A God of Hope!

I know that God is a God of hope. I know that God’s presence is enough. I stand in tremendous witness knowing that no matter what we suffer, as we serve God and as we are faithful to Him, He sustains us. He gives us His protection. He gives us His word. He gives us what we need to serve Him. The times may be extraordinarily difficult, but God remains faithful to His promises. I bless His name for salvation, deliverance, freedom, healing, peace, protection, strength, and the list goes on!

Do not be a goat following a clown!

I have come to realize that I am just one of those people that is going to have warning or prophetic type dreams. It is not easy to dream some of what I do, but it leads me to stay prayed up and be prepared for what is to come. Knowing to rely on these scriptures during this:

James 1:2-3 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith workers patience." ~ Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." ~ Philippians 1:29 "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."

Through every suffering it only makes me stronger in Him and more Christ like. This dream has me so grieved in the state the church is headed at large. In the dream, I was walking into this church and it was built as a theater with a stage (think of a concert hall or a theater where live plays or ballets take place) . In this theater, it was either recliners to sit in or couches to sit on, because we know society is all about their comfort. As the song leader started leading a song, heres come to the stage, strobe lights, and a group of women dancing about half dressed. I was immediately appalled and got up to walk out, my daddy was in the dream and some others I knew and we walked out so very upset, not just at what was going on but others we knew who just sat there and ate their popcorn while they were being entertained and having their itching ears scratched. As I continued on in the dream, I was trying to escape being killed or tormented, because I was standing up for what was right, but the Lord spared me as each time I cried out to Him and spoke out scripture such as, 'God said never will I leave the, never will I forsake thee, I will be with thee even until the end, for I am a friend who sticks closer than a brother', and in that moment I was spared from death. I have had many dreams like this where I would be the one crying out to God, praying, quoting scripture and would be the person spared every time. The point is, being a Christian is going to get harder in this day and time. Yet, we have to know that we are a sheep following the Shepherd, instead of a goat following a clown. That dream is reality of what is going on in the church and world today. In the end, we cannot be afraid to suffer or die for Jesus Christ, as He did the same for us. Whatever God is preparing me for, I move ahead without fear of what man or this world may do me, because my soul will remain untouched and unharmed! I, with boldness and confidence only the Holy Ghost can give me, walk unshamed and unafraid to stand up for what I believe and for the God I serve.

From Misery to Praise!

1 Samuel 1:1 - 2:11 ☆ this scripture looks at Hannah's journey from misery to praise. Waiting is one of the hardest things we must do. So much of life involves waiting, and in an age of instant products, waiting irritates us. But waiting is hardest when we see the clock running on, the years going by, and still our hopes and dreams are unfulfilled. Hannah knew about waiting. In a society that measured a woman's worth by her children, Hannah was barren. Year after year she waited in misery for the answer to her prayers. She had two choices: to be bitter or to continue seeking God's help. She continued to seek God's help and God gave her a son, whom she named Samuel, which means "God Hears" and in that moment her misery turned into praise. Just like Hannah, we must continue seeking God and standing on His promises that our prayers will be answered and heard according to God's will and time, knowing that our misery shall turn into praise.

We need a burden for lost souls!

Jesus said to lift up your eyes and behold the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest. He wants us to love and care for the lost. We must ask Him to break our hearts for the lost and give us a burden for their souls. It pleases God to see His children seeking His kingdom, not that of the world. Seeking to add lost souls to His kingdom, not seeking for self. If you dwell in the field, you will be out in the world, but not OF the world, being about your Father's business! And, God will deliver you out of all your trials, and from the enemy of your soul. When God says something, it has to happen. No one can change the word of God!

Act 26:18  - "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

This is the verse that we can pray over our lost loved ones. That is how we bring the power of God into our prayers. Pray His word, and His will be done. It is not God's will that any should perish but have everlasting life with Him in Heaven!

God paved the way!

Four years ago, God led me to Clanton Church of God. After much struggling with getting settled, God finally gave me the word and vision that I needed to plant my feet and grow. I knew about a year after attending church there I would only leave/step away from the church for 2 reasons: 1). If the Lord called me home 2). If the Lord opened the door for a ministry position at another church. No. 2 has arrived. After filling in on the piano at New Life Assembly of God in Maplesville, for the last month and also seeing the need for a youth leader, God begin to pour into me my purpose and I have seen myself come out of full depression during this time. I have accepted ministry positions, continuing to play the piano for them and officially kick off the first class as the Youth Leader this Wed night. I will also be taking the position as teacher of the Sunday School teen class when the new quarter starts in June. Though after around six years of teaching Sunday school at the nursing home, I have had to step down from that, God's already put another teacher in my place and I will still get to visit and minister to them during the monthly singspiration services. I am grateful for the support of Bro. Boatwright, Pastor at CCOG and other church family I have spoken to one on one. I am grateful for the relationships I have built there that are now rock solid (you know who you are), for those who have spiritually mentored me, been in my corner the whole time, had my back, poured into me, cried and laughed with me + held my hand through it all, helped and encouraged me to keep pushing forward, supported me through it all, and ministered to me during the most toughest times of my life. In addition, I am thankful for the ones God allowed me to pour into and minister to. I am thankful for the four years of needed spiritual growth and training, and for learning to be sensitive to God's Holy Spirit and waiting upon His perfect time. Nothing with God is ever in vain, and when you find yourself on the other side of the mountain, you realize that all the tears shed, prayers prayed, the sleepless nights, pain and hurt, disappointments and trials were worth it ALL. When I'm busy doing the Lord's work I am content, when I am not I am miserable! Please keep Pastor Cody Johnson and his wife Audrey Cronier Johnson, me, and this church in your prayers. Through God divinely connecting us at Clanton First Assembly of God church 7 years ago, and throughout the growth of our friendship, I now count it both an honor and blessing to minster along side them. God wants to grow this church again and bless the community, and I want to continue to have an excited and expectant heart. Until He comes, I'm not about to quit, and I will do His work! ♡

God delays but God protects!

I know life is full of disappointments and living as a Christian, there are even more frustrating times, because of the shape of this world and the enemy trying to keep the mountains in our path and trying to hinder and block God's blessings. So, when your job promotion falls through, when a relationship unexpectedly ends, when you are diagnosed with an illness, when you are struggling financially... I pray you find encouragement in this word. See, I have lived for the Lord long enough, and seen Him bring me through enough, and protect me enough to know that when plans get changed, when the upsetting tears fall from your eyes, when a long phone or face to face conversation ends and it seems it was pointless and nothing was settled... and when you shake your fists and scream out, why is this happening? You have got to come to understand that God detours, delays, demotes, or devises plans because He is either protecting you, preparing you, or planning something better for you... Just trust Him to lead the way and continue to guide you. He knows what He is doing, and I have had to be reminded of this in a big way this week. Remember in His word, He promises to go before us and pave the crooked paths straight; that means every roadblock, stumbling block, barrier and hindrance shall be removed if you will continue to submit to His will, obey, and trust in Him!

New Life! New Ministry! New Church!

This is one card that I will never plan to discard. It was mailed to me 8 years ago or so by a dear sister in Christ who has always supported how the Lord has used me in ministry. It was a particular time of struggling for me both financially and physically; she took the time to write, out in a card, reminding me of everything she had heard me speak over women until that point and still refers to me as Kimmy: Woman of God. Inside the card was a check that met a financial need. Reading over this card this week has reminded me for every person not in my corner regarding ministry, God has strategically placed someone in my corner that has helped push me forward in Ministry, even when the enemy uses others to try to keep me sitting idling, God keeps helping me push forward, helping me know what direction to move in, when to speak and when to listen. This month, as I transition to new areas of ministry in my life moving forward, I am thankful God reminds me of those who are pushing me to do His work! This is not only new life it is ministry at a church that's called, get ready for it, New Life Assembly of God. How awesome is God! I am excited to step up to the position of church musician and Youth Leader. Teaching the Sunday School teen class and leading the youth service on Wednesday nights.♡ #Ministry #Piano #MinistryFocused #NewLife #ABetterMe #FullTimeMinistry #NewChurch #YouthLeader #DontGetBlindsidedByTheEnemy #GodFocused

Take this to the Bank and Deposit It!

I am in competition with no one. When it comes to ministry and my life, what I do, I do it ALL for the glory of God, and I seek His approval only, not man's. And if God calls you to do a work, He will complete the work in you as long as you stay in line with His word, and stay focused on Him and His will for your life, and remain obedient to Him. Oh, you better believe when you step out in obedience to do something God has called you to, you will face opposition and criticism. The Lord is my spiritual bulldozer, and He SHALL plow every roadblock, hindering, distracting, opposing. intimidating, envious, jealous demonic spirit out of my way as I do the work He has called and prepared me to do (His Word promises us that He will go before us and pave every crooked path straight). I do not fear opposition. I am like Nehemiah, I am not coming off these walls, for God has ordained and anointed me to do a work for Him. Praise God, because He is our vindicator, He will fight our battles, and He will weed out. Let me tell you, I know that I am an end time minister and that God is going to go before me and make the crooked paths straight. Again, He promises that in His word, and He is going to protect me and lead, guide and direct my steps. I have dug my heels in, I have planted my feet on the Word of God, and I will not move. I will not be afraid of opposition, and I will not back down. I will stand up with boldness and confidence and proclaim and preach His uncompromised word. I am not worried about criticism anymore. Jesus faced criticism and ridicule throughout His entire ministry on earth, all the way to dragging His own crucifixion cross up to Mount Calvary, all the way up to the point he drew His last breath, and He is still facing criticism today from unbelievers. I am in this for the long haul, and I shall see my Lord and Savior face to face one day. I am not intimidated by the devil, let along anyone else. The wool is not gonna be pulled over this sheep's eyes, and I have enough discernment through the Holy Ghost living and working in my life to know when it is a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing, and you better believe I will NOT be having any part of the work of the enemy. You can take that to the bank and deposit it. I always say if you have a problem with the way the Lord is using someone, you better take it up with Him. I have been through way too much to know God is enough for me, and He has my back through it all from here to eternity. I have been through enough to know it is not worth one second to worry about anyone who is being used by the enemy to try to distract or hinder me from doing God's work. Get thee behind me satan! I've got my foot on the rock and my mind's made up! No Matter Who Tries to Ensnare a Devoted Child of God - The Devil, Wicked People, or Other Christians - They Will Not Succeed!

100% give it over to God!

One of the best benefits we can receive from a prayer life is learning to let go. In fact, I think prayer is really the process of letting go. You are letting go by taking your burdens and giving them to God. People are carrying burdens they were never designed to carry. The sooner we learn we are not in control of our lives, situations, or heartaches the sooner we will learn to trust God on a much deeper level. After all, our lives are in His hands and not our own. I have realized that prayer is essentially telling God, "It is not up to me, it is up to You." His perfect will must be done in every situation, and He must get the glory for it all. Prayer is where burdens change shoulders (from yours to God's). There is power in prayer and prayer changes things. Don't ever think your prayers are in vain. However, 99.9% of the time the mountain (obstacle) that is standing in the way of our deliverance, healing, breakthrough, miracle, etc. is our refusal to 100% give it over to God.

Prayers of Forgiveness!

Jesus instructs us to build into our prayers a request for God to forgive us in the same way that we have forgiven others who have harmed us (i.e. The Lord's Prayer). If there are those we have not forgiven when we ourselves pray for forgiveness, then practically speaking we are asking God not to restore a right relationship with us after we sin. To emphasize the importance of restoring broken relationships with our brothers and sisters (in Christ), Jesus states that asking for God’s forgiveness for one’s own sins, all the while withholding forgiveness from someone else, is not only bizarre but hypocritical. We cannot possibly walk with God in true fellowship if we refuse to forgive others. An unforgiving spirit is a serious sin and should be confessed to God. If we have unforgiveness in our hearts against someone else, then we are acting in a way that is not pleasing to God, making our prayers and a proper living relationship with Him difficult.

You want to be a Sheep!

I hear so strongly in my spirit, the Lord saying, the day is soon approaching when I will separate the goats from the sheep. People get ready, you want to be at the right hand of the Father. You want to be the sheep who knows His voice and follows Him.

Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The Cross Dream: The Sign!

I woke up from a dream I was having several years back and I cannot forget it. I wrote it down, because I knew I did not need to forget it. In fact, it has really been on my heart to share it. In my dream, I was in a large arena full of people, and it was a Christian event/conference that was being held. Everyone was holding a sign with a topic written on it to discuss. As people would lift their sign, and asked if we wanted to talk about this subject... the crowd would break out in loud applause and cheers... it was subjects such as lifestyles, food, music, dancing, clothing etc... when it was my time to hold up my sign, it said THE CROSS... as I waited for the crowd to get excited about discussing this topic, a complete hush fell over the arena, and I was left holding the sign up, crying and praising the Lord, confused that no one else wanted to discuss the cross. I was begging and pleading with people to talk about the cross, but no one would. As I woke up, the Lord said this is the time that you are living in, the time when you are going to have to make a stand for the cross when no one else will, the time when true believers will be separated from those who are just playing church... are you willing to stand up for Me and the Cross even if it you are persecuted? YES I AM LORD, no matter what comes my way!