A Word Fitly Spoken

Confession gives expression to what is believed. The confession of the mouth must accurately express the belief of the heart. To defeat Satan, we must speak forth the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

As a young immature mom of three, not a believer in Christ Jesus, I remember the times when I spoke so negatively to my children. I would venture to say that the no's outweighed the yes's by at least 10 to 1. No, don't do that! No, you can't go there! No, don't hit your brother! No, I said no!!! Well, along with the no's how many times did I think or say oh for stupid? Oh, for dumb! That was stupid! Even to this day I will catch myself speaking a poor confession over myself. I will have to say that through the help of the Holy Spirit and a good accountability group that I am really becoming aware when I do make a negative confession over myself or someone else. Why do we entertain that mindset, habit or whatever you want to call it so naturally?

I occasionally find myself humming or singing that cute little Steve Green children's song that has these lyrics in it, "Encourage one another and build each other up, build each other up, build each other up..." That is it! We are called to build one another up just like it says in Romans 14:19 "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." That is just so rich and sweet although we must purpose to offer that  to one another! What kind of a world would we live in if only we would take that approach with those in the world around us?

Let's together see just how much we can be an encourager to one another and then watch what that influence has on our sphere of influence! Let me know how you encourage others along and build each other up! We are in this together for Christ's sake!


Father, I really enjoy those times when I can be an encourager to a brother or sister in the Lord.  And even for myself Lord, I need to speak life and peace into my own spirit!  Holy Spirit, show me when I slip back into my old ways and remind me that the power of death and life is in my tongue as it says in Proverbs 18! In Jesus' name.

No Excuses!

"No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with that temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13


This is a Scripture that should be on the top list for memorization (at least in my opinion!) How many times can we slip into that 'devil made me do it' mode? I think it becomes an out to basically do what we want to do but the truth is contrary to this mindset! Every temptation (not just some) that comes our way has an opportunity to prove God's faithfulness in His word to us. Every temptation has an escape route so that we won't be trapped. And, if it begins to feel unbearable, God's word also tells us that we are able to endure that temptation until it passes!

So friends, no excuses, Kimberly Dawn, no excuses! Today I choose to not give in when I am feeling pressed by temptation, but will surrender my fleshly desires to the Lord and escape before harm can come to me or another that I might have an effect upon. No cranky responses, gossipy tongue, judgmental thinking, it has to go! Because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me--and you too!

Free From the Ties That Bind - Intro

Did you know that God desires to use you for kingdom purposes?  If not it is time to get a clue.  Here is some of my favorite Scripture:

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 

To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 

To grant those who mourn {in} Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Now mind you this was a prophetic word written some 700 years before the Messiah was to come.  It indeed has indicated the coming One who would bring the Word, with healing for the brokenhearted, liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners.  Now fast forward to the New Testament, what Jesus left the disciples with was to go and do likewise in My name.

You know every time we bring the Good News of the gospel to the world there is the potential for amazing change in that person’s life should they accept it.  But here is where I want you to envision just why you are here at this time “for such a time as this.”  Every single one of us has a sphere of influence.  I like the picture of a stone being dropped into water and the “ripple effect” that takes place as the stone hits the water’s surface.  Let’s use that to reflect on the fact that every thing we do has some sort of impact on someone within our sphere of influence.  

I am going to start with a typical day.  You may get up with your spouse in the morning, that being your first encounter.  Then it could be your children.  I am going to stop here and we will see just how much influence we have right here.  Please, I know that we all have days when we really don’t want to see or talk with anyone!  Whether it be good old PMS or stubbing our toe on the way to the bathroom.  And there can be aches and pains that can be highlighted by tossing and turning all night, whew!  I am sympathetic to the kinds of things that can start the day off on a sour note.  But here is a tough truth for you (and me), we have a choice to make--right from the moment our feet hit the ground--to share our love and blessings with those we share life with or we can lend a thud to their day.  Can you see the huge impact you have on your family?  How much better to send them on their way encouraged with a blessing and knowing just how much they are loved.  So now we continue on to see who else we impact through our day.  There are the neighbors, our friends, work relationships, people we meet in the grocery, and the post office…and that ripple just continues to spread wider and wider.  That just amazes me!

Will you think of yourself as a “Change Agent” (Agent of Change), which reads according to one of Mirriam Webser’s dictionary editions: a change agent, or agent of change, is someone who intentionally or indirectly causes or accelerates social, cultural, or behavioral change.  That’s it!  Have you figured it out yet?  You are here for a specific reason and it is not about you!  I love what it says in 

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Now that we have a glimpse of our purpose we need to look at reality and see that all does not always go according to Hoyle!  For we all have stuff in our lives that has played a role in making and shaping us.  Hopefully there is a lot of good, positive stuff.  But for some of us it has been a journey through the pit.  In too many cases the pitfalls we have experienced or are working through have become stumbling blocks that may have developed into strongholds.  Check out the meaning of a stronghold in the Hebrew: castle; defense; fortress; be hunted; net; snare.  Interestingly enough, we see that it is a good thing for the most part.  After all king David declared that God was his fortress and high tower, but what about those last few meanings, to be hunted, a net and a snare.  If you have been caught in the snare of blocked goals, unforgiveness toward another, generational sin, unforgiveness of ourself, not believing who God says we are and pleasing man over pleasing God, stay tuned.  We are going to see how these strongholds have or can keep us from moving forward into the abundant life God calls us to live for Him.



Next time I will share with you from a time when I almost gave up on God.  It was one of the most difficult times of frustration and disappointment in someone I love very much.  But…God!

Breaking the Stronghold of Blocked Goals

As we start our journey we will look at pivotal points in our life that became strongholds and those strongholds may be preventing us from living the abundant life.  Let's begin by thinking about blocked goals. You know, the times when we set our sights on something like marrying our high school sweetheart but then he ran off with your best friend.  Or maybe like me you always wanted to be a teacher, even as a little girl, but things got in the way and when you finally decided to go to college your husband said no (not to college but to traveling over 200 miles each day to attend classes.)  And maybe your child had such a caring heart for others and you really saw them becoming a missionary someday but they got into trouble along the way and have yet to find their way back into the church body.  These are things that can really take the wind out of our sails and cause some deep-seated resentment toward God or others. The story of my prodigal has served to teach me many lessons that have been extremely painful and even drove me to temporarily delve into unbelief and hopelessness.


My youngest son was difficult from the get-go.  By kindergarten he was already having problems on the bus and with all authority figures.  It is a long story but to bring you up to speed and when I suffered the biggest disappointment was over six years ago now.  While sitting in jail and under my influence, he opted to see if the judge would let him go to Teen Challenge, in hopes of getting the help he needed to get his life straightened out.  The judge court ordered him there and we were holding our breath thinking that this is it, this kid is finally going to turn things around.  Teen Challenge is a twelve-month plus program that I really do believe in because they have proven very successful at helping anyone who is ready to help themselves recover from whatever it is that got them in the program!  My son pulled himself out after seven and a half months and it was just like I was socked in the gut.  I just knew this was the answer for my guy and that it would bring him back to the Lord and I was devastated.  I wanted to throw my arms in the air and tell God that I give up, that’s it and that he is hopelessly lost.  I really hope to never revisit this place again.  


Let me say that pitfalls like the blocked goal described above can turn into your times of preparation!  It can be a time of tilling the hardened soil around the heart.  In a Bible study that I did many years ago called “Trials, Don’t Resent them as Intruders” the author, Juanita Purcell said this and it has stuck with me:

“Faith does not grow on a smooth road without obstacles.  However, we must view trials as steppingstones—not stumbling blocks.  Each trial we pass through should help us climb a little higher and draw us closer to Christ.”

We all have dreams that have been soured.  And my prodigal’s situation is a perfect example of obvious disappointment.  It is situations like this that the enemy uses us to render us hopeless!  When we are in a hopeless mode it can lead to depression and depression is many times anger turned inward, a blocked goal.  The plan didn’t develop the way that I thought it should have or would have if only…He had taken the road I knew would bring healing to his wounded spirit.  What I found though, was that this was a lesson for me.  You see God wanted me to know Who was in charge.  And it wasn’t me!


I am very grateful for an amazing little group of people who I pray with almost every week and we have met for going on eleven years.  They are my prayer partners and accountability group and I thank God for them often.  They played a big role in helping me to get back to believing that God would make a way where there seems to be no way.  For a good couple of months it was like I was numb.  With their tough love and words of encouragement I soon found myself back on the journey of faith.  It is certainly easy to see how I could have continued on the downward spiral of unbelief and become very bitter and angry.  I could have missed out on walking in my kingdom purpose.


Faith is where I need to rest when it comes to my goals being prohibited. 

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJ)

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Do I trust God with the unknown?  Can I trust Him when circumstances take a different path than I anticipated?  Will I be able to admit that I am not in control and that there is Someone much greater and more trustworthy than I could ever be?  Who knows the beginning and the end and what is best?  


Father, I am so guilty of trying to step in and take charge but then so disappointed when my way didn’t quite turn out as I expected.  What I need to do is take a deep breath and then open the Word and look at the many times You were faithful to those whom You called Your own.  Faithful even when they didn’t deserve Your favor but Your judgement.  It is rock solid truth that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  Right now I am choosing to trust in You.

Generational Sins

Proud parents are continuously acknowledging--from the moment of birth--just how much their children look like either mom or dad.  They might see characteristics of grandma and grandpa too, such as the nose, eyes, forehead or mouth.  As the children grow and develop, the opportunity may arise to begin to see familiar temperaments as well.  They may be positive or they could be negative.  You will hear comments such as "look at her, she is such a girly girl, just like her mom" or maybe "boy, has he got a stubborn streak, just like his dad."  It is inevitable that we will take on similar looks and characteristics as genetic dispositions.  If only it was just the positive, good qualities that were evident, unfortunately that is not always so.


If we look at this a bit deeper, we can also see how it is possible to "inherit" those good and bad tendencies.  Let me give you an example from my own life.  Divorce is not a pleasant thing to think about and go through.  Unfortunately in my family it is a prevalent occurrence. Not only has my mom been divorced twice but my grandmother once.  I recently had it pointed out that my great grandmother had been divorced three times!  That was extremely unusual and frowned upon in that day.  Sadly, I too have also gone through a divorce.  Now as a Christian, it makes me sorrowful and guarded to know that my three children could have the 'tendency' to fall into this unfortunate pattern and as a matter of fact one of my children has already succumbed to the divorce solution.  It is interesting yet sad that my father too was also divorced twice.  Therein that has only made for a double whammy for our family, argh!


So how can and do we break this vicious cycle?


God is teaching me many things right now and for the most part He is showing me how to learn to be dependent upon and put my trust in Him.  I only bring this up because my "independent" nature has gotten me into so much trouble through the years!  The world tells us that independence is good and I really do believe there can be a positive side to it.  But God calls us to lay down our independent spirit and to take up complete dependency upon Him. Generationally speaking, our family has a problem with that.  We have had to be survivors and have done just the opposite of what the Word tells us in Proverbs 3:5-8

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.  It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones."  (Amplified version)

It is so ironic that God includes the healthful benefits of our being dependent upon Him!  (The first thing I thought of when I read the 'moistening to your bones' section was how arthritis is deterioration of our joint cushioning and once again, our family as they age tend to develop this condition!)  I am diligently learning to work through and break the habit of leaning on Kimberly Dawn's understanding and lack of wisdom!


The key focus here is that--while it is obvious that not everything we inherit is bad--there are or can be some debilitating 'bends' or 'tendencies' that affect our living the abundant life.  Do you ever wonder why you only move forward with baby steps?  Or why you might keep doing and revisiting the same negative habit over and over?  It is possible that it could be a generational sin or tendency.  After all the Word tells us the sins of the fathers will revisit to the third and the fourth generations!  Now that is a scary thought and I am living proof that it is so.  But the good news is we do not have to stay there!


While it is wonderful to inherit the wonderful and admirable qualities of our family and ancestors, when we are earnestly seeking God we need to allow Him to show us our short comings.  That might involve a painful look into our past.  It might be that you can recognize your stronghold as an excuse to continue to behave in an un-Christ-like way.  The old "devil made me do it" mentality just does not fly for the Spirit led, abundant life.  God really does have a better plan in mind for us and He has called us to go higher, and challenged us to a deeper level in our walk with Him.  In Romans 6:6 we find that we are no longer slaves to sin.  And that means that I really have been given the power to overcome every bad tendency--even if it goes back to the 100th generation!

1 Peter 2:9,10 (NASB)

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy."

Abba Father, I want others to see You in my life.  I want them to see the difference You have made in me.  It is because of You that I am alive!  With all that You have brought me through and healed me from I can publicly rejoice and declare Your faithfulness to me and to my next generations.  I am not who I used to be because Your love broke through the darkness that once bound me and caused me much pain.  Let me continue to make myself available to Your refining fire then others will see how truly marvelous and in love with Your children that You are.  I rejoice and praise You as I walk in Your marvelous light.