WANT HEALING & FREEDOM?…..CONFESS YOUR SINS/FAULTS AND PRAY

April 24, 2013Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

WANT HEALING & FREEDOM?…….CONFESS YOUR SINS/FAULTS AND PRAY

CONFESS YOUR SINS/FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER AND PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

Confess = exomologeo – “to acknowledge, assent, agree fully: confess, profess”.

(Source: #1843, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., Thomas Nelson, 1990)

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

(James 5:16 – KJV)

Is there a trespass/sin/fault in your life that you are hiding in your inner sanctum that is silently eating away your spiritual effectiveness, strength, inner-peace and joy?

Is there a trespass/sin/fault in your life that haunts you daily, that lurks around you like a would-be robber, that no matter how you try to shine makes the skies in your atmosphere overcast and grey?

Is there a trespass/sin/fault that bounces back up every time you shove it down, that overshadows your “I’m fine mask” making it visibly distorted, that continuously subjugates the authenticity of your life?

There is power, healing and freedom awaiting you in confession and prayer.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

(James 5:16 – NIV)

What is that trespass/sin/fault that has you bound in fear, guilt and shame because you will not confess/acknowledge/admit it to another and request prayer even though God has told you to do so?

What is that trespass/sin/fault that has power over you because you will not confess/acknowledge/admit it to another and request prayer even though God has told you to do so?

What trespass/sin/fault do you have bottled up inside of you that you know you need to confess/acknowledge/admit to another and request prayer because God has told you so?

There is power, healing and freedom awaiting you in confession and prayer.

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].

(James 5:16 – Amplified Bible)

Has God prompted or is He prompting you to go and confess/acknowledge/admit a trespass/sin/fault to a particular person and seek prayer?

If so, what are you going to do?

Are you going to obey Him and do it, or are you going to disobey Him and deceptively hope that in time, it will all simply fade away?

If your answer is the latter, please know that sweeping under the carpet what God wants confessed to another or mowing down what God wants uprooted and exposed to another will never bring the healing, inner-peace and freedom you long for. It will only keep you bound, stagnated, reeling in turmoil and living a facade…..Selah.

The thought of obeying this scripture may be uncomfortable, scary, risky and even unnecessary from your point of view, but to obey God is always better than to offer Him sacrifices/alternatives; He never wants sacrifices/alternatives in the place of our obedience.

The fact that God tells us to confess our sins one to another and pray that we may be healed and restored means that every Believer has issues in their life that need to be dealt with in this way from time-to-time including the person He is telling you to confess yours to.

So in light of this, you can take some comfort in the fact that when you confess your issue/fault/sin to this person, they really have no legitimate stones of condemnation to cast at you from their glass house…….Selah.

If God has prompted or is prompting you to go and confess/acknowledge/admit a trespass/sin/fault to a particular person, I challenge you to make today your day of obedience and do it.

There is power, healing and freedom awaiting you.

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.

(James 5:16 – The Message Bible)

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “Conversation Between Two 3-D Characters Showing Communication” by Stuart Miles courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Just a verse (restoreme365.com)
Exposed for your Good! (ccurryblog.wordpress.com)

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE 1

April 21, 2013Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

NOTEWORTHY QUOTE 1

“SELAH – PAUSE AND CALMLY THINK OF THAT”

From time-to-time I will be posting quotes that I view as noteworthy.

The following is a statement quoted from S. J. Hill found in Chapter 4 of Frank DeCenso Jr.’s book, “Amazed by the Power of God”.

“According to Mark 16:16-18, Jesus promised that certain signs would follow every believer. These signs were not meant to merely follow the apostles, pastors or evangelists. The Lord used many other believers to preach, work miracles, cast out demons, and heal the sick. Stephen, Philip and Ananias were not apostles, and yet they were used significantly in the work of the ministry.

What we need today is not more people giving up their jobs, dedicating their lives to “full-time Christian service”, and seeking some form of religious employment; what is needed is for all of us as Christians to become full-time disciples of Jesus, witnessing and ministering in the realm of life and employment we now find ourselves. What we could do in any other place or circumstance, we can do right where where we are. We can share our faith, pray for the sick and those in need, liberate the demonically oppressed, and serve our neighbor in love.”

Source: Frank DeCenso Jr., Amazed by the Power of God,

(Destiny Image Publisher’s Inc, 2009), chapter 4, p. 88

SELAH!

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

Video “People Need the Lord” by Steve Green courtesy of WorshipLink – http://www.youtube.com

Video “I Give Myself Away” by William McDowell courtesy of Mickie D – http://www.youtube.com

Because He Came, We Must Go (altruistico.wordpress.com)

DON’T QUIT

April 19, 2013Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

DON’T QUIT

DON’T QUIT!

If you feel like giving up today, I have a message for you “don’t quit!”

The following poem has been around for many, many years yet it continues to inspire people worldwide as if written today.

Whatever your situation, may it stimulate, motivate, encourage, inspire, influence, rouse, move, stir, energize, incite you not to give up, not to quit.

DON’T QUIT

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,  

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,  

When the funds are low and the debts are high,  

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,  

When care is pressing you down a bit,  

Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,  

As every one of us sometimes learns,  

And many a failure turns about,  

When he might have won had he stuck it out,

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,  

It seems to a faint and faltering man,  

Often the struggler has given up,  

When he might have captured the victor’s cup,

 And he learned too late when the night slipped down,  

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,  

And you never can tell how close you are,  

It may be near when it seems so far,  

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,  

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

– Author unknown –

Remember, the darkest hour is just before dawn.

Don’t quit!

“DON’T GIVE UP”- BY KOHSHI KISHITA & GOSPEL NOW JAPAN

“THE BEST IS YET TO COME” – BY DONALD LAWRENCE

“THE BEST IS YET TO COME” – MARTHA MUNIZZI

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”

(Galatians 6:9 – The Message Bible)

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “Falling Over Despair Block Stock Image” by Stuart Miles courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Video “Don’t Give Up” by Kohshi Kishita & Gospel Now Japan courtesy of Yusuke Shibata – http://www.youtube.com

Video “The Best Is Yet To Come” by Donald Lawrence courtesy of rabbit2071 – http://www.youtube.com

Video “The Best Is Yet To Come” by Martha Munizzi courtesy of Martha Munizzi – http://www.youtube.com

Don’t Quit! Don’t Quit! Don’t Quit! * (girltalkandgiggles.wordpress.com)

THERE IS A COST TO FOLLOW CHRIST

April 18, 2013Kim Sweeting

THERE IS A COST TO FOLLOW CHRIST

You must take up your cross and follow Christ to be HIs disciple.

According to Jesus, you must take up your cross and follow Him to be His disciple and know that there is a cost.

Figure the Cost

25-27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.

28-30 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’

31-32 “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?

33 “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.

34 “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

(Luke 14:25-34 – The Message Bible)

THERE IS A COST TO FOLLOW CHRIST.

Click the link below to see the 2013 World Watch List on Christian Persecution.

WWL-Main-Download

HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY?

SELAH!

Hated by the World

18-19 “If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you.

20 “When that happens, remember this: Servants don’t get better treatment than their masters. If they beat on me, they will certainly beat on you. If they did what I told them, they will do what you tell them.

21-25 “They are going to do all these things to you because of the way they treated me, because they don’t know the One who sent me. If I hadn’t come and told them all this in plain language, it wouldn’t be so bad. As it is, they have no excuse. Hate me, hate my Father—it’s all the same. If I hadn’t done what I have done among them, works no one has ever done, they wouldn’t be to blame. But they saw the God-signs and hated anyway, both me and my Father. Interesting—they have verified the truth of their own Scriptures where it is written, ‘They hated me for no good reason.’

(John 15:18-25 – The Message Bible)

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

(Matthew 5:10-12 – The Message Bible)

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;  we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:35-39 – NIV)

THERE IS A COST TO FOLLOW CHRIST.

HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY?

SELAH!

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “Cross” by Luigi Diamante courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

LIFE NUGGETS FROM NAAMAN

April 15, 2013April 16, 2013Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

LIFE NUGGETS FROM NAAMAN

II Kings 5:1-14

II Kings 5:1, introduces Naaman in this way. “Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” (II Kings 5:1 – NIV).

Naaman was a mighty commander of the army of the king of Aram , a well-known valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

Bruce was a mighty man of God, a well-known articulate preacher of the Word and faithful member of the church, but he had “leprosy”, he had a habit of lying.

Susan was a mighty woman of God, a well-known melodic soloist and successful business professional but she had “leprosy”, he had an adulterous relationship.

Are you proficient, well-known and looked up to in your sphere of influence, perhaps in your family, business, church, profession, or community, but have “leprosy”, but have something in your life that is slowly eating away at you, some persistent, besetting sin, perhaps lying, greed, jealousy, envy, unforgiveness, adultery, fornication, pride, gossip, or some other attitude or behavior that God deems sinful?

A little girl taken captive from Israel who served Naaman’s wife as a maid told her that if only her master Naaman would go to see the prophet in Samaria he would cure him of his leprosy.

If you were the girl in captivity, would you be concerned about the well-being of your captors, or would you secretly rejoice in their affliction because they had afflicted you by taking you away from your family and making you a servant?

Who in your life is holding you captive in some way?

What is your attitude toward them?

Naaman went to his master, the king of Aram and told him what the girl had said. The king readily granted him permission to go and gave Naaman a letter for the king of Israel stating that he was sending Naaman to him that he may cure Naaman of his leprosy. The king did this in spite of the fact that the little girl had clearly stated that the prophet was the key to Naaman’s healing, not the king.

Are you seeking natural sources of power to cure your “leprosy” instead spiritual sources? Are you looking to man to do something in your life that you know only God can do?

When the king of Israel read the letter from the king of Aram, he freaked out. He tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy ? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” (II Kings 5:7 – NIV)

Who in your life are you creating stress for because you expect them to do for you what only God can do or because you expect them to be to you who only God can be?…….Your spouse, your child, your friend, your neighbor, your co-worker, or some other family member?

When Elisha heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes in perplexity and despair, Elisha sent a message to the king telling him not to be disheartened but to simply have Naaman sent to him that Naaman will know there is a prophet in Israel. So Naaman went with all of his horses and chariots to Elisha’s house.

Have you ever been in a perplexing situation to which you had no solution and was therefore causing you much stress then someone came along and said don’t worry, they’d take care of it for you? What a blessing!

Now when Naaman, the mighty commander of the army of the king of Aram , the well-known valiant soldier arrived at Elisha’s door with all of his horses and chariots, Elisha did not come out to him. He instead sent a messenger to Naaman with this message, “Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” (II Kings 5:10 – NIV)

What was Naaman’s response? He went away furious!

Speaking of the prophet Elisha Naaman said, “I thought he would surely come out to me and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed? so he went off in a rage.”. (II Kings 5:11, 12 – NIV)

Have you ever been furious because you were not treated in a way that you expected, because you did not get the deference you felt you deserved as someone in your position or of your caliber? Do you suffer from “don’t you know who I am” syndrome?

Have you ever become enraged because the prescribed solution to your problem was senseless to you and an “insult to your intelligence”?

Have you ever thought you had a better answer to your problem or a better way of dealing with your problem than the one prescribed by God?

Fortunately, Naaman was surrounded by wise servants who encouraged their master to heed the prophet’s instructions. They went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he tells you ‘Wash and be cleansed!’ ” (II Kings 5:13 – NIV)

What kind of people do you surround yourself with? Are they people who give you wise godly counsel when you find yourself in a predicament or are they people whose counsel tends to exacerbate your circumstances, to make them worse?

Is there a problem persisting in your life because you refuse to follow God’s instructions and get your freedom; because you want to resolve the situation your way and not God’s way?

If so, what is holding you back….pride, fear, believing there is a better way, not truly wanting to be free?

To Naaman’s credit, he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan river seven times just as Elisha instructed and “his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a little boy”. (II Kings 5:14 – NIV)

Naaman conceded to God’s instruction that he received through the prophet Elisha and by doing exactly what God said, he got exactly what God promised, he was completely healed of his leprosy.

What has God instructed you to do that He says will completely heal you of your “leprosy”, of that persistent, besetting sin that is slowly eating away at your life?

Whether you face one instruction or a series of instructions from God, may the account of Naaman’s healing inspire you to obey God and receive your breakthrough in His way and in His time.

Be encouraged!

Kim

Image “Bible” by Arvind Balaraman of http://www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today’s Bible Reading (2kings 5:1-15) (prayers4reparation.wordpress.com)

I NEED GOD

April 10, 2013Kim Sweeting 4 Comments

I NEED GOD

DO YOU WANT, LIKE OR NEED GOD IN YOUR LIFE?

Do you want, like or need God in your life?

I need God.

I need Him in every aspect of my life.

I need God.

By the world’s standards I am competent in many ways, but apart from Him, I know I can do nothing.

I need God.

I am blessed in innumerable ways, but they all pale in comparison to His presence in my life.

I need God.

I consider it an unfathomable necessity and privilege to be connected to Him.

I need God.

I need Him like the air I breathe.

I need God.

Father I unashamedly declare my need for You.

You are my foundation.

You are my source.

You are my reason.

You are my all.

I thank You for my relationship with You.

I thank You for your presence in my life.

I need you.

I’ll forever bless your Name.

Amen.

Kim

Image “Need, Want, Like Dice” by Stuart Miles of http://www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Video “Without You” by Shekinah Glory courtesy of sainvild – http://www.youtube.com

THE BOLDEST STATEMENT IN THE WORLD

April 4, 2013April 4, 2013Kim Sweeting 6 Comments

THE BOLDEST STATEMENT IN THE WORLD

DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT JESUS SAID?

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

(John 14:6 – NIV)

In John 14:6, Jesus states that He is the Way the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except through Him.

What a bold statement!

Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through Him.

No one?

No one.

That is a bold statement!

Today, many proclaim that there are numerous roads to come to the Father, but Jesus unequivocally states that He is the only Way.

Do you believe what Jesus said?

Do you really believe that no one comes to the Father except through Him or do you believe that there are many other ways to the Father?

I Timothy 2:5, 6 states:

“For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time.” (Amplified Bible)

Do you believe this?

As the end of the age nears, the cost of living is increasing in the natural realm as well as in the spirit realm so it is more important than ever for you to know what you believe about Jesus.

SELAH!

Kim

Image “Inspirational Stones” by BJWOK of http://www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Putting Off Receiving Christ? (unwalled.wordpress.com)

BEWARE OF PRIDE

April 1, 2013March 16, 2017Kim Sweeting 2 Comments

BEWARE OF PRIDE

“BEWARE OF PRIDE”

Are you bound by pride?

Do you think more highly of yourself than you ought to?

Do you look down on others because you believe that you are in some way better than they?

Is there a particular action that the Spirit of God is calling you to take yet you resist because you believe you know a better way?

Is there a person in your life whose advice you know you should take yet you resist?

Is there an apology you know you need to make, forgiveness you know you need to ask for, a fault you know you need to confess yet you refuse?

Is there help you need but would not ask for?

Proverbs 16:18 states:

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Selah!

The following poem is a reminder that pride can be a destructive force in our lives that yields many negative consequences.

I originally posted it in April of 2010 and thought I’d post it again.

Blessings!

Kim

Who am I?

I am so powerful yet I am so sly

I play you like a fool so you hold your high.

Through me you despise others looking at them down your nose

Through me you speak ill about and make fun of their clothes.

I am the force who makes you sit still and falter

When the Spirit of God bids you come to the altar.

I subtly whisper “you’re always right”

So you ignore all advice to my utter delight.

I urge “don’t say sorry”, “don’t apologize”

And you foolishly listen to your demise.

Hey hide all your problems keep them safe and sound

That’s how I know you’ll definitely remain bound.

Rely on yourself you don’t need help to do it

Ha! – Now you’re flat on your face, wow you’re so stupid!

You hearken to me at my every call and beck

Good! – That empowers me to keep my foot on your neck.

Okay, I’ll reveal myself no longer will I hide

I’m a stronghold in your life my name is pride.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 (NIV)

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 14:11 (NIV)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:10 (NIV)

NO MATTER WHAT……GOD REIGNS!

March 26, 2013Kim Sweeting

NO MATTER WHAT…….GOD REIGNS!

Sometimes in life we have to deal with situations that are daunting, overwhelming, impenetrable, and seemingly unchangeable.

If you find yourself in that place today, listen to the following song and be encouraged to know that no matter what you experience or how bad things seem, know, recognize, and understand that Our God Reigns!

“The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.”

(Psalms 146:10 – NIV)

Video “You Reign” by William Murphy courtesy of VerityGospel – http://www.youtube.com

Challenges?……….believe God (unwalled.wordpress.com)
Nothing Is Impossible With God (unwalled.wordpress.com)
Test, Trial, Difficult Situation? – Praise! (unwalled.wordpress.com)

THE SHINE ON AWARD

March 21, 2013March 21, 2013Kim Sweeting 17 Comments

THE SHINE ON AWARD

Today I am writing this post to officially thank Josephine Amaoko, a fellow Sister in Christ, fellow book lover, aspiring graduate of the University of Ghana and author of the fantabulous, versatile, uplifting blog “Joseyphina’s World”, http://www.joseyphina.wordpress.com, for so graciously nominating me for the The Shine On Award….Josephine, I am truly grateful and honored to accept this award from you…..to God be the glory!

The Shine On Award requires the nomination of 15 other blogs who would in turn post the awards on their sites and nominate other blogs also. It also requires the nomination of other blogs that tickle your fancy.

So without further ado, because they shine in their own unique way, my 15 nominations for The Shine On Award are:-

http://faith1stministries.wordpress.com

http://mizzblonde09.wordpress.com

http://thefeminineheart.wordpress.com

http://virtuouswoman73.wordpress.com

http://josephelonlillie.com

http://learning2bestill.com

http://chrismartinwrites.wordpress.com

http://darrellcreswell.wordpress.com

http://morningstoryanddilbert.wordpress.com

http://mustardseedbudget.wordpress.com

http://wingrish.wordpress.com