Jesus Kept!

Last week I was hearing the words "Jesus Kept" in my spirit. Tonight, after Sunday evening church service, this poem has poured from my soul. Notice that the word “kept” is in the past tense; the keeping was completed in the past. Jesus was keeping us before He ever formed us in our mother's womb. He was keeping us when He took His last breath on the cross. He was keeping us when He left His Holy Spirit behind to be our helper, teacher, comforter, and sanctifier. To be "Jesus Kept" means we are reserved, set apart, taken, spoken for, saved, and held. When we’re kept by Jesus, we are provided for by His everlasting love. In fact, we are the apple of His eye and He is always watching out for us. ♡♡♡

"Jesus Kept"

Jesus kept me before I was saved. Jesus kept me when I misbehaved. Jesus kept me when I gave my life to Him. Jesus kept me when the way grew so dim.

Jesus kept me when I was down. Jesus kept me when no one was around. Jesus kept me when life was grand. Jesus kept me in the palm of His hand.

Jesus kept me when I was wrong. Jesus kept me when I didn't belong. Jesus kept me when I was right. Jesus kept me with all of His might. 

Jesus kept me when times where bad. Jesus kept me when I was sad. Jesus kept me when times were good. Jesus kept me and through it all I withstood.

Jesus kept me when the money was tight. Jesus kept me and made everything right. Jesus kept me when I was scared and unsure. Jesus kept me and His love is secure.

Jesus kept me when He was dying on the cross. Jesus kept me when I counted it all but loss. Jesus kept me when He arose from the grave. Jesus kept me when I needed to be brave.

Jesus kept me when I was full of fear. Jesus kept me and stays always near. Jesus kept me when I lost my joy. Jesus kept me when the enemy sent others to destroy. 

Jesus kept me when I was full of hope. Jesus kept me when I was at the end of my rope. Jesus kept me when I was sick and fighting illness. Jesus kept me and showed me His realness. 

Jesus kept me and I felt His healing touch. Jesus kept me even when I used Him as a crutch. Jesus kept me and He's never left me behind. Jesus kept me and healed my mind. 

Jesus kept me when I wanted to quit. Jesus kept me when I seemed unfit. Jesus kept me and He turned my life around. Jesus kept me and placed my feet on solid ground.

Jesus kept me when my faith was strong. Jesus kept me when I was wronged. Jesus kept me when I was broken and torn apart. Jesus kept me and from me He did not depart.

Jesus kept me and put me back together. Jesus kept me and made it even better. Jesus kept me close to His side. Jesus kept me and He is forever my guide.

Jesus kept me and always will. Jesus kept me and helped me get over that hill. Jesus kept me and one day His face I shall see. Jesus kept me and soon I will praise Him for all eternity.

6.27.2021 ©️Kimberly McDaniel 

Happy Father's Day!

This was my daddy's 18th year to lead Father's Day service at Pinedale Assembly of God. He started leading it in 2003. I see the time and effort that He puts into it each year; the excitment on his face as he heads to church that morning. We talk through every year together, he asks my opinion on things, but he always leaves a surprise for me that he plans between the Lord and him. I was moved to tears this morning, just thanking God for these 18 years and graciously and mercifully giving him the opportunity to do this. In mid-2002, things looked bleak when my daddy was diagnosed with kidney cancer. I felt like the wind was knocked out of me, and I remember kneeling at the end of my bed crying out to God that if my daddy had to go, I wanted to go on home to; he was my everything and I couldn't lose him in my life at almost 19 years old... but God... He stepped in and gave my daddy another chance at life. My daddy is a very private and quiet man, and I had never really seen him scared in life or concerned like I did that year. I felt numb, and it's still a blur to me at times. I do remember him telling me that the tumor was malignant, and that the cancer had already spread to other places and chemotherapy wasn't an option. I was in my 1st semester at college, thinking my world was about to crash around me, and how was I going to move forward?! But the prayers of healing over my daddy from some faithful prayer warriors at Pinedale touched heaven the week before his surgery. I'll never forget the look on the doctor's face when he come out to talk to the family after my daddy's surgery... he said, "I don't understand what happened, but the tumor was outside of the kidney and the cancer had spread when I looked at the reports, but when I went in to do surgery today... I found the tumor and all of the cancer contained inside the kidney"?! We knew what had happened, and I think that doctor and hospital staff found out what it meant to be Pentecostal that day! Once daddy got settled in a room, I left Shelby Hospital, drove over to the University of Montevallo, took my first college final exam for biology and ended up making an A in that course. Daddy wanted to make sure I didn't miss my exam, that's just the way he is! He lost a kidney, but he still remains cancer free since December 2002, and his other kidney continues to function well. Not a day goes by that I don't thank and praise God for His hand of healing over my daddy's life! Thank you to my Heavenly Father for my earthly father, and giving him the opportunity to lead this service each year since that dreadful year. God saw past that year and what was coming; my daddy's calling (Bro. Jackie's calling at Pinedale)! He loves the Lord, the church, playing the bass guitar, singing to God, his family, and he still works hard to provide. Happy Father's Day to my daddy of faith. I love him so!! 2♡21. 

I pray this encourages someone, and to remind you that God's report can triumph the doctor's report.

I Can't Get Over This!

Some things that happen in our life can shake us to our very core, make us question who we are, make us question the Lord, make us have doubts and fears. Those situations push us into the "I can't get over this" stage. I've been there, and I've still got that situation that plays over and over in my mind... thinking I can't get over this... but God. In due time, with the help of Christ and others who truly understand, you learn how to get around it and get through it. Jesus is the One who can change how we see the situation... it makes us seek after Jesus... it makes us desire the Lord more than life... it puts us in a new outlook for life. Those tough situations in life (those unfair situations in life) have truly taught me how to make God my everything. It has made me love and pray deeper for my family, friends, and those not saved. Those "I can't get over this" situations of life... I no longer let them define me, but I have set my feet in a direction to help others for the cause of Christ. I'm reminded of this scripture: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." • (Colossians 2:6) 

When we trust and believe in Christ, focusing only on Him, we can be confident that He is always ready to help us in all situations; even if you think I can't get over this... He's there to help you get around it or through it and keep on going! 

In Christ, 

Kimmy ♡

Walk By Faith, God has a Plan!

If you are struggling with something just know I want to be obedient in sharing this word of encouragement with you. So often when we feel defeated ...we feel like we have no one to turn to. But really, that’s not the case. In all times, turning to God and leaning on your faith in Him can renew your hope that things will turn out alright. We should turn to God when we are grateful, when we are sad, and especially when we feel defeated and discouraged. 2nd Corinthians 5:7 says that “we live (walk) by faith, not by sight.” This is so true. Faith is not something we see, it is something we feel and something we believe in. It's blind faith.. having faith that God has a plan for you when nothing is going right is never easy, but knowing that there is a plan is enough to help you get through anything, especially if you are feeling defeated. This may sound simple, but the Lord says to remind His discouraged ones that He has a plan and lean on that promise!

Unshakeable Faith!

In the throne room of God is where God will meet me (us) with much peace, comfort, and reassurance of His goodness, power, mercy, and love. In the good times or the bad, I focus on Him. I have learned, through much adversity, to trust God completely. In the good seasons and in the bad seasons, God tells me this reminder, "keep your focus completely on Me. When it starts to detour, I'll help you get it back on Me where it needs to be, if you harken your ear to Me and listen. Continue to be still and know that I am God"! He's been so faithful to me. He was reminding me this week of the unshakable faith I've kept during some of the hardest times in my life, because you either trust God completely or your don't; faith and fear can't take up residency at the same time in your heart and mind. Either you're going to allow faith to drive out the fear or fear drive out your faith. And, you can't ride someone else's coat tails when it comes to faith, you must dig into the word of God and grab a hold of that faith for yourself. When I stay in the "throne room of God", it doesn't mean I'm oblivious to what's going on in the world, but it does keep me secure in knowing that despite corruption, chaos, and compromise going on within the world... God is still in control and I do not fear, knowing there is no other God before Him, He changes not, and He still speaks to His sons and daughters. In the throne room of God, let's pray for that unshakeable faith to keep carrying us through! ♡

In Christ,

Kimmy