Freedom

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 

(John 8:32, 36 KJV)

Irving Berlin singing God Bless America

On July fourth we celebrated a special day in the United States of America—the day when our Founding Fathers declared independence from the tyranny of Great Britain (in 1776).  Many of them knew that the ultimate freedom was found in right relationship to the Lord.  As a group, these brave men (and their families) were willing to pay a high price to rebel against Great Britain—some lost their lives for the cause, while others lost homes, family members, and many lost their wealth.  Yet they believed that the price paid was worth it to live free and independent lives; we today in America are the beneficiaries of their commitment and sacrifices.

Earlier this week, I spent some time thinking about freedom.  What is freedom?  What is true freedom?  How is freedom in Christ different from political freedom or any other type of freedom?  What does it mean to be free?

As an undergraduate political science major I studied the constitution and history in some depth.  Our Founding Fathers knew there was a better way to live and to govern.  Many of them knew that it was in Jesus alone that we find true freedom—the United States’ Constitution reflects the difference made by founding a nation on godly principles.

Freedom of all types does come with a cost—sometimes even at the cost of our lives—literally and metaphorically—this is true in gaining freedom politically or spiritually.  In the spiritual realm, Jesus died and rose again that we could be free from satan’s tyranny and free from sin.  

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 

(Romans 5:15 KJV)

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

(1 Peter 2:16 KJV)

Freedom is not exactly “free”.  All types of freedom come with certain principles to adhere to—freedom is not a license to do whatever we want we wish—freedom comes with rights and responsibilities to meet.  True freedom has laws (or commands) to protect us—this is true in democracies and spiritually.  God’s laws are truly loving and protecting us from harm—yes, we have been set free by grace.  Grace does not mean that anything goes and we can sin all we want to; grace means that God forgives our sins through Jesus and in turn we obey Him out of love.  

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 

(Romans 5:18 KJV)

Personal photo

Jesus truly sets us free—free to truly live an abundant life (John 10:10) now and throughout eternity.  Living in a democracy does not mean that we are truly free if we do not acknowledge our need for God, our need for salvation through Jesus.  No one and I do mean no one is good enough on his or her own to make it to Heaven without surrendering to Jesus asking Him to forgive their sins and come into their heart.  With Jesus it is fully possible to live in a country that is not free, yet be freer than those in a democracy, if Jesus is Savior and Lord.

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 

(2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV) 

Jesus is standing ready to come and set you free from sin, from your past (no matter how horrid it is); He loves you deeply and desires a relationship with you.  Our Lord is a gentleman and will not force Himself upon You.  What are you waiting for in surrendering to the Lord and being set truly free?  In surrendering to the Lord, you will find great freedom! 

Yes, this freedom does come at a cost.  What do we need to die to in order to be set truly free?  (This is a daily process.)  We die to self, crucifying the flesh AFTER we said yes to Jesus, seeking His forgiveness for our sins and inviting Him to dwell in our heart.  This is true freedom—we can be imprisoned and be freer than those who have imprisoned us!

For those who are set free in Christ, how can you use your freedom responsibly?  How has freedom in Christ changed your life?  If you are not free in Christ why say “yes” to Jesus today—He has already said “yes” to you!  Saying “yes” to Jesus sets us FREE!  Praise the Lord!

Please join with me in prayer:

Lord of All, Thank You for the true freedom we have in You—freedom that is true and that comes at a cost.  For those of us who live in freedom we express our thanks to those who have gone before us, sometimes even giving their lives that we might remain free.  For those who do not live in freedom, please surround them with Your loving presence and woo them into a relationship with You or in to a deeper relationship with You.  Encourage us to be ever mindful of what it means to be truly free in Christ.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

GDPR Statement for Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus

GDPR Statement for Faith Journey with Kim:  Growing in Christ Jesus

In late May 2018 a law went into effect in the European Union regarding privacy of personal data.  This affects all websites/blogs that have people from those countries visiting.  While there is now a disclosure policy statement (see right side bar) for this blog, I wanted to write a bit more about the administration of this blog and personal data.  What follows is an edited post from a friend’s blog (used with permission).[1]

·                     We will follow the guidelines of the GDPR (General Data Processing Regulation) as set forth by the EU.  This means that if you are a European subscriber to this blog, I will inform you if I ever collect any information from you, which I never intend to do.  You will remain in full control of your personal information.  

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·                     Google Analytics is used to understand the most basic of information and for nothing else. 

·                     At this point, other sites, such as MailChimp, are not used for newsletter distribution.  In fact, there is not a newsletter at all.  If this changes, information will be given and each person will opt-in and remain in control of what they receive or choose to not receive.

·                     If links to external sites are followed, it is expected that individuals will investigate that site’s GDPR statement.

·                     You are encouraged to read the privacy statements for Google and Google Analytics for more information.

·                     We shall endeavor to follow the letter and spirit of the law. 

If this statement changes in the future, readers will be made aware.  This statement will also be found in the pages section of the blog (right side bar). 

   

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[1] Meditations of My Heart: Rules and Regs.  Used with permission of the author.

Disclosure Policy for Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus

Disclosure Policy for Faith Journey with Kim:  Growing in Christ Jesus

This policy is valid from 04 June 2018

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.  For questions about this blog, please contact Kim in the comments section with any questions.

Currently, this blog does not accept any form of advertising, sponsorship, or paid insertions.  We write for our own purposes.  However, we may be influenced by our background, occupation, religion, political affiliation or experience.  When advertising is added to this blog, readers will be made aware of the presence of advertising and its purpose.

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This policy will be available in this blog's pages area, please see right side bar.

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Delayed: Going Forward

To my readers:  Even though I have not posted much this year, I remain committed to sharing here about Jesus and helping you learn and grow in your faith.  I encourage you to check out (and like) Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus on Facebook; join in the occasional discussion on the posts there.  I plan to post in the future on a topic that the Lord placed on my heart several weeks ago.

What does it mean to be delayed?  What is the role of delays in life?  How does God work in and through the times of what seems be quiet and absence of seeing God at work or hearing His voice?  These are good questions to ponder when we struggle to see and to understand God’s will and way for us.   The Scriptures are full of delays—delays that God uses to bring about glory to His name and to show His incredible power and authority.

Time is an interesting commodity—there are 24 hours in a day for each person—however, our view of time and God’s view of time are completely different.  When God is silent we wonder what is going on; we can rest assured that God is present during the silent times.  Delays in our minds are not delays to God—He is there and still at work in us and around us.

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.  And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.  

(Genesis 11:31-32 KJV)

Personal Photo

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.  

(Genesis 12:1-3 KJV)

In Genesis 11-12 we read about the beginning of Abram/Abraham’s journey with God.  God called Abram, an idol worshiper, to become the father of a great nation—Israel (and all who come to faith in Christ).  Abram listened to God, however, he did not leave all behind as he was commanded.  Abram’s father, Terah and his nephew Lot journeyed with him and his wife, Sarai/Sarah.  This was not a good idea.  Abram’s journey to Canaan (the Promised Land) was delayed in Haran until his father, Terah, died.  Interestingly, Terah’s name means “delayed”.

In the New Testament, delay is seen in Jesus’ ministry.  In John 11 we read about Jesus delaying a visit to His friends—Mary, Martha, and Lazarus—Lazarus was very ill and needed Jesus.  Yet Jesus chooses to delay His trip, so God would be glorified.  The delay allowed Lazarus to die.  While Mary, Martha, and their friends grieved this tragic loss, God was at work.  When Jesus and His disciples arrived Lazarus had been buried for four days; yet Jesus did not see this as a hindrance.  When Jesus called Lazarus back to life and out of the tomb, God got all the glory!

Likewise, after the Apostle Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, he spent three years in Arabia before going to Jerusalem and meeting the Apostle Peter and James, the Lord’s brother.

Personal Photo

Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.  

(Galatians 1:17-19)

Similar to Abram’s journey to Canaan—the Promised Land, the story of Jesus and Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and the Apostle Paul’s time in Arabia, entries on this blog have seen many delays this year.  However, that does not mean a lack of God working in my life.  During this rather unplanned hiatus I have been learning, growing, developing in my faith and actively serving the Lord.  Moreover, I am sensing some gentle, easy to miss/ignore nudges to grow and expand in ministry.  This will take time—time in prayer to discern God’s desire, to vision, and to dream.  Please watch, wait, and pray with me during this season of discernment. 

In the meantime, take comfort in knowing that God is always in control and during those seemingly interminable times of delay, God is still there and still working for you!

Please stay tuned for posts that will come in God’s time—God is at work and has plans for this blog and more!

When have you experienced delays in your walk with the Lord?

Please join with me in prayer:

Lord of Time, Thank You for the story of Abraham and others clearly showing us how delays are not the end of the story, but are simply part of the greater story You are writing with our lives.  It is clear that You use delays to work in the lives of Your children.  Help us to not fear and to simply obey Your clear word to us and wait on You to provide direction at just the right time.  Thank You for using delays to grow us into the person You desire us to become.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Happy Mother's Day 2018

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

(2 Timothy 3:14-15 KJV)

*Note:  I shared this post in 2015, 2016, and 2017—the message is still timely, in my opinion.  I have edited it slightly for this year.

To my readers:  Even though I have not posted much this year, I remain committed to sharing here about Jesus and helping you learn and grow in your faith.  I encourage you to check out (and like) Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus on Facebook; join in the occasional discussion on the posts there.  I plan to post soon on a topic that the Lord placed on my heart several weeks ago.

Personal Photo

This Sunday, May 13, we celebrate Mother’s Day. Therefore, it is a great time to reflect on the special women (our mom and others) in our lives who nurtured us; perhaps, they still nurture us, even if from afar.  There are so many different types of mothers:  those who give birth to and raise their child/children, those who are brave and allow their child to be adopted, there are adoptive mothers, foster mothers, and spiritual mothers.  So many different ways to be a mom to many—great is the impact of moms on the lives of those they nurture.

At the outset, I realize some reading this post will have had a challenging relationship with their mom, or perhaps a dear mom has passed away, or a mom is no longer mom 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.

Likewise, some women reading this post will struggle due to their longing to be a mom.  My heart goes out to you, so many of us with “mommy hearts” (this includes me) know we are to nurture another person.  In my case, I have found contentment in being a nurturing presence in the lives of my friends.  As my mentor and spiritual dad reminded me this morning, I am a spiritual mom to many—being reminded of this warmed my heart.

My mom and me--taken May 2006 at FUMC Knoxville, IA, for Mother's Day tribute. Photo Credit A. Furney

In thinking about some of the ladies, who have nurtured me spiritually I recall a couple of dear ladies (Ruby and Clara) from my earliest years (pre-school through second grade)—both were apart of my life due to Sunday school and church attendance. Ruby and Clara taught my peers and me a lot about Jesus and His love for us.  

Many times, if it were not for our mom we would not be in church.  It seems spiritual nurture, many times, is dependent on mom.  As a little girl, I attended Sunday school and church faithfully, thanks to my mother.  In fact, some of my earliest memories are of church and Sunday school.

For many of us, Sunday school and Vacation Bible school teachers have a huge impact on us and how we grew in our faith.  What sort of impact did your Sunday school and Vacation Bible school teachers have on you?

Personal photo

How have you been nurtured by your mom or your spiritual mothers (teachers, aunts, cousins, friends of the family)?

How can you nurture someone in need?  Look at how Paul encouraged Timothy regarding his faith that he learned from Lois and Eunice (his grandmother and mother) (see 2 Timothy 1:5). 

Therefore, in reflecting on this special day let us think about everything that moms do for their off-spring (this includes spiritual moms too!).

Moms do a lot for us.

They care for us when we are ill.

They comfort us after bad dreams.  

They encourage us on difficult days.

They generally remain our staunchest supporters even when we make not so good decisions.

It is clear that moms everywhere deserve this special day of remembrance.

How can we thank our moms (birth and spiritual) at this special time?

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Lord of All, thank You for our mothers who gave us life and nurture.  Thank You for the spiritual mothers in our lives who taught us about Jesus and His love for us and who influenced our growth in the faith and faithfully prayed for us—giving us encouragement at just the right time.  For those who long to be a mommy grant them a special sense of Your comforting presence.  Bless our mothers today and always.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Happy Easter—Christ is Risen!

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.  But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.  

(Mark 16:6-7 KJV)

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.  (Matthew 28:5-7 KJV)

To my readers:  Even though I have not posted much this year, I remain committed to sharing here about Jesus and helping you learn and grow in your faith.  I encourage you to check out (and like) Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus on Facebook; join in the occasional discussion on the posts there.  I plan to post soon on a topic that the Lord placed on my heart several weeks ago.

Today is a day of celebration!  On Easter we celebrate the wondrous news that Jesus Christ arose from the grave.  In Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection He gave us victory over sin, death, and the grave!  We should rejoice everyday of all we have in Jesus. 

As we remember all that Jesus did for us, may we understand it in a fresh, new way this year. 

On this special day, I want to encourage you to spend some time worship of our Savior through reading the Scriptures that tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection and in songs that share the story as well; I will share a couple songs below for your enjoyment. 

Easter Song by Keith Green:  

Christ the Lord is Risen Today:  

He’s Alive by Don Franciso:  

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,  thank You for sending Your only Son to die in our place—to redeem us from our sins—even though we did not deserve it.  With great joy, we exclaim, on Easter and every day, “HE IS RISEN”!!  He is risen indeed!  May this knowledge change how we live our lives each and every day.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Happy Easter!  May God Bless you richly today and everyday!

God’s Amazing Love

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (1 John 3:1 KJV)

*This is an edited/revised post from February 26, 2016.

To my readers:  Even though I have not posted much this year, I remain committed to sharing here about Jesus and helping you learn and grow in your faith.  I encourage you to check out (and like) Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus on Facebook; join in the occasional discussion on the posts there.

And Can it Be

Amazing love!  What amazing love God has for each person.  God’s love for us goes far beyond what we can understand while we live on earth.  We struggle to grasp God’s love for us due to the poor examples we see and experience so many times in our daily lives in this sinful world.

The love of God transforms us and heals us.  God’s love renews and refreshes us.  When we are saved, we are transformed (over time) in to a new creation (this is sanctification)—God’s love permeates the process throughout our lives and throughout eternity.

Looking back over the last several years, I can note considerable changes in me; even if they are difficult to articulate.  These inner changes are a result of really experiencing God’s love for me through daily working on my relationship with Him.  Yes, it is a commitment; and like any other relationship it takes time…a lot of time.

How have you been changed by God’s love for you?  How have you seen others changed through God’s transforming love?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

(1 John 3:18 KJV)

The love we experience as a child of God is something the world desperately needs but does not understand.  Therefore, the world does not understand us, because they are not part of God’s family.  Let us endeavor to share the path to salvation and God’s amazing love with those who need to hear it, whether they respond positively or negatively.  May we ever love others not in word or in talk but in deed and in truth!

Remember that actions and attitudes speak far louder than words!  People will remember how we treated them and made them feel far longer than the words we said.

How can you share God’s love today?  Who needs to hear the way to have peace with God (salvation)?

Amazing Love [You are My King]

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for adopting us as Your children through Jesus’ work on the cross and bringing us into Your family.  We long to experience the totality of Your love.  Grant us the ability to share Your love with others in ways that they can understand through our actions, attitudes, and words towards them.  Guide us to those who need love, particularly Your love.  Free us from the fear that holds us back and silences us from sharing You with others.  Empower us to walk the walk and not only talk the talk as we live in a world that needs Your love.  In Jesus’ Name, we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim

Worship Time: The Word of God

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  

(Psalm 119:10-11 KJV)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  

(Psalm 119:105 KJV)

In the previous two posts for this year, my focus is on God’s Word—its importance, its value, and its primacy.  My goal is to exhort my brothers and sisters in Christ to get in the Word each and every day and to read the Bible from cover-to-cover in a year’s time.  Any time we spend in the Word is never, ever wasted time.  By reading the entirety of God’s Word (and doing it over and over again) helps us to see the big picture of God’s plan for mankind.

My hope is to have some sermons prepared at some point this year to share (in audio or video).  However, that is going to take a sizable amount of time.  What I thought I was going to do is growing into something much bigger.  What was once one sermon has multiple sermons within it—my mentor is encouraging me to divide what I have into smaller pieces and develop around seven or eight messages!  This will clearly take a substantial amount of time.

In the meantime, for something a bit “lighter”, I am turning towards a time of worship, using hymns that focus on the amazing Word of God.

Please join me in worship:

Wonderful Words of Life

Thy Word is Like a Garden, Lord

Standing on the Promises

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Lord, We stand in awe of your majesty and the power You possess that we read about in Your Word.  Thank You for giving us Your Word to guide and direct our lives, cause us to treasure it and truly read it daily.  We are thankful for those You inspired through the Holy Spirit to write the words we read today.  Thank You for those brave men and women who have given all because of their love for You and Your Word.  We join a great body of Christian brothers and sisters each time we delve into Word.  Open our minds and hearts each time we meet You in the pages of our Bibles—may the Word read us and we read it.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim