Spiritual Nourishment

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  

(Romans 10:17 KJV)

This week, I am sensing a need for a change of pace.  Therefore, I would like to encourage you to take the time to view one (or more of the videos) found on the right side bar under the heading "Spiritual Nourishment".  

While Pastor Richard is not my pastor, he is a dear brother in Christ.  I have found his messages to be meaningful and nourishing.  It will be worth your time.  

Please join with me in  prayer:

Dear Lord, Open our hearts to what You have to say to us through Your Word and from Your servants.  Thank You for the Truth that comes in reading, studying, and hearing Your Word.  Stir up within us a hunger for You and Your Word that cannot be satisfied.  Even in the midst of our struggles we seek You and Your face, simply desiring to know You more fully.  Thank you for those who capably preach Your Word and point us to Jesus.  In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Happy Father's Day!

*Note: This is an edited post from June 19, 2015*

 

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  (Ephesians 6:4 KJV)

This Sunday, June 19, 2016, is a special day.  A day we set aside to honor those special men in our lives who are fathers—biological and/or adoptive—as well as spiritual. 

It has been said that any man can be a father but few can be a daddy.  (Fathers create—and can leave, while daddies are there for their children—they nurture and help their children develop.)  They are the ones who discipline and love and protect.  It takes a special man to be a daddy.  

From https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1379JxsnhYhv_LoXJSK7WgR3m0VXjSbjYBKl8ubqlAzZ0aahEtHmw795fuTFoDVE8nsHtyCzcCWx_SAi75QKVm7nMm56MfZFtOiqq2ksKW6FxujHHTmXMQtnlKgSouiiUFKRAD793tfE/s320/God+in+Heart.png

At the outset, I realize some reading this post will have had a challenging relationship with their earthly dad, or perhaps a beloved dad has passed away, or a dad is no longer dad due to a variety of health issues and/or dementia. My prayer for you is that you will experience God’s comforting, healing presence in the days ahead.

Moreover, there are some reading this post who had a dad that passed away before they had a chance to know him; this is true for me.  Father’s Day can be challenging, yet it is possible to experience the loving presence of God.  

Thanksgiving 1971

I am thankful for some special men who the Lord brought into my life—some for a short season and others for a long season.  I am especially thankful for my spiritual dad who has mentored me in the faith and taught me so much about living for and serving the Lord over the last several years.  God knew that I needed a godly male role model and brought him into my life at just the right time. 

Who in your life is a spiritual father?  How can you be a spiritual father (or parent!) to someone in your life?

In the Scriptures we read that dads are to teach their children about the Lord and treat them with decency and respect, as we see in the above passage from Ephesians.  However, many times this does not happen; children end up hurting and lost, looking to others for the guidance they need.

Despite our relationship with our earthly fathers, we can have a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  He is an amazing, loving daddy.  For those of you who are not fathers, thank you for being spiritual fathers!  Spend some time thinking about how you can help the fatherless.

From https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5OQ3CPZ7tBGSJRVHV3SBz77KwhQpvJiLG2a-cib5qNBO9wkSH6yX9XAeRR1pquKxgOGKOcGHu-pRglA8kRivVYalZ7TXdf4pf7SWnUoAnEQwkB26qG4Qs6VC8oYysNmJD0-3vhDI5gY/s1600/Fathers-Day-Poems-002.gif

How can you reach out to those without fathers?

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Father, thank You for the fathers who gave us life and love.  We thank You for those fathers who teach their children about You.  Encourage those men who are not fathers in society’s eyes—help them to see how they can be spiritual fathers.  Encourage fathers who only see their shortcomings and failures to see what they do well.  For those who do not have fathers or have a difficult relationship with their father, grant them comfort; help them to find spiritual fathers to guide and direct them.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

More Scriptures for Times of Transition: New Testament

This week’s post is a continuation from last week.  Times of transition are inherently stressful; however, by turning to the Word of God we can find comfort, relief.  Here is the link to last week’s post: Scriptures for Times of Transition.  

The verses that follow are a selection and not meant to be exhaustive.

I encourage you to meditate on these verses—letting them sink into your heart and mind.

Personal photo

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  

(Matthew 24:35 KJV)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.  

(Romans 15:13 KJV)

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 KJV)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  

(Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  

(Philippians 4:19 KJV)

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  

(Hebrews 6:19-20 KJV)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  

(Hebrews 13:8 KJV)

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  

(1 John 2:17 KJV)

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.  

(1 John 5:14-15 KJV)

My prayer is that these verses will speak to your heart and provide strength and encouragement on difficult days.  For those of us who have Jesus as Savior and Lord can see difficult days in the light of eternity.  While difficult days come; we have a glorious future awaiting us with our Savior!

Where do you find comfort in God’s Word during times of transition?

From https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ1379JxsnhYhv_LoXJSK7WgR3m0VXjSbjYBKl8ubqlAzZ0aahEtHmw795fuTFoDVE8nsHtyCzcCWx_SAi75QKVm7nMm56MfZFtOiqq2ksKW6FxujHHTmXMQtnlKgSouiiUFKRAD793tfE/s320/God+in+Heart.png

Please join with me in prayer:

Precious Lord, thank You for Your Word that contains solid truth; as we mediate on it, open our spiritual eyes to understand what You are saying to us.  Direct our attention to the Scriptures You want us to meditate upon and apply to our daily lives.  Bring to our minds all the ways You walk with us through all the transitions of life.  Remind us to keep our minds focused on You, especially when things seem to be in constant flux and we struggle to find our footing.  Open our eyes to the new possibilities, the new horizons that come from times of transition.  Thank You for the benefits that come from being Your child; may we share the Good News with those around us who desperately need to hear it.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim  

Scriptures for Times of Transition

Transition is defined as:  “noun transizh'on. [Latin transitio.] Passage from one place or state to another; change; as the transition of the weather form hot to cold. Sudden transitions are sometimes attended with evil effects.”[1] For the complete definition of transition, please see the link below.

For a variety of reasons, I have decided to look to the Scriptures to find comfort and direction for the future.  The Lord prompted me to do this due to my pastor retiring (his last Sunday is June 12), and the new pastor coming (June 26); a friend’s pastor is retiring, and another friend is experiencing a variety of life transitions.

The verses that follow are a selection and not meant to be exhaustive.

I encourage you to meditate on these verses—letting them sink into your heart and mind.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  (Joshua 1:9 KJV)

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 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.

 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

(Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

(Proverbs 3:5 KJV)

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.  (Proverbs 16:3 KJV)

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.  

(Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV)

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV)

Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.  (Isaiah 43:19 KJV)

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  

(Lamentations 3:21-23 KJV)

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. 

(Malachi 3:6 KJV)

My prayer is that these verses will speak to your heart and provide strength and encouragement on difficult days.  For those of us who have Jesus as Savior and Lord can see difficult days in the light of eternity.  While difficult days come; we have a glorious future awaiting us with our Savior!

Where do you find comfort in God’s Word during times of transition?

Please join with me in prayer:

Precious Lord, thank You for Your Word that contains solid truth, as we mediate on it, open our spiritual eyes to understand what You are saying to us.  Direct our attention to the Scriptures You want us to meditate upon and apply to our daily lives.  Bring to our minds all the ways You walk with us through all the transitions of life.  Remind us to keep our minds focused on You, especially when things seem to be in constant flux and we struggle to find our footing.  Thank You for the benefits that come from being Your child; may we share the Good News with those around us who desperately need to hear it.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim  

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[1] http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/transition