THERE’S VALUABLE TREASURE IN YOU

March 6, 2014Kim Sweeting 7 Comments

THERE’S VALUABLE TREASURE IN YOU

I received the following prophetic word by Elaine Tavolacci this morning via my subscription to her website, http://www.awordinseason.info.

I believe it is a timely and encouraging word of confirmation, hope and mobilization to the people of God concerning the valuable treasure that is in us and as such I am re-blogging it with her permission.

Valuable Treasures In Earthen Vessels

March 6th, 2014

Elaine Tavolacci

People will go out of their way to protect the things that they treasure. They have security systems with cameras installed on their houses and stores for protection against thieves stealing their valuables. They have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to protect their families against gas leaks and fires. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said; people guard earthly possessions which are precious and valuable to them, but they don’t recognize and protect the treasure that I have placed inside of them.

The Lord says, I have placed valuable treasures inside of you that many of you have not yet identified or discovered. There are wells on the inside of you that you have not yet tapped in to. Do not allow these wells to be stagnant any longer. There are precious treasures and gifts that have been cultivated as you refreshed yourself in My presence. They have been imparted to you as you studied My word and sought out the mysteries of My kingdom. They have been conceived as you spent quality time in the secret place with Me. They have been released to you as you have continued steadfast in prayer, stood fervently in intercession and prayed in the Spirit with perseverance and determination without wavering. Stir up that which is lying dormant on the inside of you. Resurrect those gifts that are available and accessible. These are not natural treasures of silver and gold but they are treasures of revelatory gifts and mysteries. Multitudes have gone to their graves without ever discovering these priceless treasures that I have given to them. Now is the time to discover the treasure that I have placed within you.

I have not come to destroy your dreams, your plans, your purposes or your destinies but to fulfill them. Understand that your gift will make room for you. Seek Me for understanding to be able to discern what I have made available to you. Listen for My voice in the daytime and in the night seasons. I will speak to you in dreams and visions and reveal My plans and purposes to you. I am calling you to step out. This is the season for My gifts to be released. These gifts are spiritual gifts that many of you have longed for. They are priceless gifts of revelation and hidden mysteries. They are secrets and as you discern them, you will use them for My glory. Desire these gifts and discover the treasures that I have placed deep down on the inside of you, and you will see marvelous things in your life and ministry that you have not yet experienced. Do not think for a moment that you have been disqualified. My gifts and calling’s are irrevocable and My purpose will come to pass as you put aside your man made agenda’s and allow Me to show you the hidden treasures that I have placed in you says the Lord.

Proverbs 18:16

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

2 Timothy 1:14

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit that lives in us.

By Elaine Tavolacci

A Word In Season – http://www.awordinseason.info.

I hope the word was a blessing to you.

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “A Word In Season” – http://www.awordinseason.info.

4 COMMON CHURCH TESTS

February 27, 2014Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

4 COMMON CHURCH TESTS

A CHURCH FAMILY – AN IMPERFECT GROUP OF PEOPLE ON A JOURNEY TO BEING PERFECTED IN CHRIST

Being a part of a family comes with its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, its gratification and disappointments, its trials and tests.

Being a part of the church, God’s family is no different.

Here are four tests that you are likely to encounter at some point in your journey as a part of the family of God.

1) THE “NO ONE CALLED OR VISITED TEST”

Example

You are absent from regular worship services and other weekly activities for a prolonged period due to some adversity and no one who attends your place of worship contacts you or stops by to check on you to find out what is going on and/or offer you some encouragement, prayer and/or help.

What would you think? How would you feel? What would you say? What would you do?

Considering your answers, in God’s eyes would you pass the “no one called or visited test”?

2) THE “THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE ME TEST”

Example

Your place of worship plans an event and you work extremely hard and play a key role in helping to make sure it is a success. During the event, you open the program booklet only to discover that your name was left out of the acknowledgement section and at the close of the event, the person doing the vote of thanks does not mention it either. There is absolutely no recognition of your personal efforts while others receive praise all around you.

What would you think? How would you feel? What would you say? What would you do?

Considering your answers, in God’s eyes would you pass the “they did not recognize me” test?

3) THE “I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE POSITION TEST”

Example

Your pastor appoints someone into a position that you would like to have, and indeed believe you should have because of your years of faithful service, personal support, financial contributions to the ministry, and/or gifting and qualifications.

What would you think? How would you feel? What would you say? What would you do?

Considering your answers, in God’s eyes would you pass the “I should have gotten the position test”?

4) THE “SEEING YOUR PASTOR’S HUMANITY TEST”

Example

Your pastor acts “out of sorts” or perhaps displays a rude, hurtful or uncaring attitude towards you, or you discover his/her previously undetected personal weakness or vice and it completely throws you for a loop.

What would you think? How would you feel? What would you say? What would you do?

Considering your answers, in God’s eyes would you pass the “seeing your pastor’s humanity test”?

Being a part of a family comes with its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows, its gratification and disappointments, its trials and tests.

Being a part of the church, God’s family is no different.

What will you do if or when you encounter the 4 tests?

An important key is to be Spiritually led and not emotionally driven; to be more concerned about hearing and obeying what God is telling you than hearing and obeying what others say, feel or think, or even what you say, feel or think.

What will you do if or when you encounter the 4 tests?

May your decisions make you spiritually stronger and not weaker, more compassionate and not more calloused, love more and not less, increase in wisdom and not folly, draw closer to God and not further away, better and not bitter, pass the tests in God’s eyes and not have to take them over and over again due to failure in His view.

SELAH!

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

(James 1:2-4 – The Message Bible)

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “COLORFUL PEOPLE” by renjith krishnan courtesy of –http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

MUSICAL ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THOSE GOING THROUGH

February 22, 2014Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

MUSICAL ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THOSE GOING THROUGH

MANDISA – “OVERCOMER”

MANDISA – “STRONGER”

HE’S THERE WITH YOU.

HE’S THERE FOR YOU.

HE CARES.

KEEP STANDING.

KEEP HOPING.

KEEP BELIEVING.

KEEP TRUSTING.

KEEP PRAYING.

KEEP PRAISING.

HE’LL SEE YOU THROUGH.

“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1 – NKJV)

“Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

(Romans 8:26-28 – The Message Bible)

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

(Matthew 19:26 – NLT)

BE ENCOURAGED!

KIM

Video “Overcomer” by Mandisa courtesy of MandisaVEVO http://www.youtube.com

Video “Stronger” by Mandisa courtesy of MandisaVEVO http://www.youtube.com

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE 7

February 20, 2014Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE 7

“SELAH – PAUSE AND CALMLY THINK OF THAT”

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

(Matthew 5: 13-16 – The Message Bible)

SELAH!

Image “Figure Thinking with Thought Bubble” by Master Isolated Images courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

CUTTING TRUTH TO SHAKE YOUR WORLD

February 17, 2014Kim Sweeting 9 Comments

CUTTING TRUTH TO SHAKE YOUR WORLD

This morning I tuned into “Life Today with James Robison” and the program featured Minister Christine Caine speaking at the “Awaken Now” conference that was held last July at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Her message was something that I believe Christians/Believer’s/Kingdom Citizen’s everywhere need to hear either as a reminder of, or introduction to this truth.

Here’s a brief yet profound mini-clip that I found on YouTube.

Watch and be challenged.

Watch and be motivated.

Watch and be blessed.

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

(John 17:15-18 – NIV)

“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

(Mark 16:15 – NIV)

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(Matthew 28:18-20 – NIV)

“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

(Luke 10:27 – NIV)

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

(John 13:35 – NIV)

SELAH!

Kim

Video “CHRISTINE CAINE: INTO ALL THE WORLD – JAMES ROBISON LIFE TODAY”courtesy of lifetodaytv – http://www.youtube.com

THE BEST THING I’VE EVER DONE

February 14, 2014Kim Sweeting 11 Comments

THE BEST THING I’VE EVER DONE

GOD’S LOVE IS MATCHLESS

It’s Valentine’s Day, in many nations of the world today…..…HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

This morning as I reflected on life and love in general, I became overwhelmed with gratefulness for the incomparably, matchless love God has for me.

Yes there are persons in my life who love me, and I am very grateful for that too, but there is no one who loves me like God loves me; He loves me unconditionally in spite of myself, in spite of my short comings, mistakes, weaknesses, personality quirks and sin.

The coolest thing of all to me though, and the thing that really blows me away, is that God fell in love with me even before I fell in love with Him and He has never stopped and will never stop loving me……that truth brings indescribable peace, security, worth and joy in my life.

So what’s the best thing I’ve ever done?

The best thing I’ve ever done is receiving Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord and then falling in love with Him……He is a lover like no other so on this Valentine’s Day, above all other love in my life, I celebrate His love for me.

“FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS” – BY JONATHAN BUTLER FEATURING KIRK WHALUM

If you’ve never experienced it, why not taste and see that God’s love is good on this Valentine’s Day?

Other persons in your life may disappoint you, take you for granted, be impatient with your imperfections, not support you when you need them most, lie to you, cheat on you, use you, abuse you, walk away and leave you, but not God, He will love you with an everlasting, fulfilling, perfect love that nothing or no one can separate you from.

Do you want to experience that love?

Click on the “Become A Part of God’s Family” tab and enter into the most exciting and fulfilling love relationship you will ever have in your life….I guarantee it will blow you away.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

(John 3:16 – KJV)

Hands down, falling in love with Jesus is the best thing I’ve ever done.

Be encouraged and have a beautiful day!

Kim

Image “LOVE, LOVE, LOVE” courtesy of gubgib –http://www.freedigitalphotos.net

Video “FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS” by Jonathan Butler & Kirk Whalumcourtesy of CLCPraiseandWorship – http://www.youtube.com

5 KEYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MARRIAGE

February 11, 2014Kim Sweeting 7 Comments

5 KEYS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MARRIAGE

DO ALL YOU CAN TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MARRIAGE

Make a fist with your left hand but keep your thumb sticking out.

Now extend your ring finger only all the way up…you can’t.

The ring finger is the only finger that cannot be extended fully separately.

Likewise, you cannot extend your marriage fully separately on your own. You need help from the Lord always, from your spouse almost always and from other wise, mature, godly persons from time-to-time….SELAH.

The Word of God in Hosea 4:6 states, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (NIV)

A lack of knowledge has proven destructive in many marriages so here are 5 keys, or nuggets of knowledge that if diligently applied will strengthen your marriage.

KEY 1) – HONOR GOD AS GOD

Honor God as God. Keep Him and the covenant you made before Him at the center of your marriage. Have Him as the ultimate authority in all matters and seek to glorify Him in all you do. Remember as Believer in Christ your marriage is not just about you and your spouse, God is an integral part and He is the glue that can see you through.

KEY 2) – UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT EACH OTHER’S UNIQUE DIFFERENCES

As individuals with different genders, backgrounds and life experiences, you and your spouse are not the same. Seek to understand each other’s unique differences, and if not illegal or immoral in God’s eyes, to accept them instead of making them a point of contention in your marital relationship. Embrace each other’s differences as complementary elements that strengthen and add variety to your marriage instead of rejecting them in a negative light.

KEY 3) – WALK IN LOVE AND RESPECT

Ephesians 5:33 states, “each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” – (NIV)

Based on over 25 years of marital counseling, in his book “Love and Respect – The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs”, Dr. Emerson Eggerich states that “A woman needs love like she needs air to breathe and a man needs respect like he needs air to breathe” and feels this is one reason God commands a husband to love and a wife to respect.

Wives, let your husbands know what is loving and unloving to you, and husbands, let your wives know what is respectful and disrespectful to you then both act on this knowledge, recognizing that a husband’s love for his wife motivates her to show him respect him and a wife’s respect for her husband motivates him to show her love.

(Source: “Love & Respect – The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs”, 2010, by Dr. Emerson Eggerich)

KEY 4) – IDENTIFY AND MEET EACH OTHER’S MAIN EMOTIONAL NEEDS

In his book “His Needs, Her Needs – Building an Affair-Proof Marriage” Psychologist and Marriage Counselor Dr. Willard F. Harley Jr. identifies 10 main emotional needs in a marriage namely, sexual fulfillment, recreational companionship, physical attractiveness, domestic support, admiration, (which he noted are usually the husbands’ top 5) affection, intimate conversation, honesty and openness, financial support and family commitment (which he noted are usually the wives’ top 5).

Identifying, sharing, then meeting each other’s main emotional needs will strengthen your marriage. Seek to meet your spouses main emotional needs as you would want your spouse to meet yours.

(Source: “His Need’s, Her Need’s – Building an Affair-Proof Marriage”, 2011, by Willard F. Harley Jr, 2011 )

KEY) 5 – SEEK TO BE GOOD & GODLY COMMUNICATORS

Good communication is said to be a lifeline to the health of a good marriage. Seek to be good and godly communicators.

When communicating with your spouse, 1) Be mindful of the time – when either of you is hungry, angry, tired or rushed it is usually not a good time; 2) Choose your words wisely – there are many ways to say the same thing, some harmful and some good; 3) Watch your tone of voice, facial expression and body language – they send stronger messages than your words; 4) Speak the truth in love – truth builds trust and lies destroy trust which like virginity, once lost never returns to its original state; 5) Discuss issues – sweeping them under the carpet and pretending they are not there is a recipe for disaster; 6) Use PEPP talk often: P= praise – speak well of your spouse, E= encourage – build up your spouse, P= problem solve – work to resolve or diffuse situations that arise between you and your spouse, and P=prayer – pray without ceasing for and with your spouse; 7) Look up scriptures on communication and apply the principles to your marriage.

The Word of God in Hosea 4:6 states, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (NIV)

A lack of knowledge has proven destructive in many marriages

It is my prayer that the knowledge that I have shared with you was helpful and enlightening in some way and that you will diligently apply it as led by the Holy Spirit to strengthen and maximize the marriage God has entrusted to you.

Be blessed by “The Marriage Prayer” by John & Josee Waller

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “MARRIAGE KEY WORDS ON A COLORFUL CORK BOARD” by artur84 courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Video “THE PRAYER” by John and Josee Waller courtesy of smilealways06 – http://www.youtube.com

TRASH OR TREASURE?

February 4, 2014Kim Sweeting 7 Comments

TRASH OR TREASURE?

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”

Trash – “something worth little or nothing; things that are no longer useful or wanted and that have been thrown away”

(www.merriam-webster.com)

Treasure – “something that is very special, important, or valuable; a person who is greatly loved or valued especially because of being very helpful”

(www.merriam-webster.com)

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”

Is your relationship with God trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with your spouse trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with your child trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with your father trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with your mother trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with your family trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with the church trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with your friend trash or treasure?

Is your relationship with your work trash or treasure?

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”

Be careful who or what in your life you treat as trash.

Someone else will be happy to treat that same person or thing as treasure.

SELAH!

Kim

WORK THAT GIFT

January 30, 2014Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

WORK THAT GIFT

UNWRAP YOUR GIFT AND WORK IT!

God has graced you with a gift.

Unwrap your gift and work it.

Don’t let it stay wrapped up and bound by the spirit of comparison.

Don’t let it stay wrapped up and bound by the spirit of intimidation.

Don’t let it stay wrapped up and bound by the spirit of fear.

Unwrap your gift and work it.

No one can work that gift like you because God has graced you in a unique way to use it.

You know the gift He is speaking to you about.

Make a decision to begin to use it today.

Someone is waiting for the blessing that is in you.

Step out and use that gift under the power of God’s anointing and watch God move.

Unwrap your gift and work it.

Kim

Donald Lawrence & Company – “The Gift”

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

(Romans 12:6-8 – NLT)

“A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.”

(Proverbs 18:16 – NKJV)

Image “GIFT BOX” by rakratchada torsap courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Video “THE GIFT” by Donald Lawrence & Company” courtesy of eydelyworship – http://www.youtube.com