Tag Archives: joy

Mar 15 2011

Day 15 – A Heart of Praise

It’s night like these, when I find myself wanting to write but the thoughts and words don’t always seem to come together. My heart is filled with praise, but how do you write about your praise. Well, I guess we will soon find out.

Lord I thank you for keeping me, when I wasn’t able to keep myself. I thank you for keeping my mind. Lord I take nothing for granted and I take no credit for what is or what is yet to come. All I can say is “Thank You” and “Yes Lord”. No matter what may my way, you have shown me that in you I am more than a conquerer. You have shown me that little is so much when I place it in your hands.

I thank you for breathing life back into me when I tried to end it by my own hands. Lord if it wasn’t for your power, grace and love, I don’t know where I would be. The very least I can do is praise you, for you are God alone. I must stretch my hand out to those in need; I must serve.

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Feb 8 2011

A Lesson in Love

A Lesson in Love
When I first started out on this journey. I questioned love, I understood where and who I learned how to love from but I didn’t know how to allow the love of God to work through me and build me up. I was broken, but in the perfect position to be molded, my mind renewed and life transformed. Love has become my foundation. The sad part is that the final portion of the lesson was taught to me through the passing of my cousin, Kimmy.
We spoke almost daily throughout this past year. It was as if both of us were on our own journey trying to find our way back. Worried about the guilt and shame of our past, but believing in our heart that we had been forgiven but so worried about people. Being bound by guilt and shame, we were looking for the light, that covering of love. So many people had let me down that I had no choice but to take my eyes off man and look up, God is love. Man’s love is conditional, wavering and even misleading at times. However, sometimes when our path seems dim if the right person travels that road (the Good Samaritan) we can find our way. “And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” Luke 10:25-28

In this life we need each other, but most importantly we all need the love of God to work through us. We may not understand the pitstop that someone is at along their journey but love will lead them back. God is the only one that can save, we were instructed to love and displaying the love of God brings him glory. For love covers, it heals, it protects, it instructs, it cares, it forgives, it endures; God is love.

The parable of the prodigal son, has been on replay in my mind for quite some time. This is a story of love and restoration. Sometimes we can confuse showing love with obligation. Doing something out of obligation and doing something out of love is two different things and the difference is felt. The prodigal son was living a life of sin which is a separation from God’s love and fellowship. He had to get tired of himself and his lifestyle to understand that God’s love, grace and mercy were available to him. He had to let all the pride go to understand that God hadn’t left him but was yet and still present. The father received him home with open arms. The older brother felt like he was still undeserving and was judgemental. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he sid unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out and intreated him.” Luke 15:24-28 When we love out of obligation we outwardly keep God’s commandments but inwardly have a religious and judgemental spirit.

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have love you.” John 15:12 Last year was my year of being broken down so that HE could build me back up. Now I am on a sure foundation, a foundation of love. Now I am prepared to build on it. I love you and there is nothing you can do about it.

R.I.Love Kimberly Lynn Walton

Oct 19 2010

Healing For The Soul

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:15

When I think of healing in the physical sense, I think of one of my children falling and cutting themselves. Typically, peroxide or another ointment is applied to clean the wound and a band-aid is used to cover it. When a band-aid is applied it typically slows down the healing process because of the moisture, but it protects the wound from infection. A wound will heal faster when it is exposed to air; the air encourages the clotting. The key word is expose. The definition of expose, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary is “to make known; bring to light; open to view”. Just like our physical wounds can be delayed in the healing process due to lack of exposure so can our spiritual wounds. We tell ourselves that its okay, I just made a mistake, it wasn’t that bad or its over now. When in fact, those band-aids we are applying are delaying our healing process. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Once a scab has developed, normally we remove the band-aid, we all know that its best for the scab to fall off on its own so that scarring does not occur. In the spiritual sense, when we have not exposed the wound properly or dealt with it and the scab develops, we give the enemy the power to pick at that scab, to open up old wounds and to cause issues leading to infection. Infection causes issues in other areas that were never infected initially such as our relationships, our finances, our faith and even our salvation. “And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.” Revelations 12:11 We have all been through something, experienced guilt and shame, but understanding God’s grace and mercy, it’s our testimony that bares witness to just how faithful he is to forgive us and heals us from all of our brokenness. God is waiting to ease our load, remove the baggage and clear out those skeletons in our closets, if you are willing to turn them over to him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. “ Matthew 11:28-29

When we hold onto our issues, the enemy will cause us to feel guilt and shame, distracting us from seeking God for our healing and deliverance. I reminded of the woman with the issue of blood. She had suffered from this condition for 12 years. In spite of how she was looked down upon, she believed that if she just touched the hem of his garment she would be made whole. Matthew 9:20-21 God wants to heal us and he will turn our mess into a message and our test into testimonies.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14