He did and is still doing today:

Luke 4:17-19 (King James Version) 

 ¹⁷And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

 ¹⁸The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,  ¹⁹To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Every promise that the Word of God has for you has to be Received.  You can look around yourself and come to the conclusion that it is not Automatic!  Receiving of all the wonderful things that have been given to us according to scripture is “by faith”.   Our Hearing of the preaching of the gospel is the means by which Faith comes.  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  Humbling ourself to hear the Word is the first step of living a stress – free life.  We must esteem the Word as our most vital and necessary food.  We must hunger and thirst after Him. It is only in Him that we can find a place to unpack our heavy loads, cast off burdens  and truly rest. Let today and everyday be a day that you cast ALL your cares on Him and walk free of stress!

All of us at one time or another have felt alone.  We don’t necessarily have to “be alone” to feel lonely. We can find ourself  alone with nothing but our own thoughts and the world around us  becoming a blurr.  All kinds of negative emotions can invade our hearts and minds and try to take them captive.   If there is absence of peace and joy in an “alone place” and all you are experiencing is sadness or depression,  it is the beginning of an attempt of satan to isolate you.  His plan is to get you to a vulnerable place; a place of weakness.  The intentions of satan are to implant suggestions in your mind so that you begin to question your value and worth to yourself and others.  These negative thought patterns are sent to ultimately destroy self esteem and confidence.  But - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  You are very valuable to God.  In fact,  He is thinking of you right now!  Look at the following scriptures: 

Jeremiah 29:11 says in the KJV -
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Look at this passage in another translation –

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Now that’s the way God is THINKING about you!  You are not alone, even if you feel like you are.  His thoughts are to give you HOPE! Jesus said that He would never leave us or forsake us and in  Psalms 94:14 He says – For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.  When Jesus hung on the cross, He cried out; My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  He was cut off, out of the land of the living and bore all our sin alone.  He did it for us, that we might never have to be alone or lonely.  What a compassionate and loving God!.  He loves you more than you can comprehend and He is closer to you than your breath.  He is there with you now.  Yes, there are times we may “feel”  lonely.  But “feelings” do not always tell the truth.  Feelings can be deceptive and satan will use our feelings and emotions to deceive us and manipulate us.  The Word of God is Truth and when we KNOW the Word of God, our knowledge will make it a lot more difficult on the devil to confuse us, deceive us and manipulate us with unwanted thoughts and emotions. The Truth that we know will make us free from the lies of the enemy. The truth is:  You are not alone! The truth is:  You are in the thoughts of God!

 In fact, the truth is, Jesus is thinking about you right this moment.  He is interceding for you as you read this!  He is representing you to the Father.  I’m going to give you two scriptures to prove it!

Hebrews 7:24-25  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Romans 8:32-39  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.  34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 Put on the garment of praise today for the spirit of heaviness!  Know that He is there with you! Know that He cares for you!  You are so special to Him, He sent His son to die for you! But also know, Jesus didn’t stay dead.  Jesus was raised to life for you that you might be raised to life.  Jesus is alive. Jesus sits at the Father’s right hand thinking of you!  My, what a Saviour!   You are NOT alone. He is with you this very moment. You are on His mind.  He is Thinking about YOU!

Have you ever had a hang in there  week?  You know, the kind of week where life is moving faster than you are?  A week where your plate is full week?  Life can seem to be a a vacuum sometimes.  We can feel sucked up into a vortex of moving events with seemingly no way to stop the suction.   Distractions and interruptions can become a common foe and we can begin to experience fatigue and frustration.  We find ourselves pouring out without taking in.

 The Word says let the weak say they are strong and  we are admonished to not  become weary in well doing.  David encouraged Himself in the Lord because there was no one else to encourage him ……… Sometimes being strong and not becoming discouraged and weary seems far far away from our state of mind!   And just when you think you cannot go another step you find once again that  God is  faithful,  even when we are not faithful to Him.  It is so wonderful that we have such a merciful and loving Father.  It’s a matter of just knowing that the seasons of our life change constantly.  Some seasons are very long and some are very short, you know; like a week.  It’s amazing how His mercies are truly new every morning!  So even though it could be a hang in there week for you; I encourage you to hang in there anyway! The season that you may be in is just that – a temporary season that will not endure. It is the Word that endures forever, and as long as we have that, we can continue to take those steps and press on, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.

How do I know this with certainty?  Because, I know that Jesus experienced a hang in there day for us.  When I have those weeks,  I think of this and just begin to encourage myself in the Lord, confessing that I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might and that because He hung on the cross for me,  I will not become weary in well doing.  I begin to think on what He endured and meditate on all the promises and the precious price that was paid that I might embrace those promises until they are manifested in my life.

Life has its ups and downs. But, we have a constant. When we just stop a second and realize that our hope is not a hope-so, maybe-so kind of hope, but a confident expectation of good, backed by a blood covenant that cannot be broken.  We then begin to experience that familiar renewal and refreshing of  His power infusing and undergirding our heart and mind.  So I encourage you to face each week with the knowledge that you are not alone.  We have His promise that He will never leave or forsake us.  We have his Spirit;  which is our comforter, teacher, friend and counselor. We have His Word emphatically proclaiming that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And we have His mercy and goodness following after us,  every step of the way!  Hang in there!

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