NovemberArchives

December 31 , 2008

In addition to all of this take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:16-17 NIV

Can you imagine a soldier in combat holding up his shield in defense and just leaving his sword hang at his side while the enemy kept shooting at him. We would wonder what is wrong with him. Why doesn't he defend himself and fight back? That is exactly what we are doing if we do not use the word of God - our sword - in the spiritual battles we face daily. The enemy won't stop attacking just because we hold up a shield in front of us. We need to get out our swords, sharpen up and put them to use. Our battles are not of this world - they are spiritual and we need to fight them that way.

Kim Morgan

December 30 , 2008

"Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong." Daniel 9:15 NIV

When our circumstances are difficult it can be so easy to look at others and say "you" sinned, "you" did this or that. But Daniel sets an amazing example for us. Daniel was a man of great integrity. Yet when he went to the Lord in prayer on behalf of others, he didn't say "they" sinned, he said "we have sinned, we have done wrong." He included himself among those he was praying on behalf of. To think that we are sinless is a sin in itself. Remember to examine your own heart first.

Kim Morgan

December 29 , 2008

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 NIV

Being a disciple of Christ means, in part, that we must remain in the Word. How can we possibly know his teachings and know the truth if we never spend anytime reading and studying what the Teacher has written? Christ wants us to be free from sin and he wants us to be free from ignorance. The price was paid for our freedom, so why would we want to continue to be slaves to sin and the bondage that goes with it? The truth gives us the freedom to love God, to serve God and to live the abundant life He promises.

Kim Morgan

December 24 , 2008

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10 NIV

Jesus Christ came to earth for all people. He came for people from every tribe, every nation and every tongue. He came for the rich and the poor. He came for the strong and the weak. He came for the sick and the healthy. He came for every man, woman and child. He came down to us to call us to Him. Glory to God in the Highest - let's praise His holy name this Christmas eve.

Kim Morgan

December 23 , 2008

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 NIV

No greater gift could we receive than the gift of Salvation. Jesus came to this earth in human form as a tiny infant to 'save his people from their sins'. He came for you and for me. He gave the ultimate gift and made the ultimate sacrifice that we might know Him and live. But like all gifts, we have the choice of whether or not we will receive it. The gift is free. Have you accepted it?

Kim Morgan

December 22 , 2008

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45

Elizabeth's words to Mary were words of encouragement and great faith. These women had been through great testings and there were many trials yet to come. But they believed and in their belief they had great joy. They knew with certainty that all that had been promised would come to pass. God promised to send His Son to be the Savior of the world and He arrived on Christmas day over 2000 years ago. Jesus Christ has promised that He will return again one day. If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior - you are blessed and what Christ has promised you will be accomplished!

Kim Morgan

December 19 , 2008

And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" Luke 2:46 NIV

Mary was carrying the Savior of the world in her womb. Who can fathom what she must have felt and experienced during that time. The Savior was born on that Christmas morning so long ago. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas this year, we too wait for our Savior's return. May our spirit rejoice and our soul glorify the Lord as we approach this Christmas season.

Kim Morgan

December 18 , 2008

Be still, and know that I am God; Psalm 46:10 NIV

As I awoke this morning, I felt the ever-gentle whisper of God say to me "be still and know that I am God". It seems that sometimes life is full of so many questions and decisions to make and uncertainty. We just need to remember in those uncertain times to stop and be still before Him. He is God and that is all I need to know.

Kim Morgan

December 17 , 2008

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7 NRSV

Have you ever thought about keeping company with Jesus and extending hospitality to him? We can get so caught up in thinking that hospitality is about impressing others that we lose the true meaning. It can be the same in our relationship with Christ. Hospitality is about welcoming someone with warmth and generosity - not about fancy food and dishes. We don't have fancy prayers and perfect hearts to spend time with Christ. Spend some time today just keeping company with Jesus and let your heart be entertained with thoughts of Him.

Kim Morgan

December 16 , 2008

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. James 1:27-2:1 (The Message)

We are in the heart of the Christmas season. During this time our hearts and giving often turn to those in need and I pray that your heart is doing that this year. But what about on January 1st? That is when the 'real religion that passes muster before God the Father' needs to continue. Set it in your heart now to love the loveless and reach out to the homeless all year long. May you live out your faith.

Kim Morgan

December 15 , 2008

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed, not some or just the verses we like, but ALL. How wonderful that God's truth, power and inspiration is the same in Genesis 1:1 as it is in Revelation 22:21. It is good to know that just as sure as our sin will find us out, so the Savior came to forgive of us our sins. Some of Scripture can be hard to follow and hard to swallow, but I am thankful that I can trust God in all He says and promises. Aren't you?

Kim Morgan

December 12 , 2008

Daniel Chapter 7 refers to and describes God as the "Ancient of Days". The description is breathtaking as you visualize God in all His glory and power seated in the throne room of heaven. It continues to amaze me that this same Ancient of Days would send His holy and perfect Son to earth. A tiny little baby entrusted to Mary and Joseph. The Ancient of Days knew that the litte baby would rule the earth and that His kingdom would never be destroyed. May we fall down and worship Him this Christmas season.

Kim Morgan

December 11 , 2008

Having a relationship with God is a choice. It is a also a choice as to how well we know Him and how much time we spend with Him. Everyday we make a choice to get up, go to work, eat, watch tv, go to bed, etc. Whether or not we really know God is up to us. He makes himself available 24 hours a day - 7 days a week. He is always available to meet with us, but we must choose to meet with Him and include Him in our lives. James 4:8 says in part: "Come near to God and he will come near to you." He simpy tells us to come near. Be intentional in your time with God just as you are intentional in everything else you do.

Kim Morgan

December 10 , 2008

Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. Psalm 9:11 (NIV)

With all that is going on around us in our daily lives and in the world, we can easily get discouraged and forget all that God has done for us. Each day stop and take some time to reflect on what God has done for you. As you count the many blessings in your life - sing. Sing praises to the Lord and proclaim all that He has done and all that He is. He is worthy of our praise.

Kim Morgan

December 8 , 2008

And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:6 (NIV)

Jesus Christ has called each of us to belong to Him. The first step is accepting Him as your Savior. But there is more, so much more. Belonging to Christ involves obedience, spending time with Him, getting to know the Savior. It can often seem difficult and maybe even awkward in the beginning as you begin to pray and read the Word. Before long though, Christ will begin to reveal himself to you in powerful and personal new ways. He never meant for us to belong to Him and be distant from Him. He has called us to belong to Him and to know Him and to share in His glory. Belonging to Him means that you have become His child. May you rest in that powerful assurance and protection today.

Kim Morgan

December 5 , 2008

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 1:4 (NIV)

Nehemiah was a man of prayer. We often hear how Nehemiah rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem in only 52 days. But did you know that he prayed for four months before he began and that he prayed continually throughout the project? Throughout the book of Nehemiah you will find references to his prayer life. He prayed for long periods of time. He prayed when he only had a moment to seek God. Oh that we would have a relationship with the Lord and heart of passion like Nehemiah.

Kim Morgan

December 4 , 2008

For this reason I kneel before the Father. Ephesians 3:14 (NIV)

As I am getting older, I find that after having spent some time on my knees with the Lord it is a little harder to get back up. And yet, I have an ever increasing desire to be on my knees before Him. Kneeling in prayer "expresses deep emotion and reverence" (NIV Study Bible, Zondervan) I want that kind of prayer life; a life that expresses deep emotion and reverence for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is worthy of our bowing down and kneeling at His feet.

Kim Morgan

December 3 , 2008

The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 (NIV)

"The LORD is the stronghold of my life". There is such a great comfort in those words. It doesn't matter what country you live in, what your income is or what color you are. The promise of the LORD being your stronghold is true for everyone who lays hold of it. God delights in us. He gives us the gift of salvation and He guides us in the light so that we do not need to live in fear. May your heart rejoice today in the promises and protection of God Almighty.

Kim Morgan

December 2 , 2008

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall." Nehemiah 4:10 (NIV)

The enemy loves to keep us busy and weighed down with things to do and stuff to take care of. Before we know it our strength can give out and we feel like there is too much to do. It isn't long until we begin to feel defeated or want to give up. Take a careful look at your life and see if you have any 'rubble' that is getting in the way of the work that God is trying to do in your life.

Kim Morgan

December 1 , 2008

Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour our your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, . . Lamentations 2:19 (NIV)

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night and find yourself unable to get back to sleep? During those times, rise up, pour out your heart to the Lord and lift up your hands to Him on behalf of your children or on behalf of the children of others. The youth of today need our prayers in order to stand firm against the attacks of the Enemy in their lives. We need to cover the next generation in prayer day and night.

Oh Lord, protect our children. Go before them each day. Guard their hearts and minds and deliver them from any plans of evil that the enemy has plotted against them. May they hunger for you and passionately pursue the things of God all the days of their lives. Amen.

Kim Morgan

November 29, 2008

Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. Exodus 15:25a (NIV)

Three days after Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and into the desert, the only water they could find to drink was bitter. The people immediately began to grumble and complain to Moses. It seems they had forgotten all that God had done for them and the miracles He had just performed. They had been captive and now they were free. They had witnessed the mighty hand of God over and over, but it wasn't long until their focus became all about them. A root of bitterness had taken hold in more ways than one.

Dear One, has God performed some awesome and amazing miracles in your life? Has God provided for your daily needs? Let's not forget all that God has done in our lives. His provisions and blessings are endless. If a root of bitterness has taken hold in your life in any way, ask God to remove it and allow the Living Water to flow freely in all you do and all you are.

Kim Morgan

November 28, 2008

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. Romans 1:1 NIV

As believers in Christ we have been set apart for the calling that God has placed on our lives and the work that He has prepared for us to do. The word servant means that we are to willingly choose to serve the Master. What is it that God has asked you to do for Him? If you know, are you willingly choosing to follow Him and serve Him? If you don't know what God has set you apart to do, ask Him. God has a plan and purpose for every believer's life, but we must be willing to be His servants. God will never force you to serve him, but each day we make a choice in who or what we serve.

Kim Morgan

November 27, 2008

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, many people focus on being thankful. As important as that is, I am choosing to focus on the second part - giving.

Everyday I get up, go to work to provide for my needs and the needs of my family. While doing this I also bless others by serving their needs through the service I provide.

Scripture, however, gives a totally different purpose for working - to earn money in order to give it away to others. The scriptures seem to overwhelmingly direct us to the point that as God sees fit to prosper us, our abundance should begin to spill over and start benefiting others who are in need. In Psalm 37:25-26 David states: "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous foresaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed."

So as God prospers me and my family it should result in generosity to others.

Giving is a discipline and privilege taught by scripture. Every believer is called to use part of their income to meet the needs of others. God desires for us to join with Him by giving to others as He has freely given to us.

Ken Morgan